Measurement of IgE antibodies to shrimp tropomyosin is superior to skin prick testing with commercial extract and measurement of IgE to shrimp for predicting clinically relevant allergic reactions after shrimp ingestion

Background: Shrimp is a frequent cause of food allergy. Tropomyosin is the major allergen in shrimp, and it shares homology to tropomyosins from other crustaceans, dust mites, cockroach, and parasites. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the value of detection of IgE to shrimp tropomyosin in the diagnosis of shrimp allergy. Methods: We have studied 35 patients with asthma, rhinitis, or both who were sensitized to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. All subjects underwent skin prick testing in addition to double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenges (DBPCFC); oral open challenges; or both with shrimp. Measurements of IgE to shrimp and shrimp tropomyosin were carried out by means of CAP and chimeric ELISA, respectively. Results: Oral challenges confirmed the diagnosis of shrimp allergy in 7 patients. IgE measurement to shrimp tropomyosin was positive in 71.4% of the patients with shrimp allergy. Of the 28 patients without shrimp allergy, only 7.1% (2/28) had IgE to shrimp tropomyosin compared with 25% (7/28) who had IgE to shrimp and 35.7% (10/28) who had positive skin prick test responses to shrimp. Sensitivity was similar for all 3 methods (71.4%); in contrast, specificity of IgE to shrimp tropomyosin (92.8%) was greater than that of IgE to shrimp (75%) and skin prick testing (64.2%). With regard to diagnostic efficiency, measurement of IgE to shrimp tropomyosin was superior to measurement of IgE to shrimp and skin prick testing (88.5%, 74.2%, and 65.7%, respectively). Conclusion: Use of measurements of IgE to shrimp tropomyosin provided added value to the diagnosis of shrimp allergy. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 2010;125:872-8.)

Cardiovascular effects of noradrenaline microinjection into the medial part of the superior colliculus of unanesthetized rats

The superior colliculus (SC) is a mesencephalic area involved in the mediation of defensive movements associated with cardiovascular changes. Noradrenaline (NA) is a neurotransmitter with an important role in central cardiovascular regulation exerted by several structures of the central nervous system. Although noradrenergic nerve terminals have been observed in the SC, there are no reports on the effects of local NA injection into this area. Taking this into consideration, we studied the cardiovascular effects of NA microinjection into the SC of unanesthetized rats. Microinjection of NA into the SC evoked a dose-dependent blood pressure increase and a heart rate decrease in unanesthetized rats. The pressor response to NA was not modified by intravenous pretreatment with the vasopressin v(1)-receptor antagonist dTyr(CH(2))(5) (Me)AVP, indicating a lack of vasopressin involvement in the response mediation. The effect of NA microinjection into the SC was blocked by intravenous pretreatment with the ganglionic blocker pentolinium, indicating its mediation by the sympathetic nervous system. Although the pressor response to NA was not affected by adrenal demedullation, the accompanying bradycardia was potentiated, suggesting some involvement of the sympathoadrenal system in the cardiovascular response to NA microinjection into the SC. In summary, results indicate that stimulation of noradrenergic receptors in the SC causes cardiovascular responses which are mediated by activation of both neural and adrenal sympathetic nervous system components. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

THE INFLUENCE OF VIBRISSAL SOMATOSENSORY PROCESSING IN RAT SUPERIOR COLLICULUS ON PREY CAPTURE

The lateral part of intermediate layer of superior colliculus (SCI) is a critical substrate for successful predation by rats. Hunting-evoked expression of the activity marker Fos is concentrated in SCI while prey capture in rats with NMDA lesions in SCI is impaired. Particularly affected are rapid orienting and stereotyped sequences of actions associated with predation of fast moving prey. Such deficits are consistent with the view that the deep layers of SC are important for sensory guidance of movement. Although much of the relevant evidence involves visual control of movement, less is known about movement guidance by somatosensory input from vibrissae. Indeed, our impression is that prey contact with whiskers is a likely stimulus to trigger predation. Moreover, SCI receives whisker and orofacial somatosensory information directly from trigeminal complex, and indirectly from zona incerta, parvicelular reticular formation and somatosensory barrel cortex. To better understand sensory guidance of predation by vibrissal information we investigated prey capture by rats after whisker removal and the role of superior colliculus (SC) by comparing Fos expression after hunting with and without whiskers. Rats were allowed to hunt cockroaches, after which their whiskers were removed. Two days later they were allowed to hunt cockroaches again. Without whiskers the rats were less able to retain the cockroaches after capture and less able to pursue them in the event of the cockroach escaping. The predatory behaviour of rats with re-grown whiskers returned to normal. In parallel, Fos expression in SCI induced by predation was significantly reduced in whiskerless animals. We conclude that whiskers contribute to the efficiency of rat prey capture and that the loss of vibrissal input to SCI, as reflected by reduced Fos expression, could play a critical role in predatory deficits of whiskerless rats. (C) 2011 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Role of the superior colliculus in the expression of acute and kindled audiogenic seizures in Wistar audiogenic rats

P>Purpose: The role of the superior colliculus (SC) in seizure expression is controversial and appears to be dependent upon the epilepsy model. This study shows the effect of disconnection between SC deep layers and adjacent tissues in the expression of acute and kindling seizures. Methods: Subcollicular transections, ablation of SC superficial and deep layers, and ablation of only the cerebral cortex were evaluated in the Wistar audiogenic rat (WAR) strain during acute and kindled audiogenic seizures. The audiogenic seizure kindling protocol started 4 days after surgeries, with two acoustic stimuli per day for 10 days. Acute audiogenic seizures were evaluated by a categorized seizure severity midbrain index (cSI) and kindled seizures by a severity limbic index (LI). Results: All subcollicular transections reaching the deep layers of the SC abolished audiogenic seizures or significantly decreased cSI. In the unlesioned kindled group, a reciprocal relationship between limbic and brainstem pattern of seizures was seen. The increased number of stimuli provoked an audiogenic kindling phenomenon. Ablation of the entire SC (ablation group) or of the cerebral cortex only (ctx-operated group) hampered the acquisition of limbic behaviors. There was no difference in cSI and LI between the ctx-operated and ablation groups, but there was a difference between ctx-operated and the unlesioned kindled group. There was also no difference in cSI between SC deep layer transection and ablation groups. Results of histologic analyses were similar for acute and kindled audiogenic seizure groups. Conclusions: SC deep layers are involved in the expression of acute and kindled audiogenic seizure, and the cerebral cortex is essential for audiogenic kindling development.

Superior oblique muscle amyloidosis mimicking myositis

A 47-year-old man presented with complaints of progressive diplopia in downgaze and a painful firm mass on the left medial superior canthus. On examination, there was marked hyperemia of the superior bulbar conjunctiva of the left eye. Systemic examination revealed erythematous papules on his trunk and pulmonary infiltrates. CT of the orbits revealed a fusiform enlargement of the left superior oblique muscle and diffuse infiltration of the left temporal region. Biopsy of the left superior oblique muscle and temporal muscle disclosed Congo red deposits that show apple-green birefringence under polarized light. A comprehensive systemic investigation failed to show any disease that could explain the amyloid deposits. The patient was then diagnosed as having primary systemic amyloidosis. We think that this case highlights the necessity of a biopsy in any atypical extraocular muscle enlargement before a diagnosis of myositis.

Echocardiographic identification of the oblique vein of the left atrium: its relationship to the persistent left superior caval vein

Thus far, little has been written concerning echocarchographic identification of the oblique of the left atrium, or Marshall`s vein. There is much discussion, nonetheless, on the potential significance of the vein, or its ligamentous remnant, as an arrhythmic substrate. We describe here four patients in whom transthoracic echocardiography revealed a venous structure protruding within the cavity of the left atrium. We discuss the possibility that these structures represent Marshall`s vein, albeit probably as part of a persistent left superior caval vein.

Stereological and allometric studies on neurons and axo-dendritic synapses in the superior cervical ganglia of rats, capybaras and horses

The superior cervical ganglion (SCG) in mammals varies in structure according to developmental age, body size, gender, lateral asymmetry, the size and nuclear content of neurons and the complexity and synaptic coverage of their dendritic trees. In small and medium-sized mammals, neuron number and size increase from birth to adulthood and, in phylogenetic studies, vary with body size. However, recent studies on larger animals suggest that body weight does not, in general, accurately predict neuron number. We have applied design-based stereological tools at the light-microscopic level to assess the volumetric composition of ganglia and to estimate the numbers and sizes of neurons in SCGs from rats, capybaras and horses. Using transmission electron microscopy, we have obtained design-based estimates of the surface coverage of dendrites by postsynaptic apposition zones and model-based estimates of the numbers and sizes of synaptophysin-labelled axo-dendritic synaptic disks. Linear regression analysis of log-transformed data has been undertaken in order to establish the nature of the relationships between numbers and SCG volume (V(scg)). For SCGs (five per species), the allometric relationship for neuron number (N) is N=35,067xV (scg) (0.781) and that for synapses is N=20,095,000xV (scg) (1.328) , the former being a good predictor and the latter a poor predictor of synapse number. Our findings thus reveal the nature of SCG growth in terms of its main ingredients (neurons, neuropil, blood vessels) and show that larger mammals have SCG neurons exhibiting more complex arborizations and greater numbers of axo-dendritic synapses.

The Developing Left Superior Cervical Ganglion of Pacas (Agouti Paca)

In this study the main question investigated was the number and size of both binucleate and mononucleate superior cervical ganglion (SCG) neurons and, whether post-natal development would affect these parameters. Twenty left SCGs from 20 male pacas were used. Four different ages were investigated, that is newborn (4 days), young (45 days), adult (2 years), and aged animals (7 years). By using design-based stereo-logical methods, that is the Cavalieri principle and a physical disector combined with serial sectioning, the total volume of ganglion and total number of mononucleate and binucleate neurons were estimated. Furthermore, the mean perikaryal (somal) volume of mononucleate and binucleate neurons was estimated using the vertical nucleator. The main findings of this study were a 154% increase in the SCG volume, a 95% increase in the total number of mononucleate SCG neurons and a 50% increase in the total volume of SCG neurons. In conclusion, apart from neuron number, different adaptive mechanisms may coexist in the autonomic nervous system to guarantee a functional homeostasis during ageing, which is not always associated with neuron losses. Anat Rec, 292:966-975, 2009. (C) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Interlaminar differences in the pyramidal cell phenotype in cortical areas 7m and STP (the superior temporal polysensory area) of the macaque monkey

Pyramidal neurones were injected with Lucifer Yellow in slices cut tangential to the surface of area 7m and the superior temporal polysensory area (STP) of the macaque monkey. Comparison of the basal dendritic arbors of supra- and infragranular pyramidal neurones (n=139) that were injected in the same putative modules in the different cortical areas revealed variation in their structure. Moreover, there were relative differences in dendritic morphology of supra- and infragranular pyramidal neurones in the two cortical areas. Shell analyses revealed that layer III pyramidal neurones in area STP had considerably higher peak complexity (maximum number of dendritic intersections per Shell circle) than those in layer V, whereas peak complexities were similar for supra- and infragranular pyramidal neurones in area 7m. In both cortical areas, the basal dendritic trees of layer m pyramidal neurones were characterized by a higher spine density than those in layer V. Calculations of the total number of dendritic spines in the average basal dendritic arbor revealed that layer V pyramidal neurones in area 7m had twice as many spines as cells in layer III. (4535 and 2294, respectively). A similar calculation for neurones in area STP revealed that layer III pyramidal neurones had approximately the same number of spines as cells in layer V (3585 and 3850 spines, respectively). Relative differences in the branching patterns of, and the number of spines in, the basal dendritic arbors of supra- and infragranular pyramidal neurones in the different cortical areas may allow for integration of different numbers of inputs, and different degrees of dendritic processing. These results support the thesis that intra-areal circuitry differs in different cortical areas.

Sistema e-Mec:reinven????o processual da educa????o superior em tr??s dimens??es da gest??o p??blica: jur??dica, organizacional e tecnol??gica

Com o objetivo de elevar a qualidade do ensino superior do pa??s, em 2006 o Minist??rio da Educa????o (MEC) iniciou um movimento de ???reinven????o processual??? em tr??s dimens??es: i) jur??dica, com a reformula????o da legisla????o aplic??vel aos processos regulat??rios da educa????o superior; ii) organizacional, implementando mudan??as na din??mica e no desenho das rotinas de trabalho; e iii) tecnol??gica, com a implementa????o do sistema eletr??nico e-MEC de operacionaliza????o dos procedimentos de regula????o. A tr??plice iniciativa permitiu, a um s?? tempo, trazer seguran??a jur??dica, transpar??ncia, credibilidade e celeridade ao processo. Isso possibilitou a cria????o de ambiente prop??cio ao salto qualitativo que o MEC pretendia dar em rela????o tanto ao condicionamento do funcionamento de institui????es e cursos superiores quanto ?? comprova????o da excel??ncia de sua opera????o. O objetivo final??stico foi atingido de maneira satisfat??ria, podendo-se dizer que est?? em curso a institucionaliza????o de uma cultura da qualidade da educa????o superior

Planejamento estrat??gico: contribui????o para o desempenho do Tribunal Superior do Trabalho

O presente estudo investiga em que medida o planejamento estrat??gico do Tribunal Superior do Trabalho contribuiu para o desempenho jurisdicional da Corte, em particular, no tocante ao n??mero de processos solucionados e ao prazo m??dio de tramita????o do processo na Corte. Para tanto, a pesquisa obedeceu ?? metodologia quantitativa, mediante a ado????o da t??cnica n??o param??trica da An??lise Envolt??ria de Dados ??? DEA. Tr??s cen??rios foram analisados, definidos de acordo com os inputs e outpts previamente eleitos. No cen??rio I, no per??odo de 2007 a 2012, o Tribunal Superior do Trabalho atingiu o score de 100% (cem por cento) nos anos de 2007, 2008, 2009 e 2012, ou seja, esses foram os anos em que a Corte alcan??ou os melhores resultados, considerados os inputs utilizados no processo produtivo (fatores de produ????o). Ressalta-se o fato de que os anos 2007, 2008 e 2009 s??o anteriores ?? implanta????o do planejamento estrat??gico no Tribunal. Por sua vez, nos cen??rios II e III, o score de 100% (cem por cento) foi atingido pela Corte nos anos de 2008, 2009 e 2012. Os cen??rios investigados revelaram que os anos anteriores ?? ado????o do planejamento estrat??gico, ?? exce????o de 2012, foram os de maior efici??ncia da Corte, sobretudo os anos de 2008 e 2009, que apresentaram score de 100% nas tr??s conjunturas. Diante desse desfecho, se, por um lado, n??o foi poss??vel relacionar a implanta????o do planejamento estrat??gico com o aumento da efici??ncia do Tribunal Superior do Trabalho, de outra parte, n??o se pode concluir, peremptoriamente, que n??o influenciou no rendimento. Prova disso, foi o ano de 2012, que se mostrou entre os de maior efici??ncia do TST, nos tr??s cen??rios. A pesquisa, portanto, resultou inconclusiva, possivelmente em virtude do pouco tempo de implanta????o do planejamento estrat??gico na Corte, que n??o permitiu a realiza????o da an??lise considerando-se um lapso temporal mais dilatado

Cria????o no Brasil de uma Escola Superior de Administra????o P??blica

O relat??rio produzido pelo embaixador Sergio Paulo Rouanet foi a base para a cria????o da Escola Nacional de Administra????o P??blica (ENAP) e para a carreira voltada ?? formula????o e ?? gest??o de pol??ticas p??blicas no Brasil, a dos Especialistas em Pol??ticas P??blicas e Gest??o Governamental (EPPGG). Assim, este documento constituiu-se no passo decisivo para o processo de profissionaliza????o da Administra????o P??blica Federal no Brasil

Organiza????es sociais, institui????es federais de ensino superior e autonomia universit??ria

O artigo contrap??e modelos alternativos de organiza????o das Institui????es Federais de Ensino Superior (IFES) propostos pelo Minist??rio da Administra????o e Reforma do Estado (MARE), no ??mbito do Programa de Reforma do Estado, e pelo Minist??rio da Educa????o e do Desporto (MEC). Procura tamb??m avaliar de que forma as solu????es propostas enfrentam alguns problemas caracter??sticos dessas institui????es, levantando quest??es sobre a viabilidade desses modelos. Apresenta, ainda, algumas sugest??es para a abordagem dos problemas apontados.

Abono Perman??ncia em uma institui????o federal de ensino superior: aplica????o e desdobramentos

A preocupa????o principal deste artigo ?? descrever a implementa????o do Abono Perman??ncia em uma Institui????o Federal de Ensino Superior e as implica????es que o mesmo acarretou a seus servidores e ?? pr??pria institui????o. O objetivo pretendido aqui n??o est?? em exaurir o assunto ent??o tratado, mas mostrar o quanto este pode ser importante, partindo do pressuposto de seu significado intr??nseco na motiva????o para o trabalho. O principal interessado no assunto ?? o servidor p??blico e este pode usufruir desse benef??cio dado sua idade para aposentar. Trata-se de uma pesquisa descritiva, cuja coleta foi atrav??s de entrevistas semi-estruturadas e individuais com funcion??rios que trabalham diretamente com os processos de Abono Perman??ncia, e tamb??m atrav??s de an??lise de documentos e observa????o direta dos sistemas gerenciais de processos administrativos da institui????o. Este estudo contribui nas discuss??es sobre benef??cios sociais na Gest??o de Pessoas e a utiliza????o desses recursos na Administra????o P??blica. Pode-se concluir que o Abono Perman??ncia traz diversas contribui????es como, por exemplo, a motiva????o pessoal em continuar trabalhando, por??m, apresenta algumas limita????es no pr??prio incentivo ao benef??cio, que pode n??o ser interessante em determinados tetos salariais.

Reestrutura????o e expans??o do ensino superior p??blico: o programa Reuni na Universidade Federal do Cear?? sob a vis??o dos alunos

Com a institui????o do Programa de Apoio ao Plano de Reestrutura????o e Expans??o das Universidades Federais (Reuni), o governo federal tenta criar condi????es para ampliar o acesso e a perman??ncia dos estudantes na educa????o superior. Nesse contexto, esta pesquisa objetiva investigar a percep????o dos estudantes dos dez centros acad??micos da Universidade Federal do Cear?? (UFC), regularmente matriculados no 2?? semestre de 2008, em rela????o ao Reuni e ?? proposta de ades??o da UFC ao mencionado programa, a partir de uma perspectiva mercadol??gica. Para a determina????o da amostra de entrevistados foi utilizada a f??rmula de Cochran, para popula????es finitas, e amostras aleat??rias estratificadas, resultando em uma amostra de 378 estudantes para um n??vel de confian??a de 95%. Foram utilizadas vari??veis que influenciam o comportamento do p??blico-alvo, tais como renda, grupo social e idade, com foco no marketing educacional. Trata-se de uma pesquisa quantitativa quanto ?? sua natureza, descritiva quanto aos fins e realizada mediante survey. Constatou-se grande desconhecimento sobre o Reuni ??? 50,5% dos entrevistados nunca ouviram falar sobre o programa. Percebeu-se ainda que os estudantes que possuem uma atitude negativa sobre o Reuni aprovam o conte??do da proposta da UFC, da mesma maneira que os estudantes que n??o possuem essa atitude.