bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic Elimination of GABAergic Neurotransmission Reveals Two Distinct Pacemakers for Spontaneous Waves of Activity in the Developing Mouse Cortex
Authors: Easton Curtis R. , Weir Keiko , Scott Adina , Moen Samantha P. , Barger Zeke , Folch Albert , Hevner Robert F. , Moody William J.
Published: March 2014

Many structures of the mammalian CNS generate propagating waves of electrical activity early in development. These waves are essential to CNS development, mediating a variety of developmental processes, such as axonal outgrowth and pathfinding, synaptogenesis, and the maturation of ion channel and receptor properties. In the mouse cerebral cortex, waves of activity occur between embryonic day 18 and postnatal day 8 and originate in pacemaker circuits in the septal nucleus and the piriform cortex. Here we show that genetic knock-out of the major synthetic enzyme for GABA, GAD67, selectively eliminates the picrotoxin-sensitive fraction of these waves. The waves that remain in the GAD67 knock-out have a much higher probability of propagating into the dorsal neocortex, as do the picrotoxin-resistant fraction of waves in controls. Field potential recordings at the point of wave initiation reveal different electrical signatures for GABAergic and glutamatergic waves. These data indicate that: (1) there are separate GABAergic and glutamatergic pacemaker circuits within the piriform cortex, each of which can initiate waves of activity; (2) the glutamatergic pacemaker initiates waves that preferentially propagate into the neocortex; and (3) the initial appearance of the glutamatergic pacemaker does not require preceding GABAergic waves. In the absence of GAD67, the electrical activity underlying glutamatergic waves shows greatly increased tendency to burst, indicating that GABAergic inputs inhibit the glutamatergic pacemaker, even at stages when GABAergic pacemaker circuitry can itself initiate waves.
Placebo-Induced Changes in Excitatory and Inhibitory Corticospinal Circuits during Motor Performance
Authors: Fiorio Mirta , Emadi Andani Mehran , Marotta Angela , Classen Joseph , Tinazzi Michele
Published: March 2014

Despite behavioral evidence showing placebo modulations of motor performance, the neurophysiological underpinnings of these effects are still unknown. By applying transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) over the primary motor cortex, we investigated whether a placebo modulation of force could change the excitability of the corticospinal system. Healthy human volunteers performed a motor task by pressing a piston as strongly as possible with the right index finger. Two experimental groups were instructed that treatment with peripheral low-frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) applied on the first dorsal interosseus would induce force enhancement. One experimental group was conditioned about the effects of TENS with a surreptitious amplification of the visual feedback signaling the force level. The other group, instead, was only verbally influenced, without conditioning. At the end of the instructive placebo procedure, the two experimental groups reached higher levels of force, believed that TENS had been effective and expected to perform better compared with two control groups, who were not influenced about TENS. Moreover, the experimental groups presented enhanced excitability of the corticospinal system in the muscle specifically involved in the task (first dorsal interosseus), as shown by increased amplitude of the motor evoked potentials and decreased duration of the cortical silent period (the latter only in the conditioned group). Crucially, the TMS pulse was delivered when all the subjects exerted the same amount of force, ruling out bottom-up influences. These findings hint at a top-down, cognitive enhancement of corticospinal excitability as a neural signature of placebo modulation of motor performance.
Behaviorally Gated Reduction of Spontaneous Discharge Can Improve Detection Thresholds in Auditory Cortex
Authors: Buran Bradley N. , von Trapp Gardiner , Sanes Dan H.
Published: March 2014

Animals often listen selectively for particular sounds, a strategy that could alter neural encoding mechanisms to maximize the ability to detect the target. Here, we recorded auditory cortex neuron responses in well trained, freely moving gerbils as they performed a tone detection task. Each trial was initiated by the animal, providing a predictable time window during which to listen. No sound was presented on nogo trials, permitting us to assess spontaneous activity on trials in which a signal could have been expected, but was not delivered. Immediately after animals initiated a trial, auditory cortex neurons displayed a 26% reduction in spontaneous activity. Moreover, when stimulus-driven discharge rate was referenced to this reduced baseline, a larger fraction of auditory cortex neurons displayed a detection threshold within 10 dB of the behavioral threshold. These findings suggest that auditory cortex spontaneous discharge rate can be modulated transiently during task performance, thereby increasing the signal-to-noise ratio and enhancing signal detection.
Excitatory Synaptic Inputs to Mouse On-Off Direction-Selective Retinal Ganglion Cells Lack Direction Tuning
Authors: Park Silvia J.H. , Kim In-Jung , Looger Loren L. , Demb Jonathan B. , Borghuis Bart G.
Published: March 2014

Direction selectivity represents a fundamental visual computation. In mammalian retina, On-Off direction-selective ganglion cells (DSGCs) respond strongly to motion in a preferred direction and weakly to motion in the opposite, null direction. Electrical recordings suggested three direction-selective (DS) synaptic mechanisms: DS GABA release during null-direction motion from starburst amacrine cells (SACs) and DS acetylcholine and glutamate release during preferred direction motion from SACs and bipolar cells. However, evidence for DS acetylcholine and glutamate release has been inconsistent and at least one bipolar cell type that contacts another DSGC (On-type) lacks DS release. Here, whole-cell recordings in mouse retina showed that cholinergic input to On-Off DSGCs lacked DS, whereas the remaining (glutamatergic) input showed apparent DS. Fluorescence measurements with the glutamate biosensor intensity-based glutamate-sensing fluorescent reporter (iGluSnFR) conditionally expressed in On-Off DSGCs showed that glutamate release in both On- and Off-layer dendrites lacked DS, whereas simultaneously recorded excitatory currents showed apparent DS. With GABA-A receptors blocked, both iGluSnFR signals and excitatory currents lacked DS. Our measurements rule out DS release from bipolar cells onto On-Off DSGCs and support a theoretical model suggesting that apparent DS excitation in voltage-clamp recordings results from inadequate voltage control of DSGC dendrites during null-direction inhibition. SAC GABA release is the apparent sole source of DS input onto On-Off DSGCs.
Shaping Memory Accuracy by Left Prefrontal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
Authors: Zwissler Bastian , Sperber Christoph , Aigeldinger Sina , Schindler Sebastian , Kissler Johanna , Plewnia Christian
Published: March 2014

Human memory is dynamic and flexible but is also susceptible to distortions arising from adaptive as well as pathological processes. Both accurate and false memory formation require executive control that is critically mediated by the left prefrontal cortex (PFC). Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) enables noninvasive modulation of cortical activity and associated behavior. The present study reports that tDCS applied to the left dorsolateral PFC (dlPFC) shaped accuracy of episodic memory via polaritiy-specific modulation of false recognition. When applied during encoding of pictures, anodal tDCS increased whereas cathodal stimulation reduced the number of false alarms to lure pictures in subsequent recognition memory testing. These data suggest that the enhancement of excitability in the dlPFC by anodal tDCS can be associated with blurred detail memory. In contrast, activity-reducing cathodal tDCS apparently acted as a noise filter inhibiting the development of imprecise memory traces and reducing the false memory rate. Consistently, the largest effect was found in the most active condition (i.e., for stimuli cued to be remembered). This first evidence for a polarity-specific, activity-dependent effect of tDCS on false memory opens new vistas for the understanding and potential treatment of disturbed memory control.
Cu2ZnSnSe4 thin films prepared by selenization of precursor evaporated from Cu2ZnSnSe4 and Na2Se
Authors: Nakashima Mitsuki , Yamaguchi Toshiyuki , Izaki Masanobu
Published: March 2014

Cu2ZnSnSe4 thin films were prepared by using the synthesized Cu2ZnSnSe4 ingot and Na2Se powder at various Na2Se/Cu2ZnSnSe4 mole ratio as evaporation materials for selenization process. From EPMA analysis, the composition was approximately constant even if the Na2Se/Cu2ZnSnSe4 mole ratio increased. X-ray diffraction studies revealed that the thin films had a kesterite Cu2ZnSnSe4 structure and the foreign phases disappeared with increasing the Na2Se/Cu2ZnSnSe4 mole ratio. The Na2Se addition enhanced to grow thin films having a close-packed structure and columnar grains. The values of Voc and Isc in Cu2ZnSnSe4 thin film solar cells increased with increasing the Na2Se/Cu2ZnSnSe4 mole ratio.
A Short History of the (Muslim) Veil
Authors: Behiery Valerie
Published: March 2014

The concept of implicit religion recognizes the many connections between the secular and the religious, unlike mainstream social narratives that continue to oppose them. Understanding that religious and non-religious worldviews both fulfil the human need for meaning and that they are equally capable of becoming intransigent ideologies, is ever more critical because of the instrumentalization of the religious-secular divide in present- day domestic and international politics. Modernity’s dualism possesses global ramifications; by conflating Western identity and progress with secularism, it painted the rest of the world—particularly the Orient—with the brush of religion and backwardness. The Muslim veil has constituted a symbol to denote Muslim religious fanaticism and misogyny, in contrast to Western freedom, feminism and democracy. Its constitutive role in producing modern Western self-identity, through contradistinction, explains the continued debates on Muslim veiling practices, as well as the tenacity of the veil sign. This article traces the history of the veil with the aim of simultaneously charting and unpacking its reification in Western contexts.
The Veiled Muslim Woman as Subject in Contemporary Art
Authors: Behiery Valerie
Published: March 2014

That the veil sign often operates to deny both veiled and unveiled Muslim women their status as subjects implies that references to veiled subjectivity propose an alternative vision. This article examines representations of the veil in contemporary art that displace Western mainstream perceptions by effectively portraying veiled Muslim women as subjects, therefore laying claim to the transformative capacity of selfhood and image. These representations are intimately linked to the phenomenon of globalization in that their recent visibility is due both to artists looking and working through another gaze/cultural screen and to a shift in the Western art apparatus that now exhibits their work. While they relate to other types of images of the veil in contemporary art in that they implicitly contextualize the veil and challenge the stereotypes surrounding it, they differ in that they are neither nostalgic nor contestatory. Rather, the art works discussed, relating to location, autobiography and the desire to document, are rooted in daily life and memory. Their pictorial language is not alien to Western visual culture, making their novel depictions of veiled women, and thus by extension their and the veil’s diversity, more salient.
(Re)Envisioning the Veil
Authors: Feder Samantha
Published: March 2014

This article examines some of the many shifting meanings of the veil within monotheistic religions and secular societies. Focusing on women’s head-coverings within Hasidic Jewish communities, the practice of veiling within Christianity as demonstrated by the habit worn by Catholic nuns, and headscarves as adopted by some Muslim women, I explore how these modes of dress can be read as forms of resistance, of subverting sexual objectification, and as ways to gain access to the public sphere. By drawing comparisons across the main three monotheistic religions, I work to challenge colonial narratives which predominantly single out Islamic headscarves, while ignoring other existing practices of women’s headcoverings in Jewish and Christian communities. Ultimately, this paper aims to situate perspectives from Judaism, Christianity and Islam in conversation with each other, so as to broaden dominant interpretations of veiling practices.
More Than Just a Piece of Cloth
Authors: Sinclair Stefanie
Published: March 2014

This article highlights the blurred and often confused nature of the distinction between religious, cultural and political issues, within debates around the legal regulation of Muslim women’s dress codes. It focuses on party-political debates in Germany about female Muslim state school teachers’ right to wear, or duty to remove, a hijab, and highlights implicit assumptions about the role of religion in German culture, politics, legislation, education and notions of citizenship that have informed this debate.
Grammatical variation in English worldwide
Authors: Collins Peter
Published: March 2014

Colloquialization – the increasing acceptance of colloquial features, particularly in more formal genres – has been a powerful discourse pragmatic agent of grammatical change in English since the mid-twentieth century. Studies of recent diachronic change in British and American English (e.g. Leech et al., 2009) suggest that it has played a role in the rising popularity of several grammatical categories, including the quasi-modals (have to, be going to, want to, etc.), and the get-passive. Such developments have rarely been investigated beyond British and American English, a gap which has prompted the present exploration of the impact of colloquialization on a number of grammatical features (quasi-modals, get-passives, first person plural imperatives, there-existentials, and progressives) across a range of World Englishes of both the ‘Inner Circle’ and the ‘Outer Circle’. The study – which is based on a set of parallel contemporary corpora – is synchronic, but the comparison of frequencies across spoken and written genres provides apparent-time insights into diachronic processes of change. Data are drawn from a number of sources, including the International Corpus of English and the ‘Brown family’ of corpora.
Phylogenesis of the Dreamtime
Authors: Rose David
Published: March 2014

The aim of this paper is to sketch some possible correlations between phases in the development of languages in Australia, and phases in the archaeological record of people in the continent. The technique is to compare Australian language groupings, at the scales of phylum, family, group, language and dialect, with events in the climatic and archaeological history of the continent. The emerging historical account is also correlated with other evidence from linguistics, anthropology and mythology, to identify four broad historical phases associated with expansions and contractions of resources and human populations. Universalist maxims about rates of language and cultural change are challenged by these data, suggesting that rates of change in Australia may have been considerably slower than rates in Europe, where such maxims originate. It is argued that this gradual change is more consistent with Aboriginal communities’ own accounts of their histories.
A mysterious music in the air
Authors: Devine Kyle
Published: March 2014

Loudspeakers are everywhere in the built environment. Indeed, music, sound, and listening today are arguably defined by their apparently inevitable mediation by an electronically amplified loudspeaker. But it wasn’t always so. When and how did that transformation take place? What was its musical and cultural significance? Whereas popular and historical accounts tend to emphasize the concentricity of the loudspeaker and rock music, this article roots such developments in an essential but under-researched prehistory, showing how the loudspeaker went from an incredible novelty to a predictable ubiquity between 1915 and 1940. I sketch the loudspeaker’s early history and offer an assessment of its role in twentieth-century musical and acoustic culture. I suggest that the loudspeaker needs to be understood as a cultural technology in a broader history of sound, and that it played a central role in the formation of modern listening.
Whose home; which island?
Authors: Stratton Jon
Published: March 2014

‘My Island Home’ has become a well-known musical assertion of Australian identity. Written in 1985 by Neil Murray, the song originally described the situation of the lead singer of the predominantly Indigenous Warumpi Band, George Burarrwanga, who had moved from Elcho Island in Arnhem Land to Papunya, a community west of Alice Springs. The song was subsequently popularized to a mainstream, settler Australian audience in two versions released by Christine Anu, who sang a revised version which identified Australia itself as the island home at the Sydney Olympics Closing Ceremony in 2000. This article tracks the history of versions of ‘My Island Home’ up to that by Tiddas which closes the film Radiance, released in 1998. The article argues that central to the growing popularity of ‘My Island Home’ among both Indigenous and settler Australians was the increasing recognition of land rights and, correspondingly, the anxieties this caused among the dominant population.
Ideology and Narrative in Religiously Inspired Terrorism
Authors: James Rob
Published: March 2014

This article conducts case studies of Hamas and al-Qaeda before moving into a generalised discussion of religion and terrorism and especially suicide terrorism. It finds that religion does indeed have a role to play in the development and enactment of terrorism. However, this is deemed to be at the level of enabling and aggravating. Religion is found to be good at binding groups together via a narrative and with the assistance of ritual, but it is proposed that ideology and doctrine are relatively unimportant. Moreover, religion is not the ultimate cause, as the groups that carry out such attacks exist for non-religious, political reasons. Religion has particular effects and depending on the circumstances in which they are applied, the outcome can be radically different.
Apostles of Reason: The Crisis of Authority in American Evangelism, by Molly Worthen
Authors: Caufield Catherine
Published: March 2014

Apostles of Reason: The Crisis of Authority in American Evangelism, by Molly Worthen. Oxford University Press, 2014. 352 pp., $27.95 ISBN-13: 9780199896462.
Validity Evidence for the Reduced Version of the Young Parenting Inventory (YPI)
Authors: Valentini Felipe , Alchieri Joao Carlos , Laros Jacob Arie
Published: March 2014

To gain more insight in family processes, psychometrically tests are required. The present study aimed to adapt a reduced version of the Young Parenting Inventory (YPI) to the Portuguese language and to obtain evidence of its validity. The instrument was administered to a sample of 920 persons (59% female) with an average age of 21.3 years. Exploratory factor analysis indicated the existence of five factors explaining approximately 45% of the variance. Confirmatory factor analysis showed fit indices above.80. In comparison with other models, the five factor model showed a better fit to the data. Between the YPI and Familiograma (another test of family processes) moderate correlations were observed. The results of this study suggest satisfactory evidence of the validity for the YPI in Brazil.
Predictors of Sensitivity in Mothers of 8-Month-Old Infants
Authors: Alvarenga Patricia , Dazzani Maria Virginia Machado , Lordelo Eulina da Rocha , Alfaya Cristiane Ajnamei dos Santos , Piccinini Cesar Augusto
Published: March 2014

This longitudinal study investigated the impact of maternal mental health, including postpartum depression, and of maternal-fetal attachment, on maternal sensitivity when babies were eight months old. The study included 38 mother-infant dyads. The women answered the SRQ-20 and the Maternal-Fetal Attachment Scale in the third trimester of pregnancy, and the BDI, for evaluation of postpartum depression in the first month following birth. Maternal sensitivity was examined through an observation of mother-child interaction when babies were eight months old. The multiple regression model considering the three factors explained 18.6% of the variance in sensitivity, and only maternal-fetal attachment was a significant predictor. The results indicate the importance of interventions to promote the bond of pregnant women with their babies, which may even minimize possible harmful effects of postpartum depression on mother-child interaction.
Levels of Phonological Awareness, Working Memory, and Lexical Knowledge in Elementary School Children
Authors: Bandini Heloisa Helena Motta , Santos Flavia Heloisa , Souza Deisy das Gracas de
Published: March 2014

Relationships between oral language, phonological awareness, and working memory have been empirically demonstrated, however, phonological awareness encompasses different abilities, assessed at different levels. The present study investigated the possible associations between specific phonological awareness abilities and phonological working memory in first-grade students. In the initial phase ( n = 254), the study evaluated the abilities of phonological awareness and phonological working memory and found a high positive correlation between these abilities, thus confirming the findings of previous studies. The second phase ( n = 12) evaluated the vocabulary of individuals who, in the initial phase, showed low or high working memory and phonological awareness scores. Students with low working memory and low phonological awareness capacities had low scores in expressive language abilities, suggesting that phonological working memory may have direct effects on lexical knowledge. These results contribute to the understanding of the relationships investigated in this study and have important implications for planning teaching strategies.
Personal Well-Being and Family Interactions of Working Couples With Preschool Children: A Correlational Study
Authors: Coser Danila Secolim , Martinez Claudia Maria Simoes , Pamplin Renata Christian de Oliveira
Published: March 2014

This study’s objective was to verify potential relationships among personal well-being, parental practices, and interactions between parents and preschool children reported by working fathers and mothers ( n = 120, 60 couples) from a city in the interior of São Paulo, Brazil. Data were collected using the Questionnaire on family and professional lives. Three scales were selected for data analysis: well-being; interaction between parents and children; and family life. Statistical tests (One-Way ANOVA and Pearson’s correlation coefficient) showed negative correlations between child-rearing practices and health problems reported by parents. Positive correlations were also found between reported parental interactions and child-rearing practices. Parental practices and interactions between parents and children varied according to the number of children (one or two).
EVALUATION OF ANTIMICROBIAL AND CYTOTOXIC ACTIVITIES OF PLANT EXTRACTS FROM SOUTHERN MINAS GERAIS CERRADO
Authors: Chavasco Juliana Moscardini , Prado E Feliphe Barbara Helena Muniz , Cerdeira Claudio Daniel , Leandro Fabricio Damasceno , Coelho Luiz Felipe Leomil , Silva Jeferson Junior da , Chavasco Jorge Kleber , Dias Amanda Latercia Tranches
Published: March 2014

The antimicrobial activity of plant hidroethanolic extracts on bacteria Gram positive, Gram negative, yeasts, Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37 and Mycobacterium bovis was evaluated by using the technique of Agar diffusion and microdilution in broth. Among the extracts evaluated by Agar diffusion, the extract of Bidens pilosa leaf presented the most expressive average of haloes of growth inhibition to the microorganisms, followed by the extract of B. pilosa flower, of Eugenia pyriformis' leaf and seed, of Plinia cauliflora leaf which statistically presented the same average of haloes inhibitory formation on bacteria Gram positive, Gram negative and yeasts. The extracts of Heliconia rostrata did not present activity. Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37 and Mycobacterium bovis (BCG) appeared resistant to all the extracts. The susceptibility profile of Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae fungi were compared to one another and to the Gram positive Bacillus subtilis, Enterococcus faecalis and the Gram negative Salmonella typhimurium bacteria (p > 0.05). The evaluation of cytotoxicity was carried out on C6-36 larvae cells of the Aedes albopictus mosquito. The extracts of stem and flower of Heliconia rostrata, leaf and stem of Plinia cauliflora, seed of Anonna crassiflora and stem, flower and root of B. pilosa did not present toxicity in the analyzed concentrations. The highest rates of selectivity appeared in the extracts of stem of A. crassiflora and flower of B. pilosa to Staphylococcus aureus, presenting potential for future studies about a new drug development.
DISTINCT CELLULAR MIGRATION INDUCED BY Leishmania infantum chagasi AND SALIVA FROM Lutzomyia longipalpis IN A HEMORRHAGIC POOL MODEL
Authors: Vasconcelos Camila Oliveira , Coelho Zirlane C. Branco , Chaves Cristina de Souza , Teixeira Clarissa Romero , Pompeu Margarida M. Lima , Teixeira Maria Jania
Published: March 2014

Recruitment of a specific cell population after Leishmania infection can influence the outcome of the disease. Cellular migration in response to Leishmania or vector saliva has been reported in air pouch model, however, cellular migration induced by Leishmania associated with host's blood and vector saliva in this model has not been described. Herein we investigated cellular migration into air pouch of hamster after stimulation with combination of L. chagasi and host's blood and Lutzomyia longipalpis saliva. Migration induced by saliva was 3-fold more than those induced by L. chagasi alone. Additionally, L. chagasi associated with blood and saliva induced significantly even more leukocytes into air pouch than Leishmania alone. L. chagasi recruited a diverse cell population; however, most of these cells seem to have not migrated to the inflammatory exudate, remaining in the pouch lining tissue. These results indicate that L. chagasi can reduce leukocyte accumulation to the initial site of infection, and when associated with vector saliva in the presence of blood components, increase the influx of more neutrophils than macrophages, suggesting that the parasite has developed a strategy to minimize the initial inflammatory response, allowing an unlimited progression within the host. This work reinforces the importance of studies on the salivary components of sand fly vectors of leishmaniasis in the transmission process and the establishment of the infection.
Fasciola hepatica IN BOVINES IN BRAZIL: DATA AVAILABILITY AND SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION
Authors: Bennema Sita C. , Scholte Ronaldo Guilherme Carvalho , Molento Marcelo Beltrao , Medeiros Camilla , Carvalho Omar dos Santos
Published: March 2014

Fasciolosis is a disease of importance for both veterinary and public health. For the first time, georeferenced prevalence data of Fasciola hepatica in bovines were collected and mapped for the Brazilian territory and data availability was discussed. Bovine fasciolosis in Brazil is monitored on a Federal, State and Municipal level, and to improve monitoring it is essential to combine the data collected on these three levels into one dataset. Data were collected for 1032 municipalities where livers were condemned by the Federal Inspection Service (MAPA/SIF) because of the presence of F. hepatica. The information was distributed over 11 states: Espírito Santo, Goiás, Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso do Sul, Mato Grosso, Pará, Paraná, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina and São Paulo. The highest prevalence of fasciolosis was observed in the southern states, with disease clusters along the coast of Paraná and Santa Catarina and in Rio Grande do Sul. Also, temporal variation of the prevalence was observed. The observed prevalence and the kriged prevalence maps presented in this paper can assist both animal and human health workers in estimating the risk of infection in their state or municipality.
FIRST REPORT OF METALLO-β-LACTAMASES PRODUCING Enterobacter spp. STRAINS FROM VENEZUELA
Authors: Martinez Dianny , Rodulfo Hectorina E. , Rodriguez Lucy , Cana Luisa E. , Medina Belkis , Guzman Militza , Carreno Numirin , Marcano Daniel , Donato Marcos De
Published: March 2014

Clinical strains of Enterobacter were isolated from Cumana's Central Hospital in Venezuela, and classified as E. cloacae (21), E. aerogenes (7), E. intermedium (1), E. sakazakii (1) and three unclassified. The strains showed high levels of resistance, especially to SXT (58.1%), CRO (48.8%), CAZ (46.6%), PIP (46.4%), CIP (45.2%) and ATM (43.3%). This is the first report for South America of blaVIM-2 in two E. cloacae and one Enterobacter sp., which also showed multiple mechanisms of resistance. Both E. cloacae showed blaTEM-1, but only one showed blaCTX-M-15 gene, while no blaSHV was detected.
Enterococcus faecium AND Enterococcus faecalis IN BLOOD OF NEWBORNS WITH SUSPECTED NOSOCOMIAL INFECTION
Authors: Furtado Isabela , Xavier Paula Cristhina Niz , Tavares Luciana Venhofen Martinelli , Alves Fabiana , Martins Sarah Fonseca , Martins Almir de Sousa , Palhares Durval Batista
Published: March 2014

Enterococci are Gram-positive cocci saprophyte of the human gastrointestinal tract, diners who act as opportunistic pathogens. They can cause infections in patients hospitalized for a long time or who have received multiple antibiotic therapy. Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium are the most common species in human infections. To evaluate the possibility of rapid detection of these species and their occurrence in the blood of newborns with suspected nosocomial infection, blood samples were collected from 50 newborns with late infections, admitted to the Neonatal Care Unit of the University Hospital Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS-HU), from September 2010 to January 2011. The samples were subjected to conventional PCR and real time PCR (qPCR) to search for Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis, respectively. The PCR results were compared with respective blood cultures from 40 patients. No blood cultures were positive for Enterococci, however, eight blood samples were identified as genomic DNA of Enterococcus faecium by qPCR and 22 blood samples were detected as genomic DNA of Enterococcus faecalis by conventional PCR. These findings are important because of the clinical severity of the evaluated patients who were found positive by conventional PCR and not through routine microbiological methods.
MULTIPLE PULMONARY NODULES CAUSED BY Corynebacterium striatum IN AN IMMUNOCOMPETENT PATIENT
Authors: Severo Cecilia Bittencourt , Guazzelli Luciana Silva , Barra Marinez Bizarro , Hochhegger Bruno , Severo Luiz Carlos
Published: March 2014

Nondiphtherial corynebacteria are ubiquitous in nature and commonly colonize the skin and mucous membranes of humans, however they rarely account for clinical infection. We present the first reported case of multiple pulmonary nodules caused by Corynebacterium striatum. The infection occurred in a 72-year-old immunocompetent female, and the diagnosis was obtained by Gram's stain and culture of lung biopsy. C. striatum should be recognized as a potential pathogen in both immunocompromised and normal hosts in the appropriate circumstances.
Epidemiological profile of tuberculosis in the city of Belo Horizonte (MG), from 2002 to 2008
Authors: Reis Dener Carlos dos , Almeida Thiara Amanda Corrêa de , Quites Humberto Ferreira de Oliveira , Sampaio Mariana Mattar
Published: March 2014

Objective: To assess the epidemiological profile of tuberculosis in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State, from 2002 to 2008. Methods: For descriptive epidemiological study, the data were obtained from the municipal National Health Surveillance System, after obtaining approval from the Research Ethics Committee at the City Health Department. Incidence coefficient, average rates and stratified data analysis with significance level of p ≤ 0.05 were calculated. Results: About 7.590 new tuberculosis cases were reported between 2002 and 2008. There was a slight reduction in the number of cases throughout the historical trend, with an average annual incidence rate of 46/100,000 inhabitants. The study also showed a male gender ratio of 1.84:1, a higher incidence coefficient in the age group between 40 and 59 years old (73/100,000) and a higher incidence of tuberculosis among people who only had primary education level. Pulmonary tuberculosis was the most prevalent form in every year of the study (p < 0,001). Among the cases reported with associated diseases, alcoholism was registered in 47.9% and AIDS in 34.5%. Between 2002 and 2008, there was an increasing trend of cases treated under Directly Observed Treatment, accounting for 29.5% in total. Cure percentage rate was below the expected result (67.3%) and non-adherence to treatment showed a high total percentage (17.9%). Conclusion: The results indicated that tuberculosis control actions need to be intensified with investments on professional training, systemic audits of the information system, improved integration between AIDS/tuberculosis programs and raising awareness of the disease with the goal of mobilizing the society.
Prevalence of anxiety in patients admitted to a university hospital in southern Brazil and associated factors
Authors: Gullich Inês , Ramos Andrews Barcellos , Zan Tiago Rafael Anschau , Scherer Cíntia , Mendoza-Sassi Raúl Andrés
Published: March 2014

Objective: To identify the prevalence of anxiety in adults hospitalized in the clinical ward of a university hospital and to analyze the possible associated factors. Method: A cross-sectional study was performed in a university hospital. All interviewees answered a specific questionnaire and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. A Poisson regression was used to calculate prevalence ratios with 95% confidence intervals. Results: 282 patients were enrolled. The prevalence of anxiety was 33.7% (95%CI 28.2 - 39.3). Characteristics associated with the outcome were female gender (RP 2.44), age ≥ 60 years (PR 0.65), consultation in primary health care (PR 2.37), estimated time of contact between patient and student > 30 min (RP 1.36), high blood pressure (PR 1.57), diabetes mellitus (PR 1.43), and obesity (RP 1.43). Conclusion: This study found prevalence of high anxiety. It may be associated with certain characteristics of the patients (gender, age, chronic diseases); the medical appointment in primary care and time (estimated by the patient) that the student remained with this patient. The need for a focused approach to mental health care within the hospital has been discussed for a long time. The particularity of this study refers to the environment of a university hospital and to what extent the environment and the patient's relationship with the student are associated with higher prevalence of anxiety.
Mortality by suicide: a focus on municipalities with a high proportion of self-reported indigenous people in the state of Amazonas, Brazil
Authors: Orellana Jesem Douglas Yamall , Basta Paulo Cesar , Souza Maximiliano Loiola Ponte de
Published: March 2014

Objective: To analyze mortality rates and to describe the demographic and epidemiological characteristics of suicides recorded in the state of Amazonas. Methods: A descriptive and retrospective study has been carried out with emphasis on municipalities, which have shown, simultaneously, a high mortality rates and a high proportion of self-reported indigenous population, based on 2005 - 2009 data as provided by the Informatics Department of the Unified National Health System. Results: Among the general population of the state of Amazonas, the mortality rate, by suicide, of 4.2/100.000 inhabitants has been reported, similar to that of Manaus (4.6/100.000 inhabitants). In contrast, at Tabatinga (25.2/100.000 inhabitants), at São Gabriel da Cachoeira (27.6/100.000 inhabitants) and at Santa Isabel do Rio Negro (36.4/100.000 inhabitants), municipalities, where the proportion of self-reported indigenous population is high, besides the taxes being notably higher, it was observed that most of the suicides has occurred among men; among young men aged between 15 - 24 years; at home; by hanging; during "weekend" and among the indigenous population. Discussion: Our findings have unveiled that suicide comes forth as a serious public health issue in some municipalities in the state of Amazonas, further indicating that the event occurs within very specific contexts, and that the dimension and the magnitude of the problem can be even more serious among populations or in territories exclusively inhabited by indigenous people.
Social and environmental inequities in dental caries among indigenous population in Brazil: evidence from 2000 to 2007
Authors: Alves Filho Pedro , Santos Ricardo Ventura , Vettore Mario Vianna
Published: March 2014

This ecological study investigated the association between social and environmental inequities and dental caries among indigenous people in Brazil. Dental caries data were gathered from articles identified from electronic databases for the period between 2000 and 2007. Independent variables were obtained from the census of Health Information System for Sanitation Indigenous Populations. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to test the association between social and environmental characteristics and dental caries (DMFT index) according to the age group. Results were analyzed for 48 indigenous peoples from 19 selected studies. The occurrence of dental caries in particular age groups was inversely associated with the location of villages outside the Amazon region (12, 15 - 19, and 20 - 34 years), availability of electricity (15 - 19 and 20 - 34 years) and proportion of households covered with straw/thatch (20 - 34 years). The presence of schools was statistically associated with higher DMFT averages (15 - 19 and 20 - 34 years). It can be concluded that aspects of location and existing infrastructure in indigenous communities, which are linked to the availability of oral health services, are associated with the occurrence of dental caries in indigenous populations in Brazil.
Diagnostic validity of self-reported oral health outcomes in population surveys: literature review
Authors: Ramos Renato Quirino , Bastos João Luiz , Peres Marco Aurélio
Published: March 2014

Population-based health surveys are increasingly including self-reported oral health measures. However, their validity is frequently questioned. This study aimed to review the diagnostic validity of self-reported oral health measures - regarding periodontal conditions, number of remaining teeth and use and need of prostheses - and to present prototypes of oral health items to assess periodontal conditions. Papers published between 1991 and 2011 were identified through PubMed database. The sample profile, the sample size and the methods used in each study were analyzed, as well as the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of the oral health items. Periodontists were contacted, using a standardized text, sent by e-mail, which asked them to provide self-reported items regarding periodontal conditions. We reviewed 19 studies; 13 assessed periodontal conditions; five, the number of remaining teeth and four, the use and need of prosthesis - some studies evaluated two or more conditions simultaneously. Five of the eight periodontists suggested questions to assess periodontal conditions. The maximum and the minimum sensitivity values to assess periodontal conditions, number of remaining teeth and use and need of prosthesis were 100 and 2%; 91 and 21%; 100 and 100%; respectively; the maximum and the minimum specificity values were 100 and 18%; 97 and 96%; 93 and 93%; respectively. In conclusion, there are acceptable sensitivity and specificity values for number of remaining teeth and use and need of prosthesis only. Finally, we consider there is the need for further studies in the national context, in order to assess the impact of the questions about self-reported oral health conditions in epidemiological analyses. Therefore, it will be possible to empirically verify if self-reported questions can be used in such studies.
Iron supplementation among pregnant women: results from a population-based survey study
Authors: Cesar Juraci Almeida , Dumith Samuel de Carvalho , Chrestani Maria Aurora Dropa , Mendoza-Sassi Raul Andrés
Published: March 2014

Objectives: To measure the prevalence and risk factors associated with iron supplementation among pregnant women in the municipality of Rio Grande, Southern Brazil. Methods: All mothers living in this municipality who had children in 2007 were surveyed for demographic, socioeconomic and health care received during pregnancy and childbirth. The statistical analysis consisted of Poisson regression with robust adjustment of variance, and the measure of effect was prevalence ratio (PR). Results: Among the 2,557 mothers interviewed (99% of total), 59% were supplemented with iron during pregnancy period. After adjusting for various confounding factors, a higher PR to iron supplementation was observed among teenagers, women with black skin color, primigravidae, who had six or more antenatal visits, who performed prenatal care in public sector and received vitamin during pregnancy. Conclusion: There is a clear need to increase the iron supplementation coverage of all pregnant women, especially among those currently considered with low gestational risk.
Quality of life, social position and occupational groups in Brazil: evidence from a population-based survey
Authors: Flor Luisa Sorio , Campos Mônica Rodrigues , Laguardia Josué
Published: March 2014

This study investigates whether occupation, variable that reflects social position, is associated with good quality of life among Brazilians. It is a cross-sectional study based on data obtained from a population-based survey carried out in Brazil in 2008. The sample composed of 12,423 Brazilians, older than 20 years. Physical and mental quality of life were both measured by SF-36 and scores were grouped in "above the mean" and "below the mean" to set binary outcomes. Logistic regression analysis was carried out to verify the impact of occupational position on the chances of better physical and mental quality of life, controlling it by socio-demographic and health variables. Results showed that Brazilians included on the labour market have better chances of a good physical and mental quality of life, even if controlled by other variables.
Accidents at work and living conditions among solid waste segregators in the open dump of Distrito Federal
Authors: Hoefel Maria da Graça , Carneiro Fernando Ferreira , Santos Leonor Maria Pacheco , Gubert Muriel Bauerman , Amate Elisa Maria , Santos Wallace dos
Published: March 2014

The work of recycling solid waste segregators allows a precarious livelihood, but triggers a disease process that exacerbates their health and well-being. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of occupational accidents at the open dump in the Federal District and its associated factors. Most segregators have had an accident at work (55.5%), perceived the danger of their working environment (95.0%) and claimed they did not receive personal protective equipment (51.7%). Among other findings, 55.8% ate foods found in the trash, 50.0% experienced food insecurity at home and 44.8% received Bolsa Família. There was a statistically significant relationship between work accidents and perception of dangerous work environment, household food insecurity and the presence of fatigue, stress or sadness (p < 0.05). On the other hand, the fellowship between the segregators was associated with a lower prevalence of accidents (p < 0.006). Women are the majority of the segregators (56.5%) and reported more accidents than men (p < 0.025). We conclude that the solid waste segregators constitute a vulnerable community, not only from the perspective of labor, but also from the social and environmental circumstances. To reverse this situation, effective implementation of the National Policy of Solid Wastes is imperative, in association with affirmative policies to grant economic emancipation for this population.
Brazilian normative data for the Short Form 36 questionnaire, version 2
Authors: Laguardia Josué , Campos Mônica Rodrigues , Travassos Claudia , Najar Alberto Lopes , Anjos Luiz Antonio dos , Vasconcellos Miguel Murat
Published: March 2014

METHODS: The study Pesquisa Dimensões Sociais das Desigualdades (PDSD) (Social Dimensions of Inequalities) involves 12,423 randomly selected Brazilian men and women aged 18 years old or more from urban and rural areas of the five Brazilian regions, and the information collected included the SF-36 as a measure of health-related quality of life. This provided a unique opportunity to develop age and gender-adjusted normative data for the Brazilian population. RESULTS: Brazilian men scored substantially higher than women on all eight domains and the two summary component scales of the SF-36. Brazilians scored less than their international counterparts on almost all of SF-36 domains and both summary component scales, except on general health status (US), pain (UK) and vitality (Australia, US and Canada). CONCLUSION: The differences in the SF-36 scores between age groups, genders and countries confirm that these Brazilian norms are necessary for comparative purposes. The data will be useful for assessing the health status of the general population and of patient populations, and the effect of interventions on health-related quality of life.
Deaths of bicycle riders in Brazil: characteristics and trends during the period of 2000 - 2010
Authors: Garcia Leila Posenato , Freitas Lúcia Rolim Santana de , Duarte Elisabeth Carmen
Published: March 2014

INTRODUCTION: In Brazil, bicycle use has been increasing. Accidents involving cyclists are important causes of morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: To describe the mortality of cyclists injured in transport accidents in Brazil, the characteristics of the victims and of the occurrence, and to investigate its trends during the period between 2000 and 2010. METHODS: A descriptive study with data from the Mortality Information System (SIM) was conducted in the period of 2000 - 2010. Crude and age-standardized corrected mortality rates were calculated for Brazil, its macro-regions and states. Linear regression was used to study the trends. RESULTS: In the period of 2000 - 2010, 32,422 bicycle-related deaths were identified in Brazil. In 2010, there were, on average, 8.8 bicycle-related deaths per day. Age-standardized mortality rates for the country were 15.3 and 15.9 deaths per million inhabitants in 2000 and 2010, respectively (p = 0.725). During the whole period, the Center-Western region showed the highest rates, though stable, corresponding to 23.4 deaths per million inhabitants in 2010. Men accounted for 85.4% of deaths, with death risk 5 times higher than women. CONCLUSION: In spite of the stable rates for the country, there was an increase trend in the Northern and Northeastern regions, while a decreasing trend was observed in the Southern and Southeastern regions. The risk of death was higher among men, elderly, and people living in large cities and at the Center-Western region.