bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On Selected Phonological Patterns in Saudi Arabian Sign Language
Authors: Kozak L. Viola , Tomita Nozomi
Published: November 2012

This paper focuses on two selected phonological patterns that appear unique to Saudi Arabian Sign Language (SASL). For both sections of this paper, the overall methodology is the same as that discussed in Stephen and Mathur (this volume), with some additional modifications tailored to the specific studies discussed here, which will be expanded upon later. This paper first focuses on the property of oscillation in certain SASL signs; then it investigates the process of weak-hand drop, comparing it across three sign languages.
Short- and Long-term Individual Variation in Cardiac Troponin in Patients with Stable Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Nordenskjöld Anna M , Ahlström Håkan , Eggers Kai M , Fröbert Ole , Jaffe Allan S , Venge Per , Lindahl Bertil
Published: November 2012

BACKGROUND

A rise or fall of cardiac troponin is a prerequisite for the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction. Defining significant changes requires knowledge of both biological and analytical variation. The short-term biological variation of cardiac troponin in healthy individuals is 3%–48%. However, healthy individuals may not be representative for patients in whom cardiac troponin measurement is often of clinical importance. Therefore, we studied the individual variation of cardiac troponin in patients with symptoms of stable coronary artery disease.

METHODS

Twenty-four patients scheduled for elective coronary angiography were included. Blood samples were drawn once at enrollment and serially at six 4-h intervals on the day before coronary angiography. Cardiac troponin was measured with hs-cTn assays from Abbott Laboratories (premarket cTnI assay) and Roche Diagnostics (Elecsys® cTnT assay with two different lots).

RESULTS

The short-term individual variation in cardiac troponin I (cTnI) was 14%, the reference change value (RCV) 49%, and RCV-log-normal (rise/fall) 54%/−35%. The corresponding values for cTnT were 7%, 23%, and 26%/−21%. The long-term variation for cTnI was 24%, RCV 69%, and RCV-log-normal (rise/fall) 97%/−49%. The corresponding values for cTnT were 11%, 32%, and 37%/−27%.

CONCLUSIONS

The short-term individual variation of cardiac troponin in patients with symptoms of stable coronary artery disease is similar to the biological variation previously demonstrated in healthy individuals. Our results suggest that a change in cardiac troponin concentrations of >50% can be used in attempting to diagnose acute myocardial injury. To detect significant long-term changes in cardiac troponin concentrations, larger changes will be required.
Graph Matching Based Decision Support Tools For Mitigating Spread Of Infectious Diseases Like H1N1
Authors: Paul Jomon Aliyas , Sambhoos Kedar
Published: November 2012

Diseases like H1N1 can be prevented from becoming a wide spread epidemic through timely detection and containment measures. Similarity of H1N1 symptoms to any common flu and its alarming rate of spread through animals and humans complicate the deployment of such strategies. We use dynamic implementation of graph matching methods to overcome these challenges. Specifically, we formulate a mixed integer programming model (MIP) that analyzes patient symptom data available at hospitals to generate patient graph match scores. Successful matches are then used to update counters that generate alerts to the Public Health Department when the counters surpass the threshold values. Since multiple factors like age, health status, etc., influence vulnerability of exposed population and severity of those already infected, a heuristic that dynamically updates patient graph match scores based on the values of these factors is developed. To better understand the gravity of the situation at hand and achieve timely containment, the rate of infection and size of infected population in a specific region needs to be estimated. To this effect, we propose an algorithm that clusters the hospitals in a region based on the population they serve. Hospitals grouped together affect counters that are local to the population they serve. Analysis of graph match scores and counter values specific to the cluster helps identify the region that needs containment attention and determine the size and severity of infection in that region. We demonstrate the application of our models via a case study on emergency department patients arriving at hospitals in Buffalo, NY.
*Abstracts - 7th IN-CAM Research Symposium, Evaluating CAM Practices: Effectiveness, Integration, Economics & Safety - November 2012
Authors: Boon Heather , Verhoef Marja J.
Published: November 2012

The following are abstracts of oral and poster presentations given at the 7th IN-CAM Research Symposium - Evaluating CAM Practices: Effectiveness, Integration, Economics & Safety, and the 4th HomeoNet Research Forum, a pre-Symposium event. The IN-CAM Research Symposium was held November 2 to 4, 2012 at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. For more information, please visit: www.incamresearch.ca
Investigation of the Arc of a Vacuum Circuit Breaker in a fixed Gap using the Triggering method.
Authors: Oodo Stephen Ogidi , Dong Huajun , Zou Jiyan
Published: November 2012

When the contacts of a Vacuum circuit breaker (VCB) with current flowing through it, is separated, an arc is generated. The Arc is usually supported by ionized gas or ionized metal vapour derived form the metal contact. This arc is an essential component of the interrupting process and capability of the Vacuum circuit breaker. The object of this paper is to trigger, record, observe and analyze the dynamic image of the Vacuum arc when it ignites in a short gap and at a low voltage. A CMOS high speed digital camera will be used to record the images of the arc. The characteristics of the arc in its diffused and constricted state, the degree of changes between the two states, and the direct relationship between the voltage and current will also be observed. The life time of the Vacuum arc will be 10ms
Numbers with Integer Complexity Close to the Lower Bound
Authors: Altman Harry , Zelinsky Joshua
Published: November 2012

Define
Influence of stacking sequence on mechanical properties of basalt-jute fiber-reinforced polymer hybrid composites
Authors: Amuthakkannan Pandian , Manikandan Vairavan , Jappes Jebbas Thangaiah Winowlin , Uthayakumar Marimuthu
Published: November 2012

Different stacking sequences of woven basalt and jute fiber hybrid composites were prepared using compression molding techniques. The static mechanical properties such as tensile, flexural, and impact behaviors were studied. A constant pressure was applied to all the fabricated composites, and fibers were arranged in different layering patterns. It was found that from the different layering patterns, the tensile and flexural properties slightly increased for hybrid composites having alternate layers of basalt and jute fiber. To study the fracture surface morphology of the hybrid composites, scanning electron microscopy was also performed.
Reduced Gamma Frequency in the Medial Frontal Cortex of Aged Rats during Behavior and Rest: Implications for Age-Related Behavioral Slowing
Authors: Insel Nathan , Patron Lilian A. , Hoang Lan T. , Nematollahi Saman , Schimanski Lesley A. , Lipa Peter , Barnes Carol A.
Published: November 2012

Age-related cognitive and behavioral slowing may be caused by changes in the speed of neural signaling or by changes in the number of signaling steps necessary to achieve a given function. In the mammalian cortex, neural communication is organized by a 30–100 Hz “gamma” oscillation. There is a putative link between the gamma frequency and the speed of processing in a neural network: the dynamics of pyramidal neuron membrane time constants suggest that synaptic integration is framed by the gamma cycle, and pharmacological slowing of gamma also slows reaction times on behavioral tasks. The present experiments identify reductions in a robust 40–70 Hz gamma oscillation in the aged rat medial frontal cortex. The reductions were observed in the form of local field potentials, later peaks in fast-spiking neuron autocorrelations, and delays in the spiking of inhibitory neurons following local excitatory signals. Gamma frequency did not vary with movement speed, but rats with slower gamma also moved more slowly. Gamma frequency age differences were not observed in hippocampus. Hippocampal CA1 fast-spiking neurons exhibited interspike intervals consistent with a fast (70–100 Hz) gamma frequency, a pattern maintained across theta phases and theta frequencies independent of fluctuations in the average firing rates of the neurons. We propose that an average lengthening of the cortical 15–25 ms gamma cycle is one factor contributing to age-related slowing and that future attempts to offset cognitive declines will find a target in the response of fast-spiking inhibitory neurons to excitatory inputs.
Learning-Related Synaptic Growth Mediated by Internalization ofAplysiaCell Adhesion Molecule Is Controlled by Membrane Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-Bisphosphate Synthetic Pathway
Authors: Lee Seung-Hee , Shim Jaehoon , Choi Sun-Lim , Lee Nuribalhae , Lee Chang-Hoon , Bailey Craig H. , Kandel Eric R. , Jang Deok-Jin , Kaang Bong-Kiun
Published: November 2012

Long-term facilitation inAplysiais accompanied by the growth of new synaptic connections between the sensory and motor neurons of the gill-withdrawal reflex. One of the initial steps leading to the growth of these synapses is the internalization, induced by 5-HT, of the transmembrane isoform ofAplysiacell-adhesion molecule (TM–apCAM) from the plasma membrane of sensory neurons (Bailey et al., 1992). However, the mechanisms that govern the internalization of TM–apCAM and how this internalization is coupled to the molecular events that initiate the structural changes are not fully understood. Here, we report that the synthesis of membrane phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P2], which is known to be mediated by a signaling cascade throughAplysiaSec7 protein (ApSec7) and phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate 5-kinase type I α (PIP5KIα) is required for both the internalization of TM–apCAM and the initiation of synaptic growth during 5-HT-induced long-term facilitation. Pharmacological blockade of PI(4,5)P2synthesis by the application of the inhibitor phenylarsine oxide blocked the internalization of apCAM. Furthermore, perturbation of the endogenous activation of ApSec7 and its downstream target PIP5KIα also blocked 5-HT-mediated internalization of TM–apCAM and synaptic growth. Finally, long-term facilitation was specifically impaired by blocking the ApSec7 signaling pathway at sensory-to-motor neuron synapses. These data indicate that the ApSec7/PIP5KIα signaling pathway is actively recruited during learning-related 5-HT signaling and acts as a key regulator of apCAM internalization associated with the formation of new synaptic connections during long-term facilitation.
Posthearing Ca2+Currents and Their Roles in Shaping the Different Modes of Firing of Spiral Ganglion Neurons
Authors: Lv Ping , Sihn Choong-Ryoul , Wang Wenying , Shen Haitao , Kim Hyo Jeong , Rocha-Sanchez Sonia M. , Yamoah Ebenezer N.
Published: November 2012

Whereas prehearing spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) rely faithfully on outputs from spontaneously active developing hair cells, the electrical phenotypes of posthearing neurons are shaped by distinct rapid and graded receptor potentials from hair cells. To date, technical difficulties in isolation of fragile posthearing neurons from the rigid bony labyrinth of the inner ear have hindered analyses of the electrical phenotype of SGNs. Therefore, we have recently developed new strategies to isolate posthearing mouse SGNs for functional analyses. Here, we describe the coarse and fine properties of Ca2+currents, which sculpt the firing properties of posthearing SGNs. Murine SGNs express multiple Ca2+channel currents to enable diverse functions. We have demonstrated that suppression of Ca2+currents results in significant hyperpolarization of the resting membrane potential (rmp) of basal SGNs, suggesting that Ca2+influx primes rmp for excitation. In contrast, removal of external Ca2+has modest effects on rmp of apical SGNs. The blockade of Ca2+currents with a mixture of specific blockers attenuates spontaneously active SGNs. Paradoxically, different subtypes of Ca2+currents, such as R-type currents, may activate resting outward conductances since blockage of the current results in depolarization of rmp. In keeping with whole-cell current data, single-channel records revealed multiple diverse Ca2+channels in SGNs. Additionally, there were differential expressions of distinct Ca2+current densities in the apicobasal contour of the adult cochlea. This report provides invaluable insights into Ca2+-dependent processes in adult SGNs.
Cognitive Profile of Amyloid Burden and White Matter Hyperintensities in Cognitively Normal Older Adults
Authors: Hedden Trey , Mormino Elizabeth C. , Amariglio Rebecca E. , Younger Alayna P. , Schultz Aaron P. , Becker J. Alex , Buckner Randy L. , Johnson Keith A. , Sperling Reisa A. , Rentz Dorene M.
Published: November 2012

Amyloid burden and white matter hyperintensities (WMH) are two common markers of neurodegeneration present in advanced aging. Each represents a potential early indicator of an age-related neurological disorder that impacts cognition. The presence of amyloid is observed in a substantial subset of cognitively normal older adults, but the literature remains equivocal regarding whether amyloid in nondemented populations is deleterious to cognition. Similarly, WMH are detected in many nondemented older adults and there is a body of evidence indicating that WMH are associated with decreased executive function and other cognitive domains. The current study investigated amyloid burden and WMH in clinically normal older adult humans aged 65–86 (N= 168) and examined each biomarker's relation with cognitive domains of episodic memory, executive function, and speed of processing. Factors for each domain were derived from a neuropsychological battery on a theoretical basis without reference to the relation between cognition and the biomarkers. Amyloid burden and WMH were not correlated with one another. Age was associated with lower performance in all cognitive domains, while higher estimated verbal intelligence was associated with higher performance in all domains. Hypothesis-driven tests revealed that amyloid burden and WMH had distinct cognitive profiles, with amyloid burden having a specific influence on episodic memory and WMH primarily associated with executive function but having broad (but lesser) effects on the other domains. These findings suggest that even before clinical impairment, amyloid burden and WMH likely represent neuropathological cascades with distinct etiologies and dissociable influences on cognition.
IRK-1 Potassium Channels Mediate Peptidergic Inhibition ofCaenorhabditis elegansSerotonin Neurons via a GoSignaling Pathway
Authors: Emtage Lesley , Aziz-Zaman Sonya , Padovan-Merhar Olivia , Horvitz H. Robert , Fang-Yen Christopher , Ringstad Niels
Published: November 2012

To identify molecular mechanisms that function in G-protein signaling, we have performed molecular genetic studies of a simple behavior of the nematodeCaenorhabditis elegans, egg laying, which is driven by a pair of serotonergic neurons, the hermaphrodite-specific neurons (HSNs). The activity of the HSNs is regulated by the Go-coupled receptor EGL-6, which mediates inhibition of the HSNs by neuropeptides. We report here that this inhibition requires one of three inwardly rectifying K+channels encoded by theC. elegansgenome: IRK-1. Using ChannelRhodopsin-2-mediated stimulation of HSNs, we observed roles foregl-6andirk-1in regulating the excitability of HSNs. Althoughirk-1is required for inhibition of HSNs by EGL-6 signaling, we found that other Gosignaling pathways that inhibit HSNs involveirk-1little or not at all. These findings suggest that the neuropeptide receptor EGL-6 regulates the potassium channel IRK-1 via a dedicated pool of Gonot involved in other Go-mediated signaling. We conclude that G-protein-coupled receptors that signal through the same G-protein in the same cell might activate distinct effectors and that specific coupling of a G-protein-coupled receptor to its effectors can be determined by factors other than its associated G-proteins.
An Ancestral Recombination Graph for Diploid Populations with Skewed Offspring Distribution
Authors: Birkner Matthias , Blath Jochen , Eldon Bjarki
Published: November 2012

A large offspring-number diploid biparental multilocus population model of Moran type is our object of study. At each time step, a pair of diploid individuals drawn uniformly at random contributes offspring to the population. The number of offspring can be large relative to the total population size. Similar “heavily skewed” reproduction mechanisms have been recently considered by various authors (cf. e.g., Eldon and Wakeley 2006, 2008) and reviewed by Hedgecock and Pudovkin (2011). Each diploid parental individual contributes exactly one chromosome to each diploid offspring, and hence ancestral lineages can coalesce only when in distinct individuals. A separation-of-timescales phenomenon is thus observed. A result of Möhle (1998) is extended to obtain convergence of the ancestral process to an ancestral recombination graph necessarily admitting simultaneous multiple mergers of ancestral lineages. The usual ancestral recombination graph is obtained as a special case of our model when the parents contribute only one offspring to the population each time. Due to diploidy and large offspring numbers, novel effects appear. For example, the marginal genealogy at each locus admits simultaneous multiple mergers in up to four groups, and different loci remain substantially correlated even as the recombination rate grows large. Thus, genealogies for loci far apart on the same chromosome remain correlated. Correlation in coalescence times for two loci is derived and shown to be a function of the coalescence parameters of our model. Extending the observations by Eldon and Wakeley (2008), predictions of linkage disequilibrium are shown to be functions of the reproduction parameters of our model, in addition to the recombination rate. Correlations in ratios of coalescence times between loci can be high, even when the recombination rate is high and sample size is large, in large offspring-number populations, as suggested by simulations, hinting at how to distinguish between different population models.
Long-Range Targeted Manipulation of the Drosophila Genome by Site-Specific Integration and Recombinational Resolution
Authors: Wesolowska Natalia , Rong Yikang S
Published: November 2012

Significant advances in genomics underscore the importance of targeted mutagenesis for gene function analysis. Here we have developed a scheme for long-range targeted manipulation of genes in the Drosophila genome. Utilizing an attP attachment site for the phiC31 integrase previously targeted to the nbs gene, we integrated an 80-kb genomic fragment at its endogenous locus to generate a tandem duplication of the region. We achieved reduction to a single copy by inducing recombination via a site-specific DNA break. We report that, despite the large size of the DNA fragment, both plasmid integration and duplication reduction can be accomplished efficiently. Importantly, the integrating genomic fragment can serve as a venue for introducing targeted modifications to the entire region. We successfully introduced a new attachment site 70 kb from the existing attP using this two-step scheme, making a new region susceptible to targeted mutagenesis. By experimenting with different placements of the future DNA break site in the integrating vector, we established a vector configuration that facilitates the recovery of desired modifications. We also show that reduction events can occur efficiently through unequal meiotic crossing over between the large duplications. Based on our results, we suggest that a collection of 1200 lines with attachment sites inserted every 140 kb throughout the genome would render all Drosophila genes amenable to targeted mutagenesis. Excitingly, all of the components involved are likely functional in other eukaryotes, making our scheme for long-range targeted manipulation readily applicable to other systems.
Captured Segment Exchange: A Strategy for Custom Engineering Large Genomic Regions inDrosophila melanogaster
Authors: Bateman Jack R , Palopoli Michael F , Dale Sarah T , Stauffer Jennifer E , Shah Anita L , Johnson Justine E , Walsh Conor W , Flaten Hanna , Parsons Christine M
Published: November 2012

Site-specific recombinases (SSRs) are valuable tools for manipulating genomes. In Drosophila, thousands of transgenic insertions carrying SSR recognition sites have been distributed throughout the genome by several large-scale projects. Here we describe a method with the potential to use these insertions to make custom alterations to the Drosophila genome in vivo. Specifically, by employing recombineering techniques and a dual recombinase-mediated cassette exchange strategy based on the phiC31 integrase and FLP recombinase, we show that a large genomic segment that lies between two SSR recognition-site insertions can be “captured” as a target cassette and exchanged for a sequence that was engineered in bacterial cells. We demonstrate this approach by targeting a 50-kb segment spanning the tsh gene, replacing the existing segment with corresponding recombineered sequences through simple and efficient manipulations. Given the high density of SSR recognition-site insertions in Drosophila, our method affords a straightforward and highly efficient approach to explore gene function in situ for a substantial portion of the Drosophila genome.
Defining the Epigenetic Mechanism of Asymmetric Cell Division ofSchizosaccharomyces japonicusYeast
Authors: Yu Chuanhe , Bonaduce Michael J , Klar Amar J S
Published: November 2012

A key question in developmental biology addresses the mechanism of asymmetric cell division. Asymmetry is crucial for generating cellular diversity required for development in multicellular organisms. As one of the potential mechanisms, chromosomally borne epigenetic difference between sister cells that changes mating/cell type has been demonstrated only in the Schizosaccharomyces pombe fission yeast. For technical reasons, it is nearly impossible to determine the existence of such a mechanism operating during embryonic development of multicellular organisms. Our work addresses whether such an epigenetic mechanism causes asymmetric cell division in the recently sequenced fission yeast, S. japonicus (with 36% GC content), which is highly diverged from the well-studied S. pombe species (with 44% GC content). We find that the genomic location and DNA sequences of the mating-type loci of S. japonicus differ vastly from those of the S. pombe species. Remarkably however, similar to S. pombe, the S. japonicus cells switch cell/mating type after undergoing two consecutive cycles of asymmetric cell divisions: only one among four “granddaughter” cells switches. The DNA-strand–specific epigenetic imprint at the mating-type locus1 initiates the recombination event, which is required for cellular differentiation. Therefore the S. pombe and S. japonicus mating systems provide the first two examples in which the intrinsic chirality of double helical structure of DNA forms the primary determinant of asymmetric cell division. Our results show that this unique strand-specific imprinting/segregation epigenetic mechanism for asymmetric cell division is evolutionary conserved. Motivated by these findings, we speculate that DNA-strand–specific epigenetic mechanisms might have evolved to dictate asymmetric cell division in diploid, higher eukaryotes as well.
Trade marketing no setor de lojas de conveniência
Authors: Almeida Victor Manoel Cunha de , Penna Leonardo Siano , Silva Gilberto Figueira da , Freitas Flávia D'Albergaria
Published: November 2012

O estudo objetiva descrever as motivações para a adoção do trade marketing no setor de lojas de conveniência, bem como suas atribuições e posição na estrutura organizacional. Utilizou-se o estudo de casos múltiplos para investigar as motivações e práticas de quatro redes de lojas de conveniência, além de cinco fabricantes indicados pelas redes pesquisadas. Constatou-se que a existência de uma área formal de trade marketing não é condição suficiente para garantir a colaboração entre os fabricantes e os varejistas de lojas de conveniência. As ações de trade marketing são desenvolvidas e negociadas com o franqueador, todavia sua execução ocorre na instância do franqueado. Trata-se, portanto, de uma relação tripartite (tríade) composta por fabricante, franqueador das lojas de conveniência e seus franqueados.
Shopping for apparel: how can kiosk systems help?
Authors: Koller Monika , Königsecker Andrea
Published: November 2012

When shopping for apparel, many consumers seek advice from friends and family or store personnel. In-store kiosk systems might serve as an alternative decision support system. In the present study we address the key question of how such kiosk systems are evaluated by consumers. We conducted three focus group discussions with regular apparel shoppers aged between 23 and 39 years. In sum, qualitative information from 15 participants was subject to a qualitative content analysis with the aim of gaining a more comprehensive understanding of how apparel shoppers experience the shopping process. Getting a more in-depth understanding of the needs and wishes associated with the apparel shopping process gives a basis for evaluating the potential acceptance of electronic decision support systems in apparel shopping. Although our study is exploratory in nature, we are able to draw an initial picture of how kiosk systems could be used in apparel shopping.
Molecular characterization of Aeromonas spp. and Vibrio cholerae O1 isolated during a diarrhea outbreak
Authors: Mendes-Marques Carina Lucena , Nascimento Larissa Mélo do , Theophilo Grace Nazareth Diogo , Hofer Ernesto , Melo Neto Osvaldo Pompílio de , Leal Nilma Cintra
Published: November 2012

This work aimed to assess pathogenic potential and clonal relatedness of Aeromonas sp. and Vibrio cholerae isolates recovered during a diarrhea outbreak in Brazil. Clinical and environmental isolates were investigated for the presence of known pathogenic genes and clonal relatedness was assessed by intergenic spacer region (ISR) 16S-23S amplification. Four Aeromonas genes (lip, exu, gcat, flaA/B) were found at high overall frequency in both clinical and environmental isolates although the lip gene was specifically absent from selected species. A fifth gene, aerA, was rarely found in A. caviae, the most abundant species. The ISR profile revealed high heterogeneity among the Aeromonas isolates and no correlation with species identification. In contrast, in all the V. cholerae isolates the four genes investigated (ctxA, tcpA, zot and ace) were amplified and revealed homogeneous ISR and RAPD profiles. Although Aeromonas isolates were the major enteric pathogen recovered, their ISR profiles are not compatible with a unique cause for the diarrhea events, while the clonal relationship clearly implicates V. cholerae in those cases from which it was isolated. These results reinforce the need for a better definition of the role of aeromonads in diarrhea and whether they benefit from co-infection with V. cholerae.
Effects of vitamin C supplementation on acute phase Chagas disease in experimentally infected mice with Trypanosoma cruzi QM1 strain
Authors: Marim Ricardo Guimarães , Gusmão Alex Silva de , Castanho Roberto Esteves Pires , Deminice Rafael , Therezo Altino Luiz Silva , Jordão Júnior Alceu Afonso , Martins Luciamare Perinetti Alves
Published: November 2012

The tissue changes that occur in Chagas disease are related to the degree of oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity of affected tissue. Studies with vitamin C supplementation did not develop oxidative damage caused by Chagas disease in the host, but other studies cite the use of peroxiredoxins ascorbate - dependent on T. cruzi to offer protection against immune reaction. Based on these propositions, thirty "Swiss" mice were infected with T. cruzi QM1 strain and treated with two different vitamin C doses in order to study the parasitemia evolution, histopathological changes and lipid peroxidation biomarkers during the acute phase of Chagas disease. The results showed that the parasite clearance was greater in animals fed with vitamin C overdose. There were no significant differences regarding the biomarkers of lipid peroxidation and inflammatory process or the increase of myocardium in animals treated with the recommended dosage. The largest amount of parasite growth towards the end of the acute phase suggests the benefit of high doses of vitamin C for trypomastigotes. The supplementation doesn't influence the production of free radicals or the number of amastigote nests in the acute phase of Chagas disease.
Quality of life of patients with hepatitis C
Authors: Alves Grazielle Arruda , Baldessar Maria Zélia , Pereira Gregório Wrublevski , Kuehlkamp Valdete Meurer , Hilzendeger Clarissa , Silva Jane da
Published: November 2012

INTRODUCTION: Self-report on the quality of life (QOL) is increasingly studied in the evaluation of various diseases, especially in chronic ones. However, there are few data in the literature focusing the QOL of patients living with chronic hepatitis C. The objective of this study was to evaluate the QOL in patients with hepatitis C assessed by the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment (WHOQOL)-bref scale. METHODS: One hundred and eight hepatitis C patients attending the Outpatient Healthcare Medical Specialties in Tubarão, State of Santa Catarina, Brazil, were contacted from May 2010 to February 2011. Patients answered the WHOQOL-bref scale and a questionnaire about their treatment and risk factors to hepatitis C virus (VHC) infection. RESULTS: Although most of patients with chronic hepatitis C considered their QoL good or very good (58.1%), 47 (44.8%) patients were poorly or very poorly satisfied with their health. About the WHOQOL answers, the environment domain had the highest score (25.15 + 5.77), while the lowest score was the social relationships domain (9.19 + 2.5). There was statistically significant association between household income and quality of life in all domains (p<0.001) and statistically significant association between education and the physical, psychological and social domains of quality of life (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Based on the answers given in WHOQOL-bref, patients with chronic hepatitis C have a generally poor QOL, especially in social relationship domain. Household income and educational level were factors that interfered significantly with patients' QOL assessment.
Prevalence of enterotoxin-encoding genes and antimicrobial resistance in coagulase-negative and coagulase-positive Staphylococcus isolates from black pudding
Authors: Moura Tiane Martin de , Campos Fabrício Souza , d'Azevedo Pedro Alves , Van Der Sand Sueli Teresinha , Franco Ana Cláudia , Frazzon Jeverson , Frazzon Ana Paula Guedes
Published: November 2012

INTRODUCTION: Staphylococcal species are pathogens that are responsible for outbreaks of foodborne diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of enterotoxin-genes and the antimicrobial resistance profile in staphylococcus coagulase-negative (CoNS) and coagulasepositive (CoPS) isolates from black pudding in southern Brazil. METHODS: Two hundred typical and atypical colonies from Baird-Parker agar were inoculated on mannitol salt agar. Eighty-two mannitol-positive staphylococci were submitted to conventional biochemical tests and antimicrobial susceptibility profiling. The presence of coagulase (coa) and enterotoxin (se) genes was investigated by polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The isolates were divided into 2 groups: 75.6% (62/82) were CoNS and 24.4% (20/82) were CoPS. The biochemical tests identified 9 species, of which Staphylococcus saprophyticus (37.8%) and Staphylococcus carnosus (15.9%) were the most prevalent. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests showed resistance phenotypes to antibiotics widely administered in humans, such as gentamicin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, and erythromycin. The coa gene was detected in 19.5% (16/82) of the strains and 4 polymorphic DNA fragments were observed. Five CoNS isolates carrying the coa gene were submitted for 16S rRNA sequencing and 3 showed similarity with CoNS. Forty strains were positive for at least 1 enterotoxin-encoding gene, the genes most frequently detected were sea (28.6%) and seb (27.5%). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of antimicrobial resistant and enterotoxin-encoding genes in staphylococci isolates from black pudding indicated that this fermented food may represent a potential health risk, since staphylococci present in food could cause foodborne diseases or be a possible route for the transfer of antimicrobial resistance to humans.
Schistosoma mansoni granuloma in late evolutive phase, in a case of tumoral form in man
Authors: Raso Pedro , Raso Leonardo Arruda Moraes , Melo Ferdinan de Almeida , Tafuri Wagner Luiz
Published: November 2012

INTRODUCTION: Authors describe human schistosomal granuloma in late chronic phase, from the morphological and evolutionary viewpoints. METHODS: The study was based on a histological analysis of two fragments obtained from a surgical biopsy of peritoneum and large intestine of a 42-year-old patient, with a pseudotumoral form mimicking a peritoneal carcinomatosis associated to the schistosomiasis hepatointestinal form. RESULTS: Two hundred and three granulomas were identified in the pseudotumor and 27 in the intestinal biopsy, with similar morphological features, most in the late chronic phase, in fibrotic healing. A new structural classification was suggested for granulomas: zone 1 (internal), 2 (intermediate) and 3 (external). CONCLUSIONS: Regarding granuloma as a whole, we may conclude that fibrosis is likely to be controlled by different and independent mechanisms in the three zones of the granuloma. Lamellar fibrosis in zone 3 seems to be controlled by matrix mesenchymal cells (fibroblasts and myoepithelial cells) and by inflammatory exudate cells (lymphocytes, plasmocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils). Annular fibrosis in zone 2, comprising a dense fibrous connective tissue, with few cells in the advanced phase, would be controlled by epithelioid cells involving zone 1 in recent granulomas. In zone 1, replacing periovular necrosis, an initialy loose and tracery connective neoformation, housing stellate cells or with fusiform nuclei, a dense paucicellular nodular connctive tissue emerges, probably induced by fibroblasts. In several granulomas, one of the zones is missing and granuloma is represented by two of them: Z3 and Z2, Z3 and Z1 or Z2 and Z1 and, ultimately, by a scar.
The first record of Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva, 1912) (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) in the State of Paraná, Brazil
Authors: Santos Demilson Rodrigues dos , Ferreira Adão Celestino , Bisetto Junior Alceu
Published: November 2012

INTRODUCTION: We report the first find of Lutzomyia longipalpis in the State of Paraná, Brazil. METHODS: The specimens were captured in the urban area of the municipality of Foz do Iguaçu, with Falcão light traps, in domiciliary and peridomiciliary areas of 61 properties, on two consecutive nights from 18:00 to 06:00hs in March 2012. RESULTS: We captured 40 specimens of Lu. longipalpis and 54 specimens of other sandfly species. CONCLUSIONS: This find expands knowledge of the geographical distribution of this sandfly in Brazil.
Fusarium wilt incidence and common bean yield according to the preceding crop and the soil tillage system
Authors: Toledo‑Souza Eliane Divina de , Silveira Pedro Marques da , Café‑Filho Adalberto Corrêa , Lobo Junior Murillo
Published: November 2012

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of preceding crops and tillage systems on the incidence of Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. phaseoli) and common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) yield. The cultivar BRS Valente was cultivated under center‑pivot irrigation in the winter seasons of 2003, 2004 and 2005, after several preceding crops established in the summer seasons. Preceding crops included the legumes Cajanus cajan (pigeon pea), Stylosanthes guianensis, and Crotalaria spectabilis; the grasses Pennisetum glaucum (millet), Sorghum bicolor (forage sorghum), Panicum maximum, and Urochloa brizantha; and a consortium of maize (Zea mays) and U. brizantha (Santa Fé system). Experiments followed a strip‑plot design, with four replicates. Fusarium wilt incidence was higher in the no‑tillage system. Higher disease incidences corresponded to lower bean yields in 2003 and 2004. Previous summer cropping with U. brizantha, U. brizantha + maize consortium, and millet showed the lowest disease incidence. Therefore, the choice of preceding crops must be taken into account for managing Fusarium wilt on irrigated common bean crops in the Brazilian Cerrado.
Yield and quality of elephant grass biomass produced in the cerrados region for bioenergy
Authors: Flores Rilner A. , Urquiaga Segundo , Alves Bruno J. R. , Collier Leonardo S. , Boddey Robert M.
Published: November 2012

The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of two genotypes of elephant grass, fertilized with and without N, for biomass production for energy use under the edaphoclimatic conditions of the Cerrado. The genotypes Roxo and Paraíso, grown in a field experiment in a Latosol in the Cerrado region were evaluated for biomass yield, nitrogen accumulation, C:N and stem:leaf ratios, fibre, ash and P and K contents and calorific value. The accumulated dry biomass ranged from 30 to 42 Mg ha-1 and showed no response to nitrogen fertilization with the lowest biomass obtained by the genotype Paraíso and the highest by Roxo. The total N accumulation followed the same pattern as for dry matter, ranging from 347 to 539 kg N ha-1. C:N and stem:leaf ratio of the biomass produced did not vary with treatments. The fibre contents were higher in genotype Paraíso and the highest levels of ash in the genotype Roxo. The K content in the biomass was higher in genotype Roxo and P did not vary between genotypes. The calorific value averaged 18 MJ kg-1 of dry matter and did not vary with the levels of N in leaves and stems of the plant. Both genotypes, independent of N fertilization, produced over 30 Mg ha-1 of biomass under Cerrado conditions.
Efeito da utilização de diferentes diluidores para a produção in vitro de embriões bovinos
Authors: Prado R.B. , Koivisto M.B. , Carreira J.T. , Perri S.H.V. , Rodrigues L.H. , Atique Netto H. , Torregrossa T.L.G. , Vicente W.R.R. , Feliciano M.A.R.
Published: November 2012

Objetivou-se avaliar as características morfológica e funcional do sêmen bovino congelado comparando-se a eficácia de dois diferentes diluidores. O ejaculado de quatro touros foi dividido em duas partes iguais, uma submetida ao diluidor Tris e gema de ovo (A) e outra ao diluidor à base de lecitina de soja (Andromed®) (B). No experimento I, cinco palhetas dos diluidores A e B de cada touro foram descongeladas e avaliadas quanto à motilidade, vigor, concentração, morfologia espermática e teste de termor-resistência lento. Foram feitas, ainda, avaliação da integridade de membranas, por meio da associação das sondas iodeto de propídio, isotiocionato de fluoresceína - Pisum sativum e carbocianina catiônica lipofílica, e avaliação funcional da membrana plasmática com teste hiposmótico. A avaliação da integridade da cromatina foi realizada pelo método de coloração com laranja de acridina. No experimento II, o sêmen com os diferentes diluidores foi utilizado na fecundação in vitro, sendo observadas taxas de clivagem e desenvolvimento embrionário in vitro. Em relação aos resultados obtidos, apenas a porcentagem de espermatozoides no sêmen congelado foi discretamente maior com o diluidor A, concluindo-se que o diluidor composto por lecitina de soja pode substituir o composto por Tris e gema de ovo, respeitando-se as variações individuais de cada touro utilizado no presente experimento.
Aspectos tomográficos da coluna cervical de equinos
Authors: Souza L.P. , Machado V.M.V. , Santos R.V. , Evangelista F.C. , Vulcano L.C.
Published: November 2012

Descreveu-se a anatomia da região cervical de equinos adultos, com base em imagens obtidas no exame de tomografia computadorizada helicoidal realizado em peças anatômicas de equinos adultos. A tomografia computadorizada foi o método de imagem diagnóstica de escolha e possibilita as reconstruções de imagens tridimensionais e em outros planos anatômicos, como sagital e coronal. Todas as imagens foram adquiridas e avaliadas em filtro e janela para tecido ósseo. Observaram-se diferenças anatômicas e as particularidades normais das vértebras, principalmente da região occipitoatlantoaxial, a qual apresenta maior incidência de alterações.
The ectoparasite mite Varroa destructor Anderson and Trueman in southeastern Brazil apiaries: effects of the hygienic behavior of Africanized honey bees on infestation rates
Authors: Pinto F.A. , Puker A. , Barreto L.M.R.C. , Message D.
Published: November 2012

In Brazil, the ectoparasitic mite of bees Varroa destructor Anderson and Trueman (Acari: Varroidae) remains at low levels of infestation causing no major damage. However, with the introduction and possible dominance of a new haplotype (K) of the mite, usually found in areas with high infestation rates (IR), it is necessary to monitor and select beehives that are resistant to the pest in order to avoid future problems. Several factors are listed as potentially being responsible for the dynamics of mite infestation, among which hygienic behavior (HB) stands out. In this context we sought to evaluate the HB of Africanized honey bees Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) compared with the mite IR in apiaries of two municipalities of southeastern Brazil (Taubaté and Viçosa). For the municipality of Taubaté, the average IR was 4.9% (3.4 to 5.8%), while the HB averaged 98.6% (96 to 100%). In Viçosa, the average mite IR was found to be 10.0% (5.4 to 21.0%) with an average value for HB of 57.7% (0 to 79.0%). Results from this research show that IR and HB were negatively correlated (R = -0.9627, P<0.01), suggesting that hives with higher HB have lower IR.
Digestibilidade intestinal in vitro da proteína de coprodutos da indústria do biodiesel
Authors: Couto G.S. , Silva Filho J.C. , Corrêa A.D. , Silva E.A. , Pardo R.M.P. , Esteves C.
Published: November 2012

Determinou-se a digestibilidade intestinal (DI) da proteína de vários coprodutos do biodiesel nas formas de farelo e torta. Foram avaliados oito coprodutos: tortas e farelos de pinhão manso, nabo forrageiro, tremoço, algodão. Os coprodutos foram incubados no rúmen por 16 horas, e os resíduos não degradados no rúmen submetidos à digestão enzimática com solução de pepsina e pancreatina para a determinação da DI. Ainda, nos resíduos da incubação ruminal, foram determinadas: degradabilidade da matéria seca (DR), proteína degradável no rúmen (PDR) e proteína não degradável no rúmen (PNDR). A digestibilidade intestinal da proteína para os coprodutos do biodiesel variou de 2,4 a 48,6%. Todos os coprodutos avaliados caracterizaram-se como alimentos de alto teor proteico, sendo considerados de alta PDR, e apresentaram baixa digestibilidade intestinal da proteína. A DI da proteína dos coprodutos do biodiesel na forma de torta foi maior em comparação com a dos farelos. A torta e o farelo de algodão apresentaram os maiores coeficientes de DI.
Nutritional diversity of agricultural and agro-industrial by-products for ruminant feeding
Authors: Azevêdo J.A.G. , Valadares Filho S.C. , Pina D.S. , Detmann E. , Pereira L.G.R. , Valadares R.F.D. , Fernandes H.J. , Costa e Silva L.F. , Benedeti P.B.
Published: November 2012

Fifty-seven by-products were collected from regions throughout Brazil. Chemical composition, in vitro neutral detergent fiber digestibility (IVNDFD), and total digestible nutrients (TDN) were determined with the objective of grouping by-products with similar nutritional characteristics. The by-products belonging to group one (G1) presented the highest content of neutral detergent fiber exclusive of ash and nitrogenous compounds [aNDFom(n)] and lowest energy content, with 42.5% and 38.8% of IVNDFD and TDN, respectively. A new cluster analysis was carried in order to better characterize G2 by-products, six subgroups (SGs) were established (SG1 to SG6). SG1 by-products had the highest and the lowest values for lignin and TDN, respectively. SG2 by-products had the highest aNDFom(n) value, with TDN and IVNDFD values greater than 600 and 700g/kg, respectively, and crude protein (CP) value below 200g/kg in dry matter (DM). Among all the subgroups, SG3 had the highest TDN (772g/kg) and IVNDFD (934g/kg) values and the lowest lignin (23g/kg in DM) value. The ether extract was what most influenced the hierarchical establishment of residual grouping in SG4. SG5 by-products had the highest concentration of non-fibrous carbohydrate. Different from the other subgroups, SG6 by-products had the highest value of available CP.
Proposta de análise genética de curvas de crescimento de bovinos por meio do algoritmo SAEM
Authors: Silva N.A.M. , Lana Â.M.Q. , Fonseca e Silva F. , Lima R.R. , Silva M.A. , Bergmann J.A.G.
Published: November 2012

Compararam-se duas diferentes metodologias na avaliação genética de curvas de crescimento de animais Nelore: o algoritmo SAEM e o método Two-step. Para a implementação dessas metodologias, foram utilizados o modelo de crescimento de Brody modificado e o modelo touro. A diferença entre o SAEM e o Two-step é que o algoritmo SAEM estima simultaneamente parâmetros do modelo e efeitos genéticos e ambientais, e o método Two-step faz esse processo de estimação em duas etapas distintas. Mais ainda, o algoritmo SAEM utiliza o método de máxima verossimilhança, e o do Two-step o de máxima verossimilhança restrita. Foram obtidos, com base nas metodologias testadas, além das estimativas de efeitos fixos e parâmetros genéticos, os valores genéticos preditos para os touros avaliados. A partir dos valores genéticos preditos, foram obtidas as curvas genéticas para os touros. O algoritmo SAEM mostrou-se consistente na estimação dos efeitos fixos e na predição dos efeitos aleatórios, apresentando-se como uma alternativa viável para avaliação genética de animais Nelore.
Method of using increasing levels of substitution of the basal diet by test feedstuffs in pig digestibility trials
Authors: Piano L.M. , Moreira I. , Scapinello C. , Carvalho P.L.O. , Toledo J.B. , Oliveira G.C.
Published: November 2012

Two experiments were carried out to study the methodology of using increasing levels of substitution of the basal diet with fibrous test feedstuffs (sticky coffee hull - SCH) in digestibility trials with pigs. In Experiment 1, a digestibility trial was conducted using 30 crossbred barrows, allotted in a randomized block design. In Experiment 2, 42 growing and 42 finishing pigs were used, allotted in a completely randomized design, with six diets and seven replicates, with one animal per experimental unit. The six diets consisted of: a control diet, four diets using SCH ME values as obtained in Experiment 1 plus a diet using SCH ME value estimated by linear regression equation for 15% substitution. The digestibility study indicated that the use of increasing levels of substitution (7, 14, 21 and 28%) reduced SCH digestibility. ME values, as-fed basis, were 2,456, 2,377, 2,247 and 1,945kcal/kg. The overall results indicate that higher levels of substitution overestimate the energy value and that the method of increasing levels of substitution of the basal diet with feedstuffs test can be used to more accurately estimate the energy values of fibrous feedstuffs for pigs. For growing and finishing pigs respectively, up to 28% and 15% of sticky coffee hull can be used without impairing pig performance and economic feasibility.