Development of wearable electrochemical sensors for the determination of biological analytes

Wearable biosensors are attracting interest due to their potential to provide continuous, real-time physiological information via dynamic, non-invasive measurements of biochemical markers in biofluids, such as interstitial fluid (ISF). One notable example of their applications is for glycemic monitoring in diabetic patients, which is typically carried out either by direct measurement of blood glucose via finger pricking or by wearable sensors that can continuously monitor glucose in ISF by sampling it from below the skin with a microneedle. In this context, the development of a new and minimally invasive multisensing tattoo-based platform for the monitoring of glucose and other analytes in ISF extracted through reverse iontophoresis in proposed by the GLUCOMFORT project. This elaborate describes the in-vitro development of flexible electrochemical sensors based on inkjet-printed PEDOT:PSS and metal inks that are capable of determining glucose and chloride at biologically relevant concentrations, making them good candidates for application in the GLUCOMFORT platform. In order to make PEDOT:PSS sensitive to glucose at micromolar concentrations, a biocompatible functionalization based on immobilized glucose oxidase and electrodeposited platinum was developed. This functionalization was successfully applied to bulk and flexible amperometric devices, the design of which was also optimized. Using the same strategy, flexible organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) for glucose sensing were also made and successfully tested. For the sensing of chloride ions, an organic charge-modulated field-effect transistor (OCMFET) featuring a silver/silver chloride modified floating gate electrode was developed and tested.

Transtorno do humor: transtorno depressivo maior e bipolar

Este objeto aponta de início dois transtornos, Transtorno Depressivo Maior e Transtorno Bipolar 1, e explica que ambos lidam com perda do senso de controle sobre os humores e afetos associada a uma experiência subjetiva de grande sofrimento. Segue abordando a depressão, inclusive em crianças e idosos, e detalha o TDM, inclui a mania como um dos transtornos do humor e esclarece alguns pontos sobre ela. Termina declarando que o tratamento dos transtornos do humor visa principalmente à segurança do usuário, sobretudo nos riscos de suicídio e que a combinação de farmacoterapia e psicoterapia é vista como a terapêutica mais adequada. Unidade 3 do módulo 9 que compõe o Curso de Especialização em Saúde da Família.

Curso EaD sobre saúde mental na Atenção Primária à Saúde para médicos: transtorno bipolar, abordagem inicial

Este vídeo integra o "Curso EaD sobre saúde mental na Atenção Primária à Saúde para médicos”, desenvolvido pelo TelessaúdeRS/UFRGS. O curso foi elaborado com o objetivo de qualificar médicos que atuam em unidades básicas de saúde do Brasil para o diagnóstico, a abordagem e o acompanhamento de pacientes com transtornos mentais. O vídeo reúne informações básicas sobre abordagem inicial, na Atenção Primária à Saúde, de pacientes com transtorno bipolar.

Curso EaD sobre saúde mental na Atenção Primária à Saúde para médicos: transtorno bipolar, diagnóstico

Este vídeo integra o "Curso EaD sobre saúde mental na Atenção Primária à Saúde para médicos”, desenvolvido pelo TelessaúdeRS/UFRGS. O curso foi elaborado com o objetivo de qualificar médicos que atuam em unidades básicas de saúde do Brasil para o diagnóstico, a abordagem e o acompanhamento de pacientes com transtornos mentais. O vídeo reúne informações básicas sobre diagnóstico, na Atenção Primária à Saúde, de pacientes com transtorno bipolar.

Curso EaD sobre saúde mental na Atenção Primária à Saúde para médicos: transtorno bipolar, tratamento

Este vídeo integra o curso de EaD sobre "saúde mental na Atenção Primária à Saúde para médicos”, desenvolvido pelo TelessaúdeRS/UFRGS. O curso foi elaborado com o objetivo de qualificar médicos que atuam em unidades básicas de saúde do Brasil para o diagnóstico, a abordagem e o acompanhamento de pacientes com transtornos mentais. O vídeo reúne informações básicas sobre tratamento, na Atenção Primária à Saúde, de pacientes com transtorno bipolar.

Análise de custo-efetividade de métodos preventivos para superfície oclusal de acordo com o risco de cárie: resultados de um ensaio clínico controlado

This study presents the results of a cost-effectiveness analysis in a controlled clinical trial on the effectiveness of a modified glass ionomer resin sealant ( Vitremer, 3M ESPE) and the application of fluoride varnish (Duraphat, Colgate) on occlusal surfaces of first permanent molars in children 6-8 years of age (N = 268), according to caries risk (high versus low). Children were examined semiannually by the same calibrated dentist for 24 months after allocation in six groups: high and low risk controls (oral health education every three months); high and low risk with varnish (oral health education every three months + varnish biannually); and high and low risk with sealant (oral health education every three months + a single application of sealant). Economic analysis showed that sealing permanent first molars of high-risk schoolchildren showed a C/E ratio of US$ 119.80 per saved occlusal surface and an incremental C/E ratio of US$ 108.36 per additional saved occlusal surface. The study concluded that sealing permanent first molars of high-risk schoolchildren was the most cost-effective intervention.

FORMAÇÕES DISCURSIVAS E PROCESSOS IDENTIFICATÓRIOS NA AQUISIÇÃO DE LÍNGUAS

This paper discusses theoretical results of the research project Linguistic Identity and Identification: A Study of Functions of Second Language in Enunciating Subject Constitution. Non-cognitive factors that have a crucial incidence in the degree of success and ways of accomplishment of second language acquisition process are focused. A transdisciplinary perspective is adopted, mobilising categories from Discourse Analysis and Psychoanalysis. The most relevant ones are: discursive formation, intradiscourse, interdiscourse, forgetting n° 1, forgetting n° 2 (Pêcheux, 1982), identity, identification (Freud, 1966; Lacan, 1977; Nasio, 1995). Revuz s views (1991) are discussed. Her main claim is that during the process of learning a foreign language, the foundations of psychical structure, and consequently first language, are required. After examining how nomination and predication processes work in first and second languages, components of identity and identification processes are focused on, in an attempt to show how second language acquisition strategies depend on them. It is stated that methodological affairs of language teaching, learner s explicit motivation and the like are subordinated to the comprehension of deeper non-cognitive factors that determine the accomplishment of the second language acquisition process. It is also pointed out that those factors are to be approached, questioning the bipolar biological-social conception of subjectivity in the study of language acquisition and use and including in the analysis symbolic and significant dimensions of the discourse constitution process.

Respostas eletromiográficas frente a diferentes métodos de treinamento de força

Universidade Estadual de Campinas . Faculdade de Educação Física

Influence of psychopathologies on craniomandibular disorders

Psychopathologies play a role in the etiology and maintenance of craniomandibular disorders (CMD). In this study, the craniomandibular index was applied to valuate signs and symptoms of CMD in 60 dentate patients, who were assigned to 2 groups: symptomatic (n=35) and asymptomatic (n=25). An interview on psychopathologies was carried out with the aim to detect the presence of some mood disorders, such as depression, dysthymic and bipolar I disorders. Among these disturbances, depression was the most significant aspect to be reported (p<0.05) since it was present in most symptomatic patients. This important interaction was also significantly correlated (p<0.05) with the Palpation Index. These results suggest that psychopathological aspects could increase muscle tenderness and pain in addition to sleep dysfuntions and other physical complaints. Therefore, psychopathologies should be regarded as an important aspect in patients with orofacial pains.

Validity and reliability of the Structured Clinical Interview for Mood Spectrum: Brazilian version (SCIMOODS-VB)

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to translate the Structured Clinical Interview for Mood Spectrum into Brazilian Portuguese, measuring its reliability, validity, and defining scores for bipolar disorders. METHOD: Questionnaire was translated (into Brazilian Portuguese) and back-translated into English. Sample consisted of 47 subjects with bipolar disorder, 47 with major depressive disorder, 18 with schizophrenia and 22 controls. Inter-rater reliability was tested in 20 subjects with bipolar disorder and MDD. Internal consistency was measured using the Kuder Richardson formula. Forward stepwise discriminant analysis was performed. Scores were compared between groups; manic (M), depressive (D) and total (T) threshold scores were calculated through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. RESULTS: Kuder Richardson coefficients were between 0.86 and 0.94. Intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.96 (CI 95 % 0.93-0.97). Subjects with bipolar disorder had higher M and T, and similar D scores, when compared to major depressive disorder (ANOVA, p < 0.001). The sub-domains that best discriminated unipolar and bipolar subjects were manic energy and manic mood. M had the best area under the curve (0.909), and values of M equal to or greater than 30 yielded 91.5% sensitivity and 74.5% specificity. CONCLUSION: Structured Clinical Interview for Mood Spectrum has good reliability and validity. Cut-off of 30 best differentiates subjects with bipolar disorder vs. unipolar depression. A cutoff score of 30 or higher in the mania sub-domain is appropriate to help make a distinction between subjects with bipolar disorder and those with unipolar depression.

O papel do polimorfismo funcional VNTR da região promotora do gene MAOA nos transtornos psiquiátricos

INTRODUÇÃO: Muitos estudos têm investigado a associação do polimorfismo VNTR (número variável de repetições em série) localizado na região promotora do gene da enzima monoamina oxidase A (MAOA) com alterações no comportamento humano e em diversos transtornos psiquiátricos. OBJETIVO: O objetivo do presente trabalho foi revisar a literatura sobre a participação desse polimorfismo funcional na modulação do comportamento humano para o desenvolvimento dos transtornos psiquiátricos. MÉTODO: A pesquisa foi realizada na literatura em inglês, de janeiro de 1998 a junho de 2009, disponível no Medline, Embase, Web of Science e na base de dados PsycInfo, utilizando os seguintes termos: "MAOA e comportamento humano" e "MAOA e psiquiatria". RESULTADOS: Foram encontrados 3.873 estudos. Desses, 109 foram selecionados e incluídos na revisão. Encontrou-se associação de alelos de baixa atividade do VNTR com transtorno de personalidade antissocial, transtorno de conduta, transtorno de déficit de atenção e hiperatividade, jogo patológico e dependência de substâncias. Alelos da alta atividade da MAOA foram associados a depressão, ansiedade, neuroticismo e anorexia nervosa. Não se encontrou associação entre polimorfismos da MAOA e esquizofrenia e transtorno bipolar. CONCLUSÃO: Os principais achados dão suporte ao papel do polimorfismo VNTR da região promotora do gene da MAOA em alguns transtornos psiquiátricos, apesar das divergências encontradas devidas às dificuldades metodológicas de estudos em genética. De modo geral, os estudos associam os alelos de baixa atividade da MAOA com comportamentos impulsivos e agressivos ("comportamentos hiperativos"), enquanto os alelos de alta atividade do gene são mais associados a "comportamentos hipoativos".

Padronização do eletrorretinograma de campo total em cães

Eletrorretinograma (ERG) é o meio diagnóstico objetivo e não-invasivo para avaliar a função retiniana e detectar precocemente, em várias espécies, lesões nas suas camadas mais externas. As indicações mais comuns para ERG em cães são: avaliação pré-cirúrgica de pacientes com catarata, caracterização de distúrbios que causam cegueira, além de servir como importante modelo para o estudo da distrofia retiniana que acomete o homem. Vários são os fatores que podem alterar o ERG tais como: eletrorretinógrafo, fonte de estimulação luminosa, tipo do eletrodo, tempo de adaptação ao escuro, tamanho pupilar, opacidade de meios e protocolo de sedação ou anestesia; além da espécie, raça e idade. Objetivou-se com este estudo padronizar o ERG para cães submetidos à sedação, seguindo o protocolo da International Society for Clinical Electrophysiology of Vision (ISCEV), utilizando Ganzfeld e eletrodos Burian Allen. Foram realizados 233 eletrorretinogramas em cães, 147 fêmeas e 86 machos, com idades entre um e 14 anos. Dos 233 cães examinados, 100 apresentavam catarata em diferentes estágios de maturação, 72 eram diabéticos e apresentavam catarata madura ou hipermadura, 26 apresentaram eletrorretinograma compatível com degeneração retiniana progressiva, três apresentaram eletrorretinograma compatível com síndrome da degeneração retiniana adquirida subitamente e 32 não apresentaram lesão retiniana capaz de atenuar as respostas do ERG, sendo considerados normais quanto à função retiniana. A sedação foi capaz de produzir boa imobilização do paciente sem rotacionar o bulbo ocular, permitindo adequada estimulação retiniana bilateralmente, com auxílio do Ganzfeld. O sistema eletrodiagnóstico Veris registrou com sucesso e simultaneamente de ambos os olhos, as cinco respostas preconizadas pela ISCEV. Como o ERG de campo total tornou-se exame fundamental na rotina oftalmológica, sua padronização é indispensável quando se objetiva comparar resultados de laboratórios distintos. A confiabilidade e reprodutibilidade deste protocolo foi demonstrada com a obtenção de registros de ótima qualidade utilizando protocolo padrão da ISCEV, eletrorretinógrafo Veris, Ganzfeld e eletrodos Burian Allen nos cães submetidos à sedação.

High-throughput SNP genotyping in the highly heterozygous genome of Eucalyptus: assay success, polymorphism and transferability across species

Background: High-throughput SNP genotyping has become an essential requirement for molecular breeding and population genomics studies in plant species. Large scale SNP developments have been reported for several mainstream crops. A growing interest now exists to expand the speed and resolution of genetic analysis to outbred species with highly heterozygous genomes. When nucleotide diversity is high, a refined diagnosis of the target SNP sequence context is needed to convert queried SNPs into high-quality genotypes using the Golden Gate Genotyping Technology (GGGT). This issue becomes exacerbated when attempting to transfer SNPs across species, a scarcely explored topic in plants, and likely to become significant for population genomics and inter specific breeding applications in less domesticated and less funded plant genera. Results: We have successfully developed the first set of 768 SNPs assayed by the GGGT for the highly heterozygous genome of Eucalyptus from a mixed Sanger/454 database with 1,164,695 ESTs and the preliminary 4.5X draft genome sequence for E. grandis. A systematic assessment of in silico SNP filtering requirements showed that stringent constraints on the SNP surrounding sequences have a significant impact on SNP genotyping performance and polymorphism. SNP assay success was high for the 288 SNPs selected with more rigorous in silico constraints; 93% of them provided high quality genotype calls and 71% of them were polymorphic in a diverse panel of 96 individuals of five different species. SNP reliability was high across nine Eucalyptus species belonging to three sections within subgenus Symphomyrtus and still satisfactory across species of two additional subgenera, although polymorphism declined as phylogenetic distance increased. Conclusions: This study indicates that the GGGT performs well both within and across species of Eucalyptus notwithstanding its nucleotide diversity >= 2%. The development of a much larger array of informative SNPs across multiple Eucalyptus species is feasible, although strongly dependent on having a representative and sufficiently deep collection of sequences from many individuals of each target species. A higher density SNP platform will be instrumental to undertake genome-wide phylogenetic and population genomics studies and to implement molecular breeding by Genomic Selection in Eucalyptus.

Proteome analysis of schizophrenia patients Wernicke's area reveals an energy metabolism dysregulation

Background: Schizophrenia is likely to be a consequence of DNA alterations that, together with environmental factors, will lead to protein expression differences and the ultimate establishment of the illness. The superior temporal gyrus is implicated in schizophrenia and executes functions such as the processing of speech, language skills and sound processing. Methods: We performed an individual comparative proteome analysis using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of 9 schizophrenia and 6 healthy control patients' left posterior superior temporal gyrus (Wernicke's area - BA22p) identifying by mass spectrometry several protein expression alterations that could be related to the disease. Results: Our analysis revealed 11 downregulated and 14 upregulated proteins, most of them related to energy metabolism. Whereas many of the identified proteins have been previously implicated in schizophrenia, such as fructose-bisphosphate aldolase C, creatine kinase and neuron-specific enolase, new putative disease markers were also identified such as dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase, tropomyosin 3, breast cancer metastasis-suppressor 1, heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins C1/C2 and phosphate carrier protein, mitochondrial precursor. Besides, the differential expression of peroxiredoxin 6 (PRDX6) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were confirmed by western blot in schizophrenia prefrontal cortex. Conclusion: Our data supports a dysregulation of energy metabolism in schizophrenia as well as suggests new markers that may contribute to a better understanding of this complex disease.

Striatal volume abnormalities in treatment-naive patients diagnosed with pediatric major depressive disorder

Objective: The striatum, including the putamen and caudate, plays an important role in executive and emotional processing and may be involved in the pathophysiology of mood disorders. Few studies have examined structural abnormalities of the striatum in pediatric major depressive disorder (MDD) patients. We report striatal volume abnormalities in medication-naive pediatric MDD compared to healthy comparison subjects. Method: Twenty seven medication-naive pediatric Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4(th) edition (DSM-IV) MDD and 26 healthy comparison subjects underwent volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The putamen and caudate volumes were traced manually by a blinded rater, and the patient and control groups were compared using analysis of covariance adjusting for age, sex, intelligence quotient, and total brain volumes. Results: MDD patients had significantly smaller right striatum (6.0% smaller) and right caudate volumes (7.4% smaller) compared to the healthy subjects. Left caudate volumes were inversely correlated with severity of depression in MDD subjects. Age was inversely correlated with left and right putamen volumes in MDD patients but not in the healthy subjects. Conclusions: These findings provide fresh evidence for abnormalities in the striatum of medication-naive pediatric MDD patients and suggest the possible involvement of the striatum in the pathophysiology of MDD.