The CUPID (Cultural and Psychosocial Influences on Disability) Study: Methods of Data Collection and Characteristics of Study Sample

Background: The CUPID (Cultural and Psychosocial Influences on Disability) study was established to explore the hypothesis that common musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and associated disability are importantly influenced by culturally determined health beliefs and expectations. This paper describes the methods of data collection and various characteristics of the study sample. Methods/Principal Findings: A standardised questionnaire covering musculoskeletal symptoms, disability and potential risk factors, was used to collect information from 47 samples of nurses, office workers, and other (mostly manual) workers in 18 countries from six continents. In addition, local investigators provided data on economic aspects of employment for each occupational group. Participation exceeded 80% in 33 of the 47 occupational groups, and after pre-specified exclusions, analysis was based on 12,426 subjects (92 to 1018 per occupational group). As expected, there was high usage of computer keyboards by office workers, while nurses had the highest prevalence of heavy manual lifting in all but one country. There was substantial heterogeneity between occupational groups in economic and psychosocial aspects of work; three-to fivefold variation in awareness of someone outside work with musculoskeletal pain; and more than ten-fold variation in the prevalence of adverse health beliefs about back and arm pain, and in awareness of terms such as "repetitive strain injury" (RSI). Conclusions/Significance: The large differences in psychosocial risk factors (including knowledge and beliefs about MSDs) between occupational groups should allow the study hypothesis to be addressed effectively.

The importance of mesofauna and decomposition environment on leaf decomposition in three forests in southeastern Brazil

We examined the effects of soil mesofauna and the litter decomposition environment (above and belowground) on leaf decomposition rates in three forest types in southeastern Brazil. To estimate decomposition experimentally, we used litterbags with a standard substrate in a full-factorial experimental design. We used model selection to compare three decomposition models and also to infer the importance of forest type, decomposition environment, mesofauna, and their interactions on the decomposition process. Rather than the frequently used simple and double-exponential models, the best model to describe our dataset was the exponential deceleration model, which assumed a single organic compartment with an exponential decrease of the decomposition rate. Decomposition was higher in the wet than in the seasonal forest, and the differences between forest types were stronger aboveground. Regarding litter decomposition environment, decomposition was predominantly higher below than aboveground, but the magnitude of this effect was higher in the seasonal than in wet forests. Mesofauna exclusion treatments had slower decomposition, except aboveground into the Semi-deciduous Forest, where the mesofauna presence did not affect decomposition. Furthermore, the effect of mesofauna was stronger in the wet forests and belowground. Overall, our results suggest that, in a regional scale, both decomposers activity and the positive effect of soil mesofauna in decomposition are constrained by abiotic factors, such as moisture conditions.

A radioenzymatic assay to identify three groups of phospholipase A(2) in platelets

Phospholipases A(2) (PLA(2)) are key enzymes in membrane metabolism. The release of fatty acids and lysophospholipids by PLA(2) activates several intra-cellular second messenger cascades that regulate a wide variety of physiological responses. The aim of the present study is to describe a radioenzymatic assay to determine the activity of three main PLA(2) subtypes in platelets, namely extracellular calcium-dependent PLA(2) (sPLA(2)) and intracellular calcium-dependent (cPLA(2)) and calcium-independent PLA(2) (iPLA(2)). The differentiation of these distinct PLA(2) subtypes was based on the enzyme substrate preference (arachdonic acid or palmitoyl acid) and calcium concentration. Our results indicate that this new assay is feasible, precise and specific to measure the activity of the aforementioned subtypes of PLA(2). Therefore, this protocol can be used to investigate modifications of PLA(2) homeostasis in distinct biological models addressing the pathophysiology of many medical and neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Opioidergic, GABAergic and serotonergic neurotransmission in the dorsal raphe nucleus modulates tonic immobility in guinea pigs

Tonic immobility (TI) is an innate defensive behavior that can be elicited by physical restriction and postural inversion and is characterized by a profound and temporary state of akinesis. Our previous studies demonstrated that the stimulation of serotonin receptors in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) appears to be biphasic during TI responses in guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus). Serotonin released by the DRN modulates behavioral responses and its release can occur through the action of different neurotransmitter systems, including the opioidergic and GABAergic systems. This study examines the role of opioidergic, GABAergic and serotonergic signaling in the DRN in TI defensive behavioral responses in guinea pigs. Microinjection of morphine (1.1 nmol) or bicuculline (0.5 nmol) into the DRN increased the duration of TI. The effect of morphine (1.1 nmol) was antagonized by pretreatment with naloxone (0.7 nmol), suggesting that the activation of pi opioid receptors in the DRN facilitates the TI response. By contrast, microinjection of muscimol (0.5 nmol) into the DRN decreased the duration of TI. However, a dose of muscimol (0.26 nmol) that alone did not affect TI, was sufficient to inhibit the effect of morphine (1.1 nmol) on TI, indicating that GABAergic and enkephalinergic neurons interact in the DRN. Microinjection of alpha-methyl-5-HT (1.6 nmol), a 5-HT2 agonist, into the DRN also increased TI. This effect was inhibited by the prior administration of naloxone (0.7 nmol). Microinjection of 8-OH-DPAT (1.3 nmol) also blocked the increase of TI promoted by morphine (1.1 nmol). Our results indicate that the opioidergic, GABAergic and serotonergic systems in the DRN are important for modulation of defensive behavioral responses of TI. Therefore, we suggest that opioid inhibition of GABAergic neurons results in disinhibition of serotonergic neurons and this is the mechanism by which opioids could enhance TI. Conversely, a decrease in TI could occur through the activation of GABAergic interneurons. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Management of diabetes mellitus and associated cardiovascular risk factors in Brazil – the Brazilian study on the practice of diabetes care

Abstract Background The Brazilian Study on the Practice of Diabetes Care main objective was to provide an epidemiological profile of individuals with type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) in Brazil, concerning therapy and adherence to international guidelines in the medical practice. Methods This observational, cross-sectional, multicenter study collected and analyzed data from individuals with type 1 and 2 DM attending public or private clinics in Brazil. Each investigator included the first 10 patients with type 2 DM who visited his/her office, and the first 5 patients with type 1 DM. Results A total of 1,358 patients were analyzed; 375 (27.6%) had type 1 and 983 (72.4%) had type 2 DM. Most individuals were women, Caucasian, and private health care users. High prevalence rates of hypertension, dyslipidemia and central obesity were observed, particularly in type 2 DM. Only 7.3% and 5.1% of the individuals with types 1 and 2 DM, respectively, had optimal control of blood pressure, plasma glucose and lipids. The absence of hypertension and female sex were associated with better control of type 1 DM and other cardiovascular risk factors. In type 2 DM, older age was also associated with better control. Conclusions Female sex, older age, and absence of hypertension were associated with better metabolic control. An optimal control of plasma glucose and other cardiovascular risk factors are obtained only in a minority of individuals with diabetes. Local numbers, compared to those from other countries are worse.

Aquaporin-4 Antibodies Are Not Related to HTLV-1 Associated Myelopathy

Introduction: The seroprevalence of human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is very high among Brazilians (,1:200). HTLV-1 associated myelopathy or tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) is the most common neurological complication of HTLV-1 infection. HAM/TSP can present with an acute/subacute form of longitudinally extensive myelitis, which can be confused with lesions seen in aquaporin-4 antibody (AQP4-Ab) positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) on MRI. Moreover, clinical attacks in patients with NMOSD have been shown to be preceded by viral infections in around 30% of cases. Objective: To evaluate the frequency of AQP4-Ab in patients with HAM/TSP. To evaluate the frequency of HTLV-1 infection in patients with NMOSD. Patients and Methods: 23 Brazilian patients with HAM/TSP, 20 asymptomatic HTLV-1+ serostatus patients, and 34 with NMOSD were tested for AQP4-Ab using a standardized recombinant cell based assay. In addition, all patients were tested for HTLV-1 by ELISA and Western blotting. Results: 20/34 NMOSD patients were positive for AQP4-Ab but none of the HAM/TSP patients and none of the asymptomatic HTLV-1 infected individuals. Conversely, all AQP4-Ab-positive NMOSD patients were negative for HTLV-1 antibodies. One patient with HAM/TSP developed optic neuritis in addition to subacute LETM; this patient was AQP4-Ab negative as well. Patients were found to be predominantly female and of African descent both in the NMOSD and in the HAM/TSP group; Osame scale and expanded disability status scale scores did not differ significantly between the two groups. Conclusions: Our results argue both against a role of antibodies to AQP4 in the pathogenesis of HAM/TSP and against an association between HTLV-1 infection and the development of AQP4-Ab. Moreover, the absence of HTLV-1 in all patients with NMOSD suggests that HTLV-1 is not a common trigger of acute attacks in patients with AQP4-Ab positive NMOSD in populations with high HTLV-1 seroprevalence.

O capital portador de juros em O Capital ou o sistema de Marx

O presente artigo busca estabelecer o local e a função do capital portador de juros em O Capital, visando com isso jogar luz sobre a estrutura eminentemente sistemática desta obra. Deste modo a obra máxima de Marx aparecerá muito próxima do idealismo alemão (particularmente de Fichte e Hegel), onde a questão da sistematicidade (da filosofia) foi sentida de maneira mais premente.

Cementum, apical morphology and hypercementosis: a probable adaptive response of the periodontal support tissues and potential orthodontic implications

Information about orthodontic movement of teeth with hypercementosis is scarce. As cementum deposition continues to occur, cementum is expected to change the shape of the root and apex over time, but this has not yet been demonstrated. Nor has it ever been established whether it increases or decreases the prevalence of root resorption during orthodontic treatment. The unique biological function of the interconnected network of cementocytes may play a role in orthodontic movement and its associated root resorptions, but no research has ever been conducted on the topic. Unlike cementum thickness and hypercementosis, root and apex shape has not yet been related to patient age. A study of the precise difference between increased cementum thickness and hypercementosis is warranted. Hypercementosis refers to excessive cementum formation above and beyond the extent necessary to fulfill its normal functions, resulting in abnormal thickening with macroscopic changes in the tooth root, which may require the delivery of forces that are different from conventional mechanics in their intensity, direction and distribution. What are the unique features and specificities involved in moving teeth that present with hypercementosis? Bodily movements would be expected to occur, since inclination might prove difficult to achieve, but would the root resorption index be higher or lower?

Spectroscopic investigation and heat generation of Yb3+/Ho3+ codoped aluminosilicate glasses looking for the emission at 2 μm

Energy transfer (ET) and heat generation processes in Yb3+/Ho3+-codoped low-silica calcium aluminosilicate glasses were investigated using thermal lens (TL) and photoluminescence measurements looking for the emission around 2.0 μm. Stepwise ET processes from Yb3+ to Ho3+, upon excitation at 0.976 μm, produced highly efficient emission in the mid-infrared range at around 2.0 μm, with high fluorescence quantum efficiency (η1 ∼ 0.85 and independent of Ho3+ concentration) and relatively very low thermal loading (<0.4) for concentration up to 1.5% of Ho2O3. An equation was deduced for the description of the TL results that provided the absolute value of η1 and the number of emitted photons at 2.0 μm per absorbed pump photon by the Yb3+ ions, the latter reaching 60% for the highest Ho3+ concentration. These results suggest that the studied codoped system would be a promising candidate for the construction of photonic devices, especially for medical applications.

Tolkning av rekvisitet ”Annat socialt nedbrytande beteende” i § 3 LVU

Syfte med uppsatsen är att ge en bättre förståelse av vad som menas med begreppet ”annat socialt nedbrytande beteende” i § 3 LVU och visa eventuella skillnader i hur lagstiftningen, domstolar och socialtjänsten använder detta begrepp. Vi har undersökt hur begreppsdefinitionen har utvecklats genom lagstiftningsprocessen och hur den återspeglas i förarbeten, juridisk litteratur, prejudikat och praxis. Uppsatsen är skriven utifrån en juridisk metod. Vi genomförde åtta semistrukturerade intervjuer med socialsekreterare i Hälsingland och en länsrättsdomare för att ta reda på hur dessa använder begreppet. Vi har gjort en sammanställning av olika problembeteenden som ungdomar kan uppvisa och diskuterat om dessa är socialt nedbrytande beteende i lagens mening. I lagstiftningen är definitionen av rekvisitet diffus och generell, detta innebär problem för socialsekreterare att använda rekvisitet. Socialsekreterarna är inte vana och tillräckligt utbildade att använda begreppet vilket kan leda till en mindre rättssäker prövning för den enskilde.

Hur fem mammor som utsatts för sexuella övergrepp i barndomen upplever sin föräldraroll

Det är allmänt känt att sexuella övergrepp i barndomen kan leda till en rad psykosociala svårigheter samt psykisk ohälsa. Trots att forskningen i ämnet har intensifierats de senaste åren är det fortfarande ett kunskapsområde där mycket saknas. Detta är en kvalitativ uppsats med syftet att återge fem mammors upplevelser av hur sexuella övergrepp i barndomen påverkat deras uppfattning av sin föräldraroll. Genom att intervjua dessa kvinnor med hjälp av ett frågeformulär med öppna frågor har vi fått tagit del av hur deras traumatiska erfarenheter har påverkat deras föräldraroll. Mammornas berättelser har analyserats med hjälp av meningskoncentrering. Resultatet av intervjuerna har tolkats för att sedan jämföras med vad tidigare forskning samt litteratur i ämnet har att skildra. Undersökningen visar att de sexuella övergreppen i kvinnornas barndom påverkat dem negativt i sina föräldraroller. I undersökningen framkommer även att dessa mödrar känt en avsaknad av stöd då deras barn varit små.

Faktorer som kan påverka att kvinnan utan medicinsk indikation önskar kejsarsnitt framför en vaginal förlossning

Abstrakt Bakgrund: Med tanke på den ökande frekvensen av kejsarsnitt utan medicinsk indikation världen över är det angeläget att studera detta ämne. Förhoppningarna på denna studie var att den skulle leda till en bättre individuell omvårdnad för de kvinnor som önskade denna förlossningsmetod. Syfte: Att belysa olika faktorer som kan påverka att kvinnan önskar kejsarsnitt utan medicinsk indikation framför en vaginal förlossning, samt behov av omvårdnad. Metod: En systematisk litteraturstudie, där fjorton vetenskapliga studier inkluderats. Genom en innehållsanalys växte två huvudteman fram, den första var faktorer bakom val av förlossningsmetod, under detta tema skapades åtta underkategorier och det andra huvudtemat var behovet av stöd i samband med vaginal förlossning. Resultat: De största bakomliggande faktorerna till att kvinnan önskade kejsarsnitt utan medicinsk indikation var tidigare upplevelser och kvinnans ökande ålder. Många av dessa kvinnor kände att de saknade både stöd och information från vårdgivarna. Diskussion: Vikten av information och stöd var av stor betydelse för dessa kvinnor. För att säkra detta är omvårdnadsdokumentation en grundläggande del i vårdarbetet. För att hjälpa kvinnor som önskar kejsarsnitt utan medicinsk indikation kunde olika strategier för stresshantering (så kallad coping) vara ett bra alternativ att använda sig av i sådana situationer.

Närståendes upplevelser till personer som insjuknat i hjärtinfarkt

Hjärtinfarkt är ett sjukdom som påverkar hela familjesituationen. Närstående till personer som insjuknat i hjärtinfarkt kan uppleva högre grad av oro, rädsla och osäkerhet än personen som insjuknat. Syftet var att genom en systematisk litteraturstudie belysa närståendes upplevelser till personer som insjuknat i hjärtinfarkt. Sökningar gjordes i PubMed och Cinahl. Studiernas resultat sammanfördes och analyserades utifrån innehållsanalys vilket resulterade i tre huvudkategorier och fem subkategorier. Resultatet visade att närstående påverkades fysiskt, psykiskt och socialt. Många män till kvinnor med hjärtinfarkt upplevde en känsla av maktlöshet av att inte veta hur hälsan för personen som insjuknat i hjärtinfarkt skulle utvecklas framöver. Känslor som ilska, frustration och ökad osäkerhet var vanligt i det tidiga skedet av rehabiliteringen. Den nya livssituationen för närstående innebar stora förändringar i det dagliga livet. De upplevde det ökade ansvaret som frihetsberövande medan andra kände sig mer tillfredställda att kunna hjälpa till och få en central roll i hemmet. Genom att närståendes situation tas upp i omvårdnaden och får mer stöd av vårdpersonalen kan det leda till att personen som insjuknat i hjärtinfarkt får ett bättre stöd.

Actos en conmemoración del Día Internacional del Libro 2012 organizados por la Biblioteca Universitaria

Acto realizado el 23 de abril de 2012, en la sala de grados del edificio de la Facultad de Veterinaria, organizado por la Biblioteca Universitaria y con el siguiente contenido: el ganador de la primera convocatoria de relato corto sobre vida universitaria, Fernando Fernández Rodríguez, presentó la charla: La Edad de Oro, la exposición surrealista de Tenerife en 1935 y el coloquio de los perros en la Universidad, leída por Eligia Rodríguez Ponce. Después, se procedió a la entrega de los premios de la Convocatoria del III Premio de Relato Corto sobre Vida Universitaria, acto realizado por Isabel Pascua Febles y María del Carmen Martín Marichal, siendo galardonada con el primer premio, Sara Pérez Espinosa, autora de Guagua 328?.