Cervical mucus symptom and daily fecundability: First results from a new data base

A prospective study allowed, with the collaboration of Italian centres providing services on natural family planning, to collect data on 2755 menstrual cycles of 193 women. With the information available on daily characteristics of the cervical mucus and intercourse episodes, was constructed a data base. Taking the day of the peak mucus as a conventional marker of ovulation, the base allowed to identify length (12 days) and location of a window of potential fertility, with the highest level of conception probabilities confined to the central 5-6 days. Univariate analysis provided evidence of the impact on fecundability of woman?s age and basic infertile pattern of a cycle. Several approaches of analysis allowed to underline the relationship between daily mucus characteristics and fecundability levels

Ser y fracasar es lo mismo. Falso documental sobre Gabriel Priego

Treball Final de Grau en Comunicació Audiovisual. Codi: CA0932. Curs acadèmic 2013-2014The mockumentary offers the possibility to give plausibility to a made up idea with some invented characters, through a staging and a mechanism that refers to a genre that conveys credibility and foundation. Playing Cheating is a good way to convey ideas, and they must turn to dance on the fine line that separates fact from fiction -Are they separate?-.Speaking of failure in postmodernism is talking about one thing. We know that no one will walk on water. As Samuel Beckett stated once: Godot is no longer coming. Gabriel Priego, our protagonist, has ventured into the dark forest and understood that death is a static rumor, and is only heard if you are inside. Actually he is and does not find a way out, just some rotten branches, the wreckage of a fragile memory shipwreck with which to raise his humble shelter. And wait.El falso documental ofrece la posibilidad de otorgar verosimilitud a una idea inventada, con unos personajes falsos, mediante una puesta en escena y mecanismo remitente a un género que transmite credibilidad y fundamentación. Jugar al engaño es una buena forma de transmitir ideas, y éstas deben a su vez bailar en la frágil línea que separa la realidad de la ficción -¿Acaso están separadas?-. Hablar del fracaso en la posmodernidad es hablar de una sola cosa. Sabemos que ya nadie caminará sobre las aguas. Como dijo en su día Samuel Beckett: Godot ya no vendrá. Gabriel Priego, nuestro protagonista, se ha adentrado en el oscuro bosque y ha entendido que la muerte es un rumor estático, y únicamente se deja oír si estás dentro. Lo está, y no encuentra salida alguna, sólo unas ramas podridas, restos de un naufragio de frágil memoria con los que levantar su humilde refugio. Y esperar.

Cardiac Autonomic Dysfunction In Chronic Stroke Women Is Attenuated After Submaximal Exercise Test, As Evaluated By Linear And Nonlinear Analysis

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Background: We evaluated cardiac autonomic modulation in women with chronic ischemic stroke (at least 4 years post-stroke) at rest and in response to submaximal exercise test. Methods: Fourteen post-stroke women (S group) and 10 healthy women (C group) participated in this study. Autonomic modulation (using linear and nonlinear analysis), blood pressure and metabolic variables at rest were evaluated immediately after the exercise test and during the recovery period (20 min). All participants underwent submaximal exercise test on cycle ergometer with gas analysis. Results: At rest, the S group displayed higher lactate concentration, systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) values when compared to C group. Furthermore, the S group had lower heart rate variability (HRV) in time domain (SDNN: S = 30 +/- 5 vs. 40 +/- 8 ms; rMSSD: S = 14 +/- 2 vs. C = 34 +/- 3 ms), decreased high frequency band of pulse interval (S = 8.4 +/- 2 vs. 33.1 +/- 9 %) and 2V pattern of symbolic analysis (S = 17.3 +/- 1 vs. 30 +/- 3 %) (both indicators of cardiac vagal modulation) when compared to C group. Immediately after exercise, S group presented higher values of lactate, SBP, DBP and double product when compared to C group, as well as decreased heart rate recovery (HRR) measured at the first, second and third minutes. At recovery time, all HRV parameters in time and frequency domains improved in the S group; however, HF band remained lower when compared to C group. Conclusions: After the exercise test, women with chronic stroke presented reduced heart rate variability, reduced cardiac vagal modulation, as well as reduced HRR, while displayed an improvement of heart rate variability and cardiac vagal modulation when compared to their baseline. These results reinforce the importance of a physically active lifestyle for cardiovascular autonomic disorders observed in chronic stroke women.15Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

Effect Of Aerobic Exercise Training On Regional Blood Flow And Vascular Resistance In Diabetic Rats

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Background: Hyperglycemia has been associated with decreased blood flow in various organs, leading to tissue damage and dysfunctions. Exercise training (ET) is known to promote beneficial changes in the autonomic nervous system and may have effects on circulation. The aim of this study was to evaluate coronary and renal blood flows and vascular resistances after ET in diabetic rats. Methods: Thirty-two rats were divided into four groups (n = 8): sedentary control (SC), trained control (TC), sedentary diabetic (SD), trained diabetic (TD). Diabetes was induced by an injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 50 mg/kg). The ET was performed on a treadmill for 10 weeks. The blood flows were measured using colored microspheres. Results: The diabetic groups presented hyperglycemia (blood glucose >350 mg/dL) and ET did not change this parameter. The SD group showed reduced renal blood flow when compared to SC group, and ET was able to normalize this parameter in TD rats (SC: 4.3 +/- 0.5; TC: 2.9 +/- 0.3; SD: 1.9 +/- 0.4; TD: 3.2 +/- 0.4 mL/min/g). TD group presented increased coronary blood flow in relation to SD group (SC: 2.3 +/- 0.23; TC: 2.8 +/- 0.5; SD: 1.2 +/- 0.4; TD: 3.0 +/- 0.4 mL/min/g). The heart and kidneys vascular resistance were increased in SD group when compared to SC group, and ET was able to reverse these changes. Conclusions: Given the relevance of cardiomyopathy and nephropathy in mortality of diabetics, our results demonstrated that ET is effective in improving coronary and renal blood flows and vascular resistances in STZ-diabetic rats, reinforcing the positive role of this approach in preventing hyperglycemia-induced long-term organ damage.7Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)CAPES [88881.062178/2014-01]FAPESP [2012/20141-5, 2007/52419-4]CNPq [563961/2010-4, 457200/2014-6

Beta(2)-adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) gene polymorphisms and risk of COPD exacerbations : the Rotterdam study

The role of the beta(2)-adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) gene in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is unclear. We investigated the association between ADRB2 variants and the risk of exacerbations in COPD patients treated with inhaled beta(2)-agonists. Within the Rotterdam Study, a population-based cohort study, we followed 1053 COPD patients until the first COPD exacerbation or end of follow-up and extracted rs1042713 (16Arg > Gly) and rs1042714 (27Gln > Glu) in ADRB2. Exposure to inhaled beta(2)-agonists was categorized into current, past, or non-use on the index date (date of COPD exacerbation for cases and on the same day of follow-up for controls). COPD exacerbations were defined as acute episodes of worsening symptoms requiring systemic corticosteroids and/or antibiotics (moderate exacerbations), or hospitalization (severe exacerbations). The associations between ADRB2 variants and COPD exacerbations were assessed using Cox proportional hazards models, adjusting for age, sex, use of inhaled corticosteroids, daily dose of beta(2)-agonists, and smoking. In current users of beta(2)-agonists, the risk of COPD exacerbation decreased by 30% (hazard ratio (HR); 0.70, 95% CI: 0.59-0.84) for each copy of the Arg allele of rs1042713 and by 20% (HR; 0.80, 95% CI: 0.69-0.94) for each copy of the Gln allele of rs1042714. Furthermore, current users carrying the Arg16/Gln27 haplotype had a significantly lower risk (HR; 0.70, 95% CI: 0.59-0.85) of COPD exacerbation compared to the Gly16/Glu27 haplotype. In conclusion, we observed that the Arg16/Gln27 haplotype in ADRB2 was associated with a reduced risk of COPD exacerbation in current users of inhaled beta(2)-agonists

The dual-path hypothesis for the emergence of anosognosia in Alzheimer's disease

Although neurocognitive models have been proposed to explain anosognosia in Alzheimer's disease (AD), the neural cascade responsible for its origin in the human brain remains unknown. Here, we build on a mechanistic dual-path hypothesis that brings error-monitoring and emotional processing systems as key elements for self-awareness, with distinct impacts on the emergence of anosognosia in AD. Proceeding from the notion of anosognosia as a dimensional syndrome, ranging from the lack of concern about one's own deficits (i.e., anosodiaphoria) to the complete lack of awareness of deficits, our hypothesis states that (i) unawareness of deficits would result from a failure in the error-monitoring system, whereas (ii) anosodiaphoria would more likely result from an imbalance between emotional processing and error-monitoring systems. In the first case, a synaptic failure in the error-monitoring system, in which the cingulate cortex plays a major role, would have a negative impact on error (or deficits) awareness, preventing patients from becoming aware of their condition. In the second case, an impairment in the emotional processing system, in which the amygdala and orbitofrontal cortex play a major role, would prevent patients from monitoring the internal milieu for relevant errors (or deficits) and assigning appropriate value to them, thus biasing their impact on the error-monitoring system. Our hypothesis stems from two scientific premises. One comes from preliminary results in AD patients showing a synaptic failure in the error-monitoring system and decline of awareness at the time of diagnosis. Another comes from the somatic marker hypothesis, which proposes that emotional signals are critical to adaptive behavior. Further exploration will be of great interest to illuminate the foundations of self-awareness and improve our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of anosognosia in AD

Spironolactone and risk of upper gastrointestinal events: population based case-control study

OBJECTIVE: To confirm and quantify any association between spironolactone and upper gastrointestinal bleeding and ulcers. DESIGN: Population based case-control study. SETTING: A primary care information database in the Netherlands. PARTICIPANTS: All people on the database who were aged 18 or more between 1 January 1996 and 30 September 2003. Patients with a history of alcoholism or gastrointestinal cancer were excluded. Ten controls were matched to each case of gastroduodenal ulcer or upper gastrointestinal bleeding by age (year of birth), sex, and index date. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The occurrence of an upper gastrointestinal event (bleeding or ulcers), adjusted for potential confounders with conditional logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Within the source population of 306 645 patients, 523 cases of gastric or duodenal ulcer or upper gastrointestinal

MALIGNANT EXTERNAL OTITIS. A CASE SERIES FROM AN ITALIAN TERTIARY-CARE HOSPITAL

Objectives: Malignant external otitis (MEO) is an. aggressive and potentially fatal disease that affects the external. auditory canal (EAC) it occurs almost exclusively in elderly, diabetic patients or immune compromised ones. The aim of this study was to describe epidemiological and clinical characteristics of a consecutive series of patients affected by malignant external otitis (MEO) and to conceive a flow-chart for its management. Material and methods: Adult patients diagnosed with and treated for MEO at the University Hospital of Messina, Italy between 2003 and 2013 were identified. Charts were reviewed for history, clinical presentation, laboratory data treatment, and outcomes. Results: Data of 11 patients were analyzed. Patients' mean age was 67.6 years; and ten were males. All but one suffered from diabetes and one was HIV infected. Average time of arrival at our department from onset of symptoms was 123 weeks. Intravenous antibiotics were administered in seven cases whereas exclusively oral antibiotics were given to four patients. Local antibiotic therapy was associated to systemic administration in seven cases. Four patients underwent surgical treatment. The median duration of antibiotic treatment was 12.4 weeks. Ten patients experienced a complete recovery even if in one of these residual facial palsy Was reported; one patient died Of a skull base Osteomyelitis with Multiple nerve involvement. A flow-chart which could guide physicians in the management of MEO is proposed. Conclusions. Malignant external otitis still remains today a very challenging issue Randomized clinical trials are needed to better clarify which Medical and surgical treatment could be the gold standard. A consensus diagnostic flow diagram could help in the management of this pathology

Psychotria nuda (Cham. & Schltdl.) Wawra: Enraizamento de matrizes em diferentes fenofases e ambientes

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/1980509814574Psychotria nuda (Cham. & Schltdl.) Wawra (Rubiaceae) is a native species from the Dense Ombrophylous Forest (dense tropical rain forest), typical in the low altitude areas of the forest, with occurrence in the states of Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Paraná and Santa Catarina. Due to the presence of yellow flowers with red receptacle and anise colored fruits, the plant has an ornamental potential, such as a pharmaceutical potential, thanks to the variety of alkaloids that have already been isolated demonstrating structural diversity of its active components. This work aimed to verify the effect on stem cuttings rooting of different collection environments and of different phenophases of Psychotria nuda stock plants at the time of collection, and to verify what is the correlation between variables defined as percentage of rooted cuttings, number of roots per cutting and average length of the three longest roots per each cutting (cm) with permanence of two half leaves and formation of callus. Phenophases are intended as different times of the year in which stock plants presented distinct phenological characteristics. In the two phenophases studied (phenophases 1 and 2) canopy sprouts were collected in Antonina, Paraná state, from two different environments (plain and hillside) of the Dense Ombrophylous Forest (dense tropical rain forest). Cuttings were prepared with 10 to 13 cm length and two halved leaves. After 60 days in a greenhouse, the percentage of cuttings with roots, with callus, alive, dead, the number of roots per cutting and the length of the three longer roots per each rooted cutting were evaluated. The collection environments and the phenophases at the time of collection influenced the percentage of rooting, such that the phenophase 1 and the hillside environment were the conditions that resulted in the best rooting percentage (90%). The permanence of leaves during rooting period helped, in most cases, the formation of adventitious roots. Anticipated formation of callus supported rooting in phenophase 2, while in phenophase 1 the formation of adventitious roots was independent from callus formation.http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/1980509814574 Psychotria nuda (Cham. & Schltdl.) Wawra (Rubiaceae) é uma espécie nativa da Floresta Ombrófila Densa, restrita às florestas de baixa altitude, com ocorrência nos estados de Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Paraná e Santa Catarina. Possui potencial ornamental, devido à presença de flores amarelas, cálice vermelho e frutos cor anis, e farmacêutico, visto que vários alcaloides já foram isolados, demonstrando diversidade estrutural de compostos ativos. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo verificar o efeito de diferentes ambientes de coleta e da fenofase em que se encontravam as plantas matrizes de Psychotria nuda no enraizamento de estacas caulinares, além de verificar a correlação entre as variáveis porcentagem de estacas enraizadas, número de raízes por estaca e comprimento médio das três maiores raízes por estaca (cm) com a permanência de duas meias folhas e formação de calos. Entende-se por fenofases, as épocas com características fenológicas distintas em que se encontravam as plantas matrizes. Nas duas fenofases estudadas (Fenofases 1 e 2), brotações de copa foram coletadas em Antonina-PR em dois ambientes distintos (planície e encosta) da Floresta Ombrófila Densa. Estacas foram confeccionadas com 10-13 cm de comprimento e duas folhas reduzidas à metade. Após 60 dias em casa de vegetação, foram avaliadas a porcentagem de estacas enraizadas, com calos, vivas, mortas, número de raízes/estaca e comprimento das três maiores raízes/estaca. Os ambientes de coleta e as fenofases influenciaram na porcentagem de enraizamento, onde a fenofase 1 e o ambiente encosta foram as condições que apresentaram o melhor enraizamento (90%). A manutenção das folhas nas estacas durante o período de enraizamento, na maioria das situações, favoreceu a formação de raízes adventícias, e a formação antecipada de calos favoreceu o enraizamento na fenofase 2. Já na fenofase 1, a formação de raízes adventícias foi independente da formação de calos.

Prevalence and incidence of, and risk factors for chronic cough in the adult population : the Rotterdam Study

Chronic cough is a common complaint in the general population but there are no precise data on the incidence of, and prospectively examined risk factors for chronic cough in a population-based setting. Therefore, we investigated the period prevalence, incidence and risk factors for chronic cough in adult subjects. In a prospective population-based cohort study among subjects aged >= 45 years, data on chronic cough were collected on two separate occasions using a standardised questionnaire. Chronic cough was defined as daily coughing for at least 3 months duration during the preceding 2 years. Potential risk factors were gathered by interview, physical examination and several investigations. Of the 9824 participants in this study, 1073 (10.9%) subjects had chronic cough at baseline. The prevalence of chronic cough increased with age and peaked in the eighth decade. In subjects aged <70 years, chronic cough was more common in women. During an average follow-up of 6 years, 439 incident cases of chronic cough occurred with an overall incidence rate of 11.6 per 1000 person-years (95% CI 10.6-12.8). In current smokers, the incidence of chronic cough was higher in men. In the multivariable analysis, current smoking, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), asthma and COPD were identified as risk factors for chronic cough. Chronic cough is common among adults and highly prevalent in the older population. Current smoking, GORD, asthma and COPD are independent risk factors for chronic cough. Individuals at risk of developing chronic cough may benefit from smoking cessation and control of the underlying disease