2,796 research outputs found
Therapy influence on the plastic processes of nervous system: theory and research (part I)
El sistema nervioso (SN) está destinado al control de
todos los órganos y sistemas. Está continuamente en
actividad con funciones extremamente importantes
como las funciones de adaptar el organismo a las
modificaciones externas, manteniendo su ambiente
interno constante a través de sistemas como el
vegetativo y el hormonal.
En ningún otro lugar las conexiones entre las células
son tan críticas respecto al adecuado funcionamiento de
los órganos, como en el SN. Curiosamente no hace
muchos años a los estudiantes se les enseñaba que las
células nerviosas humanas eran tan especializadas que
era imposible su reparación. Actualmente se conoce que
el SN puede rehabilitarse a si mismo, regularmente. Es
por lo que uno de los objetivos de las neurociencias es
aprender cómo estimular las células nerviosas
adecuadamente, para que ellas tengan una capacidad
plástica más exuberante, haciendo o rehaciendo
conexiones funcionales.
Siempre que se habla sobre el SN, debemos tener en
mente que es un todo, único, indivisible, altamente
integrado y dividido apenas con finalidades didácticas.
Así, aún elaborando una división anatómica y funcional
del SN, él se desarrolla, organiza, procesa, aprende y
actúa como un todo.
Para que este SN tenga condiciones para organizarse
y más adelante controlar adecuadamente sus innumerables funciones, se necesita de un programa
genético y de factores epigenéticos adecuados (factores
ambientales).
El programa genético ofrece posibilidades
importantes para un desarrollo normal o no del SN.
Determinadas mutaciones neurogénicas culminan en
diferentes niveles de malformaciones neuro-anatomofuncionales.
En segundo lugar los factores epigenéticos no alteran
el programa genético, pero influyen en la expresión de
este programa. Como ejemplo clásico, podemos citar al
síndrome de la privación, donde los niños
hospitalizados durante un largo período, o los niños que
se desarrollan en orfanatos tienen en general un retraso
en la adquisición de una serie de funciones sensitivomotoras,
como por ejemplo el retraso en la adquisición
de la lenguaje articulado, disociación entre las cinturas
escapular y pélvica, marcha, etc.
De esta forma, a través de los dos ítems anteriormente
citados, tenemos la biografía del individuo, la cual es la
base para las diferencias individuales.Terapia y Rehabilitació
Early liver function improvement following successful treatment of chronic hepatitis C in patients with decompensated cirrhosis: a real-life study
OBJECTIVES: Despite higher rates of sustained virologic response (SVR), important concerns remain when patients with decompensated cirrhosis due to hepatitis C virus (HCV) are treated with direct-acting antiviral agents (DAA). Questions include efficacy, safety, and the magnitude of liver function improvement. Here, we aimed to evaluate HCV treatment data in this specific population in Brazil.
METHODS: We included 85 patients with decompensated cirrhosis submitted to HCV therapy with DAA followed at two academic tertiary centers in the southeastern region of Brazil.
RESULTS: Seventy-nine patients (92.9%) were Child-Pugh (CP) score B, and six (7.1%) were CP score C. The mean MELD score was 12.86. The most common treatment was sofosbuvir plus daclatasvir±ribavirin for 24 weeks. The overall intention-to-treat (ITT) SVR rate was 87.4% (74/85) and modified-ITT 96.1% (74/77). ITT SVR was associated with lower baseline INR values (p=0.029). Adverse events (AE) occurred in 57.9% (44/76) of patients. Serious AE were reported in 12.8% (10/78), and were related to the presence of hepatic encephalopathy (p=0.027). SVR was associated with improvement in CP (p<0.0001) and MELD scores (p=0.021). Among baseline CP score B patients with SVR, 46% (29/63) regressed to CP score A. Ascites was independently associated with no improvement in liver function in patients who achieved SVR (p=0.001; OR:39.285; 95% CI:4.301-258.832).
CONCLUSIONS: Patients with decompensated HCV cirrhosis showed a high SVR rate with interferon-free therapy. Early liver function improvement occurred after successful HCV eradication. However, long-term follow-up of these patients after SVR remains strongly advised.
 
The epochs of early-type galaxy formation as a function of environment
The aim of this paper is to set constraints of the epochs of early-type
galaxy formation through the 'archaeology' of the stellar populations in local
galaxies. Using our models of absorption line indices that account for variable
abundance ratios, we derive the stellar population parameters of 124 early-type
galaxies in high and low density environments. We find that all three
parameters age, metallicity, and alpha/Fe ratio are correlated with velocity
dispersion. We further find evidence for an influence of the environment on the
stellar population properties. Massive early-type galaxies in low-density
environments appear on average ~2 Gyrs younger and slightly more metal-rich
than their counterparts in high density environments. No offsets in the
alpha/Fe ratios, instead, are detected. We translate the derived ages and
alpha/Fe ratios into star formation histories. We show that most star formation
activity in early-type galaxies is expected to have happened between redshifts
3 and 5 in high density and between redshifts 1 and 2 in low density
environments. We conclude that at least 50 per cent of the total stellar mass
density must have already formed at z 1, in good agreement with observational
estimates of the total stellar mass density as a function of redshift. Our
results suggest that significant mass growth in the early-type galaxy
population below z 1 must be restricted to less massive objects, and a
significant increase of the stellar mass density between redshifts 1 and 2
should be present caused mainly by the field galaxy population. The results of
this paper further imply vigorous star formation episodes in massive objects at
z 2-5 and the presence of evolved ellipticals around z 1, both observationally
identified as SCUBA galaxies and EROs.Comment: 20 pages, 10 figures, plus appendix, accepted by Ap
Photoinduced intersubband transition in undoped HgCdTe multiple quantum wells
We present photoinduced intersubband absorption measurements in HgCdTe undoped quantum wells. The transition energies and the linewidths are well described by a full 8×8 k⋅p Kane model calculation. Also, based on this model we show that different in‐plane effective masses for the first and second electron subbands should be considered in order to properly fit the low energy side of the experimental spectra. The experimental results can be explained using the calculated intersubband oscillator strength with no exciton enhancement. © 1995 American Institute of Physics.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/69671/2/APPLAB-66-22-2998-1.pd
Prime Focus Spectrograph - Subaru's future -
The Prime Focus Spectrograph (PFS) of the Subaru Measurement of Images and
Redshifts (SuMIRe) project has been endorsed by Japanese community as one of
the main future instruments of the Subaru 8.2-meter telescope at Mauna Kea,
Hawaii. This optical/near-infrared multi-fiber spectrograph targets cosmology
with galaxy surveys, Galactic archaeology, and studies of galaxy/AGN evolution.
Taking advantage of Subaru's wide field of view, which is further extended with
the recently completed Wide Field Corrector, PFS will enable us to carry out
multi-fiber spectroscopy of 2400 targets within 1.3 degree diameter. A
microlens is attached at each fiber entrance for F-ratio transformation into a
larger one so that difficulties of spectrograph design are eased. Fibers are
accurately placed onto target positions by positioners, each of which consists
of two stages of piezo-electric rotary motors, through iterations by using
back-illuminated fiber position measurements with a wide-field metrology
camera. Fibers then carry light to a set of four identical fast-Schmidt
spectrographs with three color arms each: the wavelength ranges from 0.38
{\mu}m to 1.3 {\mu}m will be simultaneously observed with an average resolving
power of 3000. Before and during the era of extremely large telescopes, PFS
will provide the unique capability of obtaining spectra of 2400
cosmological/astrophysical targets simultaneously with an 8-10 meter class
telescope. The PFS collaboration, led by IPMU, consists of USP/LNA in Brazil,
Caltech/JPL, Princeton, & JHU in USA, LAM in France, ASIAA in Taiwan, and
NAOJ/Subaru.Comment: 13 pages, 11 figures, submitted to "Ground-based and Airborne
Instrumentation for Astronomy IV, Ian S. McLean, Suzanne K. Ramsay, Hideki
Takami, Editors, Proc. SPIE 8446 (2012)
Exposure to magnetic fields and childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia in São Paulo, Brazil
Background: Epidemiological studies have identified increased risks of leukemia in children living near power lines and exposed to relatively high levels of magnetic fields. Results have been remarkably consistent, but there is still no explanation for this increase. in this study we evaluated the effect of 60 Hz magnetic fields on acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. Methods: This case-control study included ALL cases (n = 162) recruited from eight hospitals between January 2003 and February 2009. Controls (n = 565) matched on gender, age, and city of birth were selected from the São Paulo Birth Registry. Exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF MF) was based on measurements inside home and distance to power lines. Results: for 24 h measurements in children rooms, levels of ELF MF equal to or greater than 0.3 microtesla (mu T), compared to children exposed to levels below 0.1 mu T showed no increased risk of ALL (odds ratio [OR] 1.09; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.33-3.61). When only nighttime measurements were considered, a risk (OR 1.52; 95% CI 0.46-5.01) was observed. Children living within 200 m of power lines presented an increased risk of ALL (OR 1.67; 95% CI 0.49-5.75), compared to children living at 600 m or more of power lines. for those living within 50 m of power lines the OR was 3.57 (95% CI 0.41-31.44). Conclusions: Even though our results are consistent with the small risks reported in other studies on ELF MF and leukemia in children, overall our results do not provide support for an association between magnetic fields and childhood leukemia, but small numbers and likely biases weaken the strength of this conclusion. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Univ São Paulo, Fac Saude Publ, Dept Epidemiol, BR-01255 São Paulo, BrazilAssoc Brasileira Compatibilidade Eletromagnet, São Paulo, BrazilHosp Amaral Carvalho, Jau, BrazilUniv São Paulo, Fac Med, BR-14049 Ribeirao Preto, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Inst Oncol Pediat, São Paulo, BrazilHosp Infantil Darcy Vargas, São Paulo, BrazilSanta Casa Misericordia São Paulo, São Paulo, BrazilHosp Santa Marcelina, São Paulo, BrazilUniv Calif Los Angeles, Sch Publ Hlth, Los Angeles, CA 90024 USAUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Inst Oncol Pediat, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc
Variability of HIV-1 Genomes among Children and Adolescents from São Paulo, Brazil
Background: Genetic variability is a major feature of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and considered the key factor to frustrating efforts to halt the virus epidemic. in this study, we aimed to investigate the genetic variability of HIV-1 strains among children and adolescents born from 1992 to 2009 in the state of São Paulo, Brazil.Methodology: Plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were collected from 51 HIV-1-positive children and adolescents on ART followed between September 1992 and July 2009. After extraction, the genetic materials were used in a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify the viral near full length genomes (NFLGs) from 5 overlapped fragments. NFLGs and partial amplicons were directly sequenced and data were phylogenetically inferred.Results: of the 51 samples studied, the NFLGs and partial fragments of HIV-1 from 42 PBMCs and 25 plasma were successfully subtyped. Results based on proviral DNA revealed that 22 (52.4%) patients were infected with subtype B, 16 (38.1%) were infected with BF1 mosaic variants and 4 (9.5%) were infected with sub-subtype F1. All the BF1 recombinants were unique and distinct from any previously identified unique or circulating recombinant forms in South America. Evidence of dual infections was detected in 3 patients coinfected with the same or distinct HIV-1 subtypes. Ten of the 31 (32.2%) and 12 of the 21 (57.1%) subjects with recovered proviral and plasma, respectively, protease sequences were infected with major mutants resistant to protease inhibitors. the V3 sequences of 14 patients with available sequences from PBMC/or plasma were predicted to be R5-tropic virus except for two patients who harbored an X4 strain.Conclusions: the high proportion of HIV-1 BF1 recombinant, coinfection rate and vertical transmission in Brazil merits urgent attention and effective measures to reduce the transmission of HIV among spouses and sex partners.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)National Institutes of HealthUniv São Paulo, Sch Med, Clin & Res Lab LIM 03, São Paulo, BrazilUniv São Paulo, Inst Trop Med, Virol Lab LIM HCFMUSP 52, São Paulo, BrazilUniv Florida, Miller Sch Med, Story Lab 2, Miami, FL USAUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Paulista Sch Med, Dept Pediat, São Paulo, BrazilUniv São Paulo, Sch Med, Div Clin Immunol & Allergy, São Paulo, BrazilUniv Calif San Francisco, Dept Med, Div Expt Med, San Francisco, CA USAUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Paulista Sch Med, Dept Pediat, São Paulo, BrazilFAPESP: 2011/09983-1FAPESP: 2009/540055-5FAPESP: 2009/52381-2FAPESP: 2010/05845-0 2004/15856-9FAPESP: 2006/50096-0CAPES: 2571/2009National Institutes of Health: R01 AI060379Web of Scienc
Lutzomyia longipalpis Saliva or Salivary Protein LJM19 Protects against Leishmania braziliensis and the Saliva of Its Vector, Lutzomyia intermedia
Leishmaniasis, caused by parasitic protozoa Leishmania, is transmitted by bites of female sand flies that, during blood-feeding, inject humans with parasites and saliva. Sand fly saliva has been investigated as a potential vaccine candidate. It was previously shown that immunization with Lutzomyia longipalpis saliva or salivary proteins protects against cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis. In the present study, we evaluated if immunization with Lu. longipalpis saliva or DNA plasmid coding for a specific sand fly salivary protein (LJM19) can protect hamsters against L. braziliensis plus another sand fly saliva. Immunization with saliva or LJM19 DNA plasmid induced a mononuclear cell infiltrate which can be a marker of protection. The immune response induced by immunization with these insect molecules was able to protect animals against L. braziliensis infection as shown by the significant reduction in lesion size, parasite load in the ear and draining lymph node. These data show the important role of immune response against sand fly saliva components, suggesting the possibility to develop vaccines using a single component of saliva against Leishmania transmitted by different vectors
Despertando o Interesse de Mulheres para os Cursos em STEM
This article presents initiatives aimed at promoting female participation in
STEM fields, with the goal of encouraging more women to pursue careers in these
areas. One of these initiatives is the Em\'ilias - Arma\c{c}\~ao em Bits
Project, which organizes workshops in schools. Additionally, a podcast has been
created to foster interaction between young people and professionals in the
field of computing, while also contributing to the establishment of female role
models in the industry. The results of these initiatives have been promising,
as 70.6% of the students who participated in the workshops expressed an
interest in computing. Furthermore, according to Spotify, the podcast's
audience consists of 53% females, 44% males, and 3% unspecified, indicating
that it has successfully reached a female demographic.
Resumo. Este artigo apresenta iniciativas que t\^em como objetivo promover a
participa\c{c}\~ao das mulheres nas \'areas de STEM, buscando encorajar mais
mulheres a seguirem carreiras nesses campos. O Projeto Em\'ilias -
Arma\c{c}\~ao em Bits desenvolve oficinas nas escolas e tamb\'em um podcast,
promovendo a intera\c{c}\~ao entre jovens e profissionais da \'area de
computa\c{c}\~ao, al\'em de contribuir para a forma\c{c}\~ao de modelos
femininos nesse campo. Os resultados demonstraram que 70,6% das estudantes
demonstraram interesse pela computa\c{c}\~ao ap\'os participarem das oficinas.
Em rela\c{c}\~ao aos ouvintes do podcast, dados do Spotify indicaram que 53% do
p\'ublico se identifica como feminino, 44% como masculino, e 3% n\~ao
especificaram o g\^enero, o que mostra que o podcast tem alcan\c{c}ado um
p\'ublico feminino.Comment: In Portuguese. 10 pages. Accepted for XVII Women in Information
Technology (WIT 2023
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