Responsiveness of the 24-, 18- and 11-item versions of the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire.

Several versions of the 24-item Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) have been proposed; however, their responsiveness has not been extensively explored. The objective of this study was to compare the responsiveness of four versions of the RMDQ. Perceived disability was measured using the 24-item, two 18-item and an 11-item RMDQ on 1,069 low back pain patients from six randomised controlled trials.

The interplay of cannabinoid and NMDA glutamate receptor systems in humans: preliminary evidence of interactive effects of cannabidiol and ketamine in healthy human subjects.

Background: Interactions between glutamatergic and endocannabinoid systems may contribute to schizophrenia, dissociative states, and other psychiatric conditions. Cannabidiol (CBD), a cannabinoid-1/2 (CB1/2) receptor weak partial agonist or antagonist, may play a role in the treatment of schizophrenia.

Objective: This study tested the hypothesis that CBD would attenuate the behavioral effects of the NMDA receptor antagonist, ketamine, in healthy human subjects.

Occurrence of hepatopulmonary syndrome in patients with cirrhosis who are candidates for liver transplantation.

Objective: To determine the occurrence of hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) in patients with cirrhosis who are candidates for liver transplantation; to compare demographic, clinical, laboratory, and spirometric characteristics, as well as echocardiography results, arterial blood gas analysis, and severity of liver disease between the groups of patients with and without HPS; and to describe the occurrence of HPS in the subgroup of patients with cirrhosis and schistosomiasis mansoni (mixed liver disease).

Methods: Between January and November of 2007, we evaluated 44 patients under treatment at the Liver Transplant Outpatient Clinic of the Federal University of Pernambuco Hospital das Clínicas, in the city of Recife, Brazil. The diagnostic criteria for HPS were intrapulmonary vascular dilatation, identified by transthoracic echocardiography, and an alveolar-arterial oxygen tension difference >or= 15 mmHg or a PaO2 < 80 mmHg.

Biocompatibility of a chlorhexidine local delivery system in a subcutaneous mouse model.

Objective: This study aimed evaluating histologically and histomorphometrically the response of the conjunctive tissue face to the implant of chlorhexidine chips in the subcutaneous tissues of rats.

Study Design: In this research 35 male rats Wistar were used to analyze the biocompatibility and the degradation process of chlorhexidine chip. In each animal, it was made 2 incisions for subcutaneous implantation of chlorhexidine chip (test group) and a polytetrafluorethylene membrane (control group).

Ethics in research with human beings: from knowledge to practice.

Background: In Brazil, resolution 196/96 and its amendments regulate the preservation of rights, respect and dignity of human beings involved in research.

Objective: To analyze the adequacy of Free Communications (FC) presented during the XVIII Congresso Pernambucano de Cardiologia to resolution 196/96.

Methods: During a cross-sectional study, interviews were carried out with the authors of the FC presented at the Congress and the abstracts of the studies were assessed in order to identify the need for previous approval by a Research Ethics Committee (REC).

Green lacewings (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) associated with melon crop in Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte State, Brazil.

A survey of the green lacewings associated with the melon agroecosystem was carried out with the aim of including lacewings into the integrated management program of melon pests. Three species of this predator were found: Ceraeochrysa cubana (Hagen), Chrysoperla externa (Hagen) and Chrysoperla genanigra Freitas. A key to these species is presented.

An updated overview of clinical guidelines for the management of non-specific low back pain in primary care.

The aim of this study was to present and compare the content of (inter)national clinical guidelines for the management of low back pain. To rationalise the management of low back pain, evidence-based clinical guidelines have been issued in many countries. Given that the available scientific evidence is the same, irrespective of the country, one would expect these guidelines to include more or less similar recommendations regarding diagnosis and treatment.

Association of cytokine genetic polymorphisms with the humoral immune response to recombinant vaccine against HBV in infants.

The prevention of hepatitis B by vaccination is one the most efficient tools to avoid the transmission of the virus, although a considerable variability to the anti-HBsAg antibody response has been described. Recently, polymorphisms of cytokine regulating genes have been described which seem to influence the immune response to various antigens. This article's objective was to evaluate the influence of cytokine genetic polymorphisms onto the humoral immune response to hepatitis B vaccine in infants.

Graded activity and graded exposure for persistent nonspecific low back pain: a systematic review.

Background: Graded activity and graded exposure are increasingly being used in the management of persistent low back pain; however, their effectiveness remains poorly understood.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to systematically review randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effectiveness of graded activity or graded exposure for persistent (>6 weeks in duration or recurrent) low back pain.

Data Sources: Trials were electronically searched and rated for quality by use of the PEDro scale (values of 0-10).

[Predictors of changes in drug regimens for treating AIDS in children].

To identify the causes of changes in therapeutic regimens for treating AIDS in children infected through vertical transmission. This was a case-control study in which the control group consisted of 49 children who had not had any changes to their antiretroviral regimen and the case group consisted of 62 children who had had changes between January 2000 and December 2005. Data from the patients' medical files and a semistructured interview were used.

There was evidence of convergent and construct validity of Physiotherapy Evidence Database quality scale for physiotherapy trials.

Objective: To evaluate the convergent and construct validity of the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale used to rate the methodological quality of randomized trials in physiotherapy.

Study Design And Setting: PEDro total scores and individual-item scores were extracted from 9,456 physiotherapy trials indexed on PEDro. Convergent validity was tested by comparing PEDro total scores with three other quality scales.

Protective effect of simvastatin in the cyclophosphamide-induced hemorrhagic cystitis in rats.

Purpose: Cyclophosphamide (CYP) is an antineoplastic agent used for the treatment of many neoplastic and inflammatory diseases. Hemorrhagic cystitis is a frequent side effect of CYP. Several studies show that simvastatin has important pleiotropic (anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory) effects.

Anti-HER2 immunoliposomes for selective delivery of electron paramagnetic resonance imaging probes to HER2-overexpressing breast tumor cells.

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) imaging is an emerging modality that can detect and localize paramagnetic molecular probes (so-called spin probes) in vivo. We previously demonstrated that nitroxide spin probes can be encapsulated in liposomes at concentrations exceeding 100 mM, at which nitroxides exhibit a concentration-dependent quenching of their EPR signal that is analogous to the self-quenching of fluorescent molecules. Therefore, intact liposomes encapsulating high concentrations of nitroxides exhibit greatly attenuated EPR spectral signals, and endocytosis of such liposomes represents a cell-activated contrast-generating mechanism.

Sensitivity to the aromatase inhibitor letrozole is prolonged after a "break" in treatment.

Using a hormone-dependent xenograft model, we established that loss of response to letrozole was accompanied by upregulation of the Her-2/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway and downregulation of estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) and aromatase activity. In our previous study, we showed that stopping letrozole treatment or adding trastuzumab could reverse acquired resistance. In this study, we compared the effects of intermittent letrozole treatment and switching treatment between letrozole and trastuzumab on tumor growth in an attempt to optimize discontinuous letrozole treatment.

Hepatopulmonary syndrome: an update.

Hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a clinical threesome composed of liver disease, intrapulmonary vascular dilatation (IPVD) and arterial gas abnormalities. Its occurrence has been described in up to 32% of cirrhotic candidates for liver transplantation. It also affects non-cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension.

Two Kunitz-type inhibitors with activity against trypsin and papain from Pithecellobium dumosum seeds: purification, characterization, and activity towards pest insect digestive enzyme.

Two trypsin inhibitors (called PdKI-3.1 and PdKI-3.2) were purified from the seeds of the Pithecellobium dumosum tree.

New insight into the formation of nitrogen sulfide: a quantum chemical study.

We studied the chemical mechanism for the formation of (2)NS in the interstellar medium was by using the CCSD/6-311++G(d,p) and CCSD(T)/6-311++G(3df,3pd) levels of theory. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first detailed study of the chemical mechanism for the formation of (2)NS. Several reactions proposed in this article are spin-forbidden.

ETAR antagonist ZD4054 exhibits additive effects with aromatase inhibitors and fulvestrant in breast cancer therapy, and improves in vivo efficacy of anastrozole.

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) and endothelin A receptor (ETAR) contribute to the development and progression of breast carcinomas by modulating cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and anti-apoptosis. We investigated antitumoral effects of the specific ETAR antagonist ZD4054 in breast cancer cells and xenografts, and assessed antitumoral efficacy of the combinations of ZD4054 with aromatase inhibitors and fulvestrant. Gene expression changes were assessed by quantitative real-time PCR.

Variant Cry1Ia toxins generated by DNA shuffling are active against sugarcane giant borer.

Sugarcane giant borer (Telchin licus licus) is a serious sugarcane pest in Americas whose endophytic lifestyle hampers effective chemical and biological controls. Therefore, development of alternative control methods is extremely important. Envisaging development of transgenic plants resistant to this pest, we investigated the effect of the Bacillus thuringiensis Cry protein Cry1Ia12synth (truncated protein lacking C-terminus with plant codon usage) and variants against T.

Aromatase resistance mechanisms in model systems in vivo.

Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) have now been shown to be more effective than the anti-estrogen (AE) tamoxifen and have few side effects in ER+ breast cancer patients. However, some patients may not respond and resistance to treatment may develop in others. To investigate the mechanisms involved in the loss of sensitivity of the tumors to AIs, we have studied athymic mice with tumors grown from human estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancer cells (MCF-7) stably transfected with aromatase (MCF-7Ca).

Polyurethane and PTFE membranes for guided bone regeneration: histopathological and ultrastructural evaluation.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to research a membrane material for use in guided bone regeneration.

Study Design: In this study, 25 male Wistar rats were used to analyze the biocompatibility and degradation process of biomembranes. The morphological changes in subcutaneous implantations were assessed after 7, 14, 21, 28 and 70 days.

Antifungal and marker effects of Talisia esculenta lectin on Microsporum canis in vitro.

Aims: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the usefulness of lectin obtained from Talisia esculenta (TEL) seeds as a tool to recognize and study Microsporum canis. For this purpose, we investigated the antifungal and marker action of this lectin and the relationship of these effects with the presence of carbohydrates on the structure of this fungus.

Methods And Results: The in vitro antifungal activity of TEL was analysed by broth microdilution assay.

Vertical bone augmentation using a polytetrafluoroethylene nonporous barrier for osseointegrated implants partially inserted in tibiae of rabbits.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the possibility of obtaining guided bone regeneration using a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) nonporous barrier for 2 endosseous implants, partially inserted in tibiae of rabbits.

Materials And Methods: Histologic characteristics of the interface between titanium implants (one group with titanium plasma-coated implants and the other group with acid-treated surfaces) and of the regenerated bone were also studied. Twenty screw-vent implants were placed in tibiae of 5 male New Zealand rabbits, 2 at the right side and 2 at the left side, protruding 3 mm from the bone level, to create a horizontal bone defect.

[Learning needs of parents in transition to parenthood: review of the literature].

This article is a review of the literature published in an international context between 1999 and 2008, on the subject of parenthood adaptation. From a query to the database EBSCO and B-ON, using terms related to the subject, there have been studies on motherhood and parenthood in general and in specific groups. After this an identification of abstracts that referred directly to the learning needs in the transition to parenthood was made.