bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influência da manipulação prévia no tratamento e na recidiva local dos sarcomas de tecidos moles
Authors: Teixeira Luiz Eduardo Moreira , Araújo Ivana Duval , Miranda Ricardo Horta , Magalhães Gustavo Albergaria de , Ghedini Daniel Ferreira , Andrade Marco Antônio Percope de
Published: November 2008

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os efeitos da manipulação prévia no tratamento ci rúrgico e na recidiva local dos sarcomas de tecidos moles. MÉTODO: Foram avaliados 30 pacientes submetidos a tratamento cirúrgico de um sarcoma de tecidos moles (STM), que foram divididos em dois grupos: pacientes que foram submetidos a uma biópsia ou ressecção inadvertida prévia do tumor e os encaminhados para tratamento sem qualquer procedimento prévio. Os grupos foram comparados de acordo com o tipo de cirurgia realizada, as complicações e a ocorrência de recidiva local. RESULTADOS: A manipulação prévia dos STM foi observada em 60% da casuística, alterando a técnica operatória em 66,6% dos casos. A freqüência de amputações foi semelhante nos dois grupos, mas três amputações foram realizadas por ressecção prévia inadequada. As complicações não foram significativamente diferentes nos grupos (p = 0,282), assim como a recidiva local (p = 0,461). CONCLUSÕES: A manipulação prévia dos STM influenciou no tratamento cirúrgico, mas não influenciou nas complicações pós-operatórias ou na recidiva local.
Estudo da influência do torque de inserção na resistência ao arrancamento dos parafusos pediculares
Authors: Leite Vânia Custódio , Shimano Antônio Carlos , Gonçalves Gilson Antonio Pereira , Kandziora Frank , Defino Helton Luiz Aparecido
Published: November 2008

Foram realizados ensaios mecânicos para avaliação do torque de inserção na resistência ao arrancamento dos parafusos pediculares. Foram utilizadas no estudo 30 vértebras de suínos da raça Landrace, nas quais parafusos de 5mm foram inseridos nos pedículos vertebrais. O orifício piloto foi realizado com brocas de 2,5mm, 3,8mm e 4,5mm. Foram realizados ensaios mecânicos de arrancamento dos implantes em máquina universal de testes. Foi observado aumento do torque de inserção dos parafusos com a perfuração do orifício piloto com diâmetro menor que o diâmetro interno do parafuso, e redução com o orifício piloto maior que o diâmetro interno do parafuso. Foi observada diferença estatística entre os valores do torque de inserção. A resistência ao arrancamento dos implantes aumentou com a perfuração do orifício piloto com valores menores que o diâmetro interno do parafuso e diminuiu com a perfuração com diâmetro maior que o diâmetro interno do parafuso. Foi observada diferença estatística dos valores da resistência ao arrancamento dos implantes apenas com a perfuração do orifício piloto com diâmetro maior que o diâmetro interno do parafuso.
Efeitos da estimulação elétrica neuromuscular no músculo sóleo de ratos: análise morfométrica e metabólica
Authors: Durigan João Luiz Quagliotti , Cancelliero Karina Maria , Guirro Rinaldo Roberto de Jesus , Silva Carlos Alberto da , Polacow Maria Luiza Ozores
Published: November 2008

O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da estimulação elétrica neuromuscular (EE) fásica sobre os parâmetros morfométrico e metabólico do músculo sóleo de ratos, nos períodos de 3, 7 e 15 dias. Ratos Wistar foram divididos em 4 grupos (n=5): controle (C), EE por 3 dias (EE-3), 7 dias (EE-7) e 15 dias (EE-15). Foram analisado o conteúdo de glicogênio, massa muscular, área das fibras e densidade de área do tecido conjuntivo intramuscular. A análise estatística foi realizada pela ANOVA e Tukey (p<0,05). Com relação à massa muscular, ocorreu aumento significativo no EE-15 de 11,55% comparado ao C. O conteúdo de glicogênio muscular não apresentou alterações significativas no EE-3 quando comparado ao C. Já o EE-7 e EE-15 demonstraram aumento significativo de 74,19% e 80,64%, respectivamente, comparados ao C. Na análise morfométrica, ocorreu aumento significativo no EE-15 de 16,23% em relação ao C. A densidade do tecido conjuntivo intramuscular não apresentou alterações significativas em todos os grupos submetidos à EE quando comparados com o C. A EE promoveu aumento das reservas de glicogênio nos períodos de 7 e 15 dias, bem como aumento na massa muscular, área das fibras e nas reservas de glicogênio no período de 15 dias.
Implicações sociais enfrentadas pelas famílias que possuem pacientes com sarcoma ósseo
Authors: Stolagli Virginia Pinheiro , Evangelista Maria Rosa Barral , Camargo Olavo Pires de
Published: November 2008

O grupo de oncologia ortopédica proporciona atendimento médico e psicossocial aos pacientes internados e em tratamento ambulatorial, portadores de tumores músculos-esqueléticos. Nesta pesquisa, nosso objetivo foi conhecer o perfil socioeconômico dos paciente-familiares e as mudanças ocorridas após a constatação do diagnóstico. A amostra foi composta por 25 famílias de pacientes com osteossarcoma de membro inferior. A pesquisa ocorreu no período de setembro a outubro/2005, através de formulários com questões fechadas e abertas, utilizando para análise qualitativa o discurso do sujeito coletivo. O estudo foi prospectivo, descritivo, com abordagem quanti-qualitativa. Dos entrevistados, 68% eram do sexo feminino, 44% destes eram genitoras; 76% estavam trabalhando e 28% possuíam vínculo empregatício. 60% possuía renda entre 2 a 5 salários mínimos. Após o diagnóstico, 92% tiveram aumento de gastos; 80% apresentaram dificuldade com a quimioterapia; 56% relacionam o transporte como dificultador para aderir ao tratamento. 100% desesperaram-se diante da descoberta do câncer. O câncer ocasiona mudanças nos papéis dos membros da família. Existe o receio da recidiva da doença que leva a família a ter medo da morte, fazendo-se necessário um trabalho em conjunto com a equipe multiprofissional.
Estudo cefalométrico individualizado do posicionamento da maxila em indivíduos com equilíbrio facial e oclusão normal
Authors: Silva Fernando Penteado Lopes da , Gil Cássia Teresinha Lopes de Alcântara , Siqueira Danilo Furquim , Scanavini Marco Antônio
Published: November 2008

INTRODUÇÃO: o posicionamento da maxila no esqueleto craniofacial tem sido motivo de investigação por diversos autores. Traduzindo suas idéias por meio de medidas lineares ou angulares, tais autores definiram o que consideraram como a posição "ideal", "normal" e, ainda, "aceitável" ou "inaceitável" da maxila, relacionando-a, na maioria das vezes, com a base do crânio. A partir da avaliação de indivíduos com oclusão considerada normal e com bom equilíbrio facial, eram calculados valores médios e desvios-padrão de determinadas medidas, os quais eram tomados como parâmetros para avaliações cefalométricas de pacientes distintos. OBJETIVOS: diante das divergências de opiniões encontradas na literatura, a proposta do presente estudo foi avaliar o posicionamento da maxila nos sentidos vertical e ântero-posterior, além da sua inclinação, numa amostra de 94 indivíduos com oclusão normal e equilíbrio facial. MÉTODOS: foram determinadas correlações entre medidas do próprio indivíduo: OPI-N com OPI-ENA e N-ENA com ENA-ENP. CONCLUSÕES: a partir dos fortes índices de correlação encontrados, concluiu-se que a medida OPI-N pode ser tomada como referência para determinação de OPI-ENA, da mesma forma que ENA-ENP pode ser considerada para determinação de N-ENA, definindo, respectivamente, a posição da maxila nos sentidos sagital e vertical. A inclinação da maxila, representada aqui pelo ângulo OPI.ENA.ENP, teve valor médio estatisticamente próximo a 0º (zero grau), indicando forte tendência do prolongamento posterior do plano palatino (ENA-ENP) tangenciar a base posterior do crânio (ponto OPI), o que se revela como uma importante característica de indivíduos com oclusão normal e equilíbrio facial.
Chordoma: retrospective analysis of 24 cases
Authors: Lopes Ademar , Rossi Benedito Mauro , Silveira Claudio Regis Sampaio , Alves Antonio Correa
Published: November 2008

INTRODUCTION: Chordoma is a rare and slow-growing tumor, with local aggressiveness and preferential localization in the vertebral column. OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this study is to evaluate natural history and results of treatment of chordomas. METHODOLOGY: This is a retrospective study from 1953 to 1993. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The age ranged from 2 to 86 years (mean=34.5). Twelve patients were male and 12 female. The localization of the tumor was: 20 in the sacral region, 3 in head and neck and one out of the spine. RESULTS: The treatment, alone or combined, was surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. The survival rate for patients with lesions in the sacrum ranged from 4 to 119 months, since the date of the symptoms. The 5-year overall survival was 4.2%. CONCLUSION: Chordoma is a rare and slow growing tumor, with a very difficult approach by surgery due to its preferential location in the sacrum and poor therapeutic results with radiation therapy or chemotherapy, mainly in patients with advanced disease.
Stercoral perforation of the normal colon: report of five cases
Authors: Velitchkov Nadko , Losanoff Julian , Kjossev Kirien , Grigorov Georgi , Vezdarova Meglena , Kirov Gueno
Published: November 2008

A series of five consecutive patients with stercoral perforation of the colon is presented. Four of the patients had free perforation and one had an abscess between the splenic flexure, spleen and surrounding organs, a yet unreported entity. All patients underwent emergency surgery including Iaparostomy with repeated explorations and lavages in two of them. The ethiology, pathophysiology and treatment of the condition are updated. A graphic algorithm for decision-making in appropriately dealing with stercoral perforation of the colon is proposed.
Study of the action of tamoxifen on the mammary gland epithelium of premenopausal patients by lysosome quantification
Authors: Tanaka Carlos ltio , Gebrim Luiz Henrique , Lima Geraldo Rodrigues de , Simões Manuel de Jesus
Published: November 2008

Tamoxifen is an antiestrogen drug widely utilized for the adjuvant hormonal treatment of breast carcinoma. Its use in the primary prophylaxis of this disease is currently being proposed. Although the drug has few side effects, its precise action on breast tissue that has not undergone neoplastic transformation has not been fully elucidated. This prospective, randomized study assessed the estrogen activity of tamoxifen on the mammary gland epithelium of premenopausal patients using a quantitative analysis of mammary epithelium lysosomes identified by the cytochemical technique of GOMORI for acid phosphatase and by light microscopy. Tamoxifen significantly increased the number of lysosomes only during the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle. We concluded that the early effect of the drug on normal mammary tissue is synergistic with the effect of estrogen during the premenopausal period.
Anatomical study of the renal veins observed during 342 living-donor nephrectomies
Authors: Baptista-Silva José Carlos Costa , Veríssimo Marcos José , Castro Marcos Joaquim , Câmara André Luiz Guimarães , Pestana José Osmar Medina
Published: November 2008

The anatomical variations of renal veins observed during 342 nephrectomies in living donors are described, 311 cases on the left side and 31 on the right. The following anatomy of the renocava veins was observed: 1. On the left side the renal vein was always unique (311/311) and had two tributaries (suprarenal and gonadal veins) in 100 per cent and one or more renolumbar veins in 65.27 per cent, encircling the aorta in 1.07 per cent, was retroaortic in 1.4 per cent; and the inferior vena cava was double in 0.64 per cent; B- on the right side the renal vein was double in 29 per cent (9/31) and had only one tributary (gonadal vein) in one case, for 3.22 per cent (1/ 31); three or more renal veins in 9.7 per cent (3/31). We concluded that the left renal vein is always unique, presenting variations principally in its tributaries and trajectory. On the right side, the renal vein was double or triple in 38.79 per cent
Características microestructurales de la aleación AA6061 repujada
Authors: Oldani C. , Aguirre L. , Manzini R.
Published: November 2008

El proceso de repujado para la fabricación de tubos de aluminio ha sido muy poco estudiado, quizá debido al bajo tonelaje procesado por este método, lo que lo hace poco relevante frente a otros procesos de deformación plástica. Sin embargo, es un método económicamente competitivo para la fabricación de recipientes de presión livianos, consistentes en un liner de aleación de aluminio reforzado con fibra de vidrio. Los efectos producidos sobre la microestructura de una aleación de aluminio AA 6061 durante el proceso de repujado son poco conocidos. Sin embargo, los cambios pueden llevar a provocar o favorecer el agrietamiento (fisuración) de la aleación durante el proceso de deformación plástica. En este trabajo se estudian los cambios microestructurales producidos por la deformación plástica durante el repujado y el tratamiento térmicos final de un cilindro de aluminio y los efectos de las variables de procesamiento
Teste de vasorreatividade pulmonar
Authors: Oliveira Edmundo Clarindo , Amaral Carlos Faria Santos , Moura Marco Antonio , Campos Frederico Thadeu Assis Figueiredo , Pauperio Helder Machado
Published: November 2008

A hipertensão arterial pulmonar é classificada como idiopática ou secundária (associada a colagenoses, cardiopatias, hipertensão portal, tromboembolismo pulmonar e doenças da vasculatura pulmonar). O teste de vasorreatividade pulmonar é indicado para definir a melhor opção terapêutica. Muitas drogas têm sido utilizadas para a realização desse teste, sendo o óxido nítrico inalado a melhor opção, por apresentar ação específica pulmonar e meia vida muita curta (5-10 s). O resultado desse teste identifica candidatos à cirurgia cardíaca nas cardiopatias congênitas e candidatos ao uso de antagonista de cálcio nas outras formas de hipertensão pulmonar. A realização e interpretação do teste de vasorreatividade pulmonar exigem grande responsabilidade, e erros podem levar a decisões erradas e à ocorrência de óbitos.
Resistance of full-flow penetrometers in rate-dependent and strain-softening clay
Authors: Zhou H. , Randolph M. F.
Published: November 2008

Accurate determination of in situ shear strength using full-flow penetrometers (cylindrical T-bar and spherical ball) requires thorough investigation into soil characteristics such as strain rate dependency and strain softening, which have been shown to have a significant influence on the resistance factors relating penetration resistance to the soil shear strength measured in laboratory tests. In this paper, these effects have been quantified using a large deformation finite element technique, modelling both the strength enhancement owing to high strain rate and gradual degradation of soil during penetration disturbance. A parametric study confirmed that the separate factors quantifying effects of high strain rate and partial softening may be multiplied together to predict the combined effect, to derive a resistance factor for a given soil. Simple expressions are presented allowing the resistance factors for T-bar and ball penetrometers to be expressed as a function of rate and strain-softening parameters. By considering average strength conditions during penetration and extraction of these full-flow penetrometers, an approximate expression is derived that allows estimation of the hypothetical resistance factor with no strain-softening, and hence an initial estimate of the rate-dependency of the soil.
A multilaminate framework for modelling induced and inherent anisotropy of soils
Authors: Schweiger H. F. , Wiltafsky C. , Scharinger F. , Galavi V.
Published: November 2008

In this paper the basic features of a constitutive model for normally and lightly overconsolidated soils, based on the multilaminate framework, are discussed. Multilami-nate models simulate the stress–strain behaviour of a material by considering the response on so-called integration or sampling planes. Yield and plastic potential functions are expressed in terms of normal and shear stresses on these integration planes, and thus the mathematical formulations remain relatively simple even for complex strain-hardening/softening models. The model includes a deviatoric yield surface with a non-associated flow rule and a volumetric yield surface with an associated flow rule. Induced anisotropy and the effect of rotation of principal stress axes are intrinsically taken into account in multilaminate models without requiring additional material parameters. Inherent anisotropy can be modelled by introducing a structural tensor. A slight disadvantage of the multilaminate approach is that no function for a yield surface in three-dimensional stress space exists, and therefore comparison with other constitutive models is difficult on a visual basis. However, it is shown that the model produces approximately a Mohr–Coulomb failure surface in the deviatoric plane, which can be easily modified to incorporate anisotropic behaviour with respect to strength, providing a significant extension of the model. The influence of the integration rule on the obtained failure surface is discussed. Comparison with experimental data from a comprehensive series of stress-path-controlled triaxial tests on Poko clay shows the capability of the approach for modelling the mechanical behaviour of soft clays. The significant importance of the formulation of the flow rule on the model's performance for undrained triaxial stress paths is discussed by comparison with experimental data. Finally some results from a slope stability analysis are presented.
Environmental status of Manahara River, Kathmandu, Nepal
Authors: Bajracharya Ramita , Tamrakar Naresh Kazi
Published: November 2008

The Manahara River located in northeast part of the Kathmandu Valley has been disturbed for last one decade by several anthropogenic activities and natural causes thereby deteriorating its recreational functions and stream habitat. To obtain an existing environmental condition and disturbances of the river, the river was surveyed for its habitat, pollution level and surface water quality. Among the five representative segments of the river, the downstream segment (Sano Thimi) was scored into intermediate category showing more pollution and environmental deterioration compared to the upstream segments. Turbidity, electrical conductivity, chemical oxygen demand, biological oxygen demand and ammonia increase, whereas dissolved oxygen decreases from upstream to downstream with exponential functions. Aquatic lives like Garra sp. (Buduna), Schizothorax sp. (Asala), Channa sp. (Hiele) and Heteropneustes sp. (Singe) were observed except in downstream of the Jadibuti Bridge situated downstream from Sano Thimi stretch. Fish species were rare from the Jadibuti area most probably due to reduced dissoved oxygen (5 mg/l). Coliform bacteria ranged from 3000 to 4000 in the Manahara River showing high amount of bacterial contamination. Major disturbances, which affect river habitat and surface water quality of the Manahara River were destruction of riparian buffer zones, excavation excessive amount of sand from the river, encroachment of floodplains and bars, solid waste and sewer effluent, and tendency of landuse change. To retard environmental degradation of the Manahara River from the human-induced activities, local government needs to take immediate action.   doi: 10.3126/bdg.v10i0.1417 Bulletin of the Department of Geology, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal, Vol. 10, 2007, pp. 21-32
Contribution of Natural Inhibitors to the Understanding of the PI3K/PDK1/PKB Pathway in the Insulin-mediated Intracellular Signaling Cascade
Authors: Cho Jae Youl , Park Jongsun
Published: November 2008

The critical initial steps in insulin action include phosphorylation of adapter proteins and activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K). One of important components in this process is a protein called Akt/protein kinase B (PKB). The work of numerous different researchers indicates a role of PKB in regulating insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. The crucial role of lipid second messengers in PKB activation has been dissected through the use of the PI3K-specific inhibitors wortmannin and LY294002. Receptor-activated PI3K synthesizes the lipid second messenger PtdIns[3,4,5]-trisphosphate, leading to the recruitment of PKB to the membrane. Membrane attachment of PKB is mediated by its pleckstrin homology domain binding to PtdIns[3,4,5]-trisphosphate or PtdIns[3,4]-bisphosphate with high affinity. Activation of PKB alpha is then achieved at the plasma membrane by phosphorylation of Thr308 in the activation-loop of the kinase domain and Ser473 in the carboxy-terminal regulatory region, respectively. 3-Phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1 (PDK1) is responsible for T308 phosphorylation. The usage of specific inhibitors and natural compound has significantly contributed to investigate the molecular mechanism of PI3K/PDK1/PKB signaling pathway, leading to the putative therapeutics benefits of patients. This review focuses on the contribution of natural inhibitor or compound in our understanding of the mechanism by which insulin induces, especially in PI3K/ PDK1/PKB signaling.
Rapid Urban Mapping Using SAR/Optical Imagery Synergy
Authors: Corbane Christina , Faure Jean-François , Baghdadi Nicolas , Villeneuve Nicolas , Petit Michel
Published: November 2008

This paper highlights the potential of combining Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and optical data for operational rapid urban mapping. An algorithm consisting of a completely unsupervised procedure for processing pairs of co-registered SAR/optical images is proposed. In a first stage, a texture analysis is conducted independently on the two images using eight different chain-based Gaussian models. In a second stage, the resulting texture images are partitioned by an unsupervised fuzzy K-means approach. Finally, a fuzzy decision rule is used to aggregate the results provided by the classification of texture images obtained from the pair of SAR and optical images. The method was tested and validated on images of Bucharest (Romania) and Cayenne (French Guiana). These two study areas are of different terrain relief, urban settlement structure and land cover complexity. The data set included Radarsat-1/ENVISAT and SPOT-4/5 images. The developed SAR/optical information fusion scheme improved the capabilities of urban areas extraction when compared with the separate use of SAR and optical sensors. It also proved to be suitable for monitoring urbanization development. The encouraging results thus confirm the potential of combining information from SAR and optical sensors for timely urban area analysis, as required in cases of disaster management and planning in urban sprawl areas.
Mercury Determination in Fish Samples by Chronopotentiometric Stripping Analysis Using Gold Electrodes Prepared from Recordable CDs
Authors: Radulescu Maria-Cristina , Danet Andrei  Florin
Published: November 2008

A simple method for manufacturing gold working electrodes for chronopotentiometric stripping measurements from recordable CD-R’s is described. These gold electrodes are much cheaper than commercially available ones. The electrochemical behavior of such an electrode and the working parameters for mercury determination by chronopotentiometric stripping analysis were studied. Detection limit was 0.30 μg Hg/L and determination limit was 1.0 μg Hg/L for a deposition time of 600 s. Using the developed working electrodes it was possible to determine the total mercury in fish samples. A method for fish sample digestion was developed by using a mixture of fuming nitric acid and both concentrated sulfuric and hydrochloric acids. The recovery degree for a known amount of mercury introduced in the sample before digestion was 95.3% (n=4).
Growth Velocity and Interleukin 6 Concentrations in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Authors: SOUZA LETÍCIA S. , MACHADO SANDRA H. , BRENOL CLAITON V. , BRENOL JOÃO CARLOS T. , XAVIER RICARDO M.
Published: November 2008

Objective

To evaluate associations of growth velocity with inflammatory markers and cumulative dose of glucocorticoid in a cohort of patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) followed during 1 year.

Methods

Seventy-nine patients were evaluated. Disease activity was evaluated by a pediatric rheumatologist. Anthropometric data were classified according to the World Health Organization standards. Tanner growth velocity curves were used; values below the Z-score≤ −2 were considered low growth velocity. Serum concentrations of interleukin 6 (IL-6) were measured by ELISA, and values > 1 pg/ml were considered elevated.

Results

The prevalence of low growth velocity was 25.3%, and it was associated with active disease on followup visit, elevated IL-6, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein, and higher cumulative glucocorticoid doses. In the multiple linear regression with growth velocity as the dependent variable, only elevated IL-6 level was independently and negatively associated with growth velocity.

Conclusion

Low growth velocity is highly prevalent in children with JIA. Elevated IL-6 levels seem to have an important negative influence on growth in these children, while total glucocorticoid exposure appears to be a secondary factor.
Androgen Deficiency and Defective Intracrine Processing of Dehydroepiandrosterone in Salivary Glands in Sjögren’s Syndrome
Authors: POROLA PAULIINA , VIRKKI LIISA , PRZYBYLA BEATA D. , LAINE MIKAEL , PATTERSON TUCKER A. , PIHAKARI ANTTI , KONTTINEN YRJÖ T.
Published: November 2008

Objective

We hypothesized that in addition to dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) depletion, Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) is characterized by local androgen deficiency in salivary glands and defects in local processing of DHEA.

Methods

Sex steroid levels in serum and saliva were measured using enzyme immunoassays. Androgen effects on salivary gland cells were analyzed using the cysteine-rich secretory protein-3 (CRISP-3) androgen biomarker.

Results

Serum and salivary concentrations of androgens were low in SS. Substrate to end-product ratios and correlations suggest that in SS salivary glands DHEA is effectively converted to testosterone, but that there are defects in converting testosterone further to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). In healthy controls no such phenomenon was seen, but testosterone is effectively converted to DHT. Salivary glands contained type I 5-α-reductase, and its inhibition with dutasteride completely blocked the upregulating effect of DHEA, but not of DHT, on CRISP-3 in human salivary gland acinar cells.

Conclusion

DHEA and DHT upregulate CRISP-3, which is reportedly low in SS. The effect of DHEA on CRISP-3 is indirect and is inhibited by dutasteride, showing that there is intracrine processing of DHEA in salivary glands. In healthy glands, but not in SS, DHEA is effectively taken up and converted to DHT. Sex steroid concentrations in saliva in part reflect glandular uptake of DHEAsulfate and local intracrine DHEA metabolism, which seem to be defective in SS. Our study demonstrates a prominent androgen deficiency and a defect in intracrine production of active androgens in SS salivary glands, also suggesting that salivary DHT cannot be maintained at a normal level in this female-dominant autoimmune exocrinopathy.
Television and narratives: cultural identities in globalization age
Authors: Vassallo-de-Lopes Maria Immacolata
Published: November 2008

This paper describes a current research integrated in an international and interdisciplinary project and developed in a global environment between two different tendencies: integration and desintegration. In this scenary, television narrative arises as an essential tool to create and consolidate new cultural identities in order to get a popular narrative on the concept of nation.

El presente texto hace referencia a un estudio en curso1 que se enclava en un proyecto internacional de corte interdisciplinar y que se desarrolla en un escenario global caracterizado por la complejidad y la confrontación dialéctica existente entre las ambivalentes tendencias que se dan a favor de la integración o de la fragmentación. En este escenario, la narrativa televisiva surge como un instrumento determinante en la creación y consolidación de nuevas identidades culturales compartidas, configurándose como una narrativa popular sobre la nación.
Reception studies and cultural identity
Authors: Jacks Nilda
Published: November 2008

This article develops some aspects about my experience on the reception research focusing on some theoretical, empirical and methodological elements and having cultural identity as context. It considers identity as a constituent and at the same time as an element composed of the relationship between media and audience. It means that identity is taken as a mediation construct according to theories developed in Latin American. Three authors are important for this reflection: Martin-Barbero, Guillermo Orozco e Nestor García Canclini.

Este trabajo desarrolla algunos aspectos de la investigación en torno a la recepción de los mensajes televisivos considerando los elementos teóricos, empíricos y metodológicos, teniendo como contexto identidades culturales. Se trata de percibirla como elemento constituyente y constitutivo de las relaciones entre medios y audiencia, o sea, conceptualmente es tomada como mediación como apuntan las teorías desarrolladas en América Latina. Tres autores alimentan esta reflexión: Martín-Barbero, Guillermo Orozco y Néstor García Canclini.
The right to screens: from media education to educommunication in Brazil
Authors: de-Oliveira-Soares Ismar
Published: November 2008

Social organizations, local governments and the media in Brazil are confronting themselves over the need for an oversight board to guarantee quality television programming, and establishing a system to determine which television programs are appropriate for which television time slots. Across Brazil, a representative body of children and young adults have determined that the right to receive quality programming is not currently being met. Children of the new generation see themselves as having a right to access new technologies which enable them to produce their own messages according to their own creativity, interests, and social participation. This new generation wants to go beyond education in order to watch and conquer their «right to screens».

Organizaciones sociales, gobiernos y medios de comunicación se confrontan hoy en día en Brasil ante la necesidad de establecer un juicio sobre la calidad y la clasificación de los horarios de exhibición de programas televisivos. A su vez, en sus pequeños espacios, una cantidad representativa de niños y jóvenes de distintas partes del país han descubierto que su derecho a recibir una programación de calidad no es la suficiente. Desde ahí, la nueva generación se reconoce como portadora del derecho al acceso a las tecnologías y a la producción de mensajes, de acuerdo con su creatividad, interés y proyectos de vida en la sociedad. Los jóvenes quieren ir más allá de la educación para mirar los medios y conquistar el «derecho a la pantalla».
No more audiences, we all become producers
Authors: Rincón Omar
Published: November 2008

We can´t only be consumers, we must be citizens. This essay argues how audiences should become producers of messages that represent a culture of resistance, from its narrative and aesthetics needs, in order to find a place of sense in a world of screens. Hence, new audiences stop being just consumers to get the status of producers of their own screens. This is a contemporary, political, cultural, technological and communicative possibility. Today, we all have to become producers.

Ya no es posible sólo ser consumidores, nos toca ser ciudadanos. En este ensayo se argumenta cómo las audiencias deben convertirse en productoras de mensajes y en culturas de resistencia que desde sus estéticas, narrativas y necesidades encuentren un lugar en el mundo de las pantallas. Las audiencias nuevas dejan de ser consumidoras y pasan a ser productoras de sus propias pantallas; esa es la posibilidad política, comunicativa, cultural y tecnológica. Hoy todos devenimos productores.
Drog@ project: virtual learning communities
Authors: Tirado-Morueta Ramón , Méndez-Garrido Juan Manuel , Aguaded Ignacio
Published: November 2008

This paper describes the contributions developed by a Spanish-Portuguese Research Project called “Drog@” which tries to promote drugs prevention at University. The project uses virtual teaching-learning tools including Internet to make information and communication easier to students.

En este trabajo se describen las intervenciones desarrolladas por un proyecto de investigación hispano-luso denominado Drog@ y que ha consistido en promover en el ámbito de la educación universitaria algo tan necesario como la prevención en drogodependencias, mediante el uso de acciones formativas a través de entornos virtuales de enseñanza-aprendizaje y de la utilización de la Red para facilitar la información y la comunicación a los estudiantes.
TV as an instrument of moral education for democratic citizenship
Authors: Linde-Navas Antonio
Published: November 2008

Few means provide us with more controversial and interesting materials in a moral sense than television contents do nowadays. By showing many cases which involve a conflict of rights and values, it gives plenty of opportunities for moral reflection. It is a very valuable instrument since it offers us relevant present problems, which are also very easy to understand and motivating for young people. This paper is intended to make some suggestions in order to foster the didactic use of some television contents. More specifically, it is intended to show the possibilities that moral dilemmas offer for this purpose. Accordingly, I will put forward some dilemmas which have been built from television materials, as well as several indications for its didactic use and a field research example about them.

Pocos campos como el de los contenidos de la televisión suministran hoy día un material más controvertido e interesante desde un punto de vista moral. Al presentarnos casos de conflictos de valores y derechos, la TV ofrece muchas oportunidades para la reflexión moral. Se trata de un material estimable, con problemas relevantes y actuales, inteligibles y motivadores para los jóvenes. En este trabajo se hacen sugerencias para utilizar didácticamente algunos contenidos de la TV. Más concretamente, se intenta mostrar las posibilidades que tienen los dilemas morales. Se exponen varios dilemas construidos a partir de contenidos televisivos, así como indicaciones para su uso educativo y algún trabajo de campo sobre los mismos.
The right to the screen: from media education to educommunication in Brazil
Authors: de-Oliveira-Soares Ismar
Published: November 2008

Nowadays in Brazil, some social organizations, governments and mass media are discussing the need to establish an oversight committee to guarantee the quality of television programmes, as well as the need to set a system to determine what kind of program is appropriate for every television time slot. Across Brazil, a representative body of children and young people have come to the conclusion that the right to receive quality television programmes is not enough. The children of the new generations think they have the right to access new technologies and the production of their own messages, in accordance with their own creativity, interests and lifestyle projects within society.

Es ya tradicional que organizaciones sociales, administraciones políticas, educadores y medios de comunicación debatan en Brasil la necesidad de cuestionar la calidad de los programas televisivos y la necesaria discusión sobre los horarios de exhibición. Pero además de este permanente y creciente debate, por primera vez, una cantidad representativa de niños y jóvenes de distintas partes del país han comenzado a reclamar ellos mismos el derecho de recibir una programación de calidad. Las nuevas generaciones comienzan a reconocer sus derechos al acceso a las tecnologías y a la producción de mensajes, en virtud a su creatividad, formación y proyectos de vida en la sociedad.
Watching TV with family
Authors: Matos Armanda
Published: November 2008

Nowadays television plays an important role in the socialization of children and adolescents, by making available a wide range of models of behaviour. However, watching television is an activity that takes place, mainly, in a family context. Therefore, the family has an important mediating role. A study conducted in Coimbra with students from the 4th, 6th and 8th grades, suggests that family mediation should be more intentional and more frequent, in order to promote the development of active and critical TV viewers.

La televisión desempeña un papel fundamental en la socialización de la infancia, proporcionando desde muy pronto un amplio repertorio de pautas de conductas. La familia es el primer contexto en el que se genera el contacto con el medio televisivo. En este trebajo se recoge un estudio realizado en la ciudad portuguesa de Coimbra, con alumnos de 4, 6 y 8 años, a través de un cuestionario de hábitos televisivo, cin una muestra de 820 alumnos en el que se concluye que la televisión debería ser un instrumento más rentabilizado en la familia con fines educativos. A televisão desempenha um papel fundamental na socialização das crianças, proporcionando desde cedo um amplo leque de modelos de comportamento. A família é o primeiro contexto em que o contacto com este medium ocorre, pelo que deve constituir-se como mediadora da relação que a criança estabelece com a televisão. Um estudo efectuado em Coimbra, com alunos dos 4º, 6º e 8º anos, sugere que o uso da televisão pela família pode e deve ser mais rentabilizado pa a fins educativos.
Watching TV with visual impaired children
Authors: Rodríguez-Fuentes Antonio
Published: November 2008

Unfortunately for visual impaired people, our society is characterised by the exaltation of the image and audiovisual media with a strong visual component. In spite of this there are means already available to make possible a complete access to the visual culture, in particular to mass media. Accessible or universal design allows us sometimes to break the visual sense barriers (for people with impaired vision), and some other times to develop alternative senses (for blind people). Nevertheless, reality does not match the technical and technological possibilities available in present day society.

Lamentablemente para las personas con discapacidad visual, la sociedad actual se caracteriza por la exaltación de la imagen y los medios audiovisuales, con fuerte componente visual. A pesar de ello, existen ya medios para ir haciendo posible el acceso íntegro a la cultura visual a las personas con deficiencias, haciéndolas partícipes del universo que representan los medios de comunicación. El diseño accesible o universal permite romper las barreras del sentido visual (para las personas con baja visión) o desarrollar sentidos alternativos (para la ceguera). Sin embargo, el autor constata que la realidad, por desgracia, aún no se corresponde con las posibilidades técnicas y tecnológicas que ofrecen los avances técnicos.
Monitoring and control of unconsciousness during clinical surgery: Auditory evoked potentials (AEP) versus the clinical gold standard (CGS)
Authors: Mahfouf M. , Backory J. , Abbod M. F. , Nunes C. S. , Linkens D. A.
Published: November 2008

Much has been said and written about the ‘monitoring’ and ‘control’ of depth of anaesthesia (DOA) in the last three decades or so, so much that the theme itself is becoming rathercliché. This does not, in any way, mean that the subject is trivial or ‘passé’ but merely reinforces the fact that it is rather challenging and full ofpitfallssince it can also form the ideal test‐bed for hardware/software innovations relating to signal processing and closed‐loop control. While this was taking place in the four corners of the world, the medical as well as the engineering research communities were learning more and more of how far they could stretch the boundaries of such technologies in clinical situations when it came to achieving ‘adequate anaesthesia’. In order to explore the powerful dichotomy associated with monitoring and control this paper will attempt to take the reader on an exploration journey, which starts with a rather simplistic (conservative) approach to closed‐loop control of DOA via the monitoring of arterial blood pressure (the clinical gold standard—CGS approach or part of) followed by the more involved ‘route’, which implicates the use of audio‐evoked potentials, which are normally extracted from the EEG signals. In addition to highlighting the merits/limitations of the above two techniques, this paper will also identify a list of worthwhile pointers to future research in monitoring and control of DOA. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of β‐Peptides with β‐Helices from New C‐Linked Carbo‐β‐Amino Acids: Study on the Impact of Carbohydrate Side Chains
Authors: Sharma Gangavaram V. M. , Rao Kota Sudhakar , Ravi Rapolu , Narsimulu Kongari , Nagendar Pendem , Chandramouli Chirutha , Kumar Singarapu Kiran , Kunwar Ajit C.
Published: November 2008

The design and synthesis of β‐peptides from new C‐linked carbo‐β‐amino acids (β‐Caa) presented here, provides an opportunity to understand the impact of carbohydrate side chains on the formation and stability of helical structures. The β‐amino acids, Boc‐(S)‐β‐Caa(g)‐OMe 1 and Boc‐(R)‐β‐Caa(g)‐OMe 2, having a D‐galactopyranoside side chain were prepared from D‐galactose. Similarly, the homo C‐linked carbo‐β‐amino acids (β‐hCaa); Boc‐(S)‐β‐hCaa(x)‐OMe 3 and Boc‐(R)‐β‐hCaa(x)‐OMe 4, were prepared from D‐glucose. The peptides derived from the above monomers were investigated by NMR, CD, and MD studies. The β‐peptides, especially the shorter ones obtained from the epimeric (at the amine stereocenter Cβ) 1 and 2 by the concept of alternating chirality, showed a much smaller propensity to form 10/12‐helices. This substantial destabilization of the helix could be attributed to the bulkier D‐galactopyranoside side chain. Our efforts to prepare peptides with alternating 3 and 4 were unsuccessful. However, the β‐peptides derived from alternating geometrically heterochiral (at Cβ) 4 and Boc‐(R)‐β‐Caa(x)‐OMe 5 (D‐xylose side chain) display robust right‐handed 10/12‐helices, while the mixed peptides with alternating 4 and Boc‐β‐hGly‐OMe 6 (β‐homoglycine), resulted in left‐handed β‐helices. These observations show a distinct influence of the side chains on helix formation as well as their stability.
Energy Flow in a Purpose‐Built Cascade Molecule Bearing Three Distinct Chromophores Attached to the Terminal Acceptor
Authors: Harriman Anthony , Mallon Laura , Ziessel Raymond
Published: November 2008

A multicomponent cluster has been synthesised in which four disparate chromophores have been covalently linked through a logical arrangement that favours efficient photon collection and migration to a terminal emitter. The primary energy acceptor is a boron dipyrromethene (Bodipy) dye and different polycyclic aryl hydrocarbons have been substituted in place of the regular fluorine atoms attached to the boron centre. The first such unit is perylene, linked to boron through a 1,4‐diethynylphenyl unit, which collects photons in the 320–490 nm region. The other photon collector is pyrene, also connected to the boron centre by a 1,4‐diethynylphenyl spacer and absorbing strongly in the 280–420 nm region, which itself is equipped with an ethynylfluorene residue that absorbs in the UV region. Illumination into any of the polycyclic aryl hydrocarbons results in emission from the Bodipy unit. The rates of intramolecular electronic energy transfer have been determined from time‐correlated, single‐photon counting studies and compared with the rates for Coulombic interactions computed from the Förster expression. It has been necessary to allow for i) a more complex screening potential, ii) multipole–multipole coupling, iii) an extended transition dipole moment vector and iv) bridge‐mediated energy transfer. The bridge‐mediated energy transfer includes both modulation of the donor transition dipole vector by bridge states and Dexter‐type electron exchange. The latter is a consequence of the excellent electronic coupling properties of the 1,4‐diethynylphenyl spacer unit. The net result is a large antenna effect that localises the photon density at the primary acceptor without detracting from its highly favourable photophysical properties.
Toluene Dioxygenase‐Catalyzed Synthesis of cis‐Dihydrodiol Metabolites from 2‐Substituted Naphthalene Substrates: Assignments of Absolute Configurations and Conformations from Circular Dichroism and Optical Rotation Measurements
Authors: Kwit Marcin , Gawronski Jacek , Boyd Derek R. , Sharma Narain D. , Kaik Magdalena , More O'Ferrall Rory A. , Kudavalli Jaya S.
Published: November 2008

cis‐Dihydrodiol metabolites have been isolated from naphthalene and six 2‐substituted naphthalene substrates. Their structures and absolute configurations have been determined by a combination of calculated (TDDFT) and experimentally based circular dichroism (CD) and optical rotation (OR) methods. The “inverse” styrene helicity rule is shown to be incorrect for the interpretation of the CD spectra of cis‐dihydrodiols. A striking conclusion is that CD spectra correlate directly with the helicity of the styrene chromophore: that is, the sign of the long‐wavelength Cotton effect is identical with the sign of styrene torsion angle, whereas the OR sign is dependent on the absolute configuration of the allylic carbon atom. The results demonstrate that a predictive model previously used for the determination of preferred regio‐ and stereoselectivity associated with TDO‐catalyzed cis‐dihydroxylation of substituted benzene substrates can now be successfully extended to substituted naphthalene substrates.
The Electrostatic Origin of Low‐Hydration Polymorphism in DNA
Authors: Mazur Alexey K.
Published: November 2008

In recent years, significant progress has been made towards uncovering the physical mechanisms of low‐hydration polymorphism in double‐helical DNA. The effect appears to be mechanistically similar in different biological systems, and it is due to the ability of water to form spanning H‐bonded networks around biomacromolecules via a quasi‐two‐dimensional percolation transition. In the case of DNA, disintegration of the spanning H‐bonded network leads to electrostatic condensation of DNA strands because, below the percolation threshold, water loses its high dielectric permittivity, whereas the concentration of neutralizing counterions becomes high. In this Concept article arguments propose that this simple electrostatic mechanism represents the universal origin of low‐hydration polymorphism in DNA.
Molecular Orbital Interpretation of Magic Clusters with Non‐Magic Numbers
Authors: Kim Hyemi , Jung Jaehoon , Han Young‐Kyu
Published: November 2008

Why are they magical? Mixed‐metal clusters have very different electronic properties from simple metal clusters. The large MO splitting and reordering of Al clusters by Cs doping render the jellium description invalid and are responsible for the magic nature of the highly symmetric Al12Cs− and Al11Cs2− clusters (see picture).

magnified image
Generating 2n‐wing attractors from Lorenz‐like systems
Authors: Yu Simin , Tang Wallace K. S. , Lü Jinhu , Chen Guanrong
Published: November 2008

In this paper, the existence of 2n‐wing chaotic attractors in a family of Lorenz‐like systems is confirmed by both numerical simulation and circuit realization. By replacing a nonlinear cross‐product or square term in an original Lorenz‐like system with a newly designed multi‐segment quadratic function, multi‐wing attractor can be generated. The main design idea is to increase the number of index‐2 equilibrium points of the system. This approach can not only generate multi‐wing attractors in different Lorenz‐like systems, but can also allow the flexibility in specifying a precise number of wings to be created. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.