Inducing perceived group variability triggers the incorporation of counter-stereotypic information into a generalized stereotype change.

Perceived variability is the extent to which individuals perceive group members as being similar to one another. Previous research has focused on how: group variability is perceived (and measured); information indicative of group heterogeneity can lead to reductions in stereotypicality; or how stereotype-inconsistent information can result into increased perceived variability. The present combines the three lines of research into a single research venue. In previous studies the stereotypicality of a group representation was influenced by priming stereotype-unrelated traits in an unrelated-context, prior to stereotype measurement; but priming counter-stereotypic traits had no effect on stereotypicality, although it boosted perceptions of group's variability. The present study examines whether highlighting dissimilarities among members of the same professional groups results in subsequent changes in the reported stereotype for a, not yet mentioned, group. The more the dissimilarity among group members, the more likely individuals were to incorporate counter-stereotypic information into the targeted-group, described as less stereotypic, even in central tendency measures. Importantly, the generating mechanism may involve a modification of participants' overall perception of variability. When members within professional groups are perceived as dissimilar, the well-known resistance of stereotypes to counter-stereotypic information is lessened making the group representations more flexible and less biased.

Physiology and experimental medicine: translational research at the Toronto Hospital For Sick Children.

Physiology and Experimental Medicine at The Hospital For Sick Children (Toronto, ON, Canada) is a multidisciplinary program that brings together significant interdisciplinary and interprofessional activity from different study areas such as: lung and cardiovascular physiology; imaging; metabolism and nutrition; pharmacology; and experimental medicine. The program is comprised of researchers, clinicians, and educators who focus on the study of complex, integrated bodily systems. Special emphasis is placed on investigations which bridge in vitro and in vivo approaches, basic science with clinical applications, experimental models with human disease, and human subject research.

The effect of brine pumping on the natural hydrodynamics of the Salar de Atacama: The damping capacity of salt flats.

The Salar de Atacama is used as a case study to analyse and quantify coupled natural (evaporation and recharge) and anthropogenic processes (pumping of lithium-rich brine) to abstract their patterns to other salt flats using a three-dimensional groundwater flow model. Important changes in the dynamics of the water table between the pre-operational period (1986-1994) and operational period (1994-2015) are observed. The water table exhibited a gradual drawdown during the pre-operational period because the evaporation was greater than the recharge for most of these periods. This negative balance was counteracted by some sharp rises that were produced by direct rainfall events on the salt flat. The deep lateral recharge that arrived from the mountains did not produce abrupt changes in the water table because the rainfall events in the mountains were damped by the distance of the recharge zone and great thickness of the unsaturated zone. The natural evolution of the water table was modified by the intensive brine pumping that was performed in the south-western Salar de Atacama during the operational period. As evaporation depends on the water table depth, the pumping caused a drawdown of the water table, resulting in an evaporation rate reduction that partially compensated for the pumped brine in the water balance of the basin. This effect is defined as the damping capacity of salt flats. Thus, salt flats have a high capacity for dampening oscillations in their water table in response to both natural and anthropogenic disturbances which is of great importance for the management of lake and wetland ecosystems and brine exploitation. The limit of the dampening capacity of salt flats is defined by the evaporation extinction depth, which is in the range of 0.5-2 m.

Hydrodynamics of salt flat basins: The Salar de Atacama example.

The Salar de Atacama is one of the most well-known saline endorheic basins in the world. It accumulates the world main lithium reserves and contains very sensitive ecosystems. The objective of this work is to characterize the hydrodynamics of the Salar de Atacama, and to quantify its complex water balance prior to the intense brine extraction. The methodology and results can be extrapolated to the groundwater flow and recharge of other salt flats. A three-dimensional groundwater flow model using low computational effort was calibrated against hundreds of hydraulic head measurements. The water infiltrated from the mountains ascends as a vertical flux through the saline interface (mixing zone) produced by the density contrast between the recharged freshwater and the evaporated brine of the salt flat nucleus. This water discharges and is largely evaporated from lakes or directly from the shallow water table. On the other hand, the very low hydraulic gradients, coupled with the presence of the mixing zone that operates as barrier, leads the salt flat nucleus to act as a hydrodynamically quasi-isolated area. The computed water table shows the lowest hydraulic head in the salt flat nucleus near the discharge at the mixing zone. The groundwater balance of the Salar de Atacama in its natural regime was quantified resulting in an inflow/outflow of 14.9 m3·s-1. This balance considers the basin as an endorheic system. The very low infiltration values that are generally assumed for hyperarid basins are not consistent with the hydrogeology of the Salar de Atacama. Indeed, very high infiltration rates (up to 85% of rainfall) occur because of the high degree of fracturing of rocks and the scarce vegetation. This high infiltration is consistent with the light isotopic composition of the water from the recharge area (Altiplano). Therefore, the existence of additional inflows outside the basin is unlikely.

[NPT (near patient test) in the pharmacy: document and practice guidelines 2008]. / Screening nelle farmacia: documento e linee guida 2008.

NPT tests in the pharmacy. Blood testing can be made with NPT (near patient testing) directly in the pharmacy. Most tests can be made with a single drop of blood (i.e. from a finger) and results are comparable with results from blood test obtained with standard vein blood samples. NPT is basically used for: 1 - evaluating the risk of a disease. 2 evaluating or confirming the presence of a disease. 3 to manage and monitor treatments. The social role of the pharmacy in NPT (particularly in cardiovascular screening) is very important as the pharmacy is an institution with capillary diffusion in the territory. The pharmacy often constitutes an important, first-level consultancy point for the population, particularly where health institutions are far away (small villages) or not easily accessible. Rules for NPT. Guidelines for NPT testing in the pharmacy have been proposed and discussed in a consensus meeting (Spoleto, 2007). NPT guidelines suggest operating management and technical procedures and indicate prospective lines of action defining new roles for the pharmacy. Coagulation tests can be now made in the pharmacy at a very low cost and with an efficacy comparable to blood tests obtained with a vein sample. Results can be read in seconds. This test is also available for personal use and home testing. NPT: The Clinical Study. The evaluation of the results of a clinical study (patients with venous thrombosis/pulmonary embolisation, patients with fibrillation and patients with artificial cardiac valves) indicates that costing is very favourable for NPT which may reduce costs and improve management of many clinical conditions and their monitoring. Training and control systems help NPT testing to be reliable and useful to screen and manage most clinical and risk conditions. The clinical study also shows the positive correlation between NPT tests and standard' tests. In conclusion NPT tests are now very reliable and cost-effective and can be used for screening, diagnosis and to monitor treatments.

Xanthan and κ-carrageenan based alkaline hydrogels as electrolytes for Al/air batteries.

Xanthan and κ-carrageenan were used to prepare alkaline hydrogels to be used as electrolytes in aluminium air primary batteries. Two pasty gels were obtained starting from xanthan and KOH solutions (1M and 8M), while only the 8M KOH solution permitted the formation of a stable, elastic and gumminess hydrogel with κ-carrageenan. Discharge tests, performed on three Al/air cells assembled with Al anodes, electrolyte gels and Pt based cathodes, evidenced that all hydrogels exhibited appreciable properties of Al ion conductivities, according to the following performance order: xanthan with KOH 1M

Transtelephonic electrocardiographic monitoring of cardiac rehabilitation exercise sessions in coronary artery disease.

Transtelephonic monitoring of a single-lead electrocardiogram and on-demand 2-way voice communication were accomplished at 1,865 exercise sessions for 67 cardiac patients. Exercise sessions occurred either at the patients' homes or at remote hospital sites and began an average of 25 or 14 weeks, respectively, after hospital dismissal. Monitoring centers provided experienced nurses to direct all exercise sessions. The transtelephonic monitoring equipment was reliable with only one instance of system failure observed. A broad spectrum of patients with coronary artery disease, including some classified at higher risk, participated in the program. Patients exercised with a variety of equipment (cycle ergometer, treadmill, arm ergometer, cross-country ski simulator, combination arm-leg cycle ergometer, rowing machine), for 30 to 50 minutes, 1 to 3 times each week. No medical emergencies occurred, although 18 specific problems were discovered that led to further evaluation or change in the medical program of specific patients. Transtelephonic monitoring of cardiac rehabilitation exercise sessions at home and at remote hospitals appears safe and is attractive because not all patients have access to supervised exercise programs; this exercise assessment helps to maximally use highly trained cardiac rehabilitation personnel.

Automated screening for quality control using PAPNET: a study of 638 negative Pap smears.

To determine if the PAPNET screening system can be used for quality control to lower false-negative rates for Pap smears 638 manually screened, "negative" Pap smears were subjected retrospectively to the PAPNET screening system. Twenty-nine of the smears came from 18 patients who subsequently had biopsyproven high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL). The remaining 609 negative smears were arbitrarily selected as controls. One hundred twenty-eight (128) of the retrospectively reviewed smears (20%) were selected by PAPNET for microscopic referral because of potential abnormalities. Abnormalities were confirmed on 14 of these smears upon microscopic evaluation. Five of these 14 smears were from smears obtained from four of the 18 women with high-grade SIL. The incidence of manually screened false-negatives detected by PAPNET rescreening was 14/638 or 2.2% for the entire patient population in this study and 5/29 or 17.24% for the targeted patients known to have subsequently developed highgrade lesions. The 2.2% decrease in the false-negative rate in this experiment may be partly artificial as this study group was seeded with false-negative cases at high risk for containing missed abnormalities. The implementation of the PAPNET system for quality control may lower false-negative rates for Pap smears.

[Preoperative applications of cortical mapping with functional magnetic resonance]. / Aplicações pré-cirúrgicas do mapeamento cortical por Ressonância Magnética Funcional.

The authors describe a clinical experience in cortical brain mapping by Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (FMRI) with a 1.0 T MR scanner with BOLD technique and echo-planar imaging (EPI). A brief review is made of the theoretical basis of the BOLD technique and of the different functional tasks used. The main clinical applications of FMRI cortical mapping regarding the sensorimotor cortex of the hand and of language are mentioned. The experiment involves 29 patients, 16 with gliomas (G), 7 with mesial temporal sclerosis (MT S) and 6 with arteriovenous malformations (AVM) The most frequent clinical applications were the determination of the topographic relationship of the cerebral lesions with these eloquent cortices as well as the presurgical lateralization of language in medically intractable epileptic patients. The results are discussed in order to assess the FMRI cortical mapping role as a noninvasive method for presurgical planning, regarding the evaluation of the potential neurosurgical risks and the identification of viable cortex regions displaced or reorganized as a consequence of disease. Additionally, FMRI cortical mapping can also assess the atypical speech representations and the language lateralization of the patients.

[Hypertrophic olivary degeneration. Semiology with magnetic resonance]. / Degenerescência olivar hipertrófica. Semiologia por ressonância magnética.

Hypertrophic Olivary Degeneration is a type of transneuronal degeneration caused by lesions in the dento-rubro-olivary pathway. It involves the inferior olivary nucleus and is a unique type of degeneration because it is associated with hypertrophy of this nucleus. The authors report MRI findings in 10 patients with Hypertrophic Olivary Degeneration, whose exams were reviewed.

[Spontaneous intracranial hypotension]. / Hipotensão intracraniana espontânea.

The authors consider some clinical and radiological aspects of spontaneous intracranial hypotension syndrome, based on the knowledge obtained from three clinical situations. Postural headache was a constant complaint. In all cases, magnetic resonance imaging data obtained was diffuse dural enhancement and, in two cases, bilateral subdural fluid collections. The increasing recognition of this syndrome led to its distinction from meningeal inflammatory or neoplasic conditions, sparing the patient from unnecessary investigation.

[Three-dimensional magnetic resonance reconstruction. Significance of neurosurgical planning]. / Reconstruções tridimensionais cerebrais por Ressonância Magnética. Importância no planeamento neurocirúrgico.

The authors describe their experience with three-dimensional (3D) MRI reconstructions of the cerebral cortex in neurosurgical planning of cortical and subcortical lesions. The majority of the lesions were located on the cerebral hemispheres; there were also few cases of posterior fossa lesions. The authors selected three clinical cases to demonstrate the interest of 3D MRI. The authors describe another image processing method based on the three dimensional models obtained by using Curvilinear Multiplanar Reformatting (CMR) for the identification of subtle focal dysplastic lesions in patients with epilepsy. The advantages and disadvantages of those 3D MRI reconstructions methods are discussed and a comparison with conventional cross-sectional images is mentioned. The main disadvantages are the raw data relative to long acquisition time and the difficulty in sometimes establishing the cleavage plane between the cortex and extra-axial structures (e.g. young patients; lesions with great mass effect; lesions ventrally located in the cerebral lobes). In conclusion, the 3D MRI reconstructions of the cerebral cortex reveal additional information to conventional cross-sectional images and permit a precise location of the lesions. This is essential in some circumstances for neurosurgical planning and strategy, improving neurosurgical performance and patient outcome.

Pax8 has a critical role in epithelial cell survival and proliferation.

The transcription factor Pax8, a member of the Paired-box gene family, is a critical regulator required for proper development and differentiation of thyroid follicular cells. Despite being Pax8 well characterized with respect to its role in regulating genes responsible for thyroid differentiation, its involvement in cell survival and proliferation has been hypothesized but remains unclear. Here, we show that Pax8 overexpression significantly increases proliferation and colony-forming efficiency of Fischer rat thyroid line 5 epithelial cells, although it is not sufficient to overcome their hormone dependence. More interestingly, we show that Pax8-specific silencing induces apoptosis through a p53-dependent pathway that involves caspase-3 activation and cleavage of poly(ADP)ribose polymerase. Our data indicate that tumor protein 53 induced nuclear protein 1 (tp53inp1), a positive regulator of p53-dependent cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, is a transcriptional target of Pax8 and is upregulated by Pax8 knockdown. Remarkably, tp53inp1 silencing significantly abolishes Pax8-induced apoptosis thus suggesting that tp53inp1 may be the mediator of the observed effects. In conclusion, our data highlight that Pax8 is required for the survival of differentiated epithelial cells and its expression levels are able to modulate the proliferation rate of such cells.

[Correlation between age and overactive bladder symptoms in young women in Brazil]. / Correlación entre la edad y los síntomas de vejiga hiperactiva en mujeres jóvenes en Brasil.

UNLABELLED: Overactive Bladder Syndrome (OAB) is defined by the ICS (International Continence Society) as urinary urgency, with or without urgency incontinence and frequently associated with increase of frequency and nocturia. PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to establish a correlation between OAB symptoms and Age in women aged 20-45. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We interviewed 1050 women aged 20-45 in the area of Campinas, Brazil, to investigate the prevalence of Overactive Bladder Symptoms. In this study we used the ICIQ-OAB questionnaire (ICS standard), in its validated Portuguese version and a specific questionnaire for the demographics. RESULTS: Overall, women aged 35-45 years showed significantly higher scores in the ICIQ-OAB questionnaire than all other groups (P<.001). Older women (35-45) presented a significantly higher score than younger women (all other groups) (P<.0001) regarding urinary frequency. Regarding frequency, there was a significant difference between the age group 35-45 (higher score) and the age groups 20-22 and 23-27 (P<.0001). Women aged 35-45 presented significantly more nocturia than women in the age groups of 28-34, 23-27 and 20-22. Women in the group of 28-34 also presented more nocturia than women aged 20-22 (P<.0001). Women aged 35-45 experienced more urgency than those in the age groups of 28-34 and 23-27 (P<.0001). Women aged 35-45 had significantly more urgency incontinence than all the other groups, and women in group of 20-22 also presented more incontinence than those aged 23-27 (P<.0001). Significant differences were also found regarding symptom bother, women in group 35-45 years old presented higher scores than the other groups regarding frequency (P<.0001), nocturia (P=.0011), urgency (P=.0015) and urgency incontinence (P<.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, older women present more OAB symptoms and therefore a higher score than younger women.

Unusual endotracheal and breast metastasis from renal clear cell carcinoma: a case report.

We report a case of a woman affected by a metastatic renal clear cell carcinoma who showed unusual metastasis into the trachea and in the right breast 17 years and 21 years after nephrectomy respectively. Two endotracheal metastasis were identified during rigid bronchoscophy and were treated with endotracheal electro-surgery. Solitary metastasis in the right breast was identified by a mammography that revealed a dense mass of 1.5 cm at lower outer quadrant and she underwent to a right breast quadrantectomy. Histological examination showed a clear cell renal carcinoma metastasis as for the trachea as for the breast mass.

[A new experimental model for inducing interstitial cystitis by oxidative stress using bladder instillation of a nitric oxide donor gel]. / Un nuevo modelo experimental de inducción de cistitis intersticial mediante estrés oxidativo empleando instilación vesical de un gel donante de óxido nítrico.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to develop a new experimental model of inducing interstitial cystitis (IC) through vesical instillation of a polymeric solution containing the NO donor S-nitrousglutathione (GSNO) and to compare it to the experimental interstitial cystitis induced by vesical instillation of protamine and potassium chloride. MATERIAL AND METHOD: For that purpose 40 female Wistar rats were used, divided in four groups: 1. saline solution + GSNO; 2. saline solution + polymeric solution (without GNSO); 3. protamine sulphate + KCl; 4. protamine sulphate + GSNO. The rats received one application (5 animals) or 3 applications (5 animals) of the corresponding substance through intravesical instillation, and after 6 days (5 animals) or 9 days (5 animals) they were euthanized and their bladders were removed for macroscopic evaluation and histological study. RESULTS: In the macroscopic evaluation we observed edema and hyperemia of the mucosa in 2 (22%) of the animals in group 1, in 0 (0%) of the animals in group 2, in 10 (100%) of the animals in group 3, and in 5 (50%) of the animals in group 4. In the protamine + KCl group and in saline + GSNO similar effects were observed on the bladder wall. The animals in group 2 (saline + polymeric) showed vascular congestion, significantly smaller than the rest after 9 days instillations (p=0.0035). Significant increased fibrosis was observed after instillations in groups 3 and 4, after 6 days (p=0.3781) and 9 days (p=0.0459) respectively, when compared to control (group 2). All groups presented neutrophilic infiltrate of variable intensity 6 days after instillations (p=0.7277). After 9 days, there was a regression of the infiltrate, with no evidence of accentuated neutrophilic reaction in all the groups (p=0.2301). CONCLUSION: The inflammatory response to bladder instillation of an aqueous solution of S-nitrousglutathione was very similar to that induced by bladder instillation of protamine and KCl. Instillation of an aqueous solution of GSNO can be considered a new model for experimental induction of interstitial cystitis.

[Impact of topic administration of nitric oxide donor gel in the clitoridian blood flow, assessed by Doppler ultra-sound]. / Impacto en la administración de un donante de óxido nítrico en gel en el flujo sanguíneo clitoridiano, medido por eco-Doppler.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate of the impact of NO molecules in Pluronic F-127 gel, applied topically in the clitoris, on the clitoridian blood flow of healthy volunteer women, using the Doppler ultra-sound. METHOD: A total of 20 healthy women over 18 years old and sexually active with no sexual hormones alteration were enrolled. The Doppler ultra-sound procedure was performed on the artery of the clitoris in patients without the NO donor gel, and then after fifteen minutes of its application the same procedure was done again, to compare the values. RESULTS: The hemodynamic results showed, that this formulation was responsible for the increase of the systolic and diastolic speeds in about 2,5 times after 15 min of the administration of the gel. The initial resistance index was increased in 1.2 due to the local venous congestion in only 15 min after the administration of gel. Indicating that this product can be used to promote the dilatation of the artery of the clitoris to treat women with sexual dysfunction. CONCLUSION: The use of topic hidrogel as a donor drug in the clitoris of women resulting in a local vasodilatation, without systemic effects. These findings suggest that this preparation may be useful in the management of selected cases of female sexual dysfunction.