The Second Step In The Construction Of A Stigma Scale Of Epilepsy

Rationale: The issue of stigmatization is one of the most common psychosocial problems faced by people with epilepsy. Purpose: A second step towards the development of a scale to measure epilepsy stigma. Method: We applied a closed questionnaire to 12 patients and 32 relatives from the Epilepsy Outpatient Clinic at the University Hospital of Campinas. Results: The results are grouped in three main domains: medical, social and personal areas. Medical: the subjects did not know exactly what epilepsy is or how it is caused; nonetheless they know how to treat it. Social: the most important areas that people with epilepsy are discriminated are at work and social relationships. Patients also complained about their lack of freedom and limits on recreation activities. Personal Area: subjects apparently have the same feelings and thoughts about epilepsy and seizures. Conclusion: This study analyzed the most common aspects presented in the questionnaire to assess epilepsy stigma for the Brazilian culture which are the base to the elaboration of a stigma scale of epilepsy.632 B395398Fernandes, P.T., Souza, E.A., Identification of family variables in parents' groups of children with epilepsy (2001) Arq Neuropsiquiatr, 59, pp. 854-858Li, L.M., Sander, J.W., National demonstration project on epilepsy in Brazil (2003) Arq Neuropsiquiatr, 61, pp. 153-156Leidy, N.K., Rentz, A.M., Grace, E.M., Evaluating health-related quality of life outcomes in clinical trials of antiepileptic drug therapy (2004) Epilepsia, 39, pp. 965-977Baker, G.A., Brooks, J., Buck, D., Jacoby, A., The stigma of epilepsy: A European perspective (2000) Epilepsia, 41, pp. 98-104Baker, G.A., Nashef, L., Van Hout, B.A., Current issues in the management of epilepsy: The impact of frequent seizures on cost of illness, quality of life, and mortality (1997) Epilepsia, 38 (SUPPL. 1), pp. S1-S8Baker, G.A., Jacoby, A., Chadwick, D.W., The associations of psychopathology in epilepsy: A community study (1996) Epilepsy Res, 25, pp. 29-39Jacoby, A., Felt versus enacted stigma: A concept revisited. Evidence from a study of people with epilepsy in remission (1994) Soc Sci Med, 38, pp. 269-274Placencia, M., Farmer, P.J., Jumbo, L., Sander, J.W., Shorvon, S.D., Levels of stigmatization of patients with previously untreated epilepsy in northern Ecuador (1995) Neuroepidemiology, 14, pp. 147-154Ratsepp, M., Oun, A., Haldre, S., Kaasik, A.E., Felt stigma and impact of epilepsy on employment status among Estonian people: Exploratory study (2000) Seizure, 9, pp. 394-401Scambler, G., Hopkins, A., Generating a model of epileptic stigma: The role of qualitative analysis (1990) Soc Sci Med, 30, pp. 1187-1194Ryan, R., Kempner, K., Emlen, A.C., The stigma of epilepsy as a self-concept (1980) Epilepsia, 21, pp. 433-444Fernandes, P.T., Salgado, P.C., Ala, N., Barbosa, F.D., Souza, E.A., Li, L.M., Stigma Scale of Epilepsy: Conceptual issues (2004) J Epilep Clin Neuropshysiology, 10, pp. 213-218McLin, W.M., De Boer, H.M., Public perceptions about epilepsy (1995) Epilepsia, 36, pp. 957-95

Texture analysis of computed tomography images of acute ischemic stroke patients

Computed tomography (CT) images are routinely used to assess ischemic brain stroke in the acute phase. They can provide important clues about whether to treat the patient by thrombolysis with tissue plasminogen activator. However, in the acute phase, the lesions may be difficult to detect in the images using standard visual analysis. The objective of the present study was to determine if texture analysis techniques applied to CT images of stroke patients could differentiate between normal tissue and affected areas that usually go unperceived under visual analysis. We performed a pilot study in which texture analysis, based on the gray level co-occurrence matrix, was applied to the CT brain images of 5 patients and of 5 control subjects and the results were compared by discriminant analysis. Thirteen regions of interest, regarding areas that may be potentially affected by ischemic stroke, were selected for calculation of texture parameters. All regions of interest for all subjects were classified as lesional or non-lesional tissue by an expert neuroradiologist. Visual assessment of the discriminant analysis graphs showed differences in the values of texture parameters between patients and controls, and also between texture parameters for lesional and non-lesional tissue of the patients. This suggests that texture analysis can indeed be a useful tool to help neurologists in the early assessment of ischemic stroke and quantification of the extent of the affected areas.1076107

3D Spectroscopic Observations of Star-Forming Dwarf Galaxies

We give an introduction into the observational technique of integral field or 3D spectroscopy. We discuss advantages and drawbacks of this type of observations and highlight a few science projects enabled by this method. In the second part we describe our 3D spectroscopic survey of Blue Compact Dwarf Galaxies. We show preliminary results from data taken with the VIMOS integral field unit and give an outlook on how automated spectral analysis and forthcoming instruments can provide a new view on star formation and associated processes in dwarf galaxies.Comment: To appear in the proceedings of the JENAM 2010 Symposium "Dwarf Galaxies: Keys to Galaxy Formation and Evolution" (Lisbon, 9-10 September 2010), P. Papaderos, S. Recchi, G. Hensler (eds.), Springer Verlag (2011), in pres

i-Farm: A exploração vitícola inteligente da sociedade da informação e do conhecimento

www.i-Farm.pt.Neste trabalho iremos explorar o potencial das mais recentes inovações tecnológicas disponíveis no mercado para construir a i-Farm, a exploração vitícola inteligente da sociedade da informação e do conhecimento. O projecto i-Farm foi financiado pelo Programa DEMTEC da Agência de Inovação, apesar de passível de ser aplicado em qualquer actividade agrícola, é apresentado para o caso concreto da vinha, pois a viticultura foi considerada estratégicas no âmbito do Plano Estratégico Nacional para o Desenvolvimento Rural Português (GPP, 2007), numa lógica de aumento da competitividade do sector agrícola, conforme previsto no Eixo 1 da referida estratégia. A viticultura, mais concretamente a viticultura de precisão, tem vindo a receber uma atenção crescente da comunidade científica e empresarial na medida em que é efectivamente uma actividade capital intensivo em que a realização de investimentos em tecnologias de informação e comunicação podem ser justificados numa análise custo/benefício rigorosa. É hoje possível encontrar na literatura científica e nas empresas de prestação de serviços especializados exemplos concretos da aplicação das mais recentes tecnologias de monitorização remota sem fios na vinha (Camilli et al., 2007, Morais et al., 2008, Neto et al. 2007). Neste projecto quisemos ir mais longe na utilização das tecnologias disponíveis para construir um sistema integrado de apoio à decisão numa abordagem de Business Intelligence e estudar a utilização de digital dashboards para suportar a tomada de decisão ao nível da exploraçãoinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Echolucency of carotid plaques correlates with plaque cellularity

AbstractObjective: to analyse the relationship between carotid plaque echolucency and cellularity. Methods: carotid plaques (14 symptomatic and 16 asymptomatic) were snap frozen after endarterectomy and defined on the basis of their grey-scale-median (GSM), obtained from pre-operative high-definition ultrasonography, as either echolucent (<32) or echogenic (≥32). DNA and total soluble protein were determined to assess cellularity. Results: after correcting for wet weight, symptomatic plaques had significantly more DNA (0.400 ± 0.07 vs 0.335 ± 0.07 mg/g; p = 0.03) and soluble protein (34.1 ± 6.6 vs 29.7 ± 3.4 mg/g; p = 0.03) than asymptomatic plaques. Predominantly echolucent (Grey-Weale classification) plaques had more DNA (0.404 ± 0.06 vs 0.332 ± 0.08 mg/g; p = 0.03) than echogenic plaques. Plaques with GSM < 32 also had more DNA (0.386 ± 0.08 vs 0.319 ± 0.06 mg/g; p = 0.04) and soluble protein (34.7 ± 7.3 vs 29.6 ± 4.2 mg/g; p = 0.03) than those with GSM ≥ 32. Inverse relations were found between GSM and plaque DNA (r = −0.47; p = 0.02) and soluble protein (r = −0.45; p = 0.02) as well as between age and DNA (r = 0.39; p = 0.04) and soluble protein (r = −0.50; p = 0.003). Conclusions: echolucency of carotid plaques as assessed by ultrasonography reflects plaque cellularity. This observation support the notion that ultrasonography can be used to identify high-risk plaques and evaluate effect of interventions on plaque structure.Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg 26, 32-38 (2003

PREVISÃO DE ESCORREGAMENTOS TRANSLACIONAIS RASOS E ÁREA DE DUTOS: ESTUDO DE CASO DO MACIÇO DO TINGUÁ NA RESERVA BIOLÓGICA FEDERAL DO TINGUÁ (RJ).

Os movimentos de massa são grandes causadores de prejuízos financeiros, podendo danificar redes de infraestrutura como oleodutos e gasodutos. O objetivo desse trabalho é realizar uma análise das condições de estabilidade das encostas do Maciço do Tinguá, na Reserva Biológica Federal do Tinguá (RJ), por onde passam oleodutos e gasodutos. Utilizou-se um modelo matemático de base física e os resultados propiciaram uma análise preliminar da susceptibilidade a escorregamentos translacionais na área

Perception And Attitudes Towards Epilepsy: Point Of View Of Professionals Allied To Medicine From Mobile Emergency Service In Campinas

Introduction: Epilepsy is very prevalent in our society, but unfortunately lack of knowledge is still very common, contributing to psycho-social difficulties to people with epilepsy. Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the epilepsy' perception and attitudes by professionals of emergency medical service in Campinas, Brazil. Material and methods: This study was carried out with professionals of SAMU-192, who participated on the VII Stroke Workshop of Campinas in November 2007. Results: One hundred-forty nine (149) professionals answered the questionnaire (49% women, average age of 37 years, range from 21 to 59 year). Ninety (60%) were professionals allied to medicine (nurses, health auxiliary, dentists), six (4%) were physicians and 53 (36%) were other professions (secretary, driver). In overall, a great majority of the subjects had an appropriate knowledge regarding epilepsy. But, some beliefs are still present. In relation to epilepsy' perception, some wrong ideas appeared, as epilepsy is a contagious disease, people with epilepsy can not practice physical exercise or to work. Also, the doubts regarding pregnancy and treatment of epilepsy were observed. Regarding attitudes during an epileptic seizure, some inadequate attitudes appeared: to put something in patient's mouth, to restrict the patients' movements or give something strong to smell (alcohol or vinegar) in order to stop the seizure. Conclusion: In this context, it is necessary a continuous education programs to the allied health professionals to improve the perception and attitudes, bringing epilepsy out of the shadows.153119122Fernandes, P.T., Li, L.M., (2005) Estigma na Epilepsia Departamento de Neurologia, , FCM/UNICAMP;Fernandes, P.T., Salgado, P.C., Noronha, A.L.A., de Boer, H.M., Prilipko, L., Sander, J.W., Epilepsy stigma perception in an urban area of a limited resource country (2007) Epilepsy Behav, 11 (1), pp. 25-32Guerreiro, C.A., Guerreiro, M.M., Cendes, F., Lopes-Cendes, I., (2000) Considerações gerais, pp. 1-10. , Lemos Editorial. Epilepsia. 3rd edLi, L.M., Sander, J.W., National demonstration project on epilepsy in Brazil] (2003) Arq Neuropsiquiatr, 61 (1), pp. 153-156. , Mar;Marchetti, R.L., de Castro, A.P., Daltio, C.S., Cremonese, E., Ramos, J.M., Neto, J.G., Attitudes of Brazilian psychiatrists toward people with epilepsy (2004) Epilepsy Behav, 5 (6), pp. 999-1004. , Dec;Marchetti, R.L., Epilepsy in the shadow of Brazilian psychiatry] (2004) Rev Bras Psiquiatr, 26 (1), pp. 67-68. , Mar;Jacoby, A., Chadwick, D., Psychosocial problems in epilepsy (1992) BMJ, 305 (6845), p. 117. , July;Jacoby, A., Gorry, J., Gamble, C., Baker, G.A., Public knowledge, private grief: A study of public attitudes to epilepsy in the United Kingdom and implications for stigma (2004) Epilepsia, 45 (11), pp. 1405-1415. , Nov;Baker, G., The Psychosocial Burden of Epilepsy (2002) Epilepsia, 43 (SUPPL. 6), pp. 26-30Austin, J.K., Shafer, P.O., Deering, J.B., Epilepsy familiarity, know-ledge, and perceptions of stigma: Report from a survey of adolescents in the general population (2002) Epilepsy Behav, 3 (4), pp. 368-375. , Aug;Suurmeijer, T.P., Reuvekamp, M.F., Aldenkamp, B.P., Social functioning, psychological functioning, and quality of life in epilepsy (2001) Epilepsia, 42 (9), pp. 1160-1168. , Sept;Fernandes, P.T., Li, L.M., Percepção de estigma na epilepsia. (2006) Journal of Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology, 12 (4), pp. 207-218Jacoby, A., Impact of epilepsy on employment status: Findings from a UK study of people with well-controlled epilepsy (1995) Epilepsy Res, 21 (2), pp. 125-132. , June;Fernandes, P.T., Noronha, A.L., Sander, J.W., Bell, G.S., Li, L.M., Training the trainers and disseminating information: A strategy to educate health professionals on epilepsy (2007) Arq Neuropsiquiatr, 65 (SUPL 1), pp. 14-22Noronha, A.L., Fernandes, P.T., Andrade, M.G.G., Santiago, S.M., Sander, J.W., Li, L.M., Training medical students to improve the management of people with epilepsy (2007) Arq Neuropsiquiatr, 65 (SUPL 1), pp. 23-27Fernandes, P.T., Salgado, P.C., Noronha, A.L.A., Barbosa, F.D., Souza, E.A., Li, L.M., Stigma Scale of Epilepsy: Conceptual issues (2004) Journal of Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology, 10 (4), pp. 213-218Reno, B.A., Fernandes, P.T., Bell, G.S., Sander, J.W., Li, L.M., Stigma and attitudes on epilepsy: A study with secondary school students (2007) Arq Neuropsiquiatr, 65 (SUPL 1), pp. 49-5

Variability of earthworm's functional traits in eastern Amazon is more species-dependent than environment-dependent

Understanding the causes of variability in functional traits is an important question in earthworm ecology. While interspecific variation in anatomical dimensions for the same trait is well accepted, the role of environmental filters, soil degradation, and environmental stress in affecting the variability of functional traits is not well understood. In this study, we sought to determine the relative importance of environmental factors and earthworm species taxonomy on the variability in functional traits within species (intraspecific variability). We focused on eight functional traits including body mass, body length, body diameter, gizzard, gizzard thickness, septum thickness, typhlosole, and gut organic matter. We sampled earthworms of 11 different species in various regions of the eastern Amazon to determine the general responses of different species' characteristics when exposed to various ecosystem and soil conditions. Our results suggest that the functional traits of earthworms are influenced in different ways by environmental conditions. One set of traits, including body mass, body length, and body diameter, was more constant and independent of environmental variability, while another set, including gizzard diameter and length, gizzard muscle thickness, septum thickness, typhlosole, and intestinal organic matter, was more sensitive. The most affected by different environmental variables was septum thickness. We also examined which environmental factors are most important for trait variability. Our study highlights the importance of considering both environmental factors and taxonomic classification when studying the variability of functional traits within earthworm species. Overall, our results suggest that taxonomic classification alone is a good guide for estimating the major functional traits of earthworms in the Brazilian Amazon, but local conditions can their variability is which is essential for informing conservation efforts and maintaining ecosystem function

Síndrome de Down hereditario poco común debido a la translocación robertsoniana 15/21: asesoramiento genético y reproductivo

Los portadores de un reordenamiento que afecta al cromosoma 21 tienen un riesgo potencial de concepciones genéticamente desequilibradas que pueden dar origen a niños con síndrome de Down (SD). Los riesgos reproductivos de las parejas portadoras de una translocación robertsoniana equilibrada dependen de los cromosomas reordenados y del sexo del portador. Este artículo tiene como objetivo analizar la tendencia de segregación y reproductiva de una rara translocación 15/21 en cinco generaciones de una familia. Se consideraron los avances actuales en tecnología reproductiva como una posibilidad para evitar la aneuploidía fetal. Dado el riesgo genético, el diagnóstico de preimplantación aparece también como una alternativa para evitar la posibilidad de un aborto posterior no deseado y para obtener una descendencia saludable