Perinatal and social risk of poor language, memory, and learning outcomes in a cohort of extremely and very preterm children

Children born extremely preterm (EPT) or very preterm (VPT) are at risk of neurodevelopmental impairment. How the interaction between biological and social risk factors affects cognitive development has not yet been completely understood. The objectives of this study are to analyze and compare the language, memory, and learning outcomes of five-year-old children born EPT (<28 weeks’ gestational age) and VPT (28–31+6 weeks’ gestational age) and to determine the risk of having poor outcomes attending to perinatal and maternal characteristics. The analysis included 377 children born VPT (n = 284) and EPT (n = 93) in 2011–2012. Maternal, neonatal, and clinical information was obtained at birth, and maternal education was obtained at five years using a parental questionnaire. At five years, the language, memory, and learning outcomes were assessed with the developmental NEuroPSYchological assessment second edition (NEPSY-II®). Logistic regression models were applied to assess the association of biological and social risk factors with performance below the expected level for the child’s age in language, memory, and learning subtests. Lower maternal age and education increased the odds of having language performance below the expected level for the child’s age, while lower maternal educational level and gestational age increased the likelihood of having memory performance below the expected level. Children living in the most social disadvantage contexts are at a higher risk of suboptimal cognitive development. Implementing intervention programs in disadvantaged contexts and targeting specific cognitive domains may enable EPT and VPT children to reach and fulfill their potential in society. © 2022 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.This work is financed by national funding through the FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P., in the scope of the projects UIDB/04750/2020 e LA/P/0064/2020

Early interactions: A comparative study between mothers and fathers

ENQUADRAMENTO: A qualidade da interação mãe/pai-bebé é um factor determinante do desenvolvimento da criança. OBJECTIVO: descrever e comparar os padrões de interação mãe-bebé e pai-bebé. MÉTODOS: Para o efeito ao 2º e 6º mês após o parto realizaram-se gravações das interações face a face entre mãe e bebé e entre pai e bebé. RESULTADOS: a qualidade do comportamento das mães na interação é significativamente mais adequada do que a dos pais na interação aos 6 meses. CONCLUSÃO: Estar atento à qualidade da interação mãe-bebé e pai-bebé é crucial para potenciar desenvolvimento normativo da criança.Background: the quality of mother/father-infant interaction is a key determinant of child development. Aim: to describe and compare the patterns of mother-infant interaction and father-infant interaction. Methods: at 2 and 6 months after childbirth face to face interactions records between mother and infant and between father and infant were conducted. Results: the quality of the mother's behavior is significantly more adequate than the father's behavior in the interaction at 6 months after birth. Conclusion: to be attentive not only to the quality of mother-infant interaction but also to the quality of father-infant is crucial to enhance child developmental outcomes

Fabricación y caracterización de aleaciones porosas de Ti y Ti6Al4V producidas mediante sinterización con espaciador

[ES] El titanio es un material biocompatible que, además de presentar buenas propiedades a la corrosión, posee una elevada resistencia mecánica teniendo en cuenta su baja densidad. En el campo de la pulvimetalurgia, entre otras aplicaciones, este material se usa con objeto de obtener materiales porosos para aplicaciones biomédicas. Recientemente se ha investigado la aplicación de los materiales porosos en la fabricación de implantes de cadera. La razón principal está basada en la reducción de la rigidez de los implantes, lo cual minimiza los efectos del ¿apantallamiento de tensiones¿, al aproximarse su módulo elástico al del hueso. El propósito del presente trabajo, es producir materiales porosos mediante la técnica de sinterización con espaciador, usando el bicarbonato de amonio como propulsor de la formación de poros. Para la obtención de los mismos, se ha utilizado polvo de titanio de diferentes tamaños de partícula, usando diversas presiones de compactación. Antes de realizar la sinterización, se han evaluado las propiedades mecánicas de las muestras en verde, de modo que se permita su manipulación. Tras realizar la sinterización, se ha evaluado la densidad y porosidad. Igualmente, se ha valorado el efecto de estas variables en las propiedades mecánicas y el módulo elástico, obtenidos mediante el ensayo de flexión a tres puntos. La caracterización microestructural se ha realizado mediante microscopía óptica y electrónica.[EN] Titanium is well-known to be a biocompatible material with good corrosion properties and good strength, taking into account their low specific weight. In powder metallurgy field, titanium has been used in order to obtain porosity materials for biomedical applications. Recently, porous materials have been investigated for their use like hips implants. The principal reason is based on a reduction of stiffness implants, minimizing effects of stress shielding. The purpose of the present work is produced porous materials by space holder technique using ammonium bicarbonate like spacer. Scaffolds of titanium have been fabricated by powders of titanium with different grades of particle size and compacting pressure. Before sintering, stability of green parts has been studied by mechanical test. After sintering, porosity has been evaluated besides mechanical properties and elastic modulus by three points bending test. The microstructural characterisation is performed by optical and electron microscopy.Tojal Domenech, C.; Amigó Borrás, V.; J.A. Calero (2013). Fabricación y caracterización de aleaciones porosas de Ti y Ti6Al4V producidas mediante sinterización con espaciador. Revista de Metalurgia. 49(1):20-30. doi:10.3989/revmetalm.1206S2030491Montealegre-Melendez, I., Neubauer, E., & Danninger, H. (2009). Effect of starting powder grade on sintering and properties of PM titanium metal matrix composites. Powder Metallurgy, 52(4), 322-328. doi:10.1179/174329009x457117Eriksson, M., Andersson, M., Adolfsson, E., & Carlström, E. (2006). Titanium–hydroxyapatite composite biomaterial for dental implants. Powder Metallurgy, 49(1), 70-77. doi:10.1179/174329006x94591Schiefer, H., Bram, M., Buchkremer, H. P., & Stöver, D. (2009). Mechanical examinations on dental implants with porous titanium coating. Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine, 20(8), 1763-1770. doi:10.1007/s10856-009-3733-1Amigó, V., Salvador, M. D., Romero, F., Solves, C., & Moreno, J. F. (2003). Microstructural evolution of Ti–6Al–4V during the sintering of microspheres of Ti for orthopedic implants. Journal of Materials Processing Technology, 141(1), 117-122. doi:10.1016/s0924-0136(03)00243-7[6] H.D. Kunze, Metal Powder Report 50 (1995) 36.Esen, Z., & Bor, Ş. (2007). Processing of titanium foams using magnesium spacer particles. Scripta Materialia, 56(5), 341-344. doi:10.1016/j.scriptamat.2006.11.010Robertson, I. M., & Schaffer, G. B. (2010). Swelling during sintering of titanium alloys based on titanium hydride powder. Powder Metallurgy, 53(1), 27-33. doi:10.1179/003258909x12502872942534Li, C. F., Zhu, Z. G., & Liu, T. (2005). Microhardness of pore walls in porous titanium prepared with novel powder metallurgy. Powder Metallurgy, 48(3), 237-240. doi:10.1179/174329005x64162Euh, K., Lee, J., Lee, S., Koo, Y., & Kim, N. J. (2001). Microstructural modification and hardness improvement in boride/Ti–6Al–4V surface-alloyed materials fabricated by high-energy electron beam irradiation. Scripta Materialia, 45(1), 1-6. doi:10.1016/s1359-6462(01)00981-2De Oliveira, M. V., Moreira, A. C., Appoloni, C. R., Lopes, R. T., Pereira, L. C., & Cairo, C. A. A. (2006). Porosity Study of Sintered Titanium Foams. Materials Science Forum, 530-531, 22-28. doi:10.4028/www.scientific.net/msf.530-531.22Azevedo, C. R. F., Rodrigues, D., & Beneduce Neto, F. (2003). Ti–Al–V powder metallurgy (PM) via the hydrogenation–dehydrogenation (HDH) process. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 353(1-2), 217-227. doi:10.1016/s0925-8388(02)01297-5Esteban, P. G., Bolzoni, L., Ruiz-Navas, E. M., & Gordo, E. (2011). Introducción al procesado pulvimetalúrgico del titanio. Revista de Metalurgia, 47(2), 169-187. doi:10.3989/revmetalmadrid.0943Amigó, V., Reig, L., Busquets, D. J., Ortiz, J. L., & Calero, J. A. (2011). Analysis of bending strength of porous titanium processed by space holder method. Powder Metallurgy, 54(1), 67-70. doi:10.1179/174329009x409697Reig, L., Amigó, V., Busquets, D., & Calero, J. A. (2011). Stiffness variation of porous titanium developed using space holder method. Powder Metallurgy, 54(3), 389-392. doi:10.1179/003258910x12707304455068Bram, M., Schiefer, H., Bogdanski, D., Köller, M., Buchkremer, H., & Stöver, D. (2006). Implant surgery: How bone bonds to PM titanium. Metal Powder Report, 61(2), 26-31. doi:10.1016/s0026-0657(06)70603-8[20] R.M. German, Powder Metallurgy and Particulate Materials Processing, Metal Powder Industries Federation, New Jersey, USA, 2005, pp.121-260.[22] L.J. Gibson y M.F. Ashby, Cellular Solids: Structure and Properties, 2nd ed., Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 1997, pp. 175-231.[23] R.M. German, Powder Metallurgy Science, 2nd ed., Metal Powder Industries Federation, New Jersey, USA, 1994, pp.241-299.[24] R.M. German, G.L. Messing y R. G. Cornwall, Sintering Technology, Marcel Dekker inc., New York, USA, 1996, pp. 349-430.[2] E. Benavente-Martínez, F. Devesa y V. Amigó, Rev. Metal. Madrid 46 (Nº extra) (2010) 19-25.[7] G. Ryan, A. Pandit y D.P. Apatsidis, Biomaterials 27 (2006) 2.651-2.670.[9] C. Aparicio, F. J. Gil, A. Padrós, C. Peraire y J. A. Planell, Rev. Metal. Madrid 34 (Nº. extra) (1998) 184-189.[19] X. Zhao, H. Sun, L. Lan, J. Huang, H. Zhang y Y. Wang, Mater. Lett. 63 (2009) 2.402–2.404.[21] C. Tojal, J. Devaud, V. Amigó y J.A. Calero, Rev. Metal. Madrid 46 (Nº extra) (2010) 26-32.[25] C. Leyens y M. Peters, Titanium and Titanium Alloys. Fundamentals and Applications, ed.Wiley VchGmbh&Co., Weinheim, Alemania, 2003, pp. 423-424

Mechanical characterization of porous Ti base alloys produced by sintering space-holder method

[ES] La búsqueda de materiales adecuados para su uso como implante implica una mayor investigación sobre los biomateriales, como lo son el titanio y sus aleaciones. Respecto a sus propiedades mecánicas, se debe garantizar una resistencia mecánica suficiente como para soportar cargas en uso, al igual que su rigidez ha de ser parecida a la del hueso humano. En el presente trabajo se miden diferentes propiedades mecánicas de materiales porosos de titanio y de la aleación Ti6Al4V, producidos por vía pulvimetalúrgica mediante sinterización con espaciador. Los resultados muestran la relación entre la porosidad y las propiedades mecánicas, indicando los casos en los que se presenta un compromiso entre la rigidez y la resistencia mecánica.[EN] The search of suitable materials for use as an implant involves more research of biomaterials, like titanium and its alloys. Regarding their mechanical properties, it must be guaranteed mechanical strength to support loads in use, as well as its stiffness must be similar to the bone. In this paper it have been measured several mechanical properties of porous titanium and Ti6Al4V alloy, produced by sintering powder metallurgy with space-holder method. The results show the relationship between porosity and mechanical properties and it is indicated in which cases it is presented a compromise between the stiffness and mechanical strength.Los autores agradecen al área de Ciencia de Materiales e Ingeniería Metalúrgica de la Universidad de Sevilla la ayuda prestada en el cálculo de la rigidez por ultrasonidos. Igualmente, los autores desean agradecer la financiación obtenida por el Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (proyecto PET2008_0158_02) y a la beca Grisolia /2009/040.Tojal Domenech, C.; Devaud, J.; Amigó, V.; Calero, JA. (2010). Caracterización mecánica de aleaciones porosas, base Ti, producidas mediante la técnica de sinterización con espaciador. Revista de Metalurgia. 46:27-32. https://doi.org/10.3989/revmetalmadrid.02.2XIIPMSS27324

Polycystic hydatid disease: report of two cases from the city of Sena Madureira , Acre, in Brazilian Amazon

Dois casos de hidatidose policística (HP) são relatados, oriundos do mesmo município da região amazônica brasileira (Sena Madureira, Acre). Ambos tiveram a mesma apresentação e evolução clínica ao longo de dois anos de acompanhamento. Inicialmente os pacientes queixaram-se de dor abdominal no andar superior ou no hipocôndrio direito e apresentaram icterícia obstrutiva, febre, aumento de volume abdominal e emagrecimento. Por exame de imagem, além de esplenomegalia, cistos múltiplos e coalescentes foram detectados no fígado. Amostras de soro foram reagentes por contraimunoeletroforese. O tratamento com albendazol resultou em melhora parcial, com alívio sintomático e redução no tamanho das lesões. Este relato reforça a importância de estudos clínico-epidemiológicos da hidatidose policística na região amazônica brasileira, especialmente no município de Sena Madureira, onde outros pacientes com HP podem estar sem diagnóstico.Two cases of Polycystic hydatid disease (PH) are reported from the same municipal district of the Brazilian Amazon region (Sena Madureira, Acre). Both had a similar clinical presentation and course over two years of follow-up. Initially the patients complained of pain in the right hypochondrium or upper abdomen and presented obstructive jaundice, fever, increased abdominal volume and weight loss. By image analysis, in addition to splenomegaly, multiple and coalescent cysts were detected in the liver. Serum samples were reactive by counterimmunoelectrophoresis. Treatment with albendazole resulted in partial improvement, with symptomatic relief and reduction in size of the lesions. This report stresses the importance of performing clinical-epidemiological studies of polycystic hydatid disease in the Brazilian Amazon and especially in the municipality of Sena Madureira where many other cases of PH may remain undiagnosed

Cu(ii) and Zn(ii) complexes with a poly-functional ligand derived from o-vanillin and thiophene. Crystal structure, physicochemical properties, theoretical studies and cytotoxicity assays against human breast cancer cells

The interaction of a poly-functional ligand derived from o-vanillin and 2-thiophenemethylamine (oVATPNH2) with transition metal ions Cu(II) and Zn(II) leads to the formation of stable coordination compounds, namely [Cu(oVATPNH2)2] and [Zn(oVATPNH2)2]. Their crystal structures have been determined by X-ray diffraction methods. Two molecules of the deprotonated ligand acting in a bidentate fashion build a nearly square planar environment around Cu(II) and a distorted tetrahedral coordination arrangement for Zn(II). The complexes were characterized by spectroscopic techniques, including solid state FTIR, Raman, EPR and diffuse reflectance and solution UV-vis and EPR. Their thermal behavior has been analyzed by means of TGA and DTA. DFT theoretical studies, using computational methods based on DFT, were employed to assist the interpretation and assignment of spectroscopic data. Cytotoxicity assays against two human breast cancer cell lines, namely MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231, revealed an enhancement of the effectiveness of the complexes as compared with both the ligand and the free metal ions. The results for the copper compound are promising, as its cytotoxic effect was stronger than the reference metallodrug cisplatin in both cancer cell lines tested.CONICET-CCT-La Plata (PIP 0651 and 0034), ANPCyT (PICT 2016-1574) and UNLP (11/X-473) (Argentina) and also by Consejerı´a de Educacio´n CyL and FFEDER BU076U16, BU022G18 and Ministerio de Economı´a y Competitividad CTQ2016-75023-C2-1-P and CTQ2015-70371- REDT MetDrugs Network (Spai

Synthesis, crystal structure and cytotoxicity assays of a copper(II) nitrate complex with a tridentate ONO acylhydrazone ligand. Spectroscopic and theoretical studies of the complex and its ligand

The new copper complex, [Cu(HL)(OH2)2](NO3), including the tridentate N-acyhydrazone derived from 4-hydroxy-benzohydrazide and 2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde, (H2L), has been synthesized and characterized in the solid state and in solution by spectroscopic (FTIR, Ra, UV–vis, EPR) methods. The results were compared with those obtained for the hydrazone ligand and complemented with computational methods based on DFT. The crystal structure of the complex has been determined by X-ray diffraction. It crystallizes in the triclinic space group with Z = 2. The Cu(II) ion is in a distorted square pyramidal environment, coordinated to a planar HL- anion acting as a tridentate ligand. The 5-fold coordination is completed with two water molecules. It is arranged in the lattice as H-bonded ribbon-like polymers that extends along the [1 2 1] crystal direction. The cytotoxicity of the complex together with that of the H2L ligand and the copper ion were evaluated in vitro against five different human cancer cell lines namely A549 (lung), MG-63 (bone), MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 (breast) and Jurkat (leukemia). The copper complex inhibits the cell viability in a dose dependent manner with a greater potency than the H2L ligand and the free copper ion displaying even higher antitumor activity than the well-known anticancer metallodrug cisplatin.CONICET (PIP 11220130100651CO and PIP 0034), UNLP (111/X673) and ANPCyT (PICT 2014-2223) of Argentina. Consejería de Educación CyL and FFEDER BU076U16, BU022G18 and Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad CTQ2016-75023-C2-1-P and CTQ2015-70371-REDTMetDrugs Network (Spain

High-throughput sequencing of black pepper root transcriptome

Background: Black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) is one of the most popular spices in the world. It is used in cooking and the preservation of food and even has medicinal properties. Losses in production from disease are a major limitation in the culture of this crop. The major diseases are root rot and foot rot, which are results of root infection by Fusarium solani and Phytophtora capsici, respectively. Understanding the molecular interaction between the pathogens and the host's root region is important for obtaining resistant cultivars by biotechnological breeding. Genetic and molecular data for this species, though, are limited. In this paper, RNA-Seq technology has been employed, for the first time, to describe the root transcriptome of black pepper. Results: The root transcriptome of black pepper was sequenced by the NGS SOLiD platform and assembled using the multiple-k method. Blast2Go and orthoMCL methods were used to annotate 10338 unigenes. The 4472 predicted proteins showed about 52% homology with the Arabidopsis proteome. Two root proteomes identified 615 proteins, which seem to define the plant's root pattern. Simple-sequence repeats were identified that may be useful in studies of genetic diversity and may have applications in biotechnology and ecology. Conclusions: This dataset of 10338 unigenes is crucially important for the biotechnological breeding of black pepper and the ecogenomics of the Magnoliids, a major group of basal angiosperms.Rede Paraense de Genomica e Proteomica (Governo do Estado do Para/SEDECT/FAPESPA)Rede Paraense de Genomica e Proteomica (Governo do Estado do Para/SEDECT/FAPESPA)PROPESP/UFPAPROPESP/UFPAFADESPFADESPFINEPFINEPCoordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES)CAPES (Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior