Neuropsychological and phonological evaluation in the Apert's syndrome: study of two cases

This study evaluated two cases of Apert's syndrome, through phonological, cognitive, and neuropsychological instruments and correlated the results to complementary exams. In short, this study reveals the necessity of application of neuropsychological, cognitive and phonological evaluation and correlation of the results with complementary testings because significant differences can be present in the Apert's syndrome.

The G209A mutation in the alpha-synuclein gene in Brazilian families with Parkinson's disease

A missense G209A mutation of the alpha-synuclein gene was recently described in a large Contursi kindred with Parkinson's disease (PD). The objective of this study is to determine if the mutation G209A of the alpha-synuclein gene was present in 10 Brazilian families with PD. PD patients were recruited from movement disorders clinics of Brazil. A family history with two or more affected in relatives was the inclusion criterion for this study. The alpha-synuclein G209A mutation assay was made using polymerase chain reaction and the restriction enzyme Tsp45I. Ten patients from 10 unrelated families were studied. The mean age of PD onset was 42.7 years old. We did not find the G209A mutation in our 10 families with PD. Our results suggest that alpha-synuclein mutation G209A is uncommon in Brazilian PD families.

Marcos da hist��ria da radioatividade e tend��ncias atuais

The first days of radioactivity, the discoveries of X-rays, radioactivity, of alpha- and beta- particles and gamma- radiation, of new radioactive elements, of artificial radioactivity, the neutron and positron and nuclear fission are reviewed as well as several adverse historical marks, such as the Manhattan project and some nuclear and radiological accidents. Nuclear energy generation in Brazil and the world, as an alternative to minimize environmental problems, is discussed, as are the medicinal, industrial and food applications of ionizing radiation. The text leads the reader to reflect on the subject and to consider its various aspects with scientific and technological maturity.

Avalia����o de t��cnicas de classifica����o digital de imagens landsat em diferentes padr��es de cobertura da terra em Rond��nia

Remotely sensed imagery has been widely used for land use/cover classification thanks to the periodic data acquisition and the widespread use of digital image processing systems offering a wide range of classification algorithms. The aim of this work was to evaluate some of the most commonly used supervised and unsupervised classification algorithms under different landscape patterns found in Rond��nia, including (1) areas of mid-size farms, (2) fish-bone settlements and (3) a gradient of forest and Cerrado (Brazilian savannah). Comparison with a reference map based on the kappa statistics resulted in good to superior indicators (best results - K-means: k=0.68; k=0.77; k=0.64 and MaxVer: k=0.71; k=0.89; k=0.70 respectively for three areas mentioned). Results show that choosing a specific algorithm requires to take into account both its capacity to discriminate among various spectral signatures under different landscape patterns as well as a cost/benefit analysis considering the different steps performed by the operator performing a land cover/use map. it is suggested that a more systematic assessment of several options of implementation of a specific project is needed prior to beginning a land use/cover mapping job.

Cumulative doses of radioiodine in the treatment of differentiated thyroid carcinoma: knowing when to stop

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the efficacy of cumulative doses (CDs) of 131I-iodide therapy (RIT) in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The probability of progressive disease according to CDs was evaluated in patients < 45 years old and &gt; 45 years old and correlated to tumor-node-metastasis (TNM), thyroglobulin values, histological types and variants, age, and zduration of the disease. RESULTS: At the end of a follow-up period of 69 �� 56 months, 85 out of 150 DTC patients submitted to fixed doses RIT had no evidence of disease, 47 had stable disease and 18 had progressive disease. Higher CDs were used in the more aggressive variants (p < 0.0001), higher TNM stages (p < 0.0001), and follicular carcinomas (p = 0.0034). Probability of disease progression was higher with CDs &gt; 600 mCi in patients &gt; 45 years old and with CDs &gt; 800 mCi in patients < 45 years. CONCLUSION: Although some patients may still respond to high CDs, the impact of further RIT should be carefully evaluated and other treatment strategies may be warranted.

A novel bioactive glass-ceramic for treating dentin hypersensitivity

Dentin hypersensitivity (DH) is a painful response to stimulus applied to the open dentinal tubules of a vital tooth. It's a common oral condition, however, without an ideal treatment available yet. This work evaluated in vitro the effect of micron-sized particles from a novel bioactive glass-ceramic (Biosilicate) in occluding open dentinal tubules. A dentin disc model was employed to observe comparatively, using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dentinal tubule occlusion by different products and deposition of hydroxyl carbonate apatite (HCA) on dentin surface by Biosilicate, after a single application: G1 - Dentifrice with potassium nitrate and fluoride; G2 - Two-step calcium phosphate precipitation treatment; G3 - Water-free gel containing Biosilicate particles (1%); G4 - Biosilicate particles mixed with distilled water in a 1:10 ratio; all of them after 1, 12 and 24 hours of immersion in artificial saliva. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was performed to detect HCA formation on dentin discs filled with Biosilicate after 2 minutes, 30 minutes and 12 hours of immersion in artificial saliva. SEM showed a layer of HCA formed on dentin surface after 24 hours by G4. G1, G2 and G3 promoted not total occlusion of open dentinal tubules after 24 hours. FTIR showed HCA precipitation on the dentin surface induced by Biosilicate after 30 minutes. The micron-sized particles from the bioactive glass-ceramic thus were able to induce HCA deposition in open dentinal tubules in vitro. This finding suggests that Biosilicate may provide a new option for treating DH.

Genetic evaluation of the mating system in the blue-and-yellow macaw (Ara ararauna, Aves, Psittacidae) by DNA fingerprinting

More than 90% of birds are socially monogamous, although genetic studies indicate that many are often not sexually monogamous. In the present study, DNA fingerprinting was used to estimate the genetic relationships between nestlings belonging to the same broods to evaluate the mating system in the socially monogamous macaw, Ara ararauna. We found that in 10 of 11 broods investigated, the nestlings showed genetic similarity levels congruent with values expected among full-sibs, suggesting that they shared the same parents. However, in one brood, the low genetic similarity observed between nestlings could be a result of intraspecific brood parasitism, intraspecific nest competition or extra-pair paternity. These results, along with available behavioral and life-history data, imply that the blue-and-yellow macaw is not only socially, but also genetically monogamous. However, the occurrence of eventual cases of extra-pair paternity cannot be excluded.

Doen��a granulomatosa cr��nica: diagn��stico no primeiro epis��dio infeccioso

OBJETIVO: Relatar caso ilustrativo de doen��a granulomatosa cr��nica cujo diagn��stico ocorreu durante o aparecimento do primeiro epis��dio infeccioso, colaborando com a iniciativa do Brazilian Group for Immunodeficiency para a sensibiliza����o do pediatra geral em rela����o ao diagn��stico precoce das imunodefici��ncias prim��rias, o que est�� associado a melhor qualidade de vida e maior sobrevida desses indiv��duos. DESCRI����O DE CASO: Paciente do sexo masculino, 39 dias de vida, admitido em pronto-socorro pedi��trico por febre alta h�� cinco dias e irritabilidade. No dia seguinte, observou-se abscesso cervical, isolando-se Staphylococcus aureus comunit��rio. Durante a interna����o, ocorreram outros abscessos superficiais e em cadeias ganglionares profundas, al��m de resposta lenta aos antimicrobianos. Solicitou-se investiga����o para imunodefici��ncias, que confirmou a hip��tese de doen��a granulomatosa cr��nica por quantifica����o dos ��nions super��xido e teste de redu����o do nitrobluetetrazolio. Paciente foi encaminhado a servi��o especializado, no qual identificou-se doador de medula ��ssea compat��vel, realizando-se o transplante seis meses ap��s o diagn��stico. Quatro meses ap��s o transplante, ocorreu normaliza����o do burst oxidativo, indicando sucesso. COMENT��RIOS: O paciente mostrou apresenta����o t��pica da doen��a, o que permitiu seu diagn��stico por pediatras gerais j�� na primeira infec����o, tendo como consequ��ncia o acompanhamento por especialistas em imunodefici��ncias prim��rias, a introdu����o da profilaxia antimicrobiana e a procura bem sucedida de doador de medula HLA-compat��vel.

Estudo de filtros RC para baixas e altas freq����ncias por meio de um circuito para superposi����o de sinais

Apresentamos nesse trabalho, um experimento realizado nos Laborat��rios did��ticos do Instituto de F��sica da USP, relacionado ao estudo do funcionamento de filtros RC para baixas e altas freq����ncias. Para tal, foi especialmente projetado um circuito que efetua a superposi����o de um sinal gerado internamente, a uma onda senoidal externa. V��rias situa����es experimentais podem ser geradas, por meio da varia����o da freq����ncia, tanto do sinal interno quanto da onda senoidal externa. Um estudo das componentes de freq����ncia de Fourier �� tamb��m realizado para se estabelecer os par��metros de funcionamento dos filtros. O funcionamento dos circuitos como integradores e diferenciadores tamb��m �� explorado. Os estudantes s��o, portanto, levados a compreender a efic��cia desses filtros mais simples, dependendo das freq����ncias dos sinais de entrada e correspondentes componentes de Fourier, e das freq����ncias de corte estabelecidas.

Estudo experimental do movimento de part��culas carregadas em campos el��tricos e magn��ticos: seletor de velocidades

Neste trabalho �� apresentado um experimento inclu��do no contexto de experimentos longos adotado nas disciplinas experimentais de eletricidade, magnetismo e ��ptica, e consiste na caracteriza����o de um seletor de velocidades que funciona com campos el��tricos e magn��ticos cruzados. Utiliza-se um tubo de raios cat��dicos para gerar um feixe de el��trons. As placas de deflex��o vertical do tubo geram o campo el��trico e um par de bobinas, com os eixos perpendiculares ao eixo do tubo, gera o campo magn��tico. S��o realizados estudos de trajet��ria dos el��trons com aux��lio de um programa de simula����o de el��trons.

A an��lise por inje����o sequencial (SIA): vinte anos em uma perspectiva brasileira

The year of 2010 marks the 20th anniversary of the development of Sequential Injection Analysis (SIA) by Ruzicka and Marshall. Considered the second generation of the flow injection methods, this article briefly describes the history, the basic principles of the technique and reviews all papers developed by Brazilian scientists aiming the divulgation of this automation technique in Analytical Chemistry.

Development of a flow through photo-reactor to study degradation of organic compounds by Sequential Injection Analysis (SIA)

This work describes a photo-reactor to perform in line degradation of organic compounds by photo-Fenton reaction using Sequential Injection Analysis (SIA) system. A copper phthalocyanine-3,4',4<FONT FACE=Symbol><FONT FACE=Symbol>��</FONT></FONT>,4<FONT FACE=Symbol><FONT FACE=Symbol>����</FONT></FONT>-tetrasulfonic acid tetrasodium salt dye solution was used as a model compound for the phthalocyanine family, whose pigments have a large use in automotive coatings industry. Based on preliminary tests, 97% of color removal was obtained from a solution containing 20 ��mol L-1 of this dye.

Ocorr��ncia de Nyssomyia intermedia (Lutz & Neiva) (Diptera: Psychodidae) e fauna associada, no Paran��

Nyssomyia intermedia s. lat. tem sido citada por v��rios autores no Paran��. No entanto, alguns estudos apontam que esse t��xon corresponde a Nyssomyia neivai (Pinto). Em coletas realizadas em galinheiro e em ambiente de mata, com armadilhas, entre novembro de 2005 e outubro de 2006, em Adrian��polis, Morretes e Pontal do Paran��, localizados na regi��o de Mata Atl��ntica na Serra do Mar e no litoral do Paran��, sete f��meas de Nyssomyia intermedia s. str. (Lutz & Neiva) foram encontradas juntamente com outras 14 esp��cies de flo ebotom��neos, confirmando a ocorr��ncia de N.intermedia em ��rea de costa e de mata Atl��ntica do Paran��.

Diversidade, distribui����o e abund��ncia de flebotom��neos (Diptera: Psychodidae) no Paran��

Devido �� crescente expans��o da leishmaniose visceral americana (LVA) no Brasil, o presente estudo teve como objetivo identificar as esp��cies de flebotom��neos em ��reas vulner��veis �� transmiss��o dessa parasitose, bem como em outras sem qualquer informa����o sobre a presen��a desses d��pteros no Paran��. As coletas de flebotom��neos foram realizadas em 46 localidades distribu��das em 37 munic��pios do Paran��, no per��odo de mar��o de 2004 a novembro de 2005. Em cada uma das localidades foram instaladas armadilhas de Falc��o, durante tr��s noites consecutivas, em vegeta����o natural e ambientes antr��picos (intra e peridomic��lio). Ocasionalmente, foram instalas armadilhas de Shannon e feitas inspe����es de paredes e aspira����o em domic��lio, peridomic��lio e extradomic��lio. O tratamento dos dados baseou-se na estimativa das freq����ncias e abund��ncia das esp��cies, segundo cinco regi��es de distintas paisagens originais. Coletaram-se 38.662 flebotom��neos de 23 esp��cies. Predominaram Nyssomyia neivai (Pinto) (75.6%), Ny. whitmani (Antunes & Coutinho) (10.1%), Migonemyia migonei (Fran��a) (7.8%), Expapillata firmatoi (Barreto et al.) (2.1%) and Pintomyia fischeri (Pinto) (1,6%); representando juntas 97,2% dos flebotom��neos coletados. Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva) o principal vetor da LVA n��o foi encontrado. No entanto, capturou-se Lu. gaminarai (Cordero et al.), cujas f��meas s��o morfologicamente semelhantes ��s de Lu. longipalpis. As esp��cies mais freq��entes e abundantes t��m sido apontadas como vetores da leishmaniose tegumentar no Paran�� e em outras ��reas das Regi��es Sudeste e Sul do Brasil. A presen��a de Lu. gaminarai no Paran�� suscita a necessidade de estudos do seu comportamento, inclusive em rela����o �� sua compet��ncia vetorial do agente da leishmaniose visceral.

Methodology of a nationwide cross-sectional survey of prevalence and epidemiological patterns of hepatitis A, B and C infection in Brazil

Um inqu��rito de base populacional foi conduzido na popula����o urbana de todas as capitais e do Distrito Federal no Brasil para fornecer informa����es sobre a preval��ncia de hepatites virais e fatores de risco, entre 2005 e 2009. Este artigo descreve o delineamento e a metodologia do estudo que envolveu a popula����o com idade entre 5 e 19 anos para hepatite A e 10 a 69 anos para hepatite B e C. As entrevistas e amostras de sangue foram obtidas atrav��s de visitas domiciliares e a amostra selecionada a partir de uma amostragem estratificada em m��ltiplos est��gios (por conglomerado) com igual probabilidade para cada dom��nio de estudo (regi��o e faixa et��ria). Nacionalmente, 19.280 resid��ncias e ~31.000 indiv��duos foram selecionados. O tamanho da amostra foi suficiente para detectar uma preval��ncia em torno de 0,1% e para avaliar os fatores de risco por regi��o. A metodologia apresentou-se vi��vel para distinguir entre diferentes padr��es epidemiol��gicos da hepatite A, B e C. Estes dados ser��o de valia para a avalia����o das pol��ticas de vacina����o e para o desenho de estrat��gias de controle.