A systematic review of feather mites of the pterodectes generic complex (acari: Proctophyllodidae: Pterodectinae) with redescriptions of species described by vladimír cerný

Five species of feather mites originally described in the genus Pterodectes by Vladimir černý (1974) are redescribed: Pterodectes havliki, P. maculatus , P. reticulatus, P. storkani, P. thraupicola and P. troglodytis. The formerly unknown males of P. thraupicola and P. reticulatus and the female of P. maculatus are described for the first time. A synopsis of known species of the Pterodectes generic complex is presented, and species content of the genus Pterodectes is revised. Fifteen species previously included in this genus are transferred to the new genus Amerodectes gen. n.: Amerodectes atyeoi (OConnor et al., 2005) comb. n., A. bilineatus (Berla, 1958) comb. n., A. geothlypis (Berla, 1973) comb. n., A. gracilis (Trouessart, 1885) comb. n., A. maculatus comb. n., A. molothrus (Mironov, 2008) comb. n., A. nordestensis (Berla, 1958) comb. n., A. paroariae (Mironov, 2008) comb. n., A. pitangi (Mironov, 2008) comb. n., A. tangarae (Mironov, 2008) comb. n., A. turdinus (Berla, 1959) comb. n., A. sialiarum (Stoll, 1893) comb. n., A. storkani (černý, 1974) comb. n., A. thraupicola (cčerný, 1974) comb. n., and A. troglodytis (černý, 1974) comb. n. Five species are transferred to the genus Tyrannidectes Mironov, 2008: Tyrannidectes amaurochalinus (Hernandes et Valim, 2006) comb. n., T. banksi (Valim et Hernandes, 2008) comb. n., T. crassus (Trouessart, 1885) comb. n., T. fissuratus (Hernandes et Valim, 2005) comb. n., and T. reticulatus (Cerný, 1974) comb. n.; and one species is moved to the genus Metapterodectes Mironov, 2008: Metapterodectes muticus (Banks, 1909) comb. n. The genus Pterodectes remains monotypic, with the type species P. rutilus Robin, 1877. © Acarina 2010.

Characterization of methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci in milk from cows with mastitis in Brazil

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus of lineage ST398 as cause of mastitis in cows

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Análise Isotópica de Carbono-13 e Nitrogênio-15 da Ipomoea violacea para Determinação de sua Origem Geográfica

Along the Earth globe we can find many types of psychoactive plants. Among them is the Ipomoea violacea, popularly known as Morning Glory. There are ergotalkaloids producer associated-fungus in its leaves and seeds. One of these alkaloids that can be found is the ergine (or LSA), a homologous substance of the lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). There are many discussions around the world about the inclusion of LSA in the list of controlled substances. In Brazil, this was recently prohibited. One of the most important point of view in the study of isotopic composition of 13C and 15N of this plant is the fact that there is a total alkaloid variation in function of its geographic origin like was verified in 1960’s, besides to aggregate knowledge about it. This work was made to verify if the isotopic ratio can be used as a tool in tracing this illegal Brazilian plant. We could conclude that this plant presents a C3 photosynthetic pathway, its parts has different isotopic carbon and nitrogen composition and that stable isotope analysis can be successfully used as a tool to detect its geographic origin

The medial amygdaloid nucleus is involved in the cardiovascular pathway activated by noradrenaline into the lateral septal area of rats

We have previously reported that noradrenaline (NA) microinjected into the lateral septal area (LSA) caused pressor and bradicardic responses that were mediated by vasopressin release into the circulation through the paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus (PVN). Although PVN is the final structure involved in the cardiovascular responses caused by NA in the LSA, there is no evidence of direct connections between these areas, suggesting that some structures could be links in this pathway. In the present study, we verified the effect of reversible synaptic inactivation of the medial amygdaloid nucleus (MeA), bed nucleus of stria terminalis (BNST) or diagonal band of Broca (DBB) with Cobalt Chloride (CoCl2) on the cardiovascular response to NA microinjection into the LSA of unanesthetized rats. Male Wistar rats had guide cannulae implanted into the LSA and the MeA, BNST or DBB for drug administration, and a femoral catheter for blood pressure and heart rate recordings. Local microinjection of CoCl2 (1 mm in 100 nL) into the MeA significantly reduced the pressor and bradycardic responses caused by NA microinjection (21 nmol in 200 nL) into the LSA. In contrast, microinjection of CoCl2 into the BNST or DBB did not change the cardiovascular responses to NA into the LSA. The results indicate that synapses within the MeA, but not in BNST or DBB, are involved in the cardiovascular pathway activated by NA microinjection into the LSA.

Brain Pathways Involved in the Modulatory Effects of Noradrenaline in Lateral Septal Area on Cardiovascular Responses

We have previously reported that stimulation of alpha-1 adrenoceptors by noradrenaline (NA) injected into the lateral septal area (LSA) of anaesthetized rats causes pressor and bradycardic responses that are mediated by acute vasopressin release into the circulation through activation of the paraventricular nucleus (PVN). Although the PVN is the final structure of this pathway, the LSA has no direct connections with the PVN, suggesting that other structures may connect these areas. To address this issue, the present study employed c-Fos immunohistochemistry to investigate changes caused by NA microinjection into the LSA in neuronal activation in brain structures related to systemic vasopressin release. NA microinjected in the LSA caused pressor and bradycardic responses, which were blocked by intraseptal administration of alpha-1 adrenoceptor antagonist (WB4101, 10 nmol/200 nL) or systemic V-1 receptor antagonist (dTyr(CH2)5(Me)AVP, 50 mu g/kg). NA also increased c-Fos immunoreactivity in the prelimbic cortex (PL), infralimbic cortex (IL), dorsomedial periaqueductal gray (dmPAG), bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), PVN, and medial amygdala (MeA). No differences in the diagonal band of Broca, cingulate cortex, and dorsolateral periaqueductal gray (dlPAG) were found. Systemic administration of the vasopressin receptor antagonist dTyr AVP (CH2)5(Me) did not change the increase in c-Fos expression induced by intra-septal NA. This latter effect, however, was prevented by local injection of the alpha-1 adrenoceptor antagonist WB4101. These results suggest that areas such as the PL, IL, dmPAG, BNST, MeA, and PVN could be part of a circuit responsible for vasopressin release after activation of alpha-1 adrenoceptors in the LSA.

Lateral septal area alpha(1)-and alpha(2)-adrenoceptors differently modulate baroreflex activity in unanaesthetized rats

The lateral septal area (LSA) is a limbic structure involved in autonomic, neuroendocrine and behavioural responses. An inhibitory influence of the LSA on baroreflex activity has been reported; however, the local neurotransmitter involved in this modulation is still unclear. In the present study, we verified the involvement of local LSA adrenoceptors in modulating cardiac baroreflex activity in unanaesthetized rats. Bilateral microinjection of the selective a1-adrenoceptor antagonist WB4101 (10 nmol in a volume of 100 nl) into the LSA decreased baroreflex bradycardia evoked by blood pressure increases, but had no effect on reflex tachycardia evoked by blood pressure decreases. Nevertheless, bilateral administration of the selective a2-adrenoceptor antagonist RX821002 (10 nmol in 100 nl) increased baroreflex tachycardia without affecting reflex bradycardia. Treatment of the LSA with a cocktail containing WB4101 and RX821002 decreased baroreflex bradycardia and increased reflex tachycardia. The non-selective beta-adrenoceptor antagonist propranolol (10 nmol in 100 nl) did not affect either reflex bradycardia or tachycardia. Microinjection of noradrenaline into the LSA increased reflex bradycardia and decreased the baroreflex tachycardic response, an opposite effect compared with those observed after double blockade of a1- and a2-adrenoceptors, and this effect of noradrenaline was blocked by local LSA pretreatment with the cocktail containing WB4101 and RX821002. The present results provide advances in our understanding of the baroreflex neural circuitry. Taken together, data suggest that local LSA a1- and a2-adrenoceptors modulate baroreflex control of heart rate differently. Data indicate that LSA a1-adrenoceptors exert a facilitatory modulation on baroreflex bradycardia, whereas local a2-adrenoceptors exert an inhibitory modulation on reflex tachycardia.

Barn i missbrukarfamiljer – Överlevnadsstrategier

Barn till missbrukare sägs ha olika överlevnadsstrategier för att klara sin svåra situation. Det är viktigt att den roll som barnet utvecklat för att överleva inte permanentas och att barnet får hjälp att hitta andra vägar att lösa sin svåra situation på. Att ha förståelse och kunskap om hur det är att vara barn i en familj där någon av föräldrarna sitter fast i ett alkoholmissbruk är en nödvändig förutsättning för att arbeta professionellt med barn till alkoholister. Syftet med denna uppsats är att göra en kartläggning av barnens beteendemönster och de faktorer som kan påverka dessa i missbruksfamiljer. Denna studie är en kvantitativ enkätstudie där den huvudsakliga undersökningspopulationen bestått av föräldrar till barn som har missbruksproblem i sin närhet. Det finns gruppverksamheter för barn och ungdomar som har missbrukande föräldrar och genom kontakter med ett flertal av dessa verksamheter har enkäterna nått fram till undersökningspersonerna. De har frivilligt tagit emot enkäter och anonymt svarat på frågor om sina barn. De gruppansvariga samlade in de ifyllda enkäterna och återsände dem till Mittuniversitetet. Enkäterna sammanställdes sedan med tidigare forskning kring överlevnadsstrategier och roller som grund. Skalor konstruerades för att mäta beteendemönster. Med hjälp av dessa gjordes en uppdelning i grupperna hjälten, rebellen, tapetblomman, clownen och kelgrisen, efter hur barnen motsvarar de klassiskt beskrivna rollerna. Försök gjordes att förklara barnens beteenden utifrån familjens och barnets situation. Variansanalysen som gjordes visade att de beskrivna rollerna inte förklarades av några av de undersökta variablerna, alltså inte heller av missbruket eller andra stressfaktorer såsom negativt familjeklimat eller externa konflikter. Analysen ger alltså dåligt stöd för att rollerna till påtaglig del kan förklaras utifrån familjeproblemen.

Det underordnade barnet - en diskursanalys av innebörder i begreppen barnperspektiv och barnets bästa

Begreppen barnperspektiv och barnets bästa infördes i svensk lagstiftning sedan Sverige ratificerade FN:s konvention om barns rättigheter. En diskursanalytisk metod studerar kritiskt hur fenomen beskrivs, hur diskursordningar skapas, vem som äger talet och dominerar i en diskurs. Makt är en aspekt som analysmetoden betonar i mellanmänskliga relationer. Barn kan sägas befinna sig i en underordnad position på såväl individ nivå som på grupp- och samhällsnivå. Hur kommer barns bästa fram? Hur kommer barn till tals? Begreppet barnperspektiv beskrevs som vagt i offentlig litteratur och kopplades till ett helhetsperspektiv i en gruppintervju med socialsekreterare, verksamma inom socialt barnavårdsarbete. Begreppet barnets bästa överskuggades av en dominerande tolkning av barnperspektivet som vagt. En tolkning som tycks legitimera att brister på tid och resurser åsidosätter barnets rätt att komma till tals. Barnets bästa som begrepp tenderar att lösa upp sig vilket avspeglas i det ringa utrymme som barnets röst ges. Uppsatsen visade att det finns risk för att redan marginaliserade barn inte syns, kommer till tals eller blir lyssnade på i sociala barnavårdsutredningar. Att sätta barnets bästa i främsta rummet löper istället risk att sättas i ett väntrum på att bli vuxen.

TSDEAI Extended

Questa tesi riguarda lo sviluppo di un'applicazione che sfrutta le tecnologie del Web Semantico e del Text Mining. L'applicazione rappresenta l'estensione di un lavoro relativo ad una tesi precedente, aggiungendo ad esso la funzionalità di ricerca semantica. Tale funzionalità permette il recupero di informazioni che con il metodo di ricerca normale non verrebbero considerate. Per raggiungere questo risultato si utilizza WordNet, un database semantico-lessicale, e una libreria per la Latent Semantic Analysis, una tecnica del Text Mining.

Borrelia in granuloma annulare, morphea and lichen sclerosus: a PCR-based study and review of the literature

Morphea, granuloma annulare (GA) and lichen sclerosus et atrophicans (LSA) have also been suggested to be linked to Borrelia infection. Previous studies based on serologic data or detection of Borrelia by immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) reported contradictory results. Thus, we examined skin biopsies of morphea, GA and LSA by PCR to assess the prevalence of Borrelia DNA in an endemic area and to compare our results with data in the literature.

Should intentional endovascular stent-graft coverage of the left subclavian artery be preceded by prophylactic revascularisation?

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) has emerged as a promising therapeutic alternative to conventional open aortic replacement but it requires suitable proximal and distal landing zones for stent-graft anchoring. Many aortic pathologies affect in the immediate proximity of the left subclavian artery (LSA) limiting the proximal landing zone site without proximal vessel coverage. In patients in whom the distance between the LSA and aortic lesion is too short, extension of the landing zone can be obtained by covering the LSA's origin with the endovascular stent graft (ESG). This manoeuvre has the potential for immediate and delayed neurological and vascular symptoms. Some authors, therefore, propose prophylactic revascularisation of the LSA by transposition or bypass, while others suggest prophylactic revascularisation only under certain conditions, and still others see no requirement for prophylactic revascularisation in anticipation of LSA ostium coverage. In this review about LSA revascularisation in TEVAR patients with coverage of the LSA, we searched the electronic databases MEDLINE and EMBASE historically until the end date of May 2010 with the search terms left subclavian artery, covering, endovascular, revascularisation and thoracic aorta. We have gathered the most complete scientific evidence available used to support the various concepts to deal with this issue. After a review of the current available literature, 23 relevant articles were found, where we have identified and analysed three basic treatment concepts for LSA revascularisation in TEVAR patients (prophylactic, conditional prophylactic and no prophylactic LSA revascularisation). The available evidence supports prophylactic revascularisation of the LSA before ESG LSA coverage when preoperative imaging reveals abnormal supra-aortic vascular anatomy or pathology. We further conclude that elective patients undergoing planned coverage of the LSA during TEVAR should receive prophylactic LSA transposition or LSA-to-left-common-carotid-artery (LCCA) bypass surgery to prevent severe neurological complications, such as paraplegia or brain stem infarction.

A trilocus sequence typing scheme for hospital epidemiology and subspecies differentiation of an important nosocomial pathogen, Enterococcus faecalis.

In this study, we present a trilocus sequence typing (TLST) scheme based on intragenic regions of two antigenic genes, ace and salA (encoding a collagen/laminin adhesin and a cell wall-associated antigen, respectively), and a gene associated with antibiotic resistance, lsa (encoding a putative ABC transporter), for subspecies differentiation of Enterococcus faecalis. Each of the alleles was analyzed using 50 E. faecalis isolates representing 42 diverse multilocus sequence types (ST(M); based on seven housekeeping genes) and four groups of clonally linked (by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis [PFGE]) isolates. The allelic profiles and/or concatenated sequences of the three genes agreed with multilocus sequence typing (MLST) results for typing of 49 of the 50 isolates; in addition to the one exception, two isolates were found to have identical TLST types but were single-locus variants (differing by a single nucleotide) by MLST and were therefore also classified as clonally related by MLST. TLST was also comparable to PFGE for establishing short-term epidemiological relationships, typing all isolates classified as clonally related by PFGE with the same type. TLST was then applied to representative isolates (of each PFGE subtype and isolation year) of a collection of 48 hospital isolates and demonstrated the same relationships between isolates of an outbreak strain as those found by MLST and PFGE. In conclusion, the TLST scheme described here was shown to be successful for investigating short-term epidemiology in a hospital setting and may provide an alternative to MLST for discriminating isolates.

True four-dimensional analysis of thoracic aortic displacement and distension using model-based segmentation of computed tomography angiography.

Previous analyses of aortic displacement and distension using computed tomography angiography (CTA) were performed on double-oblique multi-planar reformations and did not consider through-plane motion. The aim of this study was to overcome this limitation by using a novel computational approach for the assessment of thoracic aortic displacement and distension in their true four-dimensional extent. Vessel segmentation with landmark tracking was executed on CTA of 24 patients without evidence of aortic disease. Distension magnitudes and maximum displacement vectors (MDV) including their direction were analyzed at 5 aortic locations: left coronary artery (COR), mid-ascending aorta (ASC), brachiocephalic trunk (BCT), left subclavian artery (LSA), descending aorta (DES). Distension was highest for COR (2.3 ± 1.2 mm) and BCT (1.7 ± 1.1 mm) compared with ASC, LSA, and DES (p < 0.005). MDV decreased from COR to LSA (p < 0.005) and was highest for COR (6.2 ± 2.0 mm) and ASC (3.8 ± 1.9 mm). Displacement was directed towards left and anterior at COR and ASC. Craniocaudal displacement at COR and ASC was 1.3 ± 0.8 and 0.3 ± 0.3 mm. At BCT, LSA, and DES no predominant displacement direction was observable. Vessel displacement and wall distension are highest in the ascending aorta, and ascending aortic displacement is primarily directed towards left and anterior. Craniocaudal displacement remains low even close to the left cardiac ventricle.