Impacto de la Terapia Electroconvulsiva en el Funcionamiento de la Memoria en Pacientes con Depresión

Introducción: La seguridad de la terapia electroconvulsiva ha mejorado mucho en las últimas décadas, lo que hace que los efectos potencialmente adversos en la memoria y otras funciones neurocognitivas sean el principal aspecto clínico de preocupación en el presente. En Colombia, la población general y los profesionales de la salud (incluso algunos psiquiatras) parecen tener opiniones mayoritariamente negativas sobre el tratamiento electroconvulsivo, pero quizá esto podría reconsiderarse si se brinda más información; por lo tanto, el objetivo del presente estudio es evaluar los cambios en la memoria y la gravedad de los síntomas en un grupo de pacientes con depresión grave antes y después de la terapia electroconvulsiva. Métodos: Se incluyó a 23 pacientes con edades comprendidas entre los 23 y los 70 anos del Servicio de Terapia Electroconvulsiva de la Clínica San Juan de Dios (Manizales, Colombia) para evaluar el efecto de esta terapia en la memoria de pacientes con depresión grave. Los síntomas depresivos y la memoria se evaluaron con la escala de depresión de Hamilton (HAMD) y la prueba de aprendizaje auditivo verbal de Rey (RAVLT) respectivamente. Se evaluó a los participantes antes de la sesión inicial de la serie de terapia electroconvulsiva (0-1 día) y 2 días después de su último tratamiento. Resultados: La terapia electroconvulsiva resultó en una mejora significativa en la puntuación de depresión. No hubo diferencias significativas en las puntuaciones de las 5 pruebas de aprendizaje, recuerdo retardado, aprendizaje y olvido desde antes del tratamiento hasta después de este. Se encontraron diferencias significativas antes y después del tratamiento en la prueba de reconocimiento retardado. Conclusiones: Los problemas de memoria pueden evaluarse y caracterizarse de manera práctica tras la terapia electroconvulsiva. La evaluación cognitiva antes y después de la terapia electroconvulsiva es un procedimiento viable y útil. En general, el rendimiento de la memoria no empeora después de la terapia electroconvulsiva en pacientes con depresión. Solo el reconocimiento retardado se ve afectado unos días después, particularmente en pacientes con bajo nivel educativo y colocación de electrodos bitemporales (BT).

Introduction: The safety of electroconvulsive therapy has improved greatly over the last decades, making the potentially adverse effects on memory and other neurocognitive functions the main clinical aspect of concern in the present. In Colombia, the general population and healthcare professionals (even some psychiatrists) seem to have mostly negative opinions towards electroconvulsive therapy treatment, but maybe this could be reconsidered if more information is provided; therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the changes in memory and the severity of the symptoms in a group of patients with severe depression before and after electroconvulsive therapy. Methods: Twenty-three patients ranging in age from 23 to 70 years from the electroconvulsive therapy service at the San Juan de Dios Clinic (Manizales, Colombia) were recruited in order to assess the effect of electroconvulsive therapy on memory in patients with severe depression. Depressive symptoms and memory were assessed with the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) and Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT), respectively. The assessment was administered to participants before the initial treatment of electroconvulsive therapy series (0-1 day) and 2 days after their last treatment. Results: Electroconvulsive therapy resulted in significant improvement in the rating of depression. There were no significant differences in the five learning trials, delayed recall, learning and forgetting scores from pre-treatment to post-treatment. Significant pre-treatment/post-treatment differences were found in the delayed recognition trial. Conclusions: Pre- and post- electroconvulsive therapy cognitive assessment is a feasible and useful procedure. In general, memory performance does not worsen after electroconvulsive therapy in patients with depression. Only delayed recognition is affected a few days following electroconvulsive therapy, particularly in patients with low educational level and bitemporal (BT) electrode placement.

Historia de la terapia electroconvulsiva: ¿cuándo empezó a utilizarse anestesia para este procedimiento? / History of electroconvulsive therapy: when did anesthesia begin to be used for this procedure?

Resumen: La terapia electroconvulsiva consiste en la aplicación de corriente eléctrica a través de electrodos colocados en regiones frontotemporales (bilateral) o unilateral, con el objetivo de inducir una crisis convulsiva, controlada y monitorizada, que se realiza bajo anestesia general con la presencia de un equipo multidisciplinario. En este trabajo, se hace una reseña de la historia de la aplicación de anestésicos y relajantes musculares que se han utilizado para este tratamiento y de cómo el anestesiólogo se ha posicionado como un elemento fundamental para la aplicación del mismo.

Abstract: Electroconvulsive therapy consists of the application of electric current, through electrodes placed in frontotemporal regions (bilateral) or unilateral, with the aim of inducing a seizure, controlled and monitored, and performed under general anesthesia, with the presence of a multidisciplinary team. This paper reviews the history of the application of anesthetics and muscle relaxants, which have been used for this treatment and how the anesthesiologist has positioned himself as a fundamental element for its application.

La economía basada en el conocimiento: discusiones conceptuales sobre los cambios ocurridos a escala global desde la década de 1970 / The knowledge-based economy: conceptual discussions on the changes that have occurred on a global scale since the 1970s

Resumen Este artículo de revisión ofrece un recorrido acerca de las nociones construidas en las ciencias sociales para comprender la naturaleza y la magnitud de las transformaciones de la sociedad capitalista observadas desde mediados de la década de 1970. En este sentido, pueden hallarse interpretaciones que van desde un cambio de ciclo o fase hasta una nueva época. Entre las conceptualizaciones más sobresalientes se encuentra la economía basada en el conocimiento. Sin embargo, frente a este marco conceptual se generaron y consolidaron diversas teorías para comprender la naturaleza de los grandes cambios ocurridos a la luz de las transformaciones históricas del capitalismo, una de las cuales ha sido desarrollada recientemente en América Latina. Este trabajo representa un punto de acceso específico a la pregunta por la dinámica de la totalidad capitalista en el último tercio del siglo XX.

Abstract This review article offers a journey about the notions built in the social sciences to understand the nature and magnitude of the transformations of capitalist society observed since the mid-1970s. In this sense, interpretations can be found that range from a change of cycle or phase to a new epoch. Among the most outstanding conceptualizations is the knowledge-based economy. However, against this conceptual framework, various theories were generated and consolidated to understand the nature of the great changes that occurred in light of the historical transformations of capitalism, one of which has recently been developed in Latin America. This work represents a specific access point to the question of the dynamics of the capitalist totality in the last third of the 20th century.

Role and mechanism of nonreceptor tyrosine kinase Tec in endotoxin/lipopolysaccharide-induced interleukin-8 production in human alveolar epithelial cells A549 / 中华烧伤杂志

Objective@#To investigate the role and mechanism of nonreceptor tyrosine kinase Tec in the production of pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-8 (IL-8) induced by endotoxin/lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in human alveolar epithelial cells A549.@*Methods@#Human alveolar epithelial cells A549 were routinely cultured and passaged in Roswell Park Memorial Institute-1640 medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum. The second or third passage of cells were collected for subsequent experiments. (1) Cells were collected and divided into 6 groups with 4 wells in each group according to the random number table. Cells in blank control group were routinely cultured for 2 h. Cells in simple LPS group were routinely cultured for 1 h and then stimulated by 1 μg/mL LPS for 1 h. Cells in simple LFM-A13 group were cultured with conventional culture medium adding 75 μmol/L LFM-A13 for 1 h and then cultured with replaced conventional culture medium for 1 h. Cells in 25 μmol/L LFM-A13+ LPS group, 75 μmol/L LFM-A13+ LPS group, and 100 μmol/L LFM-A13+ LPS group were cultured with conventional culture medium adding 25, 75, and 100 μmol/L LFM-A13 respectively for 1 h and then all stimulated by 1 μg/mL LPS added into the replaced conventional culture medium for 1 h. The protein expression of Tec in cells of each group was detected by Western blotting, and the content of IL-8 in cell culture supernatant of each group was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. (2) Cells were collected and divided into 5 groups with 4 wells in each group according to the random number table. Cells in blank control group were routinely cultured for 2 h. Cells in small interfering RNA (siRNA) control+ LPS group were transfected with empty lentivirus for 10 h and then stimulated by 1 μg/mL LPS added into the conventional culture medium for 2 h. Cells in Tec mus-298 RNA interference (RNAi)+ LPS group, Tec mus-299 RNAi+ LPS group, and Tec mus-300 RNAi+ LPS group were transfected with lentivirus loaded with Tec mus-298 RNAi, Tec mus-299 RNAi, and Tec mus-300 RNAi respectively for 10 h and then stimulated by 1 μg/mL LPS added into the conventional culture medium for 2 h. The protein expression of Tec in cells of each group was detected by Western blotting to screen Tec-siRNA with the best silencing effect on Tec gene. (3) Cells were collected and divided into 4 groups with 4 wells in each group according to the random number table. Cells in blank control group were routinely cultured for 2 h. Cells in virus control group were transfected with empty lentivirus for 10 h and then routinely cultured for 2 h. Cells in simple LPS group were stimulated by 1 μg/mL LPS added into the conventional culture medium for 2 h. Cells in Tec-siRNA+ LPS group were transfected with lentivirus loaded with Tec-siRNA with the best silencing effect on Tec gene for 10 h and then stimulated by 1 μg/mL LPS added into the conventional culture medium for 2 h. The protein expressions of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) MAPK of cells in each group were detected by Western blotting. Data were processed with one-way analysis of variance and the least significant difference-t test.@*Results@#(1) Compared with that of blank control group, the protein expression of Tec of cells in simple LPS group was obviously increased (t=9.72, P<0.05), but the protein expression of Tec of cells in simple LFM-A13 group was not obviously changed (t=4.31, P=0.05). Compared with that of simple LPS group, the protein expression of Tec of cells in 25 μmol/L LFM-A13+ LPS group, 75 μmol/L LFM-A13+ LPS group, or 100 μmol/L LFM-A13+ LPS group was obviously decreased (t=9.72, 9.07, 16.33, P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with (189±22) pg/mL of blank control group, the content of IL-8 in culture supernatant of cells in simple LPS group was obviously increased [(214±10) pg/mL, t=2.18, P<0.05], but the content of IL-8 in culture supernatant of cells in simple LFM-A13 group was not obviously changed [(173±43) pg/mL, t=0.64, P>0.05]. Compared with that of simple LPS group, the content of IL-8 in culture supernatant of cells in 25 μmol/L LFM-A13+ LPS group was not obviously changed [(204±38) pg/mL, t=0.54, P>0.05], but the content of IL-8 in culture supernatant of cells in 75 μmol/L LFM-A13+ LPS group and 100 μmol/L LFM-A13+ LPS group was obviously decreased [(144±44), (137±51) pg/mL, t=3.63, 2.55, P<0.05 or P<0.01]. (2) Compared with that of blank control group, the protein expression of Tec of cells in siRNA control+ LPS group was obviously increased (t=14.24, P<0.01). Compared with that of siRNA control+ LPS group, the protein expression of Tec of cells in Tec mus-298 RNAi+ LPS group or Tec mus-299 RNAi+ LPS group was obviously decreased (t=36.03, 18.23, P<0.01), but the protein expression of Tec of cells in Tec mus-300 RNAi+ LPS group was not obviously changed (t=4.08, P>0.05). The protein expression of Tec was the lowest in cells of Tec mus-298 RNAi+ LPS group, so Tec mus-298 RNAi was used in subsequent experiment. (3) Compared with 1.16±0.16 and 0.78±0.11 of blank control group, the protein expressions of p38 MAPK and ERK MAPK of cells in virus control group were not obviously changed (1.66±0.13, 0.89±0.11, t=11.09, 3.60, P>0.05), but the protein expressions of p38 MAPK and ERK MAPK of cells in simple LPS group were obviously increased (2.83±0.29, 1.86±0.37, t=9.70, 7.23, P<0.05). Compared with those of simple LPS group, the protein expression of p38 MAPK and protein expression of ERK MAPK of cells in Tec-siRNA+ LPS group were obviously decreased (0.69±0.16, 1.03±0.24, t=13.78, 4.12, P<0.05 or P<0.01).@*Conclusions@#Tec may mediate the production and release of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-8 from human alveolar epithelial cells A549 induced by LPS via the p38 MAPK and ERK MAPK signal pathways.

From meaning to symptom reduction: contemporary approaches to psychotherapy after traumatic brain injury / Del sentido a la reducción de síntomas: enfoques contemporáneos de la psicoterapia después de un trauma cráneo encefálico

Introduction: During the last decades, psychological interventions have become central components of rehabilitation programs for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Nevertheless, due to a wide variability of therapeutic approaches there is little agreement regarding which approach is more suitable, or whether key elements from different psychotherapies should be integrated. This article critically reviews several contemporary approaches that are dominant in the literature. Methods: In order to accomplish such goal, an all-time search on Web of Science and Google Scholar was carried, using TBI and Psychotherapy as key words (n = 72). Results: The main finding of this paper is that theoretical and technical variability among psychotherapies reflects differences in the 'level of care' that is targeted: symptom reduction, behavioral problem reduction, quality of life and meaning reconstruction. Four contemporary approaches to psychotherapy [cognitive behavioral, third wave cognitive behavioral, narrative and psychodynamic] are then briefly described, by presenting their main theoretical tenets, the level of care they target, and the existing evidence that supports their efficacy. Finally, the implications of using a 'levels of care' perspective when addressing the 'effectiveness' debate is considered, as well as the need to familiarize future clinicians with more integrative models of psychological support after TBI.

Introducción: Durante las últimas décadas, las intervenciones psicológicas se han convertido en un elemento central de los programas de rehabilitación para personas que han adquirido un Trauma Cráneo Encefálico (TEC). Este artículo revisa críticamente los enfoques contemporáneos predominantes en la literatura a la luz del concepto de "niveles de cuidado". Método: Se realizó una revisión bibliográfica entre los años 1985 y 2014 utilizando los motores de búsqueda Web of Science y Google Scholar, usando TEC y Psicoterapia como palabras claves. 72 artículos fueron seleecionados para revisión. Resultados: Existe una amplia variabilidad teórico/técnica en los enfoques utilizados en esta población, reflejando diferencias en los niveles de cuidado: reducción de síntomas, reducción de problemas conductuales, calidad de vida y reconstrucción de sentido vital. Cuatro enfoques psicoterapéuticos contemporáneos (cognitivo-conductual, cognitivo-conductual de tercera generación, narrativo y psicodinámico) son brevemente descritos, presentando sus supuestos teóricos, el nivel de cuidado que consideran como objetivo, y la evidencia existente que apoya su efectividad. Finalmente, se discuten las implicancias de utilizar una perspectiva de 'niveles de cuidado' en el debate sobre efectividad de la psicoterapia en personas con TEC, así como la necesidad de familiarizar futuros neuropsicólogos clínicos con modelos genéricos de apoyo psicológico para esta población.

Numerical Simulations to Assess ART and MART Performance for Ionospheric Tomography of Chapman Profiles

ABSTRACT The incomplete geometrical coverage of the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) makes the ionospheric tomographic system an ill-conditioned problem for ionospheric imaging. In order to detect the principal limitations of the ill-conditioned tomographic solutions, numerical simulations of the ionosphere are under constant investigation. In this paper, we show an investigation of the accuracy of Algebraic Reconstruction Technique (ART) and Multiplicative ART (MART) for performing tomographic reconstruction of Chapman profiles using a simulated optimum scenario of GNSS signals tracked by ground-based receivers. Chapman functions were used to represent the ionospheric morphology and a set of analyses was conducted to assess ART and MART performance for estimating the Total Electron Content (TEC) and parameters that describes the Chapman function. The results showed that MART performed better in the reconstruction of the electron density peak and ART gave a better representation for estimating TEC and the shape of the ionosphere. Since we used an optimum scenario of the GNSS signals, the analyses indicate the intrinsic problems that may occur with ART and MART to recover valuable information for many applications of Telecommunication, Spatial Geodesy and Space Weather.

Frecuencia y características epidemiológicas de golpes en la cabeza en niños menores de 5 años / Frequency and epidemiological characteristics of head injuries in children under 5 years of age

Objetivos: el objetivo de este estudio fue describir la frecuencia, características epidemiológicas y posibles mecanismos patogénicos de golpes en la cabeza sufridos por niños de cinco o menos años de edad. Material ymétodos: Estudio observacional de tipo descriptivo, utilizando un cuestionario dirigido a madres de familia queacuden a consulta externa de Pediatría del Hospital Nacional Cayetano Heredia (HNCH). El cuestionario se aplicómediante un muestreo aleatorio simple sistematizado...

Objectives: to describe the frequency, epidemiologic characteristics and possible pathogenic mechanisms of thehead injuries in children of five years of age or younger. Methods: Observational descriptive study based on asurvey/questionnaire administered through a systematic random sampling procedure to mothers selected from thepediatric Outpatient Service of a general hospital in Lima...

Association Analysis of TEC Polymorphisms with Aspirin-Exacerbated Respiratory Disease in a Korean Population

The tyrosine-protein kinase Tec (TEC) is a member of non-receptor tyrosine kinases and has critical roles in cell signaling transmission, calcium mobilization, gene expression, and transformation. TEC is also involved in various immune responses, such as mast cell activation. Therefore, we hypothesized that TEC polymorphisms might be involved in aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) pathogenesis. We genotyped 38 TEC single nucleotide polymorphisms in a total of 592 subjects, which comprised 163 AERD cases and 429 aspirin-tolerant asthma controls. Logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the associations between TEC polymorphisms and the risk of AERD in a Korean population. The results revealed that TEC polymorphisms and major haplotypes were not associated with the risk of AERD. In another regression analysis for the fall rate of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) by aspirin provocation, two variations (rs7664091 and rs12500534) and one haplotype (TEC_BL2_ht4) showed nominal associations with FEV1 decline (p = 0.03-0.04). However, the association signals were not retained after performing corrections for multiple testing. Despite TEC playing an important role in immune responses, the results from the present study suggest that TEC polymorphisms do not affect AERD susceptibility. Findings from the present study might contribute to the genetic etiology of AERD pathogenesis.

Impacto prospectivo da tecnologia do xaxim agroecológico utilizando o Inova-Tec System v 2.0 / Prospective Impact of technology Xaxim Agroecological using the Inova-Tec System v 2.0

O Xaxim, vaso ou suporte utilizado para o cultivo de diversas espécies de plantas ornamentais, tinha sua produção realizada a partir do caule de plantas de Dicksonia sellowiana. Atualmente esta espécie está ameaçada de extinção sendo sua extração proibida por lei federal. Como solução, a Embrapa Agrobiologia desenvolveu o Xaxim Agroecológico, tecnologia inovadora, que utiliza o enraizamento do milheto (Pennisetum glaucum) para agregar o substrato e formar a estrutura do vaso. Com o intuito de uma gestão adequada da inovação procurou-se realizar estudo do impacto tecnológico pautado em parâmentros econômicos e mercadológicos mensurados via análises prospectivas. Nesta situação a avaliação ex-ante representa um componente essencial para elaboração de cenários prospectivos e fator orientador para a empresa geradora da inovação. Nesta pesquisa procurou-se realizar uma avaliação ex-ante da tecnologia do Xaxim Agroecológico dentro do proposto metodologicamente pelo INOVA-tec System v 2.0., pautada em indicadores pertinentes a invenção. Resultados encontrados apontam para a confiabilidade do uso do programa em avaliações prospectivas de tecnologia agroecológica, desde que sejam considerados indicadores adicionais, conforme a situação a ser analisada. O uso do INOVA-tec System v 2.0 para o Xaxim Agroecológico, demonstrou potencial tecnológico com cenário propicio para a inovação, desde que ocorram melhorias nos indicadores que compõe as dimensões ambiental e econômica.

The Xaxim, vase or medium used for the cultivation of various species of ornamental plants, their production was made from the stems of plants of Dicksonia sellowiana. Currently this species is endangered and its extraction prohibited by federal law. As a solution, Embrapa Agrobiology developed Xaxim Agroecological, innovative technology that utilizes the roots of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) to add the substrate and form the structure of the vase. In order to proper management of innovation attempted to make the study of technological impact parameter settings guided by economic and market measured via prospective analyzes. In this situation the ex-ante evaluation is an essential component for developing future scenarios and guiding factor for the company generating innovation. In this research we tried to carry out an ex-ante evaluation of Xaxim Agroecological within the methodology proposed by INOVA-tec System v 2.0. based on indicators relevant to the invention. For Xaxim Agroecológico, using INOVA-tec System v 2.0, demonstrated with a potential scenario conducive to technological innovation from occurring improvements in indicators that make up the environmental and economic.

Experiencia obtenida con el uso de la craniectomía descompresiva en el hospital de urgencia Asistencia Pública de Santiago / Experience with the use of decompressive craniectomy in the hospital emergency Santiago Public Assistance

Se revisaron 24 pacientes sometidos a craniectomía descompresiva en el HUAP entre los años 2009 y 2011, constituyendo el 8 por ciento de las cirugías realizadas en ese período. La distribución por edad fue mayoritariamente en el sexo masculino con un 75 por ciento de los pacientes. No se encontró clara relación en el outcome en relación a la edad y al Glasgow de ingreso. El mecanismo causal más frecuente fueron los atropellos con un 60,87 por ciento de los casos, seguido por las caídas con un 26,09 por ciento y las agresiones con un 13,04 por ciento. Se consignó la presencia de alcohol en al menos 29,16 por ciento de los enfermos. La mortalidad registrada fue de un 45,83 por ciento versus una sobrevida de un 54,17 por ciento. De los pacientes vivos, un 33,77 por ciento egresó autovalente, un 46,15 por ciento quedó dependiente y un 23,08 por ciento quedó en estado vegetativo. En las causas de mortalidad se encontró una alta tasa secundaria a infecciones respiratorias con un 45,45 por ciento del total de los decesos. La tasa de complicaciones postoperatorias fue del orden de un 45,83 por ciento, requiriendo de resolución quirúrgica el 63,3 por ciento de ellas. Hubo un mejor outcome en los pacientes en que la craniectomía se realizó dentro de las 1ras 24 horas versus las efectuadas en forma diferida. Las complicaciones más frecuentes fueron las colecciones yuxtadurales, seguidas de las complicaciones infecciosas.

Trauma de cráneo en pediatría: conceptos, guías, controversias y futuro / Pediatric brain trauma: concepts, guidelines, controversies and future

La siguiente es una revisión de los aspectos más importantes del conocimiento actual y las proyecciones futuras del manejo del trauma craneano en la edad pediátrica. El trauma craneano es una de las causas más importantes de muerte y discapacidad en niños, adolescentes y adultos jóvenes. Desde un punto de vista fisiopatológico se realizará una descripción de los tipos de lesión cerebral, clasificándola como primaria y secundaria. Se describirán los distintos tipos de trauma clasificados según su gravedad y se abordarán los aspectos más relevantes de su manejo. Luego se abordarán temas considerados controvertidos en el manejo del trauma grave con acento en monitorización, presión intra craneana, presión de perfusión cerebral, presión tisular de oxígeno, manitol, solución de sodio hipertónico e hipotermia. Finalmente, se comentarán desafíos futuros como la evaluación de las lesiones con resonancia magnética, el monitoreo y medición de metabolitos intra-cerebrales, el uso de doppler para la evaluación de la regulación del flujo sanguíneo cerebral, la medición de un índice de reactividad vascular y el uso de EEG continuo.

A review of the current knowledge and management as well as future projections of pediatric head trauma is presented. Head trauma is one of the most important causes of death and disability in children, adolescents and young adults. Primary and secondary brain injuries are described based on a physiological view. A description of head trauma, and the most relevant issues of management are addressed. Controversial topics in the management of severe trauma with emphasis in monitoring, intra-cranial pressure, cerebral perfusion pressure, tissue oxygen pressure, mannitol, hypertonic sodium solution and hypothermia are covered. Future challenges as magnetic resonance imaging intrauma evaluation, monitoring and measurement of intracerebral metabolites, the use of Doppler in the assessment of cerebral blood flow regulation, measure of an index of vascular reactivity and using continuous EEG are discussed.

Fauna de besouros bioluminescentes (Coleoptera: Elateroidea: Lampyridae; Phengodidae, Elateridae) nos municípios de Campinas, Sorocaba-Votorantim e Rio Claro-Limeira (SP, Brasil): biodiversidade e influência da urbanização / Bioluminescent beetles (Coleoptera: Elateroidea: Lampyridae, Phengodidae, Elateridae) in the municipalities of Campinas, Sorocaba-Votorantim and Rio Claro-Limeira (SP, Brazil): biodiversity and influence of urban sprawl

O Brasil abriga a maior biodiversidade de besouros bioluminescentes do mundo. Apesar disto, levantamentos faunísticos regionais e estudos sobre o efeito da urbanização na biodiversidade de vaga-lumes são inexistentes. Este tipo de estudo pode ser especialmente importante para selecionar novos bioindicadores de ambientes noturnos. A biodiversidade de espécies bioluminescentes de Elateroidea em três grandes áreas urbanas no Estado de São Paulo: os municípios de Campinas, Sorocaba-Votorantim e Rio Claro-Limeira foi catalogada. Em Campinas, a ocorrência de espécies tem sido monitorada durante os últimos 20 anos. Foi registrada a ocorrência de 26 espécies em Campinas, 21 em Sorocaba e 19 em Rio Claro, sendo estas encontradas principalmente em áreas de Mata Atlântica, crescimentos secundários, brejos e campos. Apesar de vaga-lumes lampirídeos serem encontrados em todos os habitats, elaterídeos e fengodídeos ocorreram encontrados preferencialmente em áreas florestadas. A expansão urbana, em especial a iluminação artificial tem impacto evidente na biodiversidade deste grupo de insetos. Os lampirídeos Aspisoma lineatum Gyllendal, 1817 (Lampyrinae: Cratomorphini) e Bicellonychia lividipennis Motschulsky, 1854 (Photurinae) são as espécies mais frequentes em areas urbanizadas, ao passo que várias outras espécies de lampirídeos, elaterídeos e fengodídeos são as mais incomuns nestas áreas. Estes estudos oferecem subsídios para o uso deste grupo de vaga-lumes como potenciais bioindicadores noturnos.

Brazil hosts the richest biodiversity of bioluminescent beetles in the world. However, no surveys on the regional biodiversity have been made. Furthermore, studies on the effect of urbanization on bioluminescent beetle's biodiversity are still missing. Such kind of studies could be especially helpful to select new night environment bioindicators. Bioluminescent species of the Elateroidea superfamily occurring in three large and expanding urban areas in São Paulo State: Campinas, Sorocaba-Votorantim and Rio Claro-Limeira municipalities, were catalogued. In Campinas, the occurrence of bioluminescent beetles in different sites has been monitored during the past 20 years. There were 26 species in Campinas, 21 in Sorocaba-Votorantim and 19 in Rio Claro-Limeira, occurring mainly in conserved remnants of Atlantic Rain-forest, secondary growths, marshes and open fields. Whereas fireflies (Lampyridae) are found in almost all habitats, click beetles (Elateridae) and railroadworms (Phengodidae) occur predominantly in woody environments. Urban sprawl has an evident impact on the biodiversity of this selected group of beetles, and special attention should be given to the effect of artificial night lighting in the occurrence of these beetles. The lampyrids Aspisoma lineatum Gyllenhal, 1817 (Lampyrinae: Cratomorphini) and Bicellonychia lividipennis Motschulsky 1854 (Photurinae) are the most common species in urbanized areas, whereas many other species of lampyrids, elaterids and phengodids are rarely found in such environments. These studies offer insights on the potential use of a selected group of luminescent beetles found in this region as nocturnal environment bioindicators.

Emoções nas ruas: uso do "Test of Emotions Comprehension" em crianças em situação de trabalho na rua / Emotions on the streets: application of the Test of Emotions Comprehension in children working on the streets

O presente estudo teve por objetivo analisar o desenvolvimento da competência emocional em crianças encontradas realizando trabalho informal nas ruas de duas cidades do nordeste brasileiro. Foram entrevistadas sessenta e sete crianças, com idades compreendidas entre quatro e doze anos, de ambos os sexos. O instrumento utilizado foi o Teste de Compreensão das Emoções. A coleta realizou-se no espaço da rua. Os resultados revelaram que apesar das crianças mais velhas terem obtido resultados melhores do que as mais novas estas diferenças não foram significativas. Foi observado que o Teste de Compreensão das Emoções foi bem aceito pelas crianças investigadas e revela-se como um instrumento de fácil utilização e que atinge os seus objetivos, no entanto sugerem-se novas investigações em contextos como o investigado. (AU)

The goal of the current research was to examine the development of nine components of emotions. For this purpose, 67 children, between 4 and 12 years old, who were found informally working on the streets of two cities in the Northeast of Brazil were interviewed. Children were given a version of the Test of Emotion Comprehension (TEC) to assess their understanding of nine different aspects of emotions. The collection of data happened in the space of the street. The results revealed that the oldest children obtained better results than the youngest ones. But these differences were not significant. It was observed that the TEC was well accepted by the investigated children and it is revealed as an instrument of easy use that reaches its objectives. (AU)

El tratamiento electroconvulsivante en Camagüey hoy / Electroshock treatment in Camagüey nowadays

A pesar de que la terapia electroconvulsivante ha sido utilizada ampliamente en el mundo, y de que se ha comprobado su eficacia en determinados trastornos mentales, continúa siendo un tratamiento grandemente cuestionado e incluso rechazado por parte de la población, sobre todo por los propios tributarios del tratamiento. En la búsqueda del comportamiento del empleo de dicha técnica en el Hospital Psiquiátrico Provincial Universitario "Cdte. René Vallejo Ortiz" de Camagüey, se realizó un estudio retrospectivo cuanti-cualitativo en el que se revisaron los registros de series cronológicas del uso de TEC desde el año 2000 hasta el 2007, recogiéndose los aplicados con anestésicos o no. Además se revisaron las hojas de cargo diarias del departamento de TEC durante el año 2007, para obtener las patologías más frecuentemente tratadas con esta técnica, y se obtuvo el criterio de expertos para ponderar dicha terapia. Se apreció un uso racional del TEC, mayormente aplicado con anestésico, y una tendencia a disminuir su indicación en los últimos dos años. En el 2007 se utilizó sobre todo en patologías tales como la esquizofrenia y el trastorno bipolar. La totalidad de los expertos expresó estar a favor de su uso.

Although electroshock therapy (EST) has been widely used all over the world and its effectiveness in specific mental disorders has been proved, it is still greatly questioned and even rejected by population, especially by those who are subject to treatment. A quantitative qualitative retrospective study has been carried out to do research into the behavior of its use at "Comandante René Vallejo Ortiz" Provincial Psychiatric Hospital. Chronological EST records from 2000 to 2007 have been surveyed and therapies with or without anesthesia included have been counted. Daily records of the EST Department have been as well looked through to know the mostly treated pathologies and the opinion of specialists has been taken into account to recommend it. There has been assessed a rational use of EST mostly applied under anesthesia and a tendency to decrease its application for the past two years. In 2007, it was mainly used with pathologies such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. All the specialists are in favor of its use.

TEC por arma de fuego, experiencia del Servicio de Neurocirugía del Hospital de Restauración, Recife, Brasil / TEC fire arm, experience of Neurosurgery Service Restoration Hospital, Recife, Brazil

EI TEC representa un problema de salud pública mundial, siendo una de las tres principales causas de muerte en la población menor de 45 años, lo que constituye un impacto social y económico importante. Sin duda que la principal causa de estos lo constituye los accidentes de tránsito, seguido por los actos de violencia, que en los cambios sociales actuales se hacen cada vez mayor. Es así como en el Hospital de Restauración, Recife, capital de la provincia de Pernambuco en Brasil, éstos últimos contribuyen de manera importante a incrementar el número de admisiones hospitalarias por esta causa. Según datos publicados en prensa local se consignan hasta 5 ingresos por herida de arma de fuego al día en dicho recinto, lo que hace interesante observar y estudiar el manejo que se practica en dicho centro. El presente trabajo es un análisis retrospectivo de datos obtenidos en fichas clínicas, para lo cual se consignaron variables prequirúrgica, quirúrgicas y postquirúrgicas, con el objetivo de valorar el desenlace final en este grupo de pacientes con respecto a la mortalidad durante esa hospitalización, en relación a las variables estudiadas. Es así que se consignó las admisiones del año 2005, representando un universo de I 10 pacientes con TEC por arma de fuego, en donde se observó conducta quirúrgica en 100 pacientes donde se realizó craniectomias descompresivas y craniotomias como conducta inicial, observándose una mortalidad general de un 25 por ciento de los ingresados. Se presenta la siguiente revisión como una amplia experiencia que permita extrapolar conductas en nuestro país, Chile, en donde este tipo de lesiones son infrecuentes en tiempo de paz y así contribuir en la toma de decisiones en el grupo médico enfrentado a estos pacientes.

Efficacy and Safety of the Modification of the Y-TEC(R) Procedure in Peritoneal Catheter Placement: Clinical Results in 65 Patients / 대한신장학회잡지

The Y-TEC(R) system is an equipment for the peritoneoscopic placement of peritoneal dialysis catheter. The advantage of this method is the direct visualization of peritoneal cavity by using a small diameter minitrocar and dilatable guide. But this method has some limitations because of the expensive equipment and the difficulty in being expert at peritoneoscopy. We placed the CAPD catheter by using a minitrocar without peritoneoscopy(so called Modified Y- tec(R) system) in 44 patients who had no history of major abdominal surgery(MY-group), the classic Y- tec(R) system in 8 patients(Y-group), and surgical method in 13 patients with history of major abdominal surgery(S-group) and compared the effecacy and safety of three methods. In conclusion, the short and long term results of blind minitrocar placements were comparable to, or better than the surgical and other percutaneous methods of catheter implantation when they were used in the patients without history of major abdominal surgery.

Comparison of Immunological Methods for Diagnosis of Invasive Candidiasis / 대한의진균학회지

BACKGROUND: The early diagnosis of invasive candidiasis is the most important for reducing of morbidity and mortality rates in the immunocompromised patients. The study of antigen detection was performed by Cand-Tec kit, but antibody detection by Western blot, had not been reported. OBJECTIVE: We reviewed 62 cases of suspected invasive candidiasis(10), immunocompromised patients with leukemia, leukopenia, pneumonia, et al(44) and normal colonization control(8) in the urine and sputum for the immunological diagnosis of invasive candidiasis by Cand-Tec and Western blot assays. METHODS: The antigen and antibody detection were done by both Cand-Tec kit and Western blot assay, in the sera of the patients collected from several hospitals. RESULTS: The sera from 4(40%) and 8(80%) of 10 suspected invasive candidiasis had a threshold positive titers of > or = 1:4 by latex agglutination (Cand-Tec) and the results of positive antibody to the immunodominant antigen (47KDa) of Candida spp. by Western blot assay, each other. Both antigen and antibody we.e detected from 21(47%) of 44 patients in the immunocompromised group and 1(12%) of 8 cases with normal flora, separately, but the antibodies from 3(18%) of 16 healthy controls were detected by Western blot analysis, only. CONCLUSION: This study confirm that the Western blot method of detecting antibody against immunodominant antigen(47KDa) of Candida spp. was more effective than antigen detection by Cand-Tec method for immunodiagnosis of invasive candidiasis.