Neurobiology of panic disorder: From animal models to brain neuroimaging

Evidence from animal models of anxiety has led to the hypothesis that serotonin enhances inhibitory avoidance (related to anxiety) in the forebrain, but inhibits one-way escape (panic) in the midbrain periaqueductal gray (PAG). Stressing the difference between these emotions, neuroendocrinological results indicate that the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is activated by anticipatory anxiety, but not by panic attack nor by electrical stimulation of the rat PAG. Functional neuroimaging has shown activation of the insula and upper brain stem (including PAG), as well as deactivation of the anterior cingulated cortex (ACC) during experimental panic attacks. Voxel-based morphometric analysis of brain magnetic resonance images has shown a grey matter volume increase in the insula and upper brain stem, and a decrease in the ACC of panic patients at rest, as compared to healthy controls. The insula and the ACC detect interoceptive stimuli, which are overestimated by panic patients. It is suggested that these brain areas and the PAG are involved in the pathophysiology of panic disorder. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Temporal evolution of epithelial, vascular and interstitial lung injury in an experimental model of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis induced by butyl-hydroxytoluene

This study was undertaken to test whether the structural remodelling of pulmonary parenchyma can be sequentially altered in a model and method that demonstrate the progression of the disease and result in remodelling within the lungs that is typical of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Three groups of mice were studied: (i) animals that received 3-5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxytoluene (BHT) and were killed after 2 weeks (early BHT = 9); (ii) animals that received BHT and were killed after 4 weeks (late BHT = 11); (iii) animals that received corn oil solution (control = 10). The mice were placed in a ventilated Plexiglas chamber with a mixture of pure humidified oxygen and compressed air. Lung histological sections underwent haematoxylin-eosin, immunohistochemistry (epithelial, endothelial and immune cells) and specific staining (collagen/elastic fibres) methods for morphometric analysis. When compared with the control group, early BHT and late BHT groups showed significant decrease of type II pneumocytes, lower vascular density in both and higher endothelial activity. CD4 was increased in late BHT compared with early and control groups, while CD8, macrophage and neutrophil cells were more prominent only in early BHT. The collagenous fibre density were significantly higher only in late BHT, whereas elastic fibre content in late BHT was lower than that in control group. We conclude that the BHT experimental model is pathologically very similar to human usual interstitial pneumonia. This feature is important in the identification of animal models of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis that can accurately reflect the pathogenesis and progression of the human disease.

The 434(G > C) polymorphism in the eosinophil cationic protein gene and its association with tissue eosinophilia in oral squamous cell carcinomas

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of the Eosinophil cationic protein (ECP)-gene polymorphism 434(G > C) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients and its association with tumor-associated tissue eosinophilia (TATE), demographic, clinical, and microscopic variables. Methods: The ECP genotypes of 165 healthy individuals and 157 OSCC patients were detected by PCR-RFLP analysis after cleavage of the amplified DNA sequence with enzyme PstI. TATE was obtained by morphometric analysis. Chi-square test or Fisher`s exact test was used to analyze the association of ECP-gene polymorphism 434(G > C) with TATE, demographic, clinical, and microscopic variables in OSCC patients. Disease-free survival and overall survival were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier product-limit actuarial method and the comparison of the survival curves were performed using log rank test. Results: Most of healthy individuals (53.33%) and OSCC patients (57.97%) were heterozygous for the ECP 434(G > C) polymorphism. Based on numerical differences, our results showed that OSCC patients with intense TATE and at least one C allele had a higher frequency of bilateral neck dissection, local recurrence, vascular embolization, involved resection margins, and postoperative radiotherapy. No statistically significant differences on survival rates were found in OSCC patients presenting different ECP 434(G > C) genotypes. Conclusions: These results suggest a tendency towards a poor clinical outcome in OSCC patients with intense TATE and 434GC/CC genotypes, probably due to an ECP genetic variant with altered cytotoxic activity.

Histological evaluation of the effectiveness of increased apical enlargement for cleaning the apical third of curved canals

P>Objective To evaluate the influence of apical size on cleaning of the apical third of curved canals prepared with rotary instruments. Methodology Forty-four mesiobuccal canals of maxillary molars teeth were instrumented to different apical sizes (30, 0.02; 35, 0.02; 40, 0.02; 45, 0.02) using a crown-down technique. After canal preparation, the apical thirds of the roots were submitted to histological processing and examination. The specimens were analysed at 40x magnification and the images were submitted to morphometric analysis with an integration grid to evaluate the percentage of debris and uninstrumented root canal walls. The action of the instruments on the root canal walls was assessed based on the surface regularity, abrupt change on the continuity of root canal walls, and partial or total pre-dentine removal. The results were statistically compared using one-way anova with post hoc Tukey test. Pearson`s correlation was performed to identify potential correlations between values. Results The percentage of uninstrumented root canal dentine was higher when apical enlargement was performed with instruments 30, 0.02 taper (55.64 +/- 4.62%) and 35, 0.02 taper (49.03 +/- 5.70%) than with instruments 40, 0.02 taper (38.08 +/- 10.44%) and 45, 0.02 taper (32.65 +/- 8.51%) (P < 0.05). More debris were observed when apical enlargement was performed with instruments 30, 0.02 taper (34.62 +/- 9.49%) and 35, 0.02 taper (25.33 +/- 7.37%) (P < 0.05). There was a significant correlation between the amount of remaining debris and the perimeter of uninstrumented root canal dentine (r = 0.9130, P < 0.001). Conclusion No apical enlargement size allowed the root canal walls to be prepared completely. Apical third cleanliness could be predicted by instrument diameter.

The relationship between interimplant distances and vascularization of the interimplant bone

Background Long-term success of the implant restorations is based upon the biology and vasculature of the bone surrounding the implants, especially for the bone between two implants. Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate how loaded implants placed 2 or 3 mm apart influence bone vessel organization. Material and methods Six mongrel dogs were used for the study. The four mandibular premolars were extracted and 3 months later, four 4.5 x 10 mm implants were placed on each side of the mandible. The implants were placed so that two adjacent implants were 2 mm (group 1) or 3 mm (group 2) distant from each other. After 12 weeks, the implants were loaded with provisional prostheses, then metallic crowns were placed 4 weeks later. Both temporary and metallic restorations were made so that the distance between the contact point and the bone crest was 5 mm. The animals were sacrificed after 8 weeks. The hemi-mandibles were removed and prepared for analysis. The interimplant bone vasculature of the two groups was studied using scanning electron microscopic images fractal analysis. The fractal dimension (D(f)) was calculated using the box-counting method. Results The values of the D(f) for the blood vessels were significantly higher (P <.05) in the specimens of the group 2 (1.969 +/- 0.169) than the group 1 (1.556 +/- 0.246). Conclusion The presence of more blood vessels in the group 2 is another indication that 3 mm is a preferable distance for contiguous implants than the 2 mm distance. To cite this article:Traini T, Novaes AB, Piattelli A, Papalexiou V, Muglia VA. The relationship between interimplant distances and vascularization of the interimplant bone.Clin. Oral Impl. Res. 21, 2010; 822-829.doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0501.2010.01926.x.

Coupling 3D visualisation to qualitative assessment of built environment designs

Geographical information systems (GIS) coupled to 3D visualisation technology is an emerging tool for urban planning and landscape design applications. The utility of 3D GIS for realistically visualising the built environment and proposed development scenarios is much advocated in the literature. Planners assess the merits of proposed changes using visual impact assessment (VIA). We have used Arcview GIS and visualisation software: called PolyTRIM from the University of Toronto, Centre for Landscape Research (CLR) to create a 3D scene for the entrance to a University campus. The paper investigates the thesis that to facilitate VIA in planning and design requires not only visualisation, but also a structured evaluation technique (Delphi) to arbitrate the decision-making process. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Simula????o de reuni??o com dirigente: prepara????o de informa????es e an??lise sobre programa governamental

A simula????o visa preparar gerentes e assessores para organizarem informa????es e diagn??sticos para tomada de decis??o. Apresenta diversos pontos de vista sobre um programa em andamento e estimula debates entre gestores e atores das ??reas envolvidas. A partir da aprecia????o dos pontos de vista desses atores, os participantes dever??o se preparar, em curto espa??o de tempo, para uma reuni??o com o dirigente rec??m-empossado respons??vel pelo programa em quest??o

Abordagens metodol��gicas para avaliar risco de extin����o de esp��cies de Brachyteles (Primates : Atelidae)

A distribui����o geogr��fica de um t��xon �� limitada por aspectos ecol��gicos e hist��ricos. Muitas atividades humanas t��m causado modifica����es na cobertura vegetal, o que leva �� fragmenta����o e perda do habitat. Isso tem levado �� extin����o local de popula����es de v��rias esp��cies, alterando sua distribui����o geogr��fica. Entre elas est��o as duas esp��cies do g��nero Brachyteles (os muriquis), que s��o primatas end��micos de um dos biomas mais afetados por esses processos, a Mata Atl��ntica. A Uni��o Internacional para a Conserva����o da Natureza (UICN) �� uma organiza����o que busca conservar a biodiversidade. Entre outros crit��rios, utiliza o conhecimento sobre as distribui����es geogr��ficas restritas das esp��cies para classific��-las em categorias de amea��a de extin����o, nas chamadas listas vermelhas. Para isso, utiliza par��metros espaciais, cujos resultados indicam o risco de extin����o de determinado t��xon em rela����o �� sua distribui����o geogr��fica. Muitas vezes os c��lculos desses par��metros s��o realizados de maneira subjetiva, de maneira que �� importante a busca de m��todos que tornem as classifica����es mais objetivas, precisas e replic��veis. Nesse contexto, o presente trabalho testou diferentes m��todos de c��lculos de tr��s par��metros relacionados �� distribui����o geogr��fica de B. hypoxanthus e B. arachnoides. Tratam-se de esp��cies amea��adas de extin����o, com localidades de ocorr��ncia bem conhecidas, que foram profundamente afetadas pela degrada����o da Mata Atl��ntica. Assim, podem ser consideradas bons modelos para essas an��lises. Foi constru��do um banco de dados de localidades de ocorr��ncia atuais das duas esp��cies. Por meio de abordagens de Sistemas de Informa����o Geogr��fica (SIG), foram estimadas a Extens��o de Ocorr��ncia (EOO) atrav��s de M��nimo Pol��gono Convexo e ��-hull e ��rea de Ocupa����o (AOO) e Subpopula����es por meio de m��todos de grids, buffers circulares e ��-hull, em diferentes escalas espaciais. Os resultados dos c��lculos desses par��metros foram comparados para identificar as abordagens e escalas mais adequadas para a avalia����o de risco de extin����o. Esses resultados indicam que as listas de localidades e os mapas de distribui����o disponibilizados pela UICN precisam ser atualizados. Al��m disso, sugerem que ��-hull �� uma abordagem vantajosa para EOO e o m��todo de buffers �� mais adequado para os par��metros de AOO e Subpopula����es, quando utiliza escalas espaciais menores. Tamb��m foi utilizada a ferramenta GeoCAT, para as duas esp��cies. Essa ferramenta, por realizar an��lises de EOO e AOO instant��neas e por seus resultados serem semelhantes aos de outras an��lises, serve como uma abordagem preliminar de risco de extin����o baseado no crit��rio de distribui����o geogr��fica.

Metodologia de representa����o identit��ria do patrim��nio territorial : a ��gua como elemento de identidade em Linhares/ES

Apresenta primeiramente o conceito de desenvolvimento local autossustent��vel dentro do enfoque territorialista. Mostra tamb��m o conceito de patrim��nio territorial e o de representa����o identit��ria do territ��rio como instrumento de preserva����o do patrim��nio, neste caso o territorial. O enfoque territorialista �� adotado como base te��rica para a constru����o do roteiro metodol��gico de representa����o identit��ria do territ��rio com vistas �� preserva����o do patrim��nio tendo como objeto emp��rico o munic��pio de Linhares/ES, que passa por um processo de intenso desenvolvimento de seu territ��rio e que apresenta um rico patrim��nio, no que diz respeito aos recursos naturais, em especial o h��drico. Nos ��ltimos anos tem-se registrado um crescimento forte dos instrumentos dispon��veis para a produ����o de imagens do territ��rio, neste caso o uso da tecnologia de Sistemas de Informa����es Geogr��ficas. Por meio deste recurso, adotado na Escola Territorialista Italiana, representa-se o patrim��nio que constitui o territ��rio municipal, tendo como produtos finais o Atlas do patrim��nio territorial no munic��pio de Linhares/ES e o Roteiro metodol��gico de representa����o identit��ria do patrim��nio territorial.

USE AND CONSEQUENCES OF PARTICIPATORY GIS IN A MEXICAN MUNICIPALITY: APPLYING A MULTILEVEL FRAMEWORK

This paper seeks to understand the use and the consequences of Participatory Geographic Information System (PGIS) in a Mexican local community. A multilevel framework was applied, mainly influenced by two theoretical lenses &#8211; structurationist view and social shaping of technology &#8211; structured in three dimensions &#8211; context, process and content &#8211; according to contextualist logic. The results of our study have brought two main contributions. The first is the refinement of the theoretical framework in order to better investigate the implementation and use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) artifacts by local communities for social and environmental purposes. The second contribution is the extension of existing IS (Information Systems) literature on participatory practices through identification of important conditions for helping the mobilization of ICT as a tool for empowering local communities.

Tsunami vulnerability assessment of Casablanca-Morocco using numerical modelling and GIS tools

Earthquakes and tsunamis along Morocco's coasts have been reported since historical times. The threat posed by tsunamis must be included in coastal risk studies. This study focuses on the tsunami impact and vulnerability assessment of the Casablanca harbour and surrounding area using a combination of tsunami inundation numerical modelling, field survey data and geographic information system. The tsunami scenario used here is compatible with the 1755 Lisbon event that we considered to be the worst case tsunami scenario. Hydrodynamic modelling was performed with an adapted version of the Cornell Multigrid Coupled Tsunami Model from Cornell University. The simulation covers the eastern domain of the Azores-Gibraltar fracture zone corresponding to the largest tsunamigenic area in the North Atlantic. The proposed vulnerability model attempts to provide an insight into the tsunami vulnerability of building stock. Results in the form of a vulnerability map will be useful for decision makers and local authorities in preventing the community resiliency for tsunami hazards.

Desenvolvimento de um plano de manuten����o preventiva na rede de distribui����o de ��gua de Lisboa

O presente relat��rio de est��gio enquadra-se no ��mbito do trabalho final de Mestrado do curso de Engenharia Civil, ��rea de especializa����o em Hidr��ulica, do Instituto Superior de Engenharia de Lisboa, e incide na tem��tica dos sistemas de distribui����o de ��gua. O est��gio decorreu na empresa EPAL ��� Empresa Portuguesa das ��guas Livres, S.A., e teve como objecto o desenvolvimento de um plano de manuten����o preventiva para a rede de distribui����o de ��gua de Lisboa. Devido �� crescente complexidade dos sistemas de abastecimento de ��gua e �� grande dispers��o territorial dos diversos ��rg��os integrados na rede, surge a necessidade de desenvolver um sistema que permita simplificar o planeamento e a gest��o das interven����es de inspec����o e manuten����o preventiva dos ��rg��os. Para esse efeito, recorreu-se a um software SIG (Sistema de Informa����o Geogr��fica) para proceder �� sectoriza����o da rede de distribui����o de ��gua em pequenos grupos (Pol��gonos), constitu��dos por um n��mero determinado de ��rg��os de manobra e seguran��a. Esta metodologia permite organizar as interven����es em pequenos grupos e optimizar as rotinas de Inspec����o di��rias. No decorrer do est��gio efectuou-se ainda um levantamento dos procedimentos de inspec����o e manuten����o dos diversos ��rg��os integrados na rede de distribui����o de ��gua de Lisboa, quer por acompanhamento de actividades com as equipas de inspec����o, quer por recolha de recomenda����es junto dos fabricantes dos ��rg��os. Este levantamento permitiu elaborar fichas de procedimento para as actividades de inspec����o e manuten����o preventiva dos diversos ��rg��os, afim de serem usadas como refer��ncia pelos trabalhadores.

Planeamento espacial marinho das ��reas marinhas protegidas: o caso de estudo da ��ra protegida de gest��o de recursos: Caloura - ilh��u de Vila Franca do Campo

Tese de Doutoramento, Ci��ncias do Mar (Ecologia Marinha), 26 de Novembro de 2013, Universidade dos A��ores.

Prospec����o de recursos hidrominerais e geot��rmicos na Orla Ocidental Portuguesa: os casos das Termas dos Cucos e de Monte Real

A cobertura sedimentar da regi��o Oeste portuguesa �� constitu��da por uma s��rie possante de sedimentos com uma variedade de f��cies com idades compreendidas entre o Tri��sico Superior e o actual. Estes sedimentos foram depositados numa bacia alongada com direc����o NNE���SSW. A tect��nica desta cobertura sedimentar �� condicionada pelas falhas tardi���Variscas que afectaram o substrato e pelo complexo evapor��tico depositado na base das s��ries sedimentares. S��ries evapor��ticas espessas de idade Hetangiana formaram numerosas estruturas diap��ricas. Na regi��o Oeste de Portugal existem diversas nascentes minerais e termais usadas para hidroterapia. Esta tese tem por objectivo estudar as concess��es hidrominerais das Termas dos Cucos e das Termas de Monte Real (Portugal Central), bem como as suas ��reas envolventes. Estas actividades hidroterap��uticas s��o muito relevantes em termos s��cio���econ��micos para os concelhos de Torres Vedras e Leiria. Os estudos contemplados nesta tese (que inclu��ram trabalho de campo no dom��nio da geotect��nica, geomorfologia e hidrogeologia) permitiram delinear modelos hidrogeol��gicos conceptuais, apoiados, ainda, pela re���interpreta����o de estudos geof��sicos e hidrogeol��gicos pr��vios. A caracteriza����o destas ��reas foi suportada por invent��rios hidrogeol��gicos, tendo sido determinante para o projecto dos furos de capta����o, incluindo localiza����o e profundidade. Todos os dados compilados foram representados cartograficamente numa base de Sistemas de Informa����o Geogr��fica (SIG).

Geotecnia urbana da zona ribeirinha de Vila Nova de Gaia: cria����o de uma base de dados SIG geot��cnica

O presente trabalho apresenta os resultados dos estudos geot��cnicos e de uma base de dados da zona ribeirinha de Vila Nova de Gaia, com o objectivo de compreender melhor os aspectos geot��cnicos em ambiente urbano numa ��rea sens��vel com um registo hist��rico de instabilidade de taludes rochosos. Al��m disso, os escassos estudos cient��ficos recentes de natureza geol��gica e geot��cnica em Vila Nova de Gaia justificam o estudo explorat��rio da geotecnia urbana da zona ribeirinha de Vila Nova de Gaia. A import��ncia de Vila Nova de Gaia como a terceira maior cidade portuguesa e como centro de intensa actividade econ��mica e cultural despoleta uma constante necessidade de expans��o. O aumento da densidade populacional acarreta a realiza����o de projectos complexos de engenharia, utilizando o subsolo para a constru����o e, com frequ��ncia, em terrenos com caracter��sticas geot��cnicas desfavor��veis. As cidades de Vila Nova de Gaia e do Porto foram sendo edificadas ao longo de encostas numa plataforma litoral caracterizada por uma vasta ��rea aplanada, inclinando ligeiramente para Oeste. Esta plataforma foi cortada pelo Rio Douro num vale encaixado de vertentes abruptas, nas quais se localizam as zonas ribeirinhas das duas cidades. Este trabalho envolveu, inicialmente, uma caracteriza����o topogr��fica, morfoestrutural, geotect��nica e geomec��nica da ��rea de estudo e, numa fase posterior, o desenvolvimento duma base de dados geot��cnica. Todos os dados geol��gicos e geot��cnicos locais e os estudos geot��cnicos levados a cabo in situ pelas diversas empresas e institui����es foram representados cartograficamente numa base apoiada pelos Sistemas de Informa����o Geogr��fica (SIG). Esta metodologia inter���disciplinar foi de grande valor para um melhor conhecimento dos riscos geol��gico���geot��cnicos ao longo das margens do Rio Douro. De facto, a cartografia geot��cnica da zona ribeirinha de Vila Nova de Gaia deve constituir uma ferramenta importante para uma previs��o mais rigorosa de futuras instabilidades de taludes e um bom instrumento para a gest��o do espa��o urbano.