Diversity of Staphylococcus species and prevalence of enterotoxin genes isolated from milk of healthy cows and cows with subclinical mastitis

Funda����o de Amparo �� Pesquisa do Estado de S��o Paulo (FAPESP)

Gera����o Y: caracter��stica de um novo ouvinte

Funda����o de Amparo �� Pesquisa do Estado de S��o Paulo (FAPESP)

Comparison of crystalline thin poly(vinylidene (70%)���trifluoroethylene (30%)) copolymer films with short chain poly(vinylidene fluoride) films

We compare the photoemission and electron energy loss spectra of crystalline poly(vinylidene-fluoride with trifluoroethylene: 70%: 30%), P(VDF���TrFE), films, fabricated by the Langmuir���Blodgett technique and annealed in vacuum, with in situ thermally evaporated films of poly(vinylidene-fluoride) (PVDF) in vacuum. The electronic structure and vibrational modes of the short chain PVDF films compare well with the crystalline P(VDF���TrFE) films indicating that vacuum annealed films prepared ex situ are free of significant surface contamination once vacuum annealed. The electronic structure for the short chain PVDF films exhibits, however, different temperature dependence than the crystalline P(VDF���TrFE) films. PACS: 68.47.Mn; 71.20.Rv; 63.22.+m; 73.22.-f

THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN CHILDHOOD ADVERSITY AND COMPONENTS OF METABOLIC SYNDROME IN ADULTS WITH MOOD DISORDERS: RESULTS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL MOOD DISORDERS COLLABORATIVE PROJECT

Objective: We sought to determine whether a reported history of childhood adversity is associated with components of the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP-III)-defined metabolic syndrome in adults with mood disorders. Method: This was a cross-sectional analysis of adult outpatients (N = 373; n = 230 female, n = 143 male; mean age [SD] = 42.86 [14.43]) from the International Mood Disorders Collaborative Project (University of Toronto and Cleveland Clinic) with DSM-IV-defined major depressive disorder and bipolar I/II disorder. Childhood adversity was measured with the Klein Trauma & Abuse-Neglect self-report scale. The groups with and without childhood adversity were compared to determine possible differences in the rates of metabolic syndrome and its components. Logistic and linear regressions adjusted for age, sex, education, employment status, and smoking were used to evaluate the association between childhood adversity and components of metabolic syndrome. Results: For the full sample, 83 subjects (22.25%) met criteria for metabolic syndrome. Individuals reporting a history of any childhood adversity had higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure (systolic: p = 0.040; diastolic: p = 0.038). Among subjects with a history of sexual abuse, a significant proportion met criteria for obesity (45.28% vs. 32.88%; p = 0.010); a trend toward overweight was found for subjects with a history of physical abuse (76.32% vs. 63.33%; p = 0.074), although this relationship did not remain significant after adjusting for potential confounders. There was no statistically significant difference in the overall rate of dyslipidemia and/or metabolic syndrome between subjects with and without childhood adversity. Conclusion: The results herein provide preliminary evidence suggesting that childhood adversity is associated with metabolic syndrome components in individuals with mood disorders. Int'l. J. Psychiatry in Medicine 2012;43:165-177)

Titanium dioxide induced inflammation in the small intestine

AIM: To investigate the effects of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPTiO2) and microparticles (MPTiO2) on the inflammatory response in the small intestine of mice. METHODS: BI 57/6 male mice received distilled water suspensions containing TiO2 (100 mg/kg body weight) as NPTiO2 (66 nm), or MPTiO2 (260 nm) by gavage for 10 d, once a day; the control group received only distilled water. At the end of the treatment the duodenum, jejunum and ileum were extracted for assessment of cytokines, inflammatory cells and titanium content. The cytokines interleukin (IL)-1b, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IL-17, IL-23, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), intracellular interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in segments of jejunum and ileum (mucosa and underlying muscular tissue). CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells, natural killer cells, and dendritic cells were evaluated in duodenum, jejunum and ileum samples fixed in 10% formalin by immunohistochemistry. The titanium content was determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. RESULTS: We found increased levels of T CD4(+) cells (cells/mm(2)) in duodenum: NP 1240 +/- 139.4, MP 1070 +/- 154.7 vs 458 +/- 50.39 (P < 0.01); jejunum: NP 908.4 +/- 130.3, MP 813.8 +/- 103.8 vs 526.6 +/- 61.43 (P < 0.05); and ileum: NP 818.60 +/- 123.0, MP 640.1 +/- 32.75 vs 466.9 +/- 22.4 (P < 0.05). In comparison to the control group, the groups receiving TiO2 showed a statistically significant increase in the levels of the inflammatory cytokines IL-12, IL-4, IL-23, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma and TGF-beta. The cytokine production was more pronounced in the ileum (mean SE): IL-12: NP 33.98 +/- 11.76, MP 74.11 +/- 25.65 vs 19.06 +/- 3.92 (P < 0.05); IL-4: NP 17.36 +/- 9.96, MP 22.94 +/- 7.47 vs 2.19 +/- 0.65 (P < 0.05); IL-23: NP 157.20 +/- 75.80, MP 134.50 +/- 38.31 vs 22.34 +/- 5.81 (P < 0.05); TNF alpha: NP 3.71 +/- 1.33, MP 5.44 +/- 1.67 vs 0.99 +/- 019 (P < 0.05); IFN gamma: NP 15.85 +/- 9.99, MP 34.08 +/- 11.44 vs 2.81 +/- 0.69 (P < 0.05); and TGF-alpha: NP 780.70 +/- 318.50, MP 1409.00 +/- 502.20 vs 205.50 +/- 63.93 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that TiO2 particles induce a Th1-mediated inflammatory response in the small bowel in mice. (C) 2012 Baishideng. All rights reserved.

Effect of eprinomectin treatment on milk yield and quality in dairy cows in South Tyrol, Italy

The effect of treatment with eprinomectin on milk yield, milk composition and somatic cell counts (SCCs) was studied in 105 dairy cows located on seven farms in South Tyrol, Italy. On each farm, half of the animals were treated with eprinomectin and the other half were used as an untreated control group. Three test day records per animal were obtained before treatment (days -117, -75 and -33) and another three test day records were obtained after treatment (days 22, 62 and 131). Test day records comprised milk yield, milk composition, SCC and days in milk. On the day of treatment, blood samples and faecal samples were taken for parasitological analysis. Cows with positive faecal egg counts yielded less milk. A significant effect of eprinomectin on milk yield was observed after treatment and was most pronounced on the second and the third test days after treatment (+1.90 kg [P=0.002] and +2.63 kg [P<0.001], respectively). Furthermore, a significant decrease in SCC was observed on the second test day after treatment.

Detection of latent tuberculosis in immunosuppressed patients with autoimmune diseases: performance of a Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigen-specific interferon gamma assay

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the performance of a new M. tuberculosis-specific interferon gamma (IFNgamma) assay in patients with chronic inflammatory diseases who receive immunosuppressive drugs, including tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) inhibitors. METHODS: Cellular immune responses to the M. tuberculosis-specific antigens ESAT-6, CFP-10, TB7.7 were prospectively studied in 142 consecutive patients treated for inflammatory rheumatic conditions. Results were compared with tuberculin skin tests (TSTs). Association of both tests with risk factors for latent M. tuberculosis infection (LTBI) and BCG vaccination were determined and the influence of TNFalpha inhibitors, corticosteroids, and disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) on antigen-specific and mitogen-induced IFNgamma secretion was analysed. RESULTS: 126/142 (89%) patients received immunosuppressive therapy. The IFNgamma assay was more closely associated with the presence of risk factors (odds ratio (OR) = 23.8 (95% CI 5.14 to 110) vs OR = 2.77 (1.22 to 6.27), respectively; p = 0.009), but less associated with BCG vaccination than the TST (OR = 0.47 (95% CI 0.15 to 1.47) vs OR = 2.44 (0.74 to (8.01), respectively; p = 0.025). Agreement between the IFNgamma assay and TST results was low (kappa = 0.17; 95% CI 0.02 to 0.32). The odds for a positive IFNgamma assay strongly increased with increasing prognostic relevance of LTBI risk factors. Neither corticosteroids nor conventional DMARDs significantly affected IFNgamma responses, but the odds for a positive IFNgamma assay were decreased in patients treated with TNFalpha inhibitors (OR = 0.21 (95% CI 0.07 to 0.63), respectively; p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that the performance of the M. tuberculosis antigen-specific IFNgamma ELISA is better than the classic TST for detection of LTBI in patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy for treatment of systemic autoimmune disorders.

Sedation and weaning from mechanical ventilation: effects of process optimization outside a clinical trial

PURPOSE: We studied the effects of reorganization and changes in the care process, including use of protocols for sedation and weaning from mechanical ventilation, on the use of sedative and analgesic drugs and on length of respiratory support and stay in the intensive care unit (ICU). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three cohorts of 100 mechanically ventilated ICU patients, admitted in 1999 (baseline), 2000 (implementation I, after a change in ICU organization and in diagnostic and therapeutic approaches), and 2001 (implementation II, after introduction of protocols for weaning from mechanical ventilation and sedation), were studied retrospectively. RESULTS: Simplified Acute Physiology Score II (SAPS II), diagnostic groups, and number of organ failures were similar in all groups. Data are reported as median (interquartile range).Time on mechanical ventilation decreased from 18 (7-41) (baseline) to 12 (7-27) hours (implementation II) (P = .046), an effect which was entirely attributable to noninvasive ventilation, and length of ICU stay decreased in survivors from 37 (21-71) to 25 (19-63) hours (P = .049). The amount of morphine (P = .001) and midazolam (P = .050) decreased, whereas the amount of propofol (P = .052) and fentanyl increased (P = .001). Total Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System-28 (TISS-28) per patient decreased from 137 (99-272) to 113 (87-256) points (P = .009). Intensive care unit mortality was 19% (baseline), 8% (implementation I), and 7% (implementation II) (P = .020). CONCLUSIONS: Changes in organizational and care processes were associated with an altered pattern of sedative and analgesic drug prescription, a decrease in length of (noninvasive) respiratory support and length of stay in survivors, and decreases in resource use as measured by TISS-28 and mortality.

Income in Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer.

INTRODUCTION Little is known about the impact of childhood cancer on the personal income of survivors. We compared income between survivors and siblings, and determined factors associated with income. METHODS As part of the Swiss Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (SCCSS), a questionnaire was sent to survivors, aged ���18 years, registered in the Swiss Childhood Cancer Registry (SCCR), diagnosed at age <21 years, who had survived ���5 years after diagnosis of the primary tumor. Siblings were used as a comparison group. We asked questions about education, profession and income and retrieved clinical data from the SCCR. We used multivariable logistic regression to identify characteristics associated with income. RESULTS We analyzed data from 1'506 survivors and 598 siblings. Survivors were less likely than siblings to have a high monthly income (>4'500 CHF), even after we adjusted for socio-demographic and educational factors (OR = 0.46, p<0.001). Older age, male sex, personal and parental education, and number of working hours were associated with high income. Survivors of leukemia (OR = 0.40, p<0.001), lymphoma (OR = 0.63, p = 0.040), CNS tumors (OR = 0.22, p<0.001), bone tumors (OR = 0.24, p = 0.003) had a lower income than siblings. Survivors who had cranial irradiation, had a lower income than survivors who had no cranial irradiation (OR = 0.48, p = 0.006). DISCUSSION Even after adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics, education and working hours, survivors of various diagnostic groups have lower incomes than siblings. Further research needs to identify the underlying causes.

The Choosing Healthy Options of Starches (CHOOS) diet and dietary intake self-monitoring for weight loss among adolescent females

Previous research has shown dietary intake self-monitoring, and culturally tailored weight loss interventions to be effective tools for weight loss. Technology can be used to tailor weight loss interventions to better suit adolescents. There is a lack of research to date on the use of personal digital assistants (PDAs) to self-monitor dietary intake among adolescents. The objective of this study was to determine the difference in dietary intake self-monitoring frequency between using a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) or paper logs as a diet diary in obese adolescent females; and to describe differences in diet adherence, as well as changes in body size and self-efficacy to resist eating. We hypothesized dietary intake self-monitoring frequency would be greater during PDA use than during paper log use. This study was a randomized crossover trial. Participants recorded their diet for 4 weeks: 2 weeks on a PDA and 2 weeks on paper logs. Thirty-four obese females ages 12-20 were recruited for participation. Thirty were included in analyses. Participants recorded more entries/day while using the paper logs (4.10 entries/day �� 0.63) than while using the PDA (3.01 entries/day ��0.75) (p<0.001). Significantly more meals and snacks were skipped during paper log use (0.81/day �� 0.65) than during PDA use (0.23/day �� 0.22) (p=0.011). Changes in body size (BMI, weight, and waist circumference) and self-efficacy to resist eating did not differ significantly between PDA and paper log use. When compared to paper logs, participants felt the PDA was more convenient (p=0.020), looked forward to using the PDA more (p=0.008), and would rather continue using the PDA than the paper logs (p=0.020). The findings of this study indicate use of a PDA as a dietary intake self-monitoring tool among adolescents would not result in increased dietary intake self-monitoring to aid in weight loss. Use of paper logs would result in greater data returned to clinicians, though use of PDAs would likely get adolescents more excited about adhering to recommendations to record their diet. Future research should look at updated communication devices, such as cell phones and other PDAs with additional features, and the role they can play in increasing dietary intake self-monitoring among adolescents.^

OS TELEJORNAIS E A ERA DIGITAL: UM ESTUDO SOBRE AS TRANSFORMA����ES NO TRABALHO E NA CONSTRU����O DAS NOT��CIAS EM EMISSORAS REGIONAIS DO VALE DO PARA��BA

Este trabalho dedica-se a examinar as principais mudan��as que ocorrem no processo de constru����o da not��cia nos telejornais regionais paulistas na ��ltima d��cada. Objetivamos o estudo das tecnologias digitais conectadas e as consequentes altera����es no trabalho dos profissionais envolvidos jornalistas, t��cnicos e engenheiros, a fim de entender os novos formatos aplicados na transmiss��o de conte��do contando com o aux��lio da internet. Para tanto, realizamos um estudo comparativo com duas emissoras da Regi��o Metropolitana do Vale do Para��ba: TV Vanguarda, afiliada a Rede Globo, e a Tv Band Vale filiada ao Grupo Bandeirantes, que passaram por transforma����es em todas as dimens��es da difus��o de not��cias com a digitaliza����o dos seus processos tecnol��gicos e investimentos no ambiente virtual. Por meio da t��cnica de pesquisa observa����o participante chegou-se a conclus��o de que a tecnologia �� uma realidade adotada nas emissoras contribuindo para agilizar os trabalhos nas reda����es e aproximar o p��blico dos telejornais.

OS TELEJORNAIS E A ERA DIGITAL: UM ESTUDO SOBRE AS TRANSFORMA����ES NO TRABALHO E NA CONSTRU����O DAS NOT��CIAS EM EMISSORAS REGIONAIS DO VALE DO PARA��BA

Este trabalho dedica-se a examinar as principais mudan��as que ocorrem no processo de constru����o da not��cia nos telejornais regionais paulistas na ��ltima d��cada. Objetivamos o estudo das tecnologias digitais conectadas e as consequentes altera����es no trabalho dos profissionais envolvidos jornalistas, t��cnicos e engenheiros, a fim de entender os novos formatos aplicados na transmiss��o de conte��do contando com o aux��lio da internet. Para tanto, realizamos um estudo comparativo com duas emissoras da Regi��o Metropolitana do Vale do Para��ba: TV Vanguarda, afiliada a Rede Globo, e a Tv Band Vale filiada ao Grupo Bandeirantes, que passaram por transforma����es em todas as dimens��es da difus��o de not��cias com a digitaliza����o dos seus processos tecnol��gicos e investimentos no ambiente virtual. Por meio da t��cnica de pesquisa observa����o participante chegou-se a conclus��o de que a tecnologia �� uma realidade adotada nas emissoras contribuindo para agilizar os trabalhos nas reda����es e aproximar o p��blico dos telejornais.

O PAPEL DA COMUNICA����O FACE A FACE NAS ORGANIZA����ES NO CONTEXTO DA SOCIEDADE MIDIATIZADA

Este estudo trata da comunica����o face a face nas organiza����es sob diferentes abordagens te��ricas. Considera a perspectiva da simultaneidade dos meios, j�� que as empresas utilizam diversos canais para dialogar com seus p��blicos de interesse. Leva em conta o fen��meno da midiatiza����o, que reestrutura o modo como as pessoas se relacionam na sociedade contempor��nea. O objetivo geral da pesquisa �� sistematizar papeis potencialmente exercidos pela intera����o face a face e conhecer algumas circunst��ncias que envolvem sua pr��tica nas organiza����es. Por se tratar de uma tese te��rica, a pesquisa bibliogr��fica se apresenta como um dos principais procedimentos metodol��gicos; an��lises de casos emp��ricos e um estudo de caso desenvolvido na Embrapa Pantanal constituem situa����es ilustrativas. Conclui-se que a comunica����o face a face nas empresas ocorre de forma simult��nea e combinada a outros canais de comunica����o, por��m, ela proporciona resultados pr��ticos e filos��ficos ainda pouco explorados. �� rara a utiliza����o estrat��gica de contatos presenciais como mecanismo para estabelecer relacionamentos, conhecer as rea����es alheias e ajustar a comunica����o, aliar o discurso corporativo ��s pr��ticas empresariais e avaliar o contexto onde se desenvolvem as intera����es, o que pode ser decisivo para a comunica����o organizacional.

Bola na rede: uma an��lise das estrat��gias comunicacionais de empresas esportivas no ambiente digital conectado

O uso das m��dias sociais digitais como meio de divulga����o de produtos, servi��os e conte��dos organizacionais tem crescido nas ��ltimas d��cadas e ganhou especial aten����o nos planejamentos de comunica����o organizacional e nos estudos acad��micos sobre o tema. Nesse sentido, o segmento de empresas esportivas atua com destaque, despertando o interesse e a empatia do consumidor. Por meio de an��lise bibliogr��fica e estudo emp��rico, esta pesquisa teve como objetivo investigar as a����es de comunica����o mercadol��gica do segmento esportivo no ambiente digital conectado, atrav��s de um estudo de caso m��ltiplo das empresas Nike e Adidas. Para a obten����o dos dados, foram realizadas entrevistas em profundidade com profissionais do mercado e aplicado um protocolo de investiga����o de redes sociais digitais nos perfis das duas empresas. Ap��s a coleta dos dados, estes foram analisados �� luz das teorias estudadas nos cap��tulos iniciais (que abordaram temas como comunica����o organizacional, comunica����o digital, esporte e comunica����o esportiva), e foi poss��vel concluir, entre outros pontos, que, no universo do segmento esportivo, a comunica����o digital conectada n��o prioriza o di��logo com seus p��blicos de interesse, sendo essencialmente baseada na divulga����o unilateral de conte��dos, nem tampouco explora a potencialidade de cada uma das plataformas digitais dispon��veis, replicando conte��dos em diferentes ambientes. Ficou evidente, tamb��m, o uso dos elementos constituintes do universo esportivo como argumentos estrat��gicos de comunica����o das empresas, decorrente de sua capacidade de estreitar os la��os relacionais com os p��blicos de interesse, por meio de seus apelos simb��licos de f��cil identifica����o social

Electrophysiologic assessment of conduction abnormalities and atrial arrhythmias associated with amyloid cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND Arrhythmias in cardiac amyloidosis (CA) result in significant comorbidity and mortality but have not been well characterized. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to define intracardiac conduction, atrial arrhythmia substrate, and ablation outcomes in a group of advanced CA patients referred for electrophysiologic study. METHODS Electrophysiologic study with or without catheter ablation was performed in 18 CA patients. Findings and catheter ablation outcomes were compared to age- and gender-matched non-CA patients undergoing catheter ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). RESULTS Supraventricular tachycardias were seen in all 18 CA patients (1 AV nodal reentrant tachycardia, 17 persistent atrial tachycardia [AT]/AF). The HV interval was prolonged (>55 ms) in all CA patients, including 6 with normal QRS duration (���100 ms). Thirteen supraventricular tachycardia ablations were performed in 11 patients. Of these, 7 underwent left atrial (LA) mapping and ablation for persistent AT/AF. Compared to non-CA age-matched comparator AF patients, CA patients had more extensive areas of low-voltage areas LA (63% �� 22% vs 34% �� 22%, P = .009) and a greater number of inducible ATs (3.3 �� 1.9 ATs vs 0.2 �� 0.4 ATs, P <.001). The recurrence rate for AT/AF 1 year after ablation was greater in CA patients (83% vs 25%), and the hazard ratio for postablation AT/AF recurrence in CA patients was 5.4 (95% confidence interval 1.9-35.5, P = .007). CONCLUSION In this group of patients with advanced CA and atrial arrhythmias, there was extensive conduction system disease and LA endocardial voltage abnormality. Catheter ablation persistent AT/AF in advanced CA was associated with a high recurrence rate and appears to have a limited role in control of these arrhythmias.