bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A constituição dos modos de perceber a loucura por alunos e egressos do Curso de Graduação em Enfermagem: um estudo com o enfoque da Fenomenologia Social
Authors: Cavalheri Silvana Chorratt , Merighi Míriam A. Barbosa , Jesus Maria Cristina Pinto de
Published: April 2008

Estudo qualitativo com enfoque na Fenomenologia Social que teve como objetivo conhecer a percepção dos alunos de graduação e egressos de uma Escola de Enfermagem sobre o doente mental e, compreender de que forma o ensino de enfermagem psiquiátrica repercute nesse processo. O "tipo vivido aluno" percebe o doente mental como uma pessoa diferente, violenta, sem controle, que perde a razão, sem habilidades e condições de viver socialmente, que desperta emoções conflitantes como medo, preconceito e compaixão. O egresso o concebe como uma pessoa que precisa de ajuda, pois a falta de conhecimentos, de recursos psíquicos e emocionais dos profissionais, das famílias e da sociedade favorece a segregação e a exclusão. Assim, o ensino, necessita da prática subsidiada teoricamente pelos eixos que sustentam os princípios da Reforma Psiquiátrica.
O processo de formação em saúde: o saber resíduos sólidos de serviços de saúde em vivências práticas
Authors: Corrêa Luciara Bilhalva , Lunardi Valéria Lerch , De Conto Suzana Maria
Published: April 2008

O manejo inadequado dos Resíduos Sólidos em Serviços de Saúde (RSSS) representa uma fonte de degradação, oferecendo risco ao ambiente e à saúde. Enfatizar esta questão no processo de formação requer considerar os indivíduos que atuam nestes espaços, na construção de uma consciência ética, em busca da qualidade de vida e sustentabilidade. Para conhecer como o manejo dos RSSS vem sendo construído nos cursos de Enfermagem/Obstetrícia, Odontologia, Medicina e Medicina Veterinária, realizaram-se entrevistas com vinte e um sujeitos, coordenadores, docentes e alunos de uma IFES no sul do país, além de uma análise documental. A partir da análise de conteúdo, é possível afirmar que os futuros profissionais vivenciam ações relacionadas à segregação, acondicionamento e coleta em alguns ambientes, porém sem uma compreensão da totalidade deste manejo.
Tudo Bem e o nacional-popular no Brasil dos anos 70
Authors: Garcia Tânia da Costa
Published: April 2008

Dirigido e escrito por Arnaldo Jabor, Tudo bem foi veiculado nas salas de projeção no ano de 1978 - período de distensão da ditadura - com o apoio governamental da Embrafilme. O filme constitui referência documental para a análise do discurso do artista engajado, após o Golpe de 64, e a política cultural implementada pelos consecutivos governos militares. Tudo bem traz, já no título, uma ironia aos tempos vividos. A história transcorre no bairro de Copacabana, no Rio de Janeiro, num apartamento em reforma de uma família de classe média.
Imagens e figuras de um rei sonhador: representações do milagre de Ourique e do juramento de Afonso Henriques no século XVII
Authors: Lima Luís Filipe Silvério
Published: April 2008

O artigo analisa a iconografia do Milagre de Ourique, a partir do Juramento de Afonso Henriques, observando a questão da representação dos sonhos em imagens no século XVII. Busca traçar as tópicas e exemplos principais que fundamentaram a iconografia do Milagre bem como da representação dos sonhos em Portugal.
Religião e transtornos mentais em pacientes internados em um hospital geral universitário
Authors: Soeiro Rachel Esteves , Colombo Elisabetta S. , Ferreira Marianne H. F. , Guimarães Paula S. A. , Botega Neury J. , Dalgalarrondo Paulo
Published: April 2008

A fim de determinar a prevalência de transtornos mentais em uma amostra de pacientes de um hospital geral e sua relação com a denominação religiosa e religiosidade, foram investigados 253 pacientes internados no Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Estadual de Campinas por intermédio de um questionário sócio-demográfico e um instrumento para diagnóstico psiquiátrico (MINI-Plus). A maioria dos pacientes era católica (63,2%; n = 177); seguidos dos evangélicos pentecostais (20,4%; n = 57); dos "sem-religião" (7,5%; n = 21); espíritas (4,3%; n = 12) e protestantes históricos (2,3%; n = 8). Consideraram-se muito religiosos 43,2% (n = 116), religiosos 46,9% (n = 129), pouco religiosos 9,8% (n = 27), não religiosos 1,1% (n = 3). A filiação religiosa evangélica e maior freqüência a cultos relacionaram-se à menor freqüência de problemas com álcool. É possível que a filiação religiosa evangélica exerça uma ação inibidora na ocorrência de transtornos relacionados ao álcool. Indivíduos muito religiosos ou pouco/nada religiosos apresentaram maior prevalência de transtorno bipolar. A dimensão intensidade da religiosidade revelou-se modestamente associada à prevalência geral dos transtornos, especialmente ao transtorno bipolar. É razoável que situações extremas (de muito ou reduzido envolvimento) relacionem-se a tal achado, relacionando tanto a busca exacerbada ou o afastamento da religiosidade com estados mentais alterados.
Premenstrual symptoms and syndrome according to age at menarche in a 1982 birth cohort in southern Brazil
Authors: Silva Celene Maria Longo da , Gigante Denise Petrucci , Minten Gicele Costa
Published: April 2008

Premenstrual symptoms and syndrome were studied in young women who have been followed since birth. Data were collected on the intensity of four symptoms: irritability, anxiety or stress, depressed mood, and affective lability. Premenstrual syndrome was defined according to intensity of symptoms. Association between age at menarche and premenstrual symptoms and syndrome were investigated through Poisson regression. Adjusted analysis was conducted, controlling for possible confounding factors. The symptoms most frequently reported by the women from the 1982 Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, birth cohort who were interviewed in 2004-2005 were: irritability (52.3%) and anxiety (40.2%). The prevalence rates for moderate and severe premenstrual syndrome were 13.4% and 5.8%, respectively. Mean age at menarche was 12.4 (± 1.5) years. Prevalence rates for symptoms and premenstrual syndrome were higher in women whose age at menarche was less than 11 years, but this difference was not statistically significant. Information on symptoms and premenstrual syndrome is scarce in other studies.
Enfermagem: da cultura da subalternidade à cultura da solidariedade
Authors: Bellato Roseney , Pereira Wilza Rocha
Published: April 2008

Foi objetivo do estudo apontar o potencial presente no grupo pesquisado no que se refere à sua competência para promover ações instituintes no seu ambiente de trabalho. A base teórica adotada para analisar os dados foi a Análise Institucional, na vertente explicitada por Baremblitt. Para a coleta de dados adotamos a entrevista semi-estruturada aplicada à nove trabalhadores de enfermagem e, posteriormente, formamos dois grupos focais de discussão para aprofundar os dados colhidos nas entrevistas. O critério de inclusão dos sujeitos na pesquisa foi o de ter vivido a experiência de internação para si ou para parentes próximos no mesmo local onde trabalhavam. Como resultado tivemos que o grupo estudado mostra grande potencial para subverter a cultura da subalternidade ainda presente na enfermagem, instaurando a cultura da solidariedade, altamente propiciadora do surgimento de forças produtivo-desejantes-revolucionárias que são a condição primeira para a emergência de ações instituintes e práticas cidadãs no serviço estudado.
Significado atribuído ao sangue pelos doadores e receptores
Authors: Benetti Salete Regina Daronco , Lenardt Maria Helena
Published: April 2008

Trata-se de um estudo etnográfico focado, que teve como objetivo interpretar o sistema de conhecimento e de significado atribuídos ao sangue referente à transfusão sangüínea, pelos doadores e receptores de um banco de sangue. Para a coleta de informações, efetivou-se a observação participante e a entrevista etnográfica. Realizaram-se análises de domínio, taxonômicas e temáticas. Os domínios culturais foram: sangue é vida, fonte de vida e alimento precioso; crenças religiosas: fontes simbólicas de apoio; doação de sangue: gesto prestativo que exige cuidar-se, gratifica e traz felicidade; doação sangüínea: fonte simbólica de insegurança; estar doente é condição para realizar transfusão sangüínea; transfusão sangüínea: esperança de vida; crenças populares: transfusão sangüínea como risco para a saúde; doadores de sangue: pessoas abençoadas; e doar e receber sangue: como significado de felicidade. Emergiu o tema: "líquido precioso que dá origem, sustenta, modifica a vida, provoca medo e insegurança".
A complexidade na educação dos profissionais para o cuidado em saúde
Authors: Falcón Gladys Santos , Erdmann Alacoque Lorenzini , Meirelles Betina Hörner Schlindwein
Published: April 2008

Trata-se da reflexão sobre a temática da educação sob o olhar da complexidade, segundo vários autores. O objetivo é refletir e compor algumas idéias sobre a complexidade na educação em geral e dos profissionais da saúde em particular. Na formação escolar, incluída a universitária, ensina-se a separar os objetos de seu contexto, as disciplinas umas das outras. Essa separação e fragmentação é incapaz de captar "o que está tecido junto", isto é, o complexo. Assim, gera-se um pensamento que separa o que está ligado, unifica o que é múltiplo, elimina tudo aquilo que traz desordens ou contradições para nosso entendimento. Portanto, é de transcendental importância a Reforma do Pensamento, que é aquela que gera um pensamento do contexto e do complexo. Dessa maneira, o conhecimento pertinente permitirá aos alunos enfrentar a complexidade do real, percebendo as ligações, interações, implicações mútuas dos fenômenos, considerando a multidimensionalidade dos problemas.
Feelings of women after the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes
Authors: Péres Denise Siqueira , Franco Laércio Joel , Santos Manoel Antônio dos
Published: April 2008

Descriptive and exploratory study with the objective of knowing feelings and emotional reactions of women after the diagnosis of diabetes. Data were collected at a primary health care unit in Ribeirão Preto - SP, Brazil, through a semi-structured interview. Thematic content analysis was used for interpreting the data. The results showed that women's behavior after the diagnosis of diabetes was associated with feelings and emotional reactions that interfere with treatment adherence and which the health team needs to understand. In an educational process, it is not enough to offer information. Human behavior is extremely complex, going beyond the cognitive aspects, and is rooted in affective-emotional dispositions.
Percepção de gerentes sobre o papel gerencial em unidades básicas de saúde após capacitação na região sul da cidade de São Paulo
Authors: Lico Fátima Madalena de Campos , Ferreira Maricene Ceravolo de Melo , Martins Cleide Lavieri , Mendes Rosilda
Published: April 2008

No processo de consolidação do SUS, na cidade de São Paulo, a descentralização compreendeu a criação de 39 Distritos de Saúde e a capacitação em gerência de unidades básicas de saúde surgiu como uma das propostas de reorganização dos serviços. O I Curso de Especialização em Gerência de Unidades Básicas de Saúde do SUS / SMS-SP - GERUS - foi desenvolvido, em 2002, na região sul da cidade, pela Secretaria Municipal da Saúde e pela Faculdade de Saúde Pública/USP. Os objetivos deste estudo foram conhecer as percepções dos gerentes sobre o papel da gerência das unidades básicas de saúde, numa região de mananciais, populosa, com problemas de infra-estrutura e de exclusão social e analisar as contribuições do GERUS no desenvolvimento de capacidades dos gerentes. Foi empregada abordagem qualitativa, a coleta de dados foi feita por meio de grupo focal, análise dos relatórios produzidos e auto-avaliações. Foram definidos três eixos de análise: ser gerente no contexto da descentralização; o papel da gerência em unidades básicas de saúde; e as contribuições do GERUS para o fortalecimento do papel gerencial. Pôde-se observar que o GERUS possibilitou a ampliação da visão do papel gerencial e o desenvolvimento das competências técnicas para a reorganização dos serviços, trazendo ganhos pessoais e para a instituição. Há, contudo, problemas que uma capacitação soluções em seu âmbito na medida que estes problemas a trascendem um processo pedagógico dessa natureza exige que, concomitantemente à capacitação, haja um compromisso político com as mudanças.
Cidade saudável: relato de experiência na coleta e disseminação de informação sobre determinantes de saúde
Authors: Rumel Davi , Sisson Maristela , Patrício Zuleica Maria , Moreno Claudia R. C.
Published: April 2008

Para entender o que é a saúde de uma cidade é necessário utilizar uma grande variedade de técnicas, que vão desde a construção de indicadores de saúde de caráter "objetivo" e quantificáveis até a aplicação de instrumentos de abordagem qualitativa, que permitam conhecer de forma mais aprofundada e contextualizada as percepções e os desejos dos cidadãos da cidade. Este artigo tem o objetivo de descrever a experiência de mensuração contínua de determinantes de saúde, como estratégia para adquirir e disseminar informações para que a cidade de Calgary (Canadá) se tornasse um Município Saudável. Nesta cidade, alguns indicadores foram obtidos a partir de dados secundários. Para os indicadores com dados primários, foram elaboradas questões por sugestão de profissionais do sistema de saúde, validadas em grupos focais formados por pessoas da comunidade. Esse processo teve início em 1994 e o primeiro grande inquérito de determinantes de saúde em nível federal no Canadá foi realizado em 1996, e, desde então, repete-se a cada dois anos. A iniciativa municipal até hoje procura aproximar líderes comunitários, profissionais de serviços, universidade e governantes. Como integrantes de uma equipe de professores universitários que estuda a possibilidade de aplicação de um modelo semelhante em um município de Santa Catarina, e com base nas Políticas Públicas do Brasil voltadas à Promoção da Saúde, os autores têm a perspectiva de participar de iniciativas que divulguem informações acerca do modelo de construção de indicadores desenvolvido naquela experiência.
Gerenciamento de resíduos oriundos da fabricação e distribuição do medicamento Diazepam para o município de São Mateus, ES
Authors: Falqueto Elda , Kligerman Débora Cynamon
Published: April 2008

O presente trabalho se propôs a estudar o gerenciamento de resíduos de um medicamento de uso controlado. O Diazepam, por ser importante na terapêutica e amplamente utilizado, além de ter seu uso controlado pela Vigilância Sanitária, foi o medicamento de escolha para este estudo. Observou-se a geração de resíduos desde a fabricação do Diazepam até sua distribuição, bem como o tratamento e destinação final dos resíduos. O estudo teve início num município de médio porte, do estado do Espírito Santo, chamado São Mateus. No Brasil, 27,6% dos municípios, de forma semelhante a São Mateus, são de médio porte e contam com a presença de um serviço municipal de vigilância sanitária acoplado a um serviço de meio ambiente. O estudo, que é de caráter qualitativo, teve como objetivos: identificar os principais tipos de resíduos do medicamento Diazepam; estudar as principais causas que levam à geração do Diazepam resíduo; estudar as dificuldades no gerenciamento dos resíduos sólidos pelos atores envolvidos neste processo; estudar a legislação ambiental/sanitária relacionada e seu emprego. As relações entre estas atividades e os órgãos responsáveis pela fiscalização e controle destes resíduos, principalmente no que diz respeito ao cumprimento das regulamentações, também fizeram parte do trabalho.
Percepção de profissionais da saúde sobre aspectos relacionados à dor e utilização de opióides: um estudo qualitativo
Authors: Kulkamp Irene Clemes , Barbosa Camila Goulart , Bianchini Karine Cargnin
Published: April 2008

A dor é um problema de saúde pública cujo manejo tem apresentado diversas deficiências. Esta pesquisa avalia a percepção e conhecimento de profissionais de saúde a respeito do tema dor e aspectos relacionados à utilização de medicamentos opióides, como legislação, efeitos colaterais, crenças, medo e preconceito. A pesquisa realizada foi exploratória qualitativa, aplicada na forma de entrevistas focais. A amostra estudada foi estratificada, aleatória, composta por trinta profissionais farmacêuticos, médicos e enfermeiros. Observou-se nesse trabalho a necessidade de os profissionais da saúde se familiarizarem mais com o tema, independente de terem demonstrado conhecimento em alguns aspectos. Foi observado conhecimento mais evidente com relação aos efeitos colaterais nas classes farmacêutica e médica, enquanto que na enfermagem o conhecimento maior foi relacionado com as escalas analgésicas. Foram detectados alguns aspectos subjetivos relacionados ao uso de medicamentos opióides, como indícios de medo e preconceito, que podem estar contribuindo para subutilização destes fármacos. Há a necessidade indiscutível da atuação de uma equipe multidisciplinar de saúde bem consolidada para o manejo da dor e melhora da qualidade de vida do paciente.
Os efeitos do treinamento de força sobre os fatores de risco da síndrome metabólica
Authors: Guttierres Ana Paula Muniz , Marins João Carlos Bouzas
Published: April 2008

INTRODUÇÃO: Medidas não-farmacológicas, como a atividade física, vêm sendo recomendadas para prevenção e tratamento de doenças crônicas não transmissíveis. OBJETIVO: Realizar revisão da literatura para verificar os mecanismos por meio dos quais o treinamento de força provoca alterações metabólicas e celulares, agindo positivamente sobre os fatores de risco da síndrome metabólica. METODODOLOGIA: Foram utilizadas as bases de dados Medline, Scielo, Science Direct e Capes. A busca foi restrita aos últimos 10 anos. Os termos utilizados para pesquisa foram: obesity, dislipidemy,hypertension, diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, resistance training, weight lifting, exercise. RESULTADOS: O treinamento de força atua sobre parâmetros metabólicos e celulares promovendo efeitos positivos no controle e na prevenção dos fatores de risco relacionados à síndrome metabólica, tais como diminuição do peso corporal, aumento da sensibilidade à insulina, aumento da tolerância à glicose, diminuição dos níveis pressóricos de repouso e melhoria do perfil lipídico. CONCLUSÃO: A revisão dos artigos científicos apresentados fornece dados que permitem concluir que o treinamento de força pode contribuir de forma efetiva na diminuição dos fatores de risco relacionados à síndrome metabólica.
Exame do escarro no manejo clínico dos pacientes com pneumonia adquirida na comunidade
Authors: Signori Leonardo Gilberto Haas , Ferreira Maurício Weyh , Vieira Luiz Carlos Hack Radünz , Müller Karen Reetz , Mattos Waldo Luís Leite Dias de
Published: April 2008

OBJETIVO: Este estudo retrospectivo avaliou a freqüência do uso da bacteriologia do escarro no manejo clínico de pacientes com pneumonia adquirida na comunidade (PAC) em um hospital geral, e se a utilização deste método modificou a mortalidade. MÉTODOS: Os prontuários de pacientes internados no Hospital Nossa Senhora da Conceição, em Porto Alegre (RS) Brasil, para tratamento de PAC entre maio e novembro de 2004 foram revisados quanto aos seguintes aspectos: idade; sexo; gravidade da pneumonia (escore de Fine); presença de expectoração; bacteriologia do escarro; história de tratamento; resposta clínica; troca de tratamento; e mortalidade. RESULTADOS: Foram avaliados 274 pacientes com PAC, sendo 134 do sexo masculino. Dentre os 274 pacientes, 79 (28,8%) apresentavam, de acordo com o escore de Fine, classe II; 45 (16,4%), classe III; 97 (35,4%), classe IV; e 53 (19,3%), classe V. Em 92 pacientes (33,6%), uma amostra de escarro foi colhida para exame bacteriológico. Obtivemos amostra válida em 37 casos (13,5%) e diagnóstico etiológico em 26 (9,5%), o que resultou em modificação do tratamento em apenas 9 casos (3,3%). A mortalidade geral foi 18,6%. Idade acima de 65 anos, a gravidade da PAC e a ausência de escarro associaram-se à maior mortalidade. A bacteriologia do escarro não influenciou o desfecho clínico, nem a taxa de mortalidade. CONCLUSÃO: O exame do escarro foi uma ferramenta diagnóstica utilizada na minoria dos pacientes, e não trouxe benefício detectável no manejo clínico dos pacientes com PAC tratados em ambiente hospitalar.
The Brown Bear and the American Eagle of Reading Research: Steven A. Stahl and Michael Pressley Remembered
Authors: Harrison Colin
Published: April 2008

This essay reviews the contribution to reading research of two scholars who died young, Steven Stahl and Michael Pressley, whose work is reflected in, respectively, Reading Research at Work: Foundations of Effective Practice, edited by Katherine A. Dougherty Stahl and Michael C. McKenna, and Shaping Literacy Achievement: Research We Have, Research We Need, edited by Michael Pressley and colleagues. Both books attempt an overview of research in reading in light of the report of the U.S. National Reading Panel (NRP). The Stahl volume focuses particularly on the NRP themes of teaching phonics, developing fluency and vocabulary, and comprehension. The Pressley volume focuses on themes the NRP did not review, including preschool literacy, home‐school literacies, adolescent literacy, and content area reading. Both books deal in depth with the development of reading comprehension, and each is, in its own way, very successful.
Uptake, elimination, and biotransformation of aqueous and dietary DDT in marine fish
Authors: Kwong Raymond W. M , Yu Peter K. N , Lam Paul K. S , Wang Wen-Xiong
Published: April 2008

To understand the biokinetics and potential risks of p,p-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its metabolites, p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) and p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (DDD), in fish, we exposed the black sea breams (Acanthopagrus schlegeli) to aqueous and dietary DDTs and then evaluated the bioaccumulation, distribution, biotransformation, and elimination of DDTs under controlled laboratory conditions. The fish rapidly accumulated DDTs from both routes of exposure, particularly the gills and viscera. Elimination of DDTs following aqueous or dietary uptake was slow, and biotranslocation of DDTs was significant during the exposure period but negligible during the depuration period. The biotransformation process was more significant following dietary exposure. During depuration, DDE was the major biotransformed product in the sea breams' carcasses while DDD was the major product in the gills and viscera. However, DDD had a significantly higher elimination rate than DDE and, subsequently, the fish retained more DDE in the body. Intraspecies variability in the elimination and biotransformation processes in fish was observed. We demonstrated that the route of exposure significantly affected the fate and biokinetics of DDTs in fish. The application of a dynamic model provided a tool for quantifying the elimination and biotransformation of DDT in fish. The present study provided insights into the bioaccumulation and biotransformation pathways of DDT in fish that could have important ecotoxicological implications.
The Young Men’s Survey Phase II: Hepatitis B Immunization and Infection Among Young Men Who Have Sex With Men
Authors: Weinbaum Cindy M. , Lyerla Rob , MacKellar Duncan A. , Valleroy Linda A. , Secura Gina M. , Behel Stephanie K. , Bingham Trista , Celentano David D. , Koblin Beryl A. , LaLota Marlene , Shehan Douglas A. , Thiede Hanne , Torian Lucia V.
Published: April 2008

Objectives. We measured the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) immunization and HBV infection among men aged 23 to 29 years who have sex with men.

Methods. We analyzed data from 2834 men who have sex with men in 6 US metropolitan areas. Participants were interviewed and tested for serologic markers of immunization and HBV infection in 1998 through 2000.

Results. Immunization prevalence was 17.2%; coverage was 21.0% among participants with private physicians or health maintenance organizations and 12.6% among those with no source of health care. Overall, 20.6% had markers of HBV infection, ranging from 13.7% among the youngest to 31.0% among the oldest participants. Among those susceptible to HBV, 93.5% had regular sources of health care, had been tested for HIV, or had been treated for a sexually transmitted disease.

Conclusions. Although many young men who have sex with men have access to health care, most are not immunized against HBV. To reduce morbidity from HBV in this population, providers of health care, including sexually transmitted disease and HIV prevention services, should provide vaccinations or referrals for vaccination.
The Influence of Perceived Risk to Health and Immigration-Related Characteristics on Substance Use Among Latino and Other Immigrants
Authors: Ojeda Victoria D. , Patterson Thomas L. , Strathdee Steffanie A.
Published: April 2008

Objectives. We examined whether immigration-related characteristics and perceptions of risk surrounding substance use were independently associated with lifetime use of cigarettes and various illicit substances among immigrant and native-born Latino and non-Latino White adults in the United States.

Methods. Data were from the 2002 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Analyses were limited to Latinos and non-Latino Whites 18 years and older. We used cross-tabulations and multivariate logistic regression to test relations between risk perceptions, immigration characteristics, and substance use.

Results. More than two thirds of all respondents perceived moderate or great risk to health and well-being associated with all substances analyzed. The odds of lifetime substance use by Latino and non-Latino White immigrants were lower than for US-born non-Latino Whites. Immigrant Latinos’ odds of lifetime substance use were lower than for US-born Latinos. Moderate or great perceived risk was associated with lower likelihood of lifetime use of all substances except cigarettes.

Conclusions. Foreign birth appeared to protect against substance use among both Latino and non-Latino White immigrants. Future studies should examine potential protective factors, including cultural beliefs and practices, acculturation, familial ties, and social network influences.
Racial Differences in the Evaluation and Treatment of Hepatitis C Among Veterans: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Rousseau Christine M. , Ioannou George N. , Todd-Stenberg Jeffrey A. , Sloan Kevin L. , Larson Meaghan F. , Forsberg Christopher W. , Dominitz Jason A.
Published: April 2008

Objectives. We examined the association between race and hepatitis C virus (HCV) evaluation and treatment of veterans in the Northwest Network of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Methods. In our retrospective cohort study, we used medical records to determine antiviral treatment of 4263 HCV-infected patients from 8 VA medical centers. Secondary outcomes included specialty referrals, laboratory evaluation, viral genotype testing, and liver biopsy. Multiple logistic regression was used to adjust for clinical (measured through laboratory results and International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, codes) and sociodemographic factors.

Results. Blacks were less than half as likely as Whites to receive antiviral treatment (odds ratio [OR]=0.38; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.23, 0.63). Both had similar odds of referral and liver biopsy. However, Blacks were significantly less likely to have complete laboratory evaluation (OR=0.67; 95% CI=0.52, 0.88) and viral genotype testing (OR=0.68; 95% CI=0.51, 0.90).

Conclusions. Race is associated with receipt of medical care for various medical conditions. Further investigation is warranted to help understand whether patient preference or provider bias may explain why HCV-infected Blacks were less likely to receive medical care than Whites.
On Wit, Irony, and Living With Imperfection
Authors: Warner Jessica , Riviere Janine , Carson Jenny
Published: April 2008

Christian perfection, the evangelical doctrine that gave rise to abstinence as it is understood and practiced in America, originated in Britain with John Wesley and the Methodists. We examine why that doctrine floundered in its country of origin, opening the door to a more pluralistic and evidence-based approach to problems such as alcohol and drug abuse. Although social and political factors were important (the stratification of British society stood in the way of holding everyone to the same moral standard, and the drink trade was far better organized than its American counterpart), Britain’s intellectual elite also played a vital role, heaping ridicule on the temperance movement and subjecting it to a devastating critique.
Smoking-Cessation Media Campaigns and Their Effectiveness Among Socioeconomically Advantaged and Disadvantaged Populations
Authors: Niederdeppe Jeff , Fiore Michael C. , Baker Timothy B. , Smith Stevens S.
Published: April 2008

Objectives. We examined whether the impact of televised smoking cessation ads differed by a population’s education and income.

Methods. We used longitudinal data from the Wisconsin Behavioral Health Survey, a statewide sample of 452 adult smokers who were interviewed in 2003 to 2004 and followed up 1 year later. Logistic regression was used to assess whether baseline recall of secondhand smoke ads and “keep trying to quit” ads was associated with quit attempts and smoking abstinence at 1 year. Interaction terms were used to assess whether these associations differed by the smokers’ education and income levels.

Results. Overall, neither keep-trying-to-quit nor secondhand smoke ad recall was associated with quit attempts or smoking abstinence. Keep-trying-to-quit ads were significantly more effective in promoting quit attempts among higher-versus lower-educated populations. No differences were observed for secondhand smoke ads by the smokers’ education or income levels.

Conclusions. Some media campaign messages appear less effective in promoting quit attempts among less-educated populations compared with those who have more education. There is a need to develop media campaigns that are more effective with less-educated smokers.
Barriers to Obtaining Diagnostic Testing for Coronary Artery Disease Among Veterans
Authors: Siminoff Laura A. , Hausmann Leslie R. M. , Ibrahim Said
Published: April 2008

Objectives. We sought to identify factors associated with appointment nonattendance for diagnostic testing of coronary artery disease among veterans. For patients with possible heart disease, appointment nonattendance may seriously compromise short- and long-term outcomes. Understanding factors associated with nonattendance may help improve care while reducing inefficiency in service delivery.

Methods. We surveyed patients who attended (n = 240) or did not attend (n = 139) a scheduled cardiac appointment at a midwestern Veterans Administration medical center. Multivariable regression models were used to assess factors associated with nonattendance.

Results. Younger age, lower income, unemployment, and longer wait times for appointments were predictive of nonattendance. Nonattenders reported fewer cardiac symptoms and were more likely to attribute their symptoms to something other than heart disease. Nonattendance was also associated with a coping style characterized by avoidance of aversive information. Logistical issues, fear of diagnostic procedures, disbelief that one had heart disease, and medical mistrust were some of the reasons given for missed appointments.

Conclusions. Appointment nonattendance among veterans scheduled for cardiology evaluation was associated with several important cognitive factors. These factors should be considered when one is designing clinical systems to reduce patient nonattendance.
Mechanical model of the Lorentz force and Coulomb interaction
Authors: Dmitriyev Valery
Published: April 2008

The centripetal and Coriolis accelerations experienced by a cart traveling over a rotating turntable are usually calculated proceeding from the known kinematics of the problem. Respective forces can be regarded as due to the entrainment of the cart in the moving solid environs. We extend the approach to the general case of a particle entrained in the flow of the surrounding medium. The expression for the driving force on the particle obtained from the kinematics of the entrainment prescribed appears to be isomorphic to the Lorentz and Coulomb force on a positive electric charge. The inverse direction of the electromagnetic force on a negative charge implies that a growing applied flow induces the upstream motion of the particle. A possible microscopic mechanism for it may be the Magnus force dynamics of a kink in a vortex tangle. The loop on a straight vortex filament can be taken as a model of the electron, the loop with a cavitation models the positron. The Lorentz force is concerned with the Coriolis acceleration. The Coulomb interaction is due to the centripetal or centrifugal force that arises in the turbophoresis of the kink in the perturbation field generated in the medium by the center of pressure.
The liquid-ordered phase in sphingomyelincholesterol membranes as detected by the discrimination by oxygen transport (DOT) method
Authors: Wisniewska Anna , Subczynski Witold
Published: April 2008

Membranes made from binary mixtures of egg sphingomyelin (ESM) and cholesterol were investigated using conventional and saturation-recovery EPR observations of the 5-doxylstearic acid spin label (5-SASL). The effects of cholesterol on membrane order and the oxygen transport parameter (bimolecular collision rate of molecular oxygen with the nitroxide spin label) were monitored at the depth of the fifth carbon in fluid- and gel-phase ESM membranes. The saturation-recovery EPR discrimination by oxygen transport (DOT) method allowed the discrimination of the liquid-ordered (l o), liquid-disordered (l d), and solid-ordered (s o) phases because the bimolecular collision rates of the molecular oxygen with the nitroxide spin label differ in these phases. Additionally, oxygen collision rates (the oxygen transport parameter) were obtained in coexisting phases without the need for their separation, which provides information about the internal dynamics of each phase. The addition of cholesterol causes a dramatic decrease in the oxygen transport parameter around the nitroxide moiety of 5-SASL in the l o phase, which at 50 mol% cholesterol becomes ∼5 times smaller than in the pure ESM membrane in the l d phase, and ∼2 times smaller than in the pure ESM membrane in the s o phase. The overall change in the oxygen transport parameter is as large as ∼20-fold. Conventional EPR spectra show that 5-SASL is maximally immobilized at the phase boundary between regions with coexisting l d and l o phases or s o and l o phases and the region with a single l o phase. The obtained results all owed for the construction of a phase diagram for the ESM-cholesterol membrane.
Functional and Immunohistochemical Evaluation of Porcine Neonatal Islet-Like Cell Clusters
Authors: Nielsen T. B. , Yderstraede K. B. , Schrøder H. D. , Holst Jens Juul , Brusgaard Klaus , Beck-Nielsen H.
Published: April 2008

Porcine neonatal islet-like cell clusters (NICCs) may be an attractive source of insulin-producing tissue for xenotransplantation in type I diabetic patients. We examined the functional and immunohistochemical outcome of the islet grafts in vitro during long-term culture and in vivo after transplantation to athymic nude mice. On average we obtained 29,000 NICCs from each pancreas. In a perifusion system, NICCs responded poorly to a glucose challenge alone, but 10 mmol/L arginine elicited a fourfold increase in insulin secretion and 16.7 mmol/L glucose + 10 mmol/L arginine caused a sevenfold increase in insulin secretion, indicating some sensitivity towards glucose. Hormone content as well as the number of hormone-containing cells increased for the first 14 days of culture. When NICCs were stained for hormones, proliferation (Ki67), and duct cells (CK7), some insulin- and glucagon-positive cells co-stained for proliferation. However no co-staining was observed between insulin- and glucagon-positive cells or between hormone- and CK7-positive cells. Following transplantation of 2000 NICCs under the renal capsule of diabetic nude mice, BG levels were normalized within an average of 13 weeks. Oral and IP glucose tolerance tests revealed a normal or even faster clearance of a glucose load compared with normal controls. Immunohistochemical examination of the grafts revealed primarily insulin-positive cells. In summary, in vitro, NICCs responded to a challenge including glucose and arginine. There was a potential for expansion of the β-cell mass of NICCs in vitro as well as in vivo where NICCs eventually may normalize blood glucose of diabetic mice.
Induction of Necrosis and DNA Fragmentation during Hypothermic Preservation of Hepatocytes in UW, HTK, and Celsior Solutions
Authors: Abrahamse Salomon L. , Van Runnard Heimel Pieter , Hartman Robin J. , Chamuleau Rob A. F. M. , Van Gulik Thomas M.
Published: April 2008

Donor cells can be preserved in University of Wisconsin (UW), histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK), or Celsior solution. However, differences in efficacy and mode of action in preventing hypothermia-induced cell injury have not been unequivocally clarified. Therefore, we investigated and compared necrotic and apoptotic cell death of freshly isolated primary porcine hepatocytes after hypothermic preservation in UW, HTK, and Celsior solutions and subsequent normothermic culturing. Hepatocytes were isolated from porcine livers, divided in fractions, and hypothermically (4°C) stored in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), UW, HTK, or Celsior solution. Cell necrosis and apoptosis were assessed after 24- and 48-h hypothermic storage and after 24-h normothermic culturing following the hypothermic preservation periods. Necrosis was assessed by trypan blue exclusion, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, and mitochondrial 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction. Apoptosis was assessed by the induction of histone-associated DNA fragments and cellular caspase-3 activity. Trypan blue exclusion, LDH release, and MTT reduction of hypothermically preserved hepatocytes showed a decrease in cell viability of more than 50% during the first 24 h of hypothermic preservation. Cell viability was further decreased after 48-h preservation. DNA fragmentation was slightly enhanced in hepatocytes after preservation in all solutions, but caspase-3 activity was not significantly increased in these cells. Normothermic culturing of hypothermically preserved cells further decreased cell viability as assessed by LDH release and MTT reduction. Normothermic culturing of hypothermically preserved hepatocytes induced DNA fragmentation, but caspase-3 activity was not enhanced in these cells. Trypan blue exclusion, LDH leakage, and MTT reduction demonstrated the highest cell viability after storage in Celsior, and DNA fragmentation was the lowest in cells that had been stored in PBS and UW solutions. None of the preservation solutions tested in this study was capable of adequately preventing cell death of isolated porcine hepatocytes after 24-h hypothermic preservation and subsequent 24-h normothermic culturing. Culturing of isolated and hypothermically preserved hepatocytes induces DNA fragmentation, but does not lead to caspase-3 activation. With respect to necrosis and DNA fragmentation of hypothermically preserved cells, UW and Celsior were superior to PBS and HTK solutions in this model of isolated porcine hepatocyte preservation.
Evaluation of Surgical Techniques for Neuronal Cell Transplantation Used in Patients with Stroke
Authors: Kondziolka Douglas , Steinberg Gary K. , Cullen Sean B. , Mcgrogan Michael
Published: April 2008

Transplantation of cultured neuronal cells was performed in two human clinical trials after safety and efficacy was demonstrated in animal models of stroke. The studies tested the utility of human neuronal cellular transplantation into and around the small stroke volume. We developed a stereotactic surgical technique for cell delivery and evaluated that method in 26 patients with basal ganglia region motor stroke. Human neuronal cells (hNT cells; LBS neurons) were delivered frozen then thawed and formulated on the morning of surgery. Patients in a first trial received 2 or 6 million cells in three or nine implants, and in a second trial, 5 or 10 million in 25 implants. A novel cell delivery cannula was designed, manufactured, tested, and used in surgery. Immediate postoperative CT scans and later serial MR scans were used to evaluate the surgical site. Tests on the cell implantation cannula showed that the cells were not damaged and remained viable after injection. All patients underwent uncomplicated surgeries. Cells could be implanted within a 2-h period, maintaining viability of the preparation. Serial evaluations (maximum 5 years) showed no cell-related adverse serologic or imaging-defined effects. One patient had burr hole drainage of an asymptomatic chronic subdural hematoma. Human neuronal cells can be produced in culture and implanted stereotactically into the brains of patients with stroke. Surgical cell delivery did not lead to new neurological deficits, and imaging studies showed no adverse effects. The cannula used allowed precise injection of the clinical cell dose within a time period that maintained cell viability.
A Comparison between Real-Time Quantitative PCR and DNA Hybridization for Quantitation of Male DNA following Myoblast Transplantation
Authors: Bosio Erika , Lee-Pullen Tracey F. , Fragall Clayton T. , Beilharz Manfred W. , Bennett Alayne L. , Grounds Miranda D. , Hodgetts Stuart I. , Sammels Leanne M.
Published: April 2008

The transplantation of muscle precursor cells (myoblasts) is a potential therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. A commonly used method to detect cell survival is quantitation of the Y chromosome following transplantation of male donor cells into female hosts. This article presents a direct comparison between real-time quantitative PCR (Q-PCR) and the DNA hybridization (slot-blot) technique for quantitation of Y chromosome DNA. Q-PCR has a significantly greater linear quantitation range and is up to 40-fold more sensitive at low concentrations of male DNA, detecting as little as 1 ng of male DNA in each female tibialis anterior (TA) muscle. At high male DNA concentrations, accurate quantitation by Q-PCR is 2.5 times higher than the maximum possible with slot-blot. In conclusion, Q-PCR has a higher dynamic range and is more efficient than slot-blot analysis for the detection of donor cell engraftment in a transsexual transplantation model.
cDNA Microarray Analysis in Hepatocyte Differentiation in Huh 7 Cells
Authors: Yamashita Yo-Ichi , Shimada Mitsuo , Harimoto Norifumi , Tanaka Shinji , Shirabe Ken , Ijima Hiroyuki , Nakazawa Kohji , Fukuda Junji , Funatsu Kazumori , Maehara Yoshihiko
Published: April 2008

The risk of xenozoonosis infections poses the greatest obstacle against the clinical application of a hybrid artificial liver support system (HALSS). Primary human hepatocytes are an ideal source for HALSS, but the shortage of human livers available for hepatocyte isolation limits this modality. To resolve this issue, we previously demonstrated the upregulation of hepatocyte-specific function by spheroid formation in polyurethane foam and by culturing with the histone deacetylase inhibitor, trichostatin A (TSA), in a human hepatoma cell line (Huh 7). In this article we analyze the gene expression profile using cDNA microarray (1281 genes) in spheroid formation or culturing with TSA in Huh 7 to determine the target genes in hepatocyte differentiation. In both the spheroid formation and in the culture with TSA, the Oct-3/4 transcription factor was upregulated more than twofold, while the early growth response-1 (EGR-1) transactivator was downregulated less than 0.5-fold. These results indicate that expressions of Oct-3/4 and EGR-1 may be key factors in the induction of hepatocyte differentiation in Huh 7.
Individual Human Serum Differs in the Amount of Antibodies with Affinity for Pig Fetal Ventral Mesencephalic Cells and the Ability to Lyse These Cells by Complement Activation
Authors: Koopmans Jan , De Haan Aalzen , Bruin Elinda , Van Der Gun Ieneke , Van Dijk Henk , Rozing Jan , De Leij Lou , Staal Michiel
Published: April 2008

Xenografting pig fetal ventral mesencephalic (pfVM) cells to repair the dopamine deficit in patients with Parkinson's disease is the focus of both experimental and clinical investigations. Although there have been marked advances in the experimental and even clinical application of these xenogeneic transplantations, questions regarding the host's xenospecific immune response remain unanswered. It has been shown that human serum is able to lyse pfVM tissue by both anti-gal-gal and non-anti-gal-gal antibodies by complement activation. The aim of this study was to investigate whether interindividual differences exist in the levels of pfVM cell-specific IgM and IgG subclass antibodies, their ability to lyse pfVM cells in vitro and the relationship between both. Pig fetal VM cells were incubated with heat-inactivated serum from 10 different individuals and binding of IgM antibodies and IgG subclass antibodies to pfVM cells was analyzed by flow cytometry. The ability to lyse pfVM cells was analyzed exposing 51Cr-labeled pfVM cells to fresh serum or isolated IgM and IgG from the same individuals and subsequent determination of released 51Cr from lysed cells. Strong differences were found between individuals in the levels of pfVM cell-specific IgM antibodies: antibody levels differed up to 40-fold. pfVM-specific IgG1 and IgG2 levels were only detectable in a few individuals. The ability to lyse pfVM cells ranged from negligible lysis up to 66.5% specific lysis. There was a strong correlation between the levels of individual pfVM-specific IgM antibodies and the ability to lyse pfVM cells in vitro. Isolated IgM, but not IgG, was able to lyse pfVM cells in the presence of complement. In conclusion, the interindividual differences in the levels of IgM with affinity for pfVM cells and their ability to lyse pfVM cells in vitro are considerable. Only few individuals possessed IgG1 and IgG2 subclass antibodies with affinity for pfVM. These findings may influence patient selection for porcine transplants and chances of graft survival in individual patients.
The Contribution of Chemokines and Chemokine Receptors to the Rejection of Fetal Proislet Allografts
Authors: Solomon Michelle. F. , Kuziel William A. , Simeonovic Charmaine J.
Published: April 2008

Chemokines regulate the recruitment of leukocytes to sites of inflammation and may therefore play an important role in lymphocyte trafficking between draining lymph nodes and pancreatic islet tissue allografts. The intragraft expression of α- and β-chemokine mRNA during the rejection of BALB/c proislet (fetal precursor islet tissue) allografts in CBA/H mice was assessed quantitatively and semiquantitatively by RT-PCR analyses. Allograft rejection was associated with the strongly enhanced (from day 4) and prolonged expression (up to day 10) of the α-chemokine IP-10 and enhanced intragraft mRNA expression of the β-chemokines MCP-1, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, RANTES, and eotaxin. Peak transcript expression was identified at day 4 (IP-10, MCP-1), day 5 (eotaxin), day 6 (MIP-1α, MIP-1β), and day 14 (RANTES). To examine the role of β-chemokine receptors in allograft rejection, additional allografts to CCR2–/–, CCR5–/–, and wild-type CCR+/+ mice were analyzed by histology, immunohistochemistry, and morphometry. In CCR5–/–mice, the intragraft recruitment of T cells and macrophages was slower and allograft destruction was delayed; in CCR2–/–mice, the initial entry of macrophages was retarded but graft survival was not prolonged. These findings suggest that IP-10 regulates the initial influx of T cells into proislet allografts, MCP-1/CCR2 signaling controls initial macrophage entry, and the MIP-1α, MIP-1β, and RANTES/CCR5 pathway contributes to the rejection response by subsequently amplifying the recruitment of T cell subpopulations required for graft destruction.