Effects of anthropogenic impacts on benthic macroinvertebrates assemblages in subtropical mountain streams

The nature of the riparian and surrounding landscape has been modified by anthropogenic activities, which may subsequently alter the composition and functional structure of macroinvertebrate assemblages. The effect of these changes on function of benthic fauna is difficult to assess due to the scarce knowledge on functional structures in tropical streams. In this study we evaluate whether sites impacted and unimpacted by anthropogenic alterations differed in assemblage composition and density, richness and diversity of each functional feeding group. The selection of the sites was related to their distinct riparian characteristics, following the QBRy riparian quality index. Collector-gatherer was the dominant functional feeding group, comprising 91% of total density, whereas the proportion of shredders was very low, representing less of 0.5% of total density. Asemblage composition of macroinvertebrates differed between impacted and unimpacted sites. Predators were dominant in taxa number, representing about 60% of total taxa richness. In addition, the diversity and richness of collector-gatherers differed significantly between degraded and unimpacted sites, reflecting the sensitivity of this group to environmental changes and the utility to be used in the assessment of anthropogenic modifications. The results of this study reinforce the idea that riparian corridor management is critical for the distribution of macroinvertebrate assemblages as well as functional organization of lotic streams.Las actividades antrópicas han producido modificaciones en el paisaje ripario y el sistema terrestre adyacente, las cuales causan alteraciones en la composición y estructura funcional de los ensambles de macroinvertebrados. Asimismo, el efecto de estos cambios sobre la estructura funcional de macroinvertebrados es difícil de evaluar debido al escaso conocimiento de este parámetro en ríos tropicales. En este estudio se evaluó si sitios degradados y no degradados por impactos antrópicos diferían en la composición de los ensambles y en la densidad, riqueza y diversidad de cada grupo funcional. La selección de los sitios se relacionó con su calidad riparia, de acuerdo con el índice QBRy. Colectores-recolectores fue el grupo funcional dominante, comprendiendo el 91% de la densidad total, mientras que la proporción de trituradores fue muy baja, representando menos del 0.5% de la densidad total. La composición de los ensambles de macroinvertebrados difirió significativamente entre sitios degradados y de buena calidad riparia. Los predadores fueron dominantes en número de taxones, representando alrededor del 60% de la riqueza de taxones. La diversidad y riqueza de collectores-recolectores fue menor en sitios degradados, reflejando la sensibilidad de este grupo frente a cambios antrópicos. Los resultados de este estudio destacan la importancia del manejo sostenible del corredor ripario debido a su estrecha relación con la distribución de los ensambles de invertebrados y su estructura funcional.Fil: Mesa, Leticia Mariana. Consejo Nacional de Invest.cientif.y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnol.conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto Nacional de Limnologia (i); Argentina;Fil: Reynaga, Maria Celina. Consejo Nacional de Invest.cientif.y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnol.conicet - Tucuman. Instituto de Biodiversidad Neotropical; Argentina;Fil: Correa, Marcela del Valle. Universidad Nacional de Tucuman. Facultad de Cs.naturales E Instituto Miguel Lillo. Int.Sup.de Entomologia; Argentina;Fil: Sirombra, Martín Gonzalo. Universidad Nacional de Tucuman. Facultad de Cs.Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo; Argentina

Una evaluación de la comprensión de estructuras sintácticas con alto costo de procesamiento en niños en edad escolar

An evaluation of Spanish-speaking schoolchildren’s ability to comprehend highly-costly sentences is provided, which aimed to identify children at risk of Specific Language Impairment/Developmental Language Disorder. The investigation was guided by linguistic/psycholinguistic hypotheses concerning sentence processing cost. A battery of tests was used, which included passive sentences, relative clauses, WH/WH+N questions in different conditions. Reversible passives, and object relative and WH Questions were predicted to be more demanding. 390 children (6-12 years of age) from 2 elementary schools were tested. The schools were distinguished as a function of social/economical factors. The results are compatible with the predictions. Social-economical factors are shown to influence children’s overall performance. Children whose scores were 2SD below the mean of correct responses of the age group (8.7%) were considered to be at risk of syntactic impairment.Se proporciona una evaluación de la habilidad para comprender oraciones de alto costo en niños hablantes del español, con el objetivo de identificar niños con riesgo de Trastorno Específico del Lenguaje/Trastorno del Desarrollo del Lenguaje. La investigación fue guiada por hipótesis lingüísticas/psicolingüísticas relacionadas con el costo de procesamiento oracional. Se empleó una batería de test que incluyó oraciones pasivas, cláusulas relativas e interrogativas con Quién y con Qué. La predicción fue que pasivas reversibles, relativas e interrogativas de objeto implicarían mayor demanda. Se testearon 390 niños (6 a 12 años) de dos escuelas primarias. Las escuelas se diferenciaron en función de factores socio-económicos. Los resultados fueron compatibles con las predicciones. Los factores socio-económicos demostraron influir sobre el desempeño general de los niños. Niños que puntuaron dos desvíos estándar por debajo de la media de respuestas correctas de su grupo etario (8.7%) fueron considerados en riesgo de déficit sintáctico

An assessment of the comprehension of highly costly syntactic structures by school age children

Se proporciona una evaluación de la habilidad para comprender oraciones de alto costo en niños hablantes del español, con el objetivo de identificar niños con riesgo de Trastorno Específico del Lenguaje/Trastorno del Desarrollo del Lenguaje. La investigación fue guiada por hipótesis lingüísticas/psicolingüísticas relacionadas con el costo de procesamiento oracional. Se empleó una batería de test que incluyó oraciones pasivas, cláusulas relativas e interrogativas con Quién y con Qué. La predicción fue que pasivas reversibles, relativas e interrogativas de objeto implicarían mayor demanda. Se testearon 390 niños (6 a 12 años) de dos escuelas primarias. Las escuelas se diferenciaron en función de factores socio-económicos. Los resultados fueron compatibles con las predicciones. Los factores socio-económicos demostraron influir sobre el desempeño general de los niños. Niños que puntuaron dos desvíos estándar por debajo de la media de respuestas correctas de su grupo etario (8.7%) fueron considerados en riesgo de déficit sintáctico.An evaluation of Spanish-speaking schoolchildren’s ability to comprehend highly-costly sentences is provided, which aimed to identify children at risk of Specific Language Impairment/Developmental Language Disorder. The investigation was guided by linguistic/psycholinguistic hypotheses concerning sentence processing cost. A battery of tests was used, which included passive sentences, relative clauses, WH/WH+N questions in different conditions. Reversible passives, and object relative and WH Questions were predicted to be more demanding. 390 children (6-12 years of age) from 2 elementary schools were tested. The schools were distinguished as a function of social/economical factors. The results are compatible with the predictions. Social-economical factors are shown to influence children’s overall performance. Children whose scores were 2SD below the mean of correct responses of the age group (8.7%) were considered to be at risk of syntactic impairment.Fil: Dotti, Horacio. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias; ArgentinaFil: Correa, Leticia Maria Sicuro. Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Rivera, Gabriela. Hospital de Niños Orlando Alassia; Argentina. Universidad Católica de Santa Fe; ArgentinaFil: Benassi, Julia. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Formichelli, María Clara. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe; Argentina. Universidad Católica de Santa Fe; Argentin

Intramuscular electrical stimulus potentiates the motor cortex modulation effects on pain and descending inhibitory systems in knee osteoarthritis : a randomized, factorial, sham-controlled study

Background: Neuroplastic changes in nociceptive pathways contribute to severity of symptoms in knee osteoarthritis (KOA). A new look at neuroplastic changes management includes modulation of the primary motor cortex by transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Objectives: We investigated whether tDCS combined with intramuscular electrical stimulation (EIMS) would be more efficacious than a sham (s) intervention (s-tDCS/s-EIMS) or a single active(a)-tDCS/s-EIMS intervention and/or s-tDCS/a-EIMS in the following domains: pain measures (visual analog scale [VAS] score and descending pain modulatory system [DPMS], and outcomes, and analgesic use, disability, and pain pressure threshold (PPT) for secondary outcomes. Registration: The trial is registered in Clinical trials.gov: NCT01747070. Methods: Sixty women with KOA, aged 50–75 years old, randomly received five sessions of one of the four interventions (a-tDCS/a-EIMS, s-tDCS/s-EIMS, a-tDCS/s-EIMS, and s-tDCS/a- EIMS). tDCS was applied over the primary motor cortex (M1), for 30 minutes at 2 mA and the EIMS paraspinal of L1–S2. Results: A generalized estimating equation model revealed the main effect of the a-tDCS/a- EIMS in the VAS pain scores at end treatment compared with the other three groups (P<0.0001). There existed a significant effect of time and a significant interaction between group and time (P<0.01 for both). The delta-(Δ) pain score on VAS in the a-tDCS/a-EIMS group was –3.59, 95% CI: –4.10 to –2.63. The (Δ) pain scores on VAS in the other three groups were: a-tDCS/s- EIMS=−2.13, 95% CI: −2.48 to –1.64; s-tDCS/a-EIMS=−2.25, 95% CI: −2.59 to –1.68; s-tDCS/s-EIMS MR =–1.77, 95% CI: –2.08 to –1.38. The a-tDCS/a-EIMS led to better effect in DPMS, PPT, analgesic use, and disability related to pain. Conclusion: This study provides additional evidence regarding additive clinical effects to improve pain measures and descending pain inhibitory controls when the neuromodulation of the primary motor cortex with tDCS is combined with a bottom-up modulation with EIMS in KOA. Also, it improved the ability to walk due to reduced pain and reduced analgesic use

REPERCUSSÃO DE INTERVENÇÃO EDUCATIVA NO CONHECIMENTO DA EQUIPE DE ENFERMAGEM SOBRE OS CUIDADOS NO USO DA DERIVAÇÃO VENTRICULAR EXTERNA EM PEDIATRIA

RESUMO OBJETIVO: este estudo objetivou analisar a repercussão de intervenção educativa no conhecimento teórico da equipe de Enfermagem sobre os cuidados no uso da derivação ventricular externa em Pediatria. Trata-se de estudo de intervenção não controlado, com delineamento do tipo antes e depois. MÉTODO: procedeu-se à aplicação de pré e pós-teste para a coleta de informações sobre os conhecimentos dos profissionais sobre os cuidados aos pacientes pediátricos com derivação ventricular externa. Entre o pré e o pós-teste realizou-se intervenção educativa usando-se a simulação clínica como estratégia de ensino. Participaram do estudo 41 profissionais de Enfermagem. Constatou-se mais assertividade após a intervenção educativa, principalmente na questão que versa sobre o uso da técnica asséptica para esvaziamento da bolsa coletora (p=0,021). As análises de correlação no pré-teste revelaram que o maior número de erros não esteve correlacionado a qualquer das variáveis sociodemográficas. Contudo, no pós-teste, identificou-se correlação significativa entre o número de erros com a idade dos profissionais (rho=0,340; p=0,015); tempo de formação dos profissionais (rho= 0,414; p=0,004); e tempo de atuação na unidade (rho=0,428; p=0,004). O resultado sinaliza, portanto, que profissionais com idades mais elevadas, mais tempo de profissão e de atuação na unidade tiveram menos aproveitamento da intervenção educativa, apresentando maior número de erros. A intervenção educativa usando a estratégia da simulação clínica possibilitou incremento no conhecimento dos participantes, podendo ser utilizado para a educação permanente, melhorando a qualidade da assistência

Phonological processing in individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Objetivo analisar e descrever o desempenho das habilidades dos componentes do processamento fonológico nos sujeitos com Transtorno do Déficit de Atenção e Hiperatividade (TDA/H). Métodos trata-se de estudo descritivo analítico dos dados de avaliação das habilidades do processamento fonológico de 45 sujeitos, com idade entre 7 e 16 anos, com diagnóstico multiprofissional de TDA/H. Os dados foram obtidos pela análise dos prontuários dos sujeitos avaliados pelo Laboratório de Estudo dos Transtornos de Aprendizagem (LETRA) do Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), nos anos de 2008 a 2011. Os resultados analisados incluem a prova de Consciência Fonológica proposta pela bateria de testes BELEC, prova de Nomeação Seriada Rápida (RAN) e Memória Auditiva. Duas variáveis foram consideradas nesta análise: idade e presença ou não de comorbidades associadas. O teste aplicado para caracterização da amostra foi o não paramétrico de Mann Whitney. Resultados os grupos tendem a se diferenciarem ao se analisar a variável idade, nas provas de consciência fonológica e RAN. Quando a variável comorbidade foi analisada, a consciência fonológica é a mais influenciada pela presença de comorbidades. Na habilidade de memória fonológica, sob a mesma ótica, não houve diferenças entre os grupos. Conclusão o maior déficit do processamento fonológico foi observado na habilidade de consciência fonológica, segundo as variáveis idade e comorbidade, seguido pela habilidade de acesso ao léxico, na variável idade. Já para a memória de trabalho não houve significância.Purpose to analyze e to describe the skills’ performance of the phonological processing components in subjects with Attention Deficit - Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Methods it is a descriptive analytical study of the evaluation data of the phonological processing skills of 45 subjects, with ages between 7 and 16 years, with a multiprofessional diagnosis of ADHD. All data was obtained from the medical records of the subjects evaluated by the Laboratório de Estudo dos Transtornos de Aprendizagem (LETRA) of Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), between the years of 2008 and 2011. The analyzed results include the Phonological Awareness test, proposed by the battery of tests BELEC, the Rapid Serial Naming (RAN) test and Auditory Memory test. Two variables were considered in this analysis: the age and the presence or absence of associated comorbidities. The test used to the sample characterization was the nonparametric of Mann Whitney. Results groups tend to differentiate themselves when the age variable is analyzed, on the Phonological Awareness tests and RAN. When the comorbidity variable was analyzed, the Phonological Awareness was more influenced by the presence of comorbidities. On the Auditory Memory skills, by the same light, there were no differences between the groups. Conclusion the largest deficit in phonological processing was observed in phonological awareness skills, according to the age and comorbidity variables, followed by the lexicon’s access skills, according to the age variable. About the Working Memory, there was no significance

MADRE PELLETIER: UMA INTERLOCUÇÃO ATRAVÉS DA TEIA DO ACESSO À JUSTIÇA ENTRE A UNIVERSIDADE E A COMUNIDADE

CENTRO UNIVERSITÁRIO RITTER DOS REIS - UNIRITTE

Effectiveness and safety of first-generation protease inhibitors in real-world patients with hepatitis C virus genotype 1 infection in Brazil: a multicenter study

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of first-generation protease inhibitors for the treatment of genotype 1 hepatitis C virus-infected patients at Brazilian reference centers. METHODS: This multicenter cross-sectional study included hepatitis C virus genotype 1 monoinfected patients treated with Peg-interferon, ribavirin, and either boceprevir (n=158) or telaprevir (n=557) between July 2013 and April 2014 at 15 reference centers in Brazil. Demographic, clinical, virological, and adverse events data were collected during treatment and follow-up. RESULTS: Of the 715 patients, 59% had cirrhosis and 67.1% were treatment-experienced. Based on intention-to-treat analysis, the overall sustained viral response was 56.6%, with similar effectiveness in both groups (51.9% for boceprevir and 58% for telaprevir, p=0.190). Serious adverse events occurred in 44.2% of patients, and six deaths (0.8%) were recorded. Cirrhotic patients had lower sustained viral response rates than non-cirrhotic patients (46.9% vs. 70.6%, p 465 years, diagnosis of cirrhosis, and abnormal hemoglobin levels/platelet counts prior to treatment were associated with serious adverse events. CONCLUSION: Although serious adverse events rates were higher in this infected population, sustained viral response rates were similar to those reported for other patient cohorts.Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med, Dept Molestias Infecciosas & Parasitarias, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Rio de Janeiro, Rio De Janeiro, RJ, BrazilCtr Referencia & Treinamento DST Aids, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilCDH, Rio De Janeiro, RJ, BrazilHosp Fed Servidores Estado Rio de Janeiro HFSE, Setor Gastrohepatol, Rio De Janeiro, RJ, BrazilUniv Sao Paulo, Fac Med, Dept Gastroenterol & Hepatol, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Disciplina Gastroenterol, EPM, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, EPM, Disciplina Infectol, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Sao Paulo, FMRP, Dept Clin Med, Div Gastroenterol, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil| Univ Fed do Maranhao UFMA, HUPD, Ctr Pesquisa Clin, Sao Luis, MA, BrazilUniv Fed Estado Rio de Janeiro UNIRIO, Disciplina Clin Med & Gastroenterol, Rio De Janeiro, RJ, BrazilUniv Fed Rio do Grande Sul UFRGS, Dept Med Interna, Porto Alegre, RS, BrazilUniv Fed Espirito Santo, Ambulatorio HIV AIDS Hepatites Virais, Vitoria, ES, BrazilSMS, Ctr Orientacao & Aconselhamento, Foz Do Iguacu, PR, BrazilUniv Estado Rio de Janeiro UERJ, Serv Gastroenterol, Rio De Janeiro, RJ, BrazilIMT, Lab Virol LIM 52, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Disciplina Gastroenterol, EPM, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, EPM, Disciplina Infectol, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Perfil sorológico do vírus John Cunningham (JCV) em pacientes com esclerose múltipla

Treatment options for multiple sclerosis (MS) have changed over the last few years, bringing about a new category of drugs with more efficient profiles. However, these drugs have come with a whole new profile of potential adverse events that neurologists have to learn well and quickly. One of the most feared complications of these MS treatments is progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy caused by the reactivation of the John Cunningham virus (JCV). Objective: To identify the serologic profile of JCV in patients with MS. Methods: Data on serum antibodies for JCV were obtained using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay provided by the STRATIFY-JCV program. Results: A total of 1,501 blood tests were obtained from 1,102 patients with MS. There were 633 patients (57.1%) who were positive for antibodies for JCV and 469 patients who were negative (42.9%). Twenty-three patients became positive after initially having negative JCV antibody status. The rate of seroconversion was 18.5% over 22 months. Conclusion: The JCV serologic profile and seroconversion in Brazilian patients were similar to those described in other countries.As opções terapêuticas para esclerose múltipla (EM) modificaram-se ao longo dos últimos anos, trazendo uma nova categoria de drogas com melhor perfil de eficácia. No entanto, estas drogas vieram com um novo perfil de potenciais eventos adversos que exigem que o neurologista os reconheça bem e rapidamente. Uma das complicações mais temidas destes tratamentos para a EM é a leucoencefalopatia multifocal progressiva (LEMP), causada pela reativação do vírus John Cunningham (JCV). Objetivo: Identificar o perfil sorológico de JCV em pacientes com EM. Métodos: Dados sorológicos de JCV foram obtidos através do ensaio por enzimas imuno-adsorvidas (ELISA) fornecido pelo programa STRATIFY-JCV. Resultados: Um total de 1.501 testes sanguíneos foram obtidos de 1.102 pacientes com EM. O grupo teve 633 pacientes (57,1%) soropositivos para anticorpos anti-JCV e 469 pacientes negativos (42,9%). Vinte e três pacientes se tornaram posivitos após resultados iniciais negativos para anticorpos anti-JCV. A taxa de soroconversão foi 18,5% em 22 meses. Conclusão: O perfil sorológico do JCV e a soroconversão nos pacientes brasileiros foi semelhante àquela descrita em outros países