Showing papers by "University of São Paulo published in 2006"

Novel methods improve prediction of species' distributions from occurrence data

Abstract: Prediction of species' distributions is central to diverse applications in ecology, evolution and conservation science. There is increasing electronic access to vast sets of occurrence records in museums and herbaria, yet little effective guidance on how best to use this information in the context of numerous approaches for modelling distributions. To meet this need, we compared 16 modelling methods over 226 species from 6 regions of the world, creating the most comprehensive set of model comparisons to date. We used presence-only data to fit models, and independent presence-absence data to evaluate the predictions. Along with well-established modelling methods such as generalised additive models and GARP and BIOCLIM, we explored methods that either have been developed recently or have rarely been applied to modelling species' distributions. These include machine-learning methods and community models, both of which have features that may make them particularly well suited to noisy or sparse information, as is typical of species' occurrence data. Presence-only data were effective for modelling species' distributions for many species and regions. The novel methods consistently outperformed more established methods. The results of our analysis are promising for the use of data from museums and herbaria, especially as methods suited to the noise inherent in such data improve.

Black Carbon Increases Cation Exchange Capacity in Soils

Abstract: Black Carbon (BC) may significantly affect nutrient retention and play a key role in a wide range of biogeochemical processes in soils, especially for nutrient cycling. Anthrosols from the Brazilian Amazon (ages between 600 and 8700 yr BP) with high contents of biomassderived BC had greater potential cation exchange capacity (CEC measured at pH 7) per unit organic C than adjacent soils with low BC contents.Synchrotron-based near edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy coupled with scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM) techniques explained the source of the higher surface charge of BC compared with non-BC by mapping crosssectional areas of BC particles with diameters of 10 to 50 mm for C forms. The largest cross-sectional areas consisted of highly aromatic or only slightly oxidized organic C most likely originating from the BC itself with a characteristic peak at 286.1 eV, which could not be found in humic substance extracts, bacteria or fungi. Oxidation significantly increased from the core of BC particles to their surfaces as shown by the ratio of carboxyl-C/aromatic-C. Spotted and non-continuous distribution patterns of highly oxidized C functional groups with distinctly different chemical signatures on BC particle surfaces (peak shift at 286.1 eV to a higher energy of 286.7 eV) indicated that non-BC may be adsorbed on the surfaces of BC particles creating highly oxidized surface. As a consequence of both oxidation of the BC particles themselves and adsorption of organic matter to BC surfaces, the charge density (potential CEC per unit surface area) was greater in BC-rich Anthrosols than adjacent soils. Additionally, a high specific surface area was attributable to the presence of BC, which may contribute to the high CEC found in soils that are rich in BC.

Insights into social insects from the genome of the honeybee Apis mellifera

Abstract: Here we report the genome sequence of the honeybee Apis mellifera, a key model for social behaviour and essential to global ecology through pollination. Compared with other sequenced insect genomes, the A. mellifera genome has high A+T and CpG contents, lacks major transposon families, evolves more slowly, and is more similar to vertebrates for circadian rhythm, RNA interference and DNA methylation genes, among others. Furthermore, A. mellifera has fewer genes for innate immunity, detoxification enzymes, cuticle-forming proteins and gustatory receptors, more genes for odorant receptors, and novel genes for nectar and pollen utilization, consistent with its ecology and social organization. Compared to Drosophila, genes in early developmental pathways differ in Apis, whereas similarities exist for functions that differ markedly, such as sex determination, brain function and behaviour. Population genetics suggests a novel African origin for the species A. mellifera and insights into whether Africanized bees spread throughout the New World via hybridization or displacement.

Retinal vessel segmentation using the 2-D Gabor wavelet and supervised classification

Abstract: We present a method for automated segmentation of the vasculature in retinal images. The method produces segmentations by classifying each image pixel as vessel or nonvessel, based on the pixel's feature vector. Feature vectors are composed of the pixel's intensity and two-dimensional Gabor wavelet transform responses taken at multiple scales. The Gabor wavelet is capable of tuning to specific frequencies, thus allowing noise filtering and vessel enhancement in a single step. We use a Bayesian classifier with class-conditional probability density functions (likelihoods) described as Gaussian mixtures, yielding a fast classification, while being able to model complex decision surfaces. The probability distributions are estimated based on a training set of labeled pixels obtained from manual segmentations. The method's performance is evaluated on publicly available DRIVE (Staal et al.,2004) and STARE (Hoover et al.,2000) databases of manually labeled images. On the DRIVE database, it achieves an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.9614, being slightly superior than that presented by state-of-the-art approaches. We are making our implementation available as open source MATLAB scripts for researchers interested in implementation details, evaluation, or development of methods

Toward a unified view of the American monsoon systems

Abstract: An important goal of the Climate Variability and Predictability (CLIVAR) research on the American monsoon systems is to determine the sources and limits of predictability of warm season precipitation, with emphasis on weekly to interannual time scales. This paper reviews recent progress in the understanding of the American monsoon systems and identifies some of the future challenges that remain to improve warm season climate prediction. Much of the recent progress is derived from complementary international programs in North and South America, namely, the North American Monsoon Experiment (NAME) and the Monsoon Experiment South America (MESA), with the following common objectives: 1) to understand the key components of the American monsoon systems and their variability, 2) to determine the role of these systems in the global water cycle, 3) to improve observational datasets, and 4) to improve simulation and monthly-to-seasonal prediction of the monsoons and regional water resources. Among the recent observational advances highlighted in this paper are new insights into moisture transport processes, description of the structure and variability of the South American low-level jet, and resolution of the diurnal cycle of precipitation in the core monsoon regions. NAME and MESA are also driving major efforts in model development and hydrologic applications. Incorporated into the postfield phases of these projects are assessments of atmosphere–land surface interactions and model-based climate predictability experiments. As CLIVAR research on American monsoon systems evolves, a unified view of the climatic processes modulating continental warm season precipitation is beginning to emerge.

Guidelines of the Pituitary Society for the diagnosis and management of prolactinomas

Abstract: In June 2005, an ad hoc Expert Committee formed by the Pituitary Society convened during the 9th International Pituitary Congress in San Diego, California. Members of this committee consisted of invited international experts in the field, and included endocrinologists and neurosurgeons with recognized expertise in the management of prolactinomas. Discussions were held that included all interested participants to the Congress and resulted in formulation of these guidelines, which represent the current recommendations on the diagnosis and management of prolactinomas based upon comprehensive analysis and synthesis of all available data.

A sham-controlled, phase II trial of transcranial direct current stimulation for the treatment of central pain in traumatic spinal cord injury

Abstract: Past evidence has shown that motor cortical stimulation with invasive and non-invasive brain stimulation is effective to relieve central pain. Here we aimed to study the effects of another, very safe technique of non-invasive brain stimulation--transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)--on pain control in patients with central pain due to traumatic spinal cord injury. Patients were randomized to receive sham or active motor tDCS (2mA, 20 min for 5 consecutive days). A blinded evaluator rated the pain using the visual analogue scale for pain, Clinician Global Impression and Patient Global Assessment. Safety was assessed with a neuropsychological battery and confounders with the evaluation of depression and anxiety changes. There was a significant pain improvement after active anodal stimulation of the motor cortex, but not after sham stimulation. These results were not confounded by depression or anxiety changes. Furthermore, cognitive performance was not significantly changed throughout the trial in both treatment groups. The results of our study suggest that this new approach of cortical stimulation can be effective to control pain in patients with spinal cord lesion. We discuss potential mechanisms for pain amelioration after tDCS, such as a secondary modulation of thalamic nuclei activity.

Trends in Total and Extreme South American Rainfall in 1960–2000 and Links with Sea Surface Temperature

Abstract: A weeklong workshop in Brazil in August 2004 provided the opportunity for 28 scientists from southern South America to examine daily rainfall observations to determine changes in both total and extreme rainfall. Twelve annual indices of daily rainfall were calculated over the period 1960 to 2000, examining changes to both the entire distribution as well as the extremes. Maps of trends in the 12 rainfall indices showed large regions of coherent change, with many stations showing statistically significant changes in some of the indices. The pattern of trends for the extremes was generally the same as that for total annual rainfall, with a change to wetter conditions in Ecuador and northern Peru and the region of southern Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and northern and central Argentina. A decrease was observed in southern Peru and southern Chile, with the latter showing significant decreases in many indices. A canonical correlation analysis between each of the indices and sea surface temperatures (SSTs) revealed two large-scale patterns that have contributed to the observed trends in the rainfall indices. A coupled pattern with ENSO-like SST loadings and rainfall loadings showing similarities with the pattern of the observed trend reveals that the change to a generally more negative Southern Oscillation index (SOI) has had an important effect on regional rainfall trends. A significant decrease in many of the rainfall indices at several stations in southern Chile and Argentina can be explained by a canonical pattern reflecting a weakening of the continental trough leading to a southward shift in storm tracks. This latter signal is a change that has been seen at similar latitudes in other parts of the Southern Hemisphere. A similar analysis was carried out for eastern Brazil using gridded indices calculated from 354 stations from the Global Historical Climatology Network (GHCN) database. The observed trend toward wetter conditions in the southwest and drier conditions in the northeast could again be explained by changes in ENSO.

Modelling the Galactic Interstellar Extinction Distribution in Three Dimensions

Abstract: Aims. The Two Micron All Sky Survey, along with the Stellar Population Synthesis Model of the Galaxy, developed in Besancon, is used to calculate the extinction distribution along different lines of sight. By combining many lines of sight, the large scale distribution of interstellar material can be deduced. Methods. The Galaxy model is used to provide the intrinsic colour of stars and their probable distances, so that the near infrared colour excess, and hence the extinction, may be calculated and its distance evaluated. Such a technique is dependent on the model used, however we are able to show that moderate changes in the model parameters result in insignificant changes in the predicted extinction. Results. This technique has now been applied to over 64000 lines of sight, each separated by 15', in the inner Galaxy (|l| < 100°, |b| < 10°). We have projected our three dimensional results onto a two dimensional plane in order to compare them with existing two dimensional extinction maps and CO surveys. We find that although differences exist due to the different methods used or the medium traced, the same large scale structures are visible in each of the different maps. Using our extinction map, we have derived the main characteristics of the large scale structure of the dust distribution. The scale height of the interstellar matter is found to be 125 +17 -7 pc. The dust distribution is found to be asymmetrically warped, in agreement with CO and HI observations of the ISM. However, the slope of the dust warp and the galactocentric distance where it starts are found to be smaller than the values measured for the external HI disc: for positive longitudes the angle is 0 = 89°, it starts at 8.7 kpc from the Galactic center and grows with a slope of 0.14, while at negative longitudes, the angle of the maximum is at θ = 272°, the starting radius 7.8 kpc and the slope 0.11. Finally, the presence of dust is detected in the Galactic bulge. It forms an elongated structure approximately 5.2 kpc long and lies at an angle of 30 ± 5° with respect to the Sun-Galactic centre direction. This may be interpreted as a dust lane along the Galactic bar. This resulting extinction map will be useful for studies of the inner Galaxy and its stellar populations.

Last Glacial Maximum and Holocene Climate in CCSM3

Abstract: The climate sensitivity of the Community Climate System Model version 3 (CCSM3) is studied for two past climate forcings, the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and the mid-Holocene. The LGM, approximately 21 000 yr ago, is a glacial period with large changes in the greenhouse gases, sea level, and ice sheets. The mid-Holocene, approximately 6000 yr ago, occurred during the current interglacial with primary changes in the seasonal solar irradiance. The LGM CCSM3 simulation has a global cooling of 4.5°C compared to preindustrial (PI) conditions with amplification of this cooling at high latitudes and over the continental ice sheets present at LGM. Tropical sea surface temperature (SST) cools by 1.7°C and tropical land temperature cools by 2.6°C on average. Simulations with the CCSM3 slab ocean model suggest that about half of the global cooling is explained by the reduced LGM concentration of atmospheric CO2 (∼50% of present-day concentrations). There is an increase in the Antarctic Circumpolar Current an...

A randomized, sham‐controlled, proof of principle study of transcranial direct current stimulation for the treatment of pain in fibromyalgia

Abstract: Objective. Recent evidence suggests that fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by dysfunctional brain activity. Because transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can modulate brain activity noninvasively and can decrease pain in patients with refractory central pain, we hypothesized that tDCS treatment would result in pain relief in patients with fibromyalgia. Methods. Thirty-two patients were randomized to receive sham stimulation or real tDCS with the anode centered over the primary motor cortex (M1) or the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) (2 mA for 20 minutes on 5 consecutive days). A blinded evaluator rated the patient’s pain, using the visual analog scale for pain, the clinician’s global impression, the patient’s global assessment, and the number of tender points. Other symptoms of fibromyalgia were evaluated using the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire and the Short Form 36 Health Survey. Safety was assessed with a battery of neuropsychological tests. To assess potential confounders, we measured mood and anxiety changes throughout the trial. Results. Anodal tDCS of the primary motor cortex induced significantly greater pain improvement compared with sham stimulation and stimulation of the DLPFC (P < 0.0001). Although this effect decreased after treatment ended, it was still significant after 3 weeks of followup (P 0.004). A small positive impact on quality of life was observed among patients who received anodal M1 stimulation. This treatment was associated with a few mild adverse events, but the frequency of these events in the active-treatment groups was similar to that in the sham group. Cognitive changes were similar in all 3 treatment groups. Conclusion. Our findings provide initial evidence of a beneficial effect of tDCS in fibromyalgia, thus encouraging further trials.

Observation of muon neutrino disappearance with the MINOS detectors in the NuMI neutrino beam

Abstract: This letter reports results from the MINOS experiment based on its initial exposure to neutrinos from the Fermilab NuMI beam. The rate and energy spectra of charged current muon neutrino interactions are compared in two detectors located along the beam axis at distances of 1 km and 735 km. With 1.27 x 10^{20} 120 GeV protons incident on the NuMI target, 215 events with energies below 30 GeV are observed at the Far Detector, compared to an expectation of 336 \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\pm 14.4 events. The data are consistent with muon neutrino disappearance via oscillation with |\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\Delta m^2_{23}| = 2.74^{+0.44}_{-0.26} x 10^{-3} eV^2/c^4 and sin^2(2\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\theta_{23}) > 0.87 (at 60% C.L.).

Reversibility of lung collapse and hypoxemia in early acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Abstract: Rationale: The hypothesis that lung collapse is detrimental during the acute respiratory distress syndrome is still debatable. One of the difficulties is the lack of an efficient maneuver to minimize it.Objectives: To test if a bedside recruitment strategy, capable of reversing hypoxemia and collapse in > 95% of lung units, is clinically applicable in early acute respiratory distress syndrome.Methods: Prospective assessment of a stepwise maximum-recruitment strategy using multislice computed tomography and continuous blood-gas hemodynamic monitoring.Measurements and Main Results: Twenty-six patients received sequential increments in inspiratory airway pressures, in 5 cm H2O steps, until the detection of PaO2 + PaCO2 ⩾ 400 mm Hg. Whenever this primary target was not met, despite inspiratory pressures reaching 60 cm H2O, the maneuver was considered incomplete. If there was hemodynamic deterioration or barotrauma, the maneuver was to be interrupted. Late assessment of recruitment efficacy was performed by co...

Polyamines Induce Rapid Biosynthesis of Nitric Oxide (NO) in Arabidopsis thaliana Seedlings

Abstract: In this study, we examined the regulation by putrescine, spermidine and spermine of nitric oxide (NO) biosynthesis in Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings. Using a fluorimetric method employing the cell-impermeable NO-binding dye diaminorhodamine-4M (DAR-4M), we observed that the polyamines (PAs) spermidine and spermine greatly increased NO release in the seedlings, whereas arginine and putrescine had little or no effect. Spermine, the most active PA, stimulated NO release with no apparent lag phase. The response was quenched by addition of 2-aminoethyl-2-thiopseudourea (AET), an inhibitor of the animal nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and plant NO biosynthesis, and by 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-1-oxy-3-oxide (PTIO), an NO scavenger. By fluorescence microscopy, using the cell-permeable NO-binding dye diaminorhodamine-4M acetoxymethyl ester (DAR-4M AM), we observed that PAs induced NO biosynthesis in specific tissues in Arabidopsis seedlings. Spermine and spermidine increased NO biosynthesis in the elongation zone of the Arabidopsis root tip and in primary leaves, especially in the veins and trichomes, while in cotyledons little or no effect of PAs beyond the endogenous levels of NO-induced fluorescence was observed. We conclude that PAs induce NO biosynthesis in plants.

Evaluation of the impact of the Family Health Program on infant mortality in Brazil, 1990–2002

Abstract: Objective: To use publicly available secondary data to assess the impact of Brazil’s Family Health Program on state level infant mortality rates (IMR) during the 1990s. Design: Longitudinal ecological analysis using panel data from secondary sources. Analyses controlled for state level measures of access to clean water and sanitation, average income, women’s literacy and fertility, physicians and nurses per 10 000 population, and hospital beds per 1000 population. Additional analyses controlled for immunisation coverage and tested interactions between Family Health Program and proportionate mortality from diarrhoea and acute respiratory infections. Setting: 13 years (1990–2002) of data from 27 Brazilian states. Main results: From 1990 to 2002 IMR declined from 49.7 to 28.9 per 1000 live births. During the same period average Family Health Program coverage increased from 0% to 36%. A 10% increase in Family Health Program coverage was associated with a 4.5% decrease in IMR, controlling for all other health determinants (p Conclusions: The Family Health Program is associated with reduced IMR, suggesting it is an important, although not unique, contributor to declining infant mortality in Brazil. Existing secondary datasets provide an important tool for evaluation of the effectiveness of health services in Brazil.

Isolation and Characterization of a Population of Immature Dental Pulp Stem Cells Expressing OCT-4 and Other Embryonic Stem Cell Markers

Abstract: We report the isolation of a population of immature dental pulp stem cells (IDPSC), which express embryonic stem cell markers Oct-4, Nanog, SSEA-3, SSEA-4, TRA-1-60 and TRA-1-81 as well as several other mesenchymal stem cell markers during at least 25 passages while maintaining the normal karyotype and the rate of expansion characteristic of stem cells. The expression of these markers was maintained in subclones obtained from these cells. Moreover, in vitrothese cells can be induced to undergo uniform differentiation into smooth and skeletal muscles, neurons, cartilage, and bone under chemically defined culture conditions. After in vivo transplantation of these cells into immunocompromised mice, they showed dense engraftment in various tissues. The relative ease of recovery and the expression profiles of various markers justify further exploration of IDPSC for clinical therapy.

Treatment of major depression with transcranial direct current stimulation.

Abstract: Various forms of brain stimulation appear to be effective in the treatment of depression. Eletroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is the most effective treatment of depression available, but it is associated with anesthetic risks, adverse cognitive effects, and social burden. The advent of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) offers a less invasive option for depression treatment. However, rTMS is still expensive and the results are heterogeneous (1). Deep brain stimulation and vagal nerve stimulation are being studied as potentially promising depression treatments, but both are invasive. In recent years, a brain stimulation technique that seemed long forgotten has received renewed attention: the transcranial stimulation with weak direct currents (transcranical direct current stimulation). There are few past reports of tDCS to treat depression (2). However, at the time of those trials much less was known about methodological aspects and physiologic effects of tDCS and the results were quite variable. It is now clear that the efficacy of tDCS depends critically on parameters like electrode position and current strength (3). Furthermore, important advances in the understanding of depression pathophysiology, such as neuroimaging studies showing a focal frontal dysfunction in brain activity, suggest that a focal technique of brain stimulation might be helpful for the treatment of depression (4). Therefore, based on these recent evidences, studies re-evaluating the effects of tDCS on depressed patients are warranted. In this randomized, controlled and double-blind trial, we investigate the effects of 5 days of anodal stimulation of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in 10 patients with major depression (42.7 ± 10 years). Patients were randomly assigned into one of two groups: active or sham tDCS. All patients were evaluated by the same rater, who remained blinded to the results of the study group assignment. tDCS was applied through a saline-soaked pair of surface sponge electrodes (35 cm). The anode electrode was placed over F3 (10–20 International EEG System) of each subject. The cathode was placed over the contralateral supraorbital area. A constant current of 1 mA strength was applied for 20 min/day (administered for five alternated days). For sham stimulation, the stimulator was turned off after a few seconds. All patients tolerated tDCS without complications. At the end of treatment, there were four treatment responders in the active group versus no responders in the sham group. The patients that received active stimulation had a significant decrease in the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Beck Depression Inventory scores when compared with baseline that was not observed in patients that received sham stimulation (Fig. 1).

Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities of the natural polyphenol chlorogenic acid

Abstract: Phenolic compounds are numerous and ubiquitous in the plant kingdom, being particularly present in health-promoting foods. Epidemiological evidences suggest that the consumption of polyphenol-rich foods reduces the incidence of cancer, coronary heart disease and inflammation. Chlorogenic acid (CGA) is one of the most abundant polyphenol compounds in human diet. Data obtained from in vivo and in vitro experiments show that CGA mostly presents antioxidant and anti-carcinogenic activities. However, the effects of CGA on the inflammatory reaction and on the related pain and fever processes have been explored less so far. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and antipyretic activities of CGA in rats. In comparison to control, CGA at doses 50 and 100 mg/kg inhibited carrageenin-induced paw edema beginning at the 2nd hour of the experimental procedure. Furthermore, at doses 50 and 100 mg/kg CGA also inhibited the number of flinches in the late phase of formalin-induced pain test. Such activities may be derived from the inhibitory action of CGA in the peripheral synthesis/release of inflammatory mediators involved in these responses. On the other hand, even at the highest tested dose (200 mg/kg), CGA did not inhibit the febrile response induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in rats. Additional experiments are necessary in order to clarify the true target for the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of CGA.

Prevención de lesiones de piel en el perioperatorio: revisión integradora de la literatura

Abstract: La toma de decisiones en la practica diaria del enfermero necesita ser basada en conocimiento cientifico. La practica basada en evidencias es una aproximacion que establece la utilizacion de resultados de investigaciones en la practica clinica, con la revision integradora como uno de sus recursos. La finalidad de esta revision integradora es buscar y evaluar las evidencias disponibles sobre las intervenciones eficaces de enfermeria para la prevencion de lesiones de piel en el paciente quirurgico, en el periodo transoperatorio, o como resultado del mismo. Utilizamos dos bases de datos, Cinahl y Medline, para la seleccion de los articulos, resultando en una muestra de 14 articulos. Tras el analisis de los articulos incluidos en la revision, los resultados de los estudios indicaron que los dispositivos considerados los mas eficaces en la prevencion de lesiones de piel fueron, sucesivamente, el sistema de colchon dinamico pulsante multi-celula, la almohada de polimero seco visco-elastico y almohadas con gel.

The Dimensional Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (DY-BOCS): an instrument for assessing obsessive-compulsive symptom dimensions.

Abstract: Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) encompasses a broad range of symptoms representing multiple domains This complex phenotype can be summarized using a few consistent and temporally stable symptom dimensions The objective of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of the Dimensional Yale–Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale (DY-BOCS) This scale measures the presence and severity of obsessive–compulsive (OC) symptoms within six distinct dimensions that combine thematically related obsessions and compulsions The DY-BOCS includes portions to be used as a self-report instrument and portions to be used by expert raters, including global ratings of OC symptom severity and overall impairment We assessed 137 patients with a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-IV diagnosis of OCD, aged 6–69 years, from sites in the USA, Canada and Brazil Estimates of the reliability and validity of both the expert and self-report versions of the DY-BOCS were calculated and stratified according to age (pediatric vs adult subjects) The internal consistency of each of the six symptom dimensions and the global severity score were excellent The inter-rater agreement was also excellent for all component scores Self-report and expert ratings were highly intercorrelated The global DY-BOCS score was highly correlated with the total Yale–Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale score (Pearson r=082, P<00001) Severity scores for individual symptom dimensions were largely independent of one another, only modestly correlated with the global ratings, and were also differentially related to ratings of depression, anxiety and tic severity No major differences were observed when the results were stratified by age These results indicate that the DY-BOCS is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing multiple aspects of OCD symptom severity in natural history, neuroimaging, treatment response and genetic studies when administered by expert clinicians or their highly trained staff

Cannabidiol, a Cannabis sativa constituent, as an antipsychotic drug.

Abstract: A high dose of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the main Cannabis sativa (cannabis) component, induces anxiety and psychotic-like symptoms in healthy volunteers. These effects of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol are significantly reduced by cannabidiol (CBD), a cannabis constituent which is devoid of the typical effects of the plant. This observation led us to suspect that CBD could have anxiolytic and/or antipsychotic actions. Studies in animal models and in healthy volunteers clearly suggest an anxiolytic-like effect of CBD. The antipsychotic-like properties of CBD have been investigated in animal models using behavioral and neurochemical techniques which suggested that CBD has a pharmacological profile similar to that of atypical antipsychotic drugs. The results of two studies on healthy volunteers using perception of binocular depth inversion and ketamine-induced psychotic symptoms supported the proposal of the antipsychotic-like properties of CBD. In addition, open case reports of schizophrenic patients treated with CBD and a preliminary report of a controlled clinical trial comparing CBD with an atypical antipsychotic drug have confirmed that this cannabinoid can be a safe and well-tolerated alternative treatment for schizophrenia. Future studies of CBD in other psychotic conditions such as bipolar disorder and comparative studies of its antipsychotic effects with those produced by clozapine in schizophrenic patients are clearly indicated.

Juvenile localized scleroderma: clinical and epidemiological features in 750 children. An international study

Abstract: Objective. Juvenile localized scleroderma (JLS) includes a number of conditions often grouped together. With the long-term goal of developing uniform classification criteria, we studied the epidemiological, clinical and immunological features of children with JLS followed by paediatric rheumatology and dermatology centres. Methods. A large, multicentre, multinational study was conducted by collecting information on the demographics, family history, triggering environmental factors, clinical and laboratory features, and treatment of patients with JLS. Results. Seven hundred and fifty patients with JLS from 70 centres were enrolled into the study. The disease duration at diagnosis was 18 months. Linear scleroderma (LS) was the most frequent subtype (65%), followed by plaque morphea (PM) (26%), generalized morphea (GM) (7%) and deep morphea (DM) (2%). As many as 15% of patients had a mixed subtype. Ninety-one patients (12%) had a positive family history for rheumatic or autoimmune diseases; 100 (13.3%) reported environmental events as possible trigger. ANA was positive in 42.3% of the patients, with a higher prevalence in the LS-DM subtype than in the PM-GM subtype. Scl70 was detected in the sera of 3% of the patients, anticentromere antibody in 2%, anti-double-stranded DNA in 4%, anti-cardiolipin antibody in 13% and rheumatoid factor in 16%. Methotrexate was the drug most frequently used, especially during the last 5 yr. Conclusion. This study represents the largest collection of patients with JLS ever reported. The insidious onset of the disease, the delay in diagnosis, the recognition of mixed subtype and the better definition of the other subtypes should influence our efforts in educating trainees and practitioners and help in developing a comprehensive classification system for this syndrome.

Impaired Control of IRES-Mediated Translation in X-Linked Dyskeratosis Congenita

Abstract: The DKC1 gene encodes a pseudouridine synthase that modifies ribosomal RNA (rRNA). DKC1 is mutated in people with X-linked dyskeratosis congenita (X-DC), a disease characterized by bone marrow failure, skin abnormalities, and increased susceptibility to cancer. How alterations in ribosome modification might lead to cancer and other features of the disease remains unknown. Using an unbiased proteomics strategy, we discovered a specific defect in IRES (internal ribosome entry site)-dependent translation in Dkc1(m) mice and in cells from X-DC patients. This defect results in impaired translation of messenger RNAs containing IRES elements, including those encoding the tumor suppressor p27(Kip1) and the antiapoptotic factors Bcl-xL and XIAP (X-linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein). Moreover, Dkc1(m) ribosomes were unable to direct translation from IRES elements present in viral messenger RNAs. These findings reveal a potential mechanism by which defective ribosome activity leads to disease and cancer.

A bird's-eye view of density-functional theory

Abstract: This paper is the outgrowth of lectures the author gave at the Physics Institute and the Chemistry Institute of the University of Sao Paulo at Sao Carlos, Brazil, and at the VIII'th Summer School on Electronic Structure of the Brazilian Physical Society. It is an attempt to introduce density-functional theory (DFT) in a language accessible for students entering the field or researchers from other fields. It is not meant to be a scholarly review of DFT, but rather an informal guide to its conceptual basis and some recent developments and advances. The Hohenberg-Kohn theorem and the Kohn-Sham equations are discussed in some detail. Approximate density functionals, selected aspects of applications of DFT, and a variety of extensions of standard DFT are also discussed, albeit in less detail. Throughout it is attempted to provide a balanced treatment of aspects that are relevant for chemistry and aspects relevant for physics, but with a strong bias towards conceptual foundations. The paper is intended to be read before (or in parallel with) one of the many excellent more technical reviews available in the literature.