bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sequence analysis of β-subunit genes of the 20S proteasome in patients with relapsed multiple myeloma treated with bortezomib or dexamethasone
Authors: Lichter David I. , Danaee Hadi , Pickard Michael D. , Tayber Olga , Sintchak Michael , Shi Hongliang , Richardson Paul G. , Cavenagh Jamie , Bladé Joan , Façon Thierry , Niesvizky Ruben , Alsina Melissa , Dalton William , Sonneveld Pieter , Lonial Sagar , van de Velde Helgi , Ricci Deborah , Esseltine Dixie-Lee , Trepicchio William L. , Mulligan George , Anderson Kenneth C.
Published: September 2012

Variations within proteasome β (PSMB) genes, which encode the β subunits of the 20S proteasome, may affect proteasome function, assembly, and/or binding of proteasome inhibitors. To investigate the potential association between PSMB gene variants and treatment-emergent resistance to bortezomib and/or long-term outcomes, in the present study, PSMB gene sequence variation was characterized in tumor DNA samples from patients who participated in the phase 3 Assessment of Proteasome Inhibition for Extending Remissions (APEX) study of bortezomib versus high-dose dexamethasone for treatment of relapsed multiple myeloma. Twelve new PSMB variants were identified. No associations were found between PSMB single nucleotide polymorphism genotype frequency and clinical response to bortezomib or dexamethasone treatment or between PSMB single nucleotide polymorphism allelic frequency and pooled overall survival or time to progression. Although specific PSMB5 variants have been identified previously in preclinical models of bortezomib resistance, these variants were not detected in patient tumor samples collected after clinical relapse from bortezomib, which suggests that alternative mechanisms underlie bortezomib insensitivity. This study is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00048230.
A duck RH panel and its potential for assisting NGS genome assembly
Authors: Rao Man , Morisson Mireille , Faraut Thomas , Bardes Suzanne , Fève Katia , Labarthe Emmanuelle , Fillon Valérie , Huang Yinhua , Li Ning , Vignal Alain
Published: September 2012

Background

Owing to the low cost of the high throughput Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology, more and more species have been and will be sequenced. However, de novo assemblies of large eukaryotic genomes thus produced are composed of a large number of contigs and scaffolds of medium to small size, having no chromosomal assignment. Radiation hybrid (RH) mapping is a powerful tool for building whole genome maps and has been used for several animal species, to help assign sequence scaffolds to chromosomes and determining their order.

Results

We report here a duck whole genome RH panel obtained by fusing female duck embryonic fibroblasts irradiated at a dose of 6,000 rads, with HPRT-deficient Wg3hCl2 hamster cells. The ninety best hybrids, having an average retention of 23.6% of the duck genome, were selected for the final panel. To allow the genotyping of large numbers of markers, as required for whole genome mapping, without having to cultivate the hybrid clones on a large scale, three different methods involving Whole Genome Amplification (WGA) and/or scaling down PCR volumes by using the Fluidigm BioMarkTM Integrated Fluidic Circuits (IFC) Dynamic ArrayTM for genotyping were tested. RH maps of APL12 and APL22 were built, allowing the detection of intrachromosomal rearrangements when compared to chicken. Finally, the panel proved useful for checking the assembly of sequence scaffolds and for mapping EST located on one of the smallest microchromosomes.

Conclusion

The Fluidigm BioMarkTM Integrated Fluidic Circuits (IFC) Dynamic ArrayTM genotyping by quantitative PCR provides a rapid and cost-effective method for building RH linkage groups. Although the vast majority of genotyped markers exhibited a picture coherent with their associated scaffolds, a few of them were discordant, pinpointing potential assembly errors. Comparative mapping with chicken chromosomes GGA21 and GGA11 allowed the detection of the first chromosome rearrangements on microchromosomes between duck and chicken. As in chicken, the smallest duck microchromosomes appear missing in the assembly and more EST data will be needed for mapping them. Altogether, this underlines the added value of RH mapping to improve genome assemblies.
Boosting immune response with the invariant chain segments via association with non-peptide binding region of major histocompatibility complex class II molecules
Authors: Chen Fangfang , Meng Fantao , Pan Ling , Xu Fazhi , Liu Xuelan , Yu Weiyi
Published: September 2012

Background

Based on binding of invariant chain (Ii) to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules to form complexes, Ii-segment hybrids, Ii-key structure linking an epitope, or Ii class II-associated invariant chain peptide (CLIP) replaced with an epitope were used to increase immune response. It is currently unknown whether the Ii-segment cytosolic and transmembrane domains bind to the MHC non-peptide binding region (PBR) and consequently influence immune response. To investigate the potential role of Ii-segments in the immune response via MHC II/peptide complexes, a few hybrids containing Ii-segments and a multiepitope (F306) from Newcastle disease virus fusion protein (F) were constructed, and their binding effects on MHC II molecules and specific antibody production were compared using confocal microscopy, immunoprecipitation, western blotting and animal experiments.

Results

One of the Ii-segment/F306 hybrids, containing ND (Asn–Asp) outside the F306 in the Ii-key structure (Ii-key/F306/ND), neither co-localized with MHC II molecules on plasma membrane nor bound to MHC II molecules to form complexes. However, stimulation of mice with the structure produced 4-fold higher antibody titers compared with F306 alone. The two other Ii-segment/F306 hybrids, in which the transmembrane and cytosolic domains of Ii were linked to this structure (Cyt/TM/Ii-key/F306/ND), partially co-localized on plasma membrane with MHC class II molecules and weakly bound MHC II molecules to form complexes. They induced mice to produce approximately 9-fold higher antibody titers compared with F306 alone. Furthermore, an Ii/F306 hybrid (F306 substituting CLIP) co-localized well with MHC II molecules on the membrane to form complexes, although it increased antibody titer about 3-fold relative to F306 alone.

Conclusions

These results suggest that Ii-segments improve specific immune response by binding to the non-PBR on MHC class II molecules and enabling membrane co-localization with MHC II molecules, resulting in the formation of relatively stable MHC II/peptide complexes on the plasma membrane, and signal transduction.
Clinical, epidemiological, and spatial characteristics of Vibrio parahaemolyticus diarrhea and cholera in the urban slums of Kolkata, India
Authors: Kanungo Suman , Sur Dipika , Ali Mohammad , You Young Ae , Pal Debottam , Manna Byomkesh , Niyogi Swapan K , Sarkar Banwarilal , Bhattacharya Sujit K , Clemens John D , Nair G Balakrish
Published: September 2012

Background

There is not much information on the differences in clinical, epidemiological and spatial characteristics of diarrhea due to V. cholerae and V. parahaemolyticus from non-coastal areas. We investigated the differences in clinical, epidemiological and spatial characteristics of the two Vibrio species in the urban slums of Kolkata, India.

Methods

The data of a cluster randomized cholera vaccine trial were used. We restricted the analysis to clusters assigned to placebo. Survival analysis of the time to the first episode was used to analyze risk factors for V. parahaemolyticus diarrhea or cholera. A spatial scan test was used to identify high risk areas for cholera and for V. parahaemolyticus diarrhea.

Results

In total, 54,519 people from the placebo clusters were assembled. The incidence of cholera (1.30/1000/year) was significantly higher than that of V. parahaemolyticus diarrhea (0.63/1000/year). Cholera incidence was inversely related to age, whereas the risk of V. parahaemolyticus diarrhea was age-independent. The seasonality of diarrhea due to the two Vibrio species was similar. Cholera was distinguished by a higher frequency of severe dehydration, and V. parahaemolyticus diarrhea was by abdominal pain. Hindus and those who live in household not using boiled or treated water were more likely to have V. parahaemolyticus diarrhea. Young age, low socioeconomic status, and living closer to a project healthcare facility were associated with an increased risk for cholera. The high risk area for cholera differed from the high risk area for V. parahaemolyticus diarrhea.

Conclusion

We report coexistence of the two vibrios in the slums of Kolkata. The two etiologies of diarrhea had a similar seasonality but had distinguishing clinical features. The risk factors and the high risk areas for the two diseases differ from one another suggesting different modes of transmission of these two pathogens.
Optimal carbon dioxide insufflation pressure during robot-assisted thyroidectomy in patients with various benign and malignant thyroid diseases
Authors: Kim Hoon Yub , Choi Yoon Ji , Yu Hae-Na , Yoon Seung Zhoo
Published: September 2012

Background

Currently, data are not available concerning a safe insufflation pressure that provides a proper view of the surgical field without adverse metabolic and hemodynamic changes in humans undergoing the robot-assisted thyroidectomy bilateral axillo-breast approach (BABA) using the da Vinci robotic surgical system. The purpose of this study was to determine the optimal carbon dioxide (CO2) insufflation pressure in patients with various benign and malignant thyroid diseases when using the da Vinci robotic surgical system.

Methods

A total of 32 patients underwent thyroid surgery at 6 (n = 15), 9 (n = 15), and 12 (n = 2) mmHg. The partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2), pH, cardiac output, heart rate, and mean arterial pressure were measured at baseline, 30 min and 1, 1.5, and 2 hours after CO2 insufflation, and 30 min after desufflation.

Results

CO2 insufflation of 12 mmHg caused severe facial subcutaneous emphysema, hypercarbia, and acidosis during robot-assisted thyroidectomy with BABA. The study was stopped before completion for the patients’ safety in accordance with the study protocol. Applying 6- or 9- mmHg of CO2 insufflation pressure caused increases in PaCO2 and decreases in arterial pH. However, vital signs were stable and pH and PaCO2 were within the physiologic range during the surgery in the 6- and 9-mmHg groups.

Conclusions

We propose that a CO2 insufflation pressure under 10 mmHg in robot-assisted thyroidectomy with BABA is the optimal insufflation pressure for patient safety.
Donor impurity-related linear and nonlinear intraband optical absorption coefficients in quantum ring: effects of applied electric field and hydrostatic pressure
Authors: Barseghyan Manuk G , Restrepo Ricardo L , Mora-Ramos Miguel E , Kirakosyan Albert A , Duque Carlos A
Published: September 2012

The linear and nonlinear intraband optical absorption coefficients in GaAs three-dimensional single quantum rings are investigated. Taking into account the combined effects of hydrostatic pressure and electric field, applied along the growth direction of the heterostructure, the energies of the ground and first excited states of a donor impurity have been found using the effective mass approximation and a variational method. The energies of these states are examined as functions of the dimensions of the structure, electric field, and hydrostatic pressure. We have also investigated the dependencies of the linear, nonlinear, and total optical absorption coefficients as a function of incident photon energy for several configurations of the system. It is found that the variation of distinct sizes of the structure leads to either a redshift and/or a blueshift of the resonant peaks of the intraband optical spectrum. In addition, we have found that the application of an electric field leads to a redshift, whereas the influence of hydrostatic pressure leads to a blueshift (in the case of on-ring-center donor impurity position) of the resonant peaks of the intraband optical spectrum.
Photoconductivity and photoluminescence under bias in GaInNAs/GaAs MQW p-i-n structures
Authors: Khalil Hagir M , Royall Ben , Mazzucato Simone , Balkan Naci
Published: September 2012

The low temperature photoluminescence under bias (PLb) and the photoconductivity (PC) of a p-i-n GaInNAs/GaAs multiple quantum well sample have been investigated. Under optical excitation with photons of energy greater than the GaAs bandgap, PC and PLb results show a number of step-like increases when the sample is reverse biased. The nature of these steps, which depends upon the temperature, exciting wavelength and intensity and the number of quantum wells (QWs) in the device, is explained in terms of thermionic emission and negative charge accumulation due to the low confinement of holes in GaInNAs QWs. At high temperature, thermal escape from the wells becomes much more dominant and the steps smear out.
Real-time RT-PCR high-resolution melting curve analysis and multiplex RT-PCR to detect and differentiate grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 variant groups I, II, III and VI
Authors: Bester Rachelle , Jooste Anna E C , Maree Hans J , Burger Johan T
Published: September 2012

Background

Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 (GLRaV-3) is the main contributing agent of leafroll disease worldwide. Four of the six GLRaV-3 variant groups known have been found in South Africa, but their individual contribution to leafroll disease is unknown. In order to study the pathogenesis of leafroll disease, a sensitive and accurate diagnostic assay is required that can detect different variant groups of GLRaV-3.

Methods

In this study, a one-step real-time RT-PCR, followed by high-resolution melting (HRM) curve analysis for the simultaneous detection and identification of GLRaV-3 variants of groups I, II, III and VI, was developed. A melting point confidence interval for each variant group was calculated to include at least 90% of all melting points observed. A multiplex RT-PCR protocol was developed to these four variant groups in order to assess the efficacy of the real-time RT-PCR HRM assay.

Results

A universal primer set for GLRaV-3 targeting the heat shock protein 70 homologue (Hsp70h) gene of GLRaV-3 was designed that is able to detect GLRaV-3 variant groups I, II, III and VI and differentiate between them with high-resolution melting curve analysis. The real-time RT-PCR HRM and the multiplex RT-PCR were optimized using 121 GLRaV-3 positive samples. Due to a considerable variation in melting profile observed within each GLRaV-3 group, a confidence interval of above 90% was calculated for each variant group, based on the range and distribution of melting points. The intervals of groups I and II could not be distinguished and a 95% joint confidence interval was calculated for simultaneous detection of group I and II variants. An additional primer pair targeting GLRaV-3 ORF1a was developed that can be used in a subsequent real-time RT-PCR HRM to differentiate between variants of groups I and II. Additionally, the multiplex RT-PCR successfully validated 94.64% of the infections detected with the real-time RT-PCR HRM.

Conclusion

The real-time RT-PCR HRM provides a sensitive, automated and rapid tool to detect and differentiate different variant groups in order to study the epidemiology of leafroll disease.
An in vitro study of osteoblast vitality influenced by the vitamins C and E
Authors: Urban Kent , Höhling Hans J , Lüttenberg Beate , Szuwart Thomas , Plate Ulrich ,   Biomineralisation Research Unit
Published: September 2012

Vitamin C and vitamin E are known as important cellular antioxidants and are involved in several other non-antioxidant processes. Generally vitamin C and vitamin E are not synthesized by humans and therefore have to be applied by nutrition. The absence or deficiency of the vitamins can lead to several dysfunctions and even diseases (e.g. scurvy). The main interest in this study is that vitamin C and E are known to influence bone formation, e.g. vitamin C plays the key role in the synthesis of collagen, the major component of the extracellular bone matrix.

In the present study we evaluate the effect of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and α-tocopherol (vitamin E) on the proliferation and differentiation of primary bovine osteoblasts in vitro. Starting from standard growth medium we minimized the foetal calf serum to reduce their stimulatory effect on proliferation.

An improved growth and an increased synthesis of the extracellular matrix proteins collagen type I, osteonectin and osteocalcin was observed while increasing the ascorbic acid concentration up to 200 μg/ml. Furthermore the effects of α-tocopherol on cell growth and cell differentiation were examined, whereby neither improved growth nor increased synthesis of the extracellular matrix proteins collagen type I, osteonectin and osteocalcin were detected.

Further investigations are necessary to target at better supportive effect of vitamins on bone regeneration, and healing.
The culture of care within psychiatric services: tackling inequalities and improving clinical and organisational capabilities
Authors: Ascoli Micol , Palinski Andrea , Owiti John Arianda , De Jongh Bertine , Bhui Kamaldeep S
Published: September 2012

Introduction

Cultural Consultation is a clinical process that emerged from anthropological critiques of mental healthcare. It includes attention to therapeutic communication, research observations and research methods that capture cultural practices and narratives in mental healthcare. This essay describes the work of a Cultural Consultation Service (ToCCS) that improves service user outcomes by offering cultural consultation to mental health practitioners. The setting is a psychiatric service with complex and challenging work located in an ethnically diverse inner city urban area. Following a period of 18 months of cultural consultation, we gather the dominant narratives that emerged during our evaluation of our service.

Results

These narratives highlight how culture is conceptualized and acted upon in the day-to-day practices of individual health and social care professionals, specialist psychiatric teams and in care systems. The findings reveal common narratives and themes about culture, ethnicity, race and their perceived place and meaningfulness in clinical care. These narratives express underlying assumptions and covert rules for managing, and sometimes negating, dilemmas and difficulties when considering “culture” in the presentation and expression of mental distress. The narratives reveal an overall “culture of understanding cultural issues” and specific “cultures of care”. These emerged as necessary foci of intervention to improve service user outcomes.

Conclusion

Understanding the cultures of care showed that clinical and managerial over-structuring of care prioritises organisational proficiency, but it leads to inflexibility. Consequently, the care provided is less personalised and less accommodating of cultural issues, therefore, professionals are unable to see or consider cultural influences in recovery.
Fatal motorcycle crashes: a serious public health problem in Brazil
Authors: Carrasco Carlos Eduardo , Godinho Mauricio , Berti de Azevedo Barros Marilisa , Rizoli Sandro , Fraga Gustavo Pereira
Published: September 2012

Introduction

The numbers of two-wheel vehicles are growing across the world. In comparison to other vehicles, motorcycles are cheaper and thus represent a significant part of the automobile market. Both the mobility and speed are attractive factors to those who want to use them for work or leisure. Crashes involving motorcyclists have become an important issue, especially fatal ones. Specific severe injuries are responsible for the deaths. Defining them is necessary in order to offer better prevention and a more suitable medical approach.

Methods

All fatal motorcycle crashes between January 2001 and December 2009 in Campinas, Brazil, were analyzed in this study. Official data have been collected from police incident reports, hospitals’ registers and autopsies. Both incidents and casualties were analyzed according to relevant variables. The Injury Severity Score (ISS) was calculated, describing the most potentially fatal injuries.

Results

There were 479 deaths; 90.8% were male; the mean age was 27.8 (range 0-73); 86.4% were conductors of the vehicles; blood alcohol was positive in 42.3%; 49.7% died at a hospital; 32.6% died at the scene; 26.1% of the accidents occurred at night, 69.1% were urban and 30.9% occurred on highways. The main causes of injury were collisions (63%) and falls (14%). The mean ISS was 38.5 (range 9-75). With regard to injuries, head trauma (67%) and thoracic trauma (40%) were the most common, followed by abdominal trauma (35%). Traumatic brain injury (67%) and hypovolemic shock (38%) were the most frequent causes of death.

Conclusions

Alcohol was a significant factor in relation to the accidents. Head trauma was the most frequent and severe injury. Half of the victims died before receiving adequate medical attention, suggesting that prevention programs and laws should be implemented and applied in order to save future lives.
Candidate gene association study in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia evaluated by Bayesian network based Bayesian multilevel analysis of relevance
Authors: Lautner-Csorba Orsolya , Gézsi András , Semsei Ágnes F , Antal Péter , Erdélyi Dániel J , Schermann Géza , Kutszegi Nóra , Csordás Katalin , Hegyi Márta , Kovács Gábor , Falus András , Szalai Csaba
Published: September 2012

Background

We carried out a candidate gene association study in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) to identify possible genetic risk factors in a Hungarian population.

Methods

The results were evaluated with traditional statistical methods and with our newly developed Bayesian network based Bayesian multilevel analysis of relevance (BN-BMLA) method. We collected genomic DNA and clinical data from 543 children, who underwent chemotherapy due to ALL, and 529 healthy controls. Altogether 66 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 19 candidate genes were genotyped.

Results

With logistic regression, we identified 6 SNPs in theARID5BandIKZF1genes associated with increased risk to B-cell ALL, and two SNPs in theSTAT3gene, which decreased the risk to hyperdiploid ALL. Because the associated SNPs were in linkage in each gene, these associations corresponded to one signal per gene. The odds ratio (OR) associated with the tag SNPs were: OR = 1.69, P = 2.22x10-7for rs4132601 (IKZF1), OR = 1.53, P = 1.95x10-5for rs10821936 (ARID5B) and OR = 0.64, P = 2.32x10-4for rs12949918 (STAT3). With the BN-BMLA we confirmed the findings of the frequentist-based method and received additional information about the nature of the relations between the SNPs and the disease. E.g. the rs10821936 inARID5Band rs17405722 inSTAT3showed a weak interaction, and in case of T-cell lineage sample group, the gender showed a weak interaction with three SNPs in three genes. In the hyperdiploid patient group the BN-BMLA detected a strong interaction among SNPs in theNOTCH1,STAT1,STAT3andBCL2genes. Evaluating the survival rate of the patients with ALL, the BN-BMLA showed that besides risk groups and subtypes, genetic variations in theBAXandCEBPAgenes might also influence the probability of survival of the patients.

Conclusions

In the present study we confirmed the roles of genetic variations inARID5BandIKZF1in the susceptibility to B-cell ALL. With the newly developed BN-BMLA method several gene-gene, gene-phenotype and phenotype-phenotype connections were revealed. We showed several advantageous features of the new method, and suggested that in gene association studies the BN-BMLA might be a useful supplementary to the traditional frequentist-based statistical method.
Postoperative use of drain in thyroid lobectomy – a randomized clinical trial conducted at Civil Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
Authors: Memon Zahid Ali , Ahmed Gulrayz , Khan Sarah Rafi , Khalid Mahvesh , Sultan Naheed
Published: September 2012

Background

Thyroidectomy is a common surgical procedure, after which drains are placed routinely. This study aims to assess the benefits of placing postoperative drains, its complications and affects on postoperative stay, in thyroid lobectomy.

Methodology

Randomized Clinical Trial of 60 goitre patients undergoing lobectomy was conducted at Civil Hospital Karachi, during July’11-December’11. Patients were randomly assigned into drain and non drain groups. Patient demographics, labs and complications were noted. Ultrasound of neck was performed on both groups. For drain group, the amount of fluid present in the surgical bed and redivac drain was added to calculate fluid collection while in non drain group it was calculated by ultrasound of neck on first and second post-op days. Data was entered and analyzed on SPSS v16 using Independent T tests.

Result

The mean total drain output for 2 days in non-drain group was significantly lower 10.67 (±9.072) ml while in drain group was 30.97 (±42.812) ml (p = 0.014). The mean postoperative stay of drain group (79.2 ±15.63 hours) was significantly higher, as compared to mean postoperative stay of non drain group (50.4 ±7.32 hours). Mean Visual Analogue Score (VAS) for pain day 1 (6.2 ±0.997) and day 2 (4.17 ±0.95) in drain group were significantly higher compared to day 1 (2.6 ±1.163) and day 2 (1.3 ±0.877 ) of non drain group. From drain group, 2 patients complained of stridor, dyspnea on Day 1 which subsided by Day 2 and 1 case of voice change, with no such complains in non drain group. No patients from both groups developed seroma, wound infection or hematoma.

Conclusion

In uncomplicated surgeries especially for lobectomy, use of drain can be omitted.
Effects of different Fe supplies on mineral partitioning and remobilization during the reproductive development of rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Sperotto Raul Antonio , Vasconcelos Marta Wilton , Grusak Michael Andrew , Fett Janette Palma
Published: September 2012

Background

Minimal information exists on whole-plant dynamics of mineral flow through rice plants and on the source tissues responsible for mineral export to developing seeds. Understanding these phenomena in a model plant could help in the development of nutritionally enhanced crop cultivars. A whole-plant accumulation study, using harvests during reproductive development under different Fe supplies, was conducted to characterize mineral accumulation in roots, non-flag leaves, flag leaves, stems/sheaths, and panicles of Kitaake rice plants.

Results

Low Fe supply promoted higher accumulation of Zn, Cu and Ni in roots, Mn, Ca, Mg and K in leaves and Zn in stems/sheaths and a smaller accumulation of Fe, Mn and Ca in roots and Zn and Ni in leaves. High Fe supply promoted higher accumulation of Fe in roots and Zn in leaves and a smaller accumulation of Fe in leaves and stems/sheaths and Zn, Cu and K in roots. Correlation analyzes indicated that fluctuations in Mn-Ca, Zn-Cu, Zn-Ni, Cu-Ni, Mo-S, Ca-Mg, Cu-Mn and Cu-Mg concentrations in response to different Fe supplies were positively correlated in at least four of the five organs analyzed.

Conclusions

Mineral content loss analysis indicated that mineral remobilization from vegetative organs can occur in rice plants; however, for seeds to acquire minerals, vegetative remobilization is not absolutely required. Also, mineral remobilization from vegetative tissues in rice was greatly dependent of plant Fe nutrition. Remobilization was observed for several minerals from flag leaves and stems/sheaths, but the amounts were generally far below the total mineral accretion observed in panicles, suggesting that continued uptake and translocation of minerals from the roots during seed fill are probably more important than mineral remobilization.
Evidence for conservation and sustainable use in a fragment of the Atlantic forest in southeastern Brazil by a traditional human group
Authors: Christo Alexandre Gabriel , Guedes-Bruni Rejan R , Sobrinho Felipe de Araújo Pinto , da Silva Ary Gomes , Peixoto Ariane Luna
Published: September 2012

The use of forest resources by a rural community adjacent to a Biological Reserve was examined using quantitative methods based on the consensus of six local specialists. Plants with trunk diameters at 1.3 m above soil level (DBH) ≥ 5 cm were sampled in 0.5 ha of forest and their use-value (UV) were calculated and associated with their structural descriptors. A total of 129 species were identified, and 69 of them having known uses. The species with largest UV were: Xylopia sericea, Lecythis lanceolata and Guarea macrophylla. The results demonstrated that neither the degree of recognition of taxa by the local specialists nor their use-versatility depended on their abundance in nature. The results corroborate the hypothesis that richness of a plant family is a predictive character of its cultural importance and the community recognizes the value of conserving the forest remnants.
Genome-wide analysis of intracellular pH reveals quantitative control of cell division rate by pHc in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Orij Rick , Urbanus Malene L , Vizeacoumar Franco J , Giaever Guri , Boone Charles , Nislow Corey , Brul Stanley , Smits Gertien J
Published: September 2012

Background

Because protonation affects the properties of almost all molecules in cells, cytosolic pH (pHc) is usually assumed to be constant. In the model organism yeast, however, pHc changes in response to the presence of nutrients and varies during growth. Since small changes in pHc can lead to major changes in metabolism, signal transduction, and phenotype, we decided to analyze pHc control.

Results

Introducing a pH-sensitive reporter protein into the yeast deletion collection allowed quantitative genome-wide analysis of pHc in live, growing yeast cultures. pHc is robust towards gene deletion; no single gene mutation led to a pHc of more than 0.3 units lower than that of wild type. Correct pHc control required not only vacuolar proton pumps, but also strongly relied on mitochondrial function. Additionally, we identified a striking relationship between pHc and growth rate. Careful dissection of cause and consequence revealed that pHc quantitatively controls growth rate. Detailed analysis of the genetic basis of this control revealed that the adequate signaling of pHc depended on inositol polyphosphates, a set of relatively unknown signaling molecules with exquisitely pH sensitive properties.

Conclusions

While pHc is a very dynamic parameter in the normal life of yeast, genetically it is a tightly controlled cellular parameter. The coupling of pHc to growth rate is even more robust to genetic alteration. Changes in pHc control cell division rate in yeast, possibly as a signal. Such a signaling role of pHc is probable, and may be central in development and tumorigenesis.
Inferring novel gene-disease associations using Medical Subject Heading Over-representation Profiles
Authors: Cheung Warren A , Ouellette BF Francis , Wasserman Wyeth W
Published: September 2012

Background

MEDLINE®/PubMed® currently indexes over 18 million biomedical articles, providing unprecedented opportunities and challenges for text analysis. Using Medical Subject Heading Over-representation Profiles (MeSHOPs), an entity of interest can be robustly summarized, quantitatively identifying associated biomedical terms and predicting novel indirect associations.

Methods

A procedure is introduced for quantitative comparison of MeSHOPs derived from a group of MEDLINE® articles for a biomedical topic (for example, articles for a specific gene or disease). Similarity scores are computed to compare MeSHOPs of genes and diseases.

Results

Similarity scores successfully infer novel associations between diseases and genes. The number of papers addressing a gene or disease has a strong influence on predicted associations, revealing an important bias for gene-disease relationship prediction. Predictions derived from comparisons of MeSHOPs achieves a mean 8% AUC improvement in the identification of gene-disease relationships compared to gene-independent baseline properties.

Conclusions

MeSHOP comparisons are demonstrated to provide predictive capacity for novel relationships between genes and human diseases. We demonstrate the impact of literature bias on the performance of gene-disease prediction methods. MeSHOPs provide a rich source of annotation to facilitate relationship discovery in biomedical informatics.
Introduction
Authors: Arnesen Eric
Published: September 2012

Timothy Messer-Kruse's The Trial of the Haymarket Anarchists: Terrorism and Justice in the Gilded Age (2011) provides ample grist for a larger discussion of Gilded Age labor, radicalism, and the contemporary system of justice. Messer-Kruse's close examination of the full trial testimony and his twinned conclusions that there was likely a conspiracy to commit violence among the accused and that most of the guilty verdicts should be considered “fair” by the standards of the day are two aspects that set his treatment apart from others. While generally giving the author credit for changing the grounds of the Haymarket debate, our own jury remains skeptical. Richard Schneirov returns to the scene of the crime with his own lawyer-like disputation of the guilty verdicts. Kevin Boyle cautions against using courtroom testimony “with such assurance.” Beverly Gage regrets the lack of larger context, including the viciousness of reactions aimed at the larger labor movement and the radicals themselves. Comparing Haymarket to the Rodney King and O. J. Simpson trials, Janice L. Reiff likewise points to key elements of reception that are left out of Messer-Kruse's account. In conclusion, the author treats his critics with clemency.
Synthesis of multifunctional polymers by combination of controlled radical polymerization (CRP) and effective polymer analogous reactions
Authors: Riedel Maria , Voit Brigitte
Published: September 2012

The combination of controlled radical polymerization (CRP) reactions and click chemistry offers high potential for the preparation of multifunctional polymers and significantly broadens the application scope of functional soft matter materials. In order to demonstrate the strategies as well as the potential of this methodology combination, examples for end-group and side-chain modification of polymers produced by CRP methods and the use of the resulting materials in functional polymer films are given.
Imputation in Criminal Law and the Conditions for Norm Validity
Authors: Jakobs Günther
Published: September 2012

(1) The validity of the norms that determine society’s identity needs to be guaranteed. The reason is that there are other alternatives to this society. The guarantee is accomplished when it is valid that each person has the duty to comply with the norms (law) and that sanctioning occurs in case of not complying. Sanctioning therefore means confirming the identity of society. The confirmation is totally accomplished with the sanction. (2) On the contrary, there’s no alternative to the rules that refer to the social environment; therefore they stabilize themselves. Here lies the basis for lower sanctions in case of reckless acts due to mistakes—not due to indifference. (3) The disturbance of validity occurs in the same manner as its guarantee: by meaning, not by nature. Natural events, such as causal courses or psychological facts are not, per se, components of criminal behavior. They do so as symbol carriers. (4) Imputation begins with the distribution of competence between the offender, the victim, and third parties. (5) The so-called subjective imputation proves itself to be more a specified-personal imputation. It’s an imputation which focuses on the law-abiding citizen as a criterion person. (6) The science of criminal law arises from the distinction between meaning (culpability) and nature. Every single dogmatic concept can be traced to this distinction. The sanction contradicts the meaning of the criminal act (the norm isn’t valid). Meaningless, blameless behaviors should not (cannot) be contradicted.
Toward a Better Categorical Balance of the Costs and Benefits of the Exclusionary Rule
Authors: Oliver Wesley MacNeil
Published: September 2012

While many have observed the randomness of the Fourth Amendment's application, there has been little attempt to explain why the Supreme Court has allowed its doctrines on search and seizure to become so laden with irrational exceptions. Exceptions to the exclusionary rule are created, according to the Court, when the societal costs of excluding evidence outweigh the deterrent benefits. A look at the exceptions, however, reveals that something other than an attempt to avoid the most inefficient exclusion of evidence explains the exceptions. This essay argues that existing exceptions attempt to obscure the Court's willingness to find that deterring police officers is ever worth the cost of sacrificing the conviction of the guilty. A single exception could be developed that would better eliminate the most inefficient applications of the exclusionary rule: a good-faith exception for serious crimes. It is argued here that the Court's concern about acknowledging its acceptance of the exclusionary rule, however, will keep it from adopting such an exception, which would expressly recognize that certain applications of the rule are worthwhile. This essay suggests that the legislature is in a better position than the Court to adopt this alternative exception. The legislature is able to blame the Court for the existence of the exclusionary rule while offering a program of exceptions to the rule that would avoid the most extreme consequences of exclusion that the Court's rule would otherwise visit upon society. And the new exception would not be without popular appeal: murderers wouldn't get off on technicalities.
A New Defense for Self-Defense
Authors: Sangero Boaz
Published: September 2012

Private defense, like self-defense, has been virtually undisputed both in the past and present and even taken for granted, and perhaps particularly for this reason, sufficient attention has not always been given to the rationale underlying private defense. As a result, the legal arrangements set for private defense in the different legal systems are deficient, inconsistent, and, at times, replete with internal contradictions. This article seeks to propose a sound rationale for the concept of private defense. It begins by attempting to clearly and precisely delineate the scope of the defense and weed out cases that are occasionally (and, I maintain, mistakenly) included in the framework of its scope by means of two general and imperative distinctions: between justification and excuse and between the definitive components of offenses and those of defenses. With regard to the first distinction, I consider the validity of its application and its possible implications for private defense. Since the validity of the second distinction is undisputed as an empirical fact (at least formally) in all modern penal codes, the question raised is whether there is a significant difference between the definition of offenses and the definition of defenses. The answer to this question is relevant to a number of issues, and of particular relevance to private defense are its implications for the application of the principle of legality and with regard to the mental element that should be required of the actor in such situations. Next I embark on a discussion of the various theories competing for predominance as elucidations of private defense. These theories and this discussion then serve as the background and foundation for the construction of the article's proposed rationale for private defense. The novelty of this rationale is in its integrative approach, melding a number of the proposed justifications for self-defense, rather than taking the traditional path of espousing one all-excluding rationale.
Educação em saúde no trabalho de enfermeiras em Santarém do Pará, Brasil
Authors: Figueira Maura Cristiane e Silva , Leite Tânia Maria Coelho , Silva Eliete Maria
Published: September 2012

Trata-se de pesquisa qualitativa, cujos objetivos foram analisar os saberes e as práticas educativas realizadas por enfermeiras em unidades de Saúde da Família, em Santarém-PA, Brasil, e a utilização da educação em saúde no processo de trabalho. Realizamos entrevistas semiestruturadas com 15 enfermeiras e observação das suas práticas educativas. Da análise de conteúdo emergiram os temas: concepções sobre educação em saúde; práticas educativas no processo de trabalho; tendência à educação popular. A maioria absoluta das enfermeiras é especialista em saúde da família, contudo referem carência do conteúdo teórico da educação em saúde em sua formação. O modelo tradicional predomina nas concepções e nas práticas. O processo de trabalho é predominantemente organizado a partir dos programas ministeriais. Nas ações de saúde, pode-se reconhecer uma discreta tendência à educação popular, com tentativas de reorientar as práticas educativas, estabelecendo parcerias com outros cuidadores e lideranças da comunidade.
Avaliação da tecnologia Wiki: ferramenta para acesso à informação sobre ventilação mecânica em Terapia Intensiva
Authors: Barra Daniela Couto Carvalho , Dal Sasso Grace Teresinha Marcon , Martins Cleusa Rios , Barbosa Sayonara de Fátima Faria
Published: September 2012

O desenvolvimento e a aplicabilidade da informática influenciam todas as áreas do conhecimento, possibilitando novas formas de aprendizagem. O Wiki é uma ferramenta da informação e comunicação disponibilizada pela tecnologia da WEB 2.0 que pode ser explorada e utilizada no ensino, aprendizagem, cuidado e na pesquisa na área da Enfermagem. Assim, este estudo, de natureza quantitativa, do tipo descritivo e exploratório, objetivou avaliar com os acadêmicos de enfermagem os critérios de Ergonomia e Usabilidade da ferramenta Wiki como tecnologia de acesso à informação sobre os cuidados de enfermagem em ventilação mecânica na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva. A ferramenta foi avaliada como "excelente" quanto aos critérios de Ergonomia e Usabilidade, sendo considerada uma nova tecnologia emergente apropriada para o uso educacional.
Produção do conhecimento acerca da formação do enfermeiro: um estudo bibliométrico
Authors: Lima Margarete Maria de , Almeida Alexsandro Barreto , Giovannetti Monica de Oliveira , Backes Vania Marli Schubert , Kloh Daiana
Published: September 2012

Este estudo busca identificar as produções de teses e dissertações de enfermagem catalogadas no Centro de Estudos e Pesquisas em Enfermagem - CEPEN, que abordem a formação do enfermeiro considerando as Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais na perspectiva da formação para o SUS. Estudo bibliométrico e descritivo realizado no CEPEN nos catálogos de 2003 a 2007. Foram selecionados 27 trabalhos, analisados quantitativamente quanto à instituição de ensino, ano de publicação, titulação da pesquisa (dissertação ou tese), tipo de pesquisa, e, qualitativamente os temas e referencial teórico filosófico e metodológico. Os resultados evidenciam 100% dos trabalhos desenvolvidos em instituições públicas, com uma produção maior em teses; há poucos estudos que tratam do perfil do egresso, bem como da formação para o SUS.
Caracterização clínica, diagnóstico histopatológico e distribuição geográfica das neoplasias mamárias em cadelas de Salvador, Bahia
Authors: Toríbio Julia Morena de Miranda Leão , Lima Alessandra Estrela , Martins Filho Emanoel Ferreira , Ribeiro Lorena Gabriela Rocha , D'Assis Mário Jorge Melhor Heine , Teixeira Raquel Graça , Damasceno Karine Araújo , Cassali Geovanni Dantas , Costa Neto João Moreira da
Published: September 2012

Os tumores espontâneos da glândula mamária representam, nas cadelas, a neoplasia mais observada na clínica de pequenos animais, justificando o grande interesse dos pesquisadores no estudo dessa lesão. Este trabalho teve por objetivo determinar a frequência dos tumores mamários em cadelas atendidas no HOSPMEV/UFBA, no município de Salvador, no período de janeiro de 2006 a abril de 2008, bem como realizar a caracterização clínica, a classificação histopatológica e o georreferenciamento dessa patologia. Os resultados revelaram alta prevalência de neoplasias mamárias em cadelas, em sua maioria tumores, em estádios mais avançados, sendo os carcinomas em tumores mistos o tipo histológico predominante. Observou-se ainda a correlação das características socioeconômicas da população estudada com fatores sabidamente prognósticos para neoplasias mamárias em cadelas. Esses resultados refletem a procura tardia da assistência Médica Veterinária. Por isso, é urgente educar a população quanto prevenção e detecção da neoplasia mamária nas cadelas, buscando o diagnóstico precoce e a terapêutica adequada.
Avaliação da qualidade fisiológica de sementes de feijão-caupi pelo teste de condutividade elétrica
Authors: Batista Nathalia Aparecida Silva , Luz Petterson Baptista da , Paiva Sobrinho Severino de , Neves Leonarda Grillo , Krause Willian
Published: September 2012

A medição da condutividade elétrica da solução de embebição de sementes é um procedimento recomendado para avaliar o vigor de sementes de ervilha, sugerido para as de soja. Para as de outras plantas, porém, ainda não está bem fundamentada. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a qualidade fisiológica de sementes de feijão-caupi. Para isso, o estudo foi conduzido, utilizando-se acessos de feijão-caupi, representados por quatro lotes de sementes. Foram realizados os testes de germinação, primeira contagem de germinação, emergência de plântulas e de condutividade elétrica, usando-se a temperatura de 25 ºC; volumes de água para embebição de 75 e 100 mL, amostras de 25 e 50 sementes; e períodos de embebição de 2, 4, 8, 12 e 24 horas. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições, avaliando-se os efeitos de lotes. Diante dos resultados obtidos, verificou-se que o teste de condutividade elétrica foi eficiente na separação dos lotes de sementes em diferentes níveis de vigor.
Water application uniformity and fertigation in a dripping irrigation set
Authors: Borssoi Adilson L. , Vilas Boas Marcio A. , Reisdörfer Marcelo , Hernández Ricardo H. , Follador Franciele A. C.
Published: September 2012

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the uniformity of distribution coefficient (UDC) and coefficient of variation (CV) of a familiar set of irrigation, classifying it the ASAE standard. The irrigation and fertigation are determined by two methods the KELLER & KARMELI and DENÍCULI . The two experiments were subjected to varying pressures: 12, 14, 16 and 18 kPa, in a completely randomized design of twenty samples composed of flows with three replications. Urea, potassium chloride (KCl) and ammonium phosphate (MAP) were the elements used for fertigation. The system consisted of a 200 L tank, which supplied another container of 30 L, it was moved vertically to control the pressure. The data was statistically compared between treatments for each methodology. In fertigation the best pressure was 16 kPa and was classified as "excellent" for UDC (91.03%) and "marginal" for C.V. (7.47%). For the irrigation treatment, the best pressure was 16 kPa rated "excellent" for UDC (91.2%) and "marginal" for C.V. (7.68%). The DENÍCULI et al. (1980) methodology proved more reliable for the evaluation of drip systems. It was observed that this set has good uniformity of distribution, but with great variability in flows.