Pain and distress reactivity and recovery as early predictors of temperament in toddlers born preterm

Background: Pain reactivity may reflect underlying mechanisms of constitutional aspects of temperament. Aim: To examine whether the neonatal biobehavioral reactivity and recovery responses from pain and distress, as well as the gestational age, the illness severity and the amount of painful procedures undergone the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) stay, predict temperament later in toddlerhood, in vulnerable children born preterm. Study design: Prospective-longitudinal study. Subjects: Twenty-six preterm and very low birth weight infants followed from birth to toddlerhood. Outcome measures: Illness severity was assessed with the Clinical Risk Index for Babies (CRIB) score. The medical charts were reviewed prospectively for obtaining the amount of pain exposure in NICU. For assessing the behavioral and cardiac reactivity and recovery from pain and distress, the neonates were evaluated during routine blood collection in the NICU in the first 10 days of life. Pain and distress reactivity and recovery was measured using the Neonatal Facial Coding System score, the duration of crying. and the magnitude of average heart rate. At toddlerhood, mothers answered the Early Childhood Behavior Questionnaire. Results: Higher biobehavioral reactivity to pain and distress predicted higher temperamental Negative Affect, above and beyond gestational age, illness severity and amount of pain exposure in NICU. However, we did not find a predictive relation between gestational age, CRIB score and number of painful procedures undergone NICU and toddler`s temperament. Conclusions: The findings highlight the relevance of the neonatal individual characteristics of reactivity for identifying more vulnerable infants for future problems in biobehavioral regulation. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

HLA-DRB1*1501 tagging rs3135388 polymorphism is not associated with neuromyelitis optica

Background: Association of the HLA-DRB1*1501 allele with multiple sclerosis is well established, but its association with neuromyelitis optica has only been evaluated in small populations. Methods: We performed a case-control genetic association study to evaluate the association of HLA-DRB1*1501 with neuromyelitis optica. The single nucleotide polymorphism rs3135388, which tags HLA-DRB1*1501, was genotyped in 164 patients with neuromyelitis optica, 220 patients with multiple sclerosis and 959 controls matched for age, gender and ethnicity. Genotyping for rs3135388 was performed by Taqman-based 5` nuclease assay. Results: Rs3135388*A was positively associated with multiple sclerosis (OR = 3.93; 95% CI = 2.58-5.97, p = 1.18 x 10(-09)) but negatively associated with NMO (OR = 0.57; 95% CI = 0.36-0.91, p = 0.01). Conclusions: Multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica differ in their associations with DRB1*1501.

Effects of adhesive temperature on the early and 6-month dentin bonding

Objectives: The aim of this study was to test the effect of adhesive temperature on the bond strength to dentin (mu TBS) and silver nitrate uptake (SNU) of an ethanol/water (Adper Single Bond 2 [SB]) and an acetone-based (Prime&Bond 2.1 [PB]) etch-and-rinse adhesive system. Methods: The bottles of each adhesive were kept in various temperatures (5 degrees C, 20 degrees C, 37 degrees C and 50 degrees C) for 1 h previously to its application in the occlusal demineralized dentin of 40 molars. Bonded sticks (0.8 mm(2)) were tested in tension (0.5 mm/min) immediately (IM) or after 6 months (6 M) of water storage. Two bonded sticks from each hemi-tooth were immersed in silver nitrate and analyzed by SEM. Data were analyzed by two-way repeated measures ANOVA and Tukey`s test (alpha = 0.05). Results: No significant difference in mu TBS was detected for both adhesives at 5 degrees C and 20 degrees C. The highest bond strength for PB was observed in the 37 degrees C group while for SB it was in the 50 degrees C. Significant reductions of bond strengths were observed for PB at 37 degrees C and SB at 50 degrees C after 6 M of water storage. Silver nitrate deposition was seen in all hybrid layers, irrespective of the group. Lower silver nitrate deposition (water trees) in the adhesive layer was seen for PB and SB at higher temperatures. Conclusions: The heating or refrigeration of the adhesives did not improve their resin-dentin bond resistance to water degradation over time. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Can the durability of one-step self-etch adhesives be improved by double application or by an extra layer of hydrophobic resin?

Objectives: This study evaluated the immediate and 6-month resin-dentin mu-bond strength (mu TBS) of one-step self-etch systems (Adper Prompt L-Pop [AD] 3M ESPE; Xeno III [XE] Dentsply De Trey; iBond [iB] Heraeus Kulzer) under different application modes. Materials and methods: Dentin oclusal surfaces were exposed by grinding with 600-grit SiC paper. The adhesives were applied according to the manufacturer`s directions [MD], or with double application of the adhesive layer [DA] or following the manufacturer`s directions plus a hydrophobic resin layer coating [HL]. After applying the adhesive resins, composite crowns were built up incrementally. After 24-h water storage, the specimens were serially sectioned in ""x"" and ""y"" directions to obtain bonded sticks of about 0.8 mm 2 to be tested immediately [IM] or after 6 months of water storage [6M] at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min. The data from each adhesive was analyzed by a two-way repeated measures ANOVA (mode of application vs. storage time) and Tukey`s test (alpha = 0.05). Results: The adhesives performed differently according to the application mode. The DA and HL either improved the immediate performance of the adhesive or did not differ from the MD. The resin-dentin bond strength values observed after 6 months were higher when a hydrophobic resin coat was used than compared to those values observed under the manufacturer`s directions. Conclusions: The double application of one-step self-etch system can be safety performed however the application of an additional hydrophobic resin layer can improve the immediate resin-dentin bonds and reduce the degradation of resin bonds over time. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Adhesive Temperature: Effects on Adhesive Properties and Resin-Dentin Bond Strength

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of adhesive temperature on the resin-dentin bond strength (mu TBS), nanoleakage (NL), adhesive layer thickness (AL), and degree of conversion (DC) of ethanol/water- (SB) and acetone-based (PB) etch-and-rinse adhesive systems. Methods: The bottles of the two adhesives were kept at each temperature (5 degrees C, 20 degrees C, 37 degrees C, and 50 degrees C) for 2 hours before application to demineralized dentin surfaces of 40 molars. Specimens were prepared for mu TBS testing. Bonded sticks (0.8 mm(2)) were tested under tension (0.5 mm/min). Three bonded sticks from each tooth were immersed in silver nitrate and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. The DC of the adhesives was evaluated by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy. Results: Lower mu TBS was observed for PB at 50 degrees C. For SB, the mu TBS values were similar for all temperatures. DC was higher at 50 degrees C for PB. Higher NL and thicker AL were observed for both adhesives in the 5 degrees C and 20 degrees C groups compared to the 37 degrees C and 50 degrees C groups. The higher temperatures (37 degrees C or 50 degrees C) reduced the number of pores within the adhesive layer of both adhesive systems. Conclusions: It could be useful to use an ethanol/water-based adhesive at 37 degrees C or 50 degrees C and an acetone-based adhesive at 37 degrees C to improve adhesive performance.

Effects of neonatal handling on central noradrenergic and nitric oxidergic systems and reproductive parameters in female rats

Early-life environmental events that disrupt the mother-pup relationship may induce profound long-lasting changes on several behavioral and neuroendocrine systems. The neonatal handling procedure, which involves repeated brief maternal separations followed by experimental manipulations, reduces sexual behavior and induces anovulatory estrous cycles in female rats. On the afternoon of proestrus, neonatally handled females show a reduced surge of luteinizing hormone (LH) and an increased content of gonadotropin-releasing hormone in the medial preoptic area (MPOA). In order to detect the possible causes for the reduced ovulation and sexual behavior, the present study aimed to analyze the effects of neonatal handling on noradrenaline (NA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels in the MPOA on the afternoon of proestrus. Neonatal handling reduced MHPG (NA metabolite) levels and MHPG/NA ratio in the MPOA, indicating decreased NAergic activity. Additionally, neonatal handling decreased NO levels, as measured by the metabolites (NO x), nitrite and nitrate in the same period. We may conclude that the neonatal handling procedure decreased activity of the NAergic and NOergic systems in the MPOA during proestrus, which is involved in the control of LH and FSH secretion, and this may possibly explain the anovulatory estrous cycles and reduced sexual behavior of the neonatally handled female rats. Copyright (c) 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Kinase-dependent and kinase-independent functions of EphA4 receptors in major axon tract formation in vivo

The EphA4 receptor tyrosine kinase regulates the formation of the corticospinal tract (CST), a pathway controlling voluntary movements, and of the anterior commissure (AC), connecting the neocortical temporal robes. To study EphA4 kinase signaling in these processes, we generated mice expressing mutant EphA4 receptors either lacking kinase activity or with severely downregulated kinase activity. We demonstrate that EphA4 is required for CST formation as a receptor for which it requires an active kinase domain. In contrast, the formation of the AC is rescued by kinase-dead EphA4, suggesting that in this structure EphA4 acts as a ligand for which its kinase activity is not required. Unexpectedly, the cytoplasmic sterile-alpha motif (SAM) domain is not required for EphA4 functions. Our findings establish both kinase-dependent and kinase-independent functions of EphA4 in the formation of major axon tracts.

Programa de financiamento ??s exporta????es: PROEX: an??lise da implementa????o

O presente trabalho traz uma an??lise acerca do Programa de Financiamento ??s Exporta????es (PROEX), programa do governo brasileiro de cr??dito ??s exporta????es, que tem por objetivo dotar os exportadores brasileiros de condi????es de cr??dito similares ??s encontradas no cen??rio internacional, de forma a dar mais competitividade ??s exporta????es brasileiras, principalmente das micro, pequenas e m??dias empresas. O estudo parte de conceitos e referencial anal??tico, referentes ao processo de implementa????o de pol??ticas p??blicas. Tamb??m como aporte te??rico, ?? feita uma explana????o a respeito do papel atribu??do ??s exporta????es no ??mbito das teorias econ??micas e das caracter??sticas do cr??dito internacional, que trazem a essa modalidade seus aspectos ??nicos. A partir de dados or??ament??rios, do desempenho do Programa e da legisla????o pertinente, s??o feitas algumas reflex??es acerca do comportamento do PROEX entre os anos de 2003 e 2012. S??o tamb??m apresentados alguns gargalos observados no processo de implementa????o do Programa.Assim, como principal desafio foi identificada a necessidade de facilita????o na obten????o de garantias para a efetiva????o das opera????es. Uma maior divulga????o tamb??m tornaria o programa mais abrangente, al??m de outros fatores. O Programa parece atingir parcialmente seu objetivo, pois apesar de efetivamente apoiar as exporta????es de micro, pequenas e m??dias empresas e oferecer condi????es mais competitivas para as exporta????es nacionais, ainda carece de uma maior abrang??ncia, principalmente no que diz respeito ao n??mero de empresas atendidas. A cria????o do Fundo de Financiamento ?? Exporta????o(FFEX)dever?? trazer novidades ?? forma de implementa????o e atua????o do PROEX

Participa????o social: textos para discuss??o

O sexto volume da s??rie Inova????o na Gest??o P??blica apresenta uma colet??nea de tr??s textos sobre a quest??o da participa????o social. O primeiro texto, produzido pelo professor Mark Evans, no ??mbito da coopera????o do Minist??rio do Planejamento Or??amento e Gest??o com a Uni??o Europeia, fornece conhecimentos, tanto acad??micos quanto pr??ticos, sobre as pr??ticas europeias de ponta relacionadas ?? participa????o social. Isso envolve a aplica????o de uma gama de ferramentas para identificar e compartilhar melhores pr??ticas, diagnosticas o que funciona em diferentes contextos sociais, compatibilizar deferentes m??todos de envolvimento com diferentes fins e identificar onde o envolvimento do cidad??o pode ser ??til em quatro pontos de decis??o no processo pol??tico (dire????o estrat??gica, formula????o de pol??ticas, execu????o de pol??ticas e aprendizagem pol??tica). Al??m disso, o estudo tamb??m oferece uma sele????o de estudos de caso de toada Europa, a cada ponto de decis??o. O segundo texto, elaborado por Elisabete Ferrarezi e Clarice G. Oliveira e apresentado no V Congresso Consad de Gest??o P??blica, ocorrido em Bras??lia em junho de 2012, problematiza a efetividade dos espa??os e mecanismos de participa????o social do Brasil do ponto de vista do processamento de pol??ticas p??blicas dentro do aparato burocr??tico a partir de conceitos derivados das teorias de complexidade, participa????o e burocracia com a inten????o de contribuir para o debate sobre o aperfei??oamento desse campo. O ??ltimo texto, desenvolvido por N??ria Cunill Grau em setembro de 2012, no ??mbito da coopera????o entre o Minist??rio do Planejamento, Or??amento e Gest??o, o Banco Mundial e o Programa das Na????es Unidas para o Desenvolvimento (PNUD), cont??m um levantamento, realizado em 2009, dos diferentes instrumentos que facilitam a participa????o e o controle social na Administra????o P??blica Federal do Brasil associados aos diferentes modelos organizacionais existentes

Reflex??es sobre a emerg??ncia da participa????o social na agenda das pol??ticas p??blicas: desafios ?? forma de organiza????o burocr??tica do Estado

No Brasil, a Constitui????o de 1988 institucionalizou a participa????o social em conselhos a serem compostos por representantes de diferentes setores da sociedade, do Estado e, em alguns casos, dos trabalhadores. A partir dos anos 2000, a realiza????o de confer??ncias passou a ser disseminada como mais uma forma de participa????o, que auxilia no mapeamento das demandas e na constru????o de consensos entre os movimentos sociais nos momentos que antecedem a formula????o de pol??ticas pelo poder executivo. Seja qual for a forma de participa????o social institucionalizada, regras e procedimentos regulamentados pelo Estado regem as intera????es com a Sociedade. Esse ensaio se dedica a problematizar a efetividade dos espa??os e mecanismos do ponto de vista do processamento de pol??ticas p??blicas dentro do aparato burocr??tico a partir de conceitos derivados das teorias de complexidade, participa????o e burocracia com a inten????o de contribuir para o debate sobre o aperfei??oamento desse campo

M??dulo I - introdu????o: curso or??amento p??blico: vis??o geral

Este documento trata de: or??amento p??blico: conceito, fun????es, t??cnicas, princ??pios e marcos legais; enfoques do or??amento: enfoque fiscal dos or??amentos e enfoque program??tico da despesa; roteiro da elabora????o e execu????o or??ament??ria anual; classifica????es or??ament??rias da despesa e da receita; execu????o dos or??amentos; execu????o or??ament??ria e financeira

M??dulo 2 - enfoques do or??amento: curso or??amento p??blico: vis??o geral

Este documento trata de: or??amento p??blico: conceito, fun????es, t??cnicas, princ??pios e marcos legais; enfoques do or??amento: enfoque fiscal dos or??amentos e enfoque program??tico da despesa; roteiro da elabora????o e execu????o or??ament??ria anual; classifica????es or??ament??rias da despesa e da receita; execu????o dos or??amentos; execu????o or??ament??ria e financeira

M??dulo 3 - o processo: curso or??amento p??blico: vis??o geral

Este documento trata de: or??amento p??blico: conceito, fun????es, t??cnicas, princ??pios e marcos legais; enfoques do or??amento: enfoque fiscal dos or??amentos e enfoque program??tico da despesa; roteiro da elabora????o e execu????o or??ament??ria anual; classifica????es or??ament??rias da despesa e da receita; execu????o dos or??amentos; execu????o or??ament??ria e financeira

M??dulo 4 - classifica????es or??ament??rias: curso or??amento p??blico: vis??o geral

Este documento trata de: or??amento p??blico: conceito, fun????es, t??cnicas, princ??pios e marcos legais; enfoques do or??amento: enfoque fiscal dos or??amentos e enfoque program??tico da despesa; roteiro da elabora????o e execu????o or??ament??ria anual; classifica????es or??ament??rias da despesa e da receita; execu????o dos or??amentos; execu????o or??ament??ria e financeira