Sensory phenomena associated with repetitive behaviors in obsessive-compulsive disorder: An exploratory study of 1001 patients

A substantial number of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) report compulsions that are preceded not by obsessions but by subjective experiences known as sensory phenomena. This study aimed to investigate the frequency, severity, and age at onset of sensory phenomena in OCD, as well as to compare OCD patients with and without sensory phenomena in terms of clinical characteristics. We assessed 1,001 consecutive OCD patients, using instruments designed to evaluate the frequency/severity of OC symptoms, tics, anxiety, depression, level of insight and presence/severity of sensory phenomena. All together, 651 (65.0%) subjects reported at least one type of sensory phenomena preceding the repetitive behaviors. Considering the sensory phenomena subtypes, 371 (57.0%) patients had musculoskeletal sensations, 519 (79.7%) had externally triggered "just-right" perceptions, 176 (27.0%) presented internally triggered "just right," 144 (22.1%) had an "energy release," and 240 (36.9%) patients had an "urge only" phenomenon. Sensory phenomena were described as being as more severe than were obsessions by 102(15.7%) patients. Logistic regression analysis showed that the following characteristics were associated with the presence of sensory phenomena: higher frequency and greater severity of the symmetry/ordering/arranging and contamination/washing symptom dimensions; comorbid Tourette syndrome, and a family history of tic disorders. These data suggest that sensory phenomena constitute a poorly understood psychopathological aspect of OCD that merits further investigation. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Quality Metric to Assess Video Streaming Service over TCP considering Temporal Location of Pauses

There is a wide range of video services over complex transmission networks, and in some cases end users fail to receive an acceptable quality level. In this paper, the different factors that degrade users' quality of experience (QoE) in video streaming service that use TCP as transmission protocol are studied. In this specific service, impairment factors are: number of pauses, their duration and temporal location. In order to measure the effect that each temporal segment has in the overall video quality, subjective tests. Because current subjective test methodologies are not adequate to assess video streaming over TCP, some recommendations are provided here. At the application layer, a customized player is used to evaluate the behavior of player buffer, and consequently, the end user QoE. Video subjective test results demonstrate that there is a close correlation between application parameters and subjective scores. Based on this fact, a new metrics named VsQM is defined, which considers the importance of temporal location of pauses to assess the user QoE of video streaming service. A useful application scenario is also presented, in which the metrics proposed herein is used to improve video services(1).

Frontal-orbital advancement for the management of anterior plagiocephaly

The main purposes of this manuscript are to provide an overview of various modalities of surgical correction of anterior plagiocephaly and to emphasize their differences with the classic open frontal-orbital advancement. Advancement of technology provides development of many other ways to achieve the same results. The authors describe the classic open frontal-orbital advancement and compare with other proposed techniques for correction of frontal plagiocephaly. The main limitation of the use of new forms of treatment of the anterior plagiocephaly is the age of the patient. There is still no consensus on criteria for quantitative evaluation of surgical results, and new forms of treatment do not present results with long follow-up. Frontal-orbital advancement is the preferred procedure to correct unicoronal synostosis due to its universal indication regardless of the age and degree of deformation of the anterior plagiocephaly.

Group cognitive-behavioral therapy versus selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors for obsessive-compulsive disorder: A practical clinical trial

Clinical effectiveness of group cognitive-behavioral therapy (GCBT) versus fluoxetine in obsessive-compulsive disorder outpatients that could present additional psychiatric comorbidities was assessed. Patients (18-65 years; baseline Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive-Scale [Y-BOCS] scores >= 16; potentially presenting additional psychiatric comorbidities) were sequentially allocated for treatment with GCBT (n = 70) or fluoxetine (n = 88). Mean Y-BOCS scores decreased by 23.13% in the GCBT and 21.54% in the SSRI groups (p = 0.875). Patients presented a mean of 2.7 psychiatric comorbidities. and 81.4% showed at least one additional disorder. A reduction of at least 35% in baseline Y-BOCS scores and CGI ratings of 1 (much better) or 2 (better) was achieved by 33.3% of GCBT patients and 27.7% in the SSRI group (p = 0.463). The Y-BOCS reduction was significantly lower in patients with one or more psychiatric comorbidities (21.15%, and 18.73%, respectively) than in those with pure OCD (34.62%; p = 0.034). Being male, having comorbidity of Major Depression, Social Phobia, or Dysthymia predicted a worse response to both treatments. Response rates to both treatments were similar and lower than reported in the literature, probably due to the broad inclusion criteria and the resulting sample more similar to the real world population. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Solid electrolytes for electrochromic devices based on reversible metal electrodeposition

Air conditioning and lighting costs can be reduced substantially by changing the optical properties of "intelligent windows." The electrochromic devices studied to date have used copper as an additive. Copper, used here as an electrochromic material, was dissolved in an aqueous animal protein-derived gel electrolyte. This combination constitutes the electrochromic system for reversible electrodeposition. Cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometric and chromogenic analyses indicated that were obtained good conditions of transparency (initial transmittance of 70%), optical reversibility, small potential window (2.1 V), variation of transmittance in visible light (63.6%) and near infrared (20%) spectral regions. Permanence in the darkened state was achieved by maintaining a lower pulse potential (-0.16 V) than the deposition potential (-1.0 V). Increasing the number of deposition and dissolution cycles favored the transmittance and photoelectrochemical reversibility of the device. The conductivity of the electrolyte (10(-3) S/cm) at several concentrations of CuCl2 was determined by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. A thermogravimetric analysis confirmed the good thermal stability of the electrolyte, since the mass loss detected up to 100 degrees C corresponded to water evaporation and decomposition of the gel started only at 200 degrees C. Micrographic and small angle X-ray scattering analyses indicated the formation of a persistent deposit of copper particles on the ITO. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Intelligence systems methodology: a systemic approach to the organizational intelligence function

Organizational intelligence can be seen as a function of the viable structure of an organization. With the integration of the Viable System Model and Soft Systems Methodology (systemic approaches of organizational management) focused on the role of the intelligence function, it is possible to elaborate a model of action with a structured methodology to prospect, select, treat and distribute information to the entire organization that improves the efficacy and efficiency of all processes. This combination of methodologies is called Intelligence Systems Methodology (ISM) whose assumptions and dynamics are delimited in this paper. The ISM is composed of two simultaneous activities: the Active Environmental Mapping and the Stimulated Action Cycle. The elaboration of the formal ISM description opens opportunities for applications of the methodology on real situations, offering a new path for this specific issue of systems thinking: the intelligence systems. Knowledge Management Research & Practice (2012) 10, 141-152. doi:10.1057/kmrp.2011.44

Intraoral carcinosarcoma on the floor of the mouth mimicking a benign lesion

Carcinosarcoma is a rare malignant disease with aggressive behaviour rarely producing oral manifestations. This article reports a case of an intraoral carcinosarcoma affecting a 71-year-old black male; the diagnosis was made by histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses. Computed tomography scanning showed metastatic masses in the lungs. The patient was underwent a chemotherapy protocol regimen, but died as a consequence of the disease within 10 months of diagnosis. Distinctive characteristics of this presentation were the location of the lesion (floor of the mouth) and its clinical features resembling a benign lesion. A brief review of intraoral carcinosarcoma cases in the literature is also presented.

Analysis of the mRNA expression of the S100 beta protein in adipocytes of patients with diabetes mellitus, type 2

Objective: This study aims to explore the possible relationship between the expression level of S100 beta protein mRNA with diabetes mellitus type 2 in adipocytes from patients with this disease in comparison with normoglycemic individuals. Materials and methods: Samples of adipose tissue of eight patients from the coronary section of the Institute Dante Pazzanese of Cardiology (IDPC), four in Group Diabetes and four of Normoglycemic group, were evaluated by RT-PCR real time. Results: An increase around 15 times values, between the threshold cycle (Delta Ct), of mRNA expression of S100 beta protein in adipocytes of the diabetes group was observed in comparison to the control group (p = 0.015). Conclusion: Our results indicate, for the first time, that there is coexistence of increased expression of the S100 beta and the type 2 diabetes mellitus gene. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2012;56(7):435-40

Burnt sugarcane harvesting: cardiovascular effects on a group of healthy workers, Brazil

Background: Brazil is the world's largest producer of sugarcane. Harvest is predominantly manual, exposing workers to health risks: intense physical exertion, heat, pollutants from sugarcane burning. Design: Panel study to evaluate the effects of burnt sugarcane harvesting on blood markers and on cardiovascular system. Methods: Twenty-eight healthy male workers, living in the countryside of Brazil were submitted to blood markers, blood pressure, heart rate variability, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, sympathetic nerve activity evaluation and forearm blood flow measures (venous occlusion plethysmography) during burnt sugarcane harvesting and four months later while they performed other activities in sugar cane culture. Results: Mean participant age was 31 +/- 6.3 years, and had worked for 9.8 +/- 8.4 years on sugarcane work. Work during the harvest period was associated with higher serum levels of Creatine Kinase - 136.5 U/L (IQR: 108.5-216.0) vs. 104.5 U/L (IQR: 77.5-170.5), (p = 0.001); plasma Malondialdehyde-7.5 +/- 1.4 mu M/dl vs. 6.9 +/- 1.0 mu M/dl, (p = 0.058); Glutathione Peroxidase - 55.1 +/- 11.8 Ug/Hb vs. 39.5 +/- 9.5 Ug/Hb, (p < 0.001); Glutathione Transferase- 3.4 +/- 1.3 Ug/Hb vs. 3.0 +/- 1.3 Ug/Hb, (p = 0.001); and 24-hour systolic blood pressure - 120.1 +/- 10.3 mmHg vs. 117.0 +/- 10.0 mmHg, (p = 0.034). In cardiopulmonary exercise testing, rest-to-peak diastolic blood pressure increased by 11.12 mmHg and 5.13 mmHg in the harvest and non-harvest period, respectively. A 10 miliseconds reduction in rMSSD and a 10 burst/min increase in sympathetic nerve activity were associated to 2.2 and 1.8 mmHg rises in systolic arterial pressure, respectively. Conclusion: Work in burnt sugarcane harvesting was associated with changes in blood markers and higher blood pressure, which may be related to autonomic imbalance.

GAUDY JUVENILE PLUMAGES OF CINEREOUS MOURNER (LANIOCERA HYPOPYRRA) AND BRAZILIAN LANIISOMA (LANIISOMA ELEGANS)

We describe the juvenile plumages of the Cinereous Mourner (Laniocera hypopyrra) and the Brazilian Laniisoma (Laniisoma elegans). Both L. hypopyrra and L. elegans possess a dramatically conspicuous plumage as juveniles in contrast to the generally cryptic plumage pattern exhibited by most juvenile birds. They are predominantly covered by cinnamon-orange feathers with black terminal spots, contrasting with the nest and the predominant colors of their environment. This colorful plumage presumably makes them more at risk from predation by visually oriented animals (e.g., raptors and primates), during one of the most vulnerable phases of their life, and strongly suggests these plumages function as a true, or false (mimicry), signal of 'unprofitability'. Previous knowledge concerning the phylogenetic relationships between these two genera, and the juvenile plumage patterns of other species placed in the Tityridae indicate this shared character in L. hypopyrra and L. elegans represents a synapomorphy within this clade, thereby providing additional evidence of their relationship. Received 13 December 2011. Accepted 1 May 2012.

Fauna e Flora do Brasil (especialmente do Mato Grosso) segundo Joseph Barbosa de Sáa (1769): (Dialogos geograficos, coronologicos, polliticos, e naturais, escripos [sic] por Joseph Barbosa de Sáa nesta Villa Reyal do Senhor Bom Jesus do Cuyaba – Manuscrito 235 da Biblioteca Pública do Porto)

Joseph Barbosa de Sáa (? – 1775), mais conhecido por seus escritos sobre a história do estado do Mato Grosso, Brasil, completou em 1769 um volumoso (408 fólios) e erudito manuscrito, intitulado “Dialogos geograficos, coronologicos, polliticos e naturais”, que nunca foi publicado na íntegra. Esse manuscrito está depositado na Biblioteca Pública do Porto (manuscrito no. 235), em Portugal. Dez capítulos desse manuscrito tratam dos produtos naturais do Brasil (acima de mil, quase a metade sendo animais), observados por Sáa ao longo da costa do Rio de Janeiro, em São Paulo, sul de Goiás e especialmente no Mato Grosso, sendo a primeira monografia sobre a história natural deste último estado. Esses capítulos são aqui transcritos e comentados.

Análise da expressão do mRNA da proteína S100β em adipócitos de pacientes com diabetes melito tipo 2

OBJETIVO: O presente trabalho objetiva compreender a possível relação do nível de expressão gênica do mRNA da proteína S100β em adipócitos com o diabetes melito do tipo 2, pela comparação de dados de portadores dessa doença com os de indivíduos normoglicêmicos. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foram selecionadas amostras de tecido adiposo de oito pacientes da Seção de Coronárias do Instituto Dante Pazzanese de Cardiologia (IDPC), sendo quatro do grupo diabetes e quatro do grupo de normoglicêmicos. Essas amostras foram submetidas à técnica de RT-PCR em tempo real. RESULTADOS: Por meio do Test-t de Student para os valores de diferença entre os ciclos threshold (ΔCt), observou-se que houve aumento de aproximadamente 15 vezes (p = 0,015) da expressão do mRNA da proteína S100β nos adipócitos dos indivíduos do grupo diabetes quando comparado aos do grupo controle. CONCLUSÃO: Nossos resultados evidenciam, de forma inédita, coexistência entre o aumento da expressão do gene S100β e a patologia do diabetes melito do tipo 2.

Mudanças subjetivas de um estudante numa oficina de ciências e sua articulação com a dinâmica grupal e o papel das intervenções da professora

O objetivo desse trabalho consiste em investigar as mudanças subjetivas de um estudante durante a realização de uma Oficina de Ciências e articulá-las, por um lado, com os discursos da professora e, por outro, com a dinâmica de funcionamento grupal. Os dados foram coletados numa escola pública do município de Londrina/PR. No total foram realizados quinze encontros, e o instrumento de coleta de dados consistiu na gravação em vídeo. O grupo selecionado para a pesquisa constituiu-se de quatro alunos do II Ciclo (3ª e 4ª séries) do Ensino Fundamental. O referencial teórico utilizado para análise e interpretação dos dados encontra sua base em conceitos psicanalíticos de orientação lacaniana e da dinâmica de grupos. Concluímos considerando alguns aspectos que podem contribuir para a promoção e sustentação da aprendizagem em grupo em situações de ensino, sinalizando para o papel das intervenções do professor no sentido de promover um trabalho colaborativo.