74 Ge( n , γ ) cross section below 70 keV measured at n_TOF CERN

Neutron capture reaction cross sections on 74 Ge are of importance to determine 74 Ge production during the astrophysical slow neutron capture process. We present new resonance data on 74 Ge( n , γ ) reactions below 70 keV neutron energy. We calculate Maxwellian averaged cross sections, combining our data below 70 keV with evaluated cross sections at higher neutron energies. Our stellar cross sections are in agreement with a previous activation measurement performed at Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe by Marganiec et al., once their data has been re-normalised to account for an update in the reference cross section used in that experiment.

Neuroendocrine pathways at risk? Simvastatin induces inter and transgenerational disruption in the keystone amphipod Gammarus locusta

The primary focus of environmental toxicological studies is to address the direct effects of chemicals on exposed organisms (parental generation - F0), mostly overlooking effects on subsequent non-exposed generations (F1 and F2 - intergenerational and F3 transgenerational, respectively). Here, we addressed the effects of simvastatin (SIM), one of the most widely prescribed human pharmaceuticals for the primary treatment of hypercholesterolemia, using the keystone crustacean Gammarus locusta. We demonstrate that SIM, at environmentally relevant concentrations, has significant inter and transgenerational (F1 and F3) effects in key signaling pathways involved in crustaceans' neuroendocrine regulation (Ecdysteroids, Catecholamines, NO/cGMP/PKG, GABAergic and Cholinergic signaling pathways), concomitantly with changes in apical endpoints, such as depressed reproduction and growth. These findings are an essential step to improve hazard and risk assessment of biological active compounds, such as SIM, and highlight the importance of studying the transgenerational effects of environmental chemicals in animals' neuroendocrine regulation.

Prenatal muscle forces are necessary for vertebral segmentation and disc structure, but not for notochord involution in mice

Embryonic muscle forces are necessary for normal vertebral development and spinal curvature, but their involvement in intervertebral disc (IVD) development remains unclear. The aim of the current study was to determine how muscle contractions affect (1) notochord involution and vertebral segmentation, and (2) IVD development including the mechanical properties and morphology, as well as collagen fibre alignment in the annulus fibrosus. Muscular dysgenesis (mdg) mice were harvested at three prenatal stages: at Theiler Stage (TS)22 when notochord involution starts, at TS24 when involution is complete, and at TS27 when the IVD is formed. Vertebral and IVD development were characterised using histology, immunofluorescence, and indentation testing. The results revealed that notochord involution and vertebral segmentation occurred independently of muscle contractions between TS22 and TS24. However, in the absence of muscle contractions, we found vertebral fusion in the cervical region at TS27, along with (i) a displacement of the nucleus pulposus towards the dorsal side, (ii) a disruption of the structural arrangement of collagen in the annulus fibrosus, and (iii) an increase in viscous behaviour of the annulus fibrosus. These findings emphasise the important role of mechanical forces during IVD development, and demonstrate a critical role of muscle loading during development to enable proper annulus fibrosus formation. They further suggest a need for mechanical loading in the creation of fibre-reinforced tissue engineering replacement IVDs as a therapy for IVD degeneration.

Design modifications to Rotating Modulation Collimators for extended field-of-view

Rotating Modulation Collimators (RMC) are devices that can be used to determine the location of a radiation source. In this work, a design with extended field-of-view (FOV) is proposed to allow faster measurements by providing a wider scanned area. Monte Carlo simulations were used to calculate the response of the RMC system, system matrix and modulation profiles. The Maximum Likelihood Expectation Maximization algorithm was used for image reconstruction. The proposed design provides a FOV up to 60° with a maximum error of 5° or up to 70° with a maximum error of 15°.

Transgenerational inheritance of chemical-induced signature: A case study with simvastatin

The hypothesis that exposure to certain environmental chemicals during early life stages may disrupt reproduction across multiple non-exposed generations has significant implications for understanding disease etiology and adverse outcomes. We demonstrate here reproductive multi and transgenerational effects, at environmentally relevant levels, of one of the most prescribed human pharmaceuticals, simvastatin, in a keystone species, the amphipod Gammarus locusta. The transgenerational findings has major implications for hazard and risk assessment of pharmaceuticals and other contaminants of emerging concern given that transgenerational effects of environmental chemicals are not addressed in current hazard and risk assessment schemes. Considering that the mevalonate synthesis, one of the key metabolic pathways targeted by simvastatin, is highly conserved among metazoans, these results may also shed light on the potential transgenerational effects of simvastatin on other animals, including humans.

Neutron Capture on the s-Process Branching Point ^{171}Tm via Time-of-Flight and Activation

The neutron capture cross sections of several unstable nuclides acting as branching points in the s process are crucial for stellar nucleosynthesis studies. The unstable ^{171}Tm (t_{1/2}=1.92  yr) is part of the branching around mass A∼170 but its neutron capture cross section as a function of the neutron energy is not known to date. In this work, following the production for the first time of more than 5 mg of ^{171}Tm at the high-flux reactor Institut Laue-Langevin in France, a sample was produced at the Paul Scherrer Institute in Switzerland. Two complementary experiments were carried out at the neutron time-of-flight facility (n_TOF) at CERN in Switzerland and at the SARAF liquid lithium target facility at Soreq Nuclear Research Center in Israel by time of flight and activation, respectively. The result of the time-of-flight experiment consists of the first ever set of resonance parameters and the corresponding average resonance parameters, allowing us to make an estimation of the Maxwellian-averaged cross sections (MACS) by extrapolation. The activation measurement provides a direct and more precise measurement of the MACS at 30 keV: 384(40) mb, with which the estimation from the n_TOF data agree at the limit of 1 standard deviation. This value is 2.6 times lower than the JEFF-3.3 and ENDF/B-VIII evaluations, 25% lower than that of the Bao et al. compilation, and 1.6 times larger than the value recommended in the KADoNiS (v1) database, based on the only previous experiment. Our result affects the nucleosynthesis at the A∼170 branching, namely, the ^{171}Yb abundance increases in the material lost by asymptotic giant branch stars, providing a better match to the available pre-solar SiC grain measurements compared to the calculations based on the current JEFF-3.3 model-based evaluation.

Comparison of neutron and secondary gamma dose assessment using polygon mesh and voxel computational phantoms

The newly developed mesh-type reference computational phantoms (MRCPs) represent the evolution of the previous reference phantoms and a more detailed description of the human body, addressing the voxel reference phantom limitations. These allow for a more accurate dose calculation in the human body, which in some cases results in a significant difference of the calculated quantities. In this work, the absorbed dose calculation due to neutrons and gammas was calculated using a voxel and a mesh-type computational phantom. The goal was to understand how a more accurate description of the human body affects the estimated neutron dose. The phantoms were tested in a real-case scenario: they were placed in front of a neutron Howitzer container model using PHITS. This model corresponds to the neutron Howitzer container at the Neutron Measurements Laboratory of the Energy Engineering Department of the Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM), and at the time of measurement it was equipped with a ²⁴¹Am-Be neutron source of 74 GBq in its center. The container allows the source to be in either the irradiation or the storage position. Results show that when dealing with neutrons, the dose deviation when using GOLEM or the MRCP leads to a general 20%-30% deviation that goes up to above 400% in small thin structures such as the eye.

Measurement of the 242Pu(n, γ) cross section from thermal to 500 keV at the Budapest research reactor and CERN n_TOF-EAR1 facilities

The design and operation of innovative nuclear systems requires a better knowledge of the capture and fission cross sections of the Pu isotopes. For the case of capture on 242Pu, a reduction of the uncertainty in the fast region down to 8-12% is required. Moreover, aiming at improving the evaluation of the fast energy range in terms of average parameters, the OECD NEA High Priority Request List (HPRL) requests high-resolution capture measurements with improved accuracy below 2 keV. The current uncertainties also affect the thermal point, where previous experiments deviate from each other by 20%. A fruitful collaboration betwen JGU Mainz and HZ Dresden-Rossendorf within the EC CHANDA project resulted in a 242Pu sample consisting of a stack of seven fission-like targets making a total of 95(4) mg of 242Pu electrodeposited on thin (11.5 μm) aluminum backings. This contribution presents the results of a set of measurements of the 242Pu(n, γ) cross section from thermal to 500 keV combining different neutron beams and techniques. The thermal point was determined at the Budapest Research Reactor by means of Neutron Activation Analysis and Prompt Gamma Analysis, and the resolved (1 eV - 4 keV) and unresolved (1 - 500 keV) resonance regions were measured using a set of four Total Energy detectors at the CERN n_TOF-EAR1.

The influence of the transposed stomach through the posterior mediastinum on the respiratory forced expiratory volume and forced vital capacity in patients with resected esophageal cancer

Although the use of the posterior mediastinum and the stomach as a reconstruction option after esophagectomy has large acceptance all over the world, there are concerns about the potential respiratory impairment it could cause. We prospectively studied 35 patients regarding the forced expiratory volume and vital capacity. The patients were studied preoperatively and between the 45th and 60th postoperative days. The value of both parameters decreased, although they were still within normal clinical ranges. We concluded that this type of reconstruction does not harm the patients regarding the respiratory flow rates.

^{7}Be(n,α)^{4}He Reaction and the Cosmological Lithium Problem: Measurement of the Cross Section in a Wide Energy Range at n_TOF at CERN

The energy-dependent cross section of the ^{7}Be(n,α)^{4}He reaction, of interest for the so-called cosmological lithium problem in big bang nucleosynthesis, has been measured for the first time from 10 meV to 10 keV neutron energy. The challenges posed by the short half-life of ^{7}Be and by the low reaction cross section have been overcome at n_TOF thanks to an unprecedented combination of the extremely high luminosity and good resolution of the neutron beam in the new experimental area (EAR2) of the n_TOF facility at CERN, the availability of a sufficient amount of chemically pure ^{7}Be, and a specifically designed experimental setup. Coincidences between the two alpha particles have been recorded in two Si-^{7}Be-Si arrays placed directly in the neutron beam. The present results are consistent, at thermal neutron energy, with the only previous measurement performed in the 1960s at a nuclear reactor. The energy dependence reported here clearly indicates the inadequacy of the cross section estimates currently used in BBN calculations. Although new measurements at higher neutron energy may still be needed, the n_TOF results hint at a minor role of this reaction in BBN, leaving the long-standing cosmological lithium problem unsolved.

A dosimetric study of prostate brachytherapy using Monte Carlo simulations with a voxel phantom, measurements and a comparison with a treatment planning procedure

In prostate brachytherapy treatments, there is an initial swelling of the prostate of the patient due to an oedema related to the insertion of the seeds. The variation of the prostate volume can lead to variations in the final prescribed dose in treatment planning procedures. As such, it is important to understand their influence for dose optimisation purposes. This work reports on a dosimetric study of the swelling of the prostate in prostate brachytherapy using Monte Carlo simulations. Dosimetric measurements performed on a physical anthropomorphic tissue-equivalent prostate phantom and thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) were used to validate the MC model. Finally the MC model was also used to simulate prostate swelling in a real treatment planning procedure. The obtained results indicate that the parameters mentioned above represent a source of uncertainty in dose assessment in prostate brachytherapy, and can be detrimental to a correct dose evaluation in treatment plannings, and that these parameters can be accurately determined by means of MC simulations with a voxel phantom.

Comparison of unfolding codes for neutron spectrometry with Bonner spheres

This work compares the results of four different unfolding codes, MSANDB, MAXED, FRUIT and BONMA, which are based on different unfolding techniques. Additionally, Bayesian parameter estimation is also considered. All unfolding codes were supplied with the same set of input data acquired at the Environmental Research Station 'Schneefernerhaus' on the Zugspitze mountain, corresponding to continuous measurements of secondary neutrons from cosmic radiation. The HMGU high-energy extended Bonner sphere spectrometer (BSS), consisting of 16 measuring channels with (3)He proportional counters, was used as a reference BSS. The differences in the neutron spectra obtained with the different unfolding codes are discussed, and the uncertainties of integral quantities, like neutron fluence and ambient dose equivalent, are quantified.

Amlodipine reduces blood pressure during dynamic resistance exercise in hypertensive patients

This study investigated the effect of the dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonist, amlodipine, on blood pressure (BP) during resistance exercise performed at different intensities in hypertensives. Eleven hypertensives underwent 4 weeks of placebo and amlodipine (random double-blinded crossover design). In each phase, they performed knee extension exercise until exhaustion following three protocols: one set at 100% of 1 RM (repetition maximum), three sets at 80% of 1 RM, and three sets at 40% of 1 RM. Intraarterial BP was measured before and during exercise. Amlodipine reduced maximal systolic/diastolic BP values achieved at all intensities (100% = 225 ± 6/141 ± 3 vs. 207 ± 6/130 ± 6 mmHg; 80% = 289 ± 8/178 ± 5 vs. 273 ± 10/169 ± 6 mmHg; 40% = 289 ± 10/176 ± 8 vs. 271 ± 11/154 ± 6 mmHg). Amlodipine blunted the increase in diastolic BP that occurred during the second and third sets of exercise at 40% of 1RM (+75 ± 6 vs. +61 ± 5 mmHg and +78 ± 7 vs. +64 ± 5 mmHg, respectively). Amlodipine was effective in reducing the absolute values of systolic and diastolic BP during resistance exercise and in preventing the progressive increase in diastolic BP that occurs over sets of low-intensity exercise. These results suggest that systemic vascular resistance is involved in BP increase during resistance exercise, and imply that hypertensives receiving amlodipine are at lower risk of increased BP during resistance exercise than non-medicated patients.

Phylogenetic analysis of six isolates of beak and feather disease virus from African grey parrots in Portugal

Beak and feather disease virus (BFDV), a member of the genus Circovirus, was detected in six dead African grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus) in Portugal. The complete nucleotide sequences of these six BFDVs (PT05, PT08, PT08-2, PT08-3, PT09, and PT09-2) were determined and analyzed. The seven open reading frames (ORFs) described for other BFDVs were detected in all strains, except for PT05 and PT08, in which ORFs 4 and 7 are absent. Bayesian inference of phylogeny based on complete genomes of BFDVs isolated in Portugal and 32 other BFDVs found in other parts of the world revealed that PT05 is included in lineage IV, whereas the others form a new proposed genotype lineage IX. The nucleotide diversity ranged from 2% to 12% between the BFDV strains isolated in Portugal and other BFDVs found worldwide.

Hatching rates of resting eggs of 'Cladocera' (Crustacea; Branchiopoda) at a tropical bay, Brazil

The aim of this study was to determine the development time of embryos and to estimate the hatching rates of resting eggs of cladocerans found in the sediment of Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, under experimental conditions. Eggs were sorted by species (Penilia avirostris--Sididae; Pleopis polyphemoides and Pseudevadne tergestina--Podonidae) and incubated at a temperature of 25 degrees C, salinity 35 and photoperiod 12 hours light/ 12 hours dark. Hatching rates were about 38% for Pseudevadne tergestina and 28% for Pleopis polyphemoides. Embryos of resting eggs of Penilia avirostris developed comparatively slowly (hatching after 86 days of incubation), with a hatching rate of only 5%. It was observed that development and hatching of resting eggs of marine cladocerans suggest that pulses of recruitment may exist, thus contributing to the rapid appearance and maintenance of planktonic populations of these crustaceans in Guanabara Bay.

[Epidemiological study of lung cancer in Portugal (2000/2002)]

Lung cancer is the most common form of cancer death in the world. Five-year survival is about 15%, without any change to this picture envisaged. It is the 3rd most prevalent type of cancer in Portugal and the primary cause of cancer death. 85% of lung cancer cases are attributable to smoking. One study performed in Portugal for 3 years (2000/2002) by the Lung Oncology Work Committee of the Portuguese Society of Pulmonology in 22 Hospitals showed that of a total of 4396 patients with lung cancer, 81.8% were male and 18.2% were female, with a mean age of 64.49 +/- 11.28 years. About 70% of patients were smokers or former smokers, with 50.3% of patients presenting with performance status (Zubrod) 1. Histologically, 37.5% were adenocarcinoma, followed by squamous carcinoma in 30.5% of cases, and small cell lung cancer in 12.5%; neuroendocrine carcinoma presented in 1.4% of cases; non small cell lung cancer in 10.5%; mixed carcinoma in 0.7%; large cell carcinoma in 2.3%; and others/not specified in 4.6% of cases. Staging (known in 4097 patients), showed 113 patients in stage IA (2.8%)and 250 patients in stage IB (6.1%); only 0.8% in stage IIA and 4.5% in stage IIB; 9.1% in stage IIIA and 29.9% in stage IIIB; 46.9% were already in stage IV by the time of diagnosis. The first therapeutic option was known in 3855 patients. Surgery was performed in 8.2% and 21.8% of cases were treated with combined therapies (surgery and chemotherapy or radiotherapy, or combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy); chemotherapy alone was first choice in 43.7% of patients and in 20.3% only best support therapy was chosen.

Aseptic peritonitis in a peritoneal dialysis patient

INTRODUCTION

Patients who have repeatedly sterile peritoneal fluid cultures despite elevated peritoneal fluid white cell count should be evaluated for disorders other than usual bacterial peritonitis. Intra-abdominal pathology was responsible for less than 6 percent of cases of peritonitis. Still, the clinical outcome is these situations are much worse than in other commoner causes.

CASE REPORT

A 25-year-old male non-diabetic patient in PD started his complains with diffuse abdominal pain with spontaneous remissions and exacerbations, anorexia and vomiting with 3 days evolution. Laboratory results with persistent culture-negative peritoneal fluid results seemed compatible with the diagnosis of aseptic peritonitis. However, clinical status progression and peritoneal fluid amylase levels above 50 UI/L led to perform an abdominal ultrasound that showed a painful non-compressible tubular structure with a diameter of >6 mm at the base of the cecum. The patient was then submitted to a laparotomy with appendix removal.

DISCUSSION

When assessing a patient with abdominal pain and clear or cloudy but aseptic peritoneal liquid, causes other than peritonitis should be excluded. Under antibiotic therapy, their clinical picture and evolution may be masked, delaying surgical resolution. In appendicitis, this delay may lead to perforation and consequent faecal peritonitis. All patients should be screened for peritoneal fluid amylase levels in order to differentiate bacterial peritonitis from intra-abdominal pathology. In all cases similar to the present one, an abdominal US/CAT scan should be promptly made.

Influence of transposed stomach on cardiac function in patients with resected esophageal cancer

Although the use of the posterior mediastinum and the stomach as a reconstruction option after esophagectomy has wide acceptance, there are concerns about the potential cardiac impairment it could cause. We prospectively studied 27 patients regarding the function and the systolic diameter, diastolic diameter, shortening fraction, ejection fraction and the presence of extrinsic compression. The patients were studied preoperatively and between the 45th and 60th postoperative days. The parameters were still within normal clinical ranges. We concluded that this type of reconstruction does not harm the patients in terms of their cardiac function.

296LIPIDIC CONTENT IN JERSEY BLASTOCYSTS COMPARED WITH HOLSTEIN AND IVP EMBRYOS

The objective of this study was to compare the ultrastructure of bovine embryos from different breeds and origin in terms of lipid contents. Jersey and Holstein embryos produced in vivo were obtained from superovulated donors by non-surgical method 7 days after AI. Embryos produced in vitro (Holstein cross breed) were obtained from cumulus-oocytes complexes (COC) aspirated from slaughterhouse ovaries. The COC were matured and fertilized in vitro. The zygotes were cultivated in vitro for 7 days in SOFaa media. Embryos produced in vivo (Holstein n=5; Jersey n=5) and in vitro (n=5) classified as blastocyts grade II were fixed in Karnovsky solution immediately after embryo recovery or embryo culture and prepared for microscopic electronic evaluation. Ultrastructure of inner cell mass and trophoblast cells was analyzed. Morphometry on electron microscopy was performed using a point-count method in random samples of electron micrographs of each embryo category. The data were analyzed by chi square test. The volume density occupied by number of lipid droplets was greater in Jersey and in vitro-produced embryos compared with Holstein embryos (24.3%±11.7; 28.4%±19.6 and 9%±6.68, respectively, P<0,05).

Regulation of cell morphology and cytochrome P450 expression in human hepatocytes by extracellular matrix and cell-cell interactions

The influence of extracellular matrix conditions and plating density on cell cytoarchitecture and the constitutive and chemically induced expression of cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) was examined in primary cultures of human hepatocytes. Constitutive and drug-induced microsomal CYP3A4 expression occurred equally well in human hepatocyte cultures maintained on either a complex or simple substratum (Matrigel vs collagen, type I), or in a sandwich configuration (i.e., between two layers of extracellular matrix), despite the markedly different morphological properties exhibited by each condition. However, a density-dependent decrease in both the constitutive and induced levels of CYP3A4 was observed in hepatocytes maintained on a simple collagen substratum as plating density was reduced from 100% to 25%. Marked alterations in cell shape and cytoarchitecture were noted concomitant with decreases in the expression and localization of intercellular gap junctions and E-cadherin-mediated cell adhesions. In addition, the intracellular distribution of microtubules and microfilaments was altered substantially and the expression of immunoreactive actin and beta-tubulin increased as cell density was decreased. These effects were reversed to some extent by overlaying monolayers with extracellular matrix or by co-culturing with another cell type. Efforts to maintain normal cell shape and cytoskeletal distribution in hepatocytes at low cell density with a Matrigel substratum failed to restore normal basal levels of CYP3A4 expression or responsiveness to rifampicin (RIF). Likewise, E-cadherin and Cx-32 expression was again reduced, even though the distribution and expression of cytoskeletal elements returned to normal levels. These results suggest that cell-cell contacts, but not the extracellular matrix configuration or composition, play a critical role in determining normal responsiveness to chemical modulators in human hepatocytes.

[Experience of a nursing student in an interdisciplinary team: factory of ideas]

The experience of the Curricular Training in a mental health work attendance to out-patients, CAPS, lead to this study development in the attempt to understand and characterize interdisciplinary team in this institution, as well as to understand the admittance of a nursing student in this team. The analysis of the replies disclosed that in the reports is found the concept of interdiscipline as well as of the multidiscipline (work in compartments). The conception which has of the model of assistance and of the admittance of the project in it is compatible with the conceptions that establish the description of the work: flexibility, the projects inter-relation the enlarged practice and the psychosocial rehabilitation. The fact that the service has a Program of lecturing--Assistance Integration, "naturalizes" and validates the participation of a nursing student in the projects of assistance or sociability.

[The process of nursing care in mental health]

This is an essay about the nursing working process in mental health. Several conceptions have substantiated the psychiatric assistance, as well as the proposals of reorientation of those practices; nursing practices have been related to that process. The professionals' standpoint determines the choice of a tendency and the understanding of the health-illness process. The need of reviewing the nursing working object, as well as its practice in view of the transformations in mental health assistance, has pointed towards new professional attitudes regarding the person with psychic disorders, as well as towards the acquisition of knowledge besides that one obtained at college courses.

Effect of troglitazone on cytochrome P450 enzymes in primary cultures of human and rat hepatocytes

1. Troglitazone was the first thiazolidinedione approved for clinical use in the treatment of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. During clinical investigations of drug-drug interactions with therapeutics (terfenadine and cyclosporine) known to be metabolized by CYP3A4, pharmacokinetic interactions were noted upon troglitazone multiple-dose treatments. The nature of the interactions suggested induction of CYP3A enzymes. 2. Primary cultures of human hepatocytes were used to investigate the induction potential of troglitazone with respect to CYP3A4, CYP2B6 and CYP1A1/2. In human hepatocytes, troglitazone induced both immunoreactive CYP3A4 protein and testosterone 6beta-hydroxylase activity in a dose-dependent fashion (EC50 = 5-10 microM), accompanied by an increase in CYP3A4 mRNA. The capacity of troglitazone to induce CYP3A4 was between that of rifampin (EC50 = 0.8 microM) and dexamethasone (40-50 microM). Troglitazone increased CYP2B6 immunoreactive protein but did not significantly effect CYP1A1/2 activity, immunoreactive protein or mRNA. 3. Troglitazone produced significant increases in CYP3A message, protein and activity in primary rat hepatocytes, a slight increase in CYP2B1/2 activity and no change in CYP1A1/2 message or activity. 4. These results provide evidence that troglitazone can induce CYP3A and CYP2B enzymes while apparently not altering CYP1A. This provides a rationale for the clinically observed interactions of troglitazone with selected CYP3A4 substrates.

[Graduation from nursing: learning about the Brazilian psychiatric reform]

This paper aims at identifying the changes that became part of the teaching of psychiatric nursing. The study points out the concern regarding teaching updating in this area in which the teacher's transformation, participation and the creation of a new concept about psychiatric knowledge and practice make it possible to have new ways to learn how to learn the brazilian psychiatric reform.

Development of a monoclonal antibody blocking-ELISA for detection of antibodies against Maedi-Visna virus

A monoclonal antibody (MAb) blocking ELISA (Blck-ELISA) was developed to detect antibodies against Maedi-Visna virus (MVV) in sheep sera. The assay employs a MAb directed against the envelope protein p90 of the virus in a sandwich blocking procedure. To determine whether the MAb was a potential antibody for developing a Blck-ELISA, a collection of three hundred sera obtained from several sheep flocks known to be infected with MVV were used to examine the sensitivity of the Blck-ELISA. A total of 50 serum samples originating from a flock free of MVV were tested to assess the specificity of the assay. The results were compared with a commercial indirect ELISA (I-ELISA) and samples giving a conflicting or doubtful result were tested by immunoblot. The Blck-ELISA proved to be specific, sensitive and it showed high reproducibility and low variability.

[Attempts at innovations in the practice of teaching and practicing psychiatric nursing]

In the context of recent changes that are taking place in the field of mental health care in Brazil, the University has the responsibility to redimensioning human resources qualification of mental health workers. At the Mental Health Care and Educational Program of the University of São Paulo and São Paulo Health Office (São Paulo/Brazil), an experience still in course, the nursing students attending to psychiatric nurse training evaluated that theoretical-practical education dealing with health care issue in the field of Psychosocial Rehabilitation purpose, at the same time that directly interferes in the qualification of practices, simultaneously develops the students attitudes and knowledge that qualify them to perform coherent practices in accordance with rehabilitation models of care.

The influence of the transposed stomach through the posterior mediastinum on the respiratory forced expiratory volume and forced vital capacity in patients with resected esophageal cancer

Although the use of the posterior mediastinum and the stomach as a reconstruction option after esophagectomy has large acceptance all over the world, there are concerns about the potential respiratory impairment it could cause. We prospectively studied 35 patients regarding the forced expiratory volume and vital capacity. The patients were studied preoperatively and between the 45th and 60th postoperative days. The value of both parameters decreased, although they were still within normal clinical ranges. We concluded that this type of reconstruction does not harm the patients regarding the respiratory flow rates.

4-Nerolidylcatechol from Pothomorphe spp. scavenges peroxyl radicals and inhibits Fe(II)-dependent DNA damage

The total reactive antioxidant potential (TRAP) and total antioxidant reactivity (TAR) of 4-nerolidylcatechol (4-NC) and methanolic extracts of Pothomorphe umbellata and P. peltata were determined by monitoring the intensity of luminol enhanced chemiluminescence by peroxyl radicals derived from thermolysis of 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane). The highest antioxidant potential was measured in the extract of P. umbellata (TRAP = 97.2 microM) while the highest reactivity was observed in the extract of P. peltata (TAR = 5.0 microM), measured as equivalents of Trolox concentration. These results were higher than those obtained for 4-NC (TRAP = 33.6 microM, TAR = 4.9 microM). DNA sugar damage induced by Fe(II) salts was also used to determine the capacity of 4-NC to suppress hydroxyl radical-mediated degradation of DNA. Calculated IC50 values for 4-NC and catechin, used as a standard, were 25 and 17 microM, respectively.

[The teaching of psychiatric nursing and the legislation of professional nursing practice]

This paper presents some questions about the legislation that affects nursing practice. Authors analysed how the principles of this legislation have been used in the psychiatric nursing teaching process.