Walking Through the Revolution: A Spatial Reading of Literary Echoes

This paper presents an embryo of a literary guide on the Carnation Revolution to be explored for educational historical excursions other than leisure and tourism. We propose a historical trail through the centre of Lisbon, city of the Carnation Revolution, called Walk through the Revolution. The trail aims to reinforce collective memory about the major events that occurred in the early moments leading to the coup. The trail is made up by nine places of rememberance, for which literary excerpts are suggested and which are supported by a digital research procedure. A set of seven fixed and observer-independent categories are used to analyse the literary contents of 23 literary works published up to 2013. These literary works refer to events that happened between the eve of April 25 and May 1, 1974. At the same time, literary descriptions are explored using a spatial approach in order to define the literary geography of the most iconic military actions and popular demonstrations that occurred in Lisbon and the surroundings. The literary geography and the cartography of the historical events are then compared. Data analysis and visualization benefit from the use of standardised and quantitative methods, including basic statistics and geographic information systems.

Skin lesions simulating blue toe syndrome caused by prolonged contact with a millipede

Venomous animals are those that, by means of a hunting and defense mechanism, are able to inject their prey with a toxic substance produced in their bodies, directly from specialized glands (e.g., tooth, sting, spur) through which the poison passes. Millipedes are poisonous animals; they can be harmful to humans, and their effects usually manifest as erythematous, purpuric, and cyanotic lesions; local pain; and paresthesia. Here, we report a case of skin contact with a millipede for 6h resulting in skin lesions similar to blue toe syndrome.

Dental and facial characteristics of patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis

OBJECTIVE: It has been shown that the temporomandibular joint is frequently affected by juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and this degenerative disease, which may occur during facial growth, results in severe mandibular dysfunction. However, there are no studies that correlate oral health (tooth decay and gingival diseases) and temporomandibular joint dysfunction in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the oral and facial characteristics of the patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis treated in a large teaching hospital. METHOD: Thirty-six patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (26 female and 10 male) underwent a systematic clinical evaluation of their dental, oral, and facial structures (DMFT index, plaque and gingival bleeding index, dental relationship, facial profile, and Helkimo's index). The control group was composed of 13 healthy children. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis was 10.8 years; convex facial profile was present in 12 juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients, and class II molar relation was present in 12 (P = .032). The indexes of plaque and gingival bleeding were significant in juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients with a higher number of superior limbs joints involved (P = .055). Anterior open bite (5) and temporomandibular joint noise (8) were present in the juvenile idiopathic arthritis group. Of the group in this sample, 94% (P = .017) had temporomandibular joint dysfunction, 80% had decreased mandibular opening (P = 0.0002), and mandibular mobility was severely impaired in 33% (P = .015). CONCLUSION: This study confirms that patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis a) have a high incidence of mandibular dysfunction that can be attributed to the direct effect of the disease in the temporomandibular joint and b) have a higher incidence of gingival disease that can be considered a secondary effect of juvenile idiopathic arthritis on oral health.

Susceptibility and prognostic factors in portuguese patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis

ABSTRACT: Objectives: This study aimed to confirm whether 15 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of selected genes are also associated with susceptibility for Juvenile idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) in thePortuguese population. Methods: Our study was conducted on Reuma.pt, the Rheumatic Diseases Portuguese Register, which includes patients with JIA receiving biological therapies and synthetic Disease Modifying Anti Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs) since June 2001. Fifteen SNPs were investigated using Taqman® SNP genotyping assays in 291 Portuguese patients with JIA and 300 ethnically matched healthy controls. Results: Prior to Bonferroni correction for multiple testing, significant genotype association between one SNP and overall group of JIA was observed (PTPN22 rs2476601). In subgroup analysis, associations between six SNPs and the subgroup of patients with rheumatoid factor (RF)-positive Polyarticular (PTPN2 rs7234029), Extended oligoarticular (PTPN22 rs2476601), Systemic (PTPRC rs10919563, ANGPT1 rs7151781 and TNF rs361525) and Psoriatic JIA (IL2RA/CD25 rs2104286) were found. After Bonferroni correction for multiple testing, 3 genotype associations remained significant in the subgroup of patients with RF-positive polyarticular JIA (PTPN2 rs7234029 [corrected P 0.026]), extended oligoarticular (PTPN22 rs2476601 [corrected P 0.026]) and systemic JIA (ANGPT1 rs7151781 [corrected P 0.039]). Conclusion: Our results provide additional evidence for an association between polymorphisms in genes PTPN2, PTPN22 and ANGPT1 and the risk of RF-positive polyarticular, extended oligoarticular and systemic JIA, respectively, in a Portuguese population.

Influence of nephrotic state on the infectious profile in childhood idiopathic nephrotic syndrome

Patients with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome present alterations in their cellular and humoral immune reactions that predispose them to the development of infectious processes. PURPOSE: To characterize the infectious processes in patients with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ninety-two children and adolescents with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome were assessed retrospectively. The types of infection were grouped as follows: upper respiratory tract infections; pneumonia; skin infections; peritonitis; diarrhea; urinary tract infection ; herpes virus; and others. The patients were divided into 2 groups: Group I (steroid-responsive) n = 75, with 4 subgroups-IA (single episode) n = 10, IB (infrequent relapsers) n = 5, IC (frequent relapsers) n = 14, and ID (steroid-dependent) n = 46; and Group II (steroid-resistant) n = 17. The incidence-density of infection among the patients was assessed throughout the follow-up period. Comparisons for each group and subgroup were done during the periods of negative and nephrotic proteinuria. RESULTS: The analysis revealed a greater incidence-density of infections during the period of nephrotic proteinuria in all the groups and subgroups, with the exception of subgroup IA. During the period of nephrotic proteinuria, subgroups IC, ID, and Group II presented a greater incidence-density of infections as compared to subgroup IA. For the period of negative proteinuria, there was no difference in the incidence-density of infections between the groups and subgroups. Upper respiratory tract infections were the most frequent infectious processes. CONCLUSION: The nephrotic condition, whether as part of a course of frequent relapses, steroid dependence, or steroid resistance, conferred greater susceptibility to infection among the patients with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome. The results of this study suggest that the best preventive action against infection in this disease is to control the nephrotic state.

Sensorimotor synchronization when walking side by side with a point light walker

[Excerpt] Synchronization of periodic movements like side-by-side walking [7] is frequently modeled by coupled oscillators [5] and the coupling strength is defined quantitatively [3]. In contrast, in most studies on sensorimotor synchronization (SMS), simple movements like finger taps are synchronized with simple stimuli like metronomes [4]. While the latter paradigm simplifies matters and allows for the assessment of the relative weights of sensory modalities through systematic variation of the stimuli [1], it might lack ecological validity. Conversely, using more complex movements and stimuli might complicate the specification of mechanisms underlying coupling. We merged the positive aspects of both approaches to study the contribution of auditory and visual information on synchronization during side-by-side walking. As stimuli, we used Point Light Walkers (PLWs) and auralized steps sound; both were constructed from previously captured walking individuals [2][6]. PLWs were retro-projected on a screen and matched according to gender, hip height, and velocity. The participant walked for 7.20m side by side with 1) a PLW, 2) steps sound, or 3) both displayed in temporal congruence. Instruction to participants was to synchronize with the available stimuli. [...]

Thiamin, selenium, and copper levels in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy taking diuretics

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association of thiamin, selenium, and copper serum levels with cardiac function in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy using diuretics, and also to compare them with levels in control patients with no evidence of disease. METHODS: The study comprised 30 patients with heart disease and 30 healthy control individuals. Thiamin was analyzed by measuring the activity of erythrocytic transketolase and the effect of thiamin pyrophosphate. Selenium and copper serum levels were measured by hydride generation and flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry, respectively. RESULTS: Thiamin deficiency was observed in 10% of the control individuals and in 33% of the patients with heart disease (p=0.02). The mean selenium and copper serum levels in control individuals and patients with heart disease were, respectively, 73.2±9.9 µg/L (56.5 to 94.5 µg/L) and 72.3±14.3 µg/L (35.5 to 94 µg/L) (p=0.77); 1.1±0.4mg/L (0.6 to 1.8mg/L) and 1.2± 0.4mg/L (0.6 to 2.2mg/L) (p=0.27). No association between the levels of these nutrients and cardiac function was observed. CONCLUSION: Thiamin deficiency was significantly more frequent in patients with heart disease. No significant difference was observed between the mean selenium and copper serum levels in control individuals and in patients with heart disease. The results suggest possible benefits with thiamin replacement in patients taking diuretics.

Tradução e validação do Walking Impairment Questionnaire em brasileiros com claudicação intermitente

FUNDAMENTO: O Walking Impairment Questionnaire (WIQ) tem sido utilizado para a obtenção de informações sobre a percepção de locomoção dos indivíduos com claudicação intermitente (CI). Entretanto, esse questionário ainda não foi traduzido para o idioma português, o que limita sua utilização em amostra brasileira. OBJETIVO: Traduzir e verificar a validade e reprodutibilidade do WIQ em brasileiros com CI. MÉTODOS: Participaram deste estudo 42 indivíduos com CI, diagnosticados pelo índice tornozelo-braço < 0,90. Após os procedimentos de tradução e retradução do questionário, realizado por dois tradutores independentes, a validade de constructo do WIQ foi analisada correlacionando os escores do WIQ com os escores do Medical Outcome Study Questionnaire Short Form 36 (SF-36) e com o desempenho em testes de aptidão física (marcha e de força máxima). A reprodutibilidade foi analisada em duas aplicações do WIQ com 7 dias de intervalo. RESULTADOS: Foi encontrada correlação significativa entre os domínios do WIQ, os domínios do SF-36 (capacidade funcional, aspectos físicos, dor e aspectos emocionais) e o desempenho nos testes de aptidão física (marcha e força máxima). Além disso, verificaram-se coeficientes de correlação intraclasse que variaram de 0,72 a 0,81, e não houve diferença entre os escores do WIQ entre as duas aplicações do questionário. CONCLUSÃO: A versão em português do WIQ é válida e reprodutível em brasileiros com CI.

Walking Tree - Organisation neuer Forschung in der Wissenschaft : Zusammenarbeit zwischen Integration und Differenzierung

Magdeburg, Univ., Fak. für Geistes-, Sozial- und Erziehungswiss., Diss., 2011

Contact processing within walking robots' design

Magdeburg, Univ., Fak. für Elektrotechnik und Informationstechnik, Diss., 2011

Autologous Transplantation of Bone Marrow Adult Stem Cells for the Treatment of Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Background:Morbimortality in patients with dilated idiopathic cardiomyopathy is high, even under optimal medical treatment. Autologous infusion of bone marrow adult stem cells has shown promising preliminary results in these patients.Objective:Determine the effectiveness of autologous transplantation of bone marrow adult stem cells on systolic and diastolic left ventricular function, and on the degree of mitral regurgitation in patients with dilated idiopathic cardiomyopathy in functional classes NYHA II and III.Methods:We administered 4,54 x 108 ± 0,89 x 108 bone marrow adult stem cells into the coronary arteries of 24 patients with dilated idiopathic cardiomyopathy in functional classes NYHA II and III. Changes in functional class, systolic and diastolic left ventricular function and degree of mitral regurgitation were assessed after 3 months, 6 months and 1 year.Results:During follow-up, six patients (25%) improved functional class and eight (33.3%) kept stable. Left ventricular ejection fraction improved 8.9%, 9.7% e 13.6%, after 3, 6 and 12 months (p = 0.024; 0.017 and 0.018), respectively. There were no significant changes neither in diastolic left ventricular function nor in mitral regurgitation degree. A combined cardiac resynchronization and implantable cardioversion defibrillation was implanted in two patients (8.3%). Four patients (16.6%) had sudden death and four patients died due to terminal cardiac failure. Average survival of these eight patients was 2.6 years.Conclusion:Intracoronary infusion of bone marrow adult stem cells was associated with an improvement or stabilization of functional class and an improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction, suggesting the efficacy of this intervention. There were no significant changes neither in left ventricular diastolic function nor in the degree of mitral regurgitation.

Validation of a Brazilian Portuguese Version of the Walking Estimated-Limitation Calculated by History (WELCH)

Abstract Background: The Walking Estimated-Limitation Calculated by History (WELCH) questionnaire has been proposed to evaluate walking impairment in patients with intermittent claudication (IC), presenting satisfactory psychometric properties. However, a Brazilian Portuguese version of the questionnaire is unavailable, limiting its application in Brazilian patients. Objective: To analyze the psychometric properties of a translated Brazilian Portuguese version of the WELCH in Brazilian patients with IC. Methods: Eighty-four patients with IC participated in the study. After translation and back-translation, carried out by two independent translators, the concurrent validity of the WELCH was analyzed by correlating the questionnaire scores with the walking capacity assessed with the Gardner treadmill test. To determine the reliability of the WELCH, internal consistency and test–retest reliability with a seven-day interval between the two questionnaire applications were calculated. Results: There were significant correlations between the WELCH score and the claudication onset distance (r = 0.64, p = 0.01) and total walking distance (r = 0.61, p = 0.01). The internal consistency was 0.84 and the intraclass correlation coefficient between questionnaire evaluations was 0.84. There were no differences in WELCH scores between the two questionnaire applications. Conclusion: The Brazilian Portuguese version of the WELCH presents adequate validity and reliability indicators, which support its application to Brazilian patients with IC.

Design of biped robot walking based on non-linear periodical oscillations

Magdeburg, Univ., Fak. für Elektrotechnik und Informationstechnik, Diss., 2012