High frequency of osteoporosis and fractures in women with dermatomyositis/polymyositis

Bone mass was only previously studied in juvenile dermatomyositis/polymyositis (DM/PM) patients. Therefore, the objective this study was to evaluate the prevalence of osteoporosis and fractures in adult DM/PM. Forty female DM/PM and 78 age-, gender-, and BMI-matched healthy controls were studied. Medical charts and clinical interviews of all patients were evaluated for demographic and clinical data, including disease activity, cumulative doses of glucocorticoid, menarche and menopause age, and fractures. Bone mineral density (BMD) using dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) were measured at lumbar spine (L1-L4) and hip. A decreased BMD in lumbar spine [0.902 (0.136) vs. 0.965 (0.141) g/cm(2), P = 0.022] and femoral neck [0.729 (0.12) vs. 0.784 (0.127) g/cm(2), P = 0.027] was observed in patients compared to controls. In addition, osteoporosis was more frequent in patients than in controls in both lumbar spine (20 vs. 3.8%, P = 0.007) and the femoral neck (27.5 vs. 10.3%, P = 0.016). Moreover, a high prevalence of fractures was found in patients in comparison to healthy subjects (17.9 vs. 5.1%, P = 0.040; OR = 3.92; CI 95%: 1.07-14.33). Comparing DM/PM patients with (n = 17) and without (n = 23) osteoporosis/fractures, significant differences were observed regarding age [56.8 (11.9) vs. 48.3 (13.2) years, P = 0.042], weight [62.05 (13.56) vs. 71.51 (11.46) kg, P = 0.022] and frequency of post menopausal women (94.1 vs. 65.2%, P = 0.0002). No differences were observed concerning height, lean mass, total fat mass, disease activity, mean value of creatine kinase, cumulative glucocorticoid dose, or bisphosphonate use. Logistic regression analysis revealed a negative association between the presence of osteoporosis/fractures and weight (OR: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.85-0.98; P = 0.016). This is the first study that analyzed bone mass in adult DM/PM patients and it demonstrated that about one quarter of these patients have osteoporosis/fracture.

Network-based high level data classification

Traditional supervised data classification considers only physical features (e. g., distance or similarity) of the input data. Here, this type of learning is called low level classification. On the other hand, the human (animal) brain performs both low and high orders of learning and it has facility in identifying patterns according to the semantic meaning of the input data. Data classification that considers not only physical attributes but also the pattern formation is, here, referred to as high level classification. In this paper, we propose a hybrid classification technique that combines both types of learning. The low level term can be implemented by any classification technique, while the high level term is realized by the extraction of features of the underlying network constructed from the input data. Thus, the former classifies the test instances by their physical features or class topologies, while the latter measures the compliance of the test instances to the pattern formation of the data. Our study shows that the proposed technique not only can realize classification according to the pattern formation, but also is able to improve the performance of traditional classification techniques. Furthermore, as the class configuration's complexity increases, such as the mixture among different classes, a larger portion of the high level term is required to get correct classification. This feature confirms that the high level classification has a special importance in complex situations of classification. Finally, we show how the proposed technique can be employed in a real-world application, where it is capable of identifying variations and distortions of handwritten digit images. As a result, it supplies an improvement in the overall pattern recognition rate.

Semi-supervised dimensionality reduction based on partial least squares for visual analysis of high dimensional data

Dimensionality reduction is employed for visual data analysis as a way to obtaining reduced spaces for high dimensional data or to mapping data directly into 2D or 3D spaces. Although techniques have evolved to improve data segregation on reduced or visual spaces, they have limited capabilities for adjusting the results according to user's knowledge. In this paper, we propose a novel approach to handling both dimensionality reduction and visualization of high dimensional data, taking into account user's input. It employs Partial Least Squares (PLS), a statistical tool to perform retrieval of latent spaces focusing on the discriminability of the data. The method employs a training set for building a highly precise model that can then be applied to a much larger data set very effectively. The reduced data set can be exhibited using various existing visualization techniques. The training data is important to code user's knowledge into the loop. However, this work also devises a strategy for calculating PLS reduced spaces when no training data is available. The approach produces increasingly precise visual mappings as the user feeds back his or her knowledge and is capable of working with small and unbalanced training sets.

High-frequency TENS in post-episiotomy pain relief in primiparous puerpere: A randomized, controlled trial

Aim: We evaluated the effectiveness of high-frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) as a pain relief resource for primiparous puerpere who had experienced natural childbirth with an episiotomy. Methods: A controlled, randomized clinical study was conducted in a Brazilian maternity ward. Forty puerpere were randomly divided into two groups: TENS high frequency and a no treatment control group. Post-episiotomy pain was assessed in the resting and sitting positions and during ambulation. An 11-point numeric rating scale was performed in three separate evaluations (at the beginning of the study, after 60 min and after 120 min). The McGill pain questionnaire was employed at the beginning and 60 min later. TENS with 100 Hz frequency and 75 mu s pulse for 60 min was employed without causing any pain. Four electrodes ware placed in parallel near the episiotomy site, in the area of the pudendal and genitofemoral nerves. Results: An 11-point numeric rating scale and McGill pain questionnaire showed a significant statistical difference in pain reduction in the TENS group, while the control group showed no alteration in the level of discomfort. Hence, high-frequency TENS treatment significantly reduced pain intensity immediately after its use and 60 min later. Conclusion: TENS is a safe and viable non-pharmacological analgesic resource to be employed for pain relief post-episiotomy. The routine use of TENS post-episiotomy is recommended.

Dynamic symmetry loss of high-frequency hysteresis loops in single-domain particles with uniaxial anisotropy

Understanding how magnetic materials respond to rapidly varying magnetic fields, as in dynamic hysteresis loops, constitutes a complex and physically interesting problem. But in order to accomplish a thorough investigation, one must necessarily consider the effects of thermal fluctuations. Albeit being present in all real systems, these are seldom included in numerical studies. The notable exceptions are the Ising systems, which have been extensively studied in the past, but describe only one of the many mechanisms of magnetization reversal known to occur. In this paper we employ the Stochastic Landau-Lifshitz formalism to study high-frequency hysteresis loops of single-domain particles with uniaxial anisotropy at an arbitrary temperature. We show that in certain conditions the magnetic response may become predominantly out-of-phase and the loops may undergo a dynamic symmetry loss. This is found to be a direct consequence of the competing responses due to the thermal fluctuations and the gyroscopic motion of the magnetization. We have also found the magnetic behavior to be exceedingly sensitive to temperature variations, not only within the superparamagnetic-ferromagnetic transition range usually considered, but specially at even lower temperatures, where the bulk of interesting phenomena is seen to take place. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Evidence for genetic differentiation of Octopus vulgaris (Mollusca, Cephalopoda) fishery populations from the southern coast of Brazil as revealed by microsatellites

Octopus vulgaris is a cephalopod species in several oceans and commonly caught by artisanal and industrial fisheries. In Brazil, O. vulgaris populations are mainly distributed along the southern coast and have been subjected to intensive fishing during recent years. Despite the importance of this marine resource, no genetic study has been carried out to examine genetic differences among populations along the coast of Brazil. In this study, 343 individuals collected by commercial vessels were genotyped at six microsatellite loci to investigate the genetic differences in O. vulgaris populations along the southern coast of Brazil. Genetic structure and levels of differentiation among sampling sites were estimated via a genotype assignment test and F-statistics. Our results indicate that the O. vulgaris stock consists of four genetic populations with an overall significant analogous F(ST). (phi(CT) = 0.10710, P<0.05) value. The genetic diversity was high with an observed heterozygosity of Ho = 0.987. The negative values of F(IS) found for most of the loci examined suggested a possible bottleneck process. These findings are important for further steps toward more sustainable octopus fisheries, so that this marine resource can be preserved for long-term utilization. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Structural refinement, optical and microwave dielectric properties of BaZrO3

In this work, barium zirconate (BaZrO3) ceramics synthesized by solid state reaction method and sintered at 1670 degrees C for 4 h were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Rietveld refinement, and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. XRD patterns, Rietveld refinement data and FT-IR spectra which confirmed that BaZrO3 ceramics have a perovskite-type cubic structure. Optical properties were investigated by ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) absorption and photoluminescence (PL) measurements. UV-vis absorption spectra suggested an indirect allowed transition with the existence of intermediary energy levels within the band gap. Intense visible green PL emission was observed in BaZrO3 ceramics upon excitation with a 350 nm wavelength. This behavior is due to a majority of deep defects within the band gap caused by symmetry breaking in octahedral [ZrO6] clusters in the lattice. The microwave dielectric constant and quality factor were measured using the method proposed by Hakki-Coleman. The dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) was investigated experimentally and numerically using a monopole antenna through an infinite ground plane and Ansoft's high frequency structure simulator software, respectively. The required resonance frequency and bandwidth of DRA were investigated by adjusting the dimension of the same material. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.

Water-assisted Flow of Heavy Oil in a Vertical Pipe: Pilot-scale Experiments

The use of the core-annular flow pattern, where a thin fluid surrounds a very viscous one, has been suggested as an attractive artificial-lift method for heavy oils in the current Brazilian ultra-deepwater production scenario. This paper reports the pressure drop measurements and the core-annular flow observed in a 2 7/8-inch and 300 meter deep pilot-scale well conveying a mixture of heavy crude oil (2000 mPa.s and 950 kg/m3 at 35 C) and water at several combinations of the individual flow rates. The two-phase pressure drop data are compared with those of single-phase oil flow to assess the gains due to water injection. Another issue is the handling of the core-annular flow once it has been established. High-frequency pressure-gradient signals were collected and a treatment based on the Gabor transform together with neural networks is proposed as a promising solution for monitoring and control. The preliminary results are encouraging. The pilot-scale tests, including long-term experiments, were conducted in order to investigate the applicability of using water to transport heavy oils in actual wells. It represents an important step towards the full scale application of the proposed artificial-lift technology. The registered improvements in terms of oil production rate and pressure drop reductions are remarkable.

Induction of chronic non-inflammatory widespread pain increases cardiac sympathetic modulation in rats

Fibromyalgia (FM) is characterized by chronic non-inflammatory widespread pain (CWP) and changes in sympathetic function. In attempt to elucidate the pathophysiological mechanisms of FM we used a well-established CWP animal model. We aimed to evaluate changes in cardiac autonomic balance and baroreflex function in response to CWP induction in rats. CWP was induced by two injections of acidic saline (pH 4.0, n = 8) five days apart into the left gastrocnemius muscle. Control animals were injected twice with normal saline (pH 7.2, n = 6). One day after the second injection of acidic saline or normal saline, the animals had pulse interval (PI) and systolic arterial pressure (SAP) variability, and spontaneous baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) evaluated. After induction of CWP, there was an increase of power in the low frequency (LF) band of PI spectrum (12.75 +/- 1.04 nu), a decrease in the high frequency (HF) band (87.25 +/- 1.04 nu) and an increase of LF/HF ratio (0.16 +/- 0.01), when compared to control animals (7.83 +/- 1.13 nu LF; 92.16 +/- 1.13 nu HF; 0.08 +/- 0.01 LF/HF). In addition, there was an increase of power in the LF band of SAP spectrum (7.93 +/- 1.39 mmHg(2)) when compared to control animals (2.97 +/- 0.61 mmHg(2)). BRS was lower in acidic saline injected rats (0.59 +/- 0.06 ms/mmHg) when compared to control animals (0.71 +/- 0.03 ms/mmHg). Our results showed that induction of CWP in rats shifts cardiac sympathovagal balance towards sympathetic predominance and decreases BRS. These data corroborate findings in humans with FM. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Surface ecophysiological behavior across vegetation and moisture gradients in tropical South America

Surface ecophysiology at five sites in tropical South America across vegetation and moisture gradients is investigated. From the moist northwest (Manaus) to the relatively dry southeast (Pé de Gigante, state of São Paulo) simulated seasonal cycles of latent and sensible heat, and carbon flux produced with the Simple Biosphere Model (SiB3) are confronted with observational data. In the northwest, abundant moisture is available, suggesting that the ecosystem is light-limited. In these wettest regions, Bowen ratio is consistently low, with little or no annual cycle. Carbon flux shows little or no annual cycle as well; efflux and uptake are determined by high-frequency variability in light and moisture availability. Moving downgradient in annual precipitation amount, dry season length is more clearly defined. In these regions, a dry season sink of carbon is observed and simulated. This sink is the result of the combination of increased photosynthetic production due to higher light levels, and decreased respiratory efflux due to soil drying. The differential response time of photosynthetic and respiratory processes produce observed annual cycles of net carbon flux. In drier regions, moisture and carbon fluxes are in-phase; there is carbon uptake during seasonal rains and efflux during the dry season. At the driest site, there is also a large annual cycle in latent and sensible heat flux.

ScPdZn and ScPtZn with YAlGe type structure: group-subgroup relation and 45Sc solid state NMR spectroscopy

The intermetallic compounds ScPdZn and ScPtZn were prepared from the elements by high-frequency melting in sealed tantalum ampoules. Both structures were refined from single crystal X-ray diffractometer data: YAlGe type, Cmcm, a = 429.53(8), b = 907.7(1), c = 527.86(1) pm, wR2 = 0.0375, 231 F2 values, for ScPdZn and a = 425.3(1), b = 918.4(2), c = 523.3(1) pm, wR2 = 0.0399, 213 F2 values for ScPtZn with 14 variables per refinement. The structures are orthorhombically distorted variants of the AlB2 type. The scandium and palladium (platinum atoms) build up ordered networks Sc3Pd3 and Sc3Pt3 (boron networks) which are slightly shifted with respect to each other. These networks are penetrated by chains of zinc atoms (262 pm in ScPtZn) which correspond to the aluminum positions, i.e. Zn(ScPd) and Zn(ScPt). The corresponding group-subgroup scheme and the differences in chemical bonding with respect to other AlB2-derived REPdZn and REPtZn compounds are discussed. 45Sc solid state NMR spectra confirm the single crystallographic scandium sites. From electronic band structure calculations the two compounds are found metallic with free electron like behavior at the Fermi level. A larger cohesive energy for ScPtZn suggests a more strongly bonded intermetallic than ScPdZn. Electron localization and overlap population analyses identify the largest bonding for scandium with the transition metal (Pd, Pt).