Matemal Concepts and Expectations regarding a Preterm Infant

The objective of the present study was: (a) to identify the concerns, verbally expressed, of 50 mothers regarding their preterm infants (PT) and then compare their verbal expression with those of 25 mothers of full-term infants (FT): and (b) to correlate the mothers` verbal expressions with maternal and infant variables. The following instruments were used to compose and characterize the sample: Structure Clinical Interview for DSM III-R Non-Patient (SCID/NP), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and medical charts. Results showed that there was no difference between groups in term of mothers` expectations and conceptualizations, both groups exhibited predominantly positive expectations and concepts. In comparison with FT mothers, PT mothers verbally expressed more feelings and reactions predominantly negative or conflicting in relation to infant birth. Higher levels of maternal anxiety and depression in the PT Group were correlated with more verbal expressions about negative or conflicting emotions. In addition, lower birth weight, higher neonatal risk and longer length of stay in intensive care nursery of the infants were related with more negative or conflicting concepts by the mothers.

Signs of Temporomandibular Disorders in Migraine Patients: A Prospective, Controlled Study

Objectives: To identify signs of temporomandibular disorders and cervical pain in individuals with episodic and chronic (transformed) migraine (CM), relative to controls without headaches. Methods: In this prospective, controlled, double-blind study, we examined 93 individuals divided in 3 groups: episodic migraine EM, (n= 31), CM chronic migraine (n= 34), and controls without migraine (n= 28). We recorded signs of temporomandibular disorders, and of pain in the neck, after the protocol of Helkimo (1974). We calculated the odds ratio (OR) and confidence intervals (CI) of symptoms as a function of headache status. Data from all groups were paired and compared using the chi(2) test. The level of significance was 5% in 2-tailed tests. Results: Relative to controls, participants with EM and CM were significantly more likely to have tenderness in the masticatory muscles [controls = 28%, migraine = 54%, (OR = 3.0, 95% CI = 1.1-8.9), CM = 73% (OR = 6.9, 95% CI = 2.3-21.2)], and in the temporomandibular joint [controls = 25%, migraine = 61%, (OR = 4.7, 95% CI = 1.5-14.5), CM = 61% (OR = 4.8, 95% CI = 1.6-14.5)]. They were numerically (but nonsignificantly) more likely to have limited lateral jaw movements (CM = 34%; EM = 26%; NP = 18%), joint sounds (CM = 44%; EM = 29%; NP = 28%), and tenderness in neck muscles (CM = 64%; EM = 51%; NP = 35%). Conclusion: In a tertiary care population, individuals with EM and CM are more likely to have tenderness at the temporomandibular joint and on the masticatory muscles, relative to controls. Studies are needed to investigate whether treatment of 1 disorder will improve the other.

Evaluating budesonide efficacy in nasal polyposis and predicting the resistance to treatment

Cell resistance to glucocorticoids is a major problem in the treatment of nasal polyposis (NP). The objectives of this study were to observe the effect of budesonide on the expression of IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor, intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, basic fibroblast growth factor, eotaxin-2, glucocorticoid receptor (GR)-alpha, GR-beta, c-Fos and p65 in nasal polyps and to correlate their expression to clinical response. Biopsies from nasal polyps were obtained from 20 patients before and after treatment with topical budesonide. Clinical response to treatment was monitored by a questionnaire and nasal endoscopy. The mRNA levels of the studied genes were measured by real-time quantitative (RQ)-PCR. There was a significant decrease in the expression of TNF-alpha (P < 0.05), eotaxin-2 (P < 0.05) and p65 (P < 0.05) in NP after treatment. Poor responders to glucocorticoids showed higher expression of IL-1 beta (3.74 vs. 0.14; P < 0.005), ICAM-1 (1.91 vs. 0.29; P < 0.05) and p65 (0.70 vs. 0.16; P < 0.05) before treatment. Following treatment, IL-1 beta (4.18 vs. 0.42; P < 0.005) and GR-beta (0.95 vs. 0.28; P < 0.05) mRNA expression was higher in this group. Topical budesonide reduced the expression of TNF-alpha, eotaxin-2 and p65. Poor responders to topical budesonide exhibit higher levels of IL-1 beta, ICAM-1 and nuclear factor (NF)-kappa B at diagnosis and higher expression of both IL-1 beta and GR-beta after treatment. These results emphasize the anti-inflammatory action of topical budesonide at the molecular level and its importance in the treatment of NP. Nevertheless, IL-1 beta, ICAM-1 and NF-kappa B may be associated with primary resistance to glucocorticoids in NP, whereas higher expression of GR-beta in poor responders only after glucocorticoid treatment may represent a secondary drug resistance mechanism in this disease.

Expression of transcription factors NF-kappa B and AP-1 in nasal polyposis

Background The treatment and prognosis of nasal polyposis (NP) may be influenced by transcription factors, but their expression is poorly understood. Objective To determine the expression of transcription factors [(nuclear factor-kappa B) NF-kappa B and (activator protein) AP-1], cytokines [IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha and (granulocytes and macrophage colony-stimulating factor) GM-CSF], growth factor (b-FGF), chemokine (eotaxin-2) and adhesion molecule (ICAM-1) in NP in comparison with nasal mucosa controls. Methods Cross-sectional study. Twenty biopsies of nasal polyps were compared with eight middle turbinate biopsies. p65, c-Fos, IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, ICAM-1, b-FGF, eotaxin-2 and GM-CSF were analysed through RQ-PCR, and p65 and c-Fos were also analysed through Western blotting. Results NF-kappa B expression was increased in patients with NP when compared with control mucosa (P < 0.05), whereas AP-1 expression did not differ significantly between groups. Expressions of IL-1 beta, eotaxin-2 and b-FGF were also increased in patients with NP compared with controls (P < 0.05). Conclusions The transcription factor NF-kappa B is more expressed in NP than in control mucosa. This is important in NP because NF-kappa B can induce the transcription of cytokines, chemokines and adhesion molecules, which play an important role in the inflammatory process. Moreover, transcription factors influence the response to corticosteroids, which are the basis of NP treatment. Transcription factor AP-1 does not seem to have a significant role in the pathological process.

Maternal Anxiety and Depression and Development of Prematurely Born Infants in the First Year of Life

The Purpose of this study was: (a) to assess and to compare anxiety and depression symptoms in mothers of preterm neonates during hospitalization in the Neonatal Intenive Care Unit, after discharge, and at the end of the infants` first year of life and (b) to assess the child`s development at 12 months of chronological corrected age (CCA). Thirty-six mothers, with no psychiatric antecedents assessed with the SCID-NP were evaluated by STAI and BDI The infants were assessed with Bayley-II Scales. There was a significant decrease in clinical symptoms of state-anxiety in mothers (p =.008). comparing the period during hospitalization and after discharge of the infants. Clinical symptoms of anxiety and depression were observed in 20% of the mothers at the end of the infants` first year of age. The majority of the infants exhibited normal development on Bayley-II at 12 months CCA: however. 25% of the infants displayed cognitive problems and 40% motor problems. The mothers` anxiety and depression symptoms decreased it the end of the first year of life of the pre-term infants and the children showed predominately normal development Lit this phase.

Unagi-sentences in Japanese and mutual knowledge

This paper examines the so-called ’Unagi-sentence‘ in Japanese. So far, it has been taken for granted that the Unagi-sentence is incomplete syntactically and/or semantically. Because its structure apparently neither provides a fully-fledged semantic meaning, nor furnishes a plausible syntactic pattern (such as ‘subject-predicate‘), a number of previous works have considered the Unagi-sentence to be elliptic, and consequently reconstructed it as a complete sentence or established intermediate structures to account for its grammatical form. Other researchers have not used elliptic solutions, but sought to discover logical connections between the parts of the Unagi-sentence themselves. As a result, fixing their entire attention on the internal structure of the Unagi-sentence, these researchers inevitably needed to establish hypothetical constructs in order to explain the structure of the Unagi-sentence. The present author believes that the Unagi-sentence is neither incomplete nor a result of some hypothetical processes. The Unagi-sentence stands on its own as a complete utterance. It is basically an NP utterance which can be expanded to the form NP1 wa + NP2 da and its variations. The occurrence of the Unagi-sentence depends heavily on a presupposed context and its pragmatic features, without which the Unagi-sentence cannot exist. It is these features that the present article seeks to elucidate.

Effect of supplementation with a by-product of molasses fermentation or a non-protein nitrogen/mineral mix on feed intake and microbial protein supply in sheep consuming chopped oat (Avena sativa) hay

Crossbred ewes, weighing 30-40 kg, were assigned to three groups of six animals. One group of sheep was fed chopped oat hay (control), the second group was fed the control diet plus 30 g per head per day spray dried residue from the fermentation of molasses and the third group was fed the control diet plus 30 g per head per day of a non-protein nitrogen/mineral mix. Voluntary feed intake, digestibility of DM, OM and nitrogen, nitrogen balance and microbial nitrogen flow to the intestines were significantly increased by supplementation but efficiency of microbial protein production was not affected. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science BN. All rights reserved,

Avian paramyxoviruses and influenza viruses isolated from mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) in New Zealand

A comprehensive study using virological and serological approaches was carried out to determine the status of live healthy mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) in New Zealand for infections with avian paramyxoviruses (APMV) and influenza viruses (AIV). Thirty-three viruses isolated from 321 tracheal and cloacal swabs were characterized as: 6 AIV (two H5N2 and four H4N6), 10 APMV-1 and 17 APMV-4. Of 335 sera samples tested for AIV antibodies, 109 (32.5%) sera were positive by nucleoprotein-blocking ELISA (NP-B-ELISA). Serum samples (315) were examined for antibody to APMV-1, -2, -3, -4, -6, -7, -8, -9 by the haemagglutination inhibition test. The largest number of reactions, with titres up to greater than or equal to 1/64, was to APMV-1 (93.1%), followed by APMV-6 (85.1%), APMV-8 (56%), APMV-4 (51.7%), APMV-7 (47%), APMV-9 (15.9%), APMV-2 (13.3%) and APMV-3 (6.0%). All of the H5N2 isolates of AIV and the APMV-1 isolates from this and earlier New Zealand studies had low pathogenicity indices assessed by the Intravenous Pathogenicity Index (IVPI) with the result 0.00 and Intracerebral Pathogenicity Index (ICPI) with results 0.00-0.16. Partial genomic and antigenic analyses were also consistent with the isolates being non-pathogenic. Phylogenetic analysis of the 10 APMV-1 isolates showed 9 to be most similar to the reference APMV-1 strain D26/76 originally isolated in Japan and also to the Que/66 strain, which was isolated in Australia. The other isolate was very similar to a virus (MC 110/77) obtained from a shelduck in France.

Syntactic and pragmatic constraints on processing relative clauses

Thc oen itninteureasc ttioo nb eo fa pcreangtmraal tiiscs uaen di ns ymnotadcetlisc ocfo nsestnrtaeinnctse processing. It is well established that object relatives (1) are harder to process than subject relatives (2). Passivization, other things being equal, increases sentence complexity. However, one of the functions of the passive construction is to promote an NP into the role of subject so that it can be more easily bound to the head NP in a higher clause. Thus, (3) is predicted to be marginally preferred over (1). Passiviazation in this instance may be seen as a way of avoiding the object relative construction. 1. The pipe that the traveller smoked annoyed the passengers. 2. The traveller that smoked the pipe annoyed the passengers. 3.The pipe that was smoked by the traveller annoyed the 4.The traveller that the pipe was smoked by annoyed the 5.The traveller that the lady was assaulted by annoyed the In (4) we have relativization of an NP which has been demoted by passivization to the status of a by-phrase. Such relative clauses may only be obtained under quite restrictive pragmatic conditions. Many languages do not permit relativization of a constituent as low as a by-phrase on the NP accessibility hierarchy (Comrie, 1984). The factors which determine the acceptability of demoted NP relatives like (4-5) reflect the ease with which the NP promoted to subject position can be taken as a discourse topic. We explored the acceptability of sentences such as (1-5) using pair-wise judgements of samddifferent meaning, accompanied by ratings of easeof understanding. Results are discussed with reference to Gibsons DLT model of linguistic complexity and sentence processing (Gibson, 2000)

Anaphoric choices in Japanese fictional novels: the discourse arrangement of noun phrases, zero and third person pronouns

By examining Japanese fictional novels, this article will discuss how anaphoric devices (noun phrases (NPs), third person pronouns (TPPs), and zero anaphors) are selected and arranged in a given discourse. The traditional view of anaphora considers the co-referential relationship between anaphoric devices to be syntagmatic; that is, a pronoun, for example, refers back to its antecedent. It also declares the hierarchical order of information values between anaphoric devices; NPs are semantically the most informative, indicating an episode boundary, and pronouns less informative. Furthermore, zero anaphora is the most referentially transparent, showing the most accessibility of a topic. However, real text shows the contrary. NPs occur frequently while there is no apparent discourse boundary, and the same episode is continuous. This is because zero anaphors and TPPs (if they occur) break down readily due to the nature of a forthcoming sentence and the NP is reinstated, in order to continue the same topic in a given discourse. Therefore, the article opposes the traditional view of anaphora. Based on the concept of text processing, using ‘mental representations’, this article will determine certain occurrence patterns of the three anaphoric devices.

The left ventricular contractility of the rat heart is modulated by changes in flow and a1-adrenoceptor stimulation

Myocardial contractility depends on several mechanisms such as coronary perfusion pressure (CPP) and flow as well as on a1-adrenoceptor stimulation. Both effects occur during the sympathetic stimulation mediated by norepinephrine. Norepinephrine increases force development in the heart and produces vasoconstriction increasing arterial pressure and, in turn, CPP. The contribution of each of these factors to the increase in myocardial performance needs to be clarified. Thus, in the present study we used two protocols: in the first we measured mean arterial pressure, left ventricular pressure and rate of rise of left ventricular pressure development in anesthetized rats (N = 10) submitted to phenylephrine (PE) stimulation before and after propranolol plus atropine treatment. These observations showed that in vivo a1-adrenergic stimulation increases left ventricular-developed pressure (P<0.05) together with arterial blood pressure (P<0.05). In the second protocol, we measured left ventricular isovolumic systolic pressure (ISP) and CPP in Langendorff constant flow-perfused hearts. The hearts (N = 7) were perfused with increasing flow rates under control conditions and PE or PE + nitroprusside (NP). Both CPP and ISP increased (P<0.01) as a function of flow. CPP changes were not affected by drug treatment but ISP increased (P<0.01). The largest ISP increase was obtained with PE + NP treatment (P<0.01). The results suggest that both mechanisms, i.e., direct stimulation of myocardial a1-adrenoceptors and increased flow, increased cardiac performance acting simultaneously and synergistically.

Caracterização do modelo de cultura organizacional da Mundotêxtil, o contributo dos diversos Sistemas de Gestão

A presente dissertação foi desenvolvida no âmbito do mestrado em Sistemas Integrados de Gestão (SIG), a apresentar no Instituto Politécnico do Cávado e do Ave (IPCA), Barcelos. Tem como objetivos: a caracterização do modelo de cultura organizacional da empresa - Mundotêxtil, antes e depois da implementação dos Sistemas de Gestão e evidenciar em que termos a sua implementação e sua integração influenciou a cultura organizacional da empresa. Servem como fundamentação teórica os conceitos de Sistemas de Gestão da Qualidade, Ambiente, Segurança e Inovação; conceitos de cultura organizacional bem como um conjunto de outras fontes relevantes de conhecimento, como sejam os Sistemas Integrados de Gestão (SIG). Foram tidos como principais referenciais normativos e especificações de Sistemas de Gestão: a NP EN ISO 9001:2008 (Gestão da Qualidade); a NP EN ISO 14001:2012 (Gestão Ambiental); a OHSAS 18001:2007/NP 4397:2008 (Gestão da Segurança e Saúde no Trabalho) e a NP 4457:2007 (Gestão da Investigação, Desenvolvimento e Inovação). A estratégia e métodos de investigação tiveram em conta o estudo de caso suportado numa abordagem indutiva em contexto da vivência da investigadora com o objeto e ambiente do estudo. A técnica utilizada de recolha de dados para a obtenção de contributos em vista aos objetivos referenciados foi o inquérito interno por questionário aos colaboradores da Mundotêxtil e posterior análise estatística dos dados. As metodologias qualitativas foram privilegiadas como estratégia de análise. Pretende-se com o presente trabalho de investigação procurar evidenciar a importância que a implementação de Sistemas de Gestão e sua integração representam e podem influenciar, positivamente, o progressivo desenvolvimento sustentado e consolidação da cultura organizacional de uma empresa com consequente criação de valor para as partes interessadas. Por último, pretende-se contribuir com a estruturação das componentes da cultura organizacional da empresa num modelo - o modelo de cultura organizacional da Mundotêxtil o qual suportado no Sistema Integrado de Gestão tem como drivers a Sustentabilidade pela Inovação.

Determination of reactivity rates of silicate particle-size fractions

The efficiency of sources used for soil acidity correction depends on reactivity rate (RR) and neutralization power (NP), indicated by effective calcium carbonate (ECC). Few studies establish relative efficiency of reactivity (RER) for silicate particle-size fractions, therefore, the RER applied for lime are used. This study aimed to evaluate the reactivity of silicate materials affected by particle size throughout incubation periods in comparison to lime, and to calculate the RER for silicate particle-size fractions. Six correction sources were evaluated: three slags from distinct origins, dolomitic and calcitic lime separated into four particle-size fractions (2, 0.84, 0.30 and <0.30-mm sieves), and wollastonite, as an additional treatment. The treatments were applied to three soils with different texture classes. The dose of neutralizing material (calcium and magnesium oxides) was applied at equal quantities, and the only variation was the particle-size material. After a 90-day incubation period, the RER was calculated for each particle-size fraction, as well as the RR and ECC of each source. The neutralization of soil acidity of the same particle-size fraction for different sources showed distinct solubility and a distinct reaction between silicates and lime. The RER for slag were higher than the limits established by Brazilian legislation, indicating that the method used for limes should not be used for the slags studied here.

Definição de um modelo de integração dos sistemas de gestão, da qualidade, do ambiente e da segurança, aplicado ao setor da cerâmica

A integração dos vários SsG que a organização pretenda implementar, contribui para a simplificação ao nível da sua gestão e aumento da eficácia. No entanto, a integração de múltiplos SsG pode acarretar alguma complexidade, quer na fase da implementação propriamente dita, quer ao nível da sua posterior gestão, caso o processo não seja conduzido de forma rigorosa. Considerando a escassez de diretivas orientadoras para a integração de SsG e a dificuldade de integração no momento da sua implementação, a presente dissertação propõe um modelo de integração dos SsGQAS, aplicado ao setor da cerâmica. Os referenciais normativos utilizados para o desenvolvimento do estudo foram: a NP EN ISO 9001: 2008, a NP EN ISO 14001: 2012, a BS OHSAS 18001: 2007/NP 4397:2008 e a UNE 66177:2005, com base nos quais se definiu um modelo de integração para os SsGQAS.Numa primeira fase procedeu-se à análise da perceção dos colaboradores da organização face às vantagens, desvantagens, motivações e dificuldades da implementação do SIGQAS, efetuada através de inquérito por questionário. Desta análise conclui-se que são percetíveis para os colaboradores da Aleluia Cerâmicas S.A., as vantagens / melhorias para a organização decorrentes da integração dos SsG. Por fim, procedeu-se à definição do modelo de integração dos SsGQAS. O modelo baseou-se na metodologia proposta pela UNE 66177, que contempla orientações para o desenvolvimento, implementação e avaliação do processo de integração dos SsGQAS. Esta dissertação tem como objetivo auxiliar as organizações a gerir de forma eficaz as diretrizes dos diferentes referenciais normativos e a obterem benefícios resultantes da sua integração, alcançando maior eficácia na sua gestão e aumento de rentabilidade.