bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ciência, tecnologia e produção no Butantan
Authors: Chaimovich Hernán
Published: December 2013

O Instituto Butantan (IB) é uma instituição pública centenária do estado de São Paulo. Os trabalhos científicos produzidos por pesquisadores do IB, bem como a visibilidade internacional dos resultados, aumentaram significativamente na última década. As vacinas e soros hiperimunes produzidos pelo IB com tecnologia própria, parcela majoritária dos produtos usados no Brasil, foram objeto de publicações científicas de pesquisadores do IB. O sistema Instituto/Fundação Butantan constitui uma instituição singular em que pesquisa básica, desenvolvimento tecnológico e produção, reunidos num espaço único, providenciam, para o Brasil, imunobiológicos na fronteira do conhecimento com tecnologia no estado da arte.
UM CONTO DE WILLIAM FAULKNER
Authors: CAVENDISH SUELI
Published: December 2013

UM CONTO DE WILLIAM FAULKNER.
INTERCESSÕES: CRUZ E SOUZA E EDGAR ALLAN POE
Authors: OLIVEIRA ANELITO DE
Published: December 2013

INTERCESSÕES: CRUZ E SOUZA E EDGAR ALLAN POE.
MARTA ABBA, A VAMP VIRTUOSA DO ÚLTIMO PIRANDELLO
Authors: RIBEIRO MARTHA
Published: December 2013

MARTA ABBA, A VAMP VIRTUOSA DO ÚLTIMO PIRANDELLO.
UM TEXTO ANÔNIMO, EM LINGUA GERAL AMAZÔNICA, DO SÉCULO XVIII
Authors: NAVARRO EDUARDO DE ALMEIDA
Published: December 2013

UM TEXTO ANÔNIMO, EM LINGUA GERAL AMAZÔNICA, DO SÉCULO XVIII.
PLANOS ONTOLÓGICOS E PROCESSUALIDADE EM O OUTONO DA IDADE MÉDIA
Authors: AUBERT EDUARDO HENRIK
Published: December 2013

PLANOS ONTOLÓGICOS E PROCESSUALIDADE EM O OUTONO DA IDADE MÉDIA.
RIGOR E SIMETRIA NOS ENSAIOS DE HILÁRIO FRANCO JÚNIOR
Authors: MONGELLI LÊNIA MÁRCIA
Published: December 2013

RIGOR E SIMETRIA NOS ENSAIOS DE HILÁRIO FRANCO JÚNIOR.
MEIOS DE COMUNICAÇÃO DE MASSA E ELEIÇÕES NO BRASIL: A INFLUÊNCIA SIMPLES À INTERAÇÃO COMPLEXA
Authors: MIGUEL LUIS FELIPE , BIROLI FLÁVIA
Published: December 2013

O artigo analisa as relações entre os meios de comunicação e a política no Brasil contemporâneo, discutindo a interação complexa entre fluxos diversos de comunicação na formação das preferências políticas em geral e, em particular, das escolhas eleitorais. A mídia de grande público se mantém em posição de centralidade nas disputas pela construção simbólica do mundo social. É preciso, no entanto, considerar sua interação com pelo menos quatro instâncias: a comunicação governamental, a mídia local, as novas mídias e as formas de ativação de redes tradicionais. Nenhuma delas atua isoladamente em relação às demais. Além disso, diferentes segmentos de público estão mais expostos e são potencialmente ativados com maior sucesso por uma ou outra dessas instâncias.
ELEIÇÕES PRESIDENCIAIS, CLIVAGEM DE CLASSE E DECLÍNIO DA GRANDE IMPRENSA
Authors: AZEVEDO FERNANDO ANTÔNIO
Published: December 2013

O artigo faz um balanço das eleições presidenciais de 2006 e 2010 tendo como foco analítico três dimensões: as estratégias de campanha, a cobertura da grande imprensa escrita e o comportamento do eleitor. A partir dessas dimensões, discute os resultados eleitorais, a agenda-setting do processo eleitoral e a influência da mídia para argumentar que, nesses dois pleitos: 1) houve um descolamento entre a agenda política da classe AB e a chamada “nova classe média” e os “pobres”; 2) o voto foi predominantemente “governista”, estruturado por uma clivagem de classe e orientado pelo voto pragmático e retrospectivo; e, finalmente, 3) que a influência da grande imprensa escrita ficou restrita às classes AB, que constituem seu público leitor por excelência e as principais parcelas do eleitorado oposicionista.
VT PICTURA RETHORICA
Authors: MARTINS PAULO
Published: December 2013

VT PICTURA RETHORICA.
QUADROS DA AMAZÔNIA
Authors: COSTA KELERSON SEMERENE
Published: December 2013

QUADROS DA AMAZÔNIA
TSUNAMIS NO BRASIL
Authors: VELOSO JOSÉ ALBERTO VIVAS
Published: December 2013

Tsunamis são fenômenos raros, mas podem acontecer em qualquer dos oceanos, em diversos mares e em porções menores de massas de água. Eles podem ter diferentes origens, ser grandes ou pequenos, desastrosos ou inofensivos. Tais características abrem um amplo leque de oportunidades, inclusive para formular a pergunta: já ocorreu, ou poderá acontecer, um tsunami no Brasil? Talvez não seja possível responder tais indagações de forma precisa, mas pode-se discutir a questão fundamentando-se nas informações históricas disponíveis e nos conhecimentos científicos atuais.
O FUTURO DA ENERGIA NUCLEAR
Authors: Goldemberg José
Published: December 2013

O presente artigo discute o fenômeno da estagnação da energia nuclear no mundo. As causas são múltiplas e complexas, desde resistências sociais a elevados custos econômicos, passando pelos riscos ambientais ainda não equacionados, como mostrou o recente caso de Fukushima-Daiichi no Japão. As tentativas de promover a energia nuclear minimizando seus impactos se baseiam em argumentos aqui discutidos: baixa probabilidade de ocorrência, poucas mortes sob o aspecto estatístico, possibilidade de melhorias tecnológicas e de gerenciamento de resíduos e aspectos de governança. Em seguida, discute-se o papel da energia nuclear no Brasil à luz dos planos nacionais de energia.
TERREMOTOS E A CONVIVÊNCIA COM AS INCERTEZAS DA NATUREZA
Authors: ASSUMPÇÃO MARCELO
Published: December 2013

Apesar dos enormes esforços de geofísicos e sismólogos e de muitas décadas de pesquisa, ainda não é possível evitar tragédias como a do Haiti em 2010 e a do Japão em 2011. Mesmo assim, já há conhecimento científico e técnico para mitigar os efeitos dos terremotos. Muitos desastres, como o do Haiti, devem-se mais a dificuldades econômicas, que impedem um país de se preparar para a ocorrência de terremotos pouco frequentes mas muito fortes. Por outro lado, mesmo em países bem preparados, como o Japão, não é possível escapar totalmente ileso de desastres naturais extremamente raros. Apesar do grande avanço da sismologia, a natureza ainda guarda alguns segredos, e incertezas fazem parte da ciência tanto quanto da nossa vida cotidiana. No Brasil, terremotos fortes são extremamente raros, e a probabilidade de desastres é tão pequena que normalmente não a levamos em conta. Mas eventos extremamente raros podem ocorrer a qualquer hora. O desafio é escolher quando vale a pena investir para diminuir o risco de tais eventos.
VERSÕES, REVERSÕES, CONTROVÉRSIAS: O DESAFIO BIOGRÁFICO
Authors: PAZIANI RODRIGO RIBEIRO
Published: December 2013

VERSÕES, REVERSÕES, CONTROVÉRSIAS: O DESAFIO BIOGRÁFICO.
ANTROPOLOGIA E PIONEIRISMO: FRANCISCO E EGON SCHADEN NO IMAGINÁRIO DE SÃO BONIFÁCIO (SC)
Authors: MARTINS PEDRO , WELTER TÂNIA
Published: December 2013

ANTROPOLOGIA E PIONEIRISMO: FRANCISCO E EGON SCHADEN NO IMAGINÁRIO DE SÃO BONIFÁCIO (SC)
A CARNE DAS PALAVRAS
Authors: NICODEMO THIAGO LIMA
Published: December 2013

A CARNE DAS PALAVRAS
REDES PESSOAIS E VULNERABILIDADE SOCIAL EM SÃO PAULO E SALVADOR
Authors: MARQUES EDUARDO , CASTELLO GRAZIELA , BICHIR RENATA M.
Published: December 2013

Redes sociais têm sido constantemente citadas como importantes elementos na definição de situações sociais. Este artigo discute redes pessoais de indivíduos em situação de pobreza em doze localidades nas cidades de São Paulo e Salvador, comparando os padrões gerais observados. Em seguida, o artigo realiza uma análise quantitativa da associação de tais redes, assim como de atributos dos indivíduos, com a presença de situações de vulnerabilidade social. Os resultados indicam a importância dos tipos de redes e de sociabilidade na explicação das situações de pobreza urbana.
NO QUE VOCÊ ESTÁ PENSANDO? REDES SOCIAIS E SOCIEDADE CONTEMPORÂNEA
Authors: COSTA MARIA CRISTINA CASTILHO
Published: December 2013

A partir do filme A Rede Social, de David Fincher, inspirado na história da criação do Facebook, o artigo analisa o sucesso alcançado por esse empreendimento, não como resultado da inteligência e oportunismo de seu fundador, Mark Zuckerberg, mas pela maneira como proporciona aos usuários experiências que convergem com a sociedade contemporânea, marcada pelo neoliberalismo e a globalização. O texto estuda as redes sociais à luz das teorias da comunicação, expondo suas particularidades, como não linearidade, multidirecionalidade e conectividade e, embora reconheça a importância de se pertencer às redes sociais na sociedade atual, explora as contradições, os interesses e as ambiguidades que as cercam.
Diversificação das grandes empresas e grupos empresariais brasileiros: alguns apontamentos
Authors: Ruiz Ricardo Machado
Published: December 2013

A diversificação dos grandes grupos e empresas é condicionada pela sua coerência ou coesão corporativa e requer ambientes políticos e econômicos que reduzam a incerteza e favoreçam investimentos que ousem ir além do core business da firma. Na ausência desse ambiente, a estratégia dos capitais nacionais tem se mostrado conservadora e especializante, em particular em setores intensivos em tecnologia. Recentemente se observam algumas diversificações induzidas pelo crescimento interno e apoiadas por políticas públicas. Entretanto, a ausência de um núcleo endógeno de inovação e uma modesta escala financeira colocam em dúvida seu êxito em um ambiente de abertura econômica.
Algumas considerações sobre judeus, judaísmo e antissemitismo
Authors: Mandelbaum Enrique
Published: December 2013

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Adoráveis marginais
Authors: Alves-Bezerra Wilson
Published: December 2013

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Novos e velhos desafios do desenvolvimento
Authors: Arbix Glauco , Negri João Alberto De , Vermulm Roberto
Published: December 2013

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Modernismo
Authors: Rossetti Marta
Published: December 2013

Este texto faz uma leitura da produção artística trazida pelo movimento modernista, seja pelo esgotamento do acadêmico, seja pela transformação cultural brasileira da época, durante o início do século XX e o final da década de 1920. Para tanto, perpassa por questões como: a pesquisa do nacional; o papel da cidade de São Paulo; a formação do modernismo pelas artes plásticas, com destaque para o percurso dos artistas radicados no país, para a influência de Paris e para as contribuições do expressionismo, todos fornecendo elementos para a estruturação da linguagem moderna brasileira.
(Re)construindo a imagem de Renty: dos daguerreótipos de Agassiz à campanha De-Mounting Agassiz
Authors: Machado Maria Helena Pereira Toledo
Published: December 2013

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Morte e vida de Homero: três visões do poeta grego publicadas no século XVIII
Authors: Malta André
Published: December 2013

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“Com que Roupa?” O nascimento do malandro polêmico de Noel Rosa
Authors: Pinto Mayra
Published: December 2013

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Nove pensadores e uma religião
Authors: Solon Ari Marcelo
Published: December 2013

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Editorial
Authors: Costa Francisco
Published: December 2013

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Apresentação
Authors: Gonçalves Lisbeth Rebollo
Published: December 2013

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O palco dos modernos: o teatro e a Semana de 22
Authors: Martins Ferdinando
Published: December 2013

Ainda que ausente nos três dias de apresentações, são muitos os fios que ligam a modernização do teatro brasileiro à Semana de 22. A própria construção do Teatro Municipal de São Paulo, iniciada em 1903 e concluída em 1911, inseria-se em uma perspectiva mais abrangente de alinhar as manifestações artísticas brasileiras às vanguardas europeias, projeto levado a cabo pela elite paulista que desembocará, décadas mais tarde, nas manifestações do Teatro Brasileiro de Comédia e do Teatro Oficina. Este artigo visa colocar em evidência as múltiplas manifestações teatrais na cidade no período da Semana e indicar as linhas de  desenvolvimento engendradas a partir desse evento singular da história cultural no país.
O modernismo brasileiro e o contexto cultural dos anos 20
Authors: Amaral Aracy
Published: December 2013

O modernismo brasileiro visto em análise comparativa com outros movimentos modernistas de países do Mercosul. Influências de tendências como o art déco em artistas modernistas brasileiros. Nacionalismo na arte e características da produção das principais fi guras do movimento nos anos 20 e 30.
Impactos de exploração do petróleo na saúde humana
Authors: Ribeiro Helena
Published: December 2013

O artigo discute a complexidade de se fazer um estudo de impacto daexploração de petróleo no pré-sal brasileiro na saúde. Em seguida, centraseu foco em fazer uma revisão da literatura publicada e indexada na baseWeb of Science sobre os temas “derramamento de óleo” e “impactos à saúdehumana”. Foram analisados 64 artigos científicos que continham essaspalavras-chave, publicados de 1989 a 2012. Os estudos relatados indicamefeitos na saúde humana, em curto e longo prazos, que abrangem saúdemental e psicológica, lesões de pele, de olhos, náuseas, dores de cabeça,até riscos de câncer, disrupção endócrina, e riscos potenciais ao sistemareprodutivo de homens e mulheres.
Uma questão de estilo: a gênese de Piauí
Authors: Rollemberg Marcello
Published: December 2013

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Consumo de bebidas alcoólicas e risco de câncer
Authors: Wünsch Filho Victor
Published: December 2013

Cerca de 2,5 milhões de mortes no mundo por ano ocorrem devido ao consumo de bebidas alcoólicas. O álcool é reconhecido como cancerígeno para os humanos pela Agência Internacional de Pesquisa em Câncer da Organização Mundial da Saúde. Há evidências de associação entre consumo de bebidas alcoólicas e aumento do risco dos tumores decavidade oral, faringe, laringe, esôfago, fígado, colorretal e mama feminina. Considerando a alta incidência, o câncer demama é o principal câncer atribuível ao álcool entre as mulheres. As estimativas indicam que o consumo de álcool seriaresponsável por 5,2% de todas as mortes por câncer entre os homens e 1,7% entre as mulheres no mundo.
Um panorama do tratamento do alcoolismo no direito brasileiro
Authors: Balbinot Rachelle , Dallari Sueli Gandolfi
Published: December 2013

É apresentado um rápido panorama do tratamento legal dado à questão do alcoolismo no Brasil. Ele revela uma crescente preocupação com a adoção de política spúblicas destinadas tanto à prevençãodo problema e suas consequências (seja na legislação sobre a criança e o adolescente ou sobre o trânsito), quanto ao tratamento do alcoolista, com reflexos inclusive na legislação trabalhista. As medidas preventivas envolvem tambéma questão da propaganda de bebidas alcoólicas, tema ainda bastante controverso no universo legal, como revela sua tramitação na Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária. Além disso, parece fora de dúvida a aceitação do fato de que a ingestão de bebida alcoólica pode causara perda momentânea da capacidadede discernimento, gerando, sob a óticacível ou penal, a relatividade de graus de responsabilidade.
Entre o ginásio e a escola da rua: oficina teatral com romances de Dalcídio Jurandir
Authors: Bolle Willi
Published: December 2013

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Construindo um Data Center
Authors: Zucchi Wagner Luiz , Amâncio Anderson Barreto
Published: December 2013

A construção de um moderno centro de processamento de dados exige um correto balanço entre tendências tecnológicas, eficiência, fatores ambientais e baixo custo. Neste artigo os autores tentam apresentar os cuidados no projeto desse tipo de ambiente de forma acessível ao público não especializado.
Biografia de uma ficção: o romance dentro do romance em Respiração Artificial, de Ricardo Piglia
Authors: Schwartz Adriano
Published: December 2013

Texto produzido durante um pós-doutorado em Princeton, nos EUA, com bolsa de estudos da Fapesp.
Mundanismo e patriotismo na oratória bilaquiana
Authors: Simões Junior Alvaro Santos
Published: December 2013

Este texto foi elaborado originalmente como prefácio à coletânea O Diabo & Outras Conferências Literárias, cuja publicação, infelizmente, não pôde ser levada a termo. Os desenhos que o ilustram, de Mônica Leite, também integrariam o volume (nota do editor).
Navigating the Complexity of HIV/AIDS in African Peacekeeping Missions: Challenges and Prospects
Authors: Akenroye Ayodele
Published: December 2013

The end of the Cold War witnessed the resurgence of ethnic conflicts in Africa, which necessitated the deployment of peacekeeping missions in many crisis contexts. The risk of HIV transmission increases in post-conflict environments where peacekeepers are at risk of contracting and spreading HIV/AIDS. In response, UN Security Council Resolution 1308 (2000) stressed the need for the UN to incorporate HIV/AIDS prevention awareness skills and advice in its training for peacekeepers. However, troops in peacekeeping missions remain under national command, thus limiting the UN prerogatives. This article discusses the risk of peacekeepers contracting or transmitting HIV/AIDS, as well as the role of peacekeeping missions in controlling the spread of the disease, and offers an account of the steps taken within UN peacekeeping missions and African regional peacekeeping initiatives to tackle the challenges of HIV/AIDS. While HIV/AIDS remains a scourge that could weaken peacekeeping in Africa, it seems that inertia has set in, making it even more difficult to tackle the complexity of this phenomenon.
Robotic Selective Neck Dissection by a Postauricular Facelift Approach: Comparison with Conventional Neck Dissection
Authors: Tae Kyung , Ji Yong Bae , Song Chang Myeon , Jeong Jin Hyeok , Cho Seok Hyun , Lee Seung Hwan
Published: December 2013

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility and efficacy of robot‐assisted neck dissection by a postauricular facelift approach in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), compared with conventional neck dissection.

Study Design

Case series with chart review.

Setting

University tertiary care hospital.

Subjects and Methods

Thirty HNSCC patients with clinically node negative necks (cN0) who underwent robot‐assisted selective neck dissection (SND) by a postauricular facelift approach (11 patients, 12 necks) or conventional neck dissection (19 patients, 21 necks).

Results

The mean age was lower in the robotic group (P =. 030). However, the distributions of gender and TNM stage did not differ between the two groups. The robotic SND was completed successfully in all patients. The mean operative time was longer in the robotic group (215 ± 56 min) than the conventional group (144 ± 43 min) (P <. 001). The mean numbers of lymph nodes removed were 25.0 ± 7.4 and 28.9 ± 8.2 in the robotic and conventional group, respectively (P =. 192), and the number of lymph nodes removed at each level also did not differ between the 2 groups. In addition, there was no significant difference in postoperative complications between the 2 groups, but cosmetic satisfaction was higher in the robot group (P =. 002).

Conclusions

Robot‐assisted SND by a postauricular facelift approach is comparable to conventional neck dissection in selected patients with cN0 HNSCC and results in excellent postoperative cosmesis.
Paraoxonase activity and genetic polymorphisms in northern Han Chinese workers exposed to organophosphate pesticides
Authors: Zhang Xiaofeng , Sui Hong , Li Haibo , Zheng Jing , Wang Fengqian , Li Baixiang , Zhang Yang
Published: December 2013

Paraoxonase (PON1) is one of the major players in the detoxification of organophosphates (OPs). This study presents our investigation into the effect of OPs on serum PON1 activity and the distribution of common PON1 polymorphisms in Han Chinese workers with repeated high exposure to OP pesticides, and the factors modulating PON1 activity. In all, 400 participants, including 180 workers exposed to OP pesticides occupationally, and 220 controls were investigated. Serum PON1 and cholinesterase (ChE) activity were measured, and genotyping was done using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. The association between PON1 activity and PON1 polymorphisms, and the influencing factors of PON1 activity, were analyzed. The results revealed that repeated OP exposures significantly decreased serum PON1 and ChE activity ( P < 0.05), although the exposed workers did not complain of health problems. Higher L and R allele frequencies for the L55M and Q192R polymorphisms of PON1 were observed. PON1 polymorphisms (especially the Q192R polymorphism) and pesticide exposures significantly affected serum PON1 activity in the study population. Therefore, the results of this investigation indicate PON1 polymorphisms and pesticide exposures may be important risk predictors for OP poisoning in the Han Chinese population, who display very high frequencies of the M allele and R allele for PON1 polymorphisms at the positions 55 and 192, respectively.
Multivalued fixed point theorems in cone b-metric spaces
Authors: Azam Akbar , Mehmood Nayyar , Ahmad Jamshaid , Radenović Stojan
Published: December 2013

In this paper we extend the Banach contraction for multivalued mappings in a cone b-metric space without the assumption of normality on cones and generalize some attractive results in literature.

MSC:47H10, 54H25.
Uric acid is a risk factor for ischemic stroke and all-cause mortality in the general population: a gender specific analysis from The Tromsø Study
Authors: Storhaug Hilde M , Norvik Jon V , Toft Ingrid , Eriksen Bjorn O , Løchen Maja-Lisa , Zykova Svetlana , Solbu Marit , White Sarah , Chadban Steve , Jenssen Trond
Published: December 2013

Background

The role of serum uric acid as an independent predictor of cardiovascular disease and death is uncertain in the general population. Adjustments for additional cardiovascular risk factors have not been consistent. We examined the association of serum uric acid with all-cause mortality, ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction in a prospective population based study, with several traditional and non-traditional risk factors for cardiovascular disease included in the model.

Methods

A population-based prospective cohort study was performed among 2696 men and 3004 women. Endpoints were all-cause mortality after 15 years, and fatal or non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI) and ischemic stroke after 12 years.

Results

1433 deaths, 659 MIs and 430 ischemic strokes occurred during follow-up. Fully adjusted Cox regression analyses showed that per 1 SD (87 μmol/L) increase in serum uric acid level, the risk of all-cause mortality increased in both genders (hazard ratios, HR men; 1.11, 95% CI 1.02-1.20, women; 1.16, 1.05-1.29). HRs and 95% CI for stroke were 1.31, 1.14-1.50 in men, 1.13, 0.94-1.36 in women, and 1.22 (1.09, 1.35) in the overall population. No independent associations were observed with MI.

Conclusion

Serum uric acid was associated with all-cause mortality in men and women, even after adjustment for blood pressure, estimated GFR, urinary albumin/creatinine ratio, drug intake and traditional cardiovascular risk factors. After the same adjustments, serum uric acid was associated with 31% increased risk of stroke in men.
Association study between SNP rs150689919 in the DNA demethylation gene, TET1, and Parkinson’s disease in Chinese Han population
Authors: Liao Xin-xin , Zhan Zi-xiong , Luo Ying-ying , Li Kai , Wang Jun-ling , Guo Ji-feng , Yan Xin-xiang , Xia Kun , Tang Bei-sha , Shen Lu
Published: December 2013

Background

Recent studies suggest that epigenetic factors may play an important role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD). In our previous work, we sequenced the exomes of sixteen patients from eight Chinese PD families using whole exome sequencing technology, consequently three patients from different pedigrees were found sharing the variant c.1460C > T (rs150689919) in the coding region of the Tet methyl cytosine dioxygenase 1 (TET1) gene.

Methods

In order to evaluate the possible association between sporadic PD and the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs150689919 in TET1, a case–control cohort study was conducted in 514 sporadic PD patients and 529 normal controls. Genotyping was determined by PCR and direct sequencing. Statistical significance was analyzed by the Chi-squared test.

Results

There was no statistical significance in TET1 rs150689919 genotype or allele frequencies between the PD cases and healthy controls, even after being stratified by gender and age at onset.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that rs150689919 in TET1 may not be associated with PD in Chinese population. However, due to the limited data in this study, replication studies in larger sample and other populations are required.
The cancer gene WWOX behaves as an inhibitor of SMAD3 transcriptional activity via direct binding
Authors: Ferguson Brent W , Gao Xinsheng , Zelazowski Maciej J , Lee Jaeho , Jeter Collene R , Abba Martin C , Aldaz C Marcelo
Published: December 2013

Background

The WW domain containing protein WWOX has been postulated to behave as a tumor suppressor in breast and other cancers. Expression of this protein is lost in over 70% of ER negative tumors. This prompted us to investigate the phenotypic and gene expression effects of loss of WWOX expression in breast cells.

Methods

Gene expression microarrays and standard in vitro assays were performed on stably silenced WWOX (shRNA) normal breast cells. Bioinformatic analyses were used to identify gene networks and transcriptional regulators affected by WWOX silencing. Co-immunoprecipitations and GST-pulldowns were used to demonstrate a direct interaction between WWOX and SMAD3. Reporter assays, ChIP, confocal microscopy and in silico analyses were employed to determine the effect of WWOX silencing on TGFβ-signaling.

Results

WWOX silencing affected cell proliferation, motility, attachment and deregulated expression of genes involved in cell cycle, motility and DNA damage. Interestingly, we detected an enrichment of targets activated by the SMAD3 transcription factor, including significant upregulation of ANGPTL4, FST, PTHLH and SERPINE1 transcripts. Importantly, we demonstrate that the WWOX protein physically interacts with SMAD3 via WW domain 1. Furthermore, WWOX expression dramatically decreases SMAD3 occupancy at the ANGPTL4 and SERPINE1 promoters and significantly quenches activation of a TGFβ responsive reporter. Additionally, WWOX expression leads to redistribution of SMAD3 from the nuclear to the cytoplasmic compartment. Since the TGFβ target ANGPTL4 plays a key role in lung metastasis development, we performed a meta-analysis of ANGPTL4 expression relative to WWOX in microarray datasets from breast carcinomas. We observed a significant inverse correlation between WWOX and ANGPTL4. Furthermore, the WWOX

lo

/ANGPTL4

hi
cluster of breast tumors is enriched in triple-negative and basal-like sub-types. Tumors with this gene expression signature could represent candidates for anti-TGFβ targeted therapies.

Conclusions

We show for the first time that WWOX modulates SMAD3 signaling in breast cells via direct WW-domain mediated binding and potential cytoplasmic sequestration of SMAD3 protein. Since loss of WWOX expression increases with breast cancer progression and it behaves as an inhibitor of SMAD3 transcriptional activity these observations may help explain, at least in part, the paradoxical pro-tumorigenic effects of TGFβ signaling in advanced breast cancer.
Candida albicans lumbar spondylodiscitis in an intravenous drug user: a case report
Authors: Chen Chang-Hua , Chen Wei Liang , Yen Hua-Cheng
Published: December 2013

Background

Spondylodiscitis leads to debility, and few data exist onCandidaspondylodiscitis in patients with intravenous drug use.

Case presentation

We present a case ofCandida albicanslumbar spondylodiscitis in a patient with intravenous drug use. This patient was treated with surgical debridement and 9 months of fluconazole therapy, and the neurological deficits resolved completely. The infection did not recur clinically or radiologically during 9 months of follow-up.

Conclusion

AlthoughCandida albicanslumbar spondylodiscitis is rare,Candidashould be suspected as a causative pathogen in patients with intravenous drug use except forStaphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa,andMycobacterium tuberculosis. As soon asCandida albicanslumbar spondylodiscitis is suspected, magnetic resonance imaging and percutaneous biopsy should be performed. Surgical intervention combined with treatment with antifungal medications can successfully eradicate the infection and resolve the neurological deficits.
Occurrence of potentially pathogenic nontuberculous mycobacteria in Mexican household potable water: a pilot study
Authors: Perez-Martinez Iza , Aguilar-Ayala Diana A , Fernandez-Rendon Elizabeth , Carrillo-Sanchez Alma K , Helguera-Repetto Addy C , Rivera-Gutierrez Sandra , Estrada-Garcia Teresa , Cerna-Cortes Jorge F , Gonzalez-y-Merchand Jorge A
Published: December 2013

Background

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are environmental opportunistic pathogens found in natural and human-engineered waters, including drinking water distribution systems and household plumbing. This pilot study examined the frequency of occurrence of NTM in household potable water samples in Mexico City. Potable water samples were collected from the “main house faucet” and kitchen faucet. The presence of aerobic-mesophilic bacteria (AMB), total coliforms (TC), fecal coliforms (FC) and NTM species were determined. Mycobacteria species were identified by PCR restriction enzyme pattern analysis (PRA) of the 65-kDa heat shock protein gene (hsp65) and sequencing of the hypervariable region 2 (V2) of the 16S rRNA gene and of the rpo B gene.

Results

AMB (<100 CFU/ml) were present in 118 out of 120 samples; only two samples were outside guidelines ranges (>100 CFU/ml). TC and FC were detected in four and one samples, respectively. NTM species were recovered from 16% samples (19/120) and included M. mucogenicum (nine), M. porcinum (three), M. avium (three), M. gordonae (one), M. cosmeticum (one), M. fortuitum (one), and Mycobacterium sp (one). All household water samples that contained NTM complied with the standards required to grade the water as “good quality” potable water.

Conclusion

Household potable water may be a potential source of NTM infection in Mexico City.
The cytokine and chemokine expression profile of nucleus pulposus cells: implications for degeneration and regeneration of the intervertebral disc
Authors: Phillips Kate L E , Chiverton Neil , Michael Anthony LR , Cole Ashley A , Breakwell Lee M , Haddock Gail , Bunning Rowena AD , Cross Alison K , Le Maitre Christine L
Published: December 2013

Introduction

The aims of these studies were to identify the cytokine and chemokine expression profile of nucleus pulposus (NP) cells and to determine the relationships between NP cell cytokine and chemokine production and the characteristic tissue changes seen during intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration.

Methods

Real-time q-PCR cDNA Low Density Array (LDA) was used to investigate the expression of 91 cytokine and chemokine associated genes in NP cells from degenerate human IVDs. Further real-time q-PCR was used to investigate 30 selected cytokine and chemokine associated genes in NP cells from non-degenerate and degenerate IVDs and those from IVDs with immune cell infiltrates (‘infiltrated’). Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed for four selected cytokines and chemokines to confirm and localize protein expression in human NP tissue samples.

Results

LDA identified the expression of numerous cytokine and chemokine associated genes including 15 novel cytokines and chemokines. Further q-PCR gene expression studies identified differential expression patterns in NP cells derived from non-degenerate, degenerate and infiltrated IVDs. IHC confirmed NP cells as a source of IL-16, CCL2, CCL7 and CXCL8 and that protein expression of CCL2, CCL7 and CXCL8 increases concordant with histological degenerative tissue changes.

Conclusions

Our data indicates that NP cells are a source of cytokines and chemokines within the IVD and that these expression patterns are altered in IVD pathology. These findings may be important for the correct assessment of the ‘degenerate niche’ prior to autologous or allogeneic cell transplantation for biological therapy of the degenerate IVD.
Porcine adipose-derived stem cells from buccal fat pad and subcutaneous adipose tissue for future preclinical studies in oral surgery
Authors: Niada Stefania , Ferreira Lorena Maria , Arrigoni Elena , Addis Alessandro , Campagnol Marino , Broccaioli Eugenio , Brini Anna Teresa
Published: December 2013

Introduction

Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) are progenitor cells used in bone tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Despite subcutaneous adipose tissue being more abundant, the buccal fat pad (BFP) is easily accessible for dentists and maxillofacial surgeons. For this reason, considering the need for preclinical study and the swine as an optimal animal model in tissue engineering applications, we compared the features of porcine ASCs (pASCs) from both tissue-harvesting sites.

Methods

ASCs were isolated from interscapular subcutaneous adipose tissue (ScI) and buccal fat pads of six swine. Cells were characterized for their stemness and multipotent features. Moreover, their osteogenic ability when cultured on titanium disks and silicon carbide-plasma-enhanced chemical vapor-deposition fragments, and their growth in the presence of autologous and heterologous serum were also assessed.

Results

Independent of the harvesting site, no differences in proliferation, viability, and clonogenicity were observed among all the pASC populations. Furthermore, when induced toward osteogenic differentiation, both ScI- and BFP-pASCs showed an increase of collagen and calcified extracellular matrix (ECM) production, alkaline phosphatase activity, and osteonectin expression, indicating their ability to differentiate toward osteoblast-like cells. In addition, they differentiated toward adipocyte-like cells, and chondrogenic induced pASCs were able to increase glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) production over time. When cells were osteoinduced on synthetic biomaterials, they significantly increased the amount of calcified ECM compared with control cells; moreover, titanium showed the osteoinductive effect on pASCs, also without chemical stimuli. Finally, these cells grew nicely in 10% FBS, and no benefits were produced by substitution with swine serum.

Conclusions

Swine buccal fat pad contains progenitor cells with mesenchymal features, and they also osteo-differentiate nicely in association with synthetic supports. We suggest that porcine BFP-ASCs may be applied in preclinical studies of periodontal and bone-defect regeneration.
Choice alters Drosophila oviposition site preference on menthol
Authors: Abed-Vieillard Dehbia , Cortot Jérôme , Everaerts Claude , Ferveur Jean-François
Published: December 2013

Food choice and preference relies on multiple sensory systems that are under the control of genes and sensory experience. Exposure to specific nutrients and nutrient-related molecules can change food preference in vertebrates and invertebrates. For example, larval exposure of several holometabolous insects to menthol can change their adult response to this molecule. However, studies involving Drosophila melanogaster exposure to menthol produced controversial results due maybe to methodological differences. Here, we compared the oviposition-site preference of wild-type D. melanogaster lines freely or forcibly exposed to menthol-rich food. After 12 generations, oviposition-site preference diverged between the two lines. Counterintuitively, menthol ‘forced’ lines showed a persistent aversion to menthol whereas ‘free choice’ lines exhibited a decreased aversion to menthol-rich food. This effect was specific to menthol since the ‘free choice’ lines showed unaltered responses to caffeine and sucrose. This suggests that the genetic factors underlying Drosophila oviposition site preference are more rapidly influenced when flies have a choice between alternative sources compared to flies permanently exposed to the same aversive substance.
Gain-of-function mutations in the ALS8 causative gene VAPB have detrimental effects on neurons and muscles
Authors: Sanhueza Mario , Zechini Luigi , Gillespie Trudy , Pennetta Giuseppa
Published: December 2013

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a motor neuron degenerative disease characterized by a progressive, and ultimately fatal, muscle paralysis. The human VAMP-Associated Protein B (hVAPB) is the causative gene of ALS type 8. Previous studies have shown that a loss-of-function mechanism is responsible for VAPB-induced ALS. Recently, a novel mutation in hVAPB (V234I) has been identified but its pathogenic potential has not been assessed. We found that neuronal expression of the V234I mutant allele in Drosophila (DVAP-V260I) induces defects in synaptic structure and microtubule architecture that are opposite to those associated with DVAP mutants and transgenic expression of other ALS-linked alleles. Expression of DVAP-V260I also induces aggregate formation, reduced viability, wing postural defects, abnormal locomotion behavior, nuclear abnormalities, neurodegeneration and upregulation of the heat-shock-mediated stress response. Similar, albeit milder, phenotypes are associated with the overexpression of the wild-type protein. These data show that overexpressing the wild-type DVAP is sufficient to induce the disease and that DVAP-V260I is a pathogenic allele with increased wild-type activity. We propose that a combination of gain- and loss-of-function mechanisms is responsible for VAPB-induced ALS.
Silicon-based C–N Cross-coupling Reaction
Authors: Shimizu Kenta , Minami Yasunori , Goto Osamu , Ikehira Hideyuki , Hiyama Tamejiro
Published: December 2013

Palladium-catalyzed C–N bond-forming cross-coupling reaction of N-trimethylsilylamines with aryl bromides and chlorides is found to proceed in the presence of a fluoride activator in 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone (DMI), giving triarylamines in excellent yields. When aryl bromide and bis(silyl)amine were used in this reaction, double C–N bond-forming products were obtained in high yields. The present reaction was successfully applied to C–N bond-forming polymerization.
Development of an Empirical Model for Noise Prediction in Typical Industrial Workrooms Based on Artificial Neural Networks
Authors: Aliabadi Mohsen , Golmohammadi Rostam , Mansoorizadeh Muharram , Khotanlou Hassan , Ohadi Abdoreza
Published: December 2013

Noise prediction techniques can be employed as practical tools for evaluating the cost-effectiveness of acoustic treatments and consequently, prevent blind treatments by experts so that more acceptable conditions are obtained. One of the most important issues in this regard is the development of accurate models for analysis of the complex relationships among acoustic features affecting noise level in workrooms. In this study, artificial neural networks were employed to develop a relatively accurate model for noise prediction in noisy industrial workrooms. The data from nine acoustic, structural and embroidery process features influencing the noise in 60 embroidery workrooms was used to develop the noise prediction techniques. Multilayer feed forward neural networks with different structures were developed by using MATLAB. The best neural networks could accurately predict the noise level (RMSE=0.69 dB and R2=0.88). Although networks are empirical in nature, the results confirmed the potential of this approach for minimizing the uncertainties in acoustics modeling. This model gives professionals the opportunity to make an optimum decision about the effectiveness of acoustic treatment scenarios in workrooms.
Operation Command Transformation of Synchronized Collaborative Design upon Heterogeneous CAD Systems
Authors: Dou Wanfeng , Song Xiaodong
Published: December 2013

Operation command transformation is one of key technologies of the synchronized collaborative design upon heterogeneous CAD systems and becomes a significant challenge because of the great difference in the modeling operations and underground data structures between different CAD systems. A feasible way is to build a neutral operation to aid the conversion of operations among different CAD systems. A method of constructing neutral modeling command set is proposed based on the general parametric feature modeling technique. The set is built by taking the intersection of operation commands from all commercial CAD systems according to parametric feature modeling operations. In order to accomplish the translation of system modeling command (SMC) between different CAD systems, a representation language of neutral modeling command (NMC) is presented to describe these neutral operation commands. By means of the language the translations of SMC-to-NMC and NMC-to-SMC are presented of operation commands from different CAD systems such as Pro/E, UG, SolidWorks. A prototype of synchronized collaborative design is developed based on two common CAD systems Pro/E and UG with their APIs and VC++. The experiments show that our middleware structure increases greatly the efficiency of the system.
Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Subjected to High Temperatures-A Review
Authors: Zende Aijaz , Kulkarni A. , Hutagi Aslam
Published: December 2013

This paper reviews the research carried on effects of fire on the mechanical and thermal properties on concrete. Fire in the structure causes higher temperature at the concrete surface, which causes a reduction in compressive strength, modulus of elasticity of concrete. Though concrete is a poorer conductor than steel, sustained high temperature at the surface leads to progressive heating of the inner layers of concrete. This leads to exposing reinforcing bars to higher temperature; which causes a reduction in the yield stress, ductility and tensile strength of steel. This paper also focuses on the concrete cover, the reinforcement bars in a concrete structure are protected against fire only by the concrete cover layer thus higher is the cover more is the resistance and vice a versa. Effects of temperature on the thermal conductivity of concrete is also discussed in detail.
Spherical Photogrammetry as Rescue Documentation for the Reconstruction of Some UNESCO Sites in Syria
Authors: Fangi Gabriele , Piermattei Livia , Wahbeh Wissam
Published: December 2013

In summer 2010, during a study journey, Fangi has got to realize photographic coverage of some UNESCO sites of Syria, according to the technique of panoramic photography. Those shoots have become important as a result of the outbreak of civil war, as documents useful for documentation, survey, and for any possible restoration of the monuments damaged or destroyed by war. It 's the case of the millenary minaret of Aleppo. With the technique of spherical panoramic photogrammetry, developed by Fangi, it was possible to carry out a survey of quantities and the virtual reconstruction of the minaret. So it was also done for the other UNESCO documented monuments as the Roman theater of Bosra, the great mosque of the Umayyad in Damascus, and the walls of the citadel of Aleppo and finally the minaret of the great mosque in Aleppo. The detailed description of the project will be made in the work that will be presented in the next international conference UID (XXXV International Congress of Teachers of Representation) to be held in October in Matera, Italy, on Cultural Heritage Sites. The serious damage that the civil war has caused to the Syrian heritage make the documentation of these monuments by UNESCO a key element for their conservation, possible restoration and memory.
HBIM for Documentation, Dissemination and Management of Built Heritage. The Case Study of St. Maria in Scaria d'Intelvi
Authors: Brumana Raffaella , Georgopoulos Andreas , Oreni Daniela , Raimondi Anna , Bregianni Angeliki
Published: December 2013

The research presented here is carried out within the INTERREG EU project framework, which aims to the valorisation and dissemination of the role of the Church of St. Maria di Scaria (Como, Italy). It mainly focuses on the Carloni's intervention (XVIII century), a local family of craftsmen, famous across many European cities and regions contributing to the construction of monuments and their rich decoration apparatus.

The laser scanning and photogrammetric surveys have been integrated with the on-site stratigraphic analysis and with the scarcely available historical documents, in an attempt to focus on the reconstruction of the main transformations and chronological phases: BIM approach has been experimented as a way of transmitting a piece of the history of the church life to the local people and for tourist purposes.

A Historic Building Information Modeling (HBIM) has been developed while investigating the potential of an object library specially generated to illustrate the structural elements, the construction technologies, and the decorative layers, along with the critical aspects faced by standard BIM in a complex geometry shift from surface approach to object modeling. The research contributes to the explanation of the sequence and construction technologies adopted for the vault system, the first two vaults of the nave, with respect to the vault covering the altar and the apse. The HBIM approach development is analysed to help the generation of a vocabulary and an abacus of elements to be geographically referenced across Europe to disseminate typical construction elements and skills.
Point Cloud Registration Based on Image Correspondences
Authors: Kyparissi S. , Georgopoulos A.
Published: December 2013

Since the early ′80s, when Digital Photogrammetry was in its infancy, important progress has been made in the area of automations using the most common photogrammetric procedures. The main objective of this paper is the full automation of 3D Point Cloud Registration process. In particular, an alternative registration method is being presented, based on corresponding points, which are detected on overlapping images that come with each scan using a structured light scanner. The algorithm detects corresponding points applying Feature Based Matching techniques. These are then interpolated directly to any given texture map, thereby the transition to correspondent 3D vertices is achieved. Finally, the algorithm computes the 3D Rigid Body transformation, which is applied to the 3D point clouds, in order to transform one scan's reference system into the other. Experimental results obtained by the proposed method are presented, evaluated and compared with those obtained by standard ICP implementation.
A case series discussing the anaesthetic management of pregnant patients with brain tumours
Authors: Abd-Elsayed Alaa A , Díaz-Gómez Jose , Barnett Gene H , Kurz Andrea , Inton-Santos Maria , Barsoum Sabri , Avitsian Rafi , Ebrahim Zeyd , Jevtovic-Todorovic Vesna , Farag Ehab
Published: December 2013

Pregnancy may aggravate the natural history of an intracranial tumour, and may even unmask a previously unknown diagnosis. Here we present a series of seven patients who had brain tumours during pregnancy. The aim of this case series is to characterize the current perioperative management and to suggest evidence based guidelines for the anaesthetic management of pregnant females with brain tumours. This is a retrospective study. Information on pregnant patients diagnosed with brain tumours that underwent caesarean section (CS) and/or brain tumour resection from May 2003 through June 2008 was obtained from the Department of General Anaesthesia and the Rose Ella Burkhardt Brain Tumour & Neuro-Oncology Centre (BBTC) at the Cleveland Clinic, OH, USA. The mean age was 34.5 years (range 29-40 years old). Six patients had glioma, two of whom had concomitant craniotomy and CS. Six cases had the tumour in the frontal lobe. Four cases were operated on under general anaesthesia and three underwent awake craniotomy. The neonatal outcomes of the six patients with elective or emergent delivery were six viable infants with normal Apgar scores. Pregnancy was terminated in the 7th patient. In conclusion, good knowledge of the variable anesthetic agents and their effects on the fetus is very important in managing those patients.
LOGISTICS AS A SPECIFIC FUNCTION OF AN INDUSTRIAL COMPANY UNITED MANAGEMENT
Authors: Леонтьев Рудольф , Lyeontyev Rudolf
Published: December 2013

The author suggests the original rendering of logistics as a concrete (special) function of an industrial company united management, that consists of the standard definition and six postulates of its manifest and realization.