bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Validation of a patient satisfaction questionnaire for anemia treatment, the PSQ-An
Authors: Nordyke Robert J , Chang Chih-Hung , Chiou Chiun-Fang , Wallace Joel F , Yao Bin , Schwartzberg Lee S
Published: May 2006

Background

Treating anemia associated with chemotherapy and many cancers is often necessary. However, patient satisfaction with anemia treatment is limited by the lack of validated instruments. We developed and validated a new treatment-specific patient satisfaction instrument: the Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire for Anemia Treatment (PSQ-An). Treatment burden and overall satisfaction scales were designed for ease of use in clinical practice.

Methods

312 cancer patients (141 breast, 69 gynecological, and 102 non-small cell lung) were targeted to complete the PSQ-An at 4 week intervals. Data from weeks 5 and 9 were analyzed. Patients also completed the MOS SF-36 Global Health assessment and questions concerning resources devoted to anemia treatment. Item reduction used endorsement rates, floor/ceiling effects, and item-item correlations. Factor analysis identified meaningful subscales. Test-retest reliability was assessed. Construct validity was tested, using Pearson's correlations, by comparing subscale scores to Global Health, hemoglobin levels, and resources devoted to anemia treatment.

Results

The overall response rate was 92.9% (264/284) at week 5. Most (84.2%) of the patients were female, and the mean (SD) age was 60.2 (± 11.8) years. Two distinct subscales were identified measuring treatment burden (7 items) and overall satisfaction (2 items). Test-retest reliability was examined (ICC: 0.45–0.67); both were internally consistent (alpha = 0.83). Both subscales exhibited convergent and divergent validity with independent measures of health. ANOVA results indicated that the PSQ-An Satisfaction subscale discriminated between 5 levels of MOS SF-36 Global Health (P = 0.006).

Conclusion

The PSQ-An is a validated, treatment-specific instrument for measuring satisfaction with anemia treatment for cancer patients. PSQ-An subscales reflect the burden of injection anemia treatment on cancer patients and their assessment of the overall treatment value.
The basic principles of migration health: Population mobility and gaps in disease prevalence
Authors: Gushulak Brian D , MacPherson Douglas W
Published: May 2006

Currently, migrants and other mobile individuals, such as migrant workers and asylum seekers, are an expanding global population of growing social, demographic and political importance. Disparities often exist between a migrant population's place of origin and its destination, particularly with relation to health determinants. The effects of those disparities can be observed at both individual and population levels. Migration across health and disease disparities influences the epidemiology of certain diseases globally and in nations receiving migrants. While specific disease-based outcomes may vary between migrant group and location, general epidemiological principles may be applied to any situation where numbers of individuals move between differences in disease prevalence. Traditionally, migration health activities have been designed for national application and lack an integrated international perspective. Present and future health challenges related to migration may be more effectively addressed through collaborative global undertakings. This paper reviews the epidemiological relationships resulting from health disparities bridged by migration and describes the growing role of migration and population mobility in global disease epidemiology. The implications for national and international health policy and program planning are presented.
Dosimetric comparison of intensity-modulated, conformal, and four-field pelvic radiotherapy boost plans for gynecologic cancer: a retrospective planning study
Authors: Chan Philip , Yeo Inhwan , Perkins Gregory , Fyles Anthony , Milosevic Michael
Published: May 2006

Purpose

To evaluate intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) as an alternative to conformal radiotherapy (CRT) or 4-field box boost (4FB) in women with gynecologic malignancies who are unsuitable for brachytherapy for technical or medical reasons.

Methods

Dosimetric and toxicity information was analyzed for 12 patients with cervical (8), endometrial (2) or vaginal (2) cancer previously treated with external beam pelvic radiotherapy and a CRT boost. Optimized IMRT boost treatment plans were then developed for each of the 12 patients and compared to CRT and 4FB plans. The plans were compared in terms of dose conformality and critical normal tissue avoidance.

Results

The median planning target volume (PTV) was 151 cm3 (range 58–512 cm3). The median overlap of the contoured rectum with the PTV was 15 (1–56) %, and 11 (4–35) % for the bladder. Two of the 12 patients, both with large PTVs and large overlap of the contoured rectum and PTV, developed grade 3 rectal bleeding. The dose conformity was significantly improved with IMRT over CRT and 4FB (p ≤ 0.001 for both). IMRT also yielded an overall improvement in the rectal and bladder dose-volume distributions relative to CRT and 4FB. The volume of rectum that received the highest doses (>66% of the prescription) was reduced by 22% (p < 0.001) with IMRT relative to 4FB, and the bladder volume was reduced by 19% (p < 0.001). This was at the expense of an increase in the volume of these organs receiving doses in the lowest range (<33%).

Conclusion

These results indicate that IMRT can improve target coverage and reduce dose to critical structures in gynecologic patients receiving an external beam radiotherapy boost. This dosimetric advantage will be integrated with other patient and treatment-specific factors, particularly internal tumor movement during fractionated radiotherapy, in the context of a future image-guided radiation therapy study.
Estimating the variance of cancer prevalence from population-based registries
Authors: Gigli Anna , Mariotto Angela , Clegg Limin X , Tavilla Andrea , Corazziari Isabella , Capocaccia Riccardo , Hachey Mark , Scoppa Steve
Published: May 2006

Cancer prevalence is the proportion of people in a population diagnosed with cancer in the past and still alive. One way to estimate prevalence is via population-based registries, where data on diagnosis and life status of all incidence cases occurring in the covered population are collected. In this paper, a method to estimate the complete prevalence and its variance from population-based registries is presented. In order to obtain unbiased estimates of the complete prevalence, its calculation can be thought as made by three steps. Step 1 counts the incidence cases diagnosed during the period of registration and still alive. Step 2 estimates the expected number of survivors among cases lost to follow-up. Step 3 estimates the complete prevalence by taking into account cases diagnosed before the start of registration. The combination of steps 1+2 is defined as the counting method, to estimate the limited duration prevalence; step 3 is the completeness index method, to estimate the complete prevalence. For early established registries, steps 1+2 are more important than step 3, because observation time is long enough to include all past diagnosed cases still alive in the prevalence data. For more recently established registries, step 3 is by far the most critical because a large part of prevalence might have been diagnosed before the period of registration (Corazziari I, Mariotto A, Capocaccia R. Correcting the completeness bias of observed prevalence. Tumori 1999; 85: 370-81). The work by Clegg LX, Gail MH, Feuer EJ. Estimating the variance of disease-prevalence estimates from population-based registries. Biometrics 2002; 55: 1137-44. considers the problem of the variability of the estimated prevalence up to step 2. To our knowledge, no other work has considered the variability induced by correcting for the unobserved cases diagnosed before the period of registration, crucial to estimate the prevalence in recent registries. An analytic approach is considered to calculate the variance of step 3. A unified expression for the variance of the prevalence allowing for steps 1 through 3 is obtained. Some applications to cancer data are presented.
DrosophilaPlexin B is a Sema-2a receptor required for axon guidance
Authors: Ayoob Joseph C. , Terman Jonathan R. , Kolodkin Alex L.
Published: May 2006

Plexin receptors play a crucial role in the transduction of axonal guidance events elicited by semaphorin proteins. In Drosophila, Plexin A(PlexA) is a receptor for the transmembrane semaphorin semaphorin-1a (Sema-1a)and is required for motor and central nervous system (CNS) axon guidance in the developing embryonic nervous system. However, it remains unknown how PlexB functions during neural development and which ligands serve to activate this receptor. Here, we show that plexB, like plexA, is robustly expressed in the developing CNS and is required for motor and CNS axon pathfinding. PlexB and PlexA serve both distinct and shared neuronal guidance functions. We observe a physical association between these two plexin receptors in vivo and find that they can utilize common downstream signaling mechanisms. PlexB does not directly bind to the cytosolic semaphorin signaling component MICAL (molecule that interacts with CasL), but requires MICAL for certain axonal guidance functions. Ligand binding and genetic analyses demonstrate that PlexB is a receptor for the secreted semaphorin Sema-2a,suggesting that secreted and transmembrane semaphorins in Drosophilause PlexB and PlexA, respectively, for axon pathfinding during neural development. These results establish roles for PlexB in central and peripheral axon pathfinding, define a functional ligand for PlexB, and implicate common signaling events in plexin-mediated axonal guidance.
Dkk2 plays an essential role in the corneal fate of the ocular surface epithelium
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Mahua , Gorivodsky Marat , Shtrom Svetlana , Grinberg Alexander , Niehrs Christoph , Morasso Maria I. , Westphal Heiner
Published: May 2006

The Dkk family of secreted cysteine-rich proteins regulates Wnt/β-catenin signaling by interacting with the Wnt co-receptor Lrp5/6. Here, we show that Dkk2-mediated repression of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway is essential to promote differentiation of the corneal epithelial progenitor cells into a non-keratinizing stratified epithelium. Complete transformation of the corneal epithelium into a stratified epithelium that expresses epidermal-specific differentiation markers and develops appendages such as hair follicles is achieved in the absence of the Dkk2 gene function. We show that Dkk2 is a key regulator of the corneal versus epidermal fate of the ocular surface epithelium.
VEGF activates divergent intracellular signaling components to regulate retinal progenitor cell proliferation and neuronal differentiation
Authors: Hashimoto Takao , Zhang Xiang-Mei , Chen Brenden Yi-kuang , Yang Xian-Jie
Published: May 2006

During vertebrate neurogenesis, multiple extracellular signals influence progenitor cell fate choices. The process by which uncommitted progenitor cells interpret and integrate signals is not well understood. We demonstrate here that in the avascular chicken retina, vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) secreted by postmitotic neurons acts through the FLK1 receptor present on progenitor cells to influence cell proliferation and commitment. Augmenting VEGF signals increases progenitor cell proliferation and decreases retinal ganglion cell genesis. Conversely, absorbing endogenous VEGF ligand or disrupting FLK1 activity attenuates cell proliferation and enhances retinal ganglion cell production. In addition, we provide evidence that VEGF signals transmitted by the FLK1 receptor activate divergent intracellular signaling components, which regulate different responses of progenitor cells. VEGF-induced proliferation is influenced by the MEK-ERK pathway, as well as by the basic helix-loop-helix factor HES1. By contrast, VEGF-dependent ganglion cell suppression does not require MEK-ERK activation, but instead relies on VEGF-stimulated HES1 activity, which is independent of NOTCH signaling. Moreover, elevated HES1 expression promotes progenitor cell proliferation and prevents overproduction of retinal ganglion cells owing to the loss of VEGF or sonic hedgehog (SHH), another signal that suppresses ganglion cell development. Based on previous and current findings, we propose that HES1 serves as a convergent signaling node within early retinal progenitor cells to integrate various cell-extrinsic cues, including VEGF and SHH, in order to control cell proliferation and neuronal specification.
Sustained Bmp signaling is essential for cloaca development in zebrafish
Authors: Pyati Ujwal J. , Cooper Mark S. , Davidson Alan J. , Nechiporuk Alexei , Kimelman David
Published: May 2006

Bone morphogenetic protein (Bmp) signaling has long been known to be important for the early development of the ventral mesoderm, including blood,vasculature and kidney cells. Although Bmp genes are continually expressed in the ventral cells throughout gastrulation and somitogenesis, previous studies in zebrafish have not addressed how the role of Bmp signaling changes over time to regulate ventral mesoderm development. Here, we describe the use of a transgenic inducible dominant-negative Bmp receptor line to examine the temporal roles of Bmp signaling in ventral mesoderm patterning. Surprisingly,we find that Bmp signaling from the mid-gastrula stage through early somitogenesis is important for excluding blood and vascular precursors from the extreme ventral mesoderm, and we show that this domain is normally required for development of the cloaca (the common gut and urogenital opening). Using a novel assay for cloacal function, we find that larvae with reduced mid-gastrula Bmp signaling cannot properly excrete waste. We show that the cloacal defects result from alterations in the morphogenesis of the cloaca and from changes in the expression of genes marking the excretory system. Finally, we show that HrT, a T-box transcription factor, is a Bmp-regulated gene that has an essential function in cloacal development. We conclude that sustained Bmp signaling plays an important role in specification of the zebrafish cloaca by maintaining the fate of extreme ventral cells during the course of gastrulation and early somitogenesis. Furthermore, our data suggest that alterations in Bmp signaling are one possible cause of anorectal malformations during human embryogenesis.
A factor analysis of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale 3rd Edition (WAIS‐III) in a low IQ sample
Authors: Jones Jill J. S. , van Schaik Paul , Witts Paul
Published: May 2006

Objectives. Previous factor analytic studies of the WAIS, WAIS‐R and WAIS‐III used standardization samples, (representing the general population), clinical populations (e.g. psychiatric) and ‘non‐clinical’ groups (e.g. older adults). These studies endorsed the reliability of the scales in such samples and supported theoretical models of intelligence. The WAIS‐III (1997) includes four Indexes based on factor analysis, which provide clinically useful information to practitioners, but have not been validated in a low IQ population. However, the WAIS‐III is often administered to individuals with suspected or proven low IQ, as it offers service providers, legislators and the Department of Health with a reliable measure of IQ. The aim of this study was to investigate the factor structure of the WAIS‐III in a low IQ sample.

Methods. WAIS‐III data was collected from assessments carried out in routine clinical practice from individuals with a full scale IQ of 74 or below (n=105). The data were subjected to factor analysis, using two types of factor analysis: principal axis factoring and principal components analysis. Orthogonal and oblique rotations were applied to the analyses.

Results. Only one robust solution could be extracted. This contained two factors, analogous to traditional verbal and performance sub‐scales.

Conclusions. This study does not support the four‐factor solution which underlies WAIS‐III index scores in a low IQ population.
Repeated-Adherence Protection Model: “I'm OK, and It's a Hassle”
Authors: Kahn Barbara E. , Luce Mary Frances
Published: May 2006

Adherence to preventive measures is shown to be influenced by prior usage, particularly when hazards do not occur. Two outcomes weaken resolve to use preventive measures: (1) “hassle” events and (2) “false security” following the neglected use of the measure. Implications from the model provide suggestions for public policy interventions that can encourage repeated use of preventive measures.
Air permeability of aspen veneer and glueline: Experimentation and implications
Authors: Wang Brad Jianhe , Zhou Xiaoyan , Dai Chunping , Ellis Simon
Published: May 2006

Extensive experiments were conducted to investigate the transverse (vertical) air permeability of trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) veneer and phenol formaldehyde (PF) gluelines, as well as aspen plywood and strandboard. The theory for permeability through laminates was used to determine the relative contribution of the veneer and glueline to panel permeability. Based on the classic Carman-Kozeny theory for porous materials, a concept of effective porosity was proposed to explain the difference in panel permeability and the resulting hot-pressing behavior. The results show that, for veneer-based panels, the panel compression ratio (CR) was the most important factor affecting panel permeability, followed by the sapwood/heartwood composition and glueline. As a 3–7% CR was reached, the panel permeability substantially decreased by approximately 80%. On average, the permeability of sapwood veneer panels was approximately four-fold higher than that of heartwood veneer panels. The glueline permeability decreased during glue curing, but the reduction from the uncured to the cured state was only ∼15%. In addition, the glueline permeability also decreased with increasing glue spread. At the normal level of glue spread for plywood, the average permeability of cured gluelines was approximately 20% of that for non-compressed veneer, but was close to that for veneer with a 3–7% CR. Since the thickness of the glueline was only ∼5% of that for normally peeled veneer, the net contribution of the glueline to panel permeability was limited. During hot pressing, therefore, the small deformation of the veneer ply effectively acts as the main barrier to gas and moisture movement, rather than the curing glueline. The rate of convection is negligible. The effective porosity in veneer panels was only ∼0.05–0.5% compared to the total panel voids, which ranged from 50% to 70%. At the same panel density, veneer panels had much lower permeability than strandboards. Although these commercial panel types had almost the same average permeability, the veneer panels showed approximately two-fold less variation due to the formation of layered and uniform gas and moisture barriers. As a result, the temperature and gas pressure responses during hot pressing were essentially different between plywood and strandboard.
Fracture cleavage analysis of PVAc latex adhesives: Influence of phenolic additives
Authors: López-Suevos Francisco , Frazier Charles E.
Published: May 2006

Mode I fracture cleavage testing was conducted on wood bonded with poly(vinyl acetate-co-NMA) latex adhesive containing two types/degrees of cross-linking: (1) cross-linking through AlCl3 catalysis of N-methylolacrylamide (NMA) comonomer; and (2) additional cross-linking using a phenol-formaldehyde resol additive, in addition to AlCl3 catalysis. The formulation lacking the phenolic additive performed well under dry conditions; but it completely failed during testing as a result of accelerated weathering. In contrast, fortification with the phenolic additive provided durability against accelerated weathering. In an effort to understand the effects of accelerated weathering, parallel-plate dynamic mechanical analysis was applied to freestanding neat adhesive films and to wood-bonded films (composites). Accelerated weathering dramatically altered the viscoelastic response of films and composites that lacked the phenolic additive; weathering caused a second, broad and reversible relaxation near 100°C, which might be because of softening of the poly(vinyl alcohol) interfacial agent used during emulsion polymerization. In contrast, samples formulated with the phenolic additive only displayed the typical base-polymer glass transition. Correlation of the fracture testing and the rheological analysis suggests that the phenolic additive promotes adhesive durability by cross-linking the interparticle boundaries, where poly(vinyl alcohol) is believed to reside.
Development of Schistosoma mansoni in Biomphalaria tenagophila, Biomphalaria straminea and Biomphalaria glabrata
Authors: Souza Cecilia Pereira de , Cunha Rita de Cássia Palma , Andrade Zilton A.
Published: May 2006

A comparative study of the development of Schistosoma mansoni during the intra-molluscan phase was made by means of histological sections of Biomphalaria tenagophila, B. straminea and B. glabrata from Brazil. Two hundred snails of each species were individually exposed to 50 miracidia of the S. mansoni, AL line. No larvae were observed in the snails fixed 72 h after exposure. In specimens shedding cercariae, 31 days after exposure tissue reactions encapsulating the larvae were seen in B. tenagophila and B. straminea, in the head-foot, mantle collar and renal ducts. No tissue reactions occurred in the digestive glands of these two species. In B. glabrata the presence of numerous sporocysts and cercariae without tissue reactions was observed in the digestive gland, and other organs. The levels of infection of the snails and the average numbers of cercariae shed per day were 32.6% and 79±90 respectively for B. tenagophila, 11.3% and 112±100 for B. straminea and 75.3% and 432±436 for B. glabrata. The lower levels of infection and average numbers of cercariae shed by B. tenagophila and B. straminea are thus related to their more potent internal defense systems.
Crescimento aéreo e radicular da soja e de plantas de cobertura em camadas compactadas de solo
Authors: Foloni José Salvador Simoneti , Lima Sergio Lázaro de , Büll Leonardo Theodoro
Published: May 2006

O cultivo de plantas de cobertura com sistema radicular vigoroso em rotação de culturas pode melhorar a qualidade física de solos compactados. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o crescimento aéreo e radicular da soja e de cinco espécies utilizadas como plantas de cobertura de verão (guandu, guandu anão, mucuna preta, labe labe e crotalária juncea), em solo submetido a três níveis de compactação em subsuperfíce. Utilizou-se um Nitossolo Vermelho argiloso em vasos montados com anéis de PVC sobrepostos, com diâmetro interno de 20 cm e altura de 50 cm. A camada compactada localizada de 20-30 cm de profundidade foi caracterizada pelas densidades do solo de 1,13, 1,34 e 1,56 g cm-3 e 0,26, 0,66 e 1,98 MPa de impedância mecânica, respectivamente. Aos 60 dias da emergência das plantas, determinaram-se as massas da matéria seca da parte aérea e das raízes, a densidade do comprimento radicular e o diâmetro médio radicular. Apesar de alterar a distribuição do sistema radicular ao longo do perfil do solo, o impedimento físico em subsuperfície não diminuiu a produção total de raízes da soja e dos adubos verdes, com exceção da crotalária juncea. A mucuna preta foi a leguminosa mais tolerante e a soja a mais sensível à compactação do solo. O sistema radicular da crotalária juncea apresentou potencial de formação de "bioporos" compatível ao da mucuna preta, apesar de ter sido relativamente mais sensível à compactação do solo. O diâmetro médio das raízes da soja e da crotalária juncea apresentou correlação significativa com o crescimento radicular dentro da camada de solo compactado.
Formas químicas, disponibilidade de manganês e produtividade de soja em solos sob semeadura direta
Authors: Moreira Silvino Guimarães , Prochnow Luis Ignácio , Kiehl Jorge de Castro , Martin Neto Ladislau , Pauletti Volnei
Published: May 2006

O trabalho foi desenvolvido com os objetivos de testar, dentre vários extratores de micronutrientes do solo, qual é o mais adequado para avaliar a disponibilidade de Mn em solos sob sistema de semeadura direta (SSD); estudar, com auxílio da ressonância paramagnética eletrônica (RPE), a interação do Mn com os ácidos húmicos (AH) de solos de locais com e sem constatações de deficiência desse nutriente, e avaliar em quais das frações do solo (trocável, orgânica, óxido e residual) estava ligado o Mn, após sua aplicação no solo. Quatro locais foram selecionados para o estudo (Local I: Faz. Santa Rosa; II e III: Faz. Novo Horizonte e IV: Campo Experimental da Fundação ABC). Os Locais I, II e III situam-se em Tibagi, PR, e o Local IV, em Castro (PR). De modo geral, as doses de Mn aplicadas elevaram os teores de Mn nos solos, mas a concentração e a quantidade de Mn acumuladas pelas plantas de soja foram pouco influenciadas. Os teores de Mn nas frações trocável, orgânica e óxido das amostras do Local I aumentaram com as doses de Mn aplicadas no solo, tendo a maior elevação ocorrido na fração orgânica. Nessa fração, os teores aumentaram de 5,4 mg kg-1, na testemunha, para 35,1 mg kg-1, com a aplicação da maior dose. Os sinais de Mn não foram detectados por RPE nas amostras sólidas de AH (pH 3,0). A quantificação de Mn nessas amostras, após digestão nítrico-perclórica, juntamente com a observação de Mn por RPE, em amostras de AH em solução (pH 2,4), confirmou a hipótese de que o Mn presente nas amostras de AH estava na forma de ligações muito estáveis com os grupos funcionais (provavelmente carboxílicos) do AH. A ausência de efeito do Mn na produtividade da soja pode ser devida à complexação do nutriente pela MO. De forma geral, o DTPA-TEA foi o extrator mais adequado na avaliação da disponibilidade de Mn à soja.
Freqüência das malformações múltiplas em recém-nascidos na Cidade de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, e fatores sócio-demográficos associados
Authors: Castro Martha Lopes Schuch de , Cunha Cristiane de Jesus da , Moreira Patrick Botelho , Fernández Ricardo Ramires , Garcias Gilberto Lima , Martino-Röth Maria da Graça
Published: May 2006

Este estudo visa determinar a freqüência, correlacionar possíveis agentes causais e monitorizar a ocorrência de malformações múltiplas na população de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Abrange todos os nascimentos ocorridos entre 1990 e 2002 nas maternidades de Pelotas, com peso superior a 500g. Para cada recém-nascido malformado (caso), tomou-se um neonato vivo (controle), pareado a ele, sem malformação e de igual sexo. Formou-se um banco de dados mediante o preenchimento dos formulários-modelo ECLAMC MONITOR edição 1982, que foram tabulados pelo programa SPSS. Para a análise estatística, utilizou-se o Teste t de Student e chi2. No período em estudo nasceram 71.500 crianças. Dentre essas, 0,11% recém-nascidos apresentaram malformações múltiplas. Foram encontrados resultados significativos para o peso, gemelaridade e nascimento, a etnia dos antepassados, a idade paterna, o número de abortos e natimortos prévios. Em Pelotas, a ocorrência de recém-nascidos que apresentavam malformações ao nascer, no período do estudo, foi de 1,37%. A freqüência de recém-nascidos com malformações múltiplas é de 8,1%, predominantemente no sexo feminino e nos nascimentos ocorridos no inverno.
Parasitosis intestinales en poblaciones Mbyá-Guaraní de la Provincia de Misiones, Argentina: aspectos epidemiológicos y nutricionales
Authors: Navone Graciela Teresa , Gamboa María Inés , Oyhenart Evelia Edith , Orden Alicia Bibiana
Published: May 2006

Se describieron las enteroparasitosis más frecuentes en dos comunidades Mbyá-Guaraní de Misiones, Argentina: Kaaguy Poty e Yvy Pytá. Las parasitosis intestinales se asociaron con el estado nutricional de los individuos infectados y los factores ambientales y culturales que caracterizan a las poblaciones estudiadas. Los resultados se compararon con los obtenidos en una población aborigen vecina, Takuapí, y la población urbana más cercana: Aristóbulo del Valle. Se utilizaron las técnicas de Ritchie, Willis y Kato Katz para las muestras fecales. Se analizaron los parámetros antropométricos y se procesaron muestras de tierra. De un total 296 individuos en las cuarto poblaciones, 100 (87,7%), 63 (88,7%), 49 (96,1%) y 50 (82%) estuvieron parasitados en Kaaguy Poty, Yvy Pytá, Takuapí, y Aristóbulo del Valle respectivamente. El 84% de los individuos parasitados estuvieron poliparasitados. El 43% de los individuos medidos presentaron desnutrición y el 87% de ellos estaban parasitados. Hubo asociación entre el uso de letrinas y Giardia lamblia (p < 0,01); defecación a cielo abierto, ausencia de calzado y ancilostomídeos (p < 0,01); el tipo de vivienda y los helmintos en general (p < 0,01). En el suelo se hallaron formas parasitarias, sugiriendo la relación entre la contaminación del entorno ambiental y la elevada prevalencia de parasitosis intestinales en las poblaciones estudiadas.
Democracia cosmopolita versus política internacional
Authors: Villa Rafael Duarte , Tostes Ana Paula Baltasar
Published: May 2006

O objetivo deste artigo é mostrar os pontos de tensão, as hipóteses fortes e as teses otimistas e/ou pessimistas que perpassam os vínculos entre o modelo westphaliano internacional de soberania, a democratização do sistema internacional e a sociedade civil internacional. O artigo contém quatro partes: na primeira, recupera-se a discussão clássica sobre democracia e relações internacionais; na segunda, trata-se das relações entre globalização e democracia; na terceira, as tensões entre democracia (transnacional) e as novas noções de representação; finalmente, mostram-se os pontos críticos da visão celebratória da sociedade civil internacional pregada pelas teorias cosmopolitas da democracia.
Alvorecer de uma nova ciência: a medicina tropicalista baiana
Authors: Barros Pedro Motta de
Published: May 2006

No século XIX, o saber e o ensino médico e a assistência clínica, de caráter especulativo e elitista, entram em choque, no Brasil, com novas teorias da doença e do cuidado médico baseadas na parasitologia, bacteriologia e anatomopatologia e numa clínica experimental orientada para enfermidades tropicais dos pobres. O novo referencial teórico e social, que influi na política pública de saúde, entra em decadência quando é apropriado pela ideologia da inferioridade racial e cultural da população de origem africana. Duas novas disciplinas - antropologia física criminal e medicina legal - geram conhecimentos inéditos nos meios intelectuais e, ao mesmo tempo, são funcionais à ordem dominante, dando curso forçado a princípios e dispositivos de que a mesma elite usa para se perpetuar no poder. Essa construção híbrida é o legado de barbárie à civilização atual.
A Sociedade de Medicina e Cirurgia do Rio de Janeiro: a gênese de uma rede institucional alternativa
Authors: Ferreira Luiz Otávio , Maio Marcos Chor , Azevedo Nara
Published: May 2006

Este artigo aborda a história da medicina no Brasil no final do século XIX, a partir da análise do surgimento da Sociedade de Medicina e Cirurgia do Rio de Janeiro. Nossa hipótese é de que, a partir da década de 1880, a reformulação das instituições e a diversificação da coletividade médica iniciaram a estruturação de um campo de relações sociais específicas aos praticantes da medicina. Diante da crise das instituições médicas oficiais, verifica-se o surgimento de grupos médicos alternativos que, à margem da tutela estatal, se articularam em torno cie objetivos comuns, em especial, a construção de um conhecimento médico nacional, que tivesse relevância no cenário científico internacional da época.
Influência do estado de agregação da polpa na flotação de quartzo, apatita e calcita
Authors: Martins Marisa , Leal Filho Laurindo de Salles , Leite Paulo Roberto , Lima José Renato Baptista de
Published: May 2006

Muitos estudos acadêmicos foram realizados nos Estados Unidos, durante as décadas de 30 e 40, motivados pela correlação entre o estado de agregação da polpa e a recuperação do processo de flotação, observada no dia-a-dia das usinas. O objetivo desse trabalho é contribuir para uma maior compreensão do fenômeno observado na prática, dentro da realidade brasileira. Ensaios de microflotação e grau de dispersão foram realizados com partículas de quartzo, apatita e calcita. Os resultados reforçam a afirmativa postulada por Taggart e colaboradores de que a agregação ocorre como efeito da ação de reagentes e não como a causa de uma boa flotabilidade.
Caracterização, beneficiamento e reciclagem de carepas geradas em processos siderúrgicos
Authors: Cunha Adriano Ferreira da , Mol Marcos Paulo Gomes , Martins Máximo Eleotério , Assis Paulo Santos
Published: May 2006

A necessidade de aplicarmos as diretrizes ambientais no contexto produtivo de qualquer empresa é hoje uma realidade no cenário mundial. O beneficiamento e a comercialização de resíduos, em diversos seguimentos industriais, têm levado as organizações a uma nova ideologia sobre a questão do gerenciamento desses materiais, sendo que a geração de receita, através da reciclagem, tem contribuído para a expansão dessa prática. Carepa é um co-produto oriundo da oxidação da superfície do aço, quando submetido ao gradiente térmico ou à simples ação do tempo. No ramo siderúrgico, provém, basicamente, das operações de lingotamento contínuo e laminação. Carepas são óxidos de ferro, cuja disposição, em pátios de resíduos deve ser realizada, seguindo-se as normas ambientais pertinentes, visto que podem ser classificados como resíduos perigosos (Classe I, NBR 10004:2004). Entretanto há poucos estudos no sentido de se viabilizar sua reciclagem, agregando valor ao co-produto em questão. Nesse sentido, operações unitárias de secagem, peneiramento e briquetagem foram adotadas no processamento desse material. Caracterizações físicas e químicas permitiram investigar suas propriedades e potencialidades industriais, de forma a adequar os parâmetros ambientais, econômicos e produtivos às necessidades das empresas.
Efeitos da atividade física na densidade mineral óssea e na remodelação do tecido ósseo
Authors: Cadore Eduardo Lusa , Brentano Michel Arias , Kruel Luiz Fernando Martins
Published: May 2006

Este artigo revisa os efeitos de diferentes modalidades esportivas e do treinamento de força na remodelação óssea e discutir as possíveis relações da densidade mineral óssea (DMO) com a força muscular e a composição corporal. Numerosos estudos indicam que a atividade física de alto impacto, ou que exija alta produção de força, pode ter um efeito benéfico na DMO, devido à deformação desse tecido, ocorrida durante a atividade. Alguns autores têm avaliado os efeitos do treinamento físico em alguns marcadores bioquímicos da remodelação óssea, já que a variação das concentrações desses marcadores pode indicar um estado de formação ou reabsorção óssea. Entretanto, a inconsistência dos resultados encontrados sugere que a análise dos efeitos da atividade física na remodelação óssea, através desses marcadores, deve ser mais investigada. Existem muitas discrepâncias a respeito da relação entre a DMO com a força muscular e a composição corporal, principalmente na determinação de qual desses fatores está mais associado com a DMO. A determinação de qual o tipo de atividade física seja ideal para aumentar o pico de massa óssea na adolescência, ou mesmo mantê-la após a idade adulta, é muito importante para a prevenção e o possível tratamento da osteoporose.
Potential bird dispersers of Psychotria in a area of Atlantic forest on Ilha Grande, RJ, Southeastern Brazil: a biochemical analysis of the fruits
Authors: Almeida E. M. , Costa P. F. , Buckeridge M. S. , Alves M. A. S.
Published: May 2006

The present study assessed the fruiting pattern, bird foraging behavior, and sugar content of ripe fruits of two sympatric species of Rubiaceae (Psychotria brasiliensis and P. nuda). This study was carried out in an Atlantic forest area on Ilha Grande, RJ, between August 1998 and July 1999. Fruit production occurred year round, with a peak of mature P. brasiliensis fruits in December 1998 and another of P. nuda in February of 1999. Lipaugus lanioides (Cotingidae), Baryphtengus ruficapillus (Momotidae) and Saltator similis (Emberizidae) made the most frequent foraging visits to fruiting P. brasiliensis, so that L. lanioides and B. ruficapillus removed the fruits with sallying maneuvers while S. similis gleaned the fruits. Lipaugus lanioides was by far the most important consumer, and potentially the main disperser of P. brasiliensis. Birds of this genus are heavy frugivores in the tropical forests and are widely assumed to be important seed dispersers. The fruits were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively in relation to the amounts of sucrose and starch. Psychotria brasiliensis (the visited species) showed the smallest quantity of sucrose and the highest amount of starch. These findings suggest that what may influence the birds' choice of fruit is the proportion of starch in the Psychotria species studied here rather than the carbohydrate composition.
Effects of an oil spill and discharge of domestic sewage on the insect fauna of Cururu stream, Manaus, AM, Brazil
Authors: Couceiro S. R. M. , Forsberg B. R. , Hamada N. , Ferreira R. L. M.
Published: May 2006

Assemblages of aquatic and edaphic insects in three streams in Central Amazonia were used to evaluate the impact on one of the streams (Cururu) caused by an oil spill that occurred in August 1999. The Cururu stream had already been impacted by domestic sewage. These three streams were evaluated during four different periods of the regional hydrological cycle (falling-, low-, rising- and high-water), from September 2000 to May 2001. An Eckman dredge, an aquatic entomological net and a manual auger were used to collect insects, which were used to estimate the taxonomic richness (at the family level) and insect density in each stream. Anoxic and eutrophic conditions were determined in each stream based on the mean concentration of dissolved oxygen, total nitrogen and phosphorus. Richness and abundance of insect fauna were higher in the Cristalino stream (not impacted) than in the Bom Jardim stream (impacted by domestic sewage) and in the Cururu stream, with the exception of samples collected along the stream banks (littoral fauna). The mean dissolved oxygen was lower in the Cururu stream than in the other two, while the mean concentrations of total nitrogen and phosphorus were higher. These elements showed intermediate values in the Bom Jardim stream, while the opposite pattern was observed in the Cristalino stream, with higher concentrations of dissolved oxygen and lower concentrations of total nitrogen and phosphorus. The concentrations of these variables reflect the modifications resulting from anthropogenic eutrophication caused by the discharge of domestic sewage into Bom Jardim and Cururu and by the oil spill in Cururu, which negatively affected the richness and abundance of insects in these streams.
Expression pattern of glycoconjugates in the Bidderian and ovarian follicles of the Brazilian toad Bufo ictericus analyzed by lectin histochemistry
Authors: Farias C. F. , Azevedo R. A. , Brito-Gitirana L.
Published: May 2006

The Bidder's organ and ovary of the Brazilian toad Bufo ictericus were studied by light microscopy, using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and periodic acid Schiff (PAS) staining. The expression and distribution of carbohydrate moieties was analyzed by lectin histochemistry, using 8 lectins with different carbohydrate specificities: Ulex europaeus (UEA I), Lens culinaris (LCA), Erythrina cristagalli (ECA), Arachis hypogaea (PNA), Ricinus communis (RCA I), Aleuria aurantia (AAA), Triticum vulgaris (WGA), and Glycine maximum (SBA). The results showed that the Bidderian zona pellucida presented alpha-mannose, alpha-L-fucose, beta-D-galactose, N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, and alpha/beta-N-acetyl-galactosamine residues. The Bidderian follicular cells showed the presence of beta-D-galactose and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine. In the extracellular matrix, alpha-mannose and alpha/beta-N-acetyl-galactosamine residues were detected. The ovarian zona pellucida showed alpha-L-fucose, N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, alpha/beta-N-acetyl-galactosamine residues, and alpha-mannose and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine residues were detected in the follicular cells. Thus, the zona pellucida in both organs contains N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, and alpha/beta-N-acetyl-galactosamine residues. alpha-L-fucose residues were detected in the zona pellucida of both organs, using different lectins. Considering that beta-D-galactose residue was absent from ovary but present in the Bidder's organ, this sugar residue may play an important role in follicle development, blocking the Bidderian follicles and preventing further development of the Bidder's organ into a functional ovary.
Seasonal maturation of Glypthelmins vitellinophilum (Trematoda: Digenea) in Lysapsus limellus (Anura: Pseudidae) from an Argentinian subtropical permanent pond
Authors: Hamann M. I.
Published: May 2006

From December 1995 to November 2000, the seasonal maturation of Glypthelmins vitellinophilum Dobbin, 1958, in its definitive host, the frog Lysapsus limellus Cope, 1862, was studied in a subtropical permanent pond in northeastern Argentina. The objectives of this study were: 1) to determine the infrapopulation dynamics of the parasite, analyzing the seasonal maturation cycle throughout the years; and 2) to examine the relationship between the intensity of trematode infection in different developmental stages (recruitment, growth and maturation) and the host's body length. Of a total of 1,400 frogs examined over 60 months (5 years), 38% were found to be infected with G. vitellinophilum, and the intensity of infection was 1-15 trematodes per frog. Specimens of G. vitellinophilum were present in L. limellus throughout the years, but did not show a pronounced seasonal maturation cycle. Possible reasons for these findings are discussed with reference to climatic fluctuations and biotic factors. The infective period of the parasite (stage I) occurred in summer, autumn and spring, coinciding with the time each frog cohort appeared. These infections were found principally in small body sizes (classes 1 and 2) of L. limellus. Juvenile and nongravid specimens of worms (stage II and III) were found in frogs of different body sizes throughout the period of investigation. Gravid specimens of the parasite (stage IV) were generally recorded in autumn, winter and spring, mainly in the bodies of larger frogs. The body length of Trematodes in stages I and IV was significantly and positively correlated with that of the frogs.
Reproductive studies on ipecac (Cephaelis ipecacuanha (Brot.) A. Rich; Rubiaceae): meiotic behavior and pollen viability
Authors: Souza M. M. , Martins E. R. , Pereira T. N. S. , Oliveira L. O.
Published: May 2006

Reproductive studies were carried out on Brazilian accessions of ipecac, Cephaelis ipecacuanha. Meiotic behavior was studied using the squashing technique. Irregular chromosome segregation in meiosis I and II, many sets of chromosomes in telophase II, micronuclei, incorrect cytoplasm division, incomplete cytokinesis and anomalous post-meiotic products, mainly polyads, were observed. The mean meiotic index was lower than 72%. Pollen viability was analyzed using Alexander solution, and the percentages ranged between brevistylous and longistylous floral morphs (85.3 to 93.1%), and among different localities (82.5 to 92.6%) analyzed. The size of pollen ranged between viable and sterile, and empty and shrunken sterile. In its natural habitat, this species is known to propagate by vegetative multiplication, but sexual reproduction seems to be as important as the vegetative propagation to this species.
Estenose na artéria renal: a necessidade de validação dos critérios diagnósticos no laboratório vascular
Authors: Engelhorn Carlos Alberto , Engelhorn Ana Luiza , Cassou Maria Fernanda
Published: May 2006

OBJETIVO: Validar os critérios diagnósticos da ultra-sonografia vascular com Doppler colorido na identificação das estenoses hemodinamicamente significativas nas artérias renais. MÉTODOS: Foram estudadas, prospectivamente, pela ultra-sonografia vascular com Doppler colorido, 137 artérias renais de 69 pacientes adultos com suspeita de hipertensão arterial renovascular. Os resultados da avaliação pela ultra-sonografia vascular com Doppler colorido foram comparados, de maneira duplo-cega, à arteriografia, sendo definidos os valores de corte (curva ROC) da velocidade sistólica, velocidade diastólica e índice renal-aorta que melhor identificam as estenoses hemodinamicamente significativas, com angulação do Doppler de 60º. RESULTADOS: O pico de velocidade sistólica superior a 250 cm/s foi o parâmetro de melhor acurácia (87,2%) na identificação das estenoses hemodinamicamente significativas, seguido do índice renal-aorta superior a 3,2 (85,6%) e do pico de velocidade diastólica superior a 48 cm/s (70,4%). CONCLUSÕES: Os parâmetros recomendados pela literatura devem ser validados em cada laboratório vascular. Para o equipamento de ultra-som utilizado e para a população incluída neste estudo, os critérios diagnósticos para estenoses hemodinamicamente significativas nas artérias renais devem ser reajustados para velocidade sistólica > 250 cm/s e índice renal-aorta > 3,2, com angulação do Doppler de 60°.
Aneurisma da artéria vertebral extracraniana em puérpera portadora de neurofibromatose clássica
Authors: Bosnardo Carla Aparecida Faccio , Landim Rodrigo Machado , Guillaumon Ana Terezinha , Baptista Marcus Ageu , Henklain Ricardo
Published: May 2006

Paciente de 26 anos, no 10º dia de puerpério, apresentou dor súbita em região cervical esquerda irradiada para região supraclavicular do mesmo lado, seguida de aparecimento de massa pulsátil. Relatava hipertensão sistólica média de 160 mmHg, e diastólica média de 130 mmHg na gravidez e neurofibromatose. Ao exame físico, apresentava massa pulsátil em região supraclavicular esquerda, sem frêmitos e/ou sopros. Um alargamento do mediastino foi detectado através de raio-x de tórax. Uma tomografia computadorizada (região cervical e torácica) evidenciou tumoração em território de artéria subclávia esquerda na sua porção proximal, sem limites definidos pelo extravasamento de contraste, além de hemotórax gigante à esquerda. A paciente evoluiu com choque hipovolêmico, sendo submetida à cirurgia de urgência, com toracotomia seguida de cervicotomia, onde se evidenciou lesão aneurismática rota da artéria vertebral esquerda logo após sua emergência. Após controle do sangramento, procedeu-se à sua ligadura. A paciente evoluiu satisfatoriamente, estando em acompanhamento ambulatorial.
Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm: prognostic factors
Authors: Silveira Denise Rabelo da , Santos Vanessa Prado dos , Lamaita Aline Faria , Guedes Neto Henrique Jorge , Razuk Filho Alvaro , Castelli Jr. Valter , Caffaro Roberto Augusto
Published: May 2006

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the prognostic factors related to the mortality of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. METHOD: Seventy-two patients who suffered ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm and were operated in the period between 1976 and 2000 by the Vascular Surgery Unit of the Santa Casa de São Paulo - School of Medical Sciences were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The descriptive analysis of the data shows a mean age of 67.93 years, with a standard deviation of 11.58, 32% female and 68% male. Of the total number, 28% had a previous history of aneurysm and 72% were not aware of the disease. Mean systolic blood pressure during hospital admission was 96.53 mmHg. Pain was present in 100% of the patients, as well as throbbing abdominal mass. In 93% of the cases the location of the aneurysm rupture was the retroperitoneum, 4% in the duodenum, and 2% in the free peritoneum. CONCLUSION: The prognostic factors related to mortality and morbidity that demonstrated statistical significance were: age, initial blood pressure at hospital admission, diuresis during surgery, volume infused, and creatinine levels.