Emerging Approaches for Mitigating Biofilm-Formation-Associated Infections in Farm, Wild, and Companion Animals.

The importance of addressing the problem of biofilms in farm, wild, and companion animals lies in their pervasive impact on animal health and welfare. Biofilms, as resilient communities of microorganisms, pose a persistent challenge in causing infections and complicating treatment strategies. Recognizing and understanding the importance of mitigating biofilm formation is critical to ensuring the welfare of animals in a variety of settings, from farms to the wild and companion animals. Effectively addressing this issue not only improves the overall health of individual animals, but also contributes to the broader goals of sustainable agriculture, wildlife conservation, and responsible pet ownership. This review examines the current understanding of biofilm formation in animal diseases and elucidates the complex processes involved. Recognizing the limitations of traditional antibiotic treatments, mechanisms of resistance associated with biofilms are explored. The focus is on alternative therapeutic strategies to control biofilm, with illuminating case studies providing valuable context and practical insights. In conclusion, the review highlights the importance of exploring emerging approaches to mitigate biofilm formation in animals. It consolidates existing knowledge, highlights gaps in understanding, and encourages further research to address this critical facet of animal health. The comprehensive perspective provided by this review serves as a foundation for future investigations and interventions to improve the management of biofilm-associated infections in diverse animal populations.

Swine Colibacillosis: Global Epidemiologic and Antimicrobial Scenario.

Swine pathogenic infection caused by Escherichia coli, known as swine colibacillosis, represents an epidemiological challenge not only for animal husbandry but also for health authorities. To note, virulent E. coli strains might be transmitted, and also cause disease, in humans. In the last decades, diverse successful multidrug-resistant strains have been detected, mainly due to the growing selective pressure of antibiotic use, in which animal practices have played a relevant role. In fact, according to the different features and particular virulence factor combination, there are four different pathotypes of E. coli that can cause illness in swine: enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) that comprises edema disease E. coli (EDEC) and enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), and extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC). Nevertheless, the most relevant pathotype in a colibacillosis scenario is ETEC, responsible for neonatal and postweaning diarrhea (PWD), in which some ETEC strains present enhanced fitness and pathogenicity. To explore the distribution of pathogenic ETEC in swine farms and their diversity, resistance, and virulence profiles, this review summarizes the most relevant works on these subjects over the past 10 years and discusses the importance of these bacteria as zoonotic agents.

Swine enteric colibacillosis: Current treatment avenues and future directions.

Enteric colibacillosis is a common disease in nursing and weanling pigs. It is caused by the colonization of the small intestine by enterotoxigenic strains of Escherichia coli (ETEC) that make use of specific fimbria or pili to adhere to the absorptive epithelial cells of the jejunum and ileum. Once attached, and when both the immunological systems and the gut microbiota are poorly developed, ETEC produce one or more enterotoxins that can have local and, further on, systemic effects. These enterotoxins cause fluid and electrolytes to be secreted into the intestinal lumen of animals, which results in diarrhea, dehydration, and acidosis. From the diversity of control strategies, antibiotics and zinc oxide are the ones that have contributed more significantly to mitigating post-weaning diarrhea (PWD) economic losses. However, concerns about antibiotic resistance determined the restriction on the use of critically important antimicrobials in food-producing animals and the prohibition of their use as growth promoters. As such, it is important now to begin the transition from these preventive/control measures to other, more sustainable, approaches. This review provides a quick synopsis of the currently approved and available therapies for PWD treatment while presenting an overview of novel antimicrobial strategies that are being explored for the control and treatment of this infection, including, prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics, organic acids, bacteriophages, spray-dried plasma, antibodies, phytogenic substances, antisense oligonucleotides, and aptamers.

Educational strategy based on the NutrIMSS program in patients with prediabetes. / Estrategia educativa basada en el programa NutrIMSS en pacientes con prediabetes.

BACKGROUND: Prediabetes is an altered metabolic state of glucose; it does not present symptoms, it is considered an intermediate stage in the progression to diabetes; it is possible to detect it early to avoid or delay the disease. NutrIMSS strategy was implemented so that these patients achieve a healthy lifestyle. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of an educational intervention based on the NutrIMSS strategy on somatometric and biochemical parameters in patients with prediabetes. METHOD: Quasi-experimental study in the Family Medicine Unit No. 80 of Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico, in patients 20 to 59 years of age, with diagnosis of prediabetes (impaired fasting glucose 100-125 mg/dL). The educational intervention included three educational sessions, six consultations with nutrition and inclusion to the social security center, from March to August 2017. Initial anthropometric and biochemical measurements were taken and in the sixth month. The data were presented as median and interquartile range or mean ± standard deviation, and Student's t and Wilcoxon tests, with a significance value of p < 0.05. RESULTS: 45 patients, 66.7% women. Previous and after the intervention parameters were, respectively: weight (kg), 79.9 (56.5-114) and 77.5 (54.6-110) (p = 0.001); body mass index (kg/m2), 30.89 (23.2-39.9) and 29.0 (21.5-39.1) (p < 0.001); glucose (mg/dL), 111 ± 6.3 and 95.8 ± 9.2 (p < 0.001); and total cholesterol (mg/dL): 171 (120-223) and 170 (90-205) (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The educational intervention based on the NutrIMSS strategy has a positive impact on the metabolic control of patients with prediabetes.

INTRODUCCIÓN: La prediabetes es un estado metabólico alterado de la glucosa, no presenta síntomas, se considera un estadio intermedio en la progresión a diabetes y es posible detectarla tempranamente para evitar o retrasar la enfermedad. La estrategia NutrIMSS se implementó para que estos pacientes alcancen un estilo de vida saludable. OBJETIVO: Evaluar el impacto de una intervención educativa basada en la estrategia NutrIMSS sobre parámetros somatométricos y bioquímicos en pacientes con prediabetes. MÉTODO: Estudio cuasiexperimental en la Unidad de Medicina Familiar No. 80 de Morelia, Michoacán, en el que participaron pacientes de 20-59 años, con diagnóstico de prediabetes (glucosa alterada de ayuno 100-125 mg/dl). La intervención educativa incluyó tres sesiones educativas, seis consultas con nutrición e inclusión al centro de seguridad social de marzo a agosto de 2017. Se realizaron mediciones antropométricas y bioquímicas iniciales y al sexto mes. Los datos se presentaron como mediana (con rangos intercuartílicos) o media ± desviación estándar, pruebas de Wilcoxon y t de Student, con una significación de p < 0.05. RESULTADOS: Fueron 45 pacientes, con un 66.7% de mujeres. Los parámetros previos y posteriores a la intervención fueron los siguientes, respectivamente: peso (kg), 79.9 (56.5-114) y 77.5 (54.6-110) (p = 0.001); índice de masa corporal (kg/m2), 30.89 (23.2-39.9) y 29.0 (21.5-39.1) (p < 0.001); glucosa (mg/dl), 111 ± 6.3 y 95.8 ± 9.2 (p < 0.001); y colesterol total (mg/dl), 171 (120-223) y 170 (90-205) (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONES: La intervención educativa basada en la estrategia NutrIMSS impacta de manera positiva en el control metabólico de los pacientes con prediabetes.

Embolia paradójica inminente diagnosticada por tomografía computarizada / Imminent paradoxical embolism diagnosed by computed tomography

No disponible

Prevención y cuidados de enfermería en el primer caso de enfermedad del virus Ébola adquirida fuera de África / Prevention and nursing care in the first case of Ebola virus disease contracted outside Africa

Tras la evacuación de varios trabajadores internacionales con enfermedad del virus Ébola a centros de Occidente se produjo en Madrid, España, el primer caso de contagio fuera de África. Se trató de una Técnica de Cuidados Auxiliares de Enfermería que había atendido a un misionero repatriado desde Sierra Leona. El 7 de octubre de 2014 la paciente llegó a las instalaciones del Hospital Universitario La Paz-Carlos III de la Comunidad de Madrid. Permaneció ingresada 30 días, 25 en aislamiento estricto en una habitación con presión negativa y con esclusa para la retirada del equipo de protección individual. Los 5 últimos días fue trasladada a una habitación estándar. Se utilizaron las medidas de protección conforme a las indicaciones del Servicio de Prevención de Riesgos Laborales del Hospital Universitario La Paz-Carlos III. Acorde a su evolución diferenciamos tres fases con demandas específicas de cuidados que estuvieron condicionados por el riesgo de transmisión, lo que obligó a extremar las medidas de prevención. El perfil profesional sobre el que recayó el mayor número de intervenciones directas fue el de enfermería. Es fundamental que se creen unidades especializadas para enfermedades altamente contagiosas con entrenamiento y formación periódicos además de analizar desde el punto de vista enfermero este y otros casos que permitan estandarizar la atención. También consideramos primordial el manejo de la comunicación para prevenir la alarma social y la estigmatización del personal

After the evacuation from Africa to Western hospitals of several international workers with the Ebola virus disease, the first case of contagion outside Africa occurred in Madrid, Spain. A nursing care assistant who had attended a missionary repatriated from Sierra Leone contracted the disease. On October 7th 2014, the patient arrived at the University Hospital La Paz-Carlos III in Madrid. She remained in the hospital for 30 days, 25 of which were in strict isolation in a negative pressure room with air lock anteroom; personal protective equipment was required. During the last five days, the patient was moved to a standard room. Protection measures were used in accordance with the Hospital Occupational Health Department. According to its evolution, we differentiate three phases with specific care demands which were conditioned by the risk of transmission, forcing extreme measures of prevention. The largest numbers of direct interventions fall within the realm of the nursing profession. It is essential that specialized units with regular training be created for highly contagious diseases. In addition, this and other cases should be analyzed from the point of view of nursing, to allow standardized care. We also recognize the importance of managing communication to prevent social unrest and stigmatization of staff

Prevention and nursing care in the first case of Ebola virus disease contracted outside Africa. / Prevención y cuidados de enfermería en el primer caso de enfermedad del virus Ébola adquirida fuera de África.

After the evacuation from Africa to Western hospitals of several international workers with the Ebola virus disease, the first case of contagion outside Africa occurred in Madrid, Spain. A nursing care assistant who had attended a missionary repatriated from Sierra Leone contracted the disease. On October 7th 2014, the patient arrived at the University Hospital La Paz-Carlos III in Madrid. She remained in the hospital for 30 days, 25 of which were in strict isolation in a negative pressure room with air lock anteroom; personal protective equipment was required. During the last five days, the patient was moved to a standard room. Protection measures were used in accordance with the Hospital Occupational Health Department. According to its evolution, we differentiate three phases with specific care demands which were conditioned by the risk of transmission, forcing extreme measures of prevention. The largest numbers of direct interventions fall within the realm of the nursing profession. It is essential that specialized units with regular training be created for highly contagious diseases. In addition, this and other cases should be analyzed from the point of view of nursing, to allow standardized care. We also recognize the importance of managing communication to prevent social unrest and stigmatization of staff.

Spectroscopic properties and singlet oxygen production by the compound ethyl 3,12-dioxopyran[3,2-a]xanthone-2-carboxylate.

The steady state and time resolved experiments together with absorption and emission spectroscopies and quantum chemical calculations have been employed to investigate spectroscopic properties of a xanthone-type compound (ethyl 3,12-dioxopyran[3,2-a]xanthone-2-carboxylate). The spectroscopic data show good agreement with results obtained from quantum chemical calculations. Additionally, this compound shows expressive quantum efficiency for triplet population and a quantum efficiency of singlet oxygen generation very close to unity. Correlations between the nature of singlet and triplet excited states and spectroscopic properties were performed in order to understand the high quantum efficiency of singlet oxygen generation by this compound.

Assistência médica e desigualdade social no Estado Novo / Health care and social inequality in the New State

Política de saúde e estado providência; estado de arte e objetivos; a assistência médica no âmbito da institucionalização da Previdência social; A federação "Serviços Médicos-Sociais - Federação de Caixas de previdência" e o desenvolvimento da assistência médica no "Seguro doença". (AU)

Antioxidant activity in heterogeneous and homogeneous system of the resinous exudates from Heliotropium stenophylum and H. sinuatum and of 3-O-methylgalangin their main component / Actividad antioxidante en sistema heterogéneo y homogéneo de los exudados resinosos de Heliotropium stenophyllum y H. sinuatum y de 3-O-methylgalangina su componente mayoritario

The antioxidant activity of resinous extracts obtained from H. stenophylum and H. sinuatum species, was evaluated through ORAC index (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) in water phase and in presence of Triton X-100 micelles, using as test molecules to pyrogallol red (PGR) and evaluating their reduction by the action of peroxyl radicals obtained from thermolysis of AAPH. The results show that these extracts protect to PGR of the action of the radicals. This protection is reduced drastically in the presence of Triton X-100 micelles. The same effect was observed with the main flavonoid of these extracts (3-O-methylgalangin). These results show the importance of the media of reaction of pure compounds and/or extracts at the time of to take into account their use as antioxidants.

La actividad antioxidante de exudados resinosos obtenidos desde las especies H. stenophylum y H. sinuatum, fue evaluada a través del ensayo ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) en fase acuosa y en presencia de micelas de Triton X-100, usando como molécula prueba a pirogalol rojo (PGR) y evaluando su reducción frente a la acción de radicales peróxidos obtenidos desde la termólisis de AAPH. Los resultados muestran que estos extractos protegen al PGR de la acción de los radicales. Esta protección es reducida drásticamente en presencia de micelas de Tritón X-100. El mismo efecto fue observado con el flavonoide mayoritario de estos extractos (3-O-metilgalangina). Estos resultados muestran la importancia de considerar el medio de reacción de compuestos puros y/o extractos al momento de tomar en cuenta su uso como antioxidantes.

Calatonia, música, imagens mentais e religiosidade: um estudo clínico qualitativo sobre a investigação de imagens mentais em ateus / Calatonia, music, mind images and religiosity: a qualitative clinical study about research of mind images on atheists

Este trabalho é um estudo qualitativo com base na fenomenologia e teve por objetivo investigar se as imagens mentais que surgem a partir da escuta de músicas sagradas e/ou litúrgicas de diferentes culturas, após a aplicação da calatonia (relaxamento nos pés), em indivíduos ateus, trazem conteúdos ou temas religiosos. As músicas foram escolhidas com base nas religiões mais praticadas no Brasil de acordo com o Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE), (2000). A amostra é intencional e fechada pelo critério de saturação, composto por seis ateus, adultos, voluntários, de ambos os gêneros, de 28 a 65 anos, idade produtiva segundo dados do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE), (2000), pertencentes à classe social média alta, cuja instrução mínima é o curso superior completo. Os seis indivíduos, depois da escuta musical realizaram um desenho que representasse a experiência com a música e em seguida responderam a uma entrevista semi-estruturada que foi gravada e anotada pelo pesquisador, pois as imagens mentais podem aparecer ou não graficamente. Os desenhos e as respostas do questionário e a fala espontânea, foram analisadas e interpretadas à luz da abordagem da psicologia analítica proposta pelo psiquiatra Carl Gustav Jung, por dois especialistas da área. Foi possível perceber que a aplicação do procedimento promoveu relaxamento, tranquilidade e apaziguamento, facilitando um estado de "alteração da consciência", não no sentido médico, mas um relaxamento necessário e suficiente para que ocorra um diálogo criativo do ego com o Self. Religiosidade, neste estudo, significa a conexão do eixo Ego-Self, a experiência da conexão do ego com algo que o indivíduo compreende como Maior do que ele mesmo é a ligação com a divindade, com o Self...

This work is a qualitative study based on phenomenology and its objective was to investigate if the mental images that rise from listening sacred or liturgical music of different cultures, after applying calatonia (feet relaxing) in atheist people, bring contents or religious matters. The music were chosen based on the most practiced religions in Brazil, IBGE, 2000.The sample is intentional and closed by the saturation criteria, composed by six atheists, adults, voluntary of both genders, 28 to 65 years old, productive age according to IBGE data, 2000, included belonging to high medium social class, with Universitary Courses. These six individuals, after music listening, made a drawing representing the experience with the music and afterwards they answered a semi-structured interview which was recorded and noted by the researcher, because mental images may appear or not drawn. The drawings and the answers of the interviews and spontaneous speaking were analyzed and interpreted at an approaching analytic psychology proposed by psychiatrist Carl Gustav Jung, by two specialists. It was possible to realize that the application of this procedure promoted relaxing, tranquility and appeasement, facilitating "conscience alterated state", not in the medical sense, but a necessary and sufficient relaxing in order to happen a creative dialogue between ego and Self. Religiosity, in this study, is the connection Ego-Self, that is the conscience dialoguing with Whole significative, to experience an ego connection with things that the individual understands greater than himself. It's the nexus with deity, with the Self...

A consciência fonológica, a consciência lexical e o padrão de leitura de alunos com dislexia do desenvolvimento / Phonological awareness, lexical awareness and reading patterns of students with developmental dyslexia

INTRODUÇÃO: Muitos autores têm buscado estabelecer relações entre dificuldades de aprendizagem na leitura com habilidades metalinguísticas. Contudo, ainda são pouco numerosos os estudos que analisam as habilidades metalinguísticas nos alunos com dislexia do desenvolvimento. Este estudo de caráter exploratório-descritivo teve como objetivo investigar o desempenho de alunos com dislexia do desenvolvimento (dislexia fonológica e de superfície) em tarefas de avaliação de duas habilidades metalinguísticas: consciências fonológica e lexical. MÉTODO: Foram formados dois grupos de participantes: sete alunos com dislexia fonológica (grupo 1) e dois alunos com dislexia de superfície (grupo 2). A pesquisa foi baseada em três tipos de provas: prova de leitura de palavras isoladas, prova de avaliação da consciência fonológica (CONFIAS) e prova de avaliação da consciência lexical. RESULTADOS: Os resultados obtidos revelam similitudes e disparidades entre os participantes no que diz respeito às consciências fonológica e lexical. Em relação à consciência fonológica, o desempenho dos participantes nas subprovas silábicas é semelhante, mas foram encontradas diferenças expressivas nas subprovas fonêmicas, com desempenho superior entre os participantes com dislexia de superfície. No que se refere à consciência lexical, verificou-se que as habilidades dos participantes não acompanham as diferenças relativas ao padrão de leitura preferencialmente utilizado. CONCLUSÃO: Conclui-se que, para desenvolver a decodificação na leitura, esses alunos devam ser instruídos não apenas no processo de conversão grafema-fonema, mas também a utilizar o contexto como auxílio no processo de reconhecimento das palavras...

INTRODUCTION: Many authors have sought to establish relations between learning difficulties in reading and metalinguistic skills. However, few studies have analyzed the metalinguistic skills of students with developmental dyslexia. This is an exploratory-descriptive study which aimed to investigate the performance of students with developmental dyslexia (phonological and surface dyslexia) in tasks assessing two metalinguistic skills: phonological and lexical awareness. METHODS: Two groups of participants were formed: seven students with phonological dyslexia (group 1) and two students with surface dyslexia (group 2). The study was based on three types of task: isolated word reading test, phonological awareness assessment (CONFIAS) and a lexical awareness assessment. RESULTS: Results show similarities and differences between participants in regard to phonological and lexical awareness. The performance of participants was similar in the syllabic subtests, but expressive differences were found between participants in the phonemic tasks, with higher performance among participants with surface dyslexia. It was verified that, in regard to lexical awareness, the skills of participants do not follow the differences related to the preferably-used reading pattern. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that, in order to develop reading decoding, these students need to be instructed not only in the process of grapheme-phoneme conversion, but also need to learn to use the context as support in the process of reading recognition...

A consciência fonológica, a consciência lexical e o padrão de leitura de alunos com dislexia do desenvolvimento / Phonological awareness, lexical awareness and reading patterns of students with developmental dyslexia

INTRODUÇÃO: Muitos autores têm buscado estabelecer relações entre dificuldades de aprendizagem na leitura com habilidades metalinguísticas. Contudo, ainda são pouco numerosos os estudos que analisam as habilidades metalinguísticas nos alunos com dislexia do desenvolvimento. Este estudo de caráter exploratório-descritivo teve como objetivo investigar o desempenho de alunos com dislexia do desenvolvimento (dislexia fonológica e de superfície) em tarefas de avaliação de duas habilidades metalinguísticas: consciências fonológica e lexical. MÉTODO: Foram formados dois grupos de participantes: sete alunos com dislexia fonológica (grupo 1) e dois alunos com dislexia de superfície (grupo 2). A pesquisa foi baseada em três tipos de provas: prova de leitura de palavras isoladas, prova de avaliação da consciência fonológica (CONFIAS) e prova de avaliação da consciência lexical. RESULTADOS: Os resultados obtidos revelam similitudes e disparidades entre os participantes no que diz respeito às consciências fonológica e lexical. Em relação à consciência fonológica, o desempenho dos participantes nas subprovas silábicas é semelhante, mas foram encontradas diferenças expressivas nas subprovas fonêmicas, com desempenho superior entre os participantes com dislexia de superfície. No que se refere à consciência lexical, verificou-se que as habilidades dos participantes não acompanham as diferenças relativas ao padrão de leitura preferencialmente utilizado. CONCLUSÃO: Conclui-se que, para desenvolver a decodificação na leitura, esses alunos devam ser instruídos não apenas no processo de conversão grafema-fonema, mas também a utilizar o contexto como auxílio no processo de reconhecimento das palavras.(AU)

INTRODUCTION: Many authors have sought to establish relations between learning difficulties in reading and metalinguistic skills. However, few studies have analyzed the metalinguistic skills of students with developmental dyslexia. This is an exploratory-descriptive study which aimed to investigate the performance of students with developmental dyslexia (phonological and surface dyslexia) in tasks assessing two metalinguistic skills: phonological and lexical awareness. METHODS: Two groups of participants were formed: seven students with phonological dyslexia (group 1) and two students with surface dyslexia (group 2). The study was based on three types of task: isolated word reading test, phonological awareness assessment (CONFIAS) and a lexical awareness assessment. RESULTS: Results show similarities and differences between participants in regard to phonological and lexical awareness. The performance of participants was similar in the syllabic subtests, but expressive differences were found between participants in the phonemic tasks, with higher performance among participants with surface dyslexia. It was verified that, in regard to lexical awareness, the skills of participants do not follow the differences related to the preferably-used reading pattern. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that, in order to develop reading decoding, these students need to be instructed not only in the process of grapheme-phoneme conversion, but also need to learn to use the context as support in the process of reading recognition.(AU)

A consciência fonológica, a consciência lexical e o padrão de leitura de alunos com dislexia do desenvolvimento / Phonological awareness, lexical awareness and reading patterns of students with developmental dyslexia

INTRODUÇÃO: Muitos autores têm buscado estabelecer relações entre dificuldades de aprendizagem na leitura com habilidades metalinguísticas. Contudo, ainda são pouco numerosos os estudos que analisam as habilidades metalinguísticas nos alunos com dislexia do desenvolvimento. Este estudo de caráter exploratório-descritivo teve como objetivo investigar o desempenho de alunos com dislexia do desenvolvimento (dislexia fonológica e de superfície) em tarefas de avaliação de duas habilidades metalinguísticas: consciências fonológica e lexical. MÉTODO: Foram formados dois grupos de participantes: sete alunos com dislexia fonológica (grupo 1) e dois alunos com dislexia de superfície (grupo 2). A pesquisa foi baseada em três tipos de provas: prova de leitura de palavras isoladas, prova de avaliação da consciência fonológica (CONFIAS) e prova de avaliação da consciência lexical. RESULTADOS: Os resultados obtidos revelam similitudes e disparidades entre os participantes no que diz respeito às consciências fonológica e lexical. Em relação à consciência fonológica, o desempenho dos participantes nas subprovas silábicas é semelhante, mas foram encontradas diferenças expressivas nas subprovas fonêmicas, com desempenho superior entre os participantes com dislexia de superfície. No que se refere à consciência lexical, verificou-se que as habilidades dos participantes não acompanham as diferenças relativas ao padrão de leitura preferencialmente utilizado. CONCLUSÃO: Conclui-se que, para desenvolver a decodificação na leitura, esses alunos devam ser instruídos não apenas no processo de conversão grafema-fonema, mas também a utilizar o contexto como auxílio no processo de reconhecimento das palavras.(AU)

INTRODUCTION: Many authors have sought to establish relations between learning difficulties in reading and metalinguistic skills. However, few studies have analyzed the metalinguistic skills of students with developmental dyslexia. This is an exploratory-descriptive study which aimed to investigate the performance of students with developmental dyslexia (phonological and surface dyslexia) in tasks assessing two metalinguistic skills: phonological and lexical awareness. METHODS: Two groups of participants were formed: seven students with phonological dyslexia (group 1) and two students with surface dyslexia (group 2). The study was based on three types of task: isolated word reading test, phonological awareness assessment (CONFIAS) and a lexical awareness assessment. RESULTS: Results show similarities and differences between participants in regard to phonological and lexical awareness. The performance of participants was similar in the syllabic subtests, but expressive differences were found between participants in the phonemic tasks, with higher performance among participants with surface dyslexia. It was verified that, in regard to lexical awareness, the skills of participants do not follow the differences related to the preferably-used reading pattern. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that, in order to develop reading decoding, these students need to be instructed not only in the process of grapheme-phoneme conversion, but also need to learn to use the context as support in the process of reading recognition.(AU)

The supragenual nucleus: a putative relay station for ascending vestibular signs to head direction cells.

Head direction (HD) cells located in several regions of the brain, including the postsubiculum, retrosplenial cortex, lateral dorsal thalamic nucleus, anterior dorsal thalamic nucleus, and lateral mammillary nucleus, provide a signal of the rat's momentary directional heading. Experimental evidence suggests that vestibular inputs are critical for the maintenance these cells' directional sensitivity. However, it is still unclear how vestibular information is conveyed to the HD cell-related circuitry. In a recent study, the supragenual nucleus (SG) was suggested as a putative relay of vestibular inputs to this circuitry. In the present study, using anterograde and retrograde tract-tracing methods, we first investigated whether the SG is in a position to convey vestibular inputs. Next, we examined the projections of the SG with the Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin method. Our results indicate that the SG receives direct inputs from the medial vestibular nucleus and projects to elements of the HD cell-related circuitry, providing a massive input to the contralateral dorsal tegmental nucleus and a moderately dense projection to the shell region of the lateral mammillary nucleus. Overall, the present findings serve to clarify how vestibular inputs reach the HD cell-related circuit and point out the SG as an important interface to this end.

Acidez e hidroioomerización de heptano en una vermiculita Colombiana modificada con aluminio / Aciity and hidrooisomerization of heptane over a Colombian vermiculite modified with aluminum

Una vermiculita colombiana ha sido modificada mediante un proceso de pilarización. En un primer paso, con el objetivo de disminuir la carga interlaminar, se realizó un tratamiento ácido seguido de calcinación. Las especies extra-red fueron removidas por un ácido complejante y luego llevadas a la forma homoionica. Finalmente se realizó una pilarización con aluminio. En el sólido modificado se verificó una reducción en la capacidad de intercambio catiónico (CIC) y un incremento en la acidez, evaluada por desorción de amoniaco y espectroscopia DRIFT. Los cambios estructurales y texturales se confirmaron por difracción de rayos-X (DRX) y sortometría. El comportamiento catalítico, evaluado por medio de la hidroisomerización de heptano, reveló un perfil superior en la arcilla modificada respecto al material de partida, conservando, además, sus propiedades a elevadas temperaturas.

A Colombian vermiculite has been modified by means of a pillaring process. In a first step, seeking to get a reduction of the interlayer charge, an acid treatment followed by calcinations was performed. The extra-framework species were removed using a complexing acid, and later taken it to the homoionic form. Finally a pillaring with aluminum was made. A reduction in the cation exchange capacity (CEC) and an increment in the evaluated acidity were found using ammonium desorption and DRIFT spectroscopy. The structural and textural changes were confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and nitrogen sorption measurements. The catalytic performance evaluated by means of the hidroisomerization of heptane, revealed a superior profile in the modified clay respect to the natural mineral, also preserving its properties at high temperatures.

A pyranine based procedure for evaluation of the total antioxidant potential (TRAP) of polyphenols. A comparison with closely related methodologies.

A novel procedure for the evaluation of total reactive antioxidant potentials (TRAP) is described. The method is based on the measurement of the bleaching of pyranine by peroxyl radicals. The addition of the antioxidants produces a clear induction time whose magnitude is directly related to the antioxidant concentration. A comparison of the values obtained with those reported employing closely related methodologies shows that the results are significantly affected by the substrate employed to monitor the steady state free radical concentration. Possible sources of this dependence are discussed.

A Pyranine based procedure for evaluation of the total antioxidant potential (TRAP) of polyphenols: a comparison with closely related methodologies

A novel procedure for the evaluation of total reactive antioxidant potentials (TRAP) is described. The method is based on the measurement of the bleaching of pyranine by peroxyl radicals. The addition of the antioxidants produces a clear induction time whose magnitude is directly related to the antioxidant concentration. A comparison of the values obtained with those reported employing closely related methodologies shows that the results are significantly affected by the substrate employed to monitor the steady state free radical concentration. Possible sources of this dependence are discussed.

Antigenic and genomic relation between human influenza viruses that circulated in Argentina in the period 1995-1999 and the corresponding vaccine components.

BACKGROUND: The analysis of epidemic influenza virus has been focused on antigenic and genomic characterization of the hemagglutinin (HA) glycoprotein in order to detect new variants for the recommendation of the vaccine strains in each season. Since October 1998, WHO organized a second meeting to evaluate the vaccine formula for the southern hemisphere. OBJECTIVES: (a) Present the antigenic and genomic characterization of influenza strains obtained from the Argentina surveillance network, (b) compare between strains collected in Argentina and other countries with the vaccine formula strains used in each season. STUDY DESIGN: Influenza strains were collected during a 5-year period (1995-1999). Initially, laboratory diagnosis was done by immunofluorescence (IF) assay on clinical samples, followed by viral isolation in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. The isolates were characterized antigenically by hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) assay with post-infection ferret antisera. The genomic characterization consisted on RT-PCR followed by sequencing of the HA1 portion of the HA gene. The comparison between reference and circulating strains was analyzed by the construction of phylogenetic trees. RESULTS: The H3N2 circulating strains matched the corresponding vaccine component only in 1999, the first year when a vaccine recommended specifically for the southern hemisphere was used. Besides, H1N1 circulating strains matched the corresponding vaccine component only in 1998. Regarding to influenza B, only in 1995, the circulating strains showed no match to the B vaccine component. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed the usefulness of an intensified influenza laboratory surveillance to access the correct vaccine and the importance of having the necessary tools to characterize the circulating strains.