Singing training predicts increased insula connectivity with speech and respiratory sensorimotor areas at rest.

The insula contributes to the detection of salient events during goal-directed behavior and participates in the coordination of motor, multisensory, and cognitive systems. Recent task-fMRI studies with trained singers suggest that singing experience can enhance the access to these resources. However, the long-term effects of vocal training on insula-based networks are still unknown. In this study, we employed resting-state fMRI to assess experience-dependent differences in insula co-activation patterns between conservatory-trained singers and non-singers. Results indicate enhanced bilateral anterior insula connectivity in singers relative to non-singers with constituents of the speech sensorimotor network. Specifically, with the cerebellum (lobule V-VI) and the superior parietal lobes. The reversed comparison showed no effects. The amount of accumulated singing training predicted enhanced bilateral insula co-activation with primary sensorimotor areas representing the diaphragm and the larynx/phonation area-crucial regions for cortico-motor control of complex vocalizations-as well as the bilateral thalamus and the left putamen. Together, these findings highlight the neuroplastic effect of expert singing training on insula-based networks, as evidenced by the association between enhanced insula co-activation profiles in singers and the brain's speech motor system components.

Reproduction of saguiru Steindachnerina elegans (Steindachner, 1874) (Pisces: Curimatidae) in the São Francisco River, downstream from a large reservoir in south-eastern Brazil.

The gametogenesis and reproduction of S. elegans from the São Francisco River at Três Marias, Minas Gerais, were analyzed in this study. Steindachrina elegans is a species abundant in the São Francisco River basin and an important fish in the food chain. The size at first gonadal maturation (indicated by the total length of the shortest spermatid male and spawned female) was 10.5 cm and 15.0 cm, respectively. Reproduction occurred more frequently from September to April. This period had high water temperature values. A high frequency of females was observed at the mature and spawned stages and height gonadosomatic index (GSI). Meanwhile, in males, the reproductive peak was from November to February. The long spawning period and the histological characteristics of the spawned ovaries that contained oocytes at different stages of development along with post-ovulatory and atretic oocytes indicates that the spawning of S. elegans is of the partial type.

Neuromodulation: A combined-therapy protocol for speech rehabilitation in a child with cerebral palsy.

INTRODUCTION: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) modulates cortical activity and potentiates functional gains achieved during therapeutic protocols. The aim of Integrative Speech Therapy Protocol is to rehabilitate speech in patients with impairments regarding neuropyschomotor development by combining oral motor stimuli, specific articulatory production, and the stimulation of phonological aspects of language. OBJECTIVE: Investigate the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation combined to integrative speech therapy in a child with cerebral palsy. METHODS: We performed a case study with tDCS and speech therapy in a patient with cerebral palsy and apraxia of speech. To assess the patient's speech, we used a parameterized test for the Brazilian Portuguese speech - ABFW. The CFCS and Vicking Speech Scales presented level IV and III, respectively. The patient underwent two periods with ten stimulation sessions each: first with anodal stimulation over Broca's area; and second over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Two indices were calculated: the percentage of consonants correct; and percentage of consonants correct-revised. Descriptive statistics were employed for the clinical data. For the outcomes, changes in each score were calculated as the difference in pre-intervention and post-intervention using Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS: Increases were found in percentage of correct consonants indices as well as to produce two-syllable and three-syllable words after both types of stimulation, characterized mainly by correct vowels that marked the presence of the syllable. Number of phonemes increased 0 to 4 at first the stimulation and 4 to 10 at the second. CONCLUSION: The combined-therapy program contributed to improve the speech rehabilitation results in a patient with cerebral palsy.

Morphological characteristics of the digestive tract of Schizodon knerii (Steindachner, 1875), (Characiformes: Anostomidae): An anatomical, histological and histochemical study.

The digestive tracts of 44 specimens of Schizodon knerii were studied using anatomical, histological and histochemical techniques. The mouth has terminal position, the lip epithelium is squamous stratified with mucous, claviform cells and taste buds, teeth have an incisive form and the tongue has a stratified squamous epithelium with mucous cells and taste buds. The oropharynx cavity is formed by gill apparatus and pharyngeal teeth. The oesophagus presented pleated mucosa, a stratified squamous epithelium with mucous cells, oesophageal glands and taste buds. The stomach presented cardiac, fundic and pyloric regions, simple prismatic epithelium with tubular glands, with none in the pyloric region. The intestine contains 11-15 pyloric caeca, a simple prismatic epithelium with brush border, goblet cells and lymphocytes. Mucosal cells, oesophageal glands and goblet cells reacted positively to PAS, amylase + PAS, Ab pH 2.5 and Ab pH 0.5. Gastric prismatic cells reacted positively to PAS, amylase + PAS, but only those in the pyloric region reacted positively to Ab pH 2.5 and Ab pH 0.5. The results improve the understanding of the anatomy of S. knerii feeding habits and the presence of mucosubstances in the epithelium, highlights the importance of glycoproteins for passing food through the digestive tract.

A Randomized Trial of Creatine-kinase Leak After Rosuvastatin in Elective Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (CLEAR-PCI).

OBJECTIVES: To determine the impact of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) performed at the same time of the peak concentration of rosuvastatin to reduce periprocedural myocardial infarction (PMI). BACKGROUND: Prior studies suggest that a high dose of statin before PCI reduce periprocedural myocardial infarction. However, there is no information regarding the elective PCI performed at the time of the peak of statin concentration to reduce PMI. METHODS: From 2001 to 2013, at a single center in Brazil we enrolled 544 patients who underwent elective PCI and after exclusions for baseline biases in clinical and angiographic characteristics, yielding 528 patients, we prospectively randomly assigned them to either a high loading dose of Rosuvastatin before PCI (n = 264) or standard treatment (n = 264). After exclusions for biases in procedural characteristics a total of 487 patients underwent to end points analysis. The primary outcome was the incidence of MB fraction of creatine kinase (CK-MB) greater than three times the upper limit of normal. RESULTS: The primary end point occurred in 7.6% in the rosuvastatin and 4.8% in the control group (P = 0.200). There was a higher incidence in elevation of CK-MB than normal baseline in the rosuvastatin (67.1% vs 59.2%, P = 0.701). There was no difference in major adverse event (0% in the rosuvastatin group vs 0.8% in control).

[Validation of the German version of the Singing Voice Handicap Index]. / Validierung des Singing Voice Handicap Index in der deutschen Fassung.

The Singing Voice Handicap Index (SVHI) was developed in the United States for the self-assessment of patients with singing problems. It has been translated into German and its reliability and validity have been assessed. In total, 54 (35 female, 19 male) dysphonic singers and 130 (74 female, 56 male) non-dysphonic professional singers were included in the study. Reliability rested on high test-retest reliability (r = 0.960, p ≤ 0.001, Pearson correlation) and a Cronbach's α of 0.975. A principal component analysis using the Varimax method and the results of the screeplot suggest the SVHI scored as a single scale. Validity rested on a highly significant correlation between the severity of the self-rated voice impairment by the patient and the total SVHI score. Dysphonic singers have significantly higher SVHI scores than healthy singers. The SVHI is thus suited to implementation as a diagnostic tool in German-speaking countries.

Reproductive biology of the characid dourado Salminus franciscanus from the São Francisco River, Brasil.

The neotropical characid Salminus franciscanus is an economically valuable migratory fish whose populations have been drastically reduced in recent decades due to industrial and economic development in Brasil. To study its reproduction, a total of 283 adult specimens were captured in the Upper São Francisco River, downstream from the Três Marias dam, Minas Gerais, south-eastern Brasil, from August 2009 to July 2010. The gonadal maturity stages were determined from histological features of the gonads and gonadosomatic index (GSI). Gametogenesis was assessed by light and electron microscopy. For analysis of the oocyte's surface and fecundity, mature females were subjected to hormonal induction and oocyte stripping. Fish in resting (Stage 1) were common in all samplings, ripening/ripe and spawning (Stages 2 and 3) were predominant in October-November and December-January and post-spawning (Stage 4) occurred from December-January extending until April-May. The GSI followed the morphological changes of gonadal maturation, with a peak in October-November, when maximum GSI (7.08 in females and 3.46 in males) was achieved. From scanning electron microscopy, stripped oocytes showed a funnel-shaped micropyle and a simple oocyte surface arrangement, which is typical for non-adhesive eggs. Fecundity ranged from 160 to 440×10(3) oocytes per female and 129 to 175×10(3)oocytes/kg. The results of this study indicate that S. franciscanus reproduces in the Upper São Francisco River from October to January, exhibiting a total spawning pattern, non-adhesive eggs and high fecundity, providing support for aquaculture and conservation biology of this important neotropical characid fish.

Calprotectin levels in gingival crevicular fluid predict disease activity in patients treated for generalized aggressive periodontitis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Clinical parameters such as probing depth and bleeding on probing are commonly used for monitoring after periodontal treatment. However, these parameters have poor prognostic utility. The biomarker calprotectin is used to monitor conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease because of its ability to predict disease activity. Levels of calprotectin in gingival crevicular fluid correlate with periodontal disease severity and treatment outcome. The validity of calprotectin as predictor for future periodontal disease activity has not yet been investigated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-six subjects with generalized aggressive periodontitis were treated with scaling and root planing (SRP), and with adjunctive antimicrobial medications. Probing depth, clinical attachment level and bleeding on probing were assessed at baseline, and 3 and 6mo after SRP. A gingival crevicular fluid sample was collected from the initially deepest site in each patient 3mo after SRP and analysed for calprotectin levels. Activity was defined as a probing depth increase of >0.5mm between 3 and 6mo at the sample site. The ability of individual parameters to predict activity was analysed by construction of receiver operating characteristic curves. RESULTS: Nine active sites were identified. Clinical attachment level, probing depth, bleeding on probing and gingival crevicular fluid volume showed no predictive utility [area under the curve (AUC) <0.6, p>0.05]. However, calprotectin concentration (AUC=0.793, p=0.01) and the total amount/sample of calprotectin (AUC=0.776, p=0.02) significantly predicted activity. Patients with calprotectin levels above calculated cut-off values had significantly more active sites than patients with negative results. CONCLUSION: Calprotectin levels were predictors of disease activity at both site and subject levels. The calculated cut-off values provide a dichotomous basis for prospective evaluation of calprotectin as a diagnostic marker for monitoring periodontal treatment.

The brain of opera singers: experience-dependent changes in functional activation.

Several studies have shown that motor-skill training over extended time periods results in reorganization of neural networks and changes in brain morphology. Yet, little is known about training-induced adaptive changes in the vocal system, which is largely subserved by intrinsic reflex mechanisms. We investigated highly accomplished opera singers, conservatory level vocal students, and laymen during overt singing of an Italian aria in a neuroimaging experiment. We provide the first evidence that the training of vocal skills is accompanied by increased functional activation of bilateral primary somatosensory cortex representing articulators and larynx. Opera singers showed additional activation in right primary sensorimotor cortex. Further training-related activation comprised the inferior parietal lobe and bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. At the subcortical level, expert singers showed increased activation in the basal ganglia, the thalamus, and the cerebellum. A regression analysis of functional activation with accumulated singing practice confirmed that vocal skills training correlates with increased activity of a cortical network for enhanced kinesthetic motor control and sensorimotor guidance together with increased involvement of implicit motor memory areas at the subcortical and cerebellar level. Our findings may have ramifications for both voice rehabilitation and deliberate practice of other implicit motor skills that require interoception.

Periodontal disease in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

OBJECTIVE: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and periodontal disease (PD) are characterised by dysregulation of the host inflammatory response, resulting in soft and hard connective tissue destruction. AS has been related to other inflammatory diseases, however, there is a paucity of data on whether AS is associated with inflammatory PD. METHODS: The association between AS and PD was examined in 48 patients with AS and 48 healthy controls, matched for age and gender. AS was diagnosed according to the modified New York criteria. Periodontal examination included probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment loss (CAL), plaque index (PI) and bleeding on probing (BOP). Potential risk factors of PD such as smoking, low education, alcohol consumption, body mass index (BMI), as well as chronic diseases associated with PD and AS were assessed through questionnaires. RESULTS: In stepwise logistic regression, including AS status, age, gender, education, smoking, alcohol consumption and BMI, only AS status, age and education remained significant predictors of PD. Patients with AS had significant 6.81-fold increased odds (95% CI 1.96 to 23.67) of PD (defined as mean attachment loss >3 mm) compared to controls. The strength of the association was attenuated but remained statistically significant after further adjustment for plaque accumulation (odds ratio (OR) 5.48, 95% CI 1.37 to 22.00). CONCLUSIONS: The present study shows that patients with AS have a significantly higher risk of PD, strongly suggesting the need for close collaboration between rheumatologists, periodontists and dental hygienists when treating patients with AS.

Lysyl oxidase (lox) gene deficiency affects osteoblastic phenotype.

Lysyl oxidase (LOX) catalyzes cross-linking of elastin and collagen, which is essential for the structural integrity and function of bone tissue. The present study examined the role of Lox gene deficiency for the osteoblast phenotype in primary calvarial osteoblasts from E18.5 Lox knockout (Lox ( -/- )) and wild type (wt) (C57BL/6) mice. Next to Lox gene depletion, mRNA expression of Lox isoforms, LOXL1-4, was significantly downregulated in Lox ( -/- ) bone tissue. A significant decrease of DNA synthesis of Lox ( -/- ) osteoblasts compared to wt was found. Early stages of osteoblastic apoptosis studied by annexin-V binding as well as later stages of DNA fragmentation were not affected. However, mineral nodule formation and osteoblastic differentiation were markedly decreased, as revealed by significant downregulation of osteoblastic markers, type I collagen, bone sialoprotein, and Runx2/Cbfa1.

Effects of Porphyromonas gingivalis on cell cycle progression and apoptosis of primary human chondrocytes.

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that bacterial infections have a role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). P gingivalis, a Gram-negative, anaerobic rod, is one of the major pathogens associated with periodontal disease. OBJECTIVE: To examine P gingivalis infection and its effects on cell cycle progression and apoptosis of human articular chondrocytes. METHODS: Primary human chondrocytes cultured in monolayers were challenged with P gingivalis. Infection and invasion of P gingivalis into chondrocytes was analysed by scanning electron microscopy, double immunofluorescence and by antibiotic protection and invasion assay. Cell cycle progression of infected chondrocytes was evaluated by flow cytometry. Also, cell apoptosis was visualised by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) of DNA strand breaks and by western blot analysis. RESULTS: Data showed that P gingivalis could adhere and infect primary human chondrocytes. After chondrocyte infection, intracellular localisation of P gingivalis was noted. Flow cytometry analyses demonstrated affected cell cycle progression, with an increase of the G(1) phase and a significant decrease of the G(2) phase after infection. In addition, increased apoptosis of P gingivalis-infected chondrocytes was visualised by TUNEL assay and by upregulation of caspase-3 protein expression. CONCLUSION: These data demonstrate that P gingivalis infects primary human chondrocytes and affects cellular responses, which might contribute to the tissue damage seen in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis.

Association among rheumatoid arthritis, oral hygiene, and periodontitis.

BACKGROUND: A limited number of studies suggest a higher prevalence of periodontal disease among individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA); however, results have been inconsistent. Further, it is unclear to what extent poor oral hygiene among patients with RA may account for this association. METHODS: The association between RA and periodontitis was examined in 57 subjects with RA and 52 healthy controls, matched by age and gender. Oral examination included plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD), and clinical attachment loss (CAL). Potential risk factors for periodontal disease, such as smoking, education, alcohol consumption, and body mass index (BMI), as well as chronic diseases associated with RA and periodontal disease were assessed through questionnaires. RESULTS: In a stepwise logistic regression, including RA status, age, gender, education, smoking, alcohol consumption, and BMI, only RA status and age remained significant predictors of periodontal disease. Subjects with RA had a significant 8.05-fold increased odds (95% confidence interval: 2.93 to 22.09) of periodontitis compared to controls. The strength of the association was attenuated but remained statistically significant after further adjustment for PI, GI, or both. PI alone accounted for 12.4%, GI alone accounted for 11.1%, and PI and GI combined accounted for 13.4% of the association between RA and periodontitis. CONCLUSIONS: Subjects with RA have significantly increased periodontal attachment loss compared to controls. Oral hygiene may only partially account for this association.

Overt and imagined singing of an Italian aria.

Activation maps of 16 professional classical singers were evaluated during overt singing and imagined singing of an Italian aria utilizing a sparse sampling functional magnetic imaging (fMRI) technique. Overt singing involved bilateral primary and secondary sensorimotor and auditory cortices but also areas associated with speech and language production. Activation magnitude within the gyri of Heschl (A1) was comparable in both hemispheres. Subcortical motor areas (cerebellum, thalamus, medulla and basal ganglia) were active too. Areas associated with emotional processing showed slight (anterior cingulate cortex, anterior insula) activation. Cerebral activation sites during imagined singing were centered on fronto-parietal areas and involved primary and secondary sensorimotor areas in both hemispheres. Areas processing emotions showed intense activation (ACC and bilateral insula, hippocampus and anterior temporal poles, bilateral amygdala). Imagery showed no significant activation in A1. Overt minus imagined singing revealed increased activation in cortical (bilateral primary motor; M1) and subcortical (right cerebellar hemisphere, medulla) motor as well as in sensory areas (primary somatosensory cortex, bilateral A1). Imagined minus overt singing showed enhanced activity in the medial Brodmann's area 6, the ventrolateral and medial prefrontal cortex (PFC), the anterior cingulate cortex and the inferior parietal lobe. Additionally, Wernicke's area and Brocca's area and their homologues were increasingly active during imagery. We conclude that imagined and overt singing involves partly different brain systems in professional singers with more prefrontal and limbic activation and a larger network of higher order associative functions during imagery.

Obesity, inflammation, and periodontal disease.

The prevalence of obesity has increased substantially over the past decades in most industrialized countries. Obesity is a systemic disease that predisposes to a variety of co-morbidities and complications that affect overall health. Cross-sectional studies suggest that obesity is also associated with oral diseases, particularly periodontal disease, and prospective studies suggest that periodontitis may be related to cardiovascular disease. The possible causal relationship between obesity and periodontitis and potential underlying biological mechanisms remain to be established; however, the adipose tissue actively secretes a variety of cytokines and hormones that are involved in inflammatory processes, pointing toward similar pathways involved in the pathophysiology of obesity, periodontitis, and related inflammatory diseases. We provide an overview of the definition and assessment of obesity and of related chronic diseases and complications that may be important in the periodontist's office. Studies that have examined the association between obesity and periodontitis are reviewed, and adipose-tissue-derived hormones and cytokines that are involved in inflammatory processes and their relationship to periodontitis are discussed. Our aim is to raise the periodontist's awareness when treating obese individuals.

[Temporary changes of personality traits in children suffering from solid tumor--a prospective study]. / Vorübergehende Persönlichkeitsveränderungen von Kindern mit soliden malignen Tumoren - eine prospektive Studie - Persönlichkeitsveränderungen von Kindern mit malignen Tumoren -

BACKGROUND: The objective of this prospective study was to assess the changes of personality traits in children suffering from solid tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: For evaluation we used a self-rating personality questionnaire for children between 9 and 14 years. 39 children with solid tumor compared to 67 healthy children of the general community were examined. For the assessment of children we choose three points in time: 1. Immediately after diagnosis, 2. at the end of therapy and 3. one to three years after. RESULTS: Initially, the children had significantly more behavioral and emotional problems than children of the community. At the end of therapy the patients showed unambiguous changes in personality traits. In the patients population we noticed to have a higher tendency to behave aggressively and egocentric. Patients tended to isolate themselves socially compared to healthy children in the community. No significant differences between children suffering from cancer and the control group were found one to three years after finishing the therapy. CONCLUSION: The distress of cancer patients during therapy seems to influence the personality development. In the longer term, the prevalence of psychological problems experienced by children treated for cancer does not differ from that found in children of the general community.

CrossLaps and beta-glucuronidase in peri-implant and gingival crevicular fluid.

Collagen degradation products of the carboxyterminal region possibly reflect bone and attachment loss. In the present study, the Serum CrossLaps One-Step enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine a specific part of the carboxyterminal region of type I collagen, the CrossLaps. Samples of peri-implant and gingival crevicular fluid of 111 implants and 53 teeth from 47 partially or completely edentulous patients were examined in reference to levels of CrossLaps and beta-glucuronidase (beta G), an established marker of periodontal disease. Clinical probing pocket depth (PPD), bleeding on probing (BOP), plaque accumulation, mobility, radiographic bone loss, and the occurrence of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Prevotella intermedia were assessed. The mean values were: for PPD at implants 3.76 +/- 1.41 mm, at teeth 3.44 +/- 0.88 mm; for beta G at implants 0.364 +/- 0.392 pU/min, at teeth 0.314 +/- 0.209 pU/min; for CrossLaps at implants 0.069 +/- 0.059 pmol/min, at teeth 0.082 +/- 0.053 pmol/min. Bleeding on probing was significantly higher on implants than on teeth (McNemar test, P = .004). No significant difference of beta G levels was found between teeth and implants (Wilcoxon test). A negative correlation was found between beta G levels and CrossLaps levels at teeth (Pearson-rank correlation, P = .002). On implants, no significant correlation of these 2 parameters was seen, but significant correlations were found between sulcus fluid flow rate and PPD (P = .012), beta G levels and bone loss (P < 0.0005), and CrossLaps levels and PPD (P = .011). CrossLaps can be detected in both gingival and peri-implant crevicular fluid. While rising levels of beta G may indicate acute peri-implantitis, CrossLaps may not, but could play a role as a marker of ongoing attachment loss.

Singularity dynamics in curvature collapse and jet eruption on a fluid surface

Finite-time singularities--local divergences in the amplitude or gradient of a physical observable at a particular time--occur in a diverse range of physical systems. Examples include singularities capable of damaging optical fibres and lasers in nonlinear optical systems, and gravitational singularities associated with black holes. In fluid systems, the formation of finite-time singularities cause spray and air-bubble entrainment, processes which influence air-sea interaction on a global scale. Singularities driven by surface tension have been studied in the break-up of pendant drops and liquid sheets. Here we report a theoretical and experimental study of the generation of a singularity by inertial focusing, in which no break-up of the fluid surface occurs. Inertial forces cause a collapse of the surface that leads to jet formation; our analysis, which includes surface tension effects, predicts that the surface profiles should be describable by a single universal exponent. These theoretical predictions correlate closely with our experimental measurements of a collapsing surface singularity. The solution can be generalized to apply to a broad class of singular phenomena.

Valores de referência para plumbemia em populaçäo urbana / Lead reference values in the blood of the urban population

Os valores de referência utilizados no Brasil, para chumbo em sangue, advêm de estudos realizados em outros países onde as condiçöes socioeconômicas, clínicas, nutricionais e ocupacionais diferem bastante das brasileiras. Para garantir uma correta biomonitorizaçäo da populaçäo ocupacionalmente exposto ao chumbo, um dos principais problemas identificados no município estudado, foram estabelecidos valores de referência na populaçäo näo exposta ocupacionalmente da regiäo sul do município. Diferentes estratégias foram utilizadas para assegurar a qualidade de amostragem, que foi dimensionada em 206 sujeitos acima de 15 anos. Sujeitos que apresentaram valores clínicos e laboratoriais fora da faixa de mormalidade foram excluídos, bem como os que apresentaram atividades específicas que pudessem interferir nos valores de plumbemia. Foram encontrados valores de referência para chumbo em sangue de 2,4 a 16,6 ud.dL-1, obtidos através do intervalo x + ou - 2s (onde x é o valor médio e s é o desvio-padrão dos valores observados) e mediana = 7,9 ug.dL-1.