Identification of CNVs on the genome of Brazilian chicken lines.

2016

Identification and purification of immunogenic proteins from nonliving promastigote polyvalent Leishmania vaccine (Leishvacin��)

Immunogenic proteins from nonliving promastigote polyvalent Leishmania vaccine against American tegumentary leishmaniasis (Leishvacin��), produced by Biobr��s (Biochemistry of Brazil ), Montes Claros, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, were identified and purified by polyacrylamide electrophoresis gel and electroelution. C57BL/10 mice were vaccinated with proteins with estimated molecular weights of 42, 46, 63, 66, 73, 87, 97, and 160kDa in three doses of 30��g of each protein at 15-day intervals combined with 250��g of Corynebacterium parvum followed by a challenge infection with 10(5) infective promastigotes from Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis. The ability of these proteins to induce immune response and protection was analyzed. No statistical difference was observed in the level of IFN-g induced by proteins in vaccinated groups in comparison with control groups. Six months after challenge infection, protection levels of 28.57; 42.86; 57.14; 42.86; 42.86, 57.14; 42.86 and 57.14% were demonstrated for each purified protein.

Spectroscopic characterization of natural dyes by their non-invasive identification on pre-Columbian codices: the Maya yellow

Mesoamerican cultures had a strong tradition of written and pictorial manuscripts, called the codices. In studies already performed it was found the use of Maya Blue, made from a mixture of indigo and a clay called palygorskite, forming an incredibly stable material where the dye is trapped inside the nanotubes of the clay, after heating. However, a bigger challenge lies in the study of the yellows used, for these civilizations might have used this clay-dye mixture to produce their yellow colorants. As a first step, it was possible to provide identification, by non-invasive methods, of two colorants (a flavonoid and a carotenoid). While the flavonoid absorbed between 368-379 nm, the carotenoid would absorb around 455 nm. A temperature study also conducted allowed to set 140��C as the desirable temperature to heat the samples without degrading them. FT-IR, conventional Raman and SERS allowed us to understand the existence of a reaction between the dyes and the clays (palygorskite and kaolinite), however it is difficult to understand it in a molecular point of view. As a second step, five species of Mexican dyes were selected on the basis of historical sources. The Maya yellow samples were produced adapting the recipe proposed by Reyes-Valerio, supporting the yellow dyes extracted from the dried plants on the clays, with addition of water, and then heated at 140��C. It was found that the addition of water in palygorskite would increase the pH, hence deprotonating the molecules having a clear negative effect in the color. A second recipe was developed, without the addition of water; however, it was found that the use of water based binders would still alter the color of the samples with palygorskite. In this case, kaolinite without heating yield better results as a Maya yellow hybrid. It was found that the Maya chemistry might not have been the same for all the colors. The Mesoamericans might have found that different dyes could work better to their desires if matched with different clays. It was noticeable that for a clear distinction between flavonoids and carotenoids the reflectance and emission studies suffice, but when clay is added, Raman techniques will perform better. For this reason, conventional Raman and SERS were employed in order to create a database for the Mesoamerican dyestuffs for a future identification.

Identification and differentiation of Candida species from pediatric patients by random amplified polymorphic DNA

Thirty-four Candida isolates were analyzed by random amplified polymorphic DNA using the primer OPG-10:24 Candida albicans; 4 Candida tropicalis; 2 Candida parapsilosis; 2 Candida dubliniensis; 1 Candida glabrata and 1 Candida krusei. The UPGMA-Pearson correlation coefficient was used to calculate the genetic distance between the different Candida groupings. Samples were classified as identical (correlation of 100%); highly related samples (90%); moderately related samples (80%) and unrelated samples (< 70%). The results showed that the RAPD proposed was capable of classifying the isolates coherently (such that same species were in the same dendrogram), except for two isolates of Candida parapsilosis and the positive control (Netherlands, 1973), probably because they are now recognized as three different species. Concerning the only fluconazole-resistant Candida tropicalis isolate with a genotype that was different to the others, the data were insufficient to affirm that the only difference was the sensitivity to fluconazole. We concluded that the Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA proposed might be used to confirm Candida species identified by microbiological methods.

Implementa����o de uma solu����o open source de Business Intelligence com metodologia ��gil

A import��ncia dos sistemas de data warehousing e business intelligence �� cada vez mais pronunciada, no sentido de dotar as organiza����es com a capacidade de guardar, explorar e produzir informa����o de valor acrescido para os seus processos de tomada de decis��o. Esta realidade �� claramente aplic��vel aos sectores da administra����o p��blica portuguesa e, muito em particular, aos organismos com responsabilidades centrais no Minist��rio da Sa��de. No caso dos Servi��os Partilhados do Minist��rio da Sa��de (SPMS), que tem como miss��o prover o SNS de sistemas centrais de business intelligence, o apelo dos seus clientes, para que possam contar com capacidades anal��ticas nos seus sistemas centrais, tem sido sentido de forma muito acentuada. Todavia, �� not��rio que, tanto os custos, como a complexidade, de grande parte destes projetos t��m representado uma s��ria amea��a �� sua ado����o e sucesso. Por um lado, a administra����o p��blica tem recebido um forte encorajamento para integrar e adotar solu����es de natureza open source (modelo de licenciamento gratuito), para os seus projetos de sistemas de informa����o. Por outro lado, temos vindo a assistir a uma vaga de aceita����o generalizada de novas metodologias de desenvolvimento de projetos inform��ticos, nomeadamente no que diz respeito ��s metodologias Ag��is, que se assumem como mais flex��veis, menos formais e com maior grau de sucesso. No sentido de averiguar da aplicabilidade do open source e das metodologias ��geis aos sistemas de business intelligence, este trabalho documenta a implementa����o de um projeto organizacional para a SPMS, com recurso a ferramentas open source de licenciamento gratuito e atrav��s de uma metodologia de desenvolvimento de natureza ��gil.

Context-based identification of energy consumption in industrial plants

Nowadays, reducing energy consumption is one of the highest priorities and biggest challenges faced worldwide and in particular in the industrial sector. Given the increasing trend of consumption and the current economical crisis, identifying cost reductions on the most energy-intensive sectors has become one of the main concerns among companies and researchers. Particularly in industrial environments, energy consumption is affected by several factors, namely production factors(e.g. equipments), human (e.g. operators experience), environmental (e.g. temperature), among others, which influence the way of how energy is used across the plant. Therefore, several approaches for identifying consumption causes have been suggested and discussed. However, the existing methods only provide guidelines for energy consumption and have shown difficulties in explaining certain energy consumption patterns due to the lack of structure to incorporate context influence, hence are not able to track down the causes of consumption to a process level, where optimization measures can actually take place. This dissertation proposes a new approach to tackle this issue, by on-line estimation of context-based energy consumption models, which are able to map operating context to consumption patterns. Context identification is performed by regression tree algorithms. Energy consumption estimation is achieved by means of a multi-model architecture using multiple RLS algorithms, locally estimated for each operating context. Lastly, the proposed approach is applied to a real cement plant grinding circuit. Experimental results prove the viability of the overall system, regarding both automatic context identification and energy consumption estimation.

Botnet cluster identification

Botnets are a group of computers infected with a specific sub-set of a malware family and controlled by one individual, called botmaster. This kind of networks are used not only, but also for virtual extorsion, spam campaigns and identity theft. They implement different types of evasion techniques that make it harder for one to group and detect botnet traffic. This thesis introduces one methodology, called CONDENSER, that outputs clusters through a self-organizing map and that identify domain names generated by an unknown pseudo-random seed that is known by the botnet herder(s). Aditionally DNS Crawler is proposed, this system saves historic DNS data for fast-flux and double fastflux detection, and is used to identify live C&Cs IPs used by real botnets. A program, called CHEWER, was developed to automate the calculation of the SVM parameters and features that better perform against the available domain names associated with DGAs. CONDENSER and DNS Crawler were developed with scalability in mind so the detection of fast-flux and double fast-flux networks become faster. We used a SVM for the DGA classififer, selecting a total of 11 attributes and achieving a Precision of 77,9% and a F-Measure of 83,2%. The feature selection method identified the 3 most significant attributes of the total set of attributes. For clustering, a Self-Organizing Map was used on a total of 81 attributes. The conclusions of this thesis were accepted in Botconf through a submited article. Botconf is known confer��nce for research, mitigation and discovery of botnets tailled for the industry, where is presented current work and research. This conference is known for having security and anti-virus companies, law enforcement agencies and researchers.

PCR-RFLP of 16S ribosomal DNA to confirm the identification of Enterococcus gallinarum and Enterococcus casseliflavus isolated from clinical and food samples

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to confirm the identification of Enterococcus gallinarum and Enterococcus casseliflavus isolated from clinical and food samples by PCR-RFLP. METHODS: Fifty-two strains identified by conventional biochemical exams were submitted to PCR amplification and digested with HinfI. Only 20 (38.5%) of the 52 strains showed a DNA pattern expected for E. gallinarum and E. casseliflavus. RESULTS: Analysis of the results of this study showed that E. gallinarum and E. casseliflavus are occasionally erroneously identified and confirmed the potential application of 16S rDNA analysis for accurate identification of these species. CONCLUSIONS: A correct identification is important to distinguish between intrinsic and acquired vancomycin resistance.

Injuries and envenoming by aquatic animals in fishermen of Coxim and Corumb�� municipalities, state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil: identification of the causative agents, clinical aspects and first aid measures

INTRODUCTION: The fishes of continental Brazil have socioeconomic importance due to their potential for sport fishing and commercial and subsistence uses, as seen in the Upper Paraguay River Basin, particularly in the municipalities of the Pantanal region, where it is the second largest economic activity. Injuries caused in professional fishermen are common and poorly studied, as in other regions of the country. METHODS: Data were obtained from questionnaires and interviews with 100 professional fishermen, 50 in each municipality, between December 2008 and October 2009. RESULTS: All the fishermen reported some kind of injury caused by fish stings (78% of injuries) and fish, alligator and snake bites (22%) on the hands (46% of cases) and feet (35% of cases). Most of the patients had mild symptoms. The most severe cases were associated with secondary bacterial infections and required specific treatment and prolonged recovery associated with social and economic losses. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that the stressful work conditions, inattention to basic preventive measures and carelessness were factors that contributed to accidents and that the toxicity and ability to inflict mechanical trauma of some aquatic species, plus the ineffective use of first aid and hospital treatment, contributed to the high morbidity and complications in many cases. Data from this study are relevant to the fishing communities of the Pantanal region, since they reveal high rates of accidents, lack of knowledge concerning first aid, initial treatment, injury prevention and lack of medical follow-up of the population.

White piedra: molecular identification of Trichosporon inkin in members of the same family

INTRODUCTION: White piedra is a superficial mycosis caused by the genus Trichosporon and characterized by nodules on hair shaft. METHODS: The authors report a family referred to as pediculosis. Mycological culture on Mycosel�� plus molecular identification was performed to precisely identify the etiology. RESULTS: A Trichosporon spp. infection was revealed. The molecular procedure identified the agent as Trichosporon inkin. CONCLUSIONS: White piedra and infection caused by T. inkin are rarely reported in Southern Brazil. The molecular tools are essentials on identifying the Trichosporon species.

PV systems linked to the grid: parameter identification with a heuristic procedure

This paper focuses on a PV system linked to the electric grid by power electronic converters, identification of the five parameters modeling for photovoltaic systems and the assessment of the shading effect. Normally, the technical information for photovoltaic panels is too restricted to identify the five parameters. An undemanding heuristic method is used to find the five parameters for photovoltaic systems, requiring only the open circuit, maximum power, and short circuit data. The I���V and the P���V curves for a monocrystalline, polycrystalline and amorphous photovoltaic systems are computed from the parameters identification and validated by comparison with experimental ones. Also, the I���V and the P���V curves under the effect of partial shading are obtained from those parameters. The modeling for the converters emulates the association of a DC���DC boost with a two-level power inverter in order to follow the performance of a testing commercial inverter employed on an experimental system.

Key-elements of family interventions for psychosis : a qualitative research

RESUMO:As perturba����es psic��ticas s��o doen��as mentais complexas sendo influenciadas na sua etiologia e progn��stico por factores biol��gicos e psicossociais. A interfer��ncia do ambiente familiar na evolu����o da doen��a espelha bem esta realidade. Quando em 1962 George Brown e colaboradores descobriram que ambientes familiares com elevada Emo����o Expressa (EE) contribu��am para um aumento significativo do n��mero de reca��das de pessoas com esquizofrenia (Brown et al., 1962), estava aberto o caminho para o desenvolvimento de novas interven����es familiares. A EE inclui cinco componentes: tr��s componentes negativos, i.e. criticismo, hostilidade e envolvimento emocional excessivo; e dois componentes positivos, i.e. afectividade e apre��o (Amaresha & Venkatasubramanian, 2012; Kuipers et al., 2002). No final dos anos 1970 surgiram os primeiros trabalhos na ��rea das interven����es familiares nas psicoses (IFP). Dois grupos em pa��ses diferentes, no Reino Unido e nos Estados Unidos da Am��rica, desenvolveram quase em simult��neo duas abordagens distintas. Em Londres, a equipa liderada por Julian Leff desenhava uma interven����o combinando sess��es unifamiliares em casa, incluindo o paciente, e sess��es em grupo, apenas para os familiares (Leff et al., 1982). Por seu turno, em Pittsburgh, Gerard Hogarty e colaboradores desenvolviam uma abordagem que compreendia a dinamiza����o de sess��es educativas em grupo (Anderson e tal., 1980). Para designar este trabalho, Hogarty e colaboradores propuseram o termo ���psicoeduca����o���. As IFP come��aram a ser conhecidas por esta designa����o que se generalizou at�� aos dias de hoje. Neste contexto a educa����o era vista como a partilha de informa����o acerca da doen��a, dos profissionais para os familiares. Nas sess��es os profissionais eram informados acerca das manifesta����es, etiologia, tratamento e evolu����o das psicoses, bem como de formas para lidar com as situa����es dif��ceis geradas pela doen��a, e.g. risco de reca��da. Os trabalhos pioneiros das IFP foram rapidamente sucedidos pelo desenvolvimento de novos modelos e a prolifera����o de estudos de efic��cia. Para al��m dos modelos de Leff e Hogarty, os modelos IFP que ficaram mais conhecidos foram: (1) a Terapia Familiar-Comportamental, desenvolvida por Ian Falloon e colaboradores (Falloon et al., 1984); e (2) a Terapia Multifamiliar em Grupo, desenvolvida por William McFarlane e colaboradores (McFarlane, 1991). O incremento de estudos de efic��cia contribuiu rapidamente para as primeiras meta-an��lises. Estas, por sua vez, resultaram na inclus��o das IFP nas normas de orienta����o cl��nica mais relevantes para o tratamento das psicoses, nomeadamente da esquizofrenia (e.g. PORT Recomendations e NICE Guidelines). No geral os estudos apontavam para uma diminui����o do risco de reca��da na esquizofrenia na ordem dos 20 a 50% em dois anos (Pitschel-Walz et al., 2001). No final dos anos 1990 as IFP atingiam assim o apogeu. Contudo, a sua aplica����o pr��tica tem ficado aqu��m do esperado e as barreiras �� implementa����o das IFP passaram a ser o foco das aten����es (Gon��alves-Pereira et al., 2006; Leff, 2000). Simultaneamente, alguns autores come��aram a levantar a quest��o da incerteza sobre quais os elementos-chave da interven����o. O conhecimento sobre o processo das IFP era reduzido e come��aram a surgir as primeiras publica����es sobre o assunto (Lam, 1991). Em 1997 foi dinamizada uma reuni��o de consenso entre os tr��s investigadores mais relevantes do momento, Falloon, Leff e McFarlane. Deste encontro promovido pela World Schizophrenia Fellowship for Schizophrenia and Allied Disorders surgiu um documento estabelecendo dois objectivos e quinze princ��pios para as IFP (WFSAD, 1997). N��o obstante os contributos que foram feitos, continua a existir uma grande falta de evid��ncia emp��rica acerca do processo das IFP e dos seus elementos-chave (Cohen et al., 2008; Dixon et al., 2001; Lam, 1991; Leff, 2000; McFarlane et al., 2003). Tamb��m em Portugal, apesar da reflex��o te��rica nesta ��rea e do registo de ensaios de efectividade de grupos para familiares ��� estudo FAPS (Gon��alves-Pereira, 2010), os componentes fundamentais das IFP nunca foram analisados directamente. Assim, o projecto de investiga����o descrito nesta tese teve como objectivo identificar os elementos-chave das IFP com base em investiga����o qualitativa. Para tal, conduzimos tr��s estudos que nos permitiriam alcan��ar dados emp��ricos sobre o tema. O primeiro estudo (descrito no Cap��tulo 2) consistiu na realiza����o de uma revis��o sistem��tica da literatura cient��fica acerca das vari��veis relacionadas com o processo das IFP. A nossa pesquisa esteve focada essencialmente em estudos qualitativos. Contudo, decidimos n��o restringir demasiado os crit��rios de inclus��o tendo em conta as dificuldades em pesquisar sobre investiga����o qualitativa nas bases de dados electr��nicas e tamb��m devido ao facto de ser poss��vel obter informa����o sobre as vari��veis relacionadas com o processo a partir de estudos quantitativos. O m��todo para este estudo foi baseado no PRISMA Statement para revis��es sistem��ticas da literatura. Depois de definirmos os crit��rios de inclus��o e exclus��o, inici��mos v��rias pesquisas nas bases de dados electr��nicas utilizando termos booleanos, trunca����es e marcadores de campo. Pesquis��mos na PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science e nas bases de dados inclu��das na EBSCO Host (Academic Search Complete; Education Research Complete; Education Source; ERIC; and PsycINFO). As pesquisas geraram 733 resultados. Depois de serem removidos os duplicados, 663 registos foram analisados e foram seleccionados 38 artigos em texto integral. No final, 22 artigos foram inclu��dos na s��ntese qualitativa tendo sido agrupados em quatro categorias: (1) estudos examinando de forma abrangente o processo; (2) estudos acerca da opini��o dos participantes sobre a interven����o que receberam; (3) estudos comparativos que individualizaram vari��veis sobre o processo; e (4) estudos acerca de vari��veis mediadoras. Os resultados evidenciaram um consider��vel hiato na investiga����o em torno do processo das IFP. Identific��mos apenas um estudo que abordava de forma abrangente o processo das IFP (Bloch, et al., 1995). Este artigo descrevia uma an��lise qualitativa de um estudo experimental de uma IFP. Contudo, as suas conclus��es gerais revelaramse pobres e apenas se podia extrair com certeza de que as IFP devem ser baseadas nas necessidades dos participantes e que os terapeutas devem assumir diferentes pap��is ao longo da interven����o. Da revis��o foi poss��vel perceber que os factores terap��uticos comuns como a alian��a terap��utica, empatia, apre��o e a ���aceita����o incondicional���, podiam ser eles pr��prios um elemento isolado para a efic��cia das IFP. Outros estudos enfatizaram a educa����o como elemento chave da interven����o (e.g. Levy-Frank et al., 2011), ao passo que outros ainda colocavam a ��nfase no treino de estrat��gias para lidar com a doen��a i.e. coping (e.g. Tarrier et al., 1988). Com base nesta diversidade de resultados e tendo em conta algumas propostas pr��vias de peritos (McFarlane, 1991; Liberman & Liberman, 2003), desenvolvemos a hip��tese de concebermos as IFP como um processo por etapas, de acordo com as necessidades dos familiares. No primeiro n��vel estariam as estrat��gias relacionadas com os factores terap��uticos comuns e o suporte emocional,no segundo n��vel a educa����o acerca da doen��a, e num n��vel mais avan��ado, o foco seria o treino de estrat��gias para lidar com a doen��a e diminuir a EE. Neste estudo conclu��mos que nem todas as fam��lias iriam precisar de IFP complexas e que nesses casos seria poss��vel obter resultados favor��veis com IFP pouco intensas. O Estudo 2 (descrito no Cap��tulo 3) consistiu numa an��lise qualitativa dos registos cl��nicos do primeiro ensaio cl��nico da IFP de Leff e colaboradores (Leff et al., 1982). Este ensaio cl��nico culminou numa das evid��ncias mais substanciais alguma vez alcan��ada com uma IFP (Leff et al., 1982; Leff et al., 1985; Pitschel-Walz et al., 2001). Este estudo teve como objectivo modular a EE recorrendo a um modelo misto com que compreendia sess��es familiares em grupo e algumas sess��es unifamiliares em casa, incluindo o paciente. Os resultados mostraram uma diminui����o das reca��das em nove meses de 50% no grupo de controlo para 8% no grupo experimental. Os registos analisados neste estudo datam do per��odo de 1977 a 1982 e podem ser considerados como material hist��rico de alto valor, que surpreendentemente nunca tinha sido analisado. Eram compostos por descri����es pormenorizadas dos terapeutas, incluindo excertos em discurso directo e estavam descritos segundo uma estrutura, contendo tamb��m os coment��rios dos terapeutas. No total os registos representavam 85 sess��es em grupo para familiares durante os cinco anos do ensaio cl��nico e 25 sess��es unifamiliares em casa incluindo o paciente. Para a an��lise qualitativa decidimos utilizar um m��todo de an��lise dedutivo, com uma abordagem mec��nica de codifica����o dos registos em categorias previamente definidas. Tom��mos esta decis��o com base na extens��o apreci��vel dos registos e porque t��nhamos dispon��vel informa����o v��lida acerca das categorias que ir��amos encontrar nos mesmos, nomeadamente a informa����o contida no manual da interven����o, publicado sob a forma de livro, e nos resultados da 140 nossa revis��o sistem��tica da literatura (Estudo 1). Deste modo, foi constru��da uma grelha com a estrutura de codifica����o, que serviu de base para a an��lise, envolvendo 15 categorias. De modo a cumprir com crit��rios de validade e fidelidade rigorosos, opt��mos por executar uma dupla codifica����o independente. Deste modo dois observadores leram e codificaram independentemente os registos. As discrep��ncias na codifica����o foram revistas at�� se obter um consenso. No caso de n��o ser poss��vel chegar a acordo, um terceiro observador, mais experiente nos aspectos t��cnicos das IFP, tomaria a decis��o sobre a codifica����o. A an��lise foi executada com recurso ao programa inform��tico NVivo�� vers��o 10 (QSR International). O n��mero de vezes que cada estrat��gia foi utilizada foi contabilizado, especificando a sess��o e o participante. Os dados foram depois exportados para uma base de dados e analisados recorrendo ao programa inform��tico de an��lise estat��stica SPSS�� vers��o 20 (IBM Corp.). Foram realizadas explora����es estat��sticas para descrever os dados e obter informa����o sobre poss��veis rela����es entre as vari��veis. De modo a perceber a signific��ncia das observa����es, recorremos a testes de hip��teses, utilizando as equa����es de estima����o generalizadas. Os resultados da an��lise revelaram que as estrat��gias terap��uticas mais utilizadas na interven����o em grupo foram: (1) a cria����o de momentos para ouvir as necessidades dos participantes e para a partilha de preocupa����es entre eles ��� representando 21% de todas as estrat��gias utilizadas; (2) treino e aconselhamento acerca de formas para lidar com os aspectos mais dif��ceis da doen��a ��� 15%; (3) criar condi����es para que os participantes recebam suporte emocional ��� 12%; (4) lidar com o envolvimento emocional excessivo 10%; e (5) o reenquadramento das atribui����es dos familiares acerca dos comportamentos dos pacientes ��� 10%. Nas sess��es unifamiliares em casa, as estrat��gias mais utilizadas foram: (1) lidar com o envolvimento emocional excessivo ��� representando 33% de todas as estrat��gias utilizadas nas sess��es unifamiliares em casa; (2) treino e aconselhamento acerca de formas para lidar com os aspectos desafiadores da doen��a ��� 22%; e (3) o reenquadramento das atribui����es dos familiares acerca dos comportamentos dos pacientes, juntamente com o lidar com a zanga, o conflito e a rejei����o ��� ambas com 10%. A an��lise longitudinal mostrou que a cria����o de momentos para ouvir as necessidades dos familiares tende a acontecer invariavelmente ao longo do programa. Sempre que isso acontece, s��o geralmente utilizadas estrat��gias para ajudar os familiares a lidarem melhor com os aspectos dif��ceis da doen��a e estrat��gias para fomentar o suporte emocional. Por sua vez, foi poss��vel perceber que o trabalho para diminuir o envolvimento emocional excessivo pode acontecer logo nas primeiras sess��es. O reenquadramento e o lidar com a zanga/ conflito/ rejei����o tendem a acontecer a partir da fase interm��dia at�� ��s ��ltimas sess��es. A an��lise das diferen��as entre os familiares com baixa EE e os de elevada EE, mostrou que os familiares com elevada EE tendem a tornar-se o foco da interven����o grupal. Por sua vez, os familiares com baixa EE recebem mais estrat��gias relacionadas com alian��a terap��utica, comparativamente com os familiares com elevada EE. S��o de real��ar os dados relativamente ��s estrat��gias educativas. Foi poss��vel observar que estas tendem a acontecer mais no in��cio dos grupos, n��o estando associadas a outras estrat��gias. Contudo �� de notar a sua baixa utiliza����o, a rondar apenas os 5%.O Estudo 3 (descrito no Cap��tulo 4) surgiu como uma forma de completar a an��lise do Estudo 2, permitindo uma vis��o mais narrativa do processo e focando, adicionalmente, as mudan��as que ocorrem nos participantes. Com base nos mesmos registos utilizados no Estudo 2, codific��mos de forma secund��ria os registos em duas categorias i.e. marcadores de mudan��a e marcadores emocionais. Os marcadores de mudan��a foram cotados sempre que um participante exibia comportamentos ou pensamentos diferentes dos anteriores no sentido de uma eventual redu����o na EE. Os marcadores emocionais correspondiam �� express��o intensa de sentimentos por parte dos participantes nas sess��es e que estariam relacionados com assuntos-chave para essas pessoas. Os excertos que continham a informa����o destes marcadores foram posteriormente revistos e articulados com notas e coment��rios n��o estruturados que recolhemos durante a codifica����o do Estudo 2. Com base nesta informa����o os registos foram revistos e, utilizando um m��todo indutivo, elabor��mos uma narrativa acerca da interven����o. Os resultados da narrativa foram discutidos com dados de que disp��nhamos, referentes a reuni��es com os terapeutas envolvidos na interven����o em an��lise (Elizabeth Kuipers, Ruth Berkowitz e Julian Leff; Londres, Novembro de 2011). Reconhecemos que, pela sua natureza n��o estruturada e indutiva, a avalia����o narrativa est�� mais sujeita ao vi��s de observador. N��o obstante, os resultados deste Estudo 3 parecem revestir uma consist��ncia elevada. O mais relevante foi a evid��ncia de que na interven����o em an��lise ocorreram mudan��as emocionais significativas nos familiares ao longo das sess��es em grupo. Numa fase inicial os familiares tenderam a expressar sentimentos de zanga. Seguidamente, os terapeutas iam nterrompendo o discurso de reminisc��ncias, direccionavam o discurso para as suas preocupa����es actuais e os familiares pareciam ficar mais calmos. Contudo, �� medida que os 143 participantes ���mergulhavam��� nos problemas com que se confrontavam na altura, os sentimentos de zanga davam lugar a sentimentos de perda e ang��stia. Nessa altura os terapeutas enfatizavam o suporte emocional e introduziam progressivamente t��cnicas de reenquadramento para ajudar os participantes a avaliar de forma mais positiva as situa����es. Este trabalho dava lugar a sentimentos mais positivos, como a aceita����o, apre��o e a sensa����o de controlo. O Estudo 3 evidenciou tamb��m o que designamos como o ���Efeito de Passagem de Testemunho���. Este efeito aconteceu sempre que um membro novo se juntava ao grupo. Os membros antigos, que estavam a ser o alvo das aten����es e naturalmente a receber mais interven����o, mudam de papel e passam eles pr��prios a focar as suas aten����es nos membros mais recentes do grupo, contribuindo para a din��mica do grupo com as mesmas interven����es que os ajudaram previamente. Por exemplo, alguns membros antigos que eram altamente cr��ticos nos grupos em rela����o aos seus familiares passavam a fazer coment��rios de reenquadramento dirigidos para os novos membros. Por fim, o Cap��tulo 5 resume as conclus��es gerais deste projecto de investiga����o. Os estudos apresentados permitiram um incremento no conhecimento acerca do processo das IFP. Anteriormente esta informa����o era baseada sobretudo na opini��o de peritos. Com este projecto aument��mos o n��vel de evid��ncia ao apresentar estudos com base em dados emp��ricos. A an��lise qualitativa do Estudo 2 permitiu pela primeira vez, tanto quanto �� do nosso conhecimento, perceber de forma aprofundada o processo subjacente a uma IFP (no contexto de um ensaio cl��nico que se revelou como um dos mais eficazes de sempre). Identific��mos as estrat��gias mais utilizadas, as rela����es entre elas e a sua diferente aplica����o entre familiares com baixa EE e familiares com alta EE.O Estudo 3 completou a informa����o incluindo aspectos relacionados com as mudan��as individuais durante o programa. No final foi poss��vel perceber que as IFP devem ser um programa por etapas. Nos Estudo 2 e 3, evidenci��mos que numa fase inicial, os terapeutas dedicaram especial aten����o para que os familiares tivessem espa��o para partilharem as suas necessidades, disponibilizando logo de seguida estrat��gias para promover o suporte emocional e estrat��gias de coping. Num n��vel subsequente do programa, o trabalho terap��utico avan��ou para estrat��gias mais direccionadas para regular a EE, mantendo sempre as estrat��gias iniciais ao longo das sess��es. Assim apesar de a educa����o ter sido um componente importante na IFP em an��lise, houve outras estrat��gias mais relevantes no processo. A evid��ncia gerada pelos Estudos 2 e 3 baseou-se em registos hist��ricos de elevado valor, sendo que os constructos subjacentes na ��poca, nomeadamente a EE, continuam a ser a base da investiga����o e pr��tica das IFP a n��vel mundial em diferentes culturas (Butzlaff & Hooley, 1998). Conclu��mos que as IFP s��o um processo complexo com diferentes n��veis de interven����o, podendo gerar mudan��as emocionais nos participantes durante as sess��es. No futuro ser�� importante replicar o nosso trabalho (nomeadamente o Estudo 2) com outras abordagens de IFP, de modo a obter informa����o acerca do seu processo. Esse conhecimento ser�� fundamental para uma poss��vel evolu����o do paradigma das IFP. ----------- ABSTRACT: Background: Psychotic-spectrum disorders are complex biopsychosocial conditions and family issues are important determinants of prognosis. The discovery of the influence of expressed emotion on the course of schizophrenia paved the road to the development of family interventions aiming to lower the ���emotional temperature��� in the family. These treatment approaches became widely recognised. Effectiveness studies showed remarkable and strong results in relapse prevention and these interventions were generalised to other psychotic disorders besides schizophrenia. Family interventions for psychosis (FIP) prospered and were included in the most important treatment guidelines. However, there was little knowledge about the process of FIP. Different FIP approaches all led to similar outcomes. This intriguing fact caught the attention of authors and attempts were made to identify the key-elements of FIP. Notwithstanding, these efforts were mainly based on experts��� opinions and the conclusions were scanty. Therefore, the knowledge about the process of FIP remains unclear. Aims: To find out which are the key-elements of FIP based on empirical data. Methods: Qualitative research. Three studies were conducted to explore the process of FIP and isolate variables that allowed the identification of the key-elements of FIP. Study 1 consisted of a systematic literature review of studies evaluating process-related variables of FIP. Study 2 subjected the intervention records of a formerly conducted effective clinical trial of FIP to a qualitative analysis. Records were analysed into categories and the emerging data were explored using descriptive statistics and generalised estimating equations. Study 3 consisted of a narrative evaluation using an inductive qualitative approach, examining the same data of Study 2. Emotional markers and markers of change were identified in the records and the content of these excerpts was synthesised and discussed. Results: On Study 1, searches revealed 733 results and 22 papers were included in the qualitative synthesis. We found a single study comprehensively exploring the process of FIP. All other studies focused on particular aspects of the process-related variables. The key-elements of FIP seemed to be the so-called ���common therapeutic factors���, followed by education about the illness and coping skills training. Other elements were also identified, as the majority of studies evidenced a multiple array of components. Study 2,revealed as the most used strategies in the intervention programme we analysed: the addressing of needs; sharing; coping skills and advice; emotional support; dealing with overinvolvement; and reframing relatives��� views about patients��� behaviours. Patterns of the usefulness of the strategies throughout the intervention programme were identified and differences between high expressed emotion and low expressed emotion relatives were elucidated. Study 3 accumulated evidence that relatives experience different emotions during group sessions, ranging from anger to grief, and later on, to acceptance and positive feelings. Discussion: Study 1 suggested a stepped model of intervention according to the needs of the families. It also revealed a gap in qualitative research of FIP. Study 2 demonstrated that therapists of the trial under analysis often created opportunities for relatives to express and share their concerns throughout the entire treatment programme. The use of this strategy was immediately followed by coping skills enhancement, advice and emotional support. Strategies aiming to deal with overinvolvement may also occur early in the treatment programme. Reframing was the next most used strategy, followed by dealing with anger, conflict and rejection. This middle and later work seems to operate in lowering criticism and hostility, while the former seems to diminish overinvolvement. Single-family sessions may be used to augment the work developed in the relatives groups. Study 3 revealed a missing part of Study 2. It demonstrated that the process of FIP promotes emotional changes in the relatives and therapists must be sensitive to the emotional pathway of each participant in the group.

Current status of herpesvirus identification in the oral cavity of HIV-infected children

INTRODUCTION: Some viruses of the Herpesviridae family are frequently the etiologic agents of oral lesions associated with HIV. The aim of this study was to identify the presence of herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1, HSV-2), Varicella Zoster virus (VZV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), human herpesvirus type 6, type 7 and type 8 (HHV-6, HHV-7 and HHV-8) in the oral cavity of HIV-infected children/adolescents and verify the association between viral subtypes and clinical factors. METHODS: The cells of oral mucosa were collected from 50 HIV infected children/adolescents, 3-13 years old (mean age 8.66). The majority (66%) of selected were girls, and they were all outpatients at the pediatric AIDS clinic of a public hospital in Rio de Janeiro. Nested-PCR was used to identify the viral types. RESULTS: Absence of immunosuppression was observed in 66% of the children. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) was used by 72.1% of selected and moderate viral load was observed in 56% of the children/adolescents. Viral types were found in 86% of the children and the subtypes were: HSV-1 (4%), HSV-2 (2%), VZV (4%), EBV (0%), HCMV (24%), HHV6 (18%), HHV-7 (68%), HHV8 (0%). CONCLUSIONS: The use of HAART has helped to reduce oral lesions, especially with herpes virus infections. The health professionals who work with these patients should be aware of such lesions because of their predictive value and the herpes virus can be found circulating in the oral cavity without causing lesions.

Identification of dengue viruses in naturally infected Aedes aegypti females captured with BioGents (BG)-Sentinel traps in Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil

IntroductionIn Manaus, the first autochthonous cases of dengue fever were registered in 1998. Since then, dengue cases were diagnosed by the isolation of viruses 1, 2, 3, and 4.MethodsOne hundred eighty-seven mosquitoes were collected with BioGents (BG)-Sentinel traps in 15 urban residential areas in the Northern Zone of Manaus and processed by molecular tests.ResultsInfections with dengue viruses 1, 2, 3, and 4 and a case of co-infection with dengue viruses 2 and 3 were identified.ConclusionsThese findings corroborate the detection of dengue in clinical samples and reinforce the need for epidemiological surveillance by the Health authorities.