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Objectives Fibromyalgia (FM) is characterised by chronic musculoskeletal pain, autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction, and disturbed sleep. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of ANS dysfunction on the genesis of sleep disorders. Methods Fifty female FM patients and 45 healthy subjects matched for age, gender and body mass index underwent a clinical, polysomnographic and autonomic profile evaluation at rest and during a tilt test in order to determine muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA), plasma catecholamine levels, and the spectral indices of cardiac sympathetic (LFRR) and vagal (HFRR) modulation computed by means of the spectrum analysis of RR during sleep. Results The FM patients had a higher heart rate (HR), more MSNA and a higher LF/HF ratio, and lower HFRR values at rest (p Conclusions Our findings seem to show that sleep causes the same effects as a stressful test in FM patients. A vicious circle is created during sleep: pain increases sympathetic cardiovascular activation and reduces sleep efficiency, thus causing lighter sleep, a higher CAP rate, more arousals, a higher PLMI, and increasing the occurrence of PB, which gives rise to abnormal cardiovascular neural control and exaggerated pain sensitivity.

Introduction The increasing prevalence of multi-resistant bacteria is a major public health concern. Infections acquired during ophthalmic surgery are devastating. The purpose of the current study is to compare the proportion of eyes with negative bacterial cultures on all tested media after 1 versus 3 sequential drops of povidone-iodine (PI) 5% into the inferior conjunctival fornix. Methods Patients were randomly assigned to receive 1 (PI group) drop (at time 28 minutes) or 3 (PI plus group) sequential drops (at time 0, 20 minutes and 28 minutes) of PI 5% into the inferior conjunctival sac of one randomly selected eye. A swab culture was obtained from the inferior conjunctival fornix 5 minutes before and 30 minutes after time 0. Central corneal thickness (CCT) was measured shortly before time 0 and shortly after time 30. Conjunctival swabs were incubated aerobically in enriched Thioglycolate liquid medium (meat broth) and in three solid culture media (chocolate agar, trypticase soy agar with 5% sheep blood, and Sabouraud agar). Results There was no significant difference in the proportion of negative cultures after intervention between groups (p = 0.1638). Also in the PI group (n = 59), the proportion of eyes with negative cultures after PI (79.7%) did not differ significantly from baseline (76.3%; p = 0.7539). However in the PI plus group (n = 61), the proportion of eyes with all negative cultures after PI (85.3%) was significantly higher than before PI (70.5%) (p = 0.0177). There was no significant difference in mean CCT before and after the intervention in both groups. Conclusion Instillation of 3 sequential drops of PI was associated with a significant increase in the proportion of eyes with all negative cultures, while instillation of a single drop of PI was not associated with a significant increase in the proportion of negative cultures. Further study is warranted to determine whether the difference between the PI administration regimens is also associated with differences in the rates of postoperative ocular infections.

O óleo essencial extraído de Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Staf, Poaceae, é rico em citral sendo amplamente empregado na indústria química e farmacêutica. Os objetivos desse estudo foram avaliar o conteúdo de citral entre populações de C. citratus coletados em duas regiões diferentes (Ibiúna e Pindamonhangaba, Estado de São Paulo). O óleo essencial extraído de uma população cultivada em Pindamonhangaba-SP apresentou uma concentração alta de citral (aproximadamente 96,0%), enquanto que o óleo extraído da população de Ibiúna-SP apresentou, além de citral, proporções elevadas de outro monoterpeno, o geraniol. Adicionalmente, os óleos essenciais obtidos desta população de C. citratus foram extraídos e analisados ao longo de 24 h (a cada 3 h), sendo que o teor de citral foi maior no período da noite, o que mostra a importância de estudos que avaliam as diferenças químicas associadas às mudanças circadianas. Os componentes dos óleos essenciais foram identificados por RMN de 13C, CG/EM e CG através do índice de Kovats.The essential oil extracted from Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Staf, Poaceae, is rich in citral and has many applications in chemical and pharmaceutical industry. The aims of this study were evaluate the amount of citral in populations of C. citratus collected in two different regions (Ibiúna and Pindamonhangaba, São Paulo State). The essential oil extracted of a cultivated population in Pidamonhangaba-SP, showed a high content of citral (approximately 96.0%), while the essential oil from Ibiuna-SP, showed citral and high amounts of another monoterpene, geraniol. Additionally, the essential oils from this population of C. citratus were extracted and analyzed during 24 h (each 3 h), being the major concentration of citral in the night period, indicating that studies which evaluated the chemical differences associated to circadian changes. The components of essential oils were identified through 13C NMR, GC/MS, GC and Kovat's index.

It is widely accepted that glial cells secrete soluble molecules that mediate homeostatic synaptic plasticity and influence neurotransmission upon injury and inflammation. An additional secretory mechanism has been recently described in glial cells, which may play a role in glia-to-neuron signalling: upon activation, astrocytes and microglia, release circular membrane fragments, known as extracellular vesicles (EVs), which contain several components of donor glia (RNAs, proteins, lipids) and may function as efficient intercellular delivery mechanism. Using miRNA real-time PCR panels, we identified a set of miRNAs differentially expressed in EVs produced by pro-inflammatory vs. pro-regenerative microglia. Among them we found miR-146a, a glial-enriched miRNA, which is altered in brain disorders and targets neuron specific genes. To investigate whether glial EVs may transfer their miR-146a cargo to neurons, cultured hippocampal neurons were transfected with a Renilla Luciferase-based miR-146a sensor and exposed to EVs for 24-72h. By this approach we showed that miR-146a-storing EVs but not EVs produced by astrocytes treated with the anti-miR-146a inhibitor induce a significant increase in neuronal miR-146a levels. This increase was strongly inhibited when neuron-EV interaction was prevented by clocking phosphatidyl serine residues on EVs, a determinant for EV-recognition. Finally, we found that exposure to miR-146a-storing EVs results in decreased immunoreactivity of a validated miR-146a target, i.e. the synaptic vesicle protein synaptotagmin I. Taken together, our data indicate that EVs deliver to neurons biologically active miR-146a, highlighting the capability of glial cells to modulate neuronal gene expression. In order to investigate how glial EVs transfer their miRNA cargo to neurons we took advantage of optical manipulation combined with live imaging. This approach revealed that EVs positioned on the cell body make a stable interaction with neurons, staying attached to the neuronal surface up to 1h. Together with confocal analysis of fixed neurons exposed to EVs for different time points, this observation ruled out the possibility that EVs undergo rapid internalization or full fusion with cell membrane. Further investigation is ongoing to identify by proteomic analysis the surface proteins mediating EVs-neuron interaction and to clarify whether EVs can open a transient pore to transfer their cargo to neurons.

It is widely accepted that glial cells secrete soluble molecules that mediate homeostatic synaptic plasticity and influence neurotransmission upon injury and inflammation. An additional secretory mechanism has been recently described in glial cells, which may play a role in glia-to-neuron signalling: upon activation, astrocytes and microglia, release circular membrane fragments, known as extracellular vesicles (EVs), which contain several components of donor glia (RNAs, proteins, lipids) and may function as efficient intercellular delivery mechanism. Using miRNA real-time PCR panels, we identified a set of miRNAs differentially expressed in EVs produced by pro-inflammatory vs. pro-regenerative microglia. Among them we found miR-146a, a glial-enriched miRNA, which is altered in brain disorders and targets neuron specific genes. To investigate whether glial EVs may transfer their miR-146a cargo to neurons, cultured hippocampal neurons were transfected with a Renilla Luciferase-based miR-146a sensor and exposed to EVs for 24-72h. By this approach we showed that miR-146a-storing EVs but not EVs produced by astrocytes treated with the anti-miR-146a inhibitor induce a significant increase in neuronal miR-146a levels. This increase was strongly inhibited when neuron-EV interaction was prevented by clocking phosphatidyl serine residues on EVs, a determinant for EV-recognition. Finally, we found that exposure to miR-146a-storing EVs results in decreased immunoreactivity of a validated miR-146a target, i.e. the synaptic vesicle protein synaptotagmin I. Taken together, our data indicate that EVs deliver to neurons biologically active miR-146a, highlighting the capability of glial cells to modulate neuronal gene expression. In order to investigate how glial EVs transfer their miRNA cargo to neurons we took advantage of optical manipulation combined with live imaging. This approach revealed that EVs positioned on the cell body make a stable interaction with neurons, staying attached to the neuronal surface up to 1h. Together with confocal analysis of fixed neurons exposed to EVs for different time points, this observation ruled out the possibility that EVs undergo rapid internalization or full fusion with cell membrane. Further investigation is ongoing to identify by proteomic analysis the surface proteins mediating EVs-neuron interaction and to clarify whether EVs can open a transient pore to transfer their cargo to neurons.

Summary Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy was applied to study free radicals in black pepper, and to evaluate the potential of these radicals in identifying radiation treatment. A doublet signal was detected at g = 2.0042 and a = 1.83 mT, produced exclusively by radiolysis. This signal is as stable as that of irradiated cellulose, and can be used to identify recent radiation treatment. A line produced both by radiolysis and thermolysis was observed, and its behaviour with thermal treatments suggests that it cannot be used as an irradiation indicator for doses up to 30 kGy, contradicting a model proposed in the literature.

Severe haemophilia is associated with bleeding into joints and development of arthropathy. Prophylactic treatment with infusion of replacement clotting factor is known to prevent bleeding, preserve joint functioning and result in higher health-related quality of life (HRQoL) than episodic treatment; however, adhering to standard prophylaxis schedules can be difficult, and little is known about the relationship between adherence to prophylactic treatment and outcomes. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between self-reported adherence to prophylaxis and health outcomes, including HRQoL and bleeding episodes. Adults with haemophilia (n = 55) and caregivers of children with haemophilia (n = 55) in Australia, Canada, and the United States completed an online questionnaire which included measures of HRQoL (SF-12v2 for adults and SF-10 for caregivers of children), self-reported bleeding episodes, and the VERITAS-Pro measure of adherence to prophylaxis in haemophilia. Regression analysis was used to test the association between VERITAS-Pro total score and outcomes. Poorer adherence (higher VERITAS-Pro scores) was associated with a greater number of self-reported bleeding episodes in the past year among adults (p < 0.01), more days of work/school missed among paediatric patients (p < 0.01), and lower physical health status scores among paediatric patients (p < 0.05). This study highlights the benefits of adherence to prophylaxis among those with severe haemophilia and provides evidence for the utility of the VERITAS-Pro by demonstrating a relationship between adherence and outcomes.

Lo stretto rapporto che intercorre tra la musica e la matematica fu scoperto sin dall'antichità: un esempio classico è dato dalla Scuola Pitagorica, a cui si deve la scoperta secondo la quale i differenti toni di una scala sono legati ai rapporti fra numeri interi: una corda dimezzata suona l'ottava superiore, ridotta ai suoi 3/4 la quarta, ridotta ai suoi 2/3 la quinta, e così via. Molta matematica applicata in campo musicale deriva infatti dallo studio dell'acustica e dai problemi ad essa collegata, ma bisogna ricordare che per trovare un approccio di tipo fisico-matematico ai problemi della consonanza degli intervalli è necessario arrivare ad epoche relativamente recenti, mentre per molti secoli dopo Pitagora il problema della consonanza ed in generale della suddivisione della scala musicale era trattato secondo principi esclusivamente aritmetici, se non puramente numerologici. Già Pitagora si era però accorto che il suo sistema non era perfetto, utilizzando parallelamente due monocordi sul primo dei quali ottenne sette ottave e sul secondo, a partire dallo stesso suono fondamentale, dodici quinte perfette. Verificò che i due suoni ultimi non coincidevano affatto e che anzi l’ultima quinta era più alta dell’ultima ottava, di una differenza udibile all’orecchio umano e chiamata per l’appunto comma pitagorico. In realtà questa imperfezione, legata all’impossibilità di due numeri primi diversi di avere un multiplo in comune per quante volte li si voglia moltiplicare, non turbava più di tanto il mondo musicale greco, che si esprimeva attraverso canti ed armonie abbastanza semplici. Il problema emerse invece in maniera evidente attorno al XV secolo, con l’inizio della polifonia e della modulazione, allorquando la mancata chiusura del circolo delle quinte e l’asprezza di certi intervalli eseguiti armonicamente posero ai compositori ostacoli di difficile superamento. Contributo fondamentale allo studio ed alla risoluzione del problema della consonanza venne da Gioseffo Zarlino che, con i suoi due trattati sul temperamento, trovò una soluzione estendendo a 6 i numeri generatori ovvero i numeri con i rapporti fra i quali esprimere gli intervalli fra i gradi della scala. Da un punto di vista acustico, sono proprio le indicazioni di Zarlino ad offrire le osservazioni più interessanti riguardo alla consonanza, come si vedrà nel seguito. Nei decenni a seguire, altri studiosi si dedicarono all’elaborazione di metodi per il temperamento della scala tesi a coniugare le esigenze della consonanza con quelle della regolarità della suddivisione ed in particolare con la necessità di contenere in numero limitato i suoni costituenti la scala stessa e la necessità di poter suonare indifferentemente in un numero maggiore di tonalità.

Traditional radiometric methods use internal CO 2 collectors to follow the degradation process of a radiolabeled compound by the release of 14 CO 2 in an essentially closed system that is opened repeatedly for sampling. Our aim was to investigate the biodegradation of phenol by C . nitrativorans using radiolabeled phenol in internal and external collection systems. Using the internal system, the loss of activity from the control vessel was approximately 26% and in the experimental vessel, losses reached 57%. We attribute these losses to phenol volatilization (control) and volatile products from degradation (experimental vessel), during the sampling process. An external collector system using forced air flow, was devised that allowed the collection of the 14 CO 2 produced in a series of three external collectors. The losses observed using this system were greatly reduced, 32% in the experimental vessel, with the uninoculated control accounting for 25%. Therefore, only 7% of the initial activity was lost or unaccounted for. It was also shown that the activity collected from the control vessel was not due to non-biological degradation of the phenol producing CO 2 , but rather to the volatilization of the phenol. Comparing the two methods, it was noted that the external collection system recovered more of the total initial activity than did the internal system and less activity was detected in the control flask, indicating lower losses through volatilization of the phenol substrate. Extrapolating the data from the control in the external system after precipitation with BaCl 2 , we would suggest that the activity in the internal collector system control was due to the capture of phenol and not to the capture of CO 2 . Based on these data, we would recommend the use of the external collection system for radiorespirometric measurement of an aerobic degradation process, using a substrate which is sensitive to the disruption of the gas/liquid phase equilibrium.

Syncope is a common disorder characterized most of the times by a positive clinical outcome. However, it may turn to a life threatening event even for working colleagues and third party when occurring during an high risk job. We have recently found that, out of 670 patients admitted to the Emergency Department (ED) for syncope, about 50% were potential workers, being their age between 18 and 65 years. Also, we found that in this group of patients syncope recurrence was as high as 11% at 6 months. It is unknown how physicians address the problem of the occupational risk in patients suffering from syncope and how occupational aspects are taken into account in the clinical judgment before work readmission. One hundred eighty five doctors (149 occupational physicians, OP), participating in a work-shop on syncope, were asked to fulfill a questionnaire about their clinical experience and their attention to the occupational aspects in patients after syncope. Despite long lasting clinical experience, 41% of OP did not scrutinize syncope as a relevant symptom in their daily activity. 65% of the other specialists were used to address the occupational risk aspects in their syncope patients. A multidisciplinary approach involving continuing education on safety at work might reduce work accidents due to syncope relapse and promote a safe and suitable re-employment of patients with syncope. scrutinize syncope as a relevant symptom in their daily activity. 65% of the other specialists were used to address the occupational risk aspects in their syncope patients. A multidisciplinary approach involving continuing education on safety at work might reduce work accidents due to syncope relapse and promote a safe and suitable re-employment of patients with syncope.

Carcinosarcoma of the prostate is an uncommon malignancy with poor long-term prognosis. The cancer is typically discovered at an advanced stage, and with less than 100 reported cases, there is limited literature concerning treatment options. Our patient presented with a history of benign prostatic hypertrophy, erectile dysfunction, and nocturia. Biopsy of his prostate indicated that the patient had prostatic adenocarcinoma, but histopathology after prostatectomy revealed carcinosarcoma. It has been over six years since this patient’s diagnosis of carcinosarcoma. Over this span of time, he has received a radical prostatectomy, radiotherapy, and androgen ablative therapy. The patient also developed multiple lung metastases that have been treated with video-assisted thoracic surgery and stereotactic body radiosurgery. Overall, he has remained unimpaired and in good condition despite his aggressive form of cancer.

A miniaturized fluid oscillator with no movable parts composed by a switching cavity, one inlet, two outlets and two feedback channels was studied. Examples of these devices have been built before and had shown oscillation of fluid flows ranging from tens of Hz for liquids to thousand of Hz for gases. The present work consists of a study of the flow within the device by means of a computer model. The computer model was built using COMSOL 3.3. It uses conventional Navier-Stokes equations numerically solved by Finite Element Methods. A new level of detail of the qualitative description of the flow within the device is achieved which allows for a better understanding of why some geometries produce better devices than others. It shows that homogeneous oscillation, not only depend on the direct force exerted by the feedback flow on the inlet stream, but also on the disruption of the Coanda's effect that diverts the stream towards one of the output channels. On the other hand, the quantitative part of the study serves to validate the simulation as well as a basis for proposing new empirical models. The quantitative measurements are consistent with a previously known mathematical model that describes the relation between frequency, input velocity and geometrical and physical properties. Ongoing testing with actual devices also supports the proposed operating mechanisms and models.

Recurrent syncope is a common medical problem responsible for 3-5% of emergency department (ED) accesses and 1-6% of hospital admissions. If syncope occurs in a subject working in a critical safety task, the consequences of this event might be very dangerous for the worker, colleagues, others or for the environment. Therefore, syncope management is a major problem for occupational medicine, converning the general safety at work.To evaluate the syncope events in a group of potential workers aged 18 to 65 years; to evaluate the symptoms preceding syncope and the presence of associated illnesses and recurrent events.This study is part of the prospective study STePS (Short Term Prognosis of Syncope), and included 305 consecutive patients (aged 18-65 years, female 56%) who had syncope as a main symptom and presented at ED of four general hospitals in the Milan area, Italy, between the 23rd of January and 30th of June 2004. The 24% of subjects were hospitalized. In 21% the syncope occurs suddenly without any preceding symptom. The 67% of subjects didn't have any important illness at the time. 50% of subjects had recurrent syncope. In four subjects another syncope occurred in a 10 day follow-up.occupational medicine should consider syncope scrupulously. Proper diagnostic management is important to permit a correct evaluation of work safety issues.

The effects of breed and of recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST) treatment on growth hormone gene expression were studied in young bulls. The experiment was completely randomized in a [2 x 2]-factorial arrangement, using two levels of rbST (0 or 250 mg/animal/14 days), and two breed groups (Nelore and Simmental x Nelore crossbred). A cDNA encoding Bos indicus growth hormone was cloned and sequenced for use as a probe in Northern and dot blot analyses. Compared to the Bos taurus structural gene, the Bos indicus cDNA was found to begin 21 bases downstream from the transcription initiation site and had only two discrepancies (C to T at position 144-His and T to C at position 354-Phe), without changes in the polypeptide sequence. However, two amino acid substitutions were found for Bubalus spp., which belong to the same tribe. The rbST treatment did not change any of the characteristics evaluated (body and pituitary gland weights, growth hormone mRNA expression level). Crossbred animals had significantly higher body weight and heavier pituitaries than Nelore cattle. Pituitary weight was proportional to body weight in both breed groups. Growth hormone mRNA expression in the pituitary was similar (P0.075) for both breed and hormonal treatment groups, but was 31.9% higher in the pure Nelore group, suggesting that growth hormone gene transcription regulation differs among these breeds.

This work is a result of authors' reflection on the necessity of conceptual changes in the area of mental health. The authors aimed at understanding the essential aspects involving the theme according to the conception of paradigm, as well as the process in which the crisis appears emerging anomalies and pointing out the inefficiency of the present paradigm. Thus, they suggested a change from the actual model to another one based on a perspective that emphasizes patient's freedom and the relational character of human expressiveness.

Globally, cognitive deficit and dementia are among the major age-related chronic disorders. Daily consumption of fruit and vegetables has been associated with a diminished risk of cognitive deficit later in life. We examined whether the WHO recommendations of a daily intake of five servings of fruit and vegetables (≥400 gm) were associated with cognition in a low-income elderly population in the city of Sao Paulo. We explored the influence of socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors and health measures on this association. Methods We performed a cross-sectional analyses with 1849 participants ≥65 years old, free of dementia, at the baseline of the population-based prospective SPAH study. Cognition function was assessed using the Community Screening Instrument for Dementia (CSI-D), (scored as 0–30). Few cases with scores =0 were excluded. Cognitive deficit was defined as scores ≤1.5 SDs of the mean population (CSI-D scores ≤20.93). Fruit and vegetable intake was estimated using a Food Frequency Questionnaire. The association between cognition and fruit and vegetable intake was investigated using multiple linear and logistic regression models. Results Multivariate analyses showed that a higher intake of fruit and vegetables was associated with higher cognitive scores. Individuals who consumed ≥400 g/day presented a significant 42% lower risk of cognitive deficit. Nevertheless, adjusting for education significantly attenuated this association. Conclusion A high fruit and vegetable intake may help preserve cognitive function in the elderly, but education is a powerful confounder and may play an important role, especially in a low-income population.

In the present manuscript the different methodologies aimed at assessing the autonomic profile in humans during a gravitational stimulus have been described. In addition, strengths and drawbacks of the tilt test in relation to occasional orthostatic intolerance were addressed. Finally, different autonomic abnormalities underlying occasional and chronic orthostatic intolerance syndromes have been schematically highlighted. The direct recording of the neural sympathetic discharge from the peroneal nerve (MSNA), in spite of its invasive nature, still represents the recognized reference to quantify the changes in the sympathetic activity to the vessels attending postural modifications. The increase of plasma norepinephrine during a tilt test is achieved by both an increase in plasma spillover and a concomitant decrease in systemic clearance. Changes in the indices of cardiac sympathetic and vagal modulation may also be quantified during a tilt test by power spectrum analysis of RR interval variability. The spectral markers of cardiac autonomic control, if evaluated concomitantly with MSNA, may contribute to assess abnormalities in the regional distribution of the sympathetic activity to the heart and the vessels. The capability of the tilt test of reproducing a vasovagal event or of inducing "false positive responses" seems to be markedly affected by the age, thus suggesting that additional or different etiopathogenetic mechanisms might be involved in the loss of consciousness in older as compared to younger subjects. In subjects suffering from occasional or habitual neurally mediated syncope an increase or, respectively, a decrease in cardiac and vascular sympathetic modulation has been documented before the loss of consciousness. In patients with pure autonomic failure, a global dysautonomia affecting both the sympathetic and the vagal modulation to the heart, seems to be present. In chronic orthostatic intolerance, the most common form of dysautonomia of young women, an abnormal regional distribution of sympathetic activity has been hypothesized during up-right posture. Indeed, during standing a blunted increase of sympathetic activity to the vessels is attended by a cardiac sympathetic overactivity leading to an exaggerated tachycardia.

Orthostatic intolerance is a common problem for inbound space travelers. There is usually tachycardia on standing but blood pressure may be normal, low or, rarely, elevated. This condition is analogous to the orthostatic intolerance that occurs on Earth in individuals with orthostatic tachycardia, palpitations, mitral valve prolapse, and light-headedness. Our studies during the Neurolab mission indicated that sympathetic nerve traffic is raised in microgravity and that plasma norepinephrine is higher than baseline supine levels but lower than baseline upright levels. A subgroup of patients with familial orthostatic intolerance differ from inbound space travelers in that they have an alanine-to-to-proline mutation at amino acid position 457 in their norepinephrine transporter gene. This leads to poor clearance of norepinephrine from synapses, with consequent raised heart rate. Clinical features of these syndromes are presented.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is characterized by the presence in the central nervous system (CNS) of perivascular inflammatory infiltrates containing auto-reactive T and B cells and activated macrophages thus indicating that MS is a T cell-mediated CNS-confined chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease in which the ultimate effector cell is the activated macrophage.The inflammatory process, leading to patchy demyelination and axonal loss, is mainly sustained by pro-inflammatory cytokines that modulate at different levels the pathogenic process underlying MS. Cytokines can 1. Sustain the 'putative' CNS-confined inflammatory process leading to the development of myelin-specific T cells; 2. Activate circulating myelin-specific T cells and shape their repertoire (Th1 versus Th2 pattern); 3. Induce the CNS recruitment of non antigen specific T cells and myelinotoxic effector cells (monocyte/macrophages) from the periphery, and 4. Cause direct oligodendrotoxicity (TNF alpha) or induce the secretion of myelinotoxic substances. The present chapter will focus on the mechanisms sustaining the activity of pro-inflammatory cytokines in MS pathogenesis.

Xylella fastidiosa is a fastidious, xylem-limited bacterium that causes a range of economically important plant diseases. Here we report the complete genome sequence of X. fastidiosa clone 9a5c, which causes citrus variegated chlorosis--a serious disease of orange trees. The genome comprises a 52.7% GC-rich 2,679,305-base-pair (bp) circular chromosome and two plasmids of 51,158 bp and 1,285 bp. We can assign putative functions to 47% of the 2,904 predicted coding regions. Efficient metabolic functions are predicted, with sugars as the principal energy and carbon source, supporting existence in the nutrient-poor xylem sap. The mechanisms associated with pathogenicity and virulence involve toxins, antibiotics and ion sequestration systems, as well as bacterium-bacterium and bacterium-host interactions mediated by a range of proteins. Orthologues of some of these proteins have only been identified in animal and human pathogens; their presence in X. fastidiosa indicates that the molecular basis for bacterial pathogenicity is both conserved and independent of host. At least 83 genes are bacteriophage-derived and include virulence-associated genes from other bacteria, providing direct evidence of phage-mediated horizontal gene transfer.

To the Editor: Furlan and colleagues1 present 2 scenarios leading to orthostatically induced syncope in healthy young subjects: “progressive sympathetic activation” and “progressive sympathetic inhibition.” Their physiological characterization of the scenarios is based in large part on the observed changes in heart rate variability (HRV). HRV interpretation is complex. Muscle sympathetic nerve recordings show that sympathetic firing fluctuates on a beat-to-beat basis (see, for example, Reference 2).However, due to the time constants involved, the sinoatrial pacemaker can only follow the low-frequency fluctuations in sympathetic firing (10-second rhythm and slower), whereas faster-changing sympathetic activity is integrated and becomes apparent only in the average heart rate (HR). There is more uncertainty as to the interpretation of low-frequency (LF) HRV, and the Task Force on Heart Rate Variability disagrees as to whether …

In the first century A.D., Cornelius Celsus first described the inflammatory process by indicating its five cardinal signs: rubor, tumor, color, dolor and functio laesa. The intrinsic characteristics of the inflammatory process were subsequently described in 1793 by John Hunter who stated that the inflammatory reaction is not a disease but a specific response that has a “salutary” effect on its host. The pathological aspects of the inflammatory process were first described in the nineteenth century by Julius Cohnheim who claimed that in the inflammed tissue there is an initial vasodilatation associated with increased vascular permeability and changes in the blood flow causing edema and leukocyte extravasation. At the end of the nineteenth century, Elia Metchnikoff suggested that the purpose of the inflammatory process is to bring phagocytic cells to the injured areas to engulf invading bacteria. At the beginning of the twentieth century, Paul Enrich indicated that inflammation involves not only cellular (phagocytosis) but also serum factors (antibodies), and Sir Thomas Lewis concluded that the vascular changes occurring during the inflammatory process are mainly mediated by chemical substances (reviewed in [1]).

The pathological hallmark of multiple sclerosis (MS) is the presence, within the central nervous system (CNS), of patchy inflammatory infiltrates leading to demyelination and axonal loss, and containing autoreactive T cells and pathogenic non-antigen-specific mononuclear cells [1]. It is currently believed that CNS antigen-reactive T cells provide the organ specificity of the pathogenic process. These cells regulate the recirculation within the CNS of non-antigen-specific lymphocytes and monocytes which act as effector cells by releasing myelinotoxic substances [2]. T cells specific for myelin and non-myelin components and mainly displaying the α/β T cell receptor (TCR) constitute the majority of the CNS-antigen specifc T cell population, while blood-borne activated macrophages, B cells producing antibodies against myelin components (i.e. myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein) or still unidentified components (i.e. oligoclonal cerebrospinal fluid bands), and γ/δ T cells represent the effector cell population. Nevertheless, the two different cell populations display overlapping functions; a minor proportion of α/β T cells specific for myelin antigens shows cytotoxic properties while γ/δ T cells can contribute to effector cell recruitment (mainly macrophages) via proinflammatory cytokine and chemokine production. To further complicate the T cell-mediated pathogenic scenario in MS, it has been recently reported that both regulatory as well as effector cells can be cross-regulated by different subsets of T cells including anti-T cell receptor (TCR) T cells as well as T cells carrying a natural killer receptor (NKR) [3].

"Leng 3" é um produto empregado na preservação de artefatos de madeira (postes e similares) constituído por uma solução aquosa de sulfato de cobre, ácido bórico, ácido sulfúrico e dicromato de sódio. Para avaliar a mobilidade deste produto, em solo, empregou-se o método de cromatografia de camada delgada de solos sobre placas de vidro e eluição com água destilada. Utilizaram-se três solos do Estado de São Paulo: Areia Quartzosa (AQ), Latossolo Vermelho Escuro (LE) e Latossolo Roxo (LR). Após eluição e secagem, as placas foram divididas em 10 faixas de 1,0 cm e o solo raspado para análises posteriores. A determinação dos compostos de cromo e cobre foi feita por fliorescência de raios X, com dispersão de energia e exitação com fonte anelar de Pu-238 (3,61 GBq). Já o composto de boro foi determinado por método químico convencional. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que os compostos de cromo, cobre e boro foram móveis nos três solos estudados, sendo que o de cobre apresentou menor potencial de mobilidade. Por outro lado, o composto de boro apresentou mobilidade total de três solos (relação de frente igual a 1). As reações de frente (Rf) obtidas para o composto de cromo foram iguais a 0,85; 0,95 e 0,95 e para o composto cobre de 0,85; 0,35 e 0,45, nos solos AQ, LR e LE, respectivamente. Concluiu-se que a mobilidade do Leng 3 depende das características físici-químicas do solo e de cada componente da solução, existindo potencial de lixiviação e deslocamento para as regiões vizinhas no caso do produto atingir o solo.

The safety and immunogenicity of an acellular pertussis vaccine containing the genetically detoxified pertussis toxin PT-9K/129G, filamentous hemagglutinin, and pertactin, together with diphtheria and tetanus toxoids, were compared with those of a whole-cell pertussis component-diphtheria-tetanus vaccine. Four hundred eighty infants were enrolled into this prospective, multicenter, double-blind study. Each infant was randomly given three doses of one of the two vaccines at 2, 4, and 6 months of age. Both local and systemic adverse reactions, reported within 48 hours and 7 days of each injection, were less frequent after the acellular vaccine than after the whole-cell vaccine. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay titers to pertussis toxin, filamentous hemagglutinin, and pertactin, as well as the pertussis toxin-neutralizing titer measured by the Chinese hamster ovary cell assay, were significantly higher after the acellular vaccine was given. Both vaccines induced adequate levels of anti-diphtheria and anti-tetanus antibodies. We conclude that the recombinant acellular pertussis vaccine produces fewer reactions than the whole-cell vaccine and provides a high antibody response against the antigens of Bordetella pertussis involved in bacterial adhesion and systemic toxic effects.

Introduction The influence of individual antioxidant vitamins on cognitive function in older adults remains uncertain. Randomised trials of dietary interventions have yielded mixed findings. We examined the relation between dietary carotenoids and vitamin C intake from fruit and vegetables and the cognitive function of a low-income population from Sao Paulo. Methods Cross-sectional analyses of 1849 elderly ≥65 years old, free of dementia, at the baseline of the SPAH study. We estimated the usual intake of vitamin C, α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lycopen, luthein and zeoxanthin by means of a Willet-like FFQ. Cognition function was assessed using the Community Screening Instrument for Dementia (CSI-D) (scored as 0–30). Few cases with score =0 were excluded. The association between cognitive function and the intake of each antioxidant was investigated using multiple linear regression models. Results After adjusting for age, gender, education, per capita income, physical activity, HDL-cholesterol, hypertension, stroke, smoking, alcohol consumption and BMI higher β-carotene intake was associated with higher cognitive function scores (β=0.2; 95% CI 0.1 to 0.3; p

In this work we studied titanium silicide formation by cosputtering onto silicon dioxide. Samples deposited with various (Si/Ti) atomic ratios were analyzed by Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS). Isocronal annealings were conducted by means of Rapid Thermal Processing (RTP) in two types of furnaces: a vacuum and an atmospheric pressure (argon). Phase formation was monitored by resistivity measurements, X-Ray diffraction (XRD), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). It is observed that the final phase formation follows the thennodynamic equilibrium diagram, determined by stoichiometry, occurring at 800°C for the vacuum furnace, and at 900°C for the atmospheric RTP furnace. Sequential thermal treatments indicated the formation of TiSi2-C49 and/or TiSi after 400°C.

Population-based centiles of weight, length, and head circumference at birth in an Italian population. Comparison with published standards