bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Agenda Nacional de Prioridades na Pesquisa em Saúde no Brasil (ANPPS): foco na subagenda 18 – Promoção da Saúde
Authors: Akerman Marco , Fischer André
Published: May 2014

A Agenda Nacional de Prioridades de Pesquisa em Saúde tem como pressuposto “respeitar as necessidades nacionais e regionais de saúde e aumentar a indução seletiva para a produção de conhecimentos...” A ANPPS está composta por 24 subagendas de pesquisa em saúde. O presente artigo narra o processo desenvolvido em 2010 para revisar a ANPPS publicada em 2006 no que concerne à subagenda 18 – Promoção da Saúde. Os resultados do processo de priorização são narrados de maneira incremental, buscando mostrar os passos trilhados por meio do relato dos fatos, acontecimentos e diálogos efetuados entre pesquisadores e gestores. Oitenta e seis pessoas foram convidadas a participar, das quais 34 pessoas não responderam e 52 aceitaram o convite e participaram. Foram desenvolvidos dez passos para o processo de priorização, sendo definidos cinco eixos temáticos e 34 linhas de pesquisa e 10 prioridades foram definidas. São analisadas as consequências em curto, médio e longo prazo desse processo de priorização.
Bacteremia due to Staphylococcus cohnii ssp. urealyticus caused by infected pressure ulcer: case report and review of the literature
Authors: Soldera Jonathan , Nedel Wagner Luis , Cardoso Paulo Ricardo Cerveira , d'Azevedo Pedro Alves
Published: May 2014

CONTEXTCoagulase-negative staphylococci are common colonizers of the human skin and have become increasingly recognized as agents of clinically significant nosocomial infections.CASE REPORTThe case of a 79-year-old male patient with multi-infarct dementia who presented systemic inflammatory response syndrome is reported. This was attributed to bacteremia due to Staphylococcus cohnii ssp. urealyticus, which was grown on blood cultures originating from an infected pressure ulcer. The few cases of Staphylococcus cohnii infection reported in the literature consist of bacteremia relating to catheters, surgical prostheses, acute cholecystitis, brain abscess, endocarditis, pneumonia, urinary tract infection and septic arthritis, generally presenting a multiresistant profile, with nearly 90% resistance to methicillin.CONCLUSIONSThe reported case is, to our knowledge, the first case of true bacteremia due to Staphylococcus cohnii subsp. urealyticus caused by an infected pressure ulcer. It shows that this species may be underdiagnosed and should be considered in the differential diagnosis for community-acquired skin infections.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis resistance to antituberculosis drugs in Mozambique
Authors: Pires Germano Manuel , Folgosa Elena , Nquobile Ndlovu , Gitta Sheba , Cadir Nureisha
Published: May 2014

OBJECTIVE: To determine the drug resistance profile of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Mozambique. METHODS: We analyzed secondary data from the National Tuberculosis Referral Laboratory, in the city of Maputo, Mozambique, and from the Beira Regional Tuberculosis Referral Laboratory, in the city of Beira, Mozambique. The data were based on culture-positive samples submitted to first-line drug susceptibility testing (DST) between January and December of 2011. We attempted to determine whether the frequency of DST positivity was associated with patient type or provenance. RESULTS: During the study period, 641 strains were isolated in culture and submitted to DST. We found that 374 (58.3%) were resistant to at least one antituberculosis drug and 280 (43.7%) were resistant to multiple antituberculosis drugs. Of the 280 multidrug-resistant tuberculosis cases, 184 (65.7%) were in previously treated patients, most of whom were from southern Mozambique. Two (0.71%) of the cases of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis were confirmed to be cases of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis. Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis was most common in males, particularly those in the 21-40 year age bracket. CONCLUSIONS: M. tuberculosis resistance to antituberculosis drugs is high in Mozambique, especially in previously treated patients. The frequency of M. tuberculosis strains that were resistant to isoniazid, rifampin, and streptomycin in combination was found to be high, particularly in samples from previously treated patients.
Use of amplified Mycobacterium tuberculosis direct test in respiratory samples from HIV-infected patients in Brazil
Authors: Barreto Leonardo Bruno Paz Ferreira , Lourenço Maria Cristina da Silva , Rolla Valéria Cavalcanti , Veloso Valdiléia Gonçalves , Huf Gisele
Published: May 2014

OBJECTIVE: To compare the accuracy of the amplified Mycobacterium tuberculosis direct (AMTD) test with reference methods for the laboratory diagnosis of tuberculosis in HIV-infected patients. METHODS: This was a study of diagnostic accuracy comparing AMTD test results with those obtained by culture on Löwenstein-Jensen (LJ) medium and by the BACTEC Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube 960 (BACTEC MGIT 960) system in respiratory samples analyzed at the Bioassay and Bacteriology Laboratory of the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation Evandro Chagas Clinical Research Institute in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. RESULTS: We analyzed respiratory samples collected from 118 patients, of whom 88 (74.4%) were male. The mean age was 36.6 ± 10.6 years. Using the AMTD test, the BACTEC MGIT 960 system, and LJ culture, we identified M. tuberculosis complex in 31.0%, 29.7%, and 27.1% of the samples, respectively. In comparison with LJ culture, the AMTD test had a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 87.5%, 89.4%, 75.7%, and 95.0%, respectively, for LJ culture, whereas, in comparison with the BACTEC MGIT 960 system, it showed values of 88.6%, 92.4%, 83.8%, and 94.8%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The AMTD test showed good sensitivity and specificity in the population studied, enabling the laboratory detection of M. tuberculosis complex in paucibacillary respiratory specimens.
The role of intercostal nerve preservation in acute pain control after thoracotomy
Authors: Marchetti-Filho Marco Aurélio , Leão Luiz Eduardo Villaça , Costa-Junior Altair da Silva
Published: May 2014

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether the acute pain experienced during in-hospital recovery from thoracotomy can be effectively reduced by the use of intraoperative measures (dissection of the neurovascular bundle prior to the positioning of the Finochietto retractor and preservation of the intercostal nerve during closure). METHODS: We selected 40 patients who were candidates for elective thoracotomy in the Thoracic Surgery Department of the Federal University of São Paulo/Paulista School of Medicine, in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. The patients were randomized into two groups: conventional thoracotomy (CT, n = 20) and neurovascular bundle preservation (NBP, n = 20). All of the patients underwent thoracic epidural anesthesia and muscle-sparing thoracotomy. Pain intensity was assessed with a visual analog scale on postoperative days 1, 3, and 5, as well as by monitoring patient requests for/consumption of analgesics. RESULTS: On postoperative day 5, the self-reported pain intensity was significantly lower in the NBP group than in the CT group (visual analog scale score, 1.50 vs. 3.29; p = 0.04). No significant differences were found between the groups regarding the number of requests for/consumption of analgesics. CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing thoracotomy, protecting the neurovascular bundle prior to positioning the retractor and preserving the intercostal nerve during closure can minimize pain during in-hospital recovery.
Musculoskeletal involvement in sarcoidosis
Authors: Nessrine Akasbi , Zahra Abourazzak Fatima , Taoufik Harzy
Published: May 2014

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem inflammatory disorder of unknown cause. It most commonly affects the pulmonary system but can also affect the musculoskeletal system, albeit less frequently. In patients with sarcoidosis, rheumatic involvement is polymorphic. It can be the presenting symptom of the disease or can appear during its progression. Articular involvement is dominated by nonspecific arthralgia, polyarthritis, and Löfgren's syndrome, which is defined as the presence of lung adenopathy, arthralgia (or arthritis), and erythema nodosum. Skeletal manifestations, especially dactylitis, appear mainly as complications of chronic, multiorgan sarcoidosis. Muscle involvement in sarcoidosis is rare and usually asymptomatic. The diagnosis of rheumatic sarcoidosis is based on X-ray findings and magnetic resonance imaging findings, although the definitive diagnosis is made by anatomopathological study of biopsy samples. Musculoskeletal involvement in sarcoidosis is generally relieved with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or corticosteroids. In corticosteroid-resistant or -dependent forms of the disease, immunosuppressive therapy, such as treatment with methotrexate or anti-TNF-α, is employed. The aim of this review was to present an overview of the various types of osteoarticular and muscle involvement in sarcoidosis, focusing on their diagnosis and management.
Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies at the Hydrogen South Africa (HySA) Systems Competence Centre
Authors: Pollet Bruno G. , Pasupathi Sivakumar , Swart Gerhard , Lototskyy Mykhaylo , Williams Mario , Bujlo Piotr , Ji Shan , Linkov Vladimir , Bladergroen Bernard J.
Published: May 2014

The Hydrogen South Africa (HySA) programme is based upon the beneficiation of South Africa’s large platinum group metal (pgm) resources. The present article summarises some of the progress by HySA Systems, one of the three Competence Centres under the HySA Programme, since 2008. Work has been carried out on membrane electrode assembly and stack development for high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells (HT-PEMFCs) for use in combined heat and power (CHP) supplied by natural gas and hydrogen fuelled vehicle (HFV) applications. The emphasis is on improved carbon monoxide tolerance and simplified heat and humidity management, allowing simpler fuel cell systems to be designed. Metal hydrides modified with palladium are being explored as poisoning-tolerant hydrogen storage materials for stationary and special mobile applications, and metal organic frameworks (MOFs) modified with platinum as light-weight hydrogen storage with a high hydrogen storage capacity. Lastly research into hydrogen purification using Pd membrane reactors is focused on membrane support synthesis, hollow fibre seeding and development of the plating procedure.
Effect of Weed-Free Strip Width on Newly Established ‘Navaho' Blackberry Growth, Yield, and Fruit Quality
Authors: Meyers Stephen L. , Jennings Katherine M. , Monks David W. , Mitchem Wayne E.
Published: May 2014

Field studies were conducted in 2011 and 2012 at the Sandhills Research Station near Jackson Springs, NC to determine the influence of weed-free strip width (WFSW) on newly planted ‘Navaho' blackberry plant growth, fruit yield, and fruit quality. Treatments consisted of 0-, 0.3-, 0.6-, 1.2-, 1.8-, and 2.4-m WFSW. Predicted blackberry yield increased from 718 to 1,015 kg ha−1at WFSW of 0 to 2.4 m. The currently recommended WFSW of 1.2 m resulted in a blackberry yield of 1,013 kg ha−1. Predicted individual blackberry fruit weight displayed a positive linear response to WFSW and increased from 3.1 to 3.6 g fruit−1at WFSW of 0 to 2.4 m. Soluble solids content (SSC) of dull black blackberry fruit was greatest (15.1 Brix) when WFSW was 0 m. Relative to a WFSW of 0 m, SSC was reduced 2.3 to 3.4% as WFSW increased from 0.3 to 2.4 m, respectively. WFSW did not influence shiny black blackberry fruit SSC, nor titratable acidity, sugar-to-acid ratio, or pH of shiny or dull black blackberry fruit or primocane number, length, and stem caliper.
Control of Rigid Ryegrass in Australian Wheat Production with Pyroxasulfone
Authors: Boutsalis Peter , Gill Gurjeet S. , Preston Christopher
Published: May 2014

In Australia, most wheat is sown in a no-till system without prior cultivation where herbicides are applied prior to sowing and incorporated by the planter. Trifluralin has been the most widely used PRE herbicide to control rigid ryegrass. The objective of this research was to determine crop safety and efficacy of alternative mechanism of action PRE herbicides for rigid ryegrass control in no-till wheat production. Pyroxasulfone achieved 98% control with PRE applications. The alternative PRE herbicides tested alone and in mixtures occasionally resulted in a significant reduction in wheat emergence but not crop yield. Trifluralin treatments failed at sites having trifluralin-resistant rigid ryegrass. Pyroxasulfone and prosulfocarb plusS-metolachlor were effective for control of rigid ryegrass across all trials with control ranging from 64 to 94%. This research demonstrated that PRE applications of herbicides other than trifluralin such as pyroxasulfone and prosulfocarb plusS-metolachlor can be safely and effectively used to control rigid ryegrass in no-till wheat.
Target-Site ACCase-Resistant Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense) Selected in Summer Dicot Crops
Authors: Scarabel L. , Panozzo S. , Savoia W. , Sattin M.
Published: May 2014

Johnsongrass is a troublesome weed infesting spring–summer crops. Poor control of johnsongrass after fluazifop-p-butyl treatments has been reported in central to northern Italy. Greenhouse and outdoor dose–response experiments revealed that four populations were highly resistant to fluazifop-p-butyl. All four were cross-resistant to other aryloxyphenoxypropionate (FOP) herbicides—propaquizafop, quizalofop, and haloxyfop. The resistance indexes ranged between 8 and 25 for propaquizafop and quizalofop, whereas a greater variability between populations was detected in response to haloxyfop. Conversely, cycloxydim and clethodim determined only a shift in the susceptibility with resistance index (RI) values of 2 to 3. Molecular analyses revealed that resistant plants possessed an insensitive acetyl coenzyme-A carboxylase (ACCase) target enzyme due to an Ile-to-Asn substitution at codon 2041. To our knowledge, this is the first report of such a mutation endowing ACCase resistance in johnsongrass. A molecular marker (CAPS assay) was developed for its rapid detection. Alternative mode of action herbicidesS-metolachlor and nicosulfuron controlled all the FOP-resistant populations. Only a few chemical options are still available, and they have different efficacy on germinating seeds and sprouting rhizomes. To maintain efficacy over time, herbicides should be integrated with agronomic practices.
Efficacy of Fall- and Spring-Applied Pyroxasulfone For Herbicide-Resistant Weeds in Field Pea
Authors: Tidemann Breanne D. , Hall Linda M. , Johnson Eric N. , Beckie Hugh J. , Sapsford Ken L. , Raatz Lisa L.
Published: May 2014

Field trials were initiated in fall 2011 to determine the potential of pyroxasulfone to control acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitor-resistant weeds in field pea. Pyroxasulfone was applied in split-plot trials at five locations in western Canada using fall and PRE spring applications of 0 to 400 g ai ha−1. Trial locations were chosen with a range of soil organic matter content: 2.9, 4.3, 5.5, 10.5, and 10.6% at Scott, Kernen, Kinsella, Melfort, and Ellerslie, respectively. The herbicide dose required to reduce biomass by 50% (ED50) in false cleavers ranged between 53 and 395 g ha−1at Scott and Ellerslie, respectively. Wild oat ED50s varied between 0.54 g ha−1at Scott in the fall and 410 g ai ha−1in the spring at Melfort. ED50s for wild oat and false cleavers varied by 7.4- and 746-fold, respectively, depending primarily on the organic matter content at the trial location. The effect of application timing was not consistent. Significant yield reductions and pea injury occurred at 150 and 100 g ha−1and higher at Kernen and Scott, respectively. Low organic matter and high precipitation levels at these locations indicates increased herbicide activity under these conditions. Pyroxasulfone may allow control of ALS inhibitor-resistant false cleavers and wild oat; however, locations with high soil organic matter will require higher rates than those with low organic matter for similar control levels.
Response of Teff, Barnyardgrass, and Broadleaf Weeds to Postemergence Herbicides
Authors: Norberg O. Steven , Felix Joel
Published: May 2014

Teff is a warm-season C4 annual grass crop grown for forage and food grain that has recently increased in production in parts of the United States. Hay from teff is well suited for livestock, especially horses. The objective of this study was to evaluate teff and weed response to selected herbicides in field studies conducted at the Malheur Experiment Station, Ontario, OR in 2009 and 2010. Herbicides were applied POST when teff was at the four-leaf stage. Broadleaf weed control at 21 d after treatment was greater than 91% across herbicide treatments. Only the premix of 2.5 g ai ha−1florasulam + 99 g ae ha−1fluroxypyr + 15 g ai ha−1pyroxsulam provided acceptable control of barnyardgrass. Due primarily to barnyardgrass competition, teff treated with a premix of 2.5 g ha−1florasulam + 99 g ha−1fluroxypyr + 15 g ha−1pyroxsulam produced 7,200 kg ha−1of teff hay compared with 4,800 kg ha−1of teff hay for 2,4-D and dicamba and 4,200 kg ha−1teff hay when no herbicides were used. Teff grain production was greater with 2.5 g ha−1florasulam + 99 g ha−1fluroxypyr + 15 g ha−1pyroxsulam compared with any of the other treatments. The use of a premix of florasulam + fluroxypyr + pyroxsulam would improve broadleaf and grass weed control in ‘Tiffany' and ‘Dessie' teff varieties, improve hay and grain yield, and reduce production costs.
Herbicide Mixtures for Control of Water Smartweed (Polygonum amphibium) and Wild Buckwheat (Polygonum convolvulus) in Potato
Authors: Gitsopoulos Thomas K. , Damalas Christos A. , Georgoulas Ioannis
Published: May 2014

Water smartweed, an uncommon but troublesome perennial weed of the knotweed family (Polygonaceae), has been endemic with its terrestrial growth form in the area of Kato Nevrokopi in northern Greece, one of the most important potato-growing areas of the country. Two field trials were conducted in 2011 to study the response of water smartweed, wild buckwheat (an annual weed also of the knotweed family), and two potato cultivars (‘Agria' and ‘Banba') to various mixtures of metribuzin and pendimethalin, the two most commonly used herbicides for PRE weed management in potato in Greece. Herbicide mixtures consisted of pendimethalin plus metribuzin, pendimethalin plus rimsulfuron, metribuzin plus rimsulfuron, metribuzin plus prosulfocarb, metribuzin plus flufenacet, and pendimethalin plus metribuzin plus rimsulfuron applied preemergence. Metribuzin and pendimethalin were also applied alone. Water smartweed was difficult to control at the treatments and rates tested. Among all mixtures, a premixture of metribuzin plus prosulfocarb at 320 + 3,200 g ai ha−1provided the greatest control of water smartweed (47%) and wild buckwheat (87%). Herbicide treatments did not cause detrimental effect on growth of either potato cultivar, and marketable tuber yield generally improved with application of mixtures when compared with metribuzin or pendimethalin applied alone. Control of water smartweed in northern Greece potato production remains a difficult problem to solve, suggesting that until new herbicides are registered for use in potato in Greece, other options of weed control should be sought.
Synthetic Auxin Herbicides Control Germinating Scotch Broom (Cytisus scoparius)
Authors: Harrington Timothy B.
Published: May 2014

Scotch broom is a large, nonnative shrub that has invaded forests and grasslands in 27 U.S. states. Without treatment, Scotch broom's persistent seedbank ensures a continuing source of regeneration after soil disturbance. In growth chamber studies, five rates of three synthetic auxin herbicides, aminocyclopyrachlor (AC), aminopyralid (AP), and clopyralid (CP), were compared for PRE control of Scotch broom. Cumulative 90-d emergence, mortality, and biomass of seedlings did not vary among herbicides, averaging 42% of seeds sown, 75% of emerged seedlings, and 9 mg seedling−1 for treated containers, respectively, versus 46%, 17%, and 26 mg seedling−1 for nontreated containers. Low rates of each herbicide (< 50% of the maximum labeled rate [MLR]) provided 60 to 80% control, whereas 100% MLR provided 69 to 89% control. Although the herbicides differed in cost per unit seedling mortality (AP < CP < AC), each demonstrated strong potential as a viable treatment for PRE control of Scotch broom.
A Comparison of Work Value Preferences of Individuals With Disabilities and Individuals Without Disabilities
Authors: Lustig Daniel C. , Zanskas Stephen
Published: May 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this pilot study was to compare the work value preferences of individuals with disabilities with the work value preferences for a sample of individuals without disabilities.

Methods: The preferred work values of a sample of vocational rehabilitation consumers were compared to workers employed in a Southeastern university.

Results: Results indicated that vocational rehabilitation consumers preferred Independence and Support while workers in the general population preferred Recognition and Relationships. No differences were found with respect to Achievement and Working Conditions.

Conclusions: This study provides evidence that there are differences between persons with disabilities and the general population with respect to preferred work values. Rehabilitation counselors should assist the consumer in securing employment where there is congruence in work environment and preferred work values.
Measurement Structure of the Coping Strategies Questionnaire-24 in a Sample of Individuals With Musculoskeletal Pain: A Confirmatory Factor Analysis
Authors: Chiu Chung-Yi , Jochman Joseph , Fujikawa Mayu , Strand David , Cheing Gladys , Lee Gloria , Chan Fong
Published: May 2014

Purpose: To examine the factorial structure of the Coping Strategy Questionnaire-24 (CSQ-24) in a sample of Canadians with chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Method: The sample included 171 workers’ compensation clients (50.9% men) recruited from outpatient rehabilitation facilities in Canada. Mean age of participants was 42.45 years (SD = 9.87). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to evaluate the factorial validity of the CSQ-24.

Results: CFA indicated that the respecified 4-factor model comprising 20-specific coping items provided the best fit between the model and data, with χ2/df = 2.009, CFI = 0.916, RMSEA = .077. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficients for the 4 factors ranged from .80 to .86. The CSQ-24 correlated moderately in the predicted directions with pain intensity, activity interference, and depression, supporting its construct validity.

Conclusion: The CSQ-24 was found to measure the 4 coping strategy factors reported by Harland and Georgieff (2003). It demonstrated good internal consistency reliability and construct validity and can be used as a brief coping measure for chronic pain clients in clinical rehabilitation settings.

Chung-Yi Chiu, PhD, CRC, is an assistant professor, Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Exploring Migratory Dynamics on HIV Transmission: The Case of Mexicans in New York City and Puebla, Mexico
Authors: Ruiz Yumary , Guilamo-Ramos Vincent , McCarthy Katharine , Muñoz-Laboy Miguel A. , de Lourdes Rosas López Maria
Published: May 2014

Migration and population movement are increasingly viewed as important factors associated with HIV transmission risk. With growing awareness of the potential impact of migration on HIV transmission, several perspectives have emerged that posit differing dynamics of risk. We considered available data on the role of migration on HIV transmission among Mexican migrants in New York City and Puebla, Mexico. Specifically, we examined 3 distinct models of migratory dynamics of HIV transmission—namely, the structural model, the local contextual model, and the interplay model. In doing so, we reframed current public health perspectives on the role of migration on HIV transmission.
Legal and Policy Barriers to Sharing Data Between Public Health Programs in New York City: A Case Study
Authors: Gasner M. Rose , Fuld Jennifer , Drobnik Ann , Varma Jay K.
Published: May 2014

Integration of public health surveillance data within health departments is important for public health activities and cost-efficient coordination of care. Access to and use of surveillance data are governed by public health law and by agency confidentiality and security policies.

In New York City, we examined public health laws and agency policies for data sharing across HIV, sexually transmitted disease, tuberculosis, and viral hepatitis surveillance programs. We found that recent changes to state laws provide greater opportunities for data sharing but that agency policies must be updated because they limit increased data integration.

Our case study can help other health departments conduct similar reviews of laws and policies to increase data sharing and integration of surveillance data.
Bikes, Helmets, and Public Health: Decision-Making When Goods Collide
Authors: Bateman-House Alison
Published: May 2014

How ought public officials address policy choices that entail trade-offs between desirable public health goods? Increasing cycling improves public health both by promoting physical activity and by decreasing vehicle use, thus reducing vehicular emissions. Proponents of bicycle helmets argue that, used properly, they protect individual cyclists; however, there is concern that mandating helmet use may result in a decrease in cycling.

In 2012, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg opposed a bicycle helmet mandate, concerned that it would have a negative impact on the city's cycling rate, which he had sought to increase. The mayor did not explain his rationale, leaving constituents unsure why he opposed the proposal.

This case study underscores the challenge of creating public policy in the context of competing public health goods.
Hypochondriacal Anxieties in Adolescence
Authors: Christogiorgos Stelios , Tzikas Dimitris , Widdershoven-Zervaki Marie-Ange , Dimitropoulou Panagiota , Athanassiadou Eftychia , Giannakopoulos George
Published: May 2014

Hypochondriasis is one of the most characteristic psychopathological entities related to the disturbance of the
body image, which is the result of complicated identifications with damaged internal objects. Transient hypochondriacal
states frequently appear during periods of huge changes, such as phases of bodily growth. They often manifest themselves
in adolescence which is the most favourable period for them to appear. The bodily part or function that has changed, and
which was initially experienced as threatening or foreign, needs time and experience to become integrated into the total
representation of the body. A case example is presented here and implications for child psychotherapy are discussed.
The Pupil-Teacher Relationship and Gender Differences in Primary School
Authors: Quaglia Rocco , Gastaldi Francesca Giovanna Maria , Prino Laura Elvira , Pasta Tiziana , Longobardi Claudio
Published: May 2014

In the perspective of multiple attachment bonds, the teacher-child relationship is considered as one of the fundamental
ways to express a crucially relevant bond for the child's emotive and cognitive development. The contextualist
approach underlines how the dynamics of interaction between the individual and micro-sociocultural contexts play a mediating
role on developmental processes. Studies by Pianta, in particular, ascribed to the teacher-pupil interaction a crucial
developmental function in the adaptation of the child, both in preschool age children and in the subsequent years of primary
school.

The purpose of this study is to examine the characteristics of the teacher-pupil relationship when the teacher is male in the
primary school setting. There were 310 children involved, equally distributed by gender, with their 52 teachers, of whom
42 were female and 10 were male.

The analyses carried out reveal statistically relevant differences between the two groups of teachers on the issue of the
way male teachers assess their relationship with female pupils. More than their male colleagues, female teachers tend to
evaluate girls in a significantly different way as far as closeness and dependency are concerned. The data that emerges
calls for careful consideration of the effect that the gender imbalance marking the teaching population in the early stages
of schooling can have on aspects of child development.
Breeding and improvement of quality traits in alfalfa (Medicago sativa ssp. sativa L.)
Authors: Milic Dragan , Karagic Djura , Vasiljevic Sanja , Mikic Aleksandar , Milosevic Branko , Katic Slobodan
Published: May 2014

An important objective in alfalfa breeding is the improvement of forage
quality. The aim of this experiment was to determine the genetic control of
the most important quality traits in whole plant leaves and stems of alfalfa
genotypes. Quantitative genetic parameters were estimated for crude protein
(CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and acid
detergent lignin (ADL) content. A 5x5 diallel design with reciprocals among
parents from geographically different populations were studied. In the
diallel study, effects due to general combining ability (GCA) were higher
than those due to specific combining ability (SCA) for majority of the tested
characters in analyses of whole plant. The F1 progeny effect was significant
for almost all characters (except ADF content). The highest values of narrow
sense heritability?s were found for NDF (h =0.19) and CP (h =0.17) in whole
plant, and in leaves (0.11 and 0.08), while in stems most heritable traits
are ADF (h = 0.29) and ADL (h = 0.16) content. As a consequence, CP, NDF and
ADF content would be more efficient selection criteria in whole plant
analyses, while ADF and ADL content would be more interesting to investigate
in stems, in a breeding program for improved nutritive value of alfalfa.
Population-genetical characteristics of the bee population of Vojvodina
Authors: Pihler Ivan , Kiprijanovska Hrisula , Plavsa Nada , Krajinovic Milan , Uzunov Aleksandar , Kryger Per , Nedic Nebojsa
Published: May 2014

In 1893. Jovan Zivanovic notes that based on the color of the abdomen of
bees, two varieties of bees are present in Vojvodina, one dark and the other
with two yellow rings on abdomen. Up to the present time there are mixed
opinions about the presence of one or more populations of bees in Vojvodina,
especially about the presence of the yellow variety in Banat. The aim of this
paper is to establish the existence of one or more populations of bees, using
genetic analysis of bees. Evaluation of genetic connections, diversity within
the population and structure of the bee population in Vojvodina, were
calculated on the basis of allele variation of 25 microsatellite loci. A
genetic typification of the following microsatellites was performed: A8, A14,
A24, A29, A43, A79, A88, A113, Ac11, Ac88, Ac139, Ac306, Ap15, Ap68, Ap85,
Ap90, Ap223, Ap224, Ap226, Ap249, Ap273, Ap274, Ap288, At168, At188. 92% or
23 loci proved to be polymorphic in samples of bees from Srem and Backa, and
88% or 22 loci proved to be polymorphic in samples of bees from Banat.
Heterozygosity calculated for the whole population is not significantly
different from the expected heterozygosity. It was found that the obtained
genetic differences between bees of Srem and Backa, and Banat region are not
sufficient for these two populations to be considered separate.
Complete absence of linkage disequilibrium between enzyme loci in natural populations of Drosophila ananassae
Authors: Kumar Sanjay , Singh A.K.
Published: May 2014

Linkage disequilibrium has been studied among three linked enzyme loci of
second chromosome of D. ananassae collected from five natural populations.
Each of the three enzyme loci, that is Acph1, Acph 2 and Xdh was represented
by two distinct alleles and in three genotypic forms. Thus nine genotypic
combinations were recorded for each enzyme pair. The results clearly show
absence of non-random occurrence of different genotypic combinations in all
the populations studied. The occurrence of all possible genotypic
combinations indicates enough frequency of crossing over among these enzyme
loci. The absence of linkage disequilibrium in this study thus indicates
that selection did not play any role and free recombination among the genes
resulted random occurrence of all combinations.
Gradual loss of genetic diversity of Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. populations in the invaded range of central Serbia
Authors: Kocis-Tubic Natasa , Djan Mihajla , Velickovic Nevena , Anackov Goran , Obreht Dragana
Published: May 2014

As an invasive allergenic weed, Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. causes serious
public health and economic problems in invaded ranges of Europe. Over the
last two decades, while expanding toward southern parts of Serbia, this
common ragweed has become a very troublesome plant species in the whole
country. Considering the importance of genetic studies in understanding of
invasive species, our main objectives in this study were to analyze the
genetic diversity and genetic structure of Ambrosia artemisiifolia populations
from Central Serbia, a relatively recently invaded region. Comparing values
of genetic measures obtained by microsatellite analyses, a number of
differences were detected in genetic diversity between sampled populations.
Allelic richness-r (ranged from 5.42 to 7.80), the mean number of alleles per
locus-NA (5.8-8.4) and the mean number of rare alleles per locus-NR (2.8-5.8)
have quite similar ranges across populations. We observed greater genetic
variability in populations from the northern part of investigated area than
in southern populations. Based on pairwise Fst values, AMOVA results and PCo
Analysis, moderate differentiation among population was detected, while the
STRUCTURE analysis clearly separated SR-Kru and SR-Les. Data obtained for
analyses of differentiation and gradual losses of genetic diversity of
sampled populations provides useful information about invasion dynamics of
common ragweed in recently invaded region.
Cytogenetic alterations in peripheral cells of Alzheimer’s disease patients
Authors: Plecas-Solarovic Bosiljka , Djelic Ninoslav , Bajic Vladan , Zivkovic Lada , Spremo-Potparevic Biljana
Published: May 2014

Alzheimer?s disease (AD) is the most frequent progressive neurodegenerative
disorder in elderly associated with irreversible cognitive impairment and
dementia. The vast majority of AD patients are sporadic (SAD) in which the
disease develops after age of 65. Despite of century of research, we lack
understanding of the SAD etiology and pathogenesis. Several hypotheses try to
explain the main causes of brain degeneration in SAD, one of them assuming
that genomic instability and the reentry of certain neurons into the
incomplete cell cycle may be the pathogenic basis of the disease. Although
the brain is the most affected organ in AD, numerous studies showed
structural and functional alterations in peripheral tissues, suggesting that
AD is a generalized systemic disorder. Diverse changes in peripheral cells
from AD patients are described in literature including cell cycle aberration
and chromosome instability, alterations in cell viability, proliferation and
apoptosis, oxidative metabolism, amyloid precursor protein and amyloid ?
protein metabolism, and other cellular processes. The aim of this paper was
to summarize and review the results of our investigations and the growing
literature data concerning the multiple chromosomal alterations in peripheral
cells of AD patients and to consider their possible role in the disease
pathogenesis as well as the importance of such investigations.
Molecular modelling of zinc sulphide nanoparticles stabilized by cetyltrimethylammonium bromide
Authors: Kovář Petr , Praus Petr , Pospísil Miroslav , Dvorský Richard
Published: May 2014

ZnS nanoparticles stabilized by cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) were
modelled in the Materials Studio environment. Four types of models with
different distances between ZnS nanoparticles and different amounts of CTA
cations without water and in water environment were built and characterized
by calculated sublimation energies. The results of molecular modelling
without water showed that the most favourable model consisted of two ZnS
nanoparticles with a distance of 8-9 nm separated without immersing of CTAs.
On the contrary, the most favourable model in water environment was composed
of ZnS nanoparticles that nearly touched each other. CTA cations exhibited
tendency to be located on the ZnS surface forming sparse covers. Size
distributions of ZnS-CTA particles obtained by TEM measurements well agreed
with molecular modelling results.
Antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of the vegetative and reproductive organs of Robinia pseudoacacia
Authors: Marinas Ioana , Oprea Eliza , Geana Elisabeta-Irina , Chifiriuc Carmen , Lazar Veronica
Published: May 2014

The study was aimed to investigate antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of
ethanol extracts obtain from leaves, seeds and sheaths of R. pseudoacacia.
Total phenolic content (TPC, Folin-Ciocalteu method), antioxidant activity
(TEAC assay) and antimicrobial activity (agar disk diffusion method and broth
dilution method) of vegetative and reproductive organs of R. pseudoacacia
were done. The highest content of polyphenols (expressed as gallic acid
equivalents, GAE) obtained for R. pseudoacacia leaves extract (266.7 ?g GAE
mL-1 extract) followed by seeds extract (232.2 ?g GAE mL-1 extract). The HPLC
analysis showed presence of catechin (0.925 ?g mL-1), rutin (0.831 ?g mL-1),
resveratrol (0.664 ?g mL-1) and quercetin (0.456 ?g mL-1) in leaves and
catechin (0.127 ?g mL-1), epicatechin (0.239 ?g mL-1) and rutin (0.231 ?g
mL-1) in seeds extract. The results showed that the studied extracts
exhibited a selective antimicrobial effect directed against Gram-positive
(Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis) and Gram-negative (Pseudomonas
aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonie and Escherichia coli) bacterial strains. The
combination leaves extract / antibiotic had the highest synergistic effect
when compared to seeds and sheaths extracts. The same extract with
penicillin, kanamycin and rifampin had highest synergetic effect against
methicillin resistant S. aureus strain (MRSA), a strain which it has gained a
great interest of microbiologists within past decades. The chemical
characterization of ethanol extracts from the vegetative and reproductive
organs of Robinia pseudoacacia, synergistic effects of certain antibiotics
and acacia extracts, potential to increase antimicrobial activity of some
commercial antibiotics against MRSA were done for the first time.
Heavy metals in neogene sedimentary rocks as a potential geogenic hazard for sediment, soil, surface and groundwater contamination (Eastern Posavina and Lopare Basin, Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Authors: Grba Nenad , Neubauer Franz , Sajnovic Aleksandra , Stojanovic Ksenija , Jovancicevic Branimir
Published: May 2014

The influence of geochemical processes (weathering, erosion and dilution) of
Internal Dinarides to the Posavina Neogene Basin and their implication to the
pollution of Sava River sediments of four sampling sites in the Eastern
Posavina (Zupanja, Brcko, Bosanska Raca and Sremska Mitrovica) was studied.
For this purpose, comparison of contents of heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cr,
Cd, As, Hg) of the Eastern Posavina sediments with local background values
was performed. Sediments from two boreholes of the Lopare Basin considered as
non-polluted and representative for specific geologic and hydrogeologic
system were used for calculation of local background values. The aim was to
assess whether observed heavy metals concentrations of four sampling sites
along the Sava River represent background/natural or anthropogenic
contamination. This task is performed using the geo-accumulation index and
total enrichment factor. According to values of the total enrichment factor
(0.25 - 0.71), the anthropogenic impact on the investigated area is quite
low. The heavy metals contents in river sediments, soil and groundwater are
mainly controlled by geochemical processes, particularly weathering (Chemical
Proxy of Alteration value ~ 60). The results also offer novel insights into
the elevated geogenic levels of Cr and Ni in the Eastern Posavina region.
Measurement of event-related potentials and placebo
Authors: Sovilj Platon , Kovic Vanja , Biro Miklos , Radak Marin , Mitrovic Zoran
Published: May 2014

ERP is common abbreviation for event-related brain potentials, which are
measured and used in clinical practice as well as in research practice.
Contemporary studies of placebo effect are often based on functional
neuromagnetic resonance (fMRI), positron emission tomography (PET), and event
related potentials (ERP). This paper considers an ERP instrumentation system
used in experimental researches of placebo effect. This instrumentation
system can be divided into four modules: electrodes and cables, conditioning
module, digital measurement module, and PC module for stimulations,
presentations, acquisition and data processing. The experimental oddball
paradigm is supported by the software of the instrumentation.
The effect of carbohydrate moiety structure on the immunoregulatory activity of lactoferrin in vitro
Authors: Zimecki Michał , Artym Jolanta , Kocięba Maja , Duk Maria , Kruzel Marian
Published: May 2014

The aim of this study was to evaluate the immunoregulatory effects of recombinant human lactoferrin (rhLF) in two in vitro models: (1) the secondary humoral immune response to sheep erythrocytes (SRBC); and (2) the mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR). We compared the non-sialylated glycoform of rhLF as expressed by glycoengineered Pichia pastoris with one that was further chemically sialylated. In an earlier study, we showed that sialylated rhLF could reverse methotrexate-induced suppression of the secondary immune response of mouse splenocytes to SRBC, and that the phenomenon is dependent on the interaction of lactoferrin (LF) with sialoadhesin (CD169). We found that the immunorestorative activity of sialylated rhLF is also dependent on its interaction with the CD22 antigen, a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily that is expressed by B lymphocytes. We also demonstrated that only sialylated rhLF was able to inhibit the MLR reaction. MLR was inhibited by bovine lactoferrin (bLF), a glycoform that has a more complex glycan structure. Desialylated bLF and lactoferricin, a bLF-derived peptide devoid of carbohydrates, did not express such inhibitory activity. We showed that the interaction of LF with sialic acid receptors is essential for at least some of the immunoregulatory activity of this glycoprotein.
Dithiols as more effective than monothiols in protecting biomacromolecules from free-radical-mediated damage: in vitro oxidative degradation of high-molar-mass hyaluronan
Authors: Baňasová Mária , Valachová Katarína , Juránek Ivo , Šoltés Ladislav
Published: May 2014

Oxidative stress and the resulting damage to cellular and extracellular components has been observed in a variety of degenerative processes, including degenerative joint disorders, where high-molar-mass hyaluronan (HA) is often found to be massively degraded. The present study sought to test the hypothesis that dithiols are more effective in protecting biomacromolecules from free-radicalmediated damage than monothiols. The materials/thiols tested included bucillamine (BUC), dithioerythritol (DTE), dithiothreitol (DTT) and glutathione (GSH), as a reference, for their effectiveness in protecting HA from oxidative degradation induced in vitro. Since HA degradation results in a decrease in its dynamic viscosity, rotational viscometry was applied to follow HA oxidative degradation. The free-radical-scavenging activities of the thiols tested were determined by 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) and di(phenyl)-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)iminoazanium (DPPH) assays. It was found that all the dithiols in the concentration range tested protected HA from the oxidative degradation. On the other hand, monothiol GSH exerted protection only at high concentrations (10 μmol L−1 and 100 μmol L−1) and 1 μmol L−1 of GSH even exhibited a prodegradative effect. The ABTS assay revealed free-radical scavenging activities in the following order: BUC, DTT, DTE, GSH, and that of the DPPH assay: BUC, DTE, DTT, GSH. In conclusion, it was demonstrated that dithiols may be more effective than monothiols in affording biomacromolecule protection from oxidative degradation.
Age constraints and denudation rate of a multistage fault line scarp: an example from Southern Italy
Authors: Giano Salvatore , Schiattarella Marcello
Published: May 2014

The morphological evolution of a carbonate fault line scarp from southern Italy, generated by transpressional faulting and evolved by slope replacement, has been reconstructed. 14C dating of faulted slope deposits (ages included between 18 ka and ∼8 ka BP) have been performed to constrain the Late Pleistocene — Holocene evolution of that scarp. Long-to short-term denudation rates have been also evaluated for the understanding of the mountain front origin. The slope shows well-defined triangular facets combined with the presence of N-S-striking mountainward-dipping fault planes. The envelope of the slope foot appears slightly curved in a planimetric view and shows an E-W-trending offset in its southern part, making such a feature quite different from the recurrent rectilinear fault scarps, often related to normal faulting. Morphostructural analysis showed that: i) the oldest displacement was generated by a fault with a reverse component of movement; ii) the slope represents an inherited feature, only recently exhumed, and developed starting from a high-angle curved surface; iii) the upper Pleistocene — Holocene extensional faulting has only affected the slope foot and associated waste deposits, causing a series of collateral morphological effects, as fluvial cut of preexisting valleys and the genesis of conspicuous mass movements.
Variogram models reveal habitat gradients predicting patterns of territory occupancy and nest survival among vesper sparrows
Authors: Sadoti Giancarlo , Pollock Mark G. , Vierling Kerri T. , Albright Thomas P. , Strand Eva K.
Published: May 2014

Characterizing landscapes as gradients may help illuminate animal—habitat relationships that are either 1) masked by or 2) impractical to investigate using a purely patch‐based perspective. Among other methods, variogram models may reveal these gradients in the environment by quantifying spatial dependence among point samples, yet few analyses of animal habitat relationships employing variograms have been undertaken. Using vegetation volume measurements from 4‐m2plots within breeding vesper sparrowPooecetes gramineusterritories, we calculated four territory‐scale gradients: 1) mean volume, 2) standard deviation of volume, 3) nugget (a measure of fine‐scale variation), and 4) range (an index of patch size). The first two gradients are more commonly employed in animal ecology while the second two were derived using variogram models and are infrequently employed. We next used these gradients in generalized linear models predicting territory occupancy and daily nest survival. We found overwhelming support for employing the range parameter and models indicated 1) birds selected areas with lower average vegetation volume and smaller patch sizes and 2) had lower rates of nest predation in areas with larger patch sizes. While these results indicate a pattern of non‐ideal habitat selection, there was no indication that territories which experienced nest predation were selected disproportionately. Our results underscore the utility of 1) variograms among other methods for quantifying gradients in animal habitat and 2) variogram model parameters in investigating the habitat ecology of animals.