The biopsychosocial processes in autism spectrum disorder

Abstract Background Autism is a disorder characterized by pervasive social and communicative impairments, repetitive and stereotyped behaviors and restricted interests. Its causes and effects have been researched from various neurocognitive theoretical perspectives and with the aid of neuroimaging technology. We aimed to describe biopsychosocial processes characteristic of the Autism Spectrum Disorders. Method Literature review using Medline and Scopus databases published between 2001 and 2011, with the keywords "autism", "theory of mind", "executive functions", "central coherence" and ���fMRI���. Results The studies found were plotted and organized into tables and an explanatory diagram of the main findings was produced. Conclusions The most popular neurocognitive theories are still unable to fully explain the characteristics of the complications that autistic spectrum disorder causes to the quality of life of individuals living with autism. The association of clinical research and neuroimaging may contribute to a better understanding of the functioning of the brain affected by the disorder.

Influence of alloy microstructure on the microshear bond strength of basic alloys to a resin luting cement

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of microstructure and composition of basic alloys on their microshear bond strength (��SBS) to resin luting cement. The alloys used were: Supreme Cast-V (SC), Tilite Star (TS), Wiron 99 (W9), VeraBond II (VBII), VeraBond (VB), Remanium (RM) and IPS d.SIGN 30 (IPS). Five wax patterns (13mm in diameter and 4mm height) were invested, and cast in a centrifugal casting machine for each basic alloy. The specimens were embedded in resin, polished with a SiC paper and sandblasted. After cleaning the metal surfaces, six tygon tubes (0.5 mm height and 0.75 mm in diameter) were placed on each alloy surface, the resin cement (Panavia F) was inserted, and the excess was removed before light-curing. After storage (24 h/37��C), the specimens were subjected to ��SBS testing (0.5 mm/min). The data were subjected to a one-way repeated measures analysis of variance and Turkey's test (α=0.05). After polishing, their microstructures were revealed with specific conditioners. The highest ��SBS (mean/standard deviation in MPa) were observed in the alloys with dendritic structure, eutectic formation or precipitation: VB (30.6/1.7), TS (29.8/0.9), SC (30.6/1.7), with the exception of IPS (31.1/0.9) which showed high ��SBS but no eutectic formation. The W9 (28.1/1.5), VBII (25.9/2.0) and RM (25.9/0.9) showed the lowest ��SBS and no eutectic formation. It seems that alloys with eutectic formation provide the highest ��SBS values when bonded to a light-cured resin luting cement.

Utiliza����o de ��cidos nucleicos fetais livres no plasma materno para o diagn��stico pr��-natal: realidade do Brasil neste cen��rio

A descoberta de ��cidos nucleicos fetais livres no plasma de gestantes possibilitou o desenvolvimento de novos testes de diagn��stico pr��-natal n��o invasivo para a determina����o do sexo e do Rh fetal. Esses testes foram implantados no sistema de sa��de p��blica de diversos pa��ses da Europa h�� mais de cinco anos. As novas possibilidades de aplica����o diagn��stica dessas tecnologias s��o a detec����o de aneuploidias cromoss��micas fetais, de doen��as monog��nicas fetais e de dist��rbios relacionados com a placenta, temas pesquisados intensivamente por diversos grupos ao redor do mundo. O objetivo deste estudo �� expor a situa����o brasileira no ��mbito de pesquisa e utiliza����o cl��nica dos testes dispon��veis comercialmente que utilizam esses marcadores moleculares plasm��ticos, ressaltando as vantagens, tanto econ��micas quanto de seguran��a, que os testes n��o invasivos t��m em rela����o aos atualmente utilizados em nosso sistema de sa��de p��blica.

Coopera����o com empresas de base tecnol��gica: pesquisa-a����o no setor el��trico

A press��o por inova����o em empresas de base tecnol��gica, em ciclos cada vez mais curtos e demandando compet��ncias complexas, tem levado as empresas �� busca de uma estrutura����o sob a forma de redes de coopera����o empresarial, a fim de mitigar riscos e reduzir custos enquanto acelera o time to market. Entretanto, apesar de todas as vantagens e oportunidades reais, h�� grandes barreiras a serem transpostas. O objetivo dessa pesquisa �� compreender o processo de estrutura����o de uma rede de coopera����o no contexto de empresas de base tecnol��gica. A abordagem metodol��gica utilizada foi a pesquisa-a����o desenvolvida em 30 empresas do setor eletroeletr��nico. Os resultados apontam o temor ao comportamento oportunista como o item mais cr��tico �� forma����o da rede de coopera����o empresarial.

Papillary atrophy of the tongue and nutritional status of hospitalized alcoholics

BACKGROUND: Atrophy of the papillae, mucosa, and dorsum of the tongue are considered classical signs of nutritional deficiencies. OBJECTIVE: To assess the nutritional status of hospitalized alcoholics with or without papillary atrophy of the tongue. METHODS: This study was performed with 21 hospitalized alcoholics divided into Atrophic Glossitis Group (n=13) and Normal Tongue Group (n=8). Healthy, non-alcoholic volunteers composed the Control Group (n=8). Anthropometry and bioelectric impedance were performed, and serum vitamins A, E, and B12 were determined. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences in relation to age (46.7��8.7 vs. 46.8��15.8 years) or gender (92.3% vs. 87.5% male), respectively. Control Group volunteers were also paired in relation to age (47.5��3.1 years) and male predominance (62.5%). In relation to hospitalized alcoholics without atrophic lesions of the tongue and Control Group, patients with papillary atrophy showed lower BMI (18.6 �� 2,5 vs 23.8 �� 3.5 vs 26.7 �� 3,6 kg/m�� ) and body fat content 7.6 �� 3.5 vs 13.3 �� 6.5 vs 19.5 �� 4,9 kg). When compared with the Control Group, alcoholic patients with or without papillary atrophy of the tongue showed lower values of red blood cells (10.8 �� 2.2 vs 11.8 �� 2.2 vs 14.5 �� 1,6g/dL) and albumin (3.6 �� 0.9 vs 3.6 �� 0.8 vs 4.4 �� 0.2g/dL). The seric levels of vitamins A, E, and B12 were similar amongst the groups. CONCLUSION: Hospitalized alcoholics with papillary atrophy of the tongue had lower BMI and fat body stores than controls, without associated hypovitaminosis.

Acne fulminans successfully treated with prednisone and dapsone

Acne fulminans is a rare condition and the most severe form of acne. It involves the sudden onset of febrile and multisystemic symptoms, with poor response to ordinary therapy in patients who previously had mild to moderate acne. It is characterized by hemorrhagic ulcerative crusting lesions on the face, chest and upper back. The authors report a case of acne fulminans that was successfully treated with oral prednisone and dapsone.

Phenotypical characterization and adhesin identification in Escherichia coli strains isolated from dogs with urinary tract infections

Pathogenic strains of Escherichia coli are the most common bacteria associated with urinary tract infections in both humans and companion animals. Standard biochemical tests may be useful in demonstrating detailed phenotypical characteristics of these strains. Thirteen strains of E. coli isolated from dogs with UTIs were submitted to biochemical tests, serotyping for O and H antigens and antimicrobial resistance testing. Furthermore, the presence of papC, sfa, and afa genes was evaluated by PCR, and genetic relationships were established using enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus PCR (ERIC-PCR). The antimicrobial that showed the highest resistance rate among the isolates was nalidixic acid (76.9%), followed by cephalotin (69.2%), sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim (61.5%), tetracycline (61.5%), streptomycin (53.8%), ciprofloxacin (53.8%), ampicillin (46.2%), gentamicin (30.8%) and chloramphenicol (23.1%). No isolate was resistant either to meropenem or nitrofurantoin. Among the five clusters that were identified using ERIC-PCR, one cluster (A) had only one strain, which belonged to a serotype with zoonotic potential (O6:H31) and showed the genes papC+, sfa+, afa-. Strains with the genes papC-, sfa+, afa- were found in two other clusters (C and D), whereas all strains in clusters B and E possessed papC-, sfa-, afa- genes. Sucrose and raffinose phenotypic tests showed some ability in discriminating clusters A, B and C from clusters D and E.

Desenvolvimento de modelo matem��tico de otimiza����o log��stica para o transporte multimodal de safras agr��colas pelo corredor centro-oeste

Este artigo apresenta um modelo matem��tico de otimiza����o log��stica para o transporte multimodal de safras agr��colas pelo corredor Centro-Oeste. Tal ferramenta foi desenvolvida no contexto de tr��s amplos projetos de pesquisa financiados pela FINEP e executados por um grupo de universidades. O modelo, conhecido genericamente como Modelo de fluxo de Custo M��nimo Multiproduto, considera a otimiza����o de fluxos em rede, para os produtos a����car, ��lcool, milho, soja, ��leo de soja, farelo de soja e trigo. O modelo proposto para estimativa dos fluxos inter-regionais mostrou-se uma ferramenta fact��vel para fins de avalia����o do potencial de utiliza����o da multimodalidade. A an��lise destes resultados gera importantes subs��dios para a sele����o dos locais com potencial para instala����o de mecanismos e equipamentos de transfer��ncia de cargas, al��m de auxiliar no dimensionamento dessas infraestruturas. Tamb��m �� um resultado importante do ferramental desenvolvido a identifica����o das zonas de cargas que apresentam potencial capt��vel pelas ferrovias, hidrovias e dutovias, ou seja, possibilita a identifica����o das regi��es que revelam potencial para uso da multimodalidade.

O canteiro do poeta-arquiteto: a conduta criativa de Jo��o Cabral de Melo Neto �� luz de seus manuscritos

Neste artigo repensamos a met��fora do "poeta-engenheiro", ou "poeta-arquiteto", que geralmente caracteriza o processo criativo de Jo��o Cabral de Melo Neto, �� luz de uma leitura gen��tica de manuscritos de A educa����o pela pedra. Veremos que o "arquiteto" da met��fora prov��m da teoria de Le Corbusier, na qual o desenho (a concep����o) determina o canteiro (a execu����o). No entanto, a an��lise de transforma����es de estruturas por meio de reformula����es textuais nos manuscritos do poeta mostra que, por vezes, o projeto, ou inten����o, se transforma nos trabalhos da p��gina-canteiro.