bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Functional Relationships between the Hippocampus and Dorsomedial Striatum in Learning a Visual Scene-Based Memory Task in Rats
Authors: Delcasso Sébastien , Huh Namjung , Byeon Jung Seop , Lee Jihyun , Jung Min Whan , Lee Inah
Published: November 2014

The hippocampus is important for contextual behavior, and the striatum plays key roles in decision making. When studying the functional relationships with the hippocampus, prior studies have focused mostly on the dorsolateral striatum (DLS), emphasizing the antagonistic relationships between the hippocampus and DLS in spatial versus response learning. By contrast, the functional relationships between the dorsomedial striatum (DMS) and hippocampus are relatively unknown. The current study reports that lesions to both the hippocampus and DMS profoundly impaired performance of rats in a visual scene-based memory task in which the animals were required to make a choice response by using visual scenes displayed in the background. Analysis of simultaneous recordings of local field potentials revealed that the gamma oscillatory power was higher in the DMS, but not in CA1, when the rat performed the task using familiar scenes than novel ones. In addition, the CA1-DMS networks increased coherence at γ, but not at θ, rhythm as the rat mastered the task. At the single-unit level, the neuronal populations in CA1 and DMS showed differential firing patterns when responses were made using familiar visual scenes than novel ones. Such learning-dependent firing patterns were observed earlier in the DMS than in CA1 before the rat made choice responses. The present findings suggest that both the hippocampus and DMS process memory representations for visual scenes in parallel with different time courses and that flexible choice action using background visual scenes requires coordinated operations of the hippocampus and DMS at γ frequencies.
Delayed Disease Onset and Extended Survival in the SOD1G93ARat Model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis after Suppression of Mutant SOD1 in the Motor Cortex
Authors: Thomsen Gretchen M. , Gowing Genevieve , Latter Jessica , Chen Maximus , Vit Jean-Philippe , Staggenborg Kevin , Avalos Pablo , Alkaslasi Mor , Ferraiuolo Laura , Likhite Shibi , Kaspar Brian K. , Svendsen Clive N.
Published: November 2014

Sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal disease with unknown etiology, characterized by a progressive loss of motor neurons leading to paralysis and death typically within 3–5 years of onset. Recently, there has been remarkable progress in understanding inherited forms of ALS in which well defined mutations are known to cause the disease. Rodent models in which the superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD1) mutation is overexpressed recapitulate hallmark signs of ALS in patients. Early anatomical changes in mouse models of fALS are seen in the neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) and lower motor neurons, and selective reduction of toxic mutant SOD1 in the spinal cord and muscle of these models has beneficial effects. Therefore, much of ALS research has focused on spinal motor neuron and NMJ aspects of the disease. Here we show that, in the SOD1G93Arat model of ALS, spinal motor neuron loss occurs presymptomatically and before degeneration of ventral root axons and denervation of NMJs. Although overt cell death of corticospinal motor neurons does not occur until disease endpoint, we wanted to establish whether the upper motor neuron might still play a critical role in disease progression. Surprisingly, the knockdown of mutant SOD1 in only the motor cortex of presymptomatic SOD1G93Arats through targeted delivery of AAV9–SOD1–shRNA resulted in a significant delay of disease onset, expansion of lifespan, enhanced survival of spinal motor neurons, and maintenance of NMJs. This datum suggests an early dysfunction and thus an important role of the upper motor neuron in this animal model of ALS and perhaps patients with the disease.
Dopamine Transporter Genotype Is Associated with a Lateralized Resistance to Distraction during Attention Selection
Authors: Newman Daniel P. , Cummins Tarrant D.R. , Tong Janette H.S. , Johnson Beth P. , Pickering Hayley , Fanning Peter , Wagner Joseph , Goodrich Jack T.T. , Hawi Ziarih , Chambers Christopher D. , Bellgrove Mark A.
Published: November 2014

Although lateral asymmetries in orienting behavior are evident across species and have been linked to interhemispheric asymmetries in dopamine signaling, the relative contribution of attentional versus motoric processes remains unclear. Here we took a cognitive genetic approach to adjudicate between roles for dopamine in attentional versus response selection. A sample of nonclinical adult humans (N= 518) performed three cognitive tasks (spatial attentional competition, spatial cueing, and flanker tasks) that varied in the degree to which they required participants to resolve attentional or response competition. All participants were genotyped for two putatively functional tandem repeat polymorphisms of the dopamine transporter gene (DAT1;SLC6A3), which are argued to influence the level of available synaptic dopamine and confer risk to disorders of inattention. DAT1 genotype modulated the task-specific effects of the various task-irrelevant stimuli across both the spatial competition and spatial cueing but not flanker tasks. Specifically, compared with individuals carrying one or two copies of the 10-repeat DAT1 allele, individuals without this allele demonstrated an immunity to distraction, such that response times were unaffected by increases in the number of distractor stimuli, particularly when these were presented predominantly in the left hemifield. All three genotype groups exhibited uniform costs of resolving leftward response selection in a standard flanker task. None of these significant effects could be explained by speed–accuracy trade-offs, suggesting that participants without the 10-repeat allele of the DAT1 tandem repeat polymorphism possess an enhanced attentional ability to suppress task-irrelevant stimuli in the left hemifield.
Pathway-Selective Adjustment of Prefrontal-Amygdala Transmission during Fear Encoding
Authors: Arruda-Carvalho Maithe , Clem Roger L.
Published: November 2014

Conditioned fear requires neural activity in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), structures that are densely interconnected at the synaptic level. Previous work has suggested that anatomical subdivisions of mPFC make distinct contributions to fear expression and inhibition, and that the functional output of this processing is relayed to the BLA complex. However, it remains unknown whether synaptic plasticity in mPFC-BLA networks contributes to fear memory encoding. Here we use optogenetics andex vivoelectrophysiology to reveal the impact of fear conditioning on BLA excitatory and feedforward inhibitory circuits formed by projections from infralimbic (IL) and prelimbic (PL) cortices. In naive mice, these pathways recruit equivalent excitation and feedforward inhibition in BLA principal neurons. However, fear learning leads to a selective decrease in inhibition:excitation balance in PL circuits that is attributable to a postsynaptic increase in AMPA receptor function. These data suggest a pathway-specific mechanism for fear memory encoding by adjustment of mPFC-BLA transmission. Upon reengagement of PL by conditioned cues, these modifications may serve to amplify emotional responses.
Functional Compensation in the Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex Improves Memory-Dependent Decisions in Older Adults
Authors: Lighthall Nichole R. , Huettel Scott A. , Cabeza Roberto
Published: November 2014

Everyday consumer choices frequently involve memory, as when we retrieve information about consumer products when making purchasing decisions. In this context, poor memory may affect decision quality, particularly in individuals with memory decline, such as older adults. However, age differences in choice behavior may be reduced if older adults can recruit additional neural resources that support task performance. Although such functional compensation is well documented in other cognitive domains, it is presently unclear whether it can support memory-guided decision making and, if so, which brain regions play a role in compensation. The current study engaged younger and older humans in a memory-dependent choice task in which pairs of consumer products from a popular online-shopping site were evaluated with different delays between the first and second product. Using functional imaging (fMRI), we found that the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) supports compensation as defined by three a priori criteria: (1) increased vmPFC activation was observed in older versus younger adults; (2) age-related increases in vmPFC activity were associated with increased retrieval demands; and (3) increased vmPFC activity was positively associated with performance in older adults—evidence of successful compensation. Extending these results, we observed evidence for compensation in connectivity between vmPFC and the dorsolateral PFC during memory-dependent choice. In contrast, we found no evidence for age differences in value-related processing or age-related compensation for choices without delayed retrieval. Together, these results converge on the conclusion that age-related decline in memory-dependent choice performance can be minimized via functional compensation in vmPFC.
Hyperpolarization-Activated Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Channels and cAMP-Dependent Modulation of Exocytosis in Cultured Rat Lactotrophs
Authors: Calejo Ana I. , Jorgačevski Jernej , Rituper Boštjan , Guček Alenka , Pereira Patrícia M. , Santos Manuel A.S. , Potokar Maja , Vardjan Nina , Kreft Marko , Gonçalves Paula P. , Zorec Robert
Published: November 2014

Hormone and neurotransmitter release from vesicles is mediated by regulated exocytosis, where an aqueous channel-like structure, termed a fusion pore, is formed. It was recently shown that second messenger cAMP modulates the fusion pore, but the detailed mechanisms remain elusive. In this study, we asked whether the hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels, which are activated by cAMP, are involved in the regulation of unitary exocytic events. By using the Western blot technique, a real-time PCR, immunocytochemistry in combination with confocal microscopy, and voltage-clamp measurements of hyperpolarizing currents, we show that HCN channels are present in the plasma membrane and in the membrane of secretory vesicles of isolated rat lactotrophs. Single vesicle membrane capacitance measurements of lactotrophs, where HCN channels were either augmented by transfection or blocked with an HCN channel blocker (ZD7288), show modulated fusion pore properties. We suggest that the changes in local cation concentration, mediated through HCN channels, which are located on or near secretory vesicles, have an important role in modulating exocytosis.
SAĞLIK İŞLETMELERİNDE ÇALIŞAN HEMŞİRE VE EBELERİN YÖNETİM VE ORGANİZASYON KAVRAM VE UYGULAMALARINA BAKIŞ AÇILARI
Authors: TANRIVERDİ Haluk , AKHOROZ Ahmet , İSTANBULLU İrfan Temel
Published: November 2014

Bu araştırma, sağlık işletmelerinde çalışan hemşire ve hemşirelerin yönetim ve organizasyon kavram ve uygulamalarına bakış açılarını incelemek ve sorunlarını belirlemek amacıyla yapılmıştır. Araştırmanın örneklemini İstanbul ve Kocaeli illerinde kamu ve özel sağlık kurumlarının çeşitli birimlerinde çalışan ve tesadüfi örneklemeyle seçilen ve araştırmayı yanıtlayan toplam 410 hemşire ve ebe oluşturmaktadır. Araştırmanın verilerinin toplanmasında araştırmacılar tarafından hazırlanan sosyo-demografik özelliklerin sorgulandığı ve yönetim organizasyon envanterinin yer aldığı iki bölümden oluşan anket formu kullanılmıştır. Veriler sayı ve yüzdelik yöntemiyle değerlendirilmiştir. Araştırma tanımlayıcı niteliktedir. Sağlık işletmelerinde çalışan hemşire ve ebelerin yönetim ve organizasyon kavramlarına bakış açıları ve uygulamalarında kişisel ve örgütsel düzeyde yetersizlikler olduğu ortaya çıkmıştır. Sağlık kurumlarında çalışan hemşire ve ebelerin yönetim - organizasyon kavram ve uygulamalarına sağlık işletmeciliği ve yönetimi disiplini içinde sistematik olarak yaklaşılmasının gerektiği söylenebilir.
SİYASİ-İKTİSADİ İLİŞKİLER ETKİLEŞİMİ ÇERÇEVESİNDE YELTSİN DÖNEMİ, RF-TÜRKİYE DIŞ TİCARETİNİN TAHLİLİ, 1992-2000
Authors: BAŞARAN Ali
Published: November 2014

Yeltsin döneminin Rus tarihinde müstesna bir yeri vardır, geçişi temsil eder. İdari komuta ekonomisinden piyasa ekonomisine, Sovyet insanından-vatandaşlığından, Rusya insanına-vatandaşlığına geçiş. Aynı zamanda Yetsin dönemi, Türkiye-SSCB ilişkilerinden Türkiye-RF ilişkilerine geçişi de temsil eder. Yeltsin döneminde RF-Türkiye siyasi ilişkileri savaş tehditlerini de içerirken artan iktisadi ilişkiler özellikle de dış ticaret gerilimin silahlı çatışmaya kadar varmasını önlemede etkili olmuştur. SSCB devrinde Türkiye’ye iktisadi kolaylıklar sağlanarak SSCB’ye siyasi yaklaşımı temin edilmeye çabalanmışken, RF devrinde RF-Türkiye ticari ilişkileri siyasi ilişkilerin negatif yönde ilerlemesinde fren görevi ifa etmiştir.
İŞLETMELERDE OTOMASYON VE BARKOD SİSTEMLERİ VE MUHASEBE SÜREÇLERİNE KATKILARI
Authors: YILDIRIM Murat , BAYRAKTAR Cihan
Published: November 2014

Bilgi ve iletişim teknolojilerindeki gelişmeler sayesinde işletmelerin muhasebe süreçleri hissedilir derecede hızlanmıştır. Muhasebe servisinde bilgisayarın faydalarının görülmesi üzerine sistem daha da büyütülerek işletme içerisindeki diğer birimlerle muhasebe birimi arasındaki iletişim otomasyon ve barkod sistemleriyle geliştirilmiştir. Otomasyon ve barkod sistemleri, mevcut stok ve satılan mallara ait bilgileri, müşteri, tedarikçi ve personel bilgilerinin hızlı ve güvenilir şekilde muhasebe birimine iletilmesinde kullanılan önemli araçlardır. Gelişmiş bir barkod uygulaması olan kare kod uygulaması mal ve hizmetlerin tedarik ve sunum aşamalarında daha geniş olanaklara sahiptir. Bu çalışmada, otomasyon ve barkod sistemlerinin işletmelerin muhasebe süreçlerine olan katkıları ve kare kod uygulamasının getirdiği yenilikler incelenmiştir.
Maintenance of Nucleosomal Balance incisby Conserved AAA-ATPase Yta7
Authors: Lombardi Laura M , Davis Matthew D , Rine Jasper
Published: November 2014

The extent of chromatin compaction is a fundamental driver of nuclear metabolism . Yta7 is a chromatin-associated AAA-ATPase, the human ortholog of which, ANCCA/ATAD2 transcriptionally activates pathways of malignancy in a broad range of cancers. Yta7 directly binds histone H3, and bulk chromatin exhibits increased nucleosomal density in yta7Δ mutants. The suppression of yta7Δ mutant growth and transcriptional phenotypes in budding yeast by decreased dosage of histones H3 and H4 indicates the acute sensitivity of cells to deviations in nucleosome spacing. This study investigated the global changes in chromatin structure upon Yta7 loss or overexpression and determined which of these effects reflected direct Yta7 activity. Metagene analysis of Yta7’s genome-wide localization indicated peak binding of Yta7 just downstream of the transcription start site. Cells lacking Yta7 exhibited increased nucleosome density within genes downstream of the +1 nucleosome, as defined by decreased internucleosomal distance, resulting in progressively 5′-shifted nucleosomes within the gene. In contrast, cells overexpressing Yta7 displayed profound 3′-shifts in nucleosome position and reduced nucleosome density within genes. Importantly, Yta7-bound regions were enriched for nucleosomal shifts, indicating that Yta7 acted locally to modulate nucleosome spacing. The phenotype of cells lacking both Yta7 and Rtt106, the histone H3/H4 chaperone, indicated that Yta7 functions in both Rtt106-dependent and Rtt106-independent ways to modulate nucleosome spacing within genes. This study suggested that Yta7 affected nucleosome density throughout the gene by both blocking Rtt106 from entering the gene, as shown previously at HTA1, and facilitating the loss of nucleosomes from the 5′-end.
Efficiently Tracking Selection in a Multiparental Population: The Case of Earliness in Wheat
Authors: Thépot Stéphanie , Restoux Gwendal , Goldringer Isabelle , Hospital Frédéric , Gouache David , Mackay Ian , Enjalbert Jérôme
Published: November 2014

Multiparental populations are innovative tools for fine mapping large numbers of loci. Here we explored the application of a wheat Multiparent Advanced Generation Inter-Cross (MAGIC) population for QTL mapping. This population was created by 12 generations of free recombination among 60 founder lines, following modification of the mating system from strict selfing to strict outcrossing using the ms1b nuclear male sterility gene. Available parents and a subset of 380 SSD lines of the resulting MAGIC population were phenotyped for earliness and genotyped with the 9K i-Select SNP array and additional markers in candidate genes controlling heading date. We demonstrated that 12 generations of strict outcrossing rapidly and drastically reduced linkage disequilibrium to very low levels even at short map distances and also greatly reduced the population structure exhibited among the parents. We developed a Bayesian method, based on allelic frequency, to estimate the contribution of each parent in the evolved population. To detect loci under selection and estimate selective pressure, we also developed a new method comparing shifts in allelic frequency between the initial and the evolved populations due to both selection and genetic drift with expectations under drift only. This evolutionary approach allowed us to identify 26 genomic areas under selection. Using association tests between flowering time and polymorphisms, 6 of these genomic areas appeared to carry flowering time QTL, 1 of which corresponds to Ppd-D1, a major gene involved in the photoperiod sensitivity. Frequency shifts at 4 of 6 areas were consistent with earlier flowering of the evolved population relative to the initial population. The use of this new outcrossing wheat population, mixing numerous initial parental lines through multiple generations of panmixia, is discussed in terms of power to detect genes under selection and association mapping. Furthermore we provide new statistical methods for use in future analyses of multiparental populations.
Normal Segregation of a Foreign-Species Chromosome During Drosophila Female Meiosis Despite Extensive Heterochromatin Divergence
Authors: Gilliland William D , Colwell Eileen M , Osiecki David M , Park Suna , Lin Deanna , Rathnam Chandramouli , Barbash Daniel A
Published: November 2014

The abundance and composition of heterochromatin changes rapidly between species and contributes to hybrid incompatibility and reproductive isolation. Heterochromatin differences may also destabilize chromosome segregation and cause meiotic drive, the non-Mendelian segregation of homologous chromosomes. Here we use a range of genetic and cytological assays to examine the meiotic properties of a Drosophila simulans chromosome 4 (sim-IV) introgressed into D. melanogaster. These two species differ by ∼12–13% at synonymous sites and several genes essential for chromosome segregation have experienced recurrent adaptive evolution since their divergence. Furthermore, their chromosome 4s are visibly different due to heterochromatin divergence, including in the AATAT pericentromeric satellite DNA. We find a visible imbalance in the positioning of the two chromosome 4s in sim-IV/mel-IV heterozygote and also replicate this finding with a D. melanogaster 4 containing a heterochromatic deletion. These results demonstrate that heterochromatin abundance can have a visible effect on chromosome positioning during meiosis. Despite this effect, however, we find that sim-IV segregates normally in both diplo and triplo 4 D. melanogaster females and does not experience elevated nondisjunction. We conclude that segregation abnormalities and a high level of meiotic drive are not inevitable byproducts of extensive heterochromatin divergence. Animal chromosomes typically contain large amounts of noncoding repetitive DNA that nevertheless varies widely between species. This variation may potentially induce non-Mendelian transmission of chromosomes. We have examined the meiotic properties and transmission of a highly diverged chromosome 4 from a foreign species within the fruitfly Drosophila melanogaster. This chromosome has substantially less of a simple sequence repeat than does D. melanogaster 4, and we find that this difference results in altered positioning when chromosomes align during meiosis. Yet this foreign chromosome segregates at normal frequencies, demonstrating that chromosome segregation can be robust to major differences in repetitive DNA abundance.
Health‐related quality of life and working conditions on public transport workers in the Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte, Brazil, 2012
Authors: Silva Luiz Sérgio , Assunção Ada Ávila
Published: November 2014

Health‐related quality of life and working conditions on public transport workers in the metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte, Brazil, 2012: Luiz Sérgio SILVA, et al. School of Medicine, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Brazil—

Objectives

Drivers and conductors working in public transport are frequently exposed to inadequate working conditions and consequently to health problems relating to their work activities. This study investigates the relationship between the working conditions of drivers and conductors in the Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte and their perception of health‐related quality of life.

Method

Health‐related quality of life was measured in a sample of 1,607 public transport workers in the city of Belo Horizonte using the SF‐12 (Medical Outcomes Study Short‐Form General Health Survey). The presence and magnitude of independent associations between the SF‐12 domains and the exposure variables were determined by means of odds ratios obtained through logistic regression.

Results

After adjustments, the PCS (Physical Component Score) was found to be negatively associated with the existence of breaks during the working day and positively associated with unavailability of technical resources for meeting needs. The MCS (Mental Component Score) was positively associated with being female, having two or more medical diagnoses of illnesses, absenteeism and recent episodes of aggression or threats, and feeling vibration in the whole body. The MCS was negatively associated with the practice of physical exercise. Both components were negatively associated with older age and positively associated with having a poor self‐assessment of health.

Conclusions

Exposure to a variety of risk factors while performing work worsened health‐related quality of life. The results obtained may provide support for rethinking and guiding public policies directed towards metropolitan populations.
Severe acute hepatitis in a printing company worker: A case study
Authors: Kubo Shoji , Matsuzaki Koichi , Seki Toshihito , Ohsawa Masahiko , Kumagai Shinji , Endo Ginji
Published: November 2014

Severe acute hepatitis in a printing company worker: A case study: Shoji KUBO, et al. Department of Hepato‐Biliary‐Pancreatic Surgery, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine—

Objectives

It has been reported that chlorinated organic solvent is a cause of hepatitis.

Methods

we investigate clinical and pathological findings of a patient with severe acute hepatitis who was exposed to chlorinated organic solvents.

Results

A 34‐year‐old man who was exposed to chlorinated organic solvents including dichloromethane, 1,2‐dichloropropane, and trichloroethylene, presented with general fatigue, vomiting, and diarrhea. At admission, his laboratory test results showed extremely elevated aspartate aminotransferase (4,872 IU/l), alanine aminotransferase (3,000 IU/l), and lactate dehydrogenase (11,600 IU/l) levels and a prothrombin level below normal (41%). No encephalopathy was noted. These findings were indicative of severe acute hepatitis. Viral hepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, alcoholic disease, bile duct disease, and viral infection were excluded as causes of hepatitis by clinical, laboratory, and imaging findings. After diagnosis, the patient was administered fresh frozen plasma and glucagon‐insulin therapy. Liver function recovered within a few weeks, and a liver biopsy performed 25 days after admission showed the recovery phase after acute liver damage.

Conclusions

These clinical and pathological findings indicate that exposure to chlorinated organic solvents may have induced severe acute hepatitis in this patient.
Distinct, Genome-Wide, Gene-Specific Selectivity Patterns of Four Glucocorticoid Receptor Coregulators
Authors: Wu Dai-Ying , Ou Chen-Yin , Chodankar Rajas , Siegmund Kimberly D. , Stallcup Michael R.
Published: November 2014

Glucocorticoids are a class of steroid hormones that bind to and activate the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), which then positively or negatively regulates transcription of many genes that govern multiple important physiological pathways such as inflammation and metabolism of glucose, fat and bone. The remodeling of chromatin and regulated assembly or disassembly of active transcription complexes by GR and other DNA-binding transcription factors is mediated and modulated by several hundred transcriptional coregulator proteins. Previous studies focusing on single coregulators demonstrated that each coregulator is required for regulation of only a subset of all the genes regulated by a steroid hormone. We hypothesized that the gene-specific patterns of coregulators may correspond to specific physiological pathways such that different coregulators modulate the pathway-specificity of hormone action, thereby providing a mechanism for fine tuning of the hormone response. We tested this by direct comparison of multiple coregulators, using siRNA to deplete the products of four steroid hormone receptor coregulator genes ( CCAR1, CCAR2, CALCOCO1 and ZNF282). Global analysis of glucocorticoid-regulated gene expression after siRNA mediated depletion of coregulators confirmed that each coregulator acted in a selective and gene-specific manner and demonstrated both positive and negative effects on glucocorticoid-regulated expression of different genes. We identified several classes of hormone-regulated genes based on the effects of coregulator depletion. Each coregulator supported hormonal regulation of some genes and opposed hormonal regulation of other genes (coregulator-modulated genes), blocked hormonal regulation of a second class of genes (coregulator-blocked genes), and had no effect on hormonal regulation of a third gene class (coregulator-independent genes). In spite of previously demonstrated physical and functional interactions among these four coregulators, the majority of the several hundred modulated and blocked genes for each of the four coregulators tested were unique to that coregulator. Finally, pathway analysis on coregulator-modulated genes supported the hypothesis that individual coregulators may regulate only a subset of the many physiological pathways controlled by glucocorticoids. We conclude that gene-specific actions of coregulators correspond to specific physiological pathways, suggesting that coregulators provide a potential mechanism for physiological fine tuning in vivo and may thus represent attractive targets for therapeutic intervention.
Control of Steroid Receptor Dynamics and Function by Genomic Actions of the Cochaperones p23 and Bag-1L
Authors: Cato Laura , Neeb Antje , Brown Myles , Cato Andrew C. B.
Published: November 2014

Molecular chaperones encompass a group of unrelated proteins that facilitate the correct assembly and disassembly of other macromolecular structures of which they themselves do not remain a part. Chaperones associate with a large and diverse set of cofactors termed cochaperones that regulate their function and specificity. Chaperones and cochaperones regulate the activity of several classes of signaling molecules, including steroid receptors. Upon binding ligand, steroid receptors interact with discrete nucleotide sequences within the nucleus to control the expression of diverse physiological and developmental genes. Molecular chaperones and cochaperones are typically known to provide the correct conformation for ligand binding by the steroid receptors. While this contribution is widely accepted, recent studies have reported that they further modulate steroid receptor action outside ligand binding. Specifically, they are thought to contribute to receptor turnover, transport of the receptor to different subcellular localizations, recycling of the receptor on chromatin and stabilization of receptor DNA binding. In addition to these combined effects with molecular chaperones, cochaperones have additional functions that are independent of molecular chaperones, some of which impact steroid receptor action. Two well-studied examples are the cochaperones p23 and Bag-1L, which have been identified as modulators of steroid receptor activity in the nucleus. Understanding details of their regulatory action will provide new therapeutic opportunities for controlling steroid receptor action independent of the widespread effects of molecular chaperones.
Structure and properties of low-carbon steel after twist extrusion
Authors: Zavdoveev A. , Pashinska E. , Dobatkin S. , Varyukhin V. , Belousov N. N. , Maksakova A. , Glazunov F.
Published: November 2014

The new developing technologies of metal formation, based on simple shear, are known as severe plastic deformation (SPD) technologies. They are actively used for improving the mechanical properties of metals. Even complex systems such as steels have not been adequately investigated for SPD process. However, studies are in progress as is reflected from the publications in the literature. Due to insufficient knowledge of the structural changes, occurring in low-carbon steels during SPD, there is a need for a more detailed consideration by modern methods. This paper discusses the characteristics of the formation of structure and texture of low-carbon steels subjected to warm twist extrusion (TE). A relatively new method, which makes possible a detailed study of the structure of metals, is electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD). EBSD has shown that warm TE increases the structure isotropy, thus leading to significant fragmentation and activation of the mechanisms of dynamic polygonization, recrystallization and grain-boundary sliding. These structural features lead to hardening of the material by 1·5 times, while maintaining a high level of plasticity.
Geotechnical characteristics of stabilised aged biosolids
Authors: Disfani Mahdi M. , Arulrajah Arul , Maghoolpilehrood Farshid , Bo Myint W. , Narsilio Guillermo A.
Published: November 2014

Stockpiles of air-dried sludge from wastewater treatment plants, known as biosolids, are constantly increasing worldwide. This subsequently adds to the urgency of stabilising biosolids in an effort to convert them into a suitable construction material for use in engineered fills. This paper reports the result of a laboratory testing programme on biosolids stabilised with two types of waste materials, namely, bauxsol and fly ash. The biosolids collected from the Western Treatment Plant in Melbourne were stabilised in different ratios and tested to determine their compaction, strength, permeability and deformation characteristics. Both static and dynamic compaction methods were used in the preparation of the test specimens. Results suggest that the hydraulic conductivity values of biosolids consistently decrease with increasing amounts of additives, which is an indication of decreasing void ratio of material. In addition, increasing the amount of additives was found to lead to a subsequent decline in the compressibility of the stabilised biosolids. The strength of the biosolids samples increased with the addition of bauxsol and fly ash, with the highest shear strength found to be achieved with around 10% fly ash mixture. The application of stabilised biosolids in road embankments is discussed as a sustainable solution in geotechnical engineering applications.
Supergrid: projecting interconnection capacities for the UK
Authors: Torbaghan Mehran Eskandari , Hunt Dexter V. L. , Burrow Michael
Published: November 2014

Interconnected electricity networks, supergrids, are being considered in Europe as a way to help tackle two current global challenges – rapidly increasing energy demands and rising carbon dioxide emissions. As with any new approach, there is a range of risks associated with developing interconnections, not least the availability of surplus electricity for exportation between various candidate countries. While the future is never certain, the process of generating a range of possible capacities for these interconnections should be considered as a necessary precursor for mitigating risks within decision-making processes. In facilitating this objective, this paper proposes a step-wise methodological framework for assessing the probabilities of achieving surplus capacity provision within a UK pan-European supergrid. This includes application of a newly developed tool for proposing a range of energy supply/demand scenarios in conjunction with the @Risk assessment tool. Through example scenarios it is shown how P80 (80th percentile) interconnection capacities for 2030 can be assessed. The results suggest that, of the nine candidate countries, Germany could provide the greatest (10ṡ97 GW) surplus capacity with an 80% chance. It is concluded that, with further stakeholder engagement, the developed framework will provide a deeper understanding of the key fundamental risks associated with interconnections as well as mitigation measures.
Mapas Conceituais no Ensino de Bioquímica, uma Integração entre os Conceitos Científicos
Authors: Schimidt Denise Braga , Heggendornn Lorraine Herdy , Pereira Helena De Souza , Vieira Valéria , Aguiar-Alves Fábio
Published: November 2014

Os conteúdos apresentados na disciplina de Bioquímica exigem conhecimentos científicos prévios e são, muitas vezes, descontextualizados e fragmentados, impedindo um significado para o aprendizado. O artigo relata a experiência com o uso de uma metodologia alternativa no ensino de Bioquímica: Mapas Conceituais. O desenho procedimental baseou-se no uso de questões objetivas com questionários conceituais antes e após a leitura do Mapa Conceitual desenvolvido a partir de tema estudado na disciplina de Bioquímica do curso de Odontologia da UFF (RJ). O tema Integração do Metabolismo, consenso entre os docentes como capaz de relacionar diferentes conceitos, foi escolhido para elaboração do Mapa. Objetivou-se demonstrar que tal ferramenta de ensino pode permitir integração de conceitos. Os resultados mostraram que, após o uso do Mapa, o número de alunos que acertou grande parte ou todas as questões propostas no questionário foi consideravelmente maior, sugerindo Aprendizagem Significativa.Palavras-chave: Metodologias de ensino; Ensino de Bioquímica; Mapas conceituais
Bioquim4x: um jogo didático para rever conceitos de bioquímica
Authors: Farkuh Laura , Pereira-Leite Catarina
Published: November 2014

A disciplina de Bioquímica é definida pelos estudantes como uma disciplina de grau de dificuldade elevado. Por isso, diversas metodologias alternativas de ensino têm sido desenvolvidas na tentativa de ultrapassar a dificuldade dos estudantes perante a disciplina. Entre estas metodologias encontram-se os jogos didáticos, que permitem um equilíbrio entre uma atividade lúdica e a melhoria da aprendizagem e interesse dos alunos pela disciplina. O jogo Bioquim4x é uma proposta alternativa para o ensino de Bioquímica, que visa rever os conceitos transmitidos em sala de aula, estimulando diversas aptidões dos estudantes, como a sua criatividade, e possibilita ainda correlacionar a Bioquímica com eventos diários. A aplicação deste jogo a estudantes de Bioquímica demonstrou o seu potencial como uma atividade didática e lúdica à disposição de estudantes e docentes.
Editorial V.12, N.2
Authors: Torres Bayardo Baptista , Galembeck Eduardo , Hornink Gabriel Gerber , Trindade Vera Treis
Published: November 2014

Editorial 2014 - 2A Revista de Ensino de Bioquímica está atualizando sua política editorial, possibilitando o envio dos artigos em inglês, além do português e espanhol, que antes era somente para casos especiais.Visando adequar-se às políticas editoriais de revistas para a indexação, a REB passou a ser publicada em dois números regulares anuais (antes havia o número especial), com fluxo contínuo de publicação. Isso significa que, uma vez aberto o número do semestre, os artigos aprovados serão publicados assim que aceitos no número vigente.Ao fim de cada semestre, será publicado o número completo, incluindo sumário, editorial, todo expediente do período e os trabalhos do semestre findo.Destacamos que no ano que vem (2015) ocorrerá no Brasil a reunião da International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (IUBMB), juntamente com a reunião anual da SBBq. O evento ocorrerá em Foz do Iguaçu, de 24 a 28 de agosto de 2015 (http://www.sbbq.org.br/iubmb2015).Convidamos a todos para apresentarem seus trabalhos na área educacional e conhecer os editores da Revista. Atenciosamente,Bayardo B. Torres - USPEduardo Galembeck - UnicampGabriel G. Hornink - Unifal-MGVera Maria T. Trindade - UFRGS
Editorial
Authors: Torres Bayardo Baptista , Galembeck Eduardo , Terenzi Hector F. , Voet Donald
Published: November 2014

É com prazer que apresentamos o primeiro número da Revista Eletrônica Brasileira de Ensino de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular. O propósito desta Revista é criar uma oportunidade de divulgação das inúmeras pesquisas em ensino de Bioquímica que, mais ou menos formalizadas, são feitas pelos docentes desta área. Muitas delas têm sido apresentadas nas reuniões anuais da Sociedade Brasileira de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular (SBBq) em Caxambu, despertando muito interesse. Esperamos com a revista ativar a troca de experiências e contribuir para facilitar e aprimorar nosso trabalho docente.
Introdução aos Conceitos de Velocidade Máxima e de Atividade Específica de Enzimas
Authors: Maria Bianconi Lucia
Published: November 2014

The understanding of the kinetic parameters of an enzymatic reaction for first time students is usually difficult. Here is shown a simple way to introduce the concepts of maximum rate (Vmax) and specific activity or turnover number of an enzyme. Different simulations with different symbols representing the enzyme, the substrates and products are one, were the concentration of each species is changed at a given condition. At the beginning of the task, it is defined that one enzyme E catalyses the reaction with the substrate S, giving rise to one product P after one minute of reaction. This long time is used just to simplify the exercise. After that, several situations are presented, were the concentrations of E or S is changed, but the above definition is always maintained. After that, it is possible for the student to see that Vmax depends on the enzyme concentration, whereas the specific activity is constant and characteristic for an enzyme.
Abordagem Prática Para o Ensino de Bioquímica
Authors: Vieira Leda Q. , Nicoli Jaques R. , Prado Vânia F. , Santoro Marcelo M. , Teixeira Santuza M.R.
Published: November 2014

For the past 13 years, at the Federal University of Minas Gerais, practical classes during the Biochemistry course for Biology students have been based on small research projects developed by the students. At the beginning of the semester, each group of four to six students receives a different question which they are required to answer experimentally. One third of the 90 hour/semester course is dedicated to the development of the projects. Students must research the subjects and choose the best way to solve the problem experimentally. They write a proposal which is discussed and evaluated by the professors and, only after extensively discussing the proposals, the project is executed. Only minimal tutoring is offered, so that the solution of the problem is found by the students themselves. At the end of the semester, students write a report in the format of a scientific paper and present their results at a public poster session. This experience has been successful, as judged by its continuity of 13 years with different teams of professors, by the enthusiasm shown by the students and by the number of Biology students that decide to pursue undergraduate lab training and subsequently graduate work in our Department.
A Informática Na Educação: Como, Para Que e Por Que
Authors: José Valente A.
Published: November 2014

Artigo sobre aspectos conceituais da informática na educação.
Ensinando Bioquímica Para Futuros Médicos
Authors: Wannmacher Clovis M.D.
Published: November 2014

The next generation of physicians will need new skills, attitudes and knowledge. They will need to acquire skills to critically evaluate medical literature and will have expertise in Public Health, and home care. Medical education will necessary be linked to a new model of Public Health. In this context, it will be important that Biochemisty may contribute to the formation of these skills. During a transient period, some modifications in teaching Biochemistry may be beneficial to the medical students. In the last fifteen years we have introduced some modifications on biochemistry teaching for medical students at the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS). We reduced the factual content, retaining only the medically relevant material necessary to understand the molecular approach to the most prevalent diseases, mainly those leading to failure of organs and systems. The laboratory experiments are substituted by the interpretation of biochemical data of patients found at the Hospital das Clínicas de Porto Alegre. Basic Biochemistry is learned indirectly by answering the questions arised from the clinical and biochemical data of the patients. Students show permanent interest in learning biochemistry in such way and their evaluation has been highly stimulant. We think that this approach can be adapted to other fields of basic science.
Expectativas e Fatores de Interesse por Ensino a Distância na área de Bioquímica: relatos de uma pesquisa pré e pós aplicação de uma disciplina de Bioquímica a Distância
Authors: Yokaichiya Daniela K. , Galembeck Eduardo , Torres Bayardo Baptista
Published: November 2014

A brief review about the tools and methods used in biochemical education, published in scientific journals and congresses abstracts, shows a wide distribution of different resources used to support biochemical classes. Lab activities, problem based learning (PBL) approach, educational software and the Internet are some of these resources. The Internet has been quickly introduced to the classrooms and provides a wide research area to be explored in different fields of knowledge, such as Biochemical Education. This work focuses on the expectations and the motivation in a Distance Education (DE) course and on advantages and disadvantages considered before and after taking part in a distance discipline. The data were collected from a survey available on our Biochemical Education Website, answered by people interested in Biochemical Education courses from many Brazilian states. Some of the advantages quoted before the course, are: flexibility in time and place to access the discipline; possibility to access new information; use of new technology. The quoted disadvantages emphasize technical problems and the lack of interaction among the participants. The afterward evaluation showed that the strategies used aiming at improving interaction were efficient. DE was considered a good learning system for deepening knowledge by people with different profiles. The evaluation is considered the most sensitive point of this kind of educational system and must be carefully analyzed. In fact, the evaluation of the impact of new technologies in learning processes is one of the biggest challenges for educators nowadays. The last challenge for educators and evaluators involved on online learning projects is using the Internet as better interaction tool and measuring its efficiency.
Um guia de construção de Posters para estudantes
Authors: Costa Manuel João
Published: November 2014

Posters are probably the means of communicating information used most frequently by young scientists. In this work, a guide for building better posters is presented: It provides students with objective information and practical suggestions that may facilitate poster design an improve quality and impact. In my experience, students generally appreciate the contribution of the guide.
O ENSINO DE BIOQUÍMICA E A PARTICIPAÇÃO DISCENTE NA PESQUISA: A PERSPECTIVA DOCENTE
Authors: Silva Irani Ferreira da , Batista Nildo Alves
Published: November 2014

A Bioquímica é uma ciência que tem se desenvolvido de forma vertiginosa, tornando cada vezmais complexo o desafio de manter-se atualizado. A pesquisa na área tem se desenvolvido emvários institutos e, principalmente, no ambiente universitário que, teoricamente, deve propiciarexperiências que motivem o aluno à produção de conhecimento, articulando ensino, pesquisa eextensão. Reconhecendo a importância do corpo docente para esta motivação, o objetivo destetrabalho é conhecer os professores responsáveis pelo ensino da Bioquímica nos cursos degraduação em saúde das universidades paulistanas, bem como os fatores que, na ótica destesdocentes, incentivam os alunos à pesquisa. Os dados foram obtidos a partir de questionárioaplicado aos professores e entrevista com uma amostra destes. Observamos um alto nível detitulação dos professores de Bioquímica dos cursos de graduação em Saúde das universidadespaulistanas que se originaram de várias áreas de graduação. Esse nível de titulação acadêmica, anatureza do conhecimento bioquímico, as atividades práticas em laboratório, a contextualizaçãodo conteúdo com a futura prática profissional e o contato com professores pesquisadores emdepartamentos com sólida pesquisa em bioquímica são fatores descritos como incentivadores dointeresse pela pesquisa pelo aluno.Isto somente ocorrerá se a forma como o conteúdo for abordado estimular a construção ativa doconhecimento pelo aluno. A motivação docente para o desenvolvimento do espírito científico noaluno deve ser o eixo condutor do processo tornando-se necessário o desenvolvimento depolíticas institucionais que propiciem uma melhor articulação ensino-pesquisa nos espaços deformação profissional.
New function for representing IEC 61000-4-2 standard electrostatic discharge current
Authors: Javor Vesna
Published: November 2014

New function for representing electrostatic discharge (ESD) currents
according to the IEC 61000-4-2 Standard current is proposed in this paper.
Good agreement with the Standard defined parameters is obtained. This
function is compared to other functions from literature. Its first derivative
needed for field calculations is analyzed in the paper. Main advantages are
simplified choice of parameters, possibility to obtain discontinuities in the
decaying part, and zero value of the function first derivative at t=0+.
Parameters of the function are obtained by using Least-squares method (LSQM).
Recent research in VLSI, MEMS and power devices with practical application to the ITER and dream projects
Authors: Napieralski Andrzej , Maj Cezary , Szermer Michal , Zajac Piotr , Zabierowski Wojciech , Napieralska Małgorzata , Starzak Łukasz , Zubert Mariusz , Kiełbik Rafał , Amrozik Piotr , Ciota Zygmunt , Ritter Robert , Kamiński Marek , Kotas Rafał , Marciniak Paweł , Sakowicz Bartosz , Grabowski Kamil , Sankowski Wojciech , Jabłoński Grzegorz , Makowski Dariusz , Mielczarek Aleksander , Orlikowski Mariusz , Jankowski Mariusz , Perek Piotr
Published: November 2014

Several MEMS (Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems) devices have been analysed
and simulated. The new proposed model of SiC MPS (Merged PIN-Schottky)
diodes is in full agreement with the real MPS devices. The real size DLL
(Dynamic Lattice Liquid) simulator as well as the research on modelling and
simulation of modern VLSI devices with practical applications have been
presented. Based on experience in the field of ATCA (Advanced
Telecommunications Computing Architecture) based systems a proof-of-concept
DAQ (data acquisition) system for ITER (International Thermonuclear
Experimental Reactor) have been proposed.