bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cellular Senescence Impairs Circadian Expression of Clock Genes In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: Kunieda Takeshige , Minamino Tohru , Katsuno Taro , Tateno Kaoru , Nishi Jun-ichiro , Miyauchi Hideyuki , Orimo Masayuki , Okada Sho , Komuro Issei
Published: January 2006

Circadian rhythms are regulated by a set of clock genes that form transcriptional feedback loops and generate circadian oscillation with a 24-hour cycle. Aging alters a broad spectrum of physiological, endocrine, and behavioral rhythms. Although recent evidence suggests that cellular aging contributes to various age-associated diseases, its effects on the circadian rhythms have not been examined. We report here that cellular senescence impairs circadian rhythmicity both in vitro and in vivo. Circadian expression of clock genes in serum-stimulated senescent cells was significantly weaker compared with that in young cells. Introduction of telomerase completely prevented this reduction of clock gene expression associated with senescence. Stimulation by serum activated the cAMP response element-binding protein, but the activation of this signaling pathway was significantly weaker in senescent cells. Treatment with activators of this pathway effectively restored the impaired clock gene expression of senescent cells. When young cells were implanted into young mice or old mice, the implanted cells were effectively entrained by the circadian rhythm of the recipients. In contrast, the entrainment of implanted senescent cells was markedly impaired. These results suggest that senescence decreases the ability of cells to transmit circadian signals to their clocks and that regulation of clock gene expression may be a novel strategy for the treatment of age-associated impairment of circadian rhythmicity.
Hepatocyte growth factor is a lymphangiogenic factor with an indirect mechanism of action
Authors: Cao Renhai , Björndahl Meit A. , Gallego Marta I. , Chen Shaohua , Religa Piotr , Hansen Anker J. , Cao Yihai
Published: January 2006

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) has previously been reported to act as a hemangiogenic factor, as well as a mitogenic factor for a variety of tumor cells. Here, we demonstrate that HGF is a lymphangiogenic factor, which may contribute to lymphatic metastasis when overexpressed in tumors. In a mouse corneal lymphangiogenesis model, implantation of HGF induces sprouting and growth of new lymphatic vessel expressing the lymphatic vessel endothelial specific marker hyaluronan receptor-1 (Lyve-1). Unlike blood vessels, the Lyve-1–positive structures consist of blunt-ended vessels of large diameters that generally lack expression of CD31. The growth of HGF-induced lymphatic vessels can be partially blocked by a soluble VEGFR-3, suggesting that HGF may stimulate lymphatic vessel growth through an indirect mechanism. Consistent with this finding, the HGF receptor (c-Met) is only localized on corneal blood vessels but is absent on lymphatic vessels in a mouse corneal assay. In a transgenic mouse model that expresses HGF under the control of the whey acidic protein (WAP) gene promoter, transgenic females develop tumors in the mammary glands after several pregnancies. Interestingly, dilated Lyve-1–positive lymphatic vessels accumulate in the peritumoral area and occasionally penetrate into the tumor tissue. Our findings indicate that HGF may play a critical role in lymphangiogenesis and potentially contribute to lymphatic metastasis.
Global transcriptional coactivators CREB-binding protein and p300 are highly essential collectively but not individually in peripheral B cells
Authors: Xu Wu , Fukuyama Tomofusa , Ney Paul A. , Wang Demin , Rehg Jerold , Boyd Kelli , van Deursen Jan M. A. , Brindle Paul K.
Published: January 2006

CREB-binding protein (CBP) and its para-log p300 are transcriptional coactivators that physically or functionally interact with over 320 mammalian and viral proteins, including 36 that are essential for B cells in mice. CBP and p300 are generally considered limiting for transcription, yet their roles in adult cell lineages are largely unknown since homozygous null mutations in either gene or compound heterozygosity cause early embryonic lethality in mice. We tested the hypotheses that CBP and p300 are limiting and that each has unique properties in B cells, by using mice with Cre/LoxP conditional knockout alleles for CBP (CBPflox) and p300 (p300flox), which carry CD19Cre that initiates floxed gene recombination at the pro–B-cell stage. CD19Cre-mediated loss of CBP or p300 led to surprisingly modest deficits in B-cell numbers, whereas inactivation of both genes was not tolerated by peripheral B cells. There was a moderate decrease in B-cell receptor (BCR)–responsive gene expression in CBP or p300 homozygous null B cells, suggesting that CBP and p300 are essential for this signaling pathway that is crucial for B-cell homeostasis. These results indicate that individually CBP and p300 are partially limiting beyond the pro-B-cell stage and that other coactivators in B cells cannot replace their combined loss.
Enhancement of infectivity and persistence in vivo by HBZ, a natural antisense coded protein of HTLV-1
Authors: Arnold Joshua , Yamamoto Brenda , Li Min , Phipps Andrew J. , Younis Ihab , Lairmore Michael D. , Green Patrick L.
Published: January 2006

Natural antisense viral transcripts have been recognized in retroviruses, including human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1), HIV-1, and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), and have been postulated to encode proteins important for the infection cycle and/or pathogenesis of the virus. The antisense strand of the HTLV-1 genome encodes HBZ, a novel nuclear basic region leucine zipper (b-ZIP) protein that in overexpression assays down-regulates Tax oncoprotein-induced viral transcription. Herein, we investigated the contribution of HBZ to HTLV-1–mediated immortalization of primary T lymphocytes in vitro and HTLV-1 infection in a rabbit animal model. HTLV-1 HBZ mutant viruses were generated and evaluated for viral gene expression, protein production, and immortalization capacity. Biologic properties of HBZ mutant viruses in vitro were indistinguishable from wild-type HTLV-1, providing the first direct evidence that HBZ is dispensable for viral replication and cellular immortalization. Rabbits inoculated with irradiated cells expressing HTLV-1 HBZ mutant viruses became persistently infected. However, these rabbits displayed a decreased antibody response to viral gene products and reduced proviral copies in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) as compared with wild-type HTLV-1–infected animals. Our findings indicated that HBZ was not required for in vitro cellular immortalization, but enhanced infectivity and persistence in inoculated rabbits. This study demonstrates that retroviruses use negative-strand–encoded proteins in the establishment of chronic viral infections.
The 30‐Sec Sale: Using Thin‐Slice Judgments to Evaluate Sales Effectiveness
Authors: Ambady Nalini , Krabbenhoft Mary Anne , Hogan Daniel
Published: January 2006

A successful sale depends on a customer's perception of the salesperson's personality, motivations, trustworthiness, and affect. Person perception research has shown that consistent and accurate assessments of these traits can be made based on very brief observations, or “thin slices.” Thus, examining impressions based on thin slices offers an effective approach to study how perceptions of salespeople translate into real‐world results, such as sales performance and customer satisfaction. The literature on the accuracy of thin‐slice judgments is briefly reviewed. Then, 2 studies are presented that investigated the predictive validity of judgments of salespeople based on thin slices of the vocal channel. Participants rated 20‐sec audio clips extracted from interviews with a sample of sales managers, on variables gauging interpersonal skills, task‐related skills, and anxiety. Results supported the hypothesis that observability of the rated variable is a key determinant in the criterion validity of thin‐slice judgments. Implications for the use of thin‐slice judgments in salesperson selection and customer satisfaction are discussed.
Let the Clips Fall Where They May
Authors: Alba Joseph W.
Published: January 2006

Personality research has fueled debate over whether human judgment should be characterized as accurate or error‐prone. Research from the thin‐slice tradition suggests that a degree of accuracy can be obtained when least expected. Consumer psychologists tempted to join the debate may be better served by identifying the contexts under which accuracy is most likely and least likely to be observed and by exploring the causal mechanisms underlying each outcome. In so doing, the substantive scope of consumer research may be expanded to include decision contexts that have been largely ignored but are of considerable importance. Moreover, decision processes may be illuminated that can inform the more useful debate over deliberative versus nondeliberative decision making.
When Should Consumers and Managers Trust Their Intuition?
Authors: Kardes Frank R.
Published: January 2006

Ambady, Krabbenhoft, Hogan, and Rosenthal (2006) demonstrated that “thin slices” or very brief observations of behavior are not only sufficient for drawing accurate automatic trait inferences, they actually improve accuracy, relative to inferences based on larger amounts of information. Too much information, too much knowledge, or too much analysis can reduce the accuracy of intuitive judgment. Who benefits most and what types of judgments benefit most from thin‐slice data? When should people trust their intuition? The answers to these questions depend on informational variables, such as feedback quality and the consequences of inferential errors (Hogarth, 2001). Evidence is reviewed suggesting that consumers and managers should trust their intuition only when high quality (frequent, prompt, and diagnostic) feedback is available and when inferential errors are consequential and therefore easy to detect.
Malleable Mental Accounting: The Effect of Flexibility on the Justification of Attractive Spending and Consumption Decisions
Authors: Cheema Amar , Soman Dilip
Published: January 2006

Mental accounts are often characterized as self‐control devices that consumers employ to prevent excess spending and consumption. However, under certain conditions of ambiguity, the mental accounting process is malleable; that is, consumers have flexibility in assigning expenses to different mental accounts. We demonstrate how consumers flexibly classify expenses, or construct accounts, to justify spending. An expense that can be assigned to more than one account (i.e., an ambiguous expense) is more likely to be incurred than an unambiguous expense that is constrained either by existing budgets or by previously constructed accounts. We explore the justification processes that underlie these results and their implications for mental accounts as self‐control devices.
Images of Success and the Preference for Luxury Brands
Authors: Mandel Naomi , Petrova Petia K. , Cialdini Robert B.
Published: January 2006

This research examines the impact of media depictions of success (or failure) on consumers’ desire for luxury brands. In a pilot study and three additional studies, we demonstrate that reading a story about a similar/successful other, such as a business major from the same university, increases consumers’ expectations about their own future wealth, which in turn increases their desire for luxury brands. However, reading about a dissimilar successful other, such as a biology major, lowers consumers’ preferences for luxury brands. Furthermore, we examine the role of ease of imagining oneself in the narrative as a mediator of the relation between direction of comparison, similarity, and brand preference.
Autocrine Growth Hormone Prevents Lactogenic Differentiation of Mouse Mammary Epithelial Cells
Authors: Mukhina Svetlana , Liu DongXu , Guo Ke , Raccurt Mireille , Borges-Bendris Sahra , Mertani Hichem C. , Lobie Peter E.
Published: January 2006

We have examined the expression, postnatal ontogeny, and localization of mouse GH (mGH) and its relative expression during pregnancy, lactation, and weaning in the mouse. mGH mRNA and protein was expressed predominantly in the epithelial component of the mammary gland, and maximal expression was observed during the pubertal period. Autocrine mGH expression dramatically decreased during late pregnancy and lactation. Concordantly, autocrine mGH expression is repressed during forced differentiation of mouse HC11 mammary epithelial cells in culture. Forced expression of mGH in HC11 cells abrogated lactogenic differentiation as indicated by reduced expression of β-casein and reduced expression and loss of lateral epithelial localization of E-cadherin. Forced expression of mGH in mouse mammary epithelial cells increased cell survival and proliferation and consequently increased the size of mammary acinar-like structures formed in three-dimensional Matrigel. Thus, autocrine mGH expression in the mouse mammary epithelial cell is maximal at puberty and prevents mammary epithelial cell differentiation. Autocrine GH will therefore participate in mammary morphogenic processes at puberty.
MAKING SENSE OF VARIATION: PLEASANTNESS AND EDUCATION RATINGS OF SOUTHERN VOWEL VARIANTS
Authors: FRIDLAND VALERIE , BARTLETT KATHRYN , KREUZ ROGER
Published: January 2006

An earlier study (Fridland, Bartlett, and Kreuz 2004) showed that listeners in Memphis, Tennessee, judged more perceptually salient those vowel shifts that the local dialect used as opposed to vowel shifts that Memphis had in common with other U.S. dialects. This study examines the perceptions of 209 natives of Memphis in two tasks: recognizing vowel shifts as Southern and rating a range of synthesized variants of ey, E, uw, and ow for level of education and sounding pleasant. In the first part, participants were successful in recognizing vowel variants as Southern. In the second, they discerned slight phonetic shifts and assigned lower ratings for education and pleasantness to those vowel variants that they recognized as most Southern. The results add support to the evidence that perceptual judgments of speech depend on both linguistic and social information.
THE CONSEQUENCES OF CONFLICTING STEREOTYPES: BOSTONIAN PERCEPTIONS OF U.S. DIALECTS
Authors: HARTLEY LAURA C.
Published: January 2006

This article examines the perceptual dialectology of 50 residents of greater Boston. Map drawing reveals perceived dialect boundaries, particularly within the northeastern United States, but also in other regions of the country. In degree of difference ratings, these Bostonians do not think they sound very different from other New Englanders. In rating pleasantness and education, however, they set Massachusetts apart. In doing so, however, they exhibit an interesting mix of linguistic security and insecurity. The analysis suggests that respondents have internalized two common but conflicting American stereotypes of Boston residents—the educated elite and working-class descendants of immigrants—and rely on these stereotypes when evaluating their home area.
The Moving Frontier of British Imperialism in the Lake Rudolf Region: 1890-1919
Authors: Barber James
Published: January 2006

This essay examines the extension of British colonial control across the Lake Rudolf region, investigating the motives for British decisions and the relationships that developed between the colonizers and the local tribes. On both sides there was uncertainty. Among the local peoples—predominantly warrior herdsmen—some saw advantage in cooperation with the British from the beginning; others quickly came to accept the situation when they realized the power of British arms; but some continued to resist and were a persistent problem for the colonial authority. The British side—which eventually involved three separate colonial administrations (Uganda, Sudan, and British East Africa, now Kenya)—became involved in an internal debate. One viewpoint was that, other than denying this harsh and arid region to imperial rivals, it should be left alone. The other side favored “hands on” administration with the aim of “developing” the area. The debate persisted and was unresolved at the end of British rule in the early 1960s.
The Missionary Factor in the History of Northern Kenya during the Second Half of the Twentieth Century
Authors: Tablino Paul
Published: January 2006

This article draws on material from my study of the evangelization of some nomadic communities in northern Kenya (Tablino 2004). It traces how the initial Consolata Missions (to which I now belong) were established in the region in 1963 shortly before the independence of Kenya, describes the work that continued into the postcolonial period, and profiles some of the missionaries who have contributed to the foundation of the Catholic Church in northern Kenya over the last fifty years.
Naruse Mikio's Silent Films: Gender and the Discourse of Everyday Life in Interwar Japan
Authors: Russell Catherine
Published: January 2006

Catherine Russell is a professor of film studies at Concordia University in Montreal and the director of the PhD in Humanities Program. She is the author of Narrative Mortality: Death, Closure and New Wave Cinemas (1985) and of Experimental Ethnography: The Work of Film in the Age of Video (1999). She has also published numerous articles on video art, Canadian film, and Japanese cinema. See www.cinema.concordia.ca/russell/.
Hexa-, Hepta-, and Octacyclic Ladder Polysilanes
Authors: Kyushin Soichiro , Ueta Yoshinori , Tanaka Ryoji , Matsumoto Hideyuki
Published: January 2006

Hexa-, hepta-, and octacyclic ladder polysilanes (5–7) were synthesized, and their structures were determined by X-ray crystallography. These compounds have the double helix structure consisting of two linear polysilane chains. In the UV–visible spectra, the lowest energy absorption maxima of 5–7 shift bathochromically as the number of cyclotetrasilane rings progressively increases.
Cation–π-driven Fluorescence Signalling of Ammonium Cations by Naphthyl-substituted Zn10S16 and Cd10S16 Clusters
Authors: Konishi Katsuaki , Hiratani Takayuki
Published: January 2006

Zn10S16 and Cd10S16 clusters bearing twelve naphthalene units on the surface showed characteristic blue emission in response to the cation–π-mediated intercalative binding of quaternary ammonium cations that allows the formation of ground-state naphthalene aggregates.
The bunyavirus nucleocapsid protein is an RNA chaperone: Possible roles in viral RNA panhandle formation and genome replication
Authors: MIR M. AYOUB , PANGANIBAN ANTONITO T.
Published: January 2006

Cellular RNA chaperones are crucial for the genesis of correctly folded functional RNAs. Using several complementary in vitro assays we find that the bunyavirus nucleocapsid protein (N) is an RNA chaperone. In the Bunyaviridae genomic RNA is in stable “panhandle” formation that arises through the hydrogen bonding of the terminal nucleotides of the RNA. The RNA chaperone function of N facilitates panhandle formation even though the termini are separated by >2 kb. RNA panhandle formation is likely driven by the exceptionally high base-pairing specificity of the terminal nucleotides as evidenced by P-num analysis. N protein can nonspecifically dissociate RNA duplexes. In addition, following panhandle formation, the RNA chaperone activity of N also appears to be involved in dissociation of the RNA panhandle and remains in association with the 5′ terminus of the viral RNA following dissociation. Thus, N likely functions in the initiation of genome replication to allow efficient initiation of RNA synthesis by the viral polymerase. The RNA chaperone activity of N may be facilitated by an intrinsically disordered domain that catalyzes RNA unfolding driven by reciprocal entropy transfer. These observations highlight the essential features that are probably common to all RNA chaperones in which the role of the chaperone is to nonspecifically dissociate higher order structure and formation of functional higher order structure may often be predicted by RNA P-num value. The data also highlight features of N that are probably specifically important during replication of bunyavirus RNA.
Ubiquitin binding by a variant Jab1/MPN domain in the essential pre-mRNA splicing factor Prp8p
Authors: BELLARE PRIYA , KUTACH ALAN K. , RINES AMY K. , GUTHRIE CHRISTINE , SONTHEIMER ERIK J.
Published: January 2006

The U1, U2, U4/U6, and U5 small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs) are components of the spliceosome, which catalyzes pre-mRNA splicing. One of the largest and the most highly conserved proteins in the spliceosome is Prp8p, a component of the U5 snRNP. Despite its size and conservation, very few motifs have been identified that suggest specific biochemical functions. A variant of the Jab1/MPN domain found in a class of deubiquitinating enzymes is present near the C terminus of Prp8p. Ubiquitination regulates a broad range of cellular pathways, and its functions generally require ubiquitin recognition by one or more ubiquitin-binding domains (UBDs). No precise role for ubiquitin has been defined in the pre-mRNA splicing pathway, and no known UBDs have been found within splicing proteins. Here we show that a Prp8p fragment containing the Jab1/MPN domain binds directly to ubiquitin with an affinity comparable to other known UBDs. Several mutations within this domain that compromise splicing also reduce interaction of the fragment with ubiquitin-Sepharose. Our results define a new UBD and suggest functional links between ubiquitin and the pre-mRNA splicing machinery.
Distinct contributions of KH domains to substrate binding affinity of Drosophila P-element somatic inhibitor protein
Authors: CHMIEL NIKOLAS H. , RIO DONALD C. , DOUDNA JENNIFER A.
Published: January 2006

Drosophila P-element somatic inhibitor protein (PSI) regulates splicing of the P-element transposase pre-mRNA by binding a pseudo-splice site upstream of the authentic splice site using four tandem KH-type RNA binding motifs. While the binding domains and specificity of PSI have been established, little is known about the contributions of each PSI KH domain to overall protein stability and RNA binding affinity. Using a construct containing only the RNA binding domain of PSI (PSI-KH03), we introduced a physiologically relevant point mutation into each KH domain of PSI individually and measured stability and RNA binding affinity of the resulting mutant proteins. Although secondary structure, as measured by circular dichroism spectroscopy, is only subtly changed for each mutant protein relative to wild type, RNA binding affinity is reduced in each case. Mutations in the second or third KH domains of the protein are significantly more deleterious to substrate recognition than mutation of the outer (first and fourth) domains. These results show that despite the ability of a single KH domain to bind RNA in some systems, PSI requires multiple tandem KH domains for specific and high-affinity recognition of substrate RNA.
Serum Proteomic Fingerprints of Adult Patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
Authors: Pang Ronald TK , Poon Terence CW , Chan KC Allen , Lee Nelson LS , Chiu Rossa WK , Tong Yu-Kwan , Wong Ronald MY , Chim Stephen SC , Ngai Sai M , Sung Joseph JY , Lo YM Dennis
Published: January 2006

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is an emerging infectious disease caused by a new coronavirus strain, SARS-CoV. Specific proteomic patterns might be present in serum in response to the infection and could be useful for early detection of the disease.

Methods: Using surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization (SELDI) ProteinChip technology, we profiled and compared serum proteins of 39 patients with early-stage SARS infection and 39 non-SARS patients who were suspected cases during the SARS outbreak period. Proteomic patterns associated with SARS were identified by bioinformatic and biostatistical analyses. Features of interest were then purified and identified by tandem mass spectrometry.

Results: Twenty proteomic features were significantly different between the 2 groups. Fifteen were increased in the SARS group, and 5 were decreased. Their concentrations were correlated with 2 or more clinical and/or biochemical variables. Two were correlated with the SARS-CoV viral load. Hierarchical clustering analysis showed that a majority of the SARS patients (95%) had similar serum proteomic profiles and identified 2 subgroups with poor prognosis. ROC curve analysis identified individual features as potential biomarkers for SARS diagnosis (areas under ROC curves, 0.733–0.995). ROC curve areas were largest for an N-terminal fragment of complement C3c α chain (m/z 28 119) and an internal fragment of fibrinogen α-E chain (m/z 5908). Immunoglobulin κ light chain (m/z 24 505) positively correlated with viral load.

Conclusions: Specific proteomic fingerprints in the sera of adult SARS patients could be used to identify SARS cases early during onset with high specificity and sensitivity.
Isolated Mitochondrial Long-Chain Ketoacyl-CoA Thiolase Deficiency Resulting from Mutations in the HADHB Gene
Authors: Das Anibh M , Illsinger Sabine , Lücke Thomas , Hartmann Hans , Ruiter Jos PN , Steuerwald Ulrike , Waterham Hans R , Duran Marinus , Wanders Ronald JA
Published: January 2006

Background: The human mitochondrial trifunctional protein (MTP) complex is composed of 4 hydroacyl-CoA dehydrogenase-α (HADHA) and 4 hydroacyl-CoA dehydrogenase-β (HADHB) subunits, which catalyze the last 3 steps in the fatty acid β-oxidation spiral of long-chain fatty acids. The HADHB gene encodes long-chain ketoacyl-CoA thiolase (LCTH) activity, whereas the HADHA gene contains the information for the long-chain enoyl-CoA hydratase and long-chain 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (LCHAD) functions. At present, 2 different biochemical phenotypes of defects in the mitochondrial trifunctional protein complex are known: isolated LCHAD deficiency and generalized MTP deficiency, with decreased activities of all 3 enzymes. Isolated LCTH deficiency with mutations in the HADHB gene has not been reported.

Patient and Results: We report a male newborn who presented with lactic acidosis, pulmonary edema, and cardiomyopathy leading to acute heart failure and death at the age of 6 weeks. Routine newborn screening by tandem mass spectrometry showed increased concentrations of the acylcarnitines tetradecenoylcarnitine, hexadecenoylcarnitine, hydroxypalmitoylcarnitine, and hydroxyoctadecenoylcarnitine, suggesting LCHAD deficiency or complete MTP deficiency. Enzyme investigations revealed very low LCTH (4% of normal) and normal LCHAD activities, whereas molecular analysis showed compound heterozygosity for 185G>A (R62H) and 1292T>C (F431S) mutations in the HADHB gene.

Conclusion: We describe the first case of isolated LCTH deficiency based on a mutation in the HADHB gene.
Reproductive Conditions of the Klamath River Green Sturgeon
Authors: Van Eenennaam Joel P. , Linares Javier , Doroshov Serge I. , Hillemeier David C. , Willson Thomas E. , Nova Arnold A.
Published: January 2006

Reproductive characteristics of the adult Klamath River green sturgeonAcipenser medirostriswere studied during the spawning migration. The locations of captures were from the mouth of the Klamath River upstream to river kilometer 72. A total of 82 females and 118 males were sampled for age, sex, body size, gonad weight, fecundity, egg size, and gonadal histology during April–July for five consecutive years (1999–2003). All fish sampled were considered mature adults, except for two immature males (body weight, 10 and 16 kg) captured close to the mouth of the river. The average body weight for males and females was 32 and 46 kg, respectively. The condition factor ranged from 0.60 to 0.92 for males and from 0.65 to 0.94 for females. The long tapered body conformation for both sexes made it difficult to sex individuals by external morphology, but in general, the females had a slightly more robust conformation. The fork length range was 139–199 cm in males and 151–223 cm in females. The majority (>90%) of males were 15–28 years old, and females were 19–34 years old. In all females the preovulatory condition was distinguished by the migration of the germinal vesicle to the animal pole, and the mean polarization index (distance of the germinal vesicle from the animal pole divided by oocyte diameter) was 0.042. The gonadosomatic index for females ranged from 7% to 17% and that for males from 2% to 8%. Individual and relative fecundity ranges were 59,000–242,000 and 2,000–4,000 eggs, respectively. The fully grown eggs were the largest recorded for North American sturgeon, averaging 4.33 mm in diameter. Although this study indicates that the Klamath River supports an important and potentially stable spawning migration, continued monitoring of the population and identification of spawning and nursery sites are critical for the long‐term preservation of this species.
Reproductive Investment and Growth History in Female Coho Salmon
Authors: Campbell B. , Beckman B. R. , Fairgrieve W. T. , Dickey J. T. , Swanson P.
Published: January 2006

The body size, ovary mass, egg mass, and fecundity of coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch from three different rearing environments (wild, ranched, and captive) were compared to determine which aspects of growth history affect changes in these reproductive characters. In addition, the growth of individually tagged females reared in captivity throughout the seawater growth phase was measured and related to final reproductive investment. A strong positive relationship existed between ovary mass and body length at spawning; this relationship was maintained over a wide range of final body sizes, and the regression slope was consistent among the rearing environments. However, the relative investment in ovary mass and fecundity (regression intercepts) differed between rearing environments. Fish reared in captivity throughout their life cycle had higher values than did fish reared in the other two environments. A relatively weak positive relationship between egg mass and final body length was common to females from all three rearing environments. In captively reared female coho salmon, growth during the 6 months prior to spawning had the greatest correlation with the reproductive parameters measured at spawning.
Methodological aspects of the 1993 Pelotas (Brazil) birth cohort study
Authors: Victora Cesar Gomes , Araújo Cora Luiza Pavin , Menezes Ana Maria Batista , Hallal Pedro Curi , Vieira Maria de Fátima , Neutzling Marilda Borges , Gonçalves Helen , Valle Neiva Cristina , Lima Rosangela Costa , Anselmi Luciana , Behague Dominique , Gigante Denise Petrucci , Barros Fernando Celso
Published: January 2006

This paper describes the main methodological aspects of a cohort study, with emphasis on its recent phases, which may be relevant to investigators planning to carry out similar studies. In 1993, a population based study was launched in Pelotas, Southern Brazil. All 5,249 newborns delivered in the city's hospitals were enrolled, and sub-samples were visited at the ages of one, three and six months and of one and four years. In 2004-5 it was possible to trace 87.5% of the cohort at the age of 10-12 years. Sub-studies are addressing issues related to oral health, psychological development and mental health, body composition, and ethnography. Birth cohort studies are essential for investigating the early determinants of adult disease and nutritional status, yet few such studies are available from low and middle-income countries where these determinants may differ from those documented in more developed settings.
Estudo populacional de síndrome pré-menstrual
Authors: Silva Celene Maria Longo da , Gigante Denise Petrucci , Carret Maria Laura Vidal , Fassa Anaclaudia Gastal
Published: January 2006

OBJETIVO: Estudar a prevalência e fatores associados à síndrome pré-menstrual, comparando a freqüência encontrada com a auto-referida. MÉTODOS: Foi realizado um estudo transversal, de base populacional, com 1.395 mulheres de 15 a 49 anos no município de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, em 2003. Foram aplicados questionários para medir a prevalência da síndrome pré menstrual por meio de um escore, construído a partir de cinco sintomas pré-menstruais que interferiam na vida familiar ou levavam à falta ao trabalho ou à escola. Foram investigadas associações entre alguns fatores socioeconômicos, demográficos e comportamentais. A síndrome auto-referida foi investigada quanto à sua sensibilidade e especificidade, considerando o escore como padrão-ouro. As análises estatísticas utilizadas foram chi2 de Pearson, Mantel Haenszel e regressão de Poisson, além do coeficiente de Kappa para verificar concordância de respostas. RESULTADOS: A prevalência encontrada foi de 25,2% (IC 95%: 22,5-27,9) e auto-referida 60,3% (IC 95%: 57,4-63,3). Os principais sintomas pré-menstruais foram: irritabilidade, desconforto abdominal, nervosismo, cefaléia, cansaço e mastalgia, todos acima de 50% de prevalência. Mulheres de melhor nível econômico, maior escolaridade, menores de 30 anos e com pele branca apresentaram risco mais elevado. As usuárias de psicofármacos e as que não usavam anticoncepção hormonal apresentaram maior prevalência. A sensibilidade do teste foi de 94%, a especificidade 51% e a acurácia 62%. CONCLUSÕES: Foi alta a prevalência da síndrome pré-menstrual encontrada. Embora a percepção das mulheres seja maior do que aquela medida com o escore, ainda assim, um quarto das mulheres apresentou esse problema de saúde.
Conhecimento sobre métodos anticoncepcionais por estudantes adolescentes
Authors: Martins Laura B Motta , Costa-Paiva Lúcia , Osis Maria José D , Sousa Maria Helena de , Pinto Neto Aarão M , Tadini Valdir
Published: January 2006

OBJETIVO: Comparar o conhecimento sobre métodos anticoncepcionais e identificar os fatores associados ao conhecimento adequado dos adolescentes de escolas públicas e privadas. MÉTODOS: Realizou-se estudo transversal, do qual participaram 1.594 adolescentes entre 12 e 19 anos, de 13 escolas públicas e cinco privadas do Município de São Paulo entre junho e dezembro de 2003. As escolas foram selecionadas aleatoriamente e os alunos responderam um questionário sobre características sociodemográficas, reprodutivas e métodos anticoncepcionais. As razões de prevalência foram calculadas com intervalo de confiança de 95% para cada questão sobre conhecimento de métodos e o tipo de escola. Atribuiu-se meio ponto para cada questão correta sobre conhecimento de anticoncepcionais, o ponto de corte foi 50% de acerto. Os testes estatísticos utilizados foram o qui-quadrado, o Wilcoxon-Gehan e a regressão múltipla de Poisson. RESULTADOS: Dentre os adolescentes, 61% eram do sexo feminino nos dois grupos de escolas. Predominou nível socioeconômico baixo nas escolas públicas e alto nas privadas (p<0,001). Cerca de 18,6% dos adolescentes nas escolas privadas e 28,6% nas públicas tinham atividade sexual (p<0,002). Quanto ao conhecimento, 25,7% dos adolescentes das escolas públicas e 40,8% das privadas apresentaram escore superior ou igual a cinco. Os fatores associados ao maior conhecimento foram ser do sexo feminino, estudar em escola privada, estar no ensino médio, ter nível socioeconômico alto, ter relação sexual e ter maior idade. CONCLUSÕES: O nível de conhecimento adequado sobre métodos anticoncepcionais foi baixo para os adolescentes de ambos os tipos de escolas. Os resultados revelam que, assim como os mais desfavorecidos, os adolescentes de maior nível socioeconômico necessitam de informações adequadas sobre planejamento familiar, visando a melhorar esse conhecimento para mudança seu comportamento.
Lead, hemoglobin, zinc protoporphyrin and ferritin concentrations in children
Authors: Rondó Patrícia H C , Carvalho Maria de Fátima H , Souza Miriam C , Moraes Flávio
Published: January 2006

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship of blood lead and hemoglobin, zinc protoporphyrin, and ferritin concentrations in children. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 136 anemic and non-anemic children from two rural villages near a lead smelter in Adrianópolis, Southern Brazil, from July to September 2001. Hemoglobin electrophoresis was performed to exclude children with hemoglobin variants and thalassemia syndromes associated with anemia. Lead was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry; hemoglobin by automated cell counting; zinc protoporphyrin by hematofluorometry; ferritin by chemiluminescence. Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney test, and the c² test were used to assess the significance of the differences between the variables investigated in anemic and non-anemic children. Stepwise multivariate linear regression analysis was performed using two models for anemic and non-anemic children respectively. RESULTS: Lead was negatively associated to hemoglobin (p<0.017) in the first model, and in the second model lead was positively associated to zinc protoporphyrin (p<0.004) after controlling for ferritin, age, sex, and per capita income. There was an inverse association between hemoglobin and blood lead in anemic children. It was not possible to confirm if anemic children had iron deficiency anemia or subclinical infection, considering that the majority (90.4%) had normal ferritin. CONCLUSIONS: The study detected a relationship between anemia and elevated blood lead concentrations. Further epidemiological studies are necessary to investigate the impact of iron nutritional interventions as an attempt to decrease blood lead in children.
Índice de exposição à sílica na atividade de mineração de ouro
Authors: Carneiro Ana Paula Scalia , Barreto Sandhi Maria , Siqueira Arminda Lucia , La Rocca Poliana Freitas
Published: January 2006

OBJETIVO: Propor um índice que sintetize a exposição cumulativa à sílica, incluindo intensidade, duração e época da exposição e testá-lo em relação à presença e gravidade de silicose. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal realizado com 140 ex-mineiros de ouro, residentes em duas localidades do Estado de Minas Gerais, examinados entre 11/1997 e 12/1999. Foram analisadas informações sobre história clínica e ocupacional, radiografia de tórax e espirometria. Casos borderline de silicose pela radiografia foram submetidos à tomografia computadorizada de alta resolução. O índice representa a soma dos escores extraídos da transformação logarítmica das taxas de concentração de sílica respirável nas diversas funções, minas e períodos trabalhados. Foram aplicados testes paramétricos para comparação das médias entre os grupos de interesse. RESULTADOS: O índice proposto apresentou-se discriminativo em relação ao desfecho principal (silicose) e aos desfechos secundários (enfisema e tuberculose) pulmonar no grupo total, incluindo os diversos estágios da doença, com valores p: 0,008, 0,016 e <0,001 respectivamente. Em relação às quatro categorias principais da silicose, o teste de Tukey evidenciou diferenças nas médias do índice entre as categorias 0 e 3 e 1 e 3. Porém, no subgrupo constituído pelos casos borderline, a discriminação entre os desfechos não foi satisfatória, tanto com diagnósticos obtidos pela radiografia quanto pela tomografia. CONCLUSÕES: O índice proposto representa um avanço na síntese da exposição ocupacional dos participantes, podendo ser usado para outras profissões. Entretanto, torna-se importante a incorporação de fatores clínicos e funcionais para entender a evolução da doença em expostos à sílica, especialmente nos casos duvidosos.
Alteração de enzimas hepáticas em trabalhadores de refinaria de petróleo
Authors: Carvalho Fernando Martins , Silvany Neto Annibal Muniz , Mendes João Luiz Barberino , Cotrim Helma Pinchemel , Nascimento Ana Lísia Cunha , Lima Júnior Alberto Soares , Cunha Tatiana Oliveira Bernardo da
Published: January 2006

OBJETIVO: A exposição ocupacional típica de uma refinaria de petróleo pode alterar a função hepática de seus trabalhadores. Assim, o objetivo do estudo foi identificar fatores de risco de alterações em enzimas hepáticas em trabalhadores de uma refinaria de petróleo. MÉTODOS: Os trabalhadores de uma refinaria de petróleo, localizada em São Francisco do Conde, Estado da Bahia, eram submetidos a exames periódicos anuais de 1982 a1998. O estudo caso-controle investigou todos os 150 casos de indivíduos com alteração simultânea de gama-glutamil transferase e de alanino amino transferase, de pelo menos 10% acima do valor de referência. Como controles, foram selecionados 150 indivíduos sem quaisquer alterações de enzimas hepáticas ou de bilirrubinas, desde a sua admissão. Foram calculadas as razões de chance e respectivos intervalos de confiança de 95% a partir de modelos de regressão logística. RESULTADOS: Em todos os setores de produção, o risco de alteração de enzimas hepáticas foi significantemente mais elevado do que no setor administrativo (RC=5,7; IC 95%: 1,7-18,4), estando controlados os efeitos do álcool, obesidade e antecedentes médicos de hepatite. No período 1992-1994 foram registrados 89 casos, 88 deles provieram dos diversos setores da produção. CONCLUSÕES: A exposição ocupacional desempenha papel importante na determinação de alterações de enzimas hepáticas em trabalhadores do refino de petróleo, além dos fatores de risco eminentemente biológicos e/ou comportamentais como obesidade e o consumo de álcool.
Modificações nos padrões de consumo de psicofármacos em localidade do Sul do Brasil
Authors: Rodrigues Maria Aparecida P , Facchini Luiz Augusto , Lima Maurício Silva de
Published: January 2006

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a prevalência e padrão de consumo de psicofármacos pela população e comparar esses resultados com outro estudo de 1994. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal de base populacional, com 3.542 indivíduos de 15 anos ou mais, residentes na zona urbana de Pelotas em 2003. Os dados referentes ao consumo de duas semanas foram coletados em entrevistas domiciliares, utilizando um questionário idêntico ao utilizado em 1994. As variáveis estudadas foram: idade, sexo, cor da pele, situação conjugal, renda familiar, escolaridade, tabagismo, diagnóstico médico de hipertensão e consulta médica nos últimos três meses. Na análise bivariada, utilizou-se teste de qui-quadrado de Pearson e de tendência linear. A análise multivariada foi composta por quatro níveis. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de consumo de psicofármacos foi de 9,9% (IC 95%: 8,9-10,9). Ao comparar as prevalências padronizadas por idade, não houve diferença significativa em relação à prevalência observada em 1994. O maior consumo de psicofármacos associou-se significativamente a: ser do sexo feminino, o aumento da idade, o diagnóstico médico de hipertensão e a utilização de serviços médicos. Dos entrevistados, 74% dos usuários estavam utilizando psicofármacos há mais de três meses. CONCLUSÕES: Após uma década, a prevalência permanece alta, porém o consumo de psicofármacos não aumentou. Os achados sugerem a importância da indicação adequada dos psicofármacos e do acompanhamento médico regular desses usuários, dada a associação encontrada entre as consultas e o consumo.
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Authors: Caballero Hoyos Ramiro , Torres López Teresa , Chong Villarreal Francisco , Pineda Lucatero Alicia , Altuzar González Marlene , López Coutiño Berenice
Published: January 2006

OBJETIVO: Explorar las dimensiones conceptuales del dengue en contexto urbano, a fin de generar hipótesis sobre actitudes comunitarias relacionadas a campañas preventivas. MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal exploratorio realizado entre marzo y abril de 2003 con 130 personas seleccionadas por muestreo propositivo en tres municipios con distintas prevalencias de dengue en México. Se aplicaron entrevistas semiestructuradas mediante técnicas de listados libres, sorteo de montones y triadas. Se indagaron términos asociados al dengue y grupos de dimensiones conceptuales. Se aplicó análisis de consenso mediante factorización de componentes principales y análisis dimensional mediante conglomerados jerárquicos y escalas multidimensionales. RESULTADOS: El modelo de consenso mostró alta homogeneidad en las concepciones del dengue (valores de 14.5 y 13.5 en los contextos de más prevalencia y de 5.4 en el de menor prevalencia). Las dimensiones comunes en las concepciones fueron: medidas de prevención, síntomas, causas y reservorios de Aedes aegypti (valor de verosimilitud: stress<0.28). En los tres contextos, predominó una concepción de la prevención basada en acciones públicas de autoridades sanitarias, mientras que las acciones individuales y comunitarias casi no se mencionaron. En la concepción también apareció una dimensión moral basada en una noción de higiene como mecanismo diferenciador de la comunidad cercana (limpia) frente a personas y comunidades externas (sucias y enfermas). CONCLUSIÓNES: Las concepciones culturales del dengue desfavorecen la participación comunitaria autogestiva en las campañas preventivas verticales y generan barreras para la modificación de prácticas comunitarias e individuales de prevención y control.
Avaliação da estrutura organizacional da assistência ambulatorial em HIV/Aids no Brasil
Authors: Melchior Regina , Nemes Maria Ines Battistella , Basso Cáritas Relva , Castanheira Elen Rose Lodeiro , Britto e Alves Maria Teresa Soares de , Buchalla Cássia Maria , Donini Angela Aparecida
Published: January 2006

OBJETIVO: No contexto de acesso universal à terapia antiretroviral, os resultados do Programa de Aids dependem da qualidade do cuidado prestado. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a qualidade do cuidado dos serviços ambulatoriais que assistem pacientes de Aids. MÉTODOS: Estudo realizado em sete Estados brasileiros, em 2001 e 2002. Foi avaliada a qualidade do atendimento a pacientes com Aids quanto à disponibilidade de recursos e a organização do trabalho de assistência. Um questionário com 112 questões estruturadas abordando esses aspectos, foi enviado a 336 serviços. RESULTADOS: A taxa de resposta foi de 95,8% (322). Os indicadores de disponibilidade de recursos mostram uma adequação maior do que os indicadores de organização do trabalho. Não faltam antiretrovirais em 95,5% dos serviços, os exames de CD4 e Carga Viral estão disponíveis em quantidade adequada em 59 e 41% dos serviços, respectivamente. Em 90,4% dos serviços há pelo menos um profissional não médico (psicólogo, enfermeiro ou assistente social). Quanto à organização, 80% não agendavam consulta médica com hora marcada; 40,4% agendavam mais que 10 consultas médicas por período; 17% não possuíam gerentes exclusivos na assistência e 68,6% não realizavam reuniões sistemáticas de trabalho com a equipe. CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados apontam que além de garantir a distribuição mais homogênea de recursos, o programa precisa investir no treinamento e disseminação do manejo do cuidado, conforme evidenciado nos resultados da organização de trabalho.