Active urban mobility in adults with hearing loss and their perception of the environment: a multicenter study

This study aimed to estimate the association between hearing loss and active urban mobility (walking and/or bicycling), according to perception of the environment in adults in three Brazilian capital cities. This was a cross-sectional study of 2,350 adults (18-59 years) residing in Brasília (Federal District), Florianópolis (Santa Catarina), and Porto Alegre (Rio Grande do Sul), assessed by the multicenter study Healthy Urban Mobility (MUS) in 2017 and 2018. The outcome variable was active urban mobility (≥ 10 minutes/week), and the principal exposure was self-reported hearing loss. The analyses were stratified by the variable "perception of the environment" - perception of places for walking and bicycling (negative; positive). Logistic regression was used to estimate crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). Prevalence rates for self-reported hearing loss and active urban mobility were 17% (95%CI: 15.4; 18.4) and 55.4% (95%CI: 53.4; 57.4), respectively. Adults with hearing loss and that perceived the environment negatively for walking and bicycling showed 34% lower odds of active urban mobility ≥ 10 minutes/week (OR = 0.66; 95%CI: 0.45; 0.97). In conclusion, there was an association between hearing loss and active urban mobility in adults in the three capital cities, according to negative perception of the environment. Persons with hearing loss that perceived the neighborhood negatively tend to circulate less by active means.

Como Medir o Hábito? Evidências de Validade de um Índice de Autorrelato

RESUMO O hábito é um comportamento aprendido que se tornou automático após várias repetições em um contexto estável. Investigamos o uso habitual do automóvel. Realizaram-se dois estudos sobre as propriedades psicométricas do Índice de Autorrelato do Hábito (IAH). No Estudo 1, o IAH foi traduzido para o português e, posteriormente, testado com 238 participantes. Constataram-se bons indicadores de precisão (α = 0,95), de validade de construto e de validade convergente com duas medidas de hábito (ambas r = 0,70, p = 0,01), assim como com a quantidade de quilômetros rodados (r = 0,20, p = 0,05). No Estudo 2, com 970 participantes, por meio de survey on-line, foram identificadas novas evidências de validade e precisão, corroborando o Estudo 1.

Isolierung von Elymoclavin-O-β-ᴅ-fruktosid aus Kulturen des Mutterkornpilzes

Elymoclavine-O-β-ᴅ-fructoside, a new type of ergot alkaloid, has been isolated from cultures of the ergot strain SD 58. Evidence is presented suggesting that this alkaloid is formed from elymoclavine and the sucrose of the medium by the action of invertase present in the fungal mycelia.

Über den Einbau der Tryptophan-Seitenkette und den Mechanismus der Reaktion am α-C-Atom

Experiments with Claviceps spec., strain SD 58, showed that L-tryptophan is a more immediate precursor of ergot alkaloids than D-tryptophan. With the exception of the carboxyl group all carbon, nitrogen and hydrogen atoms of the alanine side chain are incorporated into the alkaloids from L-tryptophan. In the case of D-tryptophan the nitrogen and the α-hydrogen of the side chain are lost during incorporation. Degradative studies confirmed that the tritium of DL-tryptophan- [alanine-2 -3H] is transferred to position 5 of the ergoline ring. The results show, that n-tryptophan is converted into the L-form via the keto acid prior to incorporation. The condensation reaction at the α-carbon of the tryptophan side chain during alkaloid biosynthesis probably involves a Waldeninversion. The mechanism of this reaction is discussed.

Biosynthese der Mutterkornalkaloide. Biogenetische Beziehungen zwischen Clavinen und Lysergsäure-Derivaten

Using Claviceps paspalum strain Li 189 and various tritium-labeled clavine alkaloids, it was demonstrated that agroclavine and elymoclavine but not penniclavine are precursors of lysergic acid derivatives. There was some incorporation of lysergene, lysergole and isolysergole, the latter two giving rise predominantly to the lysergic acid derivatives with the same configuration at carbon 8. However, these compounds cannot be considered as intermediate on the main pathway of lysergic acid formation, since their incorporations were 10 times lower than that of elymoclavine. The pathway of conversion of elymoclavine into lysergic acid derivatives is discussed.

Chiral products from non-pyridine nucleotide-dependent reductases and methods for NAD(P)H regeneration

Enoate reductase (EC 1.3.1.31) from a Clostridium tyrobutyricum strain catalyses the stereospecific reduction of many different alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylates, aldehydes and even some ketones. The enzyme accepts electrons from NADH and, 1.5 times faster, from reduced methyl viologen (1,1'-dimethyl-4,4'-bipyridinium). Another new type of non-pyridine nucleotide-dependent reductase has an extremely broad substrate specificity for 2-oxo-carboxylates and 2-oxo-dicarboxylates. In crude extracts from Proteus mirabilis and Proteus vulgaris, specific activities of 2-12 mumol product formed per mg protein per min can be found when reduced methyl or benzyl viologen is used as electron donor. The products are (2R)-hydroxy acids. Enoate reductase and 2-oxo-carboxylate reductase are suitable for electro-enzymic reductions in which catalytic amounts of viologens are continuously reduced in an electrochemical cell. This procedure has three advantages: (1) regeneration of NAD(P)H by a second enzyme and substrate is not required, (2) the unstable pyridine nucleotides are not required in the reaction mixture, and (3) the rate of the reaction can be observed continuously by measuring an electric current. Several yeasts, as well as aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, catalyse the reduction of NAD(P)+ by reduced methyl viologen. Such cells can be used for electro-microbial reductions when only pyridine nucleotide-dependent reductases are present. Information about the enzymes which catalyse the reduction of NAD(P)+ at the expense of reduced methyl viologen is given.

Normas, justiça, atribuição e poder: uma revisão e agenda de pesquisa sobre filas de espera

Partindo do pressuposto de que a fila de espera é um sistema social, são analisados brevemente sua natureza e seus tipos de ocorrência. Quatro temáticas da psicologia social que podem ser usadas para abordar os fenômenos de comportamento envolvidos em filas são analisadas: (a) normas sociais e influência social; (b) justiça, em suas vertentes distributiva, processual e interacional; (c) atribuição de causalidade; (d) relações de poder e de status. Como agenda de pesquisa, são identificadas ainda as lacunas empíricas em cada uma dessas temáticas, considerando a relevância teórica e prática dos problemas relacionados a situações reais de atendimento por filas de espera.

Pesquisa qualitativa versus pesquisa quantitativa: esta é a questão?

Diante da falta de diálogo entre pesquisadores qualitativos e quantitativos, este artigo adota uma posição "ecumênica". Argumenta que ambas as abordagens têm suas vantagens, desvantagens, pontos positivos e pontos negativos, considerando que o método escolhido deve se adequar à pergunta de uma determinada pesquisa. O trabalho apresenta algumas diferenciações entre a pesquisa qualitativa e a pesquisa quantitativa. Em seguida, aponta a complexidade da pesquisa qualitativa em termos de pressupostos, coleta, transcrição e análise de dados. Discutimos, também, critérios de qualidade para a pesquisa qualitativa. Concluimos com considerações sobre as conseqüências para a pesquisa, ao se optar pela pesquisa qualitativa e/ou pela pesquisa quantitativa.

2-n-nonyl-4-hydroxy[3-3H]quinoline N-oxide: interaction with the mitochondrial membrane

1. Synthesized 2-n-nonyl-4-hydroxy[3-3H]quinoline N-oxide ([3H]NoHOQnO) is a powerful inhibitor of both NADH oxidase and succinate oxidase activities in submitochondrial particles from beef heart. 2. The binding of [3H]NoHOQnO to submitochondrial particles reveals one specific binding site, which is sensitive to antimycin, and a large amount of aspecific binding. 3. The content of [3H]NoHOQnO-specific binding sites is related to the cytochrome b content in the particles. 4. The binding of [3H]NoHOQnO to the specific site causes the inhibition of electron transfer. 5. The relation between the inhibition of NADH oxidation and [3H]NoHOQnO-specific binding is hyperbolic.

Lugares favoritos de adolescentes no Distrito Federal

Explorou-se neste estudo quais os lugares preferidos e não preferidos por 562 jovens (292 F e 270 M), com idades entre 13 e 19 anos (média = 15 anos e 7 meses e desvio padrão = 1 ano e 1 mês), freqüentando a primeira série do ensino médio, sendo 274 de escolas públicas e 288 de escolas particulares. Dentre os participantes 39,5% moram no Plano Piloto de Brasília e 60,5% em Cidades Satélites do DF. Em casas, moram 341, em apartamento, 215. Os resultados mostram que o lugar favorito mais freqüentemente mencionado foi a própria casa, indicado por 195 (35,3%) dos respondentes, seguido por Shopping (n = 108; 19,6%) e bar/boate/festa (n = 103; 18,7%). O lugar que obteve maior freqüência como não sendo preferido foi bar, boate, festa, indicado por 108 (21,3%) dos participantes, seguido por escola (n = 90; 17,7%) e lugares que provocam sentimentos ruins (n = 32; 6,3%). As diferenças encontradas são discutidas em termos de gênero, tipo de escola (pública ou privada) e tipo de moradia (casa ou apartamento).

Mobilidade e affordance como cerne dos Estudos Pessoa-Ambiente

Partindo de uma reflexão sobre a multiplicidade disciplinar, teórica, metodológica e terminológica e utilizando uma analogia com o modelo multivariado da correlação canônica, propõe-se o rótulo Estudos Pessoa-Ambiente para englobar as diferentes sub-áreas disciplinares e temáticas que lidam com as relações recíprocas pessoa-espaço físico. Segue uma discussão de quatro conceitos do espaço (espaço pessoal, territorialidade, apinhamento e privacidade) e sua relação com mobilidade. Após algumas considerações sobre affordance sugere-se o elo mobilidade-affordance como elemento molecular da relação recíproca pessoa-espaço físico no cerne dos estudos pessoa-ambiente.

Studies of epidemiology and seroprevalence of bovine noroviruses in Germany

Jena virus (JV) is a bovine enteric calicivirus that causes diarrhea in calves. The virus is approximately 30 nm in diameter and has a surface morphology similar to the human Norwalk virus. The genome sequence of JV was recently described, and the virus has been assigned to the genus Norovirus of the family CALICIVIRIDAE: In the present study, the JV capsid gene encoded by open reading frame 2 was cloned into the baculovirus transfer vector pFastBac 1, and this was used to transform Escherichia coli to generate a recombinant bacmid. Transfection of insect cells with the recombinant baculovirus DNA resulted in expression of the JV capsid protein. The recombinant JV capsid protein undergoes self-assembly into virus-like particles (VLPs) similar to JV virions in size and appearance. JV VLPs were released into the cell culture supernatant, concentrated, and then purified by CsCl equilibrium gradient centrifugation. Purified JV VLPs were used to hyperimmunize laboratory animals. An antigen capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed and characterized initially with clinical specimens containing defined human noroviruses and bovine diarrheal samples from calves experimentally infected with JV; the ELISA was specific only for JV. The ELISA was used to screen 381 diarrheal samples collected from dairy herds in Thuringia, Hesse, and Bavaria, Germany, from 1999 to 2002; 34 of these samples (8.9%) were positive for JV infection. The unexpectedly high prevalence of JV was confirmed in a seroepidemiological study using 824 serum or plasma samples screened using an anti-JV ELISA, which showed that 99.1% of cattle from Thuringia have antibodies to JV.

Comparative evaluation of ultrasonography and lung function testing with the clinical signs and pathology of calves inoculated experimentally with Pasteurella multocida

Seventeen calves were inoculated intratracheally with Pasteurella multocida 0 on three consecutive days with 10 ml of an inoculum containing 10(9) colony forming units/ml per day per calf. Before the first inoculation and 24 hours after the third, each calf was examined non-invasively by means of a clinical examination, chest ultrasonography, and impulse oscillometry to measure the impedance of the respiratory system. The inoculation of P multocida caused fever and a significant increase in respiratory rate and a decrease in tidal volume. There were also significant changes in the ultrasonographic results and in the impedance of the respiratory system. The percentage of the total surface area of the lungs showing pathological changes when the calves were euthanased 48 hours after the third inoculation ranged from 0.4 to 39 per cent. There were statistically significant correlations between the ultrasound scores and the pathological findings and between the ultrasound scores and the respiratory rate and tidal volume. The changes in the impedance of the respiratory system were not correlated with either the ultrasonographic or the pathological findings.

Effect of Clostridium perfringens epsilon toxin on MDCK cells

Epsilon toxin is one of the major lethal toxins produced by Clostridium perfringens type D and B. It is responsible for a rapidly fatal disease in sheep and other farm animals. Many facts have been published about the physical properties and the biological activities of the toxin, but the molecular mechanism of the action inside the cells remains unclear. We have found that the C. perfringens epsilon toxin caused a significant decrease of the cell numbers and a significant enlargement of the mean cell volume of MDCK cells. The flow cytometric analysis of DNA content revealed the elongation of the S phase and to a smaller extent of the G2+M phase of toxin-treated MDCK cells in comparison to untreated MDCK cells. The results of ultrastructural studies showed that the mitosis is disturbed and blocked at a very early stage, and confirmed the toxin influence on the cell cycle of MDCK cells.

Ajuda entre passageiros de ônibus<A NAME="top"></A>

Comportamentos de ajuda entre passageiros de ônibus podem contribuir para a qualidade do transporte público. Durante 40 viagens e observações sistemáticas em duas linhas de ônibus registrou-se sob quais condições passageiros sentados auxiliariam quem viajava de pé, oferecendo-se para carregar as bagagens. De maneira geral, ajuda foi recebida em 60% das situações criadas. Significativamente mais ajuda foi oferecida numa linha para a periferia da cidade do que numa linha para o centro da cidade. Mulheres estiveram mais dispostas a ajudar e verificou-se uma tendência de oferecer mais ajuda em situações de contato face a face. Os dados sugerem que se pode encontrar comportamentos pró-sociais entre passageiros que favoreçam a qualidade no transporte público da cidade. A implementação de avisos educativos no interior dos ônibus e nos terminais rodoviários pode incentivar a ajuda entre passageiros, além de outros comportamentos desejáveis.

Ceftriaxone for the treatment of febrile episodes in nonneutropenic patients with hematooncological disease or HIV infection: comparison of outpatient and inpatient care

BACKGROUND

Patients with hematooncological disease or HIV infection and febrile episodes are usually treated in hospital with broad-spectrum antibiotics. The aim of this observational study was to assess the feasibility of ambulatory parenteral antibiotic therapy in hematooncological or HIV-infected patients with confirmed or suspected infection.

METHODS

The results in an outpatient treatment group were compared with those obtained in a group initially treated in hospital. Data were gathered on 90 outpatients and 72 inpatients. The inclusion criteria were fever > or =37.5 degrees C with an identified focus of infection, fever > or =38.0 degrees C of suspected bacterial origin with no identified focus of infection, leukocytosis > or =9,000/microl or C-reactive protein elevation > or =10 mg/l.

RESULTS

Eighty outpatients and 69 inpatients were evaluable. Treatment in the outpatient group was begun with ceftriaxone. This led to defervescence in 87.5% of cases. The mean treatment duration was 7.1 days. Comparison of results in the outpatients with those initially hospitalized for treatment showed similar success rates. The mean hospital stay in the latter group was 12.9 days.

CONCLUSIONS

Ceftriaxone represents an effective treatment for outpatient management of febrile episodes in patients with hematooncological disease or HIV infection. Outpatient treatment is more cost-effective than inpatient care.

On a new artificial mediator accepting NADP(H) oxidoreductase from Clostridium thermoaceticum

The purification and partial characterisation of an NADP(H) dependent artificial mediator accepting pyridine nucleotide oxidoreductase (AMAPOR) from the anaerobic Clostridium thermoaceticum is described. Depending on the redox potential of the artificial mediators the AMAPOR is able to regenerate NADP+ or NADPH rendering the enzyme useful for preparative work applying NADP(H) dependent oxidoreductases. At 37 degrees C crude extracts of C. thermoaceticum have an AMAPOR activity of 5-7 U mg(-1). This is 28 degrees under the optimal growth temperature of this microrganism. Out of apparently more than 10 AMAPOR active proteins in the crude cell extracts visible after electrophoresis and activity staining on the gel, two of these proteins were isolated. They seem to be two different oligomers. According to gel electrophoresis they show apparent molecular masses of about 200 and 400 kDa. These two forms showed after SDS gel electrophoresis two monomers with apparent molecular masses of 42 and 56 kDa which we call alpha and beta. The two oligomers may have the compositions alpha2beta2 and alpha4beta4. They contain Fe/S cluster and FAD. Various amounts of the FAD were lost during the purification procedure. This loss is partially reversible after addition of FAD. The AMAPOR reacts with rather different artificial mediators such as viologens, quinones e.g. 1,4-benzoquinone or anthraquinone-2,6-disulphonate, 2,6-dichloro-indophenol and clostridial rubredoxin. Two different ferredoxins from C. thermoaceticum, oxygen or lipoamide are no substrates indicating the here described AMAPOR is not a diaphorase in the usual sense.

Shift of aberrant antigen expression at relapse or at treatment failure in acute leukemia

The flow cytometric detection of aberrant antigen expression is one method proposed for the quantification of minimal residual disease (MRD) in acute leukemias. The present study was designed to investigate the stability of the aberrant antigen expression at relapse or at treatment failure of initial chemotherapy. For this purpose, multiparameter immunophenotyping with a panel of 15 monoclonal antibodies was used at diagnosis as well as at relapse (43 patients with overall 65 aberrations) and at treatment failure (35 patients with overall 66 aberrations). There was a significant decrease in the percentage of the initially described aberrant antigen expression on leukemia blasts at relapse (P = 0.001; n = 65) as well as at treatment failure (P = 0.0001; n = 66) considering all aberrations in the whole leukemia population. Concerning only patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), significant decreases in the aberrant expression could be detected at relapse (P = 0.031; n = 42) and at treatment failure (P = 0.0001; n = 52). The changes in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) were significant only at relapse (P = 0.006; n = 23). Initially, the most informative aberration was not detectable in four patients at relapse and in seven patients at treatment failure. A decrease of under 50% of the initial value was observed in another 8 patients at relapse and in 10 patients at treatment failure. In further studies assessing the detection of aberrant antigen expression for MRD, quantification of the relapses should be explicitly analyzed regarding the persistence of the initially described aberrant antigen expression.

Comportamentos de ajuda no contexto urbano: um estudo experimental por meio do telefone

Utilitarismo e frieza nas relações pessoais entre habitantes de grandes cidades encontram respaldo em estudos norte-americanos. No Brasil, pouco se sabe sobre este tema. O uso do telefone como instrumento de pesquisa social experimental também não é freqüente em nossa cultura. Procurou-se verificar o nível de ajuda em função do tipo de residência (casa vs. apartamento), localização (centro vs. periferia) e gênero de quem pedia ajuda. Utilizando-se o procedimento do 'Número Errado' solicitou-se ajuda por telefone a 320 moradores de duas áreas urbanas. De modo geral, 39,3% das pessoas contatadas ajudaram da maneira solicitada. Tipo de residência e localização não influenciaram a taxa de ajuda, mas mulheres receberam significativamente mais ajuda que os homens. A utilização do telefone como instrumento de pesquisa social mostrou-se possível. Para seu uso experimental discutiram-se alguns cuidados metodológicos.

Flow cytometric DNA quantification in immunophenotyped cells as a sensitive method for determination of aneuploid multiple myeloma cells in peripheral blood stem cell harvests and bone marrow after therapy

The simultaneous measurement of DNA content and myeloma-related antigens (B-B4 or CD38) by flow cytometry is proposed as a method for the detection of aneuploid plasma cells in peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) harvests and in bone marrow after therapy. In 30 patients with initially detected aneuploid myeloma cells we evaluated the bone marrow after therapy and in eight of these patients 23 PBSC harvests were analyzed. In 13 of 23 PBSC harvests aneuploid myeloma cells were detectable (range: 0.02-0.63%). In the bone marrow of the 30 patients aneuploid plasma cells were detectable in all samples after chemotherapy (range: 0.12-35.70%) and after autologous PBSC transplantation in two of three patients (0.21% and 0.03%). Furthermore the relationship between diploid and aneuploid plasma cells can be evaluated. In the PBSC harvests the percentage of aneuploid plasma cells is significantly lower than that of diploid plasma cells (P=0.006). In contrast, in bone marrow the aneuploid plasma cells are predominant in most patients even after therapy (24 of 30 patients; P=0.0055). In the case of initially detected aneuploid myeloma cells, a contamination with malignant cells can be estimated with a simple flow cytometric method in PBSC harvests and in bone marrow after therapy.

Molecular characterization of a bovine enteric calicivirus: relationship to the Norwalk-like viruses

Jena virus (JV) is a noncultivatable bovine enteric calicivirus associated with diarrhea in calves and was first described in Jena, Germany. The virus was serially passaged 11 times in colostrum-deprived newborn calves and caused diarrheal disease symptoms at each passage. The complete JV genome sequence was determined by using cDNA made from partially purified virus obtained from a single stool sample. JV has a positive-sense single-stranded RNA genome which is 7,338 nucleotides in length, excluding the poly(A) tail. JV genome organization is similar to that of the human Norwalk-like viruses (NLVs), with three separate open reading frames (ORFs) and a 24-nucleotide sequence motif located at the 5' terminus of the genome and at the start of ORF 2. The polyprotein (ORF 1) consists of 1,680 amino acids and has the characteristic 2C helicase, 3C protease, and 3D RNA polymerase motifs also found in the NLVs. However, comparison of the N-terminal 100 amino acids of the JV polyprotein with those of the group 1 and group 2 NLVs showed a considerable divergence in sequence. The capsid protein (ORF 2) at 519 amino acids is smaller than that of all other caliciviruses. JV ORF 2 was translated in vitro to produce a 55-kDa protein that reacted with postinfection serum but not preinfection serum. Phylogenetic studies based on partial RNA polymerase sequences indicate that within the Caliciviridae JV is most closely related to the group 1 NLVs.

[Can discrimination ban guarantee equality of opportunities for disabled persons?]

Embodied in Germany's Basic Law since 1994, the discrimination ban on behalf of disabled persons--in line with similar provisions introduced in other countries--highlights the fact that disabled persons, as individuals and with their lawful rights, have become the point of departure of disability policies, as opposed to the hitherto prevailing social welfare perspective. Banning discrimination alone, though, will enable equal opportunities to be achieved only for some areas of social life; positive discriminations in favour of disabled persons are possible and necessary in addition. When it comes to integration into worklife, banning discrimination against disabled persons will achieve but little. Rather, in a market economy, employers and the general public share a common responsibility, for one, by respecting employers' rights of disposal over their jobs and, for the other, by changing present labour market conditions in favour of disabled persons, i.e., taking measures of positive discrimination.

Pixel-matched holographic data storage with megabit pages

Digital data-page holograms consisting of 1024 x 1024 arrays of binary pixels have been stored and subsequently retrieved with an optical exposure consistent with a data rate 1 Gbit /s. Each input pixel was precisely registered with a single detector pixel, and a raw bit-error rate as low as 2.4 x 10(-6) was demonstrated with global-threshold detection. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of the often-cited goal of holographic data storage of megabit data pages and a gigabit-per-second data rate.

[Primary renal plasmacytoma. A case report]

We describe a patient with a primary renal plasmacytoma. In the literature available, only six clinical cases have been reported. A 64-year-old patient is presented who had the clinical signs of a renal cell carcinoma. Histological examination after nephrectomy, however, revealed a plasmacytoma. Based on this case, we discuss how one should proceed in this disease. Primary renal plasmacytoma can be tentatively diagnosed preoperatively only in the presence of paraproteinemia or Bence-Jones proteinuria, as it cannot be distinguished from other renal tumors by imaging procedures. Postoperatively, further staging procedures must rule out bone involvement (solitary myeloma or multiple myeloma). Nephrectomy is required in patients with plasmacytoma only if renal complications occur.