bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Computational analysis and predictive modeling of small molecule modulators of microRNA
Authors: Jamal Salma , Periwal Vinita , Consortium OpenSourceDrugDiscovery , Scaria Vinod
Published: August 2012

Background

MicroRNAs (miRNA) are small endogenously transcribed regulatory RNA which modulates gene expression at a post transcriptional level. These small RNAs have now been shown to be critical regulators in a number of biological processes in the cell including pathophysiology of diseases like cancers. The increasingly evident roles of microRNA in disease processes have also motivated attempts to target them therapeutically. Recently there has been immense interest in understanding small molecule mediated regulation of RNA, including microRNA.

Results

We have used publicly available datasets of high throughput screens on small molecules with potential to inhibit microRNA. We employed computational methods based on chemical descriptors and machine learning to create predictive computational models for biological activity of small molecules. We further used a substructure based approach to understand common substructures potentially contributing to the activity.

Conclusion

We generated computational models based on Naïve Bayes and Random Forest towards mining small RNA binding molecules from large molecular datasets. We complement this with substructure based approach to identify and understand potentially enriched substructures in the active dataset. We use this approach to identify miRNA binding potential of a set of approved drugs, suggesting a probable novel mechanism of off-target activity of these drugs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first and most comprehensive computational analysis towards understanding RNA binding activities of small molecules and predictive modeling of these activities.
Understanding drug uptake and binding within targeted disease micro‐environments in patients: a new tool for translational medicine
Authors: Marko‐Varga György , Végvári Ákos , Rezeli Melinda , Prikk Kaiu , Ross Peeter , Dahlbäck Magnus , Edula Goutham , Sepper Ruth , Fehniger Thomas E
Published: August 2012

Background

For many common global diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases there is an unmet need for diagnosing early indications of disease that could enable medical intervention and early treatment. The treatment of these diseases will require detailed knowledge of targeted pathways involved in disease pathogenesis but also the mode of drug actions at the biological location on these targets. Translational medicine is a new area of research where expert from different disciplines involved in basic science and clinical disciplines meet and join forces. Mode‐of‐drug‐action mechanisms elucidation is key in the characterization of drugs that can relate to both efficacy and safety.

Methods

Matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI‐MSI) was used providing evidence into the fate (destinations and distributions) of administered drugs within tumor regions of lung compartments.

Results

We hereby present a pulmonary study in which we have isolated lung tissue after inhaled drug administration and then localized the drug within airway wall compartments. The histology also provides evidence of drug binding to smooth muscle cell microenvironments. We also identified lung tissue regions with tumor cell invasion in these COPD patients.

Conclusions

The ultimate goal is to identify bridging comprehension that forms a knowledge base that can be used by society to develop a better treatment and medicine for patients. Our results demonstrated that robust imaging data could be generated confirming drug localization in pulmonary regions of COPD patients with tumor pathology.

Trial registration

Tallinn Medical Research Ethical Committee decision #1724, 18.06.2009
Endothelial Lipase Is Localized to Follicular Epithelial Cells in the Thyroid Gland and Is Moderately Expressed in Adipocytes
Authors: Connelly Margery A. , D’Andrea Michael R. , Qi Jenson , Dzordzorme Keli C. , Damiano Bruce P.
Published: August 2012

Endothelial lipase (EL), a member of the triglyceride lipase gene family, has been shown to be a key player in HDL metabolism. Northern blots revealed that EL was highly expressed in endothelium, thyroid, lung, placenta, liver, and testis. In liver and adrenal gland, EL protein was localized with vascular endothelial cells but not parenchymal cells. EL was shown to be upregulated in tissues such as atherosclerotic plaque where it was located in macrophages, endothelial cells, and medial smooth muscle cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate the cellular localization of EL in thyroid and other tissues where EL is known to be expressed. Besides its presence in vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells, EL protein was detected in the epithelial cells that line the follicles within the thyroid gland. EL-specific immunostaining was also found near the cell surface as well as in the cytoplasm of adipocytes. Using immunoblots, EL expression was confirmed in cultured human omental and subcutaneous adipocytes. EL expression, however, was not found in preadipocytes. These findings suggest that EL plays a role in thyroid and adipocyte biology in addition to its well-known role in endothelial function and HDL metabolism.
Bacillus subtilis SepF Binds to the C-Terminus of FtsZ
Authors: Cendrowicz Ewa , van Kessel Sebastiaan P. , van Bezouwen Laura S. , Kumar Neeraj , Boekema Egbert J. , Scheffers Dirk-Jan
Published: August 2012

Bacterial cell division is mediated by a multi-protein machine known as the “divisome”, which assembles at the site of cell division. Formation of the divisome starts with the polymerization of the tubulin-like protein FtsZ into a ring, the Z-ring. Z-ring formation is under tight control to ensure bacteria divide at the right time and place. Several proteins bind to the Z-ring to mediate its membrane association and persistence throughout the division process. A conserved stretch of amino acids at the C-terminus of FtsZ appears to be involved in many interactions with other proteins. Here, we describe a novel pull-down assay to look for binding partners of the FtsZ C-terminus, using a HaloTag affinity tag fused to the C-terminal 69 amino acids of B. subtilis FtsZ. Using lysates of Escherichia coli overexpressing several B. subtilis cell division proteins as prey we show that the FtsZ C-terminus specifically pulls down SepF, but not EzrA or MinC, and that the interaction depends on a conserved 16 amino acid stretch at the extreme C-terminus. In a reverse pull-down SepF binds to full-length FtsZ but not to a FtsZΔC16 truncate or FtsZ with a mutation of a conserved proline in the C-terminus. We show that the FtsZ C-terminus is required for the formation of tubules from FtsZ polymers by SepF rings. An alanine-scan of the conserved 16 amino acid stretch shows that many mutations affect SepF binding. Combined with the observation that SepF also interacts with the C-terminus of E. coli FtsZ, which is not an in vivo binding partner, we propose that the secondary and tertiary structure of the FtsZ C-terminus, rather than specific amino acids, are recognized by SepF.
The Market Valuation of Outsourcing New Product Development
Authors: Raassens Néomie , Wuyts Stefan , Geyskens Inge
Published: August 2012

Firms are increasingly outsourcing new product development (NPD), yet little is known about the financial performance implications of this decision. An empirical test shows that there is considerable variation in the performance implications of NPD outsourcing. The authors develop a contingency framework to explain when taking a minority equity participation in the outsourcing provider versus selecting a provider to whom the outsourcing firm has outsourced NPD in the past (i.e., prior tie selection) may increase the outsourcing firm's performance. They find that the superior governance mechanism depends on two forms of uncertainty: technological uncertainty and cultural uncertainty.
Competition in a Status Goods Market
Authors: Kuksov Dmitri , Xie Ying
Published: August 2012

Consumers value status goods because of the impression status-product ownership makes on other consumers, and this impression depends on the actual distribution of ownership in population. Explicitly modeling consumer value of status products as coming from the information the product ownership conveys to other consumers, the authors show that a status-product manufacturer can benefit from a competitor's cost reduction because of the competitor's price reduction associated with it. In other words, they show that two status products that are (imperfect) substitutes in the consumer utility function may be complements in the profit function. As a consequence, competition could lead to higher prices than the optimal ones under monopoly ownership of both products. The authors confirm the assumptions that consumer value of a status good depends positively on the proportion of desirable type among owners and negatively on the proportion of the desirable type among nonowners in one experiment. Moreover, they find empirical support for the positive effect of a price reduction of one product on the demand for the other product from another experiment.
A review of the demonstration of innovative solvent extraction processes for the recovery of trivalent minor actinides from PUREX raffinate
Authors: Modolo G. , Wilden A. , Geist A. , Magnusson D. , Malmbeck R.
Published: August 2012

The selective partitioning (P) of long-lived minor actinides fromhighly active waste solutions and their transmutation (T) to short-lived or stable isotopes by nuclear reactions will reduce the long-term hazard of the high-level waste and significantly shorten the time needed to ensure their safe confinement in a repository. The present paper summarizes the on-going research activities at Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ), Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT) and Institute for Transuranium Elements (ITU) in the field of actinide partitioning using innovative solvent extraction processes. European research over the last few decades, i.e. in the NEWPART, PARTNEW and EUROPART programmes, has resulted in the development of multi-cycle processes for minor actinide partitioning. These multi-cycle processes are based on the co-separation of trivalent actinides and lanthanides (e.g. by the DIAMEX process), followed by the subsequent actinide(III)/lanthanide(III) group separation in the SANEX process. The current direction of research for the development of innovative processes within the recent European ACSEPT project is discussed additionally.

This paper is focused on the development of flow-sheets for recovery of americium and curium from highly active waste solutions. The flow-sheets are verified by demonstration processes, in centrifugal contactors, using synthetic or genuine fuel solutions. The feasibility of the processes is also discussed.
Effect of crystal size on purity of uranyl nitrate hexahydrate crystalline particles grown in nitric acid medium
Authors: Nakahara M. , Nomura K.
Published: August 2012

Crystal washing experiments were carried out using a uranyl nitrate solution in order to confirm the effect of uranyl nitrate hexahydrate (UNH) crystalline particle size on the removal of liquid impurities. The UNH crystal was immersed in a Ce solution and was washed for removing the mother liquor on the surface of the UNH crystals. Larger UNH crystals were advantageous for increasing the decontamination factors (DFs) of liquid impurities. The large crystal size reduced the specific surface area of the crystals which in turn decreased the adhesion of liquid impurities on the surface of the crystals. Therefore, high DFs of liquid impurities were achieved before and after washing. In the crystallization experiments, the DFs of metals for the UNH crystal were evaluated using a dissolver solution derived from irradiated fast neutron reactor core fuel. The UNH crystal size did not affect the decontamination of solid impurities such as Ba and Np even after crystal washing in the U crystallization experiments.
Nanostructured epitaxial thin films of Fe-based superconductors with enhanced superconducting properties
Authors: Mele P. , Matsumoto K. , Nagayoshi H. , Fujita K. , Yoshida Y. , Ichino Y. , Kiss T. , Ichinose A. , Mukaida M. , Maiorov B. , Balakirev F.F. , Baily S.A. , Civale L.
Published: August 2012

Epitaxial Fe-Te-Se thin films were deposited by pulsed laser deposition at 250 ~ 600 °C on SrTiO3 (100, STO), MgO (100), LaAlO3 (100, LAO) and CaF2 (100) single crystal substrates. Best superconducting film was grown on CaF2: Tconset = 20.0 K and Tc0 = 16.18 K with Tdep = 300 °C, 45000 pulses, 3 Hz. The critical current density Jc at 4.2 K was 0.41×106A/cm2 at 0 T and 0.23×106 A/cm2 at 9 T. Angular dependence of Jc showed broad c-axis correlated peak when B ≥ 3 T.
Síndrome do líquido cefalorraqueano na neuroesquistossomose
Authors: Livramento J. A. , Machado L. R. , Silva L. Caetano da , Spina-França A.
Published: August 2012

Foram estudadas 220 amostras de LCR de pacientes com afecções diversas do sistema nervoso, nas quais de maneira sistematizada, foram realizadas reações de imunofluorescência para esquistossomose. Estas foram realizadas com cortes de vermes adultos e com cortes de fígado de hamster infectados por Schistosoma mansoni em que havia formação de granulomas, ambas por técnica indireta antiglobulínica. São analisadas as características do LCR dos 16 casos em que essas duas reações foram reagentes. Discute-se a introdução e pesquisa sistematizada dessas reações no LCR de pacientes com moléstias inflamatórias do sistema nervoso central. De acordo com o quadro do LCR observado nesses pacientes configura-se a introdução do conceito de "síndrome do LCR na neuroesquistossomose" a exemplo do que já ocorre em outras afecções inflamatórias do sistema nervoso, como a neurocisticercose e a neurossífilis.
Otite externa maligna por Pseudomonas aeruginosa: relato de três casos
Authors: Noujaim Jorge El-Kadum , Rios-Gonçalves Adrelirio José , Cunha Rosamélia Queiroz da , Terra Glaura Florim , Rozembaum Ronaldo , Coral Luiz Carlos , Abreu Therezinha de Jesus
Published: August 2012

Os autores apresentam três pacientes, de mais de 60 anos de idade, diabéticos de longa data, que tiveram achados clínicos, otológicos, do sistema nervoso e microbiológicos da otite externa maligna por Pseudomonas aeruginosa. O primeiro paciente, mulher de 62 anos de idade, teve na evolução clínica do processo importantes alterações de sistema nervoso, tais como meningite, de cujo LCR foi cultivada Pseudomonas aeruginosa, e envolvimento do 6º, 7º, 8º, 9º e 10º pares cranianos esquerdos; a despeito da alta mortalidade reportada nos casos com essas características, a paciente sobreviveu. O segundo enfermo, que tinha 64 anos e era do sexo masculino, teve também as queixas clássicas da condição caracterizadas por dor de ouvido intensa e persistente, saída de secreção pelo conduto auditivo e tumoração que aflorava pelo meato auditivo externo; recebeu, com bons resultados, tratamento cirúrgico aliado a esquema terapêutico antimicrobiano não realizado por tempo necessário devido à alta hospitalar solicitada pelo paciente; reinternado, já com manifestações de âmbito neurológico (paralisia do reto externo direito), evoluiu em poucos dias para a morte. O terceiro, de 70 anos de idade, também do sexo masculino, iniciou as queixas clínicas após a penetração de uma mariposa no canal auditivo externo e, apesar da presença de distúrbios do sistema nervoso (paralisia facial e torpor), sobreviveu mediante antibioticoterapia (carbenicilina + amicacina) por tempo prolongado. Após revisão da literatura sobre a patologia em apreço, são feitas considerações gerais concernentes à sua patogenia, alterações clínicas, diagnóstico, terapêutica e prognóstico.
Prevalência de síndrome metabólica e seus componentes na transição menopáusica: uma revisão sistemática
Authors: Mendes Karina Giane , Theodoro Heloísa , Rodrigues Alice Dalpicolli , Olinto Maria Teresa Anselmo
Published: August 2012

A síndrome metabólica é um transtorno complexo, caracterizado por um agrupamento de fatores de risco cardiovascular. Sugere-se que a fase da transição menopáusica possa ser um determinante importante no aumento da prevalência da síndrome metabólica. O presente estudo teve como objetivo verificar, por meio de uma revisão sistemática, a prevalência de síndrome metabólica e dos seus componentes na transição menopáusica. Três revisores fizeram a busca dos artigos na base de dados do PubMed. A qualidade dos artigos foi avaliada usando-se o Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE). Com base nos estudos analisados, a prevalência de síndrome metabólica aumenta na comparação do período da pré para a pós-menopausa, independentemente da população e do delineamento do estudo. Quanto aos componentes, a alteração foi mais expressiva nas medidas de circunferência da cintura e pressão arterial. Sugere-se que esses componentes sejam os que exercem maior influência na prevalência de síndrome metabólica.
Risk factors for cardiovascular disease among the homeless and in the general population of the city of Porto, Portugal
Authors: Oliveira Luis de Pinho , Pereira Maria Lurdes , Azevedo Ana , Lunet Nuno
Published: August 2012

We described the distribution of risk factors for cardiovascular disease among homeless people living in the city of Porto, Portugal. Comparisons were made between subsamples of homeless people recruited in different settings and between the overall homeless sample group and a sample of the general population. All "houseless" individuals attending one of two homeless hostels or two institutions providing meal programs on specific days were invited to participate and were matched with subjects from the general population. We estimated sex, age and education-adjusted prevalence ratios or mean differences. The prevalence of previous illicit drug consumption and imprisonment was almost twice as high among the homeless from institutions providing meal programs. This group also showed lower mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Prevalence of smoking was almost 50% higher in the overall homeless group. Mean body mass index and waist circumference were also lower in the homeless group and its members were almost five times less likely to report dyslipidemia. Our findings contribute to defining priorities for interventions directed at this segment of society and to reducing inequalities in this extremely underprivileged population.
Obstructive sleep apnea, detected by the Berlin Questionnaire: an associated risk factor for coronary artery disease
Authors: Massierer Daniela , Martinez Denis , Fuchs Sandra Costa , Pellin Paulo P. , Garcia Márcio S. , Zacharias Ana Luisa , Antunes Isadora F. , Wainstein Marco V. , Moreira Leila Beltrami , Ribeiro Jorge Pinto , Fuchs Flavio Danni
Published: August 2012

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a risk factor for coronary artery disease, remains under diagnosed. We investigated if OSA identified by the Berlin Questionnaire (BQ) is associated with the risk of coronary artery disease. Cases were patients referred for elective coronariography. The cases were classified with significant coronary lesions (stenosis > 50% in an epicardial coronary) or without significant coronary lesions. Controls were selected from a population-based sample. Positive BQ results were identified in 135 (41.2%) of 328 cases, in contrast with 151 (34.4%) of 439 control subjects (p = 0.03). In a multinomial logistic analysis, the risk for OSA identified by the BQ was independently associated with coronary artery disease in cases with lesions of at least 50% (OR = 1.53; 95%CI: 1.02-2.30; p = 0.04). The risk from OSA identified by the BQ was higher in younger subjects (40-59 years) (OR = 1.76; 95%CI: 1.05-2.97; p = 0.03) and in women (OR = 3.56; 95%CI: 1.64-7.72; p = 0.001). In conclusion, OSA identified by the BQ greatly increases the risks of coronary artery disease in patients having significant coronary artery lesions indicated by anangiogram, particularly in younger individuals and in women.
Trends in self-reported arterial hypertension in Brazilian adults: an analysis of data from the Brazilian National Household Sample Survey, 1998-2008
Authors: Muniz Ludmila Correa , Cascaes Andreia Morales , Wehrmeister Fernando César , Martínez-Mesa Jeovany , Barros Aluisio J. D. , Menezes Ana Maria Baptista
Published: August 2012

This study investigated the time trend in self-reported arterial hypertension from 1998 to 2008 in individuals older than 20 years in Brazil. Data were analyzed on prevalence of hypertension from the National Household Sample Survey (PNAD) for the years 1998, 2003, and 2008. The analysis considered the sampling complexity and included 203,419, 238,591, and 257,816 individuals in the years 1998, 2003, and 2008, respectively. The time trend in hypertension was analyzed by sex, family income, geographic regions of Brazil, and area of residence (urban versus rural), and the prevalence rates were adjusted for age. Prevalence of self-reported hypertension was 12.5% in 1998, 13% in 2003, and 13.9% in 2008, with an annual increase of 1.07%. The highest increases occurred in the Southeast Region (1.41%), in men (1.82%), and in urban areas (1.15%). The study showed a rise in the prevalence of self-reported hypertension in all income brackets and with increasing age. Knowledge of the prevalence of hypertension is essential for backing activities to prevent and control the problem, especially among the more vulnerable subgroups.
A new approach for modeling and control of nonlinear systems via norm-bounded linear differential inclusions
Authors: Kuiava Roman , Ramos Rodrigo A. , Pota Hemanshu R.
Published: August 2012

A systematic approach to model nonlinear systems using norm-bounded linear differential inclusions (NLDIs) is proposed in this paper. The resulting NLDI model is suitable for the application of linear control design techniques and, therefore, it is possible to fulfill certain specifications for the underlying nonlinear system, within an operating region of interest in the state-space, using a linear controller designed for this NLDI model. Hence, a procedure to design a dynamic output feedback controller for the NLDI model is also proposed in this paper. One of the main contributions of the proposed modeling and control approach is the use of the mean-value theorem to represent the nonlinear system by a linear parameter-varying model, which is then mapped into a polytopic linear differential inclusion (PLDI) within the region of interest. To avoid the combinatorial problem that is inherent of polytopic models for medium- and large-sized systems, the PLDI is transformed into an NLDI, and the whole process is carried out ensuring that all trajectories of the underlying nonlinear system are also trajectories of the resulting NLDI within the operating region of interest. Furthermore, it is also possible to choose a particular structure for the NLDI parameters to reduce the conservatism in the representation of the nonlinear system by the NLDI model, and this feature is also one important contribution of this paper. Once the NLDI representation of the nonlinear system is obtained, the paper proposes the application of a linear control design method to this representation. The design is based on quadratic Lyapunov functions and formulated as search problem over a set of bilinear matrix inequalities (BMIs), which is solved using a two-step separation procedure that maps the BMIs into a set of corresponding linear matrix inequalities. Two numerical examples are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Stabilizability of nonminimum phase unstable plants with arbitrary multiplicity over AWGN channels
Authors: Rojas Alejandro J.
Published: August 2012

In the present paper we obtain the infimal signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) required for the stabilizability of a linear output feedback loop over an additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channel in closed-form. The focus on AWGN channels allow us to then define the minimal channel capacity required for stabilizability. Finally, the infimal SNR for stabilizability also allow us to identify in closed-form the related stabilizing Hermitian positive semidefinite solution to the continuous-time algebraic Riccati equation of LQ control with vanishing state weight and repeated eigenvalues.
Sistema automático para o controle eficiente de iluminação para multiplas lâmpadas fluorescentes
Authors: Brito Moacyr A. G. de , Ferreira Castellane S. , Sampaio Leonardo P. , Canesin Carlos A.
Published: August 2012

Este artigo apresenta o desenvolvimento e a implementação de um sistema de iluminação automático multi-lâmpadas fluorescentes, com correção ativa do fator de potência de entrada utilizando a técnica dos valores médios instantâneos na forma digital, com capacidade de pré-aquecimento programável dos filamentos dos eletrodos e com controle de luminosidade. Além disso, o sistema proposto permite o gerenciamento e supervisão remota através de uma plataforma computacional amigável ao usuário, onde o sistema opera de forma automática ou manual, de acordo com a necessidade de cada ambiente e/ou do usuário, otimizando o consumo de energia elétrica.
Metodologia prática para estimação de parâmetros de geradores síncronos a partir de medidas de perturbações
Authors: Cari Elmer P. T. , Alberto Luís F. C. , Bretas Newton G.
Published: August 2012

Este artigo propõe uma nova metodologia prática e robusta para estimar parâmetros de geradores síncronos. A metodologia proposta utiliza a análise de sensibilidade de trajetória combinada com uma nova abordagem, denominada 'abordagem de minimização' para estimação de parâmetros de sistemas dinâmicos não-lineares modelados por conjuntos de equações algébricos diferenciais. Uma escolha adequada de entradas e saídas permite a divisão da estimação de parâmetros do gerador na estimação independente dos parâmetros elétricos e mecânicos. A metodologia é robusta com relação às condições iniciais dos parâmetros, não requer execução de testes especiais e utiliza apenas medidas de perturbações de fácil obtenção (correntes e tensões trifásicas, tensão de campo e velocidade do rotor) coletadas do sistema de energia elétrica sem desconectar o gerador da rede.
Diagnósticos de enfermagem em vítimas de trauma nas primeiras seis horas após o evento
Authors: Sallum Ana Maria Calil , Sousa Regina Marcia Cardoso de
Published: August 2012

OBJETIVO: Identificar a frequência dos diagnósticos de enfermagem em vítimas de trauma nas primeiras 6 horas, após o evento traumático e verificar a relação desses diagnósticos com a mortalidade. MÉTODOS: Estudo prospectivo transversal com análise quantitativa, realizado em hospital terciário, centro de referência ao trauma no Município de São Paulo. Durante seis meses, foram avaliados 407 pacientes maiores de 18 anos atendidos no Pronto -Socorro desse hospital. RESULTADOS: Os diagnósticos de enfermagem mais frequentes foram: Risco de Infecção (84,5%), Integridade da pele prejudicada (77,9%), Dor aguda (71,5%), Conforto prejudicado (68,3%) e Integridade tissular prejudicada (54,1%). A associação entre diagnósticos de enfermagem e mortalidade foi observada em 28 (66,7%) dos diagnósticos identificados. CONCLUSÃO: Os dados acrescentaram informações que poderão auxiliar na formação e atuação do enfermeiro no cenário das emergências em trauma e evidenciaram o potencial dos diagnósticos de enfermagem para avaliar os resultados e a qualidade da assistência.
Estudo da aplicação da poli(o-metoxianilina) e de seus compósitos com negro de fumo no processamento de absorvedores de micro-ondas
Authors: Pinto Simone de S. , Rezende Mirabel C.
Published: August 2012

Este estudo apresenta resultados com materiais absorvedores de radiação eletromagnética, MARE, à base de poli(o-metoxianilina) (POMA) e de seus compósitos com negro de fumo (NF) (NF/POMA). A condutividade elétrica dos compósitos NF/POMA foi significativamente maior (0,23-80 S.cm-1) que para a POMA (0,017 S.cm-1). Medidas de atenuação da radiação eletromagnética de formulações com esses aditivos poliméricos em resina epóxi foram realizadas na faixa de 8,2 a 12,4 GHz. Resultados de refletividade mostram que as composições com o compósito condutivo NF-10%/POMA apresentam os melhores valores de atenuação da radiação eletromagnética (até 99,5% em 11,7 GHz).
Construir la república: semántica y dilemas de la soberanía popular en Argentina durante el siglo XIX
Authors: Goldman Noemí , Ternavasio Marcela
Published: August 2012

Tres dimensiones de la soberanía estuvieron básicamente en juego en las disputas y guerras civiles que dominaron toda la primera mitad del siglo XIX en el Río de la Plata: la primera giró en torno a quién era el titular de la soberanía, la segunda a cómo se la representaba, y la tercera a cómo se la limitaba. Este artículo está destinado a analizar estas tres dimensiones en el escenario rioplatense en las primeras décadas posteriores a la crisis monárquica y a la revolución y concluye con una reflexión general en torno a las redefiniciones ocurridas durante la segunda mitad del siglo XIX, cuando la República Argentina logró constituirse como tal y la soberanía popular pasó a absorber y condensar nuevos significados y sentidos. Si, por un lado, la resolución del problema del sujeto de imputación de la soberanía con la consitucionalización de tal sujeto en una única república, dotaría de un nuevo marco institucional a la forma de representar y de limitar el ejercicio de esa soberanía a partir de mediados del mencionado siglo; por el otro, la soberanía popular debía ahora responder a las nuevas demandas políticas y sociales que reclamaba la redefinición de la "cuestión democrática".
Simón Bolívar's Republic: a bulwark against the "Tyranny" of the Majority
Authors: Helg Aline
Published: August 2012

Based on Bolívar's speeches, decrees, and correspondence as well as on Gran Colombia's constitutions and laws, this essay examines the tensions within Bolívar's vision of Venezuela's and New Granada's society produced by his republican, yet authoritarian and hierarchical ideas, his concern for keeping the lower classes of African descent in check, and his denial of Indian agency. It shows that even in Peru, Bolívar's main concern was to prevent the racial war and social disintegration that allegedly slaves and free Afro-descended people would bring to the newly independent nations. To prevent such an outcome, he advocated all along legal equality through the abolition of the colonial privileges and, since mid-1816, the abolition of slavery, but simultaneously the preservation of the monopole of power by the white creole elite. He secured the perpetuation of the socioracial hierarchy inherited from Spain by a two-edged citizenship: an active citizenship restricted to a tiny literate and skilled minority and an inactive citizenship for the immense majority of (mostly nonwhite) men.
Beyond the restrictive consensus: elections in Mexico (1809-1847)
Authors: Rivera José Antonio Aguilar
Published: August 2012

This essay looks at experiments with a system of representation taking place in New Spain and later in Mexico. The elections that were carried out during the days of Spanish rule dealt expediently with the political dynamics of this form of government, such as broad-based political participation. . We study the elections during the early decades of independence through the beginning of the war with the United States, and we find that in spite of the fact that during the 1830s there was growing consensus among the elites that it would be best to implement censitary suffrage, the desire to exclude the working classes did not prove feasible. None of the factions involved were able to abstain from appeals to the "lower (threatening) classes". We attempt to explain why this was so. There are several different hypotheses in this regard. One argument is that the early implementation of sufferage was a result of competition between antagonistic factions. However, by the end of the 1820s, popular mobilization led to social disorder, such as the destruction of the Parian market. This stimulated elite preoccupations. At the beginning of the 1830s, the ruling classes held back on engaging popular classes in electoral struggles. Yet this agreement proved short-lived, with conservatives giving up on the notion of census suffrage and the renewed insistence of liberals, encouraged by electoral triumphs, on maintaining a broad electoral base.
Conhecimentos técnicos, políticas públicas e participação: o caso do Conselho Nacional do Meio Ambiente (Conama)
Authors: Fonseca Igor Ferraz da , Bursztyn Marcel , Moura Adriana Maria Magalhães de
Published: August 2012

O artigo explora a relação entre as esferas política e técnica nos conselhos gestores de políticas ambientais no Brasil, com base em pesquisa realizada junto ao Conselho Nacional do Meio Ambiente (Conama). A literatura sobre conselhos enfatiza que a presença dos conhecimentos especializados pode gerar relações assimétricas de poder entre os atores, favorecendo o domínio do processo político e deliberativo por setores mais capacitados. A partir disso, a presença dos conhecimentos técnicos nos conselhos poderia levar a uma despolitização desses espaços, que seria demonstrada pelo uso de termos e expedientes técnico-científicos, jurídicos e burocráticos que esvaziariam a função política dos conselhos. Conforme os obstáculos apontados, a literatura advoga que devem ser feitos esforços no sentido de uma redução dos expedientes técnicos em favor de uma repolitização desses espaços. Os resultados do estudo aqui desenvolvido confirmam parcialmente os elementos presentes na literatura. A conclusão aponta que os conhecimentos especializados são um elemento inerente ao funcionamento dos conselhos ambientais. O esvaziamento do elemento técnico poderia gerar prejuízo no que se refere à qualidade dos atos e deliberações emanadas no Conama, gerando prejuízos para o aparato legal da legislação ambiental brasileira, com reflexos negativos na implementação de políticas públicas.
Acanthosis nigricans and insulin resistance in overweight children and adolescents
Authors: Kluczynik Caroline Evelin Nascimento , Mariz Larissa Soares , Souza Larissa Camila Ferreira , Solano Gabriela Beserra , Albuquerque Fernanda Cruz de Lira , Medeiros Carla Campos Muniz
Published: August 2012

BACKGROUND: Studies have suggested an association between the presence of acanthosis nigricans (AN) and the development of diabetes. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between AN and insulin resistance (IR) in overweight children and adolescents receiving care at the Center for Childhood Obesity, Campina Grande, PB. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted between April 2009 and April 2010 including 194 individuals of 2 to 18 years of age receiving care within the Brazilian national health network. The presence of acanthosis nigricans was verified and anthropometric measurements were taken. The following tests were performed: insulin, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, glucose and homeostasis model of assessment - insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS software program, version 17.0. RESULTS: There was a greater prevalence of females (66%), brown-skinned individuals (63.4%), adolescents (61.3%) and severely obese individuals (66.5%). Acanthosis nigricans was identified in 58.2% and IR in 42.7% of the participants. Acanthosis nigricans was associated with being non-white (p = 0.003), with being an adolescent (p = 0.003) and with IR (p = 0.001). Non-white individuals, adolescents and those with insulin resistance were 5.4, 2.47 and 2.66 times more likely to have acanthosis nigricans, respectively. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate a need to train healthcare professionals to identify acanthosis nigricans, since this condition is associated with IR. Identifying acanthosis nigricans in childhood permits the safe and timely treatment of cardiometabolic disorders through careful monitoring and appropriate treatment.
Treatment of common warts with the immune stimulant Propionium bacterium parvum
Authors: Nasser Nilton
Published: August 2012

BACKGROUND: Warts are epithelial proliferations in the skin and mucous membrane caused by various types of HPV. They can decrease spontaneously or increase in size and number according to the patient's immune status. The Propionium bacterium parvum is a strong immune stimulant and immune modulator and has important effects in the immune system and it is able to produce antibodies in the skin. OBJECTIVE: To show the efficacy of the Propionium bacterium parvum in saline solution in the treatment of skin warts. METHODS: A randomized double-blind study. Twenty patients with multiple warts were divided into two groups: one received 0,1ml intradermal injection of placebo solution in just one of the warts and the other received 0,1 ml of saline solution of Propionium bacterium parvum, one dose a month, for 3 to 5 months. RESULTS: Among the 20 patients who participated in the study, ten received the placebo and ten received the saline solution with Propionium bacterium parvum. In 9 patients treated with the Propionium bacterium parvum solution the warts disappeared without scars and in 1 patient it decreased in size. In 9 patients who received the placebo no change to the warts was observed and in 1 it decreased in size. CONCLUSIONS: The immune modulator and immune stimulant Propionium bacterium parvum produced antibodies in the skin which destroyed the warts without scars, with statistically significant results (P<0,001), and cured 90 % of the patients. We suggest the use of the immune stimulant in the treatment of warts.
Acne fulminans successfully treated with prednisone and dapsone
Authors: Lages Rafael Bandeira , Bona Sebastião Honório , Silva Flávia Veríssimo Melo e , Gomes Andressa Karoline Lima , Campelo Viriato
Published: August 2012

Acne fulminans is a rare condition and the most severe form of acne. It involves the sudden onset of febrile and multisystemic symptoms, with poor response to ordinary therapy in patients who previously had mild to moderate acne. It is characterized by hemorrhagic ulcerative crusting lesions on the face, chest and upper back. The authors report a case of acne fulminans that was successfully treated with oral prednisone and dapsone.
Multiple primary cutaneous plasmacytoma: first reported case in Brazil
Authors: Saback Thais Lima , Botelho Luciane Francisca Fernandes , Enokihara Milvia Maria Simões da Silva , Michalany Nilceo Schwery , Floriano Marcos César
Published: August 2012

Primary cutaneous plasmacytoma is a rare disease characterized by monoclonal proliferation of plasma cells in the skin, in the absence of bone or systemic disease. It can be solitary or multiple, the latter being even more rare and presenting a higher mortality rate. We describe the clinical, histopathological and immunohistochemical aspects as well as the evolution of an 87-year-old female patient, diagnosed as having multiple primary cutaneous plasmacytomas.
Exogenous ochronosis: case report and literature review
Authors: Martins Viviane Maria Rocha , Sousa Antônio Renê Diógenes de , Portela Natália de Carvalho , Tigre Celina Aguiar Frota , Gonçalves Lucidi Maria Saraiva , Castro Filho Rômulo José de Lucena
Published: August 2012

Exogenous ochronosis is a rare, cosmetically disfiguring condition, resulting from the longterm use of topical hydroquinone in treatment of melasma. It manifests as gray-brown or blue-black macules in hydroquinone-exposed regions. The exact incidence of ochronosis is unknown. High rates have been reported in the South African population, and it is rare in the United States. We report the case of a patient who developed exogenous ochronosis while using topical hydroquinone. It is necessary to recognize this disorder at the earliest stage and discontinue hydroquinone immediately, as its treatment is difficult. Sun exposure facilitates the formation of exogenous ochronosis and must be strictly avoided, although it is a practical problem in the tropical climate of Brazil, particularly for those who work outdoors.
Referenciais de carreira e identidade profissional em estudantes universitários
Authors: Lemos Caioá Geraiges de , Bueno José Maurício Haas , Silva Priscila Lopes da , Genicolo Vivian Cestari
Published: August 2012

Este estudo teve como objetivo investigar a relação entre inclinações profissionais (referenciais de carreira) e atitudes em relação à carreira profissional em estudantes universitários no contexto de um mundo do trabalho em transformação. Os estudantes eram provenientes de vários cursos (N=493), de ambos os sexos, de uma universidade particular da cidade de São Paulo. Os referenciais de carreira foram avaliados por meio de um inventário de inclinações profissionais, que informa sobre inclinação ao empreendedorismo, à autonomia e liberdade, ao altruísmo e à estabilidade e à manutenção do estilo de vida, com precisão e validade fatorial. Utilizou-se também um questionário que informa os motivos para a escolha, satisfação, comprometimento e empreendimento de ações efetivas em relação à carreira profissional. Os resultados indicaram que as inclinações profissionais estão associadas a diferentes atitudes em relação à carreira, permitindo concluir que diferentes tipos de representações sobre o papel da profissão na vida influenciam diretamente no processo de formação da identidade profissional desses estudantes.
Entre o limite e a esperança: relato de uma experiência em psicologia institucional
Authors: Gula Patricia , Pinheiro Nadja
Published: August 2012

O presente artigo propõe uma reflexão sobre o trabalho em Psicologia institucional. Utilizando-se da perspectiva teórica de Bleger, é apresentada uma experiência de trabalho desenvolvida em uma instituição localizada na cidade de Nova Friburgo, Estado do Rio de Janeiro, cujo principal propósito é profissionalizar adolescentes visando a seu ingresso no mercado de trabalho local. Como conclusão, são destacadas a importância e a pertinência do trabalho da Psicologia institucional, o qual permite uma significativa transformação tanto subjetiva, ao possibilitar, aos atores institucionais, a construção de suas próprias vidas, quanto institucional, ao tornar sua dinâmica mais flexível e menos cristalizada no exercício de um poder autoritário.
Inclusão escolar: representações compartilhadas de profissionais da educação acerca da inclusão escolar
Authors: Gomes Claudia , Rey Fernando Luis Gonzalez
Published: August 2012

Este trabalho objetivou explorar as representações, compartilhadas por vinte e cinco profissionais da educação da rede regular de ensino fundamental, acerca da inclusão escolar de alunos com necessidades especiais. Para tanto, priorizaram-se os sistemas conversacionais mantidos na vivência da instituição escolar durante sete meses de desenvolvimento da pesquisa. As análises das informações constataram que os aspectos implícitos da instituição escolar acerca da inclusão escolar estão atrelados a distintas representações: possibilidade de desenvolvimento educacional, espaço de socialização e práticas compensatórias. Pôde-se concluir que, enquanto não forem compreendidos as crenças, os desejos, as frustrações e os afetos dos professores quanto a sua ação profissional, eles não poderão a assumir o papel de educar todo e qualquer aluno e, dessa forma, a instituição escolar continuará reproduzindo o círculo cruel da diferenciação e exclusão dos alunos. Somente seus sentidos singulares direcionarão posturas na construção e desenvolvimento de uma escola inclusiva aos alunos indistintamente.
Repercussões psicológicas do transplante de medula óssea no doador relacionado
Authors: Oliveirao Érika Arantes de , Santoso Manoel Antônio dos , Mastropietro Ana Paula , Voltarelli Júlio César
Published: August 2012

O desenvolvimento do transplante de medula óssea (TMO), nas últimas décadas, permitiu o tratamento de doenças que antes eram invariavelmente fatais. Dentre os tipos de transplante realizados, o alogênico exige a participação ativa de um membro familiar, em geral, o irmão, que arca com o encargo da doação. O objetivo do presente estudo é analisar as repercussões psicológicas dessa doação nos doadores relacionados. A amostra foi composta por dez doadores, vinculados à Unidade de TMO do HCFMRP-USP, avaliados antes e após a doação. Os instrumentos utilizados foram: roteiro de entrevista, escalas e técnicas projetivas. Os resultados demonstraram que o nível de ansiedade dos sujeitos se encontrava dentro do esperado, porém foram constatados sintomas de estresse. Afirmaram terem ficado ansiosos e relataram dor no momento pós-doação, mas acreditam que esta foi mais fácil do que imaginaram. Finalmente, em relação aos dados das técnicas projetivas, constatou-se uma alta suscetibilidade emocional, indícios de sugestionabilidade e dependência.
Inventário de percepção de suporte familiar (IPSF): estudo componencial em duas configurações
Authors: Baptista Makilim Nunes
Published: August 2012

O objetivo deste estudo foi o de comparar os componentes do inventário de percepção de suporte familiar (IPSF) em duas configurações de participantes, por intermédio de análise fatorial. A amostragem da segunda configuração foi constituída por mil e sessenta e quatro estudantes do ensino médio e universitário, com idades que variavam entre dezessete e sessenta e quatro anos, de ambos os sexos, de instituições particulares e públicas do Estado de São Paulo. Foi utilizada a análise de componentes principais, com rotação oblimim nessa configuração. A análise fatorial extraiu a presença de três fatores, intitulados afetivo-consistente, adaptação e autonomia, o que expressou uma variância total de 41,433% do construto. O IPSF demonstrou ser um inventário com dimensões bem definidas, sendo que todos os itens possuíram cargas fatoriais acima de 0,30. O fator afetivo-consistente demonstrou precisão de 0,91, expresso pelo alfa de Cronbach, seguido pelo fator inadaptação, com alfa de 0,90, e, por último, o fator autonomia expressou um alfa de 0,78, além do alfa da escala total ser de 0,93. As cargas fatoriais dos itens foram sempre superiores a 0,30.O IPSF também expressa as dimensões encontradas em diversos instrumentos e teorias internacionais sobre o construto suporte familiar. As comparações das configurações são discutidas. Outras evidências de validade, bem como a padronização do IPSF, se fazem necessárias, a fim de se obter outros dados psicométricos do inventário, já que o processo de validação de qualquer instrumento se comprova de forma dinâmica e constante.
Bombeiros: um olhar sobre a qualidade de vida no trabalho
Authors: Monteiro Janine Kieling , Maus Daiane , Machado Fabiane Rosa , Pesenti Clarissa , Bottega Daniela , Carniel Letícia Bassôa
Published: August 2012

Este trabalho apresenta uma intervenção no corpo de bombeiros (São Leopoldo - RS) realizada pelo NEPT (Núcleo de Excelência em Psicologia do Trabalho). Utilizamos um diagnóstico com sessenta e três entrevistas semi-estruturadas sobre o trabalho e funcionamento da corporação. Partindo da análise deste, propusemos palestras sobre estresse e qualidade de vida no trabalho (QVT). Foram levantados questionamentos acerca do mito do herói e do amor pela profissão bombeiro, que deixa em segundo plano seus problemas. Destacou-se o estresse no trabalho por situações traumáticas, como risco de vida eminente e mortes nos salvamentos. Entendemos que as intervenções contribuíram como espaço de escuta que propiciou reflexões a respeito da QVT.