Prevalence and associated factors for suicidal ideation and behaviors in obsessive-compulsive disorder

Introduction: Patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) have historically been considered at low risk for suicide, but recent studies are controversial. Objective: To study the prevalence of suicidal thoughts and attempts in OCD patients and to compare those with and without suicidality according to demographic and clinical variables. Methods: Fifty outpatients with primary OCD (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition) from a Brazilian public university were evaluated. The Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) was used to assess OCD severity, the Beck Depression Inventory to evaluate depressive symptoms and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test to assess alcohol problems. Results: All patients had obsessions and compulsions, 64% a chronic fluctuating course and 62% a minimum Y-BOCS score of 16. Half of the patients presented relevant depressive symptoms, but only three had a history of alcohol problems. Seventy percent reported having already thought that life was not worth living, 56% had wished to be dead, 46% had suicidal ideation, 20% had made suicidal plans, and 10% had already attempted suicide. Current suicidal ideation occurred in 14% of the sample and was significantly associated with a Y-BOCS score ≥16. Previous suicidal thoughts were associated with a Beck Depression Inventory score ≥19. Conclusion: Suicidally has been underestimated in OCD and should be investigated in every patient, so that appropriate preventive measures can be taken.

Effects of the density, aviary type, breed, and age on the behaviors of laying hens kept in cages

An experiment was carried out in order to investigate the behaviors of laying hens due to the environmental factors of: density inside of the cage, aviary type, breed, and age. The experiment was configured as a factorial 4x2x2x2 study, with treatments being four different ages, two different breeds, two different cage densities, and two different aviaries. The birds' behaviors were recorded using video cameras installed in the cages, using samples of 15 minutes recorded from 12 PM to 4 PM. The observed behaviors, frequency and duration of behaviors (measured in seconds) were identified and noted related to each bird. The study was initiated in March 2007, during four non-consecutive weeks. The observed behaviors were: opening wings, stretching, threatening, ruffling feathers, drinking water, aggressive pecking, eating, running, lying down, stretching head out of the cage, preening, mounting, prostrating, and doing nothing (inactivity). Due to the non-normality of the data recorded, the Kruskal-Wallis statistical test of the MINITAB Statistical Software® was used to compare the medians of the variables. For breed factor, only the durations of the eating presented significant differences (p-value< 0.05). For cage density, there was a significant median difference (p-value< 0.05) for almost all behaviors observed. The average length of time of behaviors was higher for the lowest cage density. However, the frequency of behaviors was lmerfor the lowest cage density. The frequency of the behaviors to preen feathers, to lie down, to drink water and to stretch the head were higher in the aviary, where the groups of birds were smaller. The observed behaviors were particularly affected by experimental factors cage density, and aviary type, which directly affects the available space for each bird.

Voltammetric determination of sulfite using graphite paste electrode modified with nanoparticles of copper pentacyanonitrosylferrate

Copper Pentacyanonitrosylferrate (NCuNP) nanoparticles were prepared in formamide solvent. The material was characterized by Infrared (FTIR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) Spectroscopy. The Cyclic Voltammogram (CV) the modified graphite paste electrode with NCuNP exhibits two redox couples with (Eθ,)1 = 0.29 and (E θ,)2 = 0.86 V attribute at Cu(I)/Cu (II) and Fe(II)(CN)5NO/Fe(III)(CN) 5NO processes, respectively (KCl = 1.0 mol L-1; v = 20 mV s-1). The redox couple with (Eθ,)2 presents an electrocatalytic response for sulfite. The modified graphite paste electrode gives a linear response of 7.0 × 10-4 to 3.0 × 10-2 mol L-1 (r = 0.998), for sulfite determination with Detection Limit (DL) of 1.76 × 10-3 mol L-1 and an amperometric sensitivity of 3.38 mA/mol L-1 and relative standard desviations ± 3% (n=3). ©The Electrochemical Society.

Voltammetric Study of a Cubic Silsesquioxane Organically Modified with Imidazole and their Subsequent Reaction with Cadmium and Hexacyanoferrate (III)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Voltammetric determination of ethyl acetate in ethanol fuel using a Fe 3+/Nafion®-coated glassy carbon electrode

A voltammetric method for the determination of ethyl acetate in ethanol fuel using a Fe3+/Nafion®-coated glassy carbon electrode (GCE) is proposed. The ethyl acetate present in the ethanol fuel was previously converted to acetohydroxamic acid via pretreatment with hydroxylamine chloride. The acetohydroxamic acid promptly reacted with the iron (III) present in the film, producing iron (III) acetohydroxamate, which presents a well-defined voltammetric peak current at -0.02 V. Optimization of the voltammetric parameters for the cyclic, linear sweep, square wave, and differential pulse modalities was carried out for this chemically-modified electrode. Square wave voltammetry afforded the best response for acetohydroxamic acid detection. The analytical curve for this species was linear from 9 to 100 μmol L 1 according to the following equation: ip (μA) = 0.27 + 2.55Cacetohydroxamic acid (μmol L 1), with linear correlation coefficient equal to 0.993. The technique presented limit of detection equal to 5.3 μmol L 1 and quantification limit of 17.6 μmol L 1. The proposed method was compared to the official method of ethyl acetate analysis (Gas Chromatography), and a satisfactory correlation was found between these techniques. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Thermal, rheological, and structural behaviors of natural and modified cassava starch granules, with sodium hypochlorite solutions

The use of chemically modified starches is widely accepted in various industries, with several applications. In this research, natural cassava starch granules were treated with standard sodium hypochlorite solution at 0.8, 2.0, and 5.0 g Cl/100 g starch. The native and modified starch samples were investigated by means of the following techniques: simultaneous thermogravimetry-differential thermal analysis, which allowed us to verify the thermal decomposition associated with endothermic or exothermic phenomena; and differential scanning calorimetry that was used to determine gelatinization enthalpy as well as the rapid viscoamylographic analysis that provided the pasting temperature and viscosity. By means of non-contact-atomic force microscopy method and X-ray powder patterns diffractometry, it was possible to observe the surface morphology, topography of starch granules, and alterations in the granules' crystallinity. © 2012 Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest, Hungary.

A new hybrid polyhedral cubic silsesquioxane chemically modified with 4-amino-5-(4-pyridyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol (APTT) and copper hexacyanoferrate(III) for voltammetric determination of nitrite

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Predation-risk effects of predator identity on the foraging behaviors of frugivorous bats

Predators directly and indirectly affect the density and the behavior of prey. These effects may potentially cascade down to lower trophic levels. In this study, we tested the effects of predator calls (playbacks of bird vocalizations: Tyto alba, Speotyto cunicularia, and Vanellus chilensis), predator visual stimuli (stuffed birds) and interactions of visual and auditory cues, on the behavior of frugivore phyllostomid bats in the field. In addition, we tested if the effects of predation risk cascade down to other trophic levels by measuring rates of seed dispersal of the tree Muntingia calabura. Using video recording, we found that bats significantly decreased the foraging frequency on trees when a visual cue of T. alba was present. However, no stimuli of potential predatory birds, including vocalization of T. alba, affected bat foraging frequency. There was a change in bat behavior during 7 min, but then their frequency of activity gradually increased. Consequently, the presence of T. alba decreased by up to ten times the rate of seed removal. These results indicate that risk sensitivity of frugivorous phyllostomid bats depends on predator identity and presence. Among the predators used in this study, only T. alba is an effective bat predator in the Neotropics. Sound stimuli of T. alba seem not to be a cue of predation risk, possibly because their vocalizations are used only for intraspecific communication. This study emphasizes the importance of evaluating different predator stimuli on the behavior of vertebrates, as well as the effects of these stimuli on trait-mediated trophic cascades. © 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

The who start study suicidal behaviors across different areas of the world

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) study entitled Suicide Trends in At-Risk Territories (START) is an international multisite initiative that aims to stimulate suicide research and prevention across different areas of the globe. A central component of the study is the development of registration systems for fatal and nonfatal suicidal behaviors. Aims: This paper provides an overview of the data collected on suicidal behaviors from the participating locations in the START study. Method: Descriptive statistics on the data are presented in terms of age, sex, and method. Results: Agreater proportion of suicide deaths occurred among males. In all areas except the Philippines more females than males engaged in nonfatal suicidal behaviors. Compared to Australia, Italy, New Zealand, the Philippines, and Hong Kong SAR, in the Pacific Islands suicide most often occurs in younger age groups. Results indicate notable variations between countries in choice of method. A greater proportion of suicides occurred by hanging in Pacific Islands, while inhalation of carbon monoxide, use of firearms, ingestion of chemicals and poisons, and drug overdose were the most frequent methods of choice in other areas. Conclusion: The information drawn from this study demonstrates the enormous variation in suicidal behavior across the areas involved in the START Study. Further research is needed to assess the reliability of the established data-recording systems for suicidal behaviors. The baseline data established in START may allow the development of suicide prevention initiatives sensitive to variation in the profile of suicide across different locations. © 2013 Hogrefe Publishing.

A cubic silsesquioxane modified with purpald®: Preparation, characterization and a voltammetric application for determination of sulfite

A novel composite formed by interaction of a octa(3-chloropropyl)octasilsesquioxane modified with Purpald®, and its subsequent reaction with silver and hexacyanoferrate (III) (AgHSP), was synthesized and initially characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR) and cyclic voltammetry. The cyclic voltammogram of the modified graphite paste electrode with AgHSP, showed one redox couple with formal potential Eθ'=0.64V (vs Ag/AgCl, KNO3, 1.0 mol L-1; v = 20 mV s-1), attributed to the Fe2+(CN)6/ Fe3+(CN)6 process. The redox couple presents an electrocatalytic response for determination of sulfite. The modified electrode showed a linear response from 7.0×10-5 to 1.0×10-3 mol L-1 with the corresponding equation Y(μA) = 18.05 + 29.983×103 [sulfite], and a correlation coefficient of r=0.999. The method showed a detection limit of 0.115×10-4 mol L-1 with a relative standard deviation of ± 4% (n = 3) and amperometric sensitivity of 29.983×10-3A mol L-1. The modified electrode showed a excellent stability and good reproducibility during experiments. © 2013 by ESG.

Sensitive voltammetric sensor for fast detection of mycolic acids present in mycobacteria

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Supramolecular assemblies and magnetic behaviors of the M(II)/p-aminopyridine/malonate (M = Ni, Mn, Cu, Co) systems

The coordination compounds [Ni(μ-mal)(apy)2(H 2O)]·2.8H2O (1), [Mn(μ-mal)(H2O) 2] (2), (apyH)2[Cu(μ-mal)2] (3) and (apyH)2[Co(mal)2(H2O)2] (4) (mal = malonate, apy = p-aminopyridine) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, vibrational spectroscopy, single crystal X-ray diffraction and magnetometry. With exception of 4, the malonate group acts as bridging ligand leading to the formation of one-dimensional polymeric chains. In compound 1 it was observed the coordination of the p-aminopyridine in the axial positions of the distorted octahedral coordination sphere. The solid-state structure exhibits a high complex 3D network formed by several supramolecular interactions. Magnetic properties were determined for all members of the series and indicate that the materials behave are normal paramagnets, except the Mn polymer 2 which exhibits an antiferromagnetic ground state. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Study of the threshold line between macroscopic and bulk behaviors for homogeneous type II superconductors

In this work we solved the time dependent Ginzburg-Landau equations to simulate homogeneous superconducting samples with square geometry for several lateral sizes. As a result of such simulations we notice that in the Meissner state, when the vortices do not penetrate the superconductor, the response of small samples are not coincident with that expected for the bulk ones, i.e., 4. πM=. -. H. Thus, we focused our analyzes on the way which the M(. H) curves approximate from the characteristic curve of bulk superconductors. With such study, we built a diagram of the size of the sample as a function of the temperature which indicates a threshold line between macroscopic and bulk behaviors. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

Cost-effective composite electrode for the fast voltammetric screening and determination of riboflavin (B2) and pyridoxine (B6) in pharmaceuticals

Different solid composites made by mechanical dispersions of graphite particles into heated paraffin (from 65 to 80% graphite, in mass) were prepared and assessed in order to optimize their use in electrochemical and electroanalytical procedures for bioanalysis. Besides these, composites were also evaluated by thermoanalytical techniques aiming to study their conservation and long-term stability (over eight months without special care), among others. Best results were found at 80% m/m graphite in paraffin. Such electrode combines low-cost, stability, sensitivity, ease of maintenance and clearance, besides the possibilities of manufacture in many different forms and shapes (with or without modifications) and applicability in a wide range of pH. Electrochemical studies by different voltammetric techniques involving vitamins from complex B (riboflavin and pyridoxine) leaded to a better understanding about their electrooxidative processes onto carbon-composite electrodes, specially regarding reversibility and pH-dependence. Data were also acquired and optimized with analytical purposes, being square-wave voltammetry in pH 4.2 chosen by its many advantages. Good linearity between peak responses as function of concentration were reached from 5 to 43 μmol L-1 for riboflavin (peak at -0.257 V) and up to 8.5 × 10-4 mol L -1 for pyridoxine (peak at +1.04 V), best studied conditions; limits of detection (at an S/N of 3) for both analites showed to be circa 1.0 mol L-1. Different commercial samples were analyzed for riboflavin (EMS® complex B syrup) and pyridoxine (Citoneurin 5000 Merck® ampoules) providing 96.6% and 98.7% recoveries, respectively.

Electrochemical sensor for ranitidine determination based on carbon paste electrode modified with oxovanadium (IV) salen complex

The preparation and electrochemical characterization of a carbon paste electrode modified with the N,N-ethylene-bis(salicyllideneiminato)oxovanadium (IV) complex ([VO(salen)]) as well as its application for ranitidine determination are described. The electrochemical behavior of the modified electrode for the electroreduction of ranitidine was investigated using cyclic voltammetry, and analytical curves were obtained for ranitidine using linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) under optimized conditions. The best voltammetric response was obtained for an electrode composition of 20% (m/m) [VO(salen)] in the paste, 0.10 mol L- 1 of KCl solution (pH 5.5 adjusted with HCl) as supporting electrolyte and scan rate of 25 mV s- 1. A sensitive linear voltammetric response for ranitidine was obtained in the concentration range from 9.9 × 10- 5 to 1.0 × 10- 3 mol L- 1, with a detection limit of 6.6 × 10- 5 mol L- 1 using linear sweep voltammetry. These results demonstrated the viability of this modified electrode as a sensor for determination, quality control and routine analysis of ranitidine in pharmaceutical formulations. © 2013 Published by Elsevier B.V.