Formation Of The Maritime Labor Force In Brazil: Culture And Daily Life, Tradition And Resistance (1808-1850).

Formation Of The Maritime Labor Force In Brazil: Culture And Daily Life, Tradition And Resistance (1808-1850). Since the 16(th) Century, Brazil has played a major role in the rise of a new economical and social order, in which ships represented a space of struggle and contradictions among rulers, captains and sailors. This article will study the proletarization process that transformed Indians, small farmers, free and slave black people in maritime labor force in Brazil during the first half of 19(th) century.

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN SADDLE NOSE DEFORMITY AND RETRO-ORBITAL MASS IN WEGENER`S GRANULOMATOSIS

Objectives: The relationship between saddle nose deformity (SND) in Wegener`s granulomatosis (WG) and other clinical features, including retro-orbital mass formation (ROM), has been poor described. Therefore, this relationship was analyzed retrospectively from 2000 to 2010. Patients and Methods: Eighteen consecutive WG patients with SND diagnosed by computed tomography were matched to 36 WG patients without SND (control group) for gender, age at WG diagnosis and disease duration. Results: No difference was found between the two groups in relation to WG type (limited and systemic forms), ethnicity, laboratory features, constitutional symptoms or clinical manifestations, including upper respiratory tract, and treatment, except for ROM (33.3 vs. 2.8% in SND(+) and SND(-) groups, respectively; p=0.004) and subglottic stenosis (22.2 vs. 2.8%; p=0.038). However, on multivariate analysis, only ROM (OR 17.15; 95% CI 1.11-265.52) was statistically associated to SND. In addition, in more than half of the cases, SND manifested prior to ROM. Conclusions: Results of this prospective analysis showed that SND was strongly associated to ROM in WG. Since early diagnosis and aggressive treatment of orbital involvement could lead to better prognosis, the presence of SND warrants additional vigilance.

Fractionation of follicle stimulating hormone charge isoforms in their native form by preparative electrophoresis technology

Complex glycoprotein biopharmaceuticals, such as follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), erythropoietin and tissue plasminogen activator consist of a range of charge isoforms due to the extent of sialic acid capping of the glycoprotein glycans. Sialic acid occupies the terminal position on the oligosaccharide chain, masking the penultimate sugar residue, galactose from recognition and uptake by the hepatocyte asialoglycoprotein receptor. It is therefore well established that the more acidic charge isoforms of glycoprotein biopharmaceuticals have higher in vivo potencies than those of less acidic isoforms due to their longer serum half-life. Current strategies for manipulating glycoprotein charge isoform profile involve cell engineering or altering bioprocesss parameters to optimise expression of more acidic or basic isoforms, rather than downstream separation of isoforms. A method for the purification of a discrete range of bioactive recombinant human FSH (rhFSH) charge isoforms based on Gradiflow(TM) preparative electrophoresis technology is described. Gradiflow(TM) electrophoresis is scaleable, and incorporation into glycoprotein biopharmaceutical production bioprocesses as a potential final step facilitates the production of biopharmaceutical preparations of improved in vivo potency. (C) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Ferromagnetism, paramagnetism, and a Curie-Weiss metal in an electron-doped Hubbard model on a triangular lattice

Motivated by the unconventional properties and rich phase diagram of NaxCoO2 we consider the electronic and magnetic properties of a two-dimensional Hubbard model on an isotropic triangular lattice doped with electrons away from half-filling. Dynamical mean-field theory (DMFT) calculations predict that for negative intersite hopping amplitudes (t < 0) and an on-site Coulomb repulsion, U, comparable to the bandwidth, the system displays properties typical of a weakly correlated metal. In contrast, for t > 0 a large enhancement of the effective mass, itinerant ferromagnetism, and a metallic phase with a Curie-Weiss magnetic susceptibility are found in a broad electron doping range. The different behavior encountered is a consequence of the larger noninteracting density of states (DOS) at the Fermi level for t > 0 than for t < 0, which effectively enhances the mass and the scattering amplitude of the quasiparticles. The shape of the DOS is crucial for the occurrence of ferromagnetism as for t > 0 the energy cost of polarizing the system is much smaller than for t < 0. Our observation of Nagaoka ferromagnetism is consistent with the A-type antiferromagnetism (i.e., ferromagnetic layers stacked antiferromagnetically) observed in neutron scattering experiments on NaxCoO2. The transport and magnetic properties measured in NaxCoO2 are consistent with DMFT predictions of a metal close to the Mott insulator and we discuss the role of Na ordering in driving the system towards the Mott transition. We propose that the Curie-Weiss metal phase observed in NaxCoO2 is a consequence of the crossover from a bad metal with incoherent quasiparticles at temperatures T > T-* and Fermi liquid behavior with enhanced parameters below T-*, where T-* is a low energy coherence scale induced by strong local Coulomb electron correlations. Our analysis also shows that the one band Hubbard model on a triangular lattice is not enough to describe the unusual properties of NaxCoO2 and is used to identify the simplest relevant model that captures the essential physics in NaxCoO2. We propose a model which allows for the Na ordering phenomena observed in the system which, we propose, drives the system close to the Mott insulating phase even at large dopings.

Dating the dreaming? Creation of myths and rituals for mounds along the northern Australian coastline

Shell mounds ceased to be built in many parts of coastal northern Australia about 800-600 years ago. They are the subject of stories told by Aboriginal people and some have been incorporated in ritual and political activities during the last 150 ears. These understandings emerged only after termination of the economic and environmental system that created them, 800-600 years ago, in a number of widely separated coastal regions, Modern stories and treatments of these mounds by Aboriginal people concern modern or near-modern practices. Modern views of the mounds, their mythological and ritual associations, may be explained by reference to the socioeconomic transitions seen in the archaeological record; but the recent cultural, social and symbolic statements about these places cannot inform us of the process or ideology concerned with the formation of the mounds. Many Aboriginal communities over the last half a millennium actively,formed understandings of new landscapes and systems of land use. Attempts to impose historic ideologies and cosmologies on earlier times fail to acknowledge the magnitude and rate of economic and ideological change on the tropical coastline of Australia.

Correlation between macular and retinal nerve fibre layer Fourier-domain OCT measurements and visual field loss in chiasmal compression

Purpose The aim of this study was to test the correlation between Fourier-domain (FD) optical coherence tomography (OCT) macular and retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness and visual field (VF) loss on standard automated perimetry (SAP) in chiasmal compression. Methods A total of 35 eyes with permanent temporal VF defects and 35 controls underwent SAP and FD-OCT (3D OCT-1000; Topcon Corp.) examinations. Macular thickness measurements were averaged for the central area and for each quadrant and half of that area, whereas RNFL thickness was determined for six sectors around the optic disc. VF loss was estimated in six sectors of the VF and in the central 16 test points in the VF. The correlation between VF loss and OCT measurements was tested with Spearman`s correlation coefficients and with linear regression analysis. Results Macular and RNFL thickness parameters correlated strongly with SAP VF loss. Correlations were generally stronger between VF loss and quadrantic or hemianopic macular thickness than with sectoral RNFL thickness. For the macular parameters, we observed the strongest correlation between macular thickness in the inferonasal quadrant and VF loss in the superior temporal central quadrant (rho=0.78; P<0.001) whereas for the RNFL parameters the strongest correlation was observed between the superonasal optic disc sector and the central temporal VF defect (rho=0.60; P<0.001).

Percutaneous central venous catheterization through the external jugular vein in children: improved success rate with body maneuvers and fluoroscopy assistance

Background/Purpose: Central venous catheterization is among the most common procedures performed by pediatric surgeons. Significant morbidity and even mortality can ensue from the widespread approach to the deep veins of the neck and femoral region. The external jugular vein (EJV) is a low-morbidity alternative for percutaneous catheterization in children, but it has yielded a low success rate in previous reports The authors show an improved success rate with this option. Methods: We performed an analysis of 33 patients` charts in which central venous catheterization using Seldinger technique through the EJV was attempted in 2005. Age, diagnosis, maneuvers used for success, fluoroscopy usefulness, and types of inserted catheters were evaluated. Results: The procedure was successful in 26 (78.8%) patients without complications. Diagnosis was neoplasia in almost half of the patients (42%). In half of the successful cases, body maneuvers were used, namely, twisting the head of the patient to the side of the vein and stretching the ipsilateral arm and shoulder. All but one procedure were completed under fluoroscopic guidance. In 6 (23%) patients, a long-term catheter was inserted. Conclusions: The EJV is an excellent option for central venous catheterization in children. The execution of simple maneuvers along with fluoroscopic assistance might allow for an improved success rate not only for short-term but also for long-term catheter insertion. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Thin superior medial pedicle reduction mammaplasty for severe mammary hypertrophy

Background There are multitudes of procedures in plastic surgery used to correct hypertrophic and pendulous breasts in patients with heavy and ptotic breasts who need great resections of breast tissue, where the suprasternal notch-to-nipple distance is long and the use of nipple-areola transposition techniques is a challenge for the plastic surgeon. The purpose of this study is to present a technique of reduction mammaplasty that could solve these problems based on the following principles: mammary reduction utilizing a thin superior medial pedicle (0.8-1.5 cm thick) and the resection performed in two steps: (1) the base excess at a plane perpendicular to the breast (this determines the cone`s height) and (2) central half keel (this determines the breast diameter reduction). Methods Ninety patients with mammary hypertrophy were operated on at the ""Hospital das Clinicas,"" Sao Paulo University Medical School, between January 2000 and November 2005. Inclusion in this study required a minimum of 12-cm change in nipple position and a 750-g breast resection. Results The mean change in nipple position was 16 cm (range = 12-21 cm). The mean weight of each breast was 1400 (range = 750-3000 g).Considering the great amount of volume removed and the size of the operated breasts, few complications were observed and were similar to those reported following other techniques described in the literature. Patient satisfaction following this procedure was high. Conclusion The results of this study clearly demonstrate that thin superior medial pedicle reduction mammaplasty is a safe and reliable technique in cases of severe mammary hypertrophy.

Biological activity and metabolic clearance of recombinant human follicle stimulating hormone produced in Sp2/0 myeloma cells

Human follicle stimulating hormone is a pituitary glycoprotein that is essential for the maintenance of ovarian follicle development and testicular spermatogenesis. Like other members of the glycoprotein hormone family, it contains a common a subunit and a hormone specific beta subunit. Each subunit contains two glycosylation sites. The specific structures of the oligosaccharides of human follicle stimulating hormone have been shown to influence both the in vitro and in vivo bioactivity. Since the carbohydrate structure of a protein reflects the glycosylation apparatus of the host cells in which the protein is expressed, we examined the isoform profiles, in vitro bioactivity and metabolic clearance of a preparation of purified recombinant human follicle stimulating hormone derived from a stable, transfected Sp2/0 myeloma cell line, and pituitary human follicle stimulating hormone. Isoelectric focussing and chromatofocussing studies of human follicle stimulating hormone preparations both showed a more basic isoform profile for the recombinant human follicle stimulating hormone compared to that of pituitary human follicle stimulating hormone. The recombinant human follicle stimulating hormone had a significantly higher radioreceptor activity compared to that of pituitary human follicle stimulating hormone, consistent with a greater in vitro potency. Pharmacokinetic studies in rats indicated a similar terminal half life (124 min) to that of the pituitary human follicle stimulating hormone (119 min). Preliminary carbohydrate analysis showed recombinant human follicle stimulating hormone to contain high mannose and/or hybrid type, in addition to complex type carbohydrate chains, terminating with both alpha 2,3 and alpha 2,6 linked sialic acids. These results demonstrate that recombinant human follicle stimulating hormone made in the Sp2/0 myeloma cells is sialylated, has a more basic isoform profile, and has a greater in vitro biological potency compared to those of the pituitary human follicle stimulating hormone.

Evaluation of molar teeth and buds in patients submitted to mandible distraction: Long-term results

Background: Despite all benefits offered by mandible distraction, complications and long-term consequences need to be evaluated to define its safety and morbidity. Forty mandible distractions were studied. Panoramic mandible radiographs obtained preoperatively, during distraction, and during the postoperative period were reviewed, with the intention of evaluating development and complications of molar buds and teeth in the distraction area. Methods: The mean patient age was 8.1 years. Twenty-five patients had craniofacial microsomia (one associated with a no. 10 facial cleft), five had temporomandibular joint ankylosis, two had familiar cases of auriculocondylar syndrome, one had a Tessier no. 30 facial cleft, and one had Treacher Collins syndrome. The severity of mandible hypoplasia was Pruzansky grade I in four cases, grade IIA in eight cases, grade 1113 in 16 cases, and grade III in one case. Mean radiographic follow-up was 44.8 months. Results: Molar buds located in the distraction area erupted without any deformity or displacement in 18 sides (45 percent). Fourteen cases presented distalization of a dental bud to a superior position in the mandibular ramus (four migrated back to the original position). Six molar buds presented perforations, four had shape deformities (two caused by dental fracture), and two had dental root injuries followed by root absorption lately. One case developed a dentigerous cyst. Conclusions: Almost half of the patients did not have any molar bud or tooth alterations after mandible distraction, and more than 20 percent presented only bud distalization. Therefore, preventive bud enucleation or tooth extraction should be avoided before mandible distraction.

cDNA microarray analysis of differentially expressed genes in penile tissue after treatment with tadalafil

To evaluate differential gene expression in penile tissue after treatment with the phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor tadalafil, as of the three clinically available PDE5 inhibitors (sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil) used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED), tadalafil has a long half-life and low incidence of side-effects. In all, 32 adult rats were divided into two groups. The control group received 0.5 mL of drinking water alone, while the tadalafil group was treated with tadalafil at a dose of 0.27 mg/kg. At 4 h after treatment with water or tadalafil the rats were killed and the penile tissue was removed. The total RNA was isolated from the penile tissue from both groups and differentially expressed genes were identified by cDNA microarray analysis. To validate the expression data from the microarray analysis, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemistry were used. In all, 153 genes were differentially expressed between the control group and the tadalafil group. We validated the microarray results by quantitative PCR for the insulin-like growth factor binding protein 6 (IGFBP-6) gene and the neuronal calcium sensor 1 (NCS-1) gene, both of which were up-regulated in the tadalafil group, and for the natriuretic peptide receptor 1 (NPR-1) gene that was down-regulated in this group. Immunohistochemistry showed localization of the NCS-1 protein in sinusoid trabeculae of the corpus cavernosum in control and tadalafil-treated rats. There was differential expression in 153 genes after tadalafil treatment. Some of these genes such as IGFBP-6, NPR-1 and NCS-1, might result in new targets in the treatment of ED.

Urodynamic evaluation of patients with lower urinary tract symptoms and small prostate volume

Introduction: The relevance of prostate size in the pathophysiology of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) is controversial. We evaluated the urodynamic findings in patients with LUTS and small prostate volumes. Materials and Methods: 84 patients aged >= 50 years with LUTS and prostates < 40 ml were evaluated. All had an International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) >= 8. Average age was 62.0 +/- 8.1 years. We evaluated the impact of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) and detrusor overactivity (DO) on the voiding symptoms and urodynamic findings. Results: Mean prostate volume was 29.2 +/- 7.2 ml and mean IPSS was 13.5 +/- 4.6. BOO was the main finding, affecting 42 (50.0%) patients, followed by detrusor underactivity (DU) in 41 (48.8%) and DO in 28 (33.3%) patients. Patients without BOO were significantly older than the obstructed (64.0 +/- 8.8 and 60.1 +/- 6.9 years, respectively; p = 0.026) and had an increased prevalence of DU (76.2 and 21.4%, respectively; p < 0.001). Comparison of patients with and without DO showed reduced bladder capacity and compliance in the DO group (p < 0.001). No other comparisons were significant. Conclusion: Half of the patients with LUTS and small prostates are not obstructed and may have DO or decreased detrusor contractility as the basis for their voiding symptoms. Our results emphasize the value of urodynamics in this population, especially when invasive treatments are being considered. Copyright (c) 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Mild myocardial infarction - A classification problem in epidemiologic studies

In studies assessing the trends in coronary events, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) MONICA Project (multinational MONItoring of trends and determinants of CArdiovascular disease), the main emphasis has been on coronary deaths and non-fatal definite myocardial infarctions (MI). It is, however, possible that the proportion of milder MIs may be increasing because of improvements in treatment and reductions in levels of risk factors. We used the MI register data of the WHO MONICA Project to investigate several definitions for mild non-fatal MIs that would be applicable in various settings and could be used to assess trends in milder coronary events. Of 38 populations participating in the WHO MONICA MI register study, more than half registered a sufficiently wide spectrum of events that it was possible to identify subsets of milder cases. The event rates and case fatality rates of MI are clearly dependent on the spectrum of non-fatal MIs, which are included. On clinical grounds we propose that the original MONICA category ''non-fatal possible MI'' could bt:divided into two groups: ''non fatal probable MI'' and ''prolonged chest pain.'' Non-fatal probable MIs are cases, which in addition to ''typical symptoms'' have electrocardiogram (EGG) or enzyme changes suggesting cardiac ischemia, but not severe enough to fulfil the criteria for non-fatal definite MI In more than half of the MONICA Collaborating Centers, the registration of MI covers these milder events reasonably well. Proportions of non-fatal probable MIs vary less between populations than do proportions of non fatal possible MIs. Also rates of non-fatal probable MI are somewhat more highly correlated with rates of fatal events and non-fatal definite MI. These findings support the validity of the category of non-fatal probable MI. In each center the increase in event rates and the decrease in case-fatality due to the inclusion of non-fatal probable MI was lar er for women than men. For the WHO MONICA Project and other epidemiological studies the proposed category of non-fatal probable MIs can be used for assessing trends in rates of milder MI. Copyright (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.

Reorganization of terminator DNA upon binding replication terminator protein: Implications for the functional replication fork arrest complex

Termination of DNA replication in Bacillus subtilis involves the polar arrest of replication forks by a specific complex formed between the replication terminator protein (RTP) and DNA terminator sites. While determination of the crystal structure of RTP has facilitated our understanding of how a single RTP dimer interacts with terminator DNA, additional information is required in order to understand the assembly of a functional fork arrest complex, which requires an interaction between two RTP dimers and the terminator site. In this study, we show that the conformation of the major B. subtilis DNA terminator, Terl, becomes considerably distorted upon binding RTP. Binding of the first dimer of RTP to the B site of Terl causes the DNA to become slightly unwound and bent by similar to 40 degrees. Binding of a second dimer of RTP to the A site causes the bend angle to increase to similar to 60 degrees. We have used this new data to construct two plausible models that might explain how the ternary terminator complex can block DNA replication in a polar manner, in the first model, polarity of action is a consequence of the two RTP-DNA half-sites having different conformations. These different conformations result from different RTP-DNA contacts at each half-site (due to the intrinsic asymmetry at the terminator DNA), as well as interactions (direct or indirect) between the RTP dimers on the DNA. In the second model, polar fork arrest activity is a consequence of the different affinities of RTP for the A and B sites of the terminator DNA, modulated significantly by direct or indirect interactions between the RTP dimers.

A fructan: fructan fructosyltransferase activity from Lolium rigidum

Fructan:fructan fructosyltransferase (FFT) activity was purified about 300-fold from leaves of Lolium rigidura Gaudin by a combination of affinity chromatography, gel filtration, anion exchange and isoelectric focusing. The FFT activity was free of sucrose:sucrose fructosyltransferase and invertase activities. It had an apparent pI of 4.7 as determined by isoelectric focusing, and a molecular mass of about 50000 (gel filtration). The FFT activity utilized the trisaccharides 1-kestose and 6(G)-kestose as sole substrates, but was not able to use 6-kestose as sole substrate. The FFT activity was not saturated when assayed at concentrations of 1-kestose, 6(G)-kestose or (1,1)-kestotetraose of up to 400 mM The rate of reaction of the FFT activity was most rapid when assayed with 1-kestose and was less rapid when assayed with 6(G)-kestose, (1,1)-kestotetraose or (1,1,1)-kestopentaose. The FFT activity when assayed at a relatively high concentration of enzyme activity (approximately equivalent to about half the activity in crude extracts per gram fresh mass) did not synthesize fructan of degree of polymerization > 6, even during extended assays of up to 10 h. When assayed with a combination of 1-kestose and uniformly labelled [C-14]sucrose as substrates, the major reaction was the transfer of a fructosyl residue from 1-kestose to sucrose resulting in the re-synthesis of 1-kestose. Tetrasaccharide and 6(G)-kestose were also synthesized. When assayed with 6(G)-kestose and [C-14]sucrose as substrates, the major reaction of the FFT activity was the synthesis of tetrasaccharide. However, some synthesis of 1-kestose and re-synthesis of 6(G)-kestose also occurred. When 6, kestose was the sole substrate for the FFT activity, synthesis of tetrasaccharide was 2.7 to 3.4-fold slower than when 1-kestose was used as the sole substrate. Owing to differences in the fructan:sucrose fructosyltransferase activity of the FFT with each of the trisaccharides, net synthesis of tetrasaccharide by the FFT was altered significantly in the presence of sucrose. The magnitude of this effect depended on the concentration of the trisaccharides. In the presence of sucrose, 6(G)-kestose could be a substrate of equivalent importance to 1-kestose for synthesis of tetrasaccharide.