bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mothers of Invention: Fictional Alternatives to Procreation
Authors: Hawthorne Melanie
Published: November 2012

French feminists are sometimes perceived as making slower progress than their European sisters because suffrage was not achieved until well into the twentieth century, but this perception fails to take into account that for French women themselves, the vote was secondary to other, more pressing feminist issues. The right to force men to take responsibility for paternity, for example, was of far more interest in the fin-de-siècle and Belle Epoque periods. Until (and even after) this right was won in the first decade of the twentieth century, women often bore total responsibility for children, which meant that in an era of limited contraception, women ran far greater risks than men if they engaged in sexual activity that could result in conception. This article considers some of the ways women explored alternative forms of sexual expression in the Belle Epoque period, making perhaps a virtue out of necessity, and illustrates the emphasis on non-procreative sexuality through the work of novelist Rachilde (1860-1953), whose fiction enthusiastically offers a veritable catalogue of alternative sexualities.
Fathers and Sons: Paul Auster Reads Stéphane Mallarmé
Authors: Olds Marshall C.
Published: November 2012

Death is a constant motif in the poetry of Stéphane Mallarmé. In his earliest verse he commemorates the passing of his mother, of his sister Marie, and of his childhood friend Harriet Smyth. Projected images of death and at least speculative resurrection will follow throughout the decades. The poetic works that pick up on this motif are among the principal part of the œuvre . One loss in the poet's life fell outside of this creative sublimation nearly entirely, and that was the death of his young son, Anatole who succumbed to what seems to have been rheumatic fever in 1879 at eleven years of age. One can only imagine the devastation that the event brought to Stéphane and Maria Mallarmé. For Mallarmé the poet, the loss was all the more incomprehensible in that—for someone such as he whose understanding of the world was mediated through poetic language—he was unable to confront his grief through language. He certainly tried, as the long, unfinished and fragmented attempt bears witness. Known as "For a Tomb for Anatole," it is the poetic equivalent of a shipwreck.
American poet, novelist and film maker, Paul Auster, translated the Anatole fragments into English in 1983. The rendered text and the extended introduction are illuminating; Auster understands the fragments as a finished work and brings a reading that is as fresh as it is suggestive. Auster is intimately familiar with Mallarmé's poetry; he is also sensitive to the motif of fathers and sons which runs through his own work—in novels and in films.
Bottom-Up Biases in Feature-Selective Attention
Authors: Andersen Søren K. , Müller Matthias M. , Martinovic Jasna
Published: November 2012

Previous studies of feature-selective attention have focused on situations in which attention is directed to one of two spatially superimposed stimuli of equal salience. While such overlapping stimuli should maximize stimulus interactions, it is still unknown how bottom-up biases favoring one or the other stimulus influence the efficiency of feature-selective attention. We examined the integration of bottom-up contrast and top-down feature-selection biases on stimulus processing. Two fully overlapping random dot kinematograms (RDKs) of light and dark dots were presented on a gray background of intermediate luminance. On each trial, human participants attended one RDK to detect brief coherent motion targets, while ignoring any events in the unattended RDK. Concurrently, through changes in background luminance, stimulus contrast could be set to five different levels: the stimuli could either be equal, or one of the two stimuli could have twice or four times the contrast of the other stimulus. This manipulation introduced a bottom-up bias toward the stimulus with the higher contrast while keeping the difference between the stimuli constant. Stimulus processing was measured by means of steady-state visual evoked potentials (SSVEPs). SSVEP amplitudes generally increased with higher contrast of the driving stimulus. At earlier levels of processing, attention increased the slope of this linear relation, i.e., attention multiplicatively enhanced SSVEP amplitudes. However, at later levels of processing, attention had an additive effect. These effects of attention can be attributed to the differential integration of gain enhancement and inhibitory stimulus competition at different levels of the visual processing hierarchy.
An Early Onset Progressive Motor Neuron Disorder inScyl1-Deficient Mice Is Associated with Mislocalization of TDP-43
Authors: Pelletier Stephane , Gingras Sebastien , Howell Sherie , Vogel Peter , Ihle James N.
Published: November 2012

The molecular and cellular bases of motor neuron diseases (MNDs) are still poorly understood. The diseases are mostly sporadic, with ∼10% of cases being familial. In most cases of familial motor neuronopathy, the disease is caused by either gain-of-adverse-effect mutations or partial loss-of-function mutations in ubiquitously expressed genes that serve essential cellular functions. Here we show that deletion ofScyl1, an evolutionarily conserved and ubiquitously expressed gene encoding the COPI-associated protein pseudokinase SCYL1, causes an early onset progressive MND with characteristic features of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Skeletal muscles ofScyl1−/−mice displayed neurogenic atrophy, fiber type switching, and disuse atrophy. Peripheral nerves showed axonal degeneration. Loss of lower motor neurons (LMNs) and large-caliber axons was conspicuous inScyl1−/−animals. Signs of neuroinflammation were seen throughout the CNS, most notably in the ventral horn of the spinal cord. Neural-specific, but not skeletal muscle-specific, deletion ofScyl1was sufficient to cause motor dysfunction, indicating that SCYL1 acts in a neural cell-autonomous manner to prevent LMN degeneration and motor functions. Remarkably, deletion ofScyl1resulted in the mislocalization and accumulation of TDP-43 (TAR DNA-binding protein of 43 kDa) and ubiquilin 2 into cytoplasmic inclusions within LMNs, features characteristic of most familial and sporadic forms of ALS. Together, our results identify SCYL1 as a key regulator of motor neuron survival, andScyl1−/−mice share pathological features with many human neurodegenerative conditions.
No Consistent Bioenergetic Defects in Presynaptic Nerve Terminals Isolated from Mouse Models of Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Choi Sung W. , Gerencser Akos A. , Ng Ryan , Flynn James M. , Melov Simon , Danielson Steven R. , Gibson Bradford W. , Nicholls David G. , Bredesen Dale E. , Brand Martin D.
Published: November 2012

Depressed cortical energy supply and impaired synaptic function are predominant associations of Alzheimer's disease (AD). To test the hypothesis that presynaptic bioenergetic deficits are associated with the progression of AD pathogenesis, we compared bioenergetic variables of cortical and hippocampal presynaptic nerve terminals (synaptosomes) from commonly used mouse models with AD-like phenotypes (J20 age 6 months, Tg2576 age 16 months, and APP/PS age 9 and 14 months) to age-matched controls. No consistent bioenergetic deficiencies were detected in synaptosomes from the three models; only APP/PS cortical synaptosomes from 14-month-old mice showed an increase in respiration associated with proton leak. J20 mice were chosen for a highly stringent investigation of mitochondrial function and content. There were no significant differences in the quality of the synaptosomal preparations or the mitochondrial volume fraction. Furthermore, respiratory variables, calcium handling, and membrane potentials of synaptosomes from symptomatic J20 mice under calcium-imposed stress were not consistently impaired. The recovery of marker proteins during synaptosome preparation was the same, ruling out the possibility that the lack of functional bioenergetic defects in synaptosomes from J20 mice was due to the selective loss of damaged synaptosomes during sample preparation. Our results support the conclusion that the intrinsic bioenergetic capacities of presynaptic nerve terminals are maintained in these symptomatic AD mouse models.
Involvement of the Ca2+-responsive transactivator in high glucose-induced β-cell apoptosis
Authors: Men Xiuli , Peng Liang , Wang Haiyan , Zhang Wenjian , Xu Shiqing , Fang Qing , Liu Honglin , Yang Wenying , Lou Jinning
Published: November 2012

The calcium-regulated transcription coactivator, Ca2+-responsive transactivator (CREST) was expressed in pancreatic β-cells. Moreover, CREST expression became significantly increased in pancreatic islets isolated from hyperglycemic Goto–Kakizaki rats compared with normoglycemic Wistar controls. In addition, culture of β-cells in the presence of high glucose concentrations also increased CREST expression in vitro. To further investigate the role of this transactivator in the regulation of β-cell function, we established a stable β-cell line with inducible CREST expression. Hence, CREST overexpression mimicked the glucotoxic effects on insulin secretion and cell growth in β-cells. Moreover, high glucose-induced apoptosis was aggravated by upregulation of the transactivator but inhibited when CREST expression was partially silenced by siRNA technology. Further investigation found that upregulation of Bax and downregulation of Bcl2 was indeed induced by its expression, especially under high glucose conditions. In addition, as two causing factors leading to β-cell apoptosis under diabetic conditions, endoplasmic reticulum stress and high free fatty acid, mimicked the high glucose effects on CREST upregulation and generation of apoptosis in β-cells, and these effects were specifically offset by the siRNA knockdown of CREST. These results indicated that CREST is implicated in β-cell apoptosis induced by culture in high glucose and hence that CREST may become a potential pharmacological target for the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 upregulates leptin expression in mouse adipose tissue
Authors: Kong Juan , Chen Yunzi , Zhu Guojun , Zhao Qun , Li Yan Chun
Published: November 2012

Leptin is an adipose tissue-derived hormone that plays a critical role in energy homeostasis. Vitamin D has been shown to regulate energy metabolism, but the relationship between vitamin D and leptin is unclear. Leptin expression and secretion was reduced in vitamin D receptor (VDR)-null mice and increased in transgenic (Tg) mice overexpressing the VDR in adipocytes; however, as leptin is mainly determined by fat mass, it is unclear whether the vitamin D hormone directly regulates leptin expression. To address this question, we determined the effect of vitamin D on leptin expressionin vivoandex vivo. One-week treatment of WT mice with the vitamin D analog RO-27-5646 led to a significant increase in adipose leptin mRNA transcript and serum leptin levels. Moreover, in adipose tissue cultures, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D markedly stimulated mRNA expression and secretion of leptin, but not resistin, in adipose tissues obtained from WT mice, but not from VDR-null mice, and leptin upregulation induced by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D was more robust in adipose tissues obtained from VDR Tg mice compared with WT mice. These data demonstrate that 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D stimulates adipose leptin production in a VDR-dependent manner, suggesting that vitamin D may affect energy homeostasis through direct regulation of leptin expression.
Adipokine inflammation and insulin resistance: the role of glucose, lipids and endotoxin
Authors: Piya M K , McTernan P G , Kumar S
Published: November 2012

Adipose tissue is an active endocrine organ, and our knowledge of this secretory tissue, in recent years, has led us to completely rethink how our body functions and becomes dysregulated with weight gain. Human adipose tissue appears to act as a multifunctional secretory organ with the capacity to control energy homoeostasis through peripheral and central regulation of energy homoeostasis. It also plays an important role in innate immunity. However, the capability to more than double its original mass to cope with positive energy balance in obesity leads to many pathogenic changes. These changes arise within the adipose tissue as well as inducing secondary detrimental effects on other organs like muscle and liver, including chronic low-grade inflammation mediated by adipocytokines (adipokine inflammation). This inflammation is modulated by dietary factors and nutrients including glucose and lipids, as well as gut bacteria in the form of endotoxin or LPS. The aim of this current review is to consider the impact of nutrients such as glucose and lipids on inflammatory pathways, specifically within adipose tissue. Furthermore, how nutrients such as these can influence adipokine inflammation and consequently insulin resistance directly through their effects on secretion of adipocytokines (TNFα, IL6 and resistin) as well as indirectly through increases in endotoxin is discussed.
Changes in Borrelia burgdorferi ELISA antibody over time in both antibiotic treated and untreated horses
Authors: Divers Thomas , Grice Amy , Mohammed Hussni , Glaser Amy , Wagner Bettina
Published: November 2012

Changes in ELISA serology are frequently used to determine antibiotic treatment success for Lyme disease in horses. This concept was based upon a previous report showing a marked decline in ELISA values in experimentally infected and antibiotic-treated ponies. Changes in Lyme serology following antibiotic treatment in naturally infected horses have not been reported. The objective of this study was to compareBorreliaELISA antibody concentrations in naturally exposed horses both before and following antibiotic treatment for Lyme disease. A retrospective study was performed comparing oxytetracycline- or doxycyclinetreated (n = 68) and untreated (n = 183) horses from a single equine practice and their change inBorreliaELISA values over a similar time period. Antibiotictreated horses had a decline in ELISA values in comparison to control horses (P ≤ 0.05) and untreated horses were twice as likely to have their ELISA values increase (OR = 0.5; 95% C.I. = 0.3–0.9) compared to treated horses. The magnitude of the decline in ELISA units following treatments was small compared to that previously reported in experimentally infected and treated ponies. Field-exposed horses with highBorrelia burgdorferiELISA values who are treated with either oxytetracycline or doxycycline can be expected to have only a small decline in ELISA values following treatment. Persistently high ELISA titres following appropriate treatments for Lyme disease may not, without appropriate clinical signs, be a reason for more prolonged treatment.
Plasmid DNA could be delivered into Eimeria maxima unsporulated oocyst with gene gun system
Authors: Li Jianan , Zou Jun , Yin Guangwen , Liu Xianyong , Suo Xun
Published: November 2012

Eimerian coccidia are the most common parasitic organisms infecting chickens. The feasibility of genetic manipulation of these parasites via electroporation is proven, but this method is cumbersome and time consuming. Here we report our endeavour to develop a rapid and simple transfection method by gene gun. Tungsten particles coated with plasmid DNA encoding enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (EYFP) were used for the bombardment of Eimeria maxima unsporulated oocysts. Seven Mpa (1015 psi) helium pressure, 65 mm target distance and −0.098 Mpa (24.8″ Hg) chamber vacuum were the optimised parameters for bombardment. After sporulation, the bombarded oocysts were inoculated into chickens, and the progeny oocysts were checked under fluorescent microscope and subjected to genomic DNA extraction, which was used either for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification or plasmid rescue assay. Although the expression of EYFP was not observed, the gene was amplified from both genomic DNA and the rescued plasmid, suggesting that the plasmid DNA existed in the form of episome. These results are encouraging for the genetic processing of the sporogony stage of eimerian parasites.
Serum adiponectin concentration in dogs — absence of diurnal variation and lack of effect of feeding and methylprednisolone administration
Authors: Tvarijonaviciute Asta , Cerón José , Tecles Fernando
Published: November 2012

The aim of the study was to determine the magnitude of diurnal variability of serum adiponectin in healthy beagle dogs, and the possible roles of feeding and glucocorticoids on adiponectin concentrations. For this, adiponectin was measured at 8:00, 10:00, 12:00, 16:00, 20:00, 24:00 and at 4:00 h in 4 beagle dogs that were fasted on the day of the experiment and in 4 dogs that were fed as usual at 9:00 h. Diurnal variability in serum adiponectin concentrations was negligible in both the fed and the fasted dogs. To study the possible effect of glucocorticoids on adiponectin, beagle dogs (n = 14) were assigned to one of three experimental groups. Dogs of the control group were injected with 0.1 ml/kg 0.9% NaCl subcutaneously, while dogs of Groups 1 and 2 were injected with 1 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg of methylprednisolone, respectively, and adiponectin was measured at 8:00, 10:00, 12:00, 16:00 and 20:00 h. Average serum adiponectin levels were not significantly different before and after methylprednisolone exposure at different time-points in the two treated groups. In conclusion, no evidence of postprandial changes in adiponectin level or effects of single-dose glucocorticoid administration on adiponectin were observed in the present study.
Vitrification of early avian blastodermal cells with a new type of cryocontainer
Authors: Patakiné Várkonyi Eszter , Horváth Gabriella , Sztán Nikoletta , VÁradi Éva , Barna Judit
Published: November 2012

Although cryopreservation of avian semen is only applicable for singlegene traits, cryopreservation of avian blastodermal cells could facilitate preservation of the entire genome of endangered or rare-breed poultry. Slow freezing methods result in acceptable survival rates; however, there are apparently no reports regarding the use of vitrification. The aim of the study was to establish methods for chicken embryonic cell vitrification, including development of a container which supported cryopreservation of large numbers of cells (to increase the probability of chimera production). Based on a preliminary study, vitrification seemed to be practical for avian blastodermal cell preservation. Pieces of mosquito net as carrier increased live cell rates compared to pellet form in media containing two macromolecules. Furthermore, we concluded that fetal calf serum in the vitrification medium could be replaced by polyvinylpyrrolidone, a chemically defined substance free of unwanted growth factors and potential pathogens.
Use of a deslorelin implant for influencing sex hormones and male behaviour in a stallion — Case report
Authors: Schönert Susanne , Reher Martina , Gruber Achim , Carstanjen Bianca
Published: November 2012

This case report describes the use of a subcutaneously applied 4.7-mg deslorelin acetate implant in a three-year-old Arabian crossbred stallion showing unwanted strong male behaviour. Following deslorelin acetate implantation the stallion showed a short transitional increase in male behaviour. A ‘gelding-like’ behaviour was noted 15 days (D15) after treatment. The horse was surgically castrated at the owners request at D52 after treatment. Serum testosterone, oestradiol-17β and oestrone sulphate values decreased after deslorelin acetate implantation, but serum LH and FSH levels remained unchanged. Histopathological analysis of both testes and sperm analysis revealed a reduced spermatogenesis at D52. The testicular volume decreased after treatment. The use of a subcutaneously applied deslorelin acetate implant might be a promising tool to change the behaviour of aggressive stallions.
Principally quasi-Baer properties of group rings
Authors: Zan Libo , Chen Jianlong
Published: November 2012

A ring R is called left p.q.-Baer if the left annihilator of a principal left ideal is generated, as a left ideal, by an idempotent. It is first proved that for a ring R and a group G, if the group ring RG is left p.q.-Baer then so is R; if in condition G is finite then |G|−1 ∈ R. Counterexamples are given to answer the question whether the group ring RG is left p.q.-Baer if R is left p.q.-Baer and G is a finite group with |G|−1 ∈ R. Further, RD∞ is left p.q.-Baer if and only if R is left p.q.-Baer.
Deformation theory of Fuchsian equations and logarithmic connections
Authors: Szabó Szilárd
Published: November 2012

Motivated by a remark and a question of Nicholas Katz, we characterize the tangent space of the space of Fuchsian equations with given generic exponents inside the corresponding moduli space of logarithmic connections: we construct a weight 1 Hodge structure on the tangent space of the moduli of logarithmic connections such that deformations of Fuchsian equations correspond to the (1, 0)-part.
A fourier analytic approach to the problem of mutually unbiased bases
Authors: Matolcsi Máté
Published: November 2012

We give a new approach to the problem of mutually unbiased bases (MUBs), based on a Fourier analytic technique borrowed from additive combinatorics. The method provides a short and elegant generalization of the fact that there are at mostd+ 1 MUBs in ℂd. It may also yield a proof that no complete system of MUBs exists in some composite dimensions — a long standing open problem.
On the base size for the symmetric group acting on subsets
Authors: Halasi Zoltán
Published: November 2012

Let k, n be natural numbers with k ≦ n/2 and let Xn,k denote the set of k-element subsets of {1, 2, … n}. The symmetric group Sn acts in a natural way on the set Xn,k. Motivated by a question of Robert Guralnick, we investigate the size of a minimal base for this action. We give constructions providing a minimal base if n = 2k or if n ≧ k2. We also describe a general process providing a base of size at most c times bigger than the size of a minimal base for some universal constant c
Stanley depth of edge ideals
Authors: Ishaq Muhammad , Qureshi Muhammad
Published: November 2012

We give an upper bound for the Stanley depth of the edge idealIof ak-partite complete graph and show that Stanley’s conjecture holds forI. Also we give an upper bound for the Stanley depth of the edge ideal of as-uniform complete bipartite hypergraph.
On subgroups in division rings of type 2
Authors: Hai Bui , Deo Trinh , Bien Mai
Published: November 2012

Let D be a division ring with center F. We say that D is a division ring of type 2 if for every two elements x, y ∈ D, the division subring F(x, y) is a finite dimensional vector space over F. In this paper we investigate multiplicative subgroups in such a ring.
Cubes of integral vectors in dimension four
Authors: Kiss Emil , Kutas Péter
Published: November 2012

A system of m nonzero vectors in ℤn is called an m-icube if they are pairwise orthogonal and have the same length. The paper describes m-icubes in ℤ4 for 2 ≦ m ≦ 4 using Hurwitz integral quaternions, counts the number of them with given edge length, and proves that unlimited extension is possible in ℤ4.
A lusofonia: impasses e perspectivas [The lusofonia: impasses and perspectives]
Authors: Faraco Carlos Alberto
Published: November 2012

This article presents a review of the main historical facts that have transformed Portuguese into an international language. There is also a general overview of the present situation of the language in the world and the difficulties it faces to reach an outstanding position among the other international languages. Finally, there is a discussion of the main discursive formulations about the lusophony and the controversies it has aroused.
La francophonie et ses contradictions: multiples positions, multiples intérêts [The francophonie and its contradictions: multiple positions, multiple interests]
Authors: Heller Monica
Published: November 2012

In this article I use a framework taken from political economy in order to describe and explain the role of French in processes of symbolic domination (Bourdieu 1982). The construction of the nation-State went hand in hand with a specific form of capitalist expansion – liberal and democratic – legimitized through distinctively modernist ideologies (Hobsbawm 1990). This expansion takes now forms different enough to claim that in our time we are immersed in high modernity (Giddens 1990). At the same time, it maintains enough continuities to describe it not as a post modernity but as a (high) form of modernity.
English: from British empire to corporate empire
Authors: Phillipson Robert
Published: November 2012

The article exemplifies and presents the characteristics of linguistic imperialism, linguistic capital accumulation following the same pattern as capitalist economic dominance. The text summarizes the way English was established in the colonial period. Many of the mechanisms of linguistic hierarchy have been maintained and intensified since then, as African and Indian scholarship demonstrates. Language plays a key role in education, the World Bank taking over where colonial regimes left off. Anglo-American efforts to maintain global English dominance have intensified since 1945 and are central to the present-day world ‘order’, as the postcolonial is subsumed under global empire, assisted by English linguistic neoimperialism. Some scholars who deny the existence of linguistic imperialism are reported on, and the complexity of language policy in European integration is demonstrated. The article concludes by setting out how the deceptive term ‘lingua franca’ needs to be challenged, and lists ways of exploring English as project, process, and product, setting out key research questions. The constraints of a short article only permit glimpses of a rapidly evolving scene, the visible tip of the English iceberg.
Actitudes y prejuicios de los castellanohablantes hacia el euskera. Esti Amorrortu, Ane Ortega, Itziar Idiazabal, Andoni Barreña (2009)
Authors: González Pascual Iago
Published: November 2012

Eusko Jaurlaritzaren Argitalpen Zerbitzu Nagusia - Servicio Central de Publicaciones del Gobierno Vasco. Pp. 353.
ISBN 978-84-457-3029-4
Identidad y pluricentrismo lingüístico. Hablantes canarios frente a la estandarización. Laura Morgenthaler García (2008)
Authors: Lucena Torres Enrique
Published: November 2012

Madrid y Frankfurt : Iberoamericana y Vervuert. Pp. 421.
ISBN: 978-84-8489-298-4/978-3-86527-320-8
El bilingüismo paraguayo. Usos y actitudes hacia el guaraní y el castellano. Lenka Zajícová (2009)
Authors: Lucena Torres Enrique
Published: November 2012

Madrid y Frankfurt: Iberoamericana y Vervuert. Pp. 324.
ISBN: 978-84-8489-439-1/978-3-86527-455-7
Identidades sociales e identidades lingüísticas. José Jesús de Bustos Tovar y Silvia Iglesias Recuero (coords.) (2009)
Authors: Ferreira Jorge Diz
Published: November 2012

Madrid: Editorial Complutense. Pp. 254. ISBN 978-84-7491-960-8
EuroComRom – As sete peneiras: Saber ler axiña todas as linguas románicas. Sabela Labraña, Ignacio Vázquez, Horst G. Klein, Tilbert D. Stegmann (2009)
Authors: González Pascual Iago
Published: November 2012

Aachen: Shaker Verlag. Pp. 236. ISBN 978-3-8322-3243-6
Utilização de fio de polipropileno de autossustentação de tripla convergência para a correção do desvio de hemiface causada por lesão do nervo facial
Authors: Perrone Marcelo
Published: November 2012

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a utilização do fio de polipropileno de autossustentação de tripla convergência para a correção do desvio de hemiface que se apresenta como sequela tardia da paralisia facial periférica. MÉTODOS: Realizou-se um estudo retrospectivo e observacional em 34 indivíduos portadores de paralisia facial tardia. Utilizou-se fio de polipropileno de tripla convergência para a correção do desvio da hemiface paralisada. Trata-se de fio monofilamentar, sintético, transparente e inabsorvível que possui garras que tracionam os tecidos ptosados mantendo-os na posição correta, em simetria com o lado são. Os resultados foram avaliados através de análise subjetiva, quanto ao grau de satisfação dos pacientes, submetidos a um questionário próprio. RESULTADOS: Analisou-se 34 pacientes, 73,52% deles relataram grande melhora, 20,58% relataram melhora moderada e 5,88%, uma melhora leve; encontrou-se um alto índice de satisfação, 94,1%. Dois pacientes apresentaram extrusão parcial do fio. Nenhum paciente desenvolveu infecção. CONCLUSÃO: O emprego do fio de polipropileno de autossustentação de tripla convergência para a correção do desvio da hemiface, consequente à paralisia facial, ocasionou acentuada melhora da assimetria facial e a recuperação da autoestima dos pacientes.
Citação de artigos nacionais: a (des)valorização dos periódicos brasileiros
Authors: Teixeira Renan Kleber Costa , Silveira Tiago Santos , Botelho Nara Macedo , Petroianu Andy
Published: November 2012

OBJETIVO: Avaliar se há preferência pela citação de periódicos estrangeiros em detrimento dos brasileiros, em três revistas brasileiras de cirurgia, em dois períodos distintos. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliadas todas as referências dos artigos publicados nos anos de 2011 e 2007, pelas revistas Acta Cirúrgica Brasileira, Arquivos Brasileiros de Cirurgia Digestiva e Revista do Colégio Brasileiro de Cirurgiões, verificando a quantidade de artigos provenientes de revistas brasileiras e estrangeiras. RESULTADOS: Foram analisadas 7343 referências dispostas em 348 artigos nas três revistas analisadas, desse total, 856 (11,65%) eram de periódicos brasileiros. Não houve diferença entre as três revistas analisadas, nem entre os dois períodos analisados. Cento e onze (31,9%) artigos não citaram artigo de periódico brasileiro e 36 (10,34%), citaram mais os de brasileiros do que os de estrangeiros. CONCLUSÃO: há necessidade de o pesquisador brasileiro valorizar mais os periódicos brasileiros aumentando a citação do Brasil, sem uma xenofobia científica.
Amostragem em pesquisas qualitativas: proposta de procedimentos para constatar saturação teórica
Authors: Fontanella Bruno Jose Barcellos , Luchesi Bruna Moretti , Saidel Maria Giovana Borges , Ricas Janete , Turato Egberto Ribeiro , Melo Débora Gusmão
Published: November 2012

A transparência metodológica na pesquisa qualitativa é fator que contribui para sua confiabilidade, devendo ser garantida pelos pesquisadores. A utilização do critério de fechamento amostral por saturação é freqüente, entretanto a maneira como este processo ocorreu é raramente explicitado nos relatórios de pesquisa. Dificuldades técnicas para uma constatação objetiva da saturação também são comuns entre os pesquisadores qualitativos. Neste texto, propõe-se um modo prático de organizar o trabalho de fechamento amostral por saturação, expondo uma seqüência de oito passos procedimentais de tratamento e análise de dados coletados em entrevistas não-dirigidas com questões abertas ou em grupos focais. Almeja-se contribuir para que os pesquisadores explicitem objetivamente o modo como a saturação ocorreu e, aos seus leitores, conhecer como se deu este processo.
Goat ovarian follicles express different levels of mRNA for inhibin-ßA subunit and activin-A stimulates secondary follicle growth in vitro
Authors: Leitão Cintia Camurça Fernandes , Costa José Jackson Nascimento , Saraiva Márcia Viviane Alves , Araújo Valdevane Rocha , Figueiredo José Ricardo , Hurk Robert van den , Silva José Roberto Viana
Published: November 2012

This study investigated the levels of messenger ribonucleic acids (mRNA) for inhibin-ßA subunit in goat primordial, primary and secondary follicles, as well as in cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) and mural granulosa / theca cells of antral follicles. The effects of activin-A (100ng mL-1) and/or follicle stimulating hormone (FSH, 50ng mL-1) on growth and expression of mRNA for activin-A and FSH receptor (FSH-R) in secondary follicles cultured for six days were evaluated. The data showed that the expression of inhibin-ßA is lower in secondary follicles than in primary follicles and is higher in large antral follicles than in small antral follicles. After culture, activin-A and/or FSH promoted growth of secondary follicles, while FSH increased the levels of mRNA for inhibin-ßA, and activin-A increased the levels of FSH-R mRNA. In conclusion, mRNA for inhibin-ßA is expressed at different levels in pre-antral and antral follicles and activin-A acts as a stimulator of the FSH-R expression in goat follicles. On its turn, the expression of inhibin-ßA is stimulated by FSH, which together with activin-A promotes secondary follicle growth in-vitro.
Mapping nursing goals of an Intensive Care Unit to the Nursing Outcomes Classification
Authors: Chianca Tânia Couto Machado , Salgado Patrícia de Oliveira , Albuquerque Juliana Peixoto , Campos Camila Claudia , Tannure Meire Chucre , Ercole Flávia Falci
Published: November 2012

AIM: to analyze whether nursing goals formulated for nursing diagnoses can be mapped to nursing outcomes classification and to identify the scales most appropriate to the outcomes mapped. METHOD: a descriptive study was developed in an intensive care unit. Data collection involved extraction of goals in 44 medical records, content standardization, cross-mapping to the outcomes, identification of appropriated scales and validation. Descriptive analysis and agreement with the cross-mapping process were performed. RESULTS: nursing goals (59) were mapped to (28) different outcomes, with agreement of 83% in the mapping process. All goals were mapped to outcomes, which allows to affirm that these outcomes contemplates the goals elaborated to patient care. CONCLUSION: these results favor the inclusion of outcomes and scales validated in the planning and evaluation phases of the nursing process of a software in construction.
Regionalização e acesso à saúde nos estados brasileiros: condicionantes históricos e político-institucionais
Authors: Lima Luciana Dias de , Viana Ana Luiza d'Ávila , Machado Cristiani Vieira , Albuquerque Mariana Vercesi de , Oliveira Roberta Gondim de , Iozzi Fabíola Lana , Scatena João Henrique Gurtler , Mello Guilherme Arantes , Pereira Adelyne Maria Mendes , Coelho Ana Paula Santana
Published: November 2012

O artigo aborda o processo de regionalização da saúde nos estados brasileiros no período de 2007 a 2010, com o objetivo de identificar as condições que favorecem ou dificultam esse processo. Utilizou-se o referencial de análise de políticas públicas e, particularmente, do institucionalismo histórico. Três dimensões sintetizam os condicionantes da regionalização: contexto (histórico-estrutural, político-institucional e conjuntural), direcionalidade (ideologia, objeto, atores, estratégias e instrumentos) e características da regionalização (institucionalidade e governança). A pesquisa empírica privilegiou a análise de documentos oficiais e entrevistas com atores-chave em 24 estados. Observaram-se combinações de fatores e padrões de influência distintos nos estados, sendo a regionalização marcada por importantes ganhos de institucionalidade e governança no período. Entretanto, dificuldades inerentes aos contextos comprometem maiores avanços. Há necessidade de ampliar o enfoque territorial no planejamento governamental e integrar políticas setoriais ao desenvolvimento regional de médio e longo prazo para fortalecer a regionalização e superar entraves ao acesso aos serviços de saúde no Brasil.
Acesso e integralidade: a compreensão dos usuários de uma rede de saúde mental
Authors: Oliveira Raimunda Félix de , Andrade Luiz Odorico Monteiro de , Goya Neusa
Published: November 2012

Objetivo do presente trabalho foi analisar as compreensões dos usuários dos Centros de Atenção Psicossocial sobre a atenção em saúde mental, com foco na integralidade e no acesso. Estudo de abordagem qualitativa com referencial teórico-metodológico da Avaliação de Quarta Geração e aplicação da técnica do Círculo Hermenêutico Dialético. Foram entrevistados 12 usuários de dez serviços de saúde mental de Fortaleza, de março a maio de 2011. Os temas do estudo foram agrupados a partir das narrativas, tendo como referencial de análise a hermenêutica de Paul Ricoeur. As categorias temáticas trabalhadas foram: compreensões sobre atenção em saúde mental; tempos quebrados: conflitos entre as ofertas e as necessidades subjetivas de receber; aproximações e distanciamentos: entre a tutela e autonomia; ausência e pertença: CAPS aberto e não comunitário e entre o estigma e a humanização do cuidado. Os principais achados: os CAPS são vistos como espaço de convivência capaz de estabelecer redes afetivas e sociais; estigmas, preconceitos e tutela estão presentes nos serviços, nas famílias e na comunidade; as práticas manicomiais persistem nos serviços substitutivos; a humanização do cuidado amplia o acesso e o vínculo com os serviços; a trajetória dos usuários no SUS ocorre devido às suas necessidades sociais e de saúde.
Acrodermatitis due to zinc deficiency after combined vertical gastroplasty with jejunoileal bypass: case report
Authors: Cunha Selma Freire de Carvalho , Gonçalves Gilson Antônio Pereira , Marchini Julio Sérgio , Roselino Ana Maria Ferreira
Published: November 2012

CONTEXT: Nutritional complications may occur after bariatric surgery, due to restriction of food intake and impaired digestion or absorption of nutrients. CASE REPORT: After undergoing vertical gastroplasty and jejunoileal bypass, a female patient presented marked weight loss and protein deficiency. Seven months after the bariatric surgery, she presented dermatological features compatible with acrodermatitis enteropathica, as seen from the plasma zinc levels, which were below the reference values (34.4 mg%). The skin lesions improved significantly after 1,000 mg/day of zinc sulfate supplementation for one week. CONCLUSIONS: The patient's evolution shows that the multidisciplinary team involved in surgical treatment of obesity should take nutritional deficiencies into consideration in the differential diagnosis of skin diseases, in order to institute early treatment.
Degradation of organic photovoltaic devices: a review
Authors: Gupta Shailendra Kumar , Dharmalingam K. , Pali L. Sowjanya , Rastogi Shivam , Singh Arjun , Garg Ashish
Published: November 2012

Organic solar cells are considered as low-cost photovoltaic technology driven by potentially reduced cost production via high throughput processes, such as printing and lower cost of starting materials. However, commercial realization of this technology is hindered by poor device lifetimes due to environmental degradation of the devices. Under standard test conditions, these devices show lifetimes much shorter in comparison with conventional silicon or other inorganic thin-film solar cells. The lifetimes of organic solar cells are strongly dependent on device processing, measurement (temperature, humidity and light intensity) and encapsulation conditions in addition to intrinsic nature of the constituent materials and their reactivity with each other. Recently, there has been a conscious effort to improve the lifetimes of organic solar cells and strategies such as incorporation of oxide buffer layers, change in the device architecture to inverted geometry and improved materials have been demonstrated to result in improved device lifetimes. In this manuscript, the authors present a review of the degradation in organic solar cells and associated mechanisms, approaches undertaken to improve the device reliability characteristics and lifetimes, the methods to study degradation and finally a brief discussion on encapsulation of the devices.
Beliefs about Promoting Cognitive Health among Filipino Americans Who Care for Persons with Dementia
Authors: Laditka Sarah B. , Tseng Winston , Price Anna E. , Ivey Susan L. , Friedman Daniela B. , Liu Rui , Wu Bei , Logsdon Rebecca G. , Beard Renée L.
Published: November 2012

We examined beliefs about promoting cognitive health among Filipino Americans who care for persons with dementia, their awareness of media information about cognitive health, and their suggestions for communicating such information to other caregivers. We conducted three focus groups (25 participants). The constant comparison method compared themes across focus groups. Caregivers most frequently described cognitive health benefits of social engagement and leisure; next in emphasis were benefits of healthy diets. There was less emphasis on physical activity. Participants had heard from television that avoiding smoking, alcohol, and drugs might promote cognitive health. Ways to inform others about cognitive health included information in Filipino newspapers, and handouts in Filipino languages, distributed in Filipino stores, workplaces, community organizations, and health care facilities. Findings suggest an opportunity to develop public health messages promoting cognitive health that are in-language, published in ethnic-specific media, and that are culturally appropriate for Filipino and other Asian Americans.
Over My Dead Body: Body Donation and the Rise in Donor Registrations in the Netherlands
Authors: Bolt Sophie , Eisinga Rob , Altena Marga , Venbrux Eric , Gerrits Peter O.
Published: November 2012

In the Netherlands, the number of body donor registrations has been increasing for several years. Body donors are people who register at an anatomical institute to donate their entire body, after death, for scientific education and research. Although only 0.1% of the Dutch population is registered as a body donor, this is sufficient to realize the anatomical demand of about 650 bodies annually. Due to the recent rise of registrations many anatomical institutes have (temporarily) stopped registering new donors to prevent a surplus of bodies. Based on a large body donor survey ( n = 759) and in-depth anthropological interviews with 20 body donors, we try to give an explanation for the rising registration numbers. We argue that the choice for body donation in contemporary, individualized Dutch society is an autonomous way to give meaning and sense to life and death outside the framework of institutionalized religion.
Protective Effect of γ-Irradiation Against Hypochlorous Acid-Induced Haemolysis in Human Erythrocytes
Authors: Tedesco Idolo , Spagnuolo Carmela , Russo Maria , Iannitti Roberta , Nappo Annunziata , Russo Gian Luigi
Published: November 2012

Radiations may trigger protective response within a threshold of doses applied. Exposures above an upper threshold are generally detrimental, while exposures below a lower threshold may or may not increase risks for health. We recently reported that a cellular protective response occurs in interventional cardiologists to counteract the oxidative damage caused by radiation. Here, we demonstrated in an in vitro model represented by whole blood of healthy donors γ-irradiated with 220–440 mGy, that haemolysis of erythrocytes induced by hypochlorous acid was reduced by 40%. The protection triggered by γ-radiations made erythrocytes more resistant to oxidative insult caused by hypochlorous acid which was induced 3 h after irradiation and involved biochemical changes in the synthesis and turnover of glutathione. Overall, the biochemical remodelling induced by exposure to γ-radiations might contribute to generate new guidelines in professionally exposed workers.
Subcritical and supercritical fluid extraction of heavy metals from sand and sewage sludge
Authors: Yabalak Erdal , Gizir Murat
Published: November 2012

Demetalization of Pb, Ni, Zn, Cu and Cr heavy metal ions from sea sand and
real samples of sewage sludge by subcritical water and supercritical carbon
dioxide was investigated. Experimental parameters such as temperature,
pressure, extraction time in the static and dynamic mode and sampling were
optimized in order to determine the suitable conditions for high metals
removal. The best extraction efficiencies were obtained by using acetyl
acetonate as chelating agent in both subcritical water and supercritical CO2
extractions for real and artificial samples. Samples collected from
extraction system using both subcritical water and supercritical carbon
dioxide were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry
(ICP-MS). The highest recoveries (%) obtained from real samples for Cr, Cu,
Ni, Pb and Zn were 77.25, 95.1, 84.82, 94.92 and 98.39, respectively, with
the chelating agent in the subcritical water extraction.
Liver-Specific Disruption of the Murine Glucagon Receptor Produces α-Cell Hyperplasia
Authors: Longuet Christine , Robledo Ana M. , Dean E. Danielle , Dai Chunhua , Ali Safina , McGuinness Ian , de Chavez Vincent , Vuguin Patricia M. , Charron Maureen J. , Powers Alvin C. , Drucker Daniel J.
Published: November 2012

Glucagon is a critical regulator of glucose homeostasis; however, mechanisms regulating glucagon action and α-cell function and number are incompletely understood. To elucidate the role of the hepatic glucagon receptor (Gcgr) in glucagon action, we generated mice with hepatocyte-specific deletion of the glucagon receptor. GcgrHep−/− mice exhibited reductions in fasting blood glucose and improvements in insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance compared with wild-type controls, similar in magnitude to changes observed in Gcgr−/− mice. Despite preservation of islet Gcgr signaling, GcgrHep−/− mice developed hyperglucagonemia and α-cell hyperplasia. To investigate mechanisms by which signaling through the Gcgr regulates α-cell mass, wild-type islets were transplanted into Gcgr−/− or GcgrHep−/− mice. Wild-type islets beneath the renal capsule of Gcgr−/− or GcgrHep−/− mice exhibited an increased rate of α-cell proliferation and expansion of α-cell area, consistent with changes exhibited by endogenous α-cells in Gcgr−/− and GcgrHep−/− pancreata. These results suggest that a circulating factor generated after disruption of hepatic Gcgr signaling can increase α-cell proliferation independent of direct pancreatic input. Identification of novel factors regulating α-cell proliferation and mass may facilitate the generation and expansion of α-cells for transdifferentiation into β-cells and the treatment of diabetes.
Local Autoantigen Expression as Essential Gatekeeper of Memory T-Cell Recruitment to Islet Grafts in Diabetic Hosts
Authors: Alkemade Gonnie M. , Clemente-Casares Xavier , Yu Zhenguo , Xu Bao-You , Wang Jinguo , Tsai Sue , Wright James R. , Roep Bart O. , Santamaria Pere
Published: November 2012

It is generally believed that inflammatory cues can attract noncognate, “bystander” T-cell specificities to sites of inflammation. We have shown that recruitment of naive and in vitro activated autoreactive CD8+ T cells into endogenous islets requires local autoantigen expression. Here, we demonstrate that absence of an autoantigen in syngeneic extrapancreatic islet grafts in diabetic hosts renders the grafts “invisible” to cognate memory (and naive) T cells. We monitored the recruitment of islet-specific glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit-related protein (IGRP)206–214-reactive CD8+ T cells into IGRP206–214-competent and IGRP206–214-deficient islet grafts in diabetic wild-type or IGRP206–214−/− nonobese diabetic hosts (harboring either naive and memory T cells or only naive IGRP206–214-specific T-cells, respectively). All four host–donor combinations had development of recurrent diabetes within 2 weeks. Wild-type hosts recruited IGRP206–214-specific T cells into IGRP206–214+/+ but not IGRP206–214−/− grafts. In IGRP206–214−/− hosts, there was no recruitment of IGRP206–214-specific T cells, regardless of donor type. Graft-derived IGRP206–214 activated naive IGRP206–214-specific T cells, but graft destruction invariably predated their recruitment. These results indicate that recurrent diabetes is exclusively driven by autoreactive T cells primed during the primary autoimmune response, and demonstrate that local antigen expression is a sine qua non requirement for accumulation of memory T cells into islet grafts. These findings underscore the importance of tackling autoreactive T-cell memory after β-cell replacement therapy.