Investigation of the cingulate cortex in idiopathic generalized epilepsy

Studies using quantitative neuroimaging have shown subtle abnormalities in patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE). These findings have several locations, but the midline parasagittal structures are most commonly implicated. The cingulate cortex is related and may be involved. The objective of the current investigation was to perform a comprehensive analysis of the cingulate cortex using multiple quantitative structural neuroimaging techniques. Thirty-two patients (18 women, 30 ± 10 years) and 36 controls (18 women, 32 ± 11 years) were imaged by 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A volumetric three-dimensional (3D) sequence was acquired and used for this investigation. Regions-of-interest were selected and voxel-based morphometry (VBM) analyses compared the cingulate cortex of the two groups using Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM8) and VBM8 software. Cortical analyses of the cingulate gyrus was performed using Freesurfer. Images were submitted to automatic processing using built-in routines and recommendations. Structural parameters were extracted for individual analyses, and comparisons between groups were restricted to the cingulate gyrus. Finally, shape analyses was performed on the anterior rostral, anterior caudal, posterior, and isthmus cingulate using spherical harmonic description (SPHARM). VBM analyses of cingulate gyrus showed areas of gray matter atrophy, mainly in the anterior cingulate gyrus (972 mm(3) ) and the isthmus (168 mm(3) ). Individual analyses of the cingulate cortex were similar between patients with IGE and controls. Surface-based comparisons revealed abnormalities located mainly in the posterior cingulate cortex (718.12 mm(2) ). Shape analyses demonstrated a predominance of anterior and posterior cingulate abnormalities. This study suggests that patients with IGE have structural abnormalities in the cingulate gyrus mainly localized at the anterior and posterior portions. This finding is subtle and variable among patients.

Validation of mechanical, electrical and thermal nociceptive stimulation methods in horses

To validate a model for investigating the effects of analgesic drugs on mechanical, thermal and electrical stimulation testing. To investigate repeatability, sensitivity and specificity of nociceptive tests. Randomised experiment with 2 observers in 2 phases. Mechanical (M), thermal (TL) and electrical (E) stimuli were applied to the dorsal metacarpus (M-left and TL-right) and coronary band of the left thoracic limb (E) and a thoracic thermal stimulus (TT) was applied caudal to the withers in 8 horses (405 ± 43 kg). Stimuli intensities were increased until a clear avoidance response was detected without exceeding 20 N (M), 60°C (TL and TT) and 15 V (E). For each set of tests, 3 real stimuli and one sham stimulus were applied (32 per animal) using a blinded, randomised, crossover design repeated after 6 months. A distribution frequency and, for each stimulus, Chi-square and McNemar tests compared both the proportion of positive responses detected by 2 observers and the 2 study phases. The κ coefficients estimated interobserver agreement in determining endpoints. Sensitivity (384 tests) and specificity (128 tests) were evaluated for each nociceptive stimulus to assess the evaluators' accuracy in detecting real and sham stimuli. Nociceptive thresholds were 3.1 ± 2 N (M), 8.1 ± 3.8 V (E), 51.4 ± 5.5°C (TL) and 55.2 ± 5.3°C (TT). The level of agreement after all tests, M, E, TL and TT, was 90, 100, 84, 98 and 75%, respectively. Sensitivity was 89, 100, 89, 98 and 70% and specificity 92, 97, 88, 91 and 94%, respectively. The high interobserver agreement, sensitivity and specificity suggest that M, E and TL tests are valid for pain studies in horses and are suitable tools for investigating antinociceptive effects of analgesics in horses.

Evaluation of the marsh deer stifle joint by imaging studies and gross anatomy

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Description of three new species of Moenkhausia (Teleostei, Characiformes, Characidae) with the definition of the Moenkhausia jamesi species complex

From the examination of extensive comparative material currently identified as M. jamesi we verified that there are, at least, three new species under this name. These, along with M. jamesi and M. justae, form what we herein called the M. jamesi species complex, by sharing the following group of characters: a short maxilla, with its distal margin not exceeding anterior third of the second infraorbital; first through third teeth of the inner row of premaxilla and first and second dentary teeth with cusps arranged in a pronounced arch, humeral spot positioned between the fourth and seventh scales of the lateral line and extending up to four scale rows above the lateral line and one scale row below the lateral line, and a vertically oval to round spot at the base of the caudal fin rays. Moenkhausia ischyognatha sp. n., from Rio Xingu basin, differs from the other species of the complex by its lower head depth. Moenkhausia alesis sp. n., from the river system Tocantins-Araguaia, differs from M. jamesi, M. ischyognatha, and M. sthenosthoma by the number of scale rows above the lateral line. Moenkhausia sthenosthoma sp. n., from the Rio Madeira basin, differs from M. jamesi by the number of scale rows between the lateral line and the midventral scale series. Moenkhausia justae can be diagnosed from the other species of the complex by having a tri to pentacuspidate tooth on the maxilla.

Molecular phylogeny of the highly diversified catfish subfamily Loricariinae (Siluriformes, Loricariidae) reveals incongruences with morphological classification

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Variação morfológica de Poecilia vivipara em um gradiente de predação nop litoral norte fluminense

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Estudo comportamental das aferências do núcleo ventral do corpo trapezóide ao primeiro núcleo do circuito neural do reflexo auditivo de sobressalto: núcleo da raiz coclear

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Estudo histopatológico da implantação de nervo periférico no osso

Pós-graduação em Bases Gerais da Cirurgia - FMB

Projeto de controlador gain scheduling usando realimentação derivativa via LMI

Pós-graduação em Engenharia Elétrica - FEIS

Estudo da assimetria da fossa mandibular, em crânios secos de crianças pelo método radiográfico

The Temporomandibular Joint is a noble structure of the complex mandibular, a lot of research was conducted on the to signs and symptoms of the alterations that attack those structures. ln spite of the high incidence of the DTM in children, there's little knowledge about it, wich makes difficult the treatment Desorders Craniomandibulares (DCM) or Desorders Temporomandibulars (DTM). The Temporomandibular Joint is composed basically by three elements: bones, muscles and disk, in relation to bony part, we have the fossae mandibular that is part of the temporary bone and wich houses the condyle mandibular, accomplishing the articulation among the cranium and the jaw (it leaves piece of furniture of the articulation). Our intention in that work was of verifying a possible asymmetry of the fossae mandibular on the left side and of the right side in relation to two straight line: a straight line that coincided with the plane medium sagittal and another perpendicular straight line to the plan medium sagittal. Analyzing, the fossae mandibular in 91 dry craniums of children, with age varying between four months of life intrauterina and five years, in x-rays in that the incidence was cranium-flow, we could end that: in spite of we find statistical significance in relation to that asymmetry, clinic cannot affirm that interferences on occlusion exists for that asymmetry

Diferenças individuais no comportamento forrageiro de Polistes versicolor Olivier, 1872 (Vespidae, Polistinae)

Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Zoologia) - IBRC

Morfologia e vascularização arterial do timo em avestruzes Struthio camelus (LINNAEUS, 1758)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Descrição anatômica das estruturas osteoarticulares do esqueleto axial do tatu-galinha (Dasypus novemcinctus Linnaeus, 1758) por meio da radiografia e tomografia computadorizada

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Dispositivos não convencionais para o rastreamento do corpo humano

Due to the popularity and need to learn sign language, there are tools that help in this type of communication. In Brazil, for example, the government offers professional Sign Language to assist communities, however, if think the hypothesis that people live in places difficult access, there is a difficult in movement of professionals to such places, besides bringing government overspending. Thus, a tool that simulates the movements of professional, fully exploiting the technological resources (cost-benefit) to enrich and provide a tool for communities, it becomes possible order to fill this gap. The system provides resources for editing movements, and these, later, are retrieved by tool for the visualization and representation of signals in a Virtual Environment. The resources used, provide two unconventional devices for tracking body, the Wiimote controllers and P5 glove.

Apresentação de métodos para implementação de plataformas colaborativas de Sistemas Automatizados de Produção

Automated Production Systems Development involves aspects concerning the integration of technological components that exist on the market, such as: Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), robot manipulators, various sensors and actuators, image processing systems, communication networks and collaborative supervisory systems; all integrated into a single application. This paper proposes an automated platform for experimentation, implemented through typical architecture for Automated Production Systems, which integrates the technological components described above, in order to allow researchers and students to carry out practical laboratory activities. These activities will complement the theoretical knowledge acquired by the students in the classroom, thus improving their training and professional skills. A platform designed using this generic structure will allow users to work within an educational environment that reflects most aspects found in Industrial Automated Manufacturing Systems, such as technology integration, communication networks, process control and production management. In addition, this platform offers the possibility complete automated process of control and supervision via remote connection through the internet (WebLab), enabling knowledge sharing between different teaching and research groups.