Pulmonary mechanic and lung histology injury induced by Crotalus durissus terrificus snake venom

In the present work we investigated the effects of Crotalus durissus terrificus venom (CdtV) on the pulmonary mechanic events [static and dynamic elastance, resistive (Delta P1) and viscoelastic pressures (Delta P2)] and histology after intramuscular injection of saline solution (control) or venom (0.6 mu g/g). The static and dynamic elastance values were increased significantly after 3 It of venom inoculation, but were reduced at control values in the other periods studied. The Delta P1 values that correspond to the resistive properties of lung tissue presented a significant increase after 6 h of CdtV injection, reducing to basal levels 12 h after the venom injection. In Delta P2 analysis, correspondent to viscoelastic components, an increase occurred 12 h after the venom injection, returning to control values at 24 h. CdtV also caused an increase of leukocytes recruitment (3-24 h) to the airways wall as well as to the lung parenchyma. In conclusion, C. durissus terrificus rattlesnake venom leads to lung injury which is reverted, after 24 h of inoculation. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Leukocytoclastic vasculitis: another condition that mimics syphilis

Syphilis, a disease that in the past was associated with significant morbidity and lethality rates, has resurged in recent years principally as a consequence of changes in risk behavior. An epidemiological group that is commonly affected is the HIV-infected population. The characteristics of the disease and its progression may differ in these patients. The present report describes a case of an HIV-positive male patient, who developed florid secondary syphilis: in addition to syphilitic roseola, he also presented with bilateral panuveitis and involvement of the central nervous system. Investigation revealed the prozone phenomenon and histological examination of the skin lesions showed the presence of leukocytoclastic vasculitis. This finding is extremely rare and few cases have been documented.

Adenosine deaminase and tuberculous meningitis-A systematic review with meta-analysis

Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is a severe infection of the central nervous system, particularly in developing countries. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are necessary to decrease the high rates of disability and death associated with TBM. The diagnosis is often time and labour intensive; thus, a simple, accurate and rapid diagnostic test is needed. The adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity test is a rapid test that has been used for the diagnosis of the pleural, peritoneal and pericardial forms of tuberculosis. However, the usefulness of ADA in TBM is uncertain. The aim of this study was to evaluate ADA as a diagnostic test for TBM in a systematic review. A systematic search was performed of the medical literature (MEDLINE, LILACS, Web of Science and EMBASE). The ADA values from TBM cases and controls (diagnosed with other types of meningitis) were necessary to calculate the sensitivity and specificity. Out of a total of 522 studies, 13 were included in the meta-analysis (380 patients with TBM). The sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic odds ratios (DOR) were calculated based on arbitrary ADA cut-off values from 1 to 10 U/l. ADA values from 1 to 4 U/l (sensitivity > 93% and specificity < 80%) helped to exclude TBM; values between 4 and 8 U/l were insufficient to confirm or exclude the diagnosis of TBM (p = 0.07), and values > 8 U/l (sensitivity < 59% and specificity > 96%) improved the diagnosis of TBM (p < 0.001). None of the cut-off values could be used to discriminate between TBM and bacterial meningitis. In conclusion, ADA cannot distinguish between bacterial meningitis and TBM, but using ranges of ADA values could be important to improve TBM diagnosis, particularly after bacterial meningitis has been ruled out. The different methods used to measure ADA and the heterogeneity of data do not allow standardization of this test as a routine.

Effects of biomass burning on nasal mucociliary clearance and mucus properties after sugarcane harvesting

Objective: Biofuel from sugarcane is widely produced in developing countries and is a clean and renewable alternative source of energy. However, sugarcane harvesting is mostly performed after biomass burning. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of harvesting after biomass burning on nasal mucociliary clearance and the nasal mucus properties of farm workers. Methods: Twenty seven sugarcane workers (21-45 years old) were evaluated at the end of two successive time-periods: first at the end of a 6-month harvesting period (harvesting), and then at the end of a 3-month period without harvesting (non-harvesting). Nasal mucociliary clearance was evaluated by the saccharine transit test, and mucus properties were analyzed using in vitro mucus contact angle and mucus transportability by sneeze. Arterial blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, pulse oximetry, body temperature, associated illness, and exhaled carbon monoxide were registered. Results: Data are presented as mean values (95% confidence interval). The multivariate model analysis adjusted for age, body-mass index, smoking status and years of working with this agricultural practice showed that harvesting yielded prolonged saccharine transit test in 7.83 min (1.88-13.78), increased mucus contact angle in 8.68 degrees (3.18-14.17) and decreased transportability by sneeze in 32.12 mm (-44.83 to -19.42) compared with the non-harvesting period. No significant differences were detected in any of the clinical parameter at either time-period. Conclusion: Sugarcane harvesting after biomass burning negatively affects the first barrier of the respiratory system in farm workers by impairing nasal mucociliary clearance and inducing abnormal mucus properties. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Ultrastructural aspects of lingual papillae in squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus)

Saimiri sciureus is one of the smallest Cebidae native of Amazon region and also found at the biological reserve of northeast Atlantic forest. It is an omnivore animal, with diversified diet that directly influences the lingual mucosa, which includes certain types of papillae with different organization levels. The present study attempted to describe the morphological and ultrastructure aspects of the dorsal surface of the S. sciureus. Five tongues of de S. sciureus were analyzed from three males and two females who died from natural causes and were obtained from breeding colonies of CENP-Ananindeua-PA. Main macroscopic features were a general triangular shape with a craniocaudal elongation pointed apex. Tissue samples-apex, body, and root of tongue-were fixed in modified Karnovsky solution, following standard scanning protocol, mounted in stubs, coated by gold, and analyzed by Scanning Electron Macroscopy (SEM). Four types of papillae were described: filiform (along all tissue extension with 154 mu m of diameter), fungiform (along all tissue extension with 272 mu m of diameter), vallate [just three units in caudal (dorsal) portion with 830 mu m of diameter] and foliate (one pair at caudolateral surface with similar to 13 projections and 3000 mu m in length). Data analysis indicates that the distribution and ultra structural morphology of the S. sciureus lingual papillae are some similar to other primates. Microsc. Res. Tech. 74:484-487, 2011. (C) 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Stress intensity factor threshold in dental porcelains

The stress intensity factor threshold (K(IO)) is related to the stress level at which cracks start to grow stably, causing the weakening of porcelain prostheses during their use. The values of K(IO) of seven dental porcelains (with and without reinforcing leucite crystal, KAlSi(2)O(6)) stored in air (22 degrees C, 60% relative humidity) and artificial saliva (37 degrees C) were determined by measuring the crack growth velocity of radial cracks generated at the corner of Vickers indentations. The results of K(IO) were correlated with the leucite content, fracture toughness (K(Ic)), and chemical composition of the porcelains. It was observed that K(IO) increased with the increase of leucite content (only for the leucite-based porcelains) and with the increase of K(Ic). The increase in Al(2)O(3) content or the decrease in the alkali oxide (K(2)O and Na(2)O) content of the material`s glassy matrix tended to increase the K(IO) values. Storage media (air and saliva) did not significantly affect the K(IO) of porcelains tested, indicating that the control parameter of K(IO) value was not the water content of the storage media.

In the vernacular: On the architecture of the National Museum of Australia

This Article does not have an abstract.

Site-directed mutagenesis of the ATM promoter: Consequences for response to proliferation and ionizing radiation

Although ATM, the protein defective in ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T), is activated primarily by radiation, there is also evidence that expression of the protein can be regulated by both radiation and growth factors. Computer analysis of the ATM promoter proximal 700-bp sequence reveals a number of potentially important cis-regulatory sequences. Using nucleotide substitutions to delete putative functional elements in the promoter of ATM, we examined the importance of some of these sites for both the basal and the radiation-induced activity of the promoter. In lymphoblastoid cells, most of the mutations in transcription factor consensus sequences [Sp1(1), Sp1(2), Cre, Ets, Xre, gammaIre(2), a modified AP1 site (Fse), and GCF] reduced basal activity to various extents, whereas others [gammaIre(1), NF1, Myb] left basal activity unaffected. In human skin fibroblasts, results were generally the same, but the basal activity varied up to 8-fold in these and other cell lines. Radiation activated the promoter approximately 2.5-fold in serum-starved lymphoblastoid cells, reaching a maximum by 3 hr, and all mutated elements equally blocked this activation. Reduction in Sp1 and AP1 DNA binding activity by serum starvation was rapidly reversed by exposure of cells to radiation. This reduction was not evident in A-T cells, and the response to radiation was less marked. Data provided for interaction between ATM and Sp1 by protein binding and co-immunoprecipitation could explain the altered regulation of Sp1 in A-T cells. The data described here provide additional evidence that basal and radiation-induced regulation of the ATM promoter is under multifactorial control. (C) 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Colet??nea planejamento e or??amento governamental: volume 2: pref??cio

Estabelece o objetivo da publica????o de se tornar material did??tico para a forma????o de servidores da Administra????o P??blica brasileira

Colet??nea planejamento e or??amento governamental: volume 2: a aus??ncia de uma teoria or??ament??ria

A respeito do aspecto mais significativo da or??amenta????o p??blica, ou seja, a aloca????o de gastos para diferentes prop??sitos de forma a se atingir o melhor retorno, a literatura or??ament??ria norte-americana ?? bastante ??rida. Esfor??ados estudiosos do campo or??ament??rio t??m-se ocupado principalmente com a organiza????o e o procedimento para a prepara????o do or??amento, as formas como as solicita????es de fundos s??osubmetidas, o formato da pe??a or??ament??ria em si e quest??es similares1.N??o se pode negar que esses aspectos merecem a considera????o a eles dispensada, quando se lembra da inacredit??vel resist??ncia ?? ado????o dos mais rudimentares quesitos b??sicos do or??amento e se observa sua condi????o insatisfat??ria ainda hoje em algumas jurisdi????es. No entanto, a dedica????o de energia para o estabelecimento da mec??nica do or??amento desviou a aten????o do problema essencial do or??amento (no lado do gasto), a saber: em que se deve basear a decis??o de se alocar x d??lares para a atividade a em vez de ser para a atividade b

Colet??nea planejamento e or??amento governamental: volume 2: conflitos e solu????es no or??amento federal

Esta obra trata da pol??tica e dos processos de elabora????o do or??amento federal e das pol??ticas que surgem da??. N??o h?? discuss??o completa sobre or??amento sem levar em considera????o esses tr??s aspectos. Muitas atividades governamentais combinam processo e pol??tica, por??m o or??amento ?? diferente, porque determinadas tarefas b??sicas precisam ser conclu??das a cada ano. Independentemente de qu??o dif??ceis sejam as escolhas e qu??o incerto seja o cen??rio futuro, o presidente precisa apresentar uma proposta e o Congresso precisa autorizar as dota????es. Se o presidente ou o Congresso decidirem que n??o ?? o momento de fazer mudan??as na pol??tica tribut??ria ou de abordar determinada proposta legislativa, qualquer um dos dois pode postergar as a????es at?? que se chegue a um acordo. Por??m, n??o podem esquivar-se da sua responsabilidade de decidir sobre o or??amento. Caso contr??rio, programas federais e organismos param, por aus??ncia de financiamento, e assim, tamb??m, o trabalho do governo. Ainda assim, mesmo quando ocorrem paralisa????es ??? mais recentemente em 1995-1996 ???, no final das contas, chega-se a um acordo entre o presidente e o Congresso

Colet??nea planejamento e or??amento governamental: volume 2: do or??amento por programas para o or??amento de desempenho: o desafio para economias de mercado emergentes

Primeiramente, este documento revisa a evolu????o do antigo modelo de or??amento de desempenho, introduzido nos Estados Unidos h?? mais de meio s??culo, para o novo modelo de or??amento de desempenho. Este, que cont??m muitos dos elementos do antigo modelo, est?? sendo cada vez mais aplicado em economias avan??adas, incluindo a dos Estados Unidos. Usando a classifica????o de modelos de or??amento derivada deste estudo, pode-se considerar que muitas das economias de mercado emergentes introduziram algum tipo de or??amento por programas, embora se saiba que o termo ?? utilizado de v??rias maneiras. Contudo, essas economias ainda precisam avan??ar para o or??amento por produtos e, subseq??entemente, incorporar as reformas necess??rias para o novo or??amento de desempenho. Neste documento, ser?? discutido que, pelo fato de n??o realizarem esse avan??o, as economias de mercado emergentes n??o conseguiram utilizar plenamente seus or??amentos por programas para melhorar a gest??o de seus or??amentos. Reconhece-se que dar esse passo n??o ?? f??cil e exige que quatro principais elementos sejam introduzidos e/ou fortalecidos para assegurar o sucesso de tal investida. Esses elementos devem ser considerados como a base da estrat??gia para a introdu????o do novo modelo de or??amento de desempenho.

Colet??nea planejamento e or??amento governamental: volume 2: temas e quest??es sobre a gest??o da despesa p??blica

O artigo est?? dividido em tr??s partes. Na primeira parte, as caracter??sticas do novo pacote de reformas de gest??o de despesa p??blica s??o visualizadas em termos da situa????o futura ??? ano 2020. Na segunda, s??o discutidos os acontecimentos passados que contribu??ram para a evolu????o do novo pacote. Na terceira, as inova????es do or??amento cumulativo ou da gest??o da despesa s??o discutidas em termos de sua adequa????o para satisfazer as expectativas atuais, bem como a utilidade do pacote no contexto de rubricas cambiantes de despesa p??blica.

Colet??nea planejamento e or??amento governamental: volume 2: o ciclo or??ament??rio: uma reavalia????o ?? luz da Constitui????o de 1988

Abordagem t??cnico-jur??dica do tema ciclo or??ament??rio. Aprecia????o das modifica????es introduzidas pela Constitui????o de 1988 no ciclo or??ament??rio tradicional. Detalhamento de cada uma das fases e explicita????o de suas atividades, problemas e singularidades. Avalia????o prospectiva das tend??ncias, no que se refere ao aprimoramento de processos cr??ticos ??s v??rias fases do ciclo or??ament??rio.

Colet??nea planejamento e or??amento governamental: volume 2: reforma gerencial dos processos de planejamento e or??amento

O prop??sito deste trabalho ?? apresentar os fundamentos, as dificuldades e os desafios de duas reestrutura????es: a da natureza da despesa, vigente desde 1990 e a da classifica????o funcional-program??tica, a partir do ano 2000, ambas inseridas no escopo maior da chamada reforma gerencial dos processos de planejamento e or??amento.