bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structural adaptation of extreme halophilic proteins through decrease of conserved hydrophobic contact surface
Authors: Siglioccolo Alessandro , Paiardini Alessandro , Piscitelli Maria , Pascarella Stefano
Published: December 2011

Background

Halophiles are extremophilic microorganisms growing optimally at high salt concentrations. There are two strategies used by halophiles to maintain proper osmotic pressure in their cytoplasm: accumulation of molar concentrations of potassium and chloride with extensive adaptation of the intracellular macromolecules ("salt-in" strategy) or biosynthesis and/or accumulation of organic osmotic solutes ("osmolyte" strategy). Our work was aimed at contributing to the understanding of the shared molecular mechanisms of protein haloadaptation through a detailed and systematic comparison of a sample of several three-dimensional structures of halophilic and non-halophilic proteins. Structural differences observed between the "salt-in" and the mesophilic homologous proteins were contrasted to those observed between the "osmolyte" and mesophilic pairs.

Results

The results suggest that haloadaptation strategy in the presence of molar salt concentration, but not of osmolytes, necessitates a weakening of the hydrophobic interactions, in particular at the level of conserved hydrophobic contacts. Weakening of these interactions counterbalances their strengthening by the presence of salts in solution and may help the structure preventing aggregation and/or loss of function in hypersaline environments.

Conclusions

Considering the significant increase of biotechnology applications of halophiles, the understanding of halophilicity can provide the theoretical basis for the engineering of proteins of great interest because stable at concentrations of salts that cause the denaturation or aggregation of the majority of macromolecules.
Effects of particulate air pollution on blood pressure in a highly exposed population in Beijing, China: a repeated-measure study
Authors: Baccarelli Andrea , Barretta Francesco , Dou Chang , Zhang Xiao , McCracken John P , Díaz Anaité , Bertazzi Pier Alberto , Schwartz Joel , Wang Sheng , Hou Lifang
Published: December 2011

Background

Particulate Matter (PM) exposure is critical in Beijing due to high population density and rapid increase in vehicular traffic. PM effects on blood pressure (BP) have been investigated as a mechanism mediating cardiovascular risks, but results are still inconsistent. The purpose of our study is to determine the effects of ambient and personal PM exposure on BP.

Methods

Before the 2008 Olympic Games (June 15-July 27), we examined 60 truck drivers and 60 office workers on two days, 1-2 weeks apart (n = 240). We obtained standardized measures of post-work BP. Exposure assessment included personal PM2.5 and Elemental Carbon (EC, a tracer of traffic particles) measured using portable monitors during work hours; and ambient PM10 averaged over 1-8 days pre-examination. We examined associations of exposures (exposure group, personal PM2.5/EC, ambient PM10) with BP controlling for multiple covariates.

Results

Mean personal PM2.5 was 94.6 μg/m3 (SD = 64.9) in office workers and 126.8 (SD = 68.8) in truck drivers (p-value < 0.001). In all participants combined, a 10 μg/m3 increase in 8-day ambient PM10 was associated with BP increments of 0.98 (95%CI 0.34; 1.61; p-value = 0.003), 0.71 (95%CI 0.18; 1.24; p-value = 0.01), and 0.81 (95%CI 0.31; 1.30; p-value = 0.002) mmHg for systolic, diastolic, and mean BP, respectively. BP was not significantly different between the two groups (p-value > 0.14). Personal PM2.5 and EC during work hours were not associated with increased BP.

Conclusions

Our results indicate delayed effects of ambient PM10 on BP. Lack of associations with exposure groups and personal PM2.5/EC indicates that PM effects are related to background levels of pollution in Beijing, and not specifically to work-related exposure.
Fitness and health-related quality of life dimensions in community-dwelling middle aged and older adults
Authors: Olivares Pedro R , Gusi Narcis , Prieto Josue , Hernandez-Mocholi Miguel A
Published: December 2011

Background

The aim of the present study was to identify the physical fitness (PF) tests of a multi-component battery more related to the perception of problems in each dimension of the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) assessed by the EuroQol 5 dimensions 3 level questionnaire (EQ-5D-3L) in community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 7104 participants (6243 females and 861 males aged 50-99 years) who were recruited in the framework of the Exercise Looks After You Program, which is a public health program designed to promote physical activity (PA) in community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults. Participants were assessed by the EQ-5D-3L questionnaire and a battery of fitness tests. The responses to each EQ-5D-3L dimension were collapsed into a two-tier variable consisting of «perceive problems» and «do not perceive problems». Correlation coefficients for the relationships between the HRQoL variables, between the PF variables, and between the HRQoL and PF variables were obtained. Two logistic regression models, one adjusted and one unadjusted, were developed for each EQ-5D-3L dimension.

Results

There were significant correlations between all variables except anxiety/depression and the back scratch test. The PF tests that correlated best with the HRQoL dimensions were the Timed Up-and-Go Test (TUG) and the 6-min walk; pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression correlated less well. All PF tests correlated, especially the TUG and 6-min walk tests. Unadjusted logistic models showed significant goodness of fit for the mobility and pain/discomfort dimensions only. Adjusted logistic models showed significant goodness of fit for all dimensions when the following potential confounding variables were included: age, gender, weekly level of PA, smoking and alcohol habits, body mass index, and educational level. For all dimensions, the highest odds ratios for the association with PF tests were with the TUG; this was observed with both the unadjusted and adjusted models.

Conclusions

The perception of problems, as measured by the EQ-5D-3L dimensions, was associated with a lower level of fitness, particularly for those dimensions that relate more closely to physical components. The PF tests that associated most closely with the perception of problems in the HRQoL dimensions were the TUG and the 6-min walk. This information will aid the design and assessment of PA programs that aim to improve HRQoL.
Reductions in abortion-related mortality following policy reform: evidence from Romania, South Africa and Bangladesh
Authors: Benson Janie , Andersen Kathryn , Samandari Ghazaleh
Published: December 2011

Unsafe abortion is a significant contributor to worldwide maternal mortality; however, abortion law and policy liberalization could lead to drops in unsafe abortion and related deaths. This review provides an analysis of changes in abortion mortality in three countries where significant policy reform and related service delivery occurred. Drawing on peer-reviewed literature, population data and grey literature on programs and policies, this paper demonstrates the policy and program changes that led to declines in abortion-related mortality in Romania, South Africa and Bangladesh. In all three countries, abortion policy liberalization was followed by implementation of safe abortion services and other reproductive health interventions. South Africa and Bangladesh trained mid-level providers to offer safe abortion and menstrual regulation services, respectively, Romania improved contraceptive policies and services, and Bangladesh made advances in emergency obstetric care and family planning. The findings point to the importance of multi-faceted and complementary reproductive health reforms in successful implementation of abortion policy reform.
Idebenone increases mitochondrial complex I activity in fibroblasts from LHON patients while producing contradictory effects on respiration
Authors: Angebault Claire , Gueguen Naïg , Desquiret-Dumas Valérie , Chevrollier Arnaud , Guillet Virginie , Verny Christophe , Cassereau Julien , Ferre Marc , Milea Dan , Amati-Bonneau Patrizia , Bonneau Dominique , Procaccio Vincent , Reynier Pascal , Loiseau Dominique
Published: December 2011

Background

Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is caused by mutations in the complex I subunits of the respiratory chain. Although patients have been treated with idebenone since 1992, the efficacy of the drug is still a matter of debate.

Methods

We evaluated the effect of idebenone in fibroblasts from LHON patients using enzymatic and polarographic measurements.

Results

Complex I activity was 42% greater in treated fibroblasts compared to controls (p = 0.002). Despite this complex I activity improvement, the effects on mitochondrial respiration were contradictory, leading to impairment in some cases and stimulation in others.

Conclusion

These results indicate that idebenone is able to compensate the complex I deficiency in LHON patient cells with variable effects on respiration, indicating that the patients might not be equally likely to benefit from the treatment.
Photodynamic therapy vs. photochemical internalization: the surgical margin
Authors: Jerjes Waseem , Upile Tahwinder , Radhi Hani , Hopper Colin
Published: December 2011

Controlling tumour margins in head and neck surgery is of the utmost importance in preventing loco-regional spread and distant metastasis, which will ultimately lead to a significant reduction in morbidity and mortality. We comment on the surgical margins in photodynamic therapy and photochemical internalization.
A methodology for converting traditional vertical electrical soundings into 2D resistivity models: Application to the Saïss basin, Morocco
Authors: Riss Joëlle , Luis Fernández-Martínez Juan , Sirieix Colette , Harmouzi Ouassima , Marache Antoine , Essahlaoui Ali
Published: December 2011

We demonstrated a simple methodology for the reinterpretation of sets of electrical vertical soundings and the production of 2D resistivity models. The method is applied to the northern central part of the subsiding Saïss basin (Morocco) where a series of vertical electrical soundings (VES) were acquired in 1982 and 1984, using the Schlumberger array with current electrodes semispacings between 3 and 3000 m. We describe a methodology used to estimate and sample apparent resistivities collected from traditional single soundings acquired by using a Schlumberger configuration. We then construct a resistivity pseudosection in a format compatible with a Wenner-Schlumberger array to perform 2D electrical tomography. The methodology takes into account the lateral and vertical spatial correlations shown by the apparent resistivities. The tomographic inversions are performed using a commercial inversion software commonly used in industry. Geostatistical tools are used to quantify the spatial correlation between apparent resistivity data. The result is a series of estimated pseudosections that are inverted to produce 2D resistivity models of the basin along geophysical profiles. We focus our attention on one of these profiles (i.e., one 2D resistivity model). The inverted geoelectrical model allows us to propose a geologic model of the basin. Our methodology allows historical and current data carried out using the Schlumberger configuration, to be rapidly reinterpreted in countries where only low-cost methods, such as VES soundings, can be used due to technology and economic constraints. It can also be applied to cases where continuous or pulled-array continuous vertical soundings method, where a tail of electrodes is towed behind a small vehicle while continuously and simultaneously measuring several electrode configurations, is inoperative due to field conditions (survey length, deep layers, and local environmental conditions).
Time-frequency analysis of seismic data using local attributes
Authors: Liu Guochang , Fomel Sergey , Chen Xiaohong
Published: December 2011

Time-frequency analysis is an important technology in seismic data processing and interpretation. To localize frequency content in time, we have developed a novel method for computing a time-frequency map for nonstationary signals using an iterative inversion framework. We calculated time-varying Fourier coefficients by solving a least-squares problem that uses regularized nonstationary regression. We defined the time-frequency map as the norm of time-varying coefficients. Time-varying average frequency of the seismic data can also be estimated from the time-frequency map calculated by our method. We tested the method on benchmark synthetic signals and compared it with the well-known S-transform. Two field data examples showed applications of the proposed method for delineation of sand channels and for detection of low-frequency anomalies.
Krauklis wave in a stack of alternating fluid-elastic layers
Authors: Korneev Valeri A.
Published: December 2011

The Krauklis wave is a slow dispersive wave mode that propagates in a fluid layer bounded by elastic media. In a model of alternating fluid and elastic layers, two interface waves can exist at low frequencies: The first wave propagates mostly in the elastic layer and has little dispersion, while the second wave can have strong dispersion and propagates as a Krauklis wave for some parameter combinations. Analytical conditions predict appearance of the Krauklis wave for higher frequencies and low porosities. Interface-wave velocities depend on model porosity, which potentially can be used for fracture mapping.
Human Melatonin and Alerting Response to Blue-Enriched Light Depend on a Polymorphism in the Clock Gene PER3
Authors: Chellappa Sarah L. , Viola Antoine U. , Schmidt Christina , Bachmann Valérie , Gabel Virginie , Maire Micheline , Reichert Carolin F. , Valomon Amandine , Götz Thomas , Landolt Hans-Peter , Cajochen Christian
Published: December 2011

Context:

Light exposure, particularly at the short-wavelength range, triggers several nonvisual responses in humans. However, the extent to which the melatonin-suppressing and alerting effect of light differs among individuals remains unknown.

Objective:

Here we investigated whether blue-enriched polychromatic light impacts differentially on melatonin and subjective and objective alertness in healthy participants genotyped for the PERIOD3 (PER3) variable-number, tandem-repeat polymorphism.

Design, Setting, and Participants:

Eighteen healthy young men homozygous for the PER3 polymorphism (PER35/5and PER34/4) underwent a balanced crossover design during the winter season, with light exposure to compact fluorescent lamps of 40 lux at 6500 K and at 2500 K during 2 h in the evening.

Results:

In comparison to light at 2500 K, blue-enriched light at 6500 K induced a significant suppression of the evening rise in endogenous melatonin levels in PER35/5 individuals but not in PER34/4. Likewise, PER35/5 individuals exhibited a more pronounced alerting response to light at 6500 K than PER34/4 volunteers. Waking electroencephalographic activity in the theta range (5–7 Hz), a putative correlate of sleepiness, was drastically attenuated during light exposure at 6500 K in PER35/5 individuals as compared with PER34/4.

Conclusions:

We provide first evidence that humans homozygous for the PER3 5/5 allele are particularly sensitive to blue-enriched light, as indexed by the suppression of endogenous melatonin and waking theta activity. Light sensitivity in humans may be modulated by a clock gene polymorphism implicated in the sleep-wake regulation.
The roles of flotillin microdomains – endocytosis and beyond
Authors: Otto Grant P. , Nichols Benjamin J.
Published: December 2011

Flotillins are membrane proteins that form microdomains in the plasma membrane of all mammalian cell types studied to date. They span the evolutionary spectrum, with proteins related to flotillins present in bacteria, fungi, plants and metazoans, which suggests that they perform important, and probably conserved, functions. Flotillins have been implicated in myriad processes that include endocytosis, signal transduction and regulation of the cortical cytoskeleton, yet the molecular mechanisms that underlie flotillin function in these different cases are still poorly understood. In this Commentary, we will provide an introduction to these intriguing proteins, summarise their proposed functions and discuss in greater detail some recent insights into the role of flotillin microdomains in endocytosis that have been provided by several independent studies. Finally, we will focus on the questions that are raised by these new experiments and their implications for future studies.
The Fundamental Institutions of China's Reforms and Development
Authors: Xu Chenggang
Published: December 2011

China's economic reforms have resulted in spectacular growth and poverty reduction. However, China's institutions look ill-suited to achieve such a result, and they indeed suffer from serious shortcomings. To solve the “China puzzle,” this paper analyzes China's institution—a regionally decentralized authoritarian system. The central government has control over personnel, whereas subnational governments run the bulk of the economy; and they initiate, negotiate, implement, divert, and resist reforms, policies, rules, and laws. China's reform trajectories have been shaped by regional decentralization. Spectacular performance on the one hand and grave problems on the other hand are all determined by this governance structure. (JEL O17, O18, O43, P21, P25, P26)
Economic Liberalization and Indian Economic Growth: What's the Evidence?
Authors: Kotwal Ashok , Ramaswami Bharat , Wadhwa Wilima
Published: December 2011

India's growth and poverty performance over the last three decades has been a subject of great curiosity. Unlike the East Asian countries, India's growth spurt is not associated with exceptionally high domestic savings or foreign capital inflows or manufacturing exports. So what triggered the change in the growth trajectory? Did the market liberalization policies of the 1990s help? How have the initial conditions shaped the process? And how has the “Indian model” impinged on India's central problem of mass poverty? This paper surveys the literature and offers its own assessment of the drivers of change. (JEL I32, O13, O14, O15, O21, O47)
Visualizing large RNA molecules in solution
Authors: Gopal Ajaykumar , Zhou Z. Hong , Knobler Charles M. , Gelbart William M.
Published: December 2011

Single-stranded RNAs (ssRNAs) longer than a few hundred nucleotides do not have a unique structure in solution. Their equilibrium properties therefore reflect the average of an ensemble of structures. We use cryo-electron microscopy to image projections of individual long ssRNA molecules and characterize the anisotropy of their ensembles in solution. A flattened prolate volume is found to best represent the shapes of these ensembles. The measured sizes and anisotropies are in good agreement with complementary determinations using small-angle X-ray scattering and coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations. A long viral ssRNA is compared with shorter noncoding transcripts to demonstrate that prolate geometry and flatness are generic properties independent of sequence length and origin. The anisotropy persists under physiological as well as low-ionic-strength conditions, revealing a direct correlation between secondary structure asymmetry and 3D shape and size. We discuss the physical origin of the generic anisotropy and its biological implications.
Characterization of the stop codon readthrough signal of Colorado tick fever virus segment 9 RNA
Authors: Napthine Sawsan , Yek Christina , Powell Michael L. , Brown T. David K. , Brierley Ian
Published: December 2011

Termination codon readthrough is utilized as a mechanism of expression of a growing number of viral and cellular proteins, but in many cases the mRNA signals that promote readthrough are poorly characterized. Here, we investigated the readthrough signal of Colorado tick fever virus (CTFV) segment 9 RNA (Seg-9). CTFV is the type-species of the genus Coltivirus within the family Reoviridae and is a tick-borne, double-stranded, segmented RNA virus. Seg-9 encodes a 36-kDa protein VP9, and by readthrough of a UGA stop codon, a 65-kDa product, VP9′. Using a reporter system, we defined the minimal sequence requirements for readthrough and confirmed activity in both mammalian and insect cell-free translation systems, and in transfected mammalian cells. Mutational analysis revealed that readthrough was UGA specific, and that the local sequence context around the UGA influenced readthrough efficiency. Readthrough was also dependent upon a stable RNA stem–loop structure beginning eight bases downstream from the UGA codon. Mutational analysis of this stem–loop revealed a requirement for the stem region but not for substructures identified within the loop. Unexpectedly, we were unable to detect a ribosomal pause during translation of the CTFV signal, suggesting that the mechanism of readthrough, at least at this site, is unlikely to be dependent upon RNA secondary-structure induced ribosomal pausing at the recoded stop codon.
Probing the substrate specificity of the bacterial Pnkp/Hen1 RNA repair system using synthetic RNAs
Authors: Zhang Can , Chan Chio Mui , Wang Pei , Huang Raven H.
Published: December 2011

Ribotoxins cleave essential RNAs involved in protein synthesis as a strategy for cell killing. RNA repair systems exist in nature to counteract the lethal actions of ribotoxins, as first demonstrated by the RNA repair system from bacteriophage T4 25 yr ago. Recently, we found that two bacterial proteins, named Pnkp and Hen1, form a stable complex and are able to repair ribotoxin-cleaved tRNAs in vitro. However, unlike the well-studied T4 RNA repair system, the natural RNA substrates of the bacterial Pnkp/Hen1 RNA repair system are unknown. Here we present comprehensive RNA repair assays with the recombinant Pnkp/Hen1 proteins from Anabaena variabilis using a total of 33 different RNAs as substrates that might mimic various damaged forms of RNAs present in living cells. We found that unlike the RNA repair system from bacteriophage T4, the bacterial Pnkp/Hen1 RNA repair system exhibits broad substrate specificity. Based on the experimental data presented here, a model of preferred RNA substrates of the Pnkp/Hen1 repair system is proposed.
COLD-PCR Enrichment of Rare Cancer Mutations prior to Targeted Amplicon Resequencing
Authors: Milbury Coren A , Correll Mick , Quackenbush John , Rubio Renee , Makrigiorgos G Mike
Published: December 2011

BACKGROUND

Despite widespread interest in next-generation sequencing (NGS), the adoption of personalized clinical genomics and mutation profiling of cancer specimens is lagging, in part because of technical limitations. Tumors are genetically heterogeneous and often contain normal/stromal cells, features that lead to low-abundance somatic mutations that generate ambiguous results or reside below NGS detection limits, thus hindering the clinical sensitivity/specificity standards of mutation calling. We applied COLD-PCR (coamplification at lower denaturation temperature PCR), a PCR methodology that selectively enriches variants, to improve the detection of unknown mutations before NGS-based amplicon resequencing.

METHODS

We used both COLD-PCR and conventional PCR (for comparison) to amplify serially diluted mutation-containing cell-line DNA diluted into wild-type DNA, as well as DNA from lung adenocarcinoma and colorectal cancer samples. After amplification of TP53 (tumor protein p53), KRAS (v-Ki-ras2 Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog), IDH1 [isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (NADP+), soluble], and EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) gene regions, PCR products were pooled for library preparation, bar-coded, and sequenced on the Illumina HiSeq 2000.

RESULTS

In agreement with recent findings, sequencing errors by conventional targeted-amplicon approaches dictated a mutation-detection limit of approximately 1%–2%. Conversely, COLD-PCR amplicons enriched mutations above the error-related noise, enabling reliable identification of mutation abundances of approximately 0.04%. Sequencing depth was not a large factor in the identification of COLD-PCR–enriched mutations. For the clinical samples, several missense mutations were not called with conventional amplicons, yet they were clearly detectable with COLD-PCR amplicons. Tumor heterogeneity for the TP53 gene was apparent.

CONCLUSIONS

As cancer care shifts toward personalized intervention based on each patient's unique genetic abnormalities and tumor genome, we anticipate that COLD-PCR combined with NGS will elucidate the role of mutations in tumor progression, enabling NGS-based analysis of diverse clinical specimens within clinical practice.
Standard Testing Methods for Mobile Bearing Knees
Authors: Walker Peter S. , Haider Hani
Published: December 2011

From 1970 to 2000, many types of total knee arthroplasties were introduced, including mobile bearing knees. In order to mechanically evaluate the designs, tests were developed for factors such as strength, laxity and constraint, kinematics, and wear. A number of the testing methods became ASTM or ISO standards, which are generally required for market introduction. In the year 2000, attention was given to testing methods specifically for mobile bearing knees, because of their mechanical differences from the more widely used fixed-bearing designs. The process began with the identification of potential problems unique to the mobile bearings themselves. These problems included bearing dislocation and deformation of the bearings due to stops and pivots. Wear testing methodology was also seen as important because of the original claim that mobile bearings would have reduced wear compared with fixed bearings due to the lower contact stresses. In this paper, the theoretical framework for defining the tests was specified. Specific tests were then defined for the following potential failure modes: dislocation (‘spin-out’), dynamic dissociation (‘spit-out’), deformation (due to stops, etc.), and endurance and deformation (due to overhang). Existing tests for total knee arthroplasty, in general, were also cited: cyclic fatigue of tibial trays, constraint (upper bearing surface), and wear (with a recommendation for differentiating upper and lower bearing wear). In the future, it is recommended that laboratories and manufacturers use these new tests to gain experience in their use and evaluate the safety of future mobile bearing designs.
Testosterone therapy decreases subcutaneous fat and adiponectin in aging men
Authors: Frederiksen L , Højlund K , Hougaard D M , Mosbech T H , Larsen R , Flyvbjerg A , Frystyk J , Brixen K , Andersen M
Published: December 2011

Objective

Testosterone therapy increases lean body mass and decreases total fat mass in aging men with low normal testosterone levels. The major challenge is, however, to determine whether the metabolic consequences of testosterone therapy are overall positive. We have previously reported that 6-month testosterone therapy did not improve insulin sensitivity. We investigated the effect of testosterone therapy on regional body fat distribution and on the levels of the insulin-sensitizing adipokine, adiponectin, in aging men with low normal bioavailable testosterone levels.

Design

A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study on 6-month testosterone treatment (gel) in 38 men, aged 60–78 years, with bioavailable testosterone <7.3 nmol/l, and a waist circumference >94 cm.

Methods

Central fat mass (CFM) and lower extremity fat mass (LEFM) were measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry. Subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue (SAT), visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and thigh subcutaneous fat area (TFA) were measured by magnetic resonance imaging. Adiponectin levels were measured using an in-house immunofluorometric assay. Coefficients (b) represent the placebo-controlled mean effect of intervention.

Results

LEFM was decreased (b=−0.47 kg,P=0.07) while CFM did not change significantly (b=−0.66 kg,P=0.10) during testosterone therapy. SAT (b=−3.0%,P=0.018) and TFA (b=−3.0%,P<0.001) decreased, while VAT (b=1.0%,P=0.54) remained unchanged. Adiponectin levels decreased during testosterone therapy (b=−1.3 mg/l,P=0.001).

Conclusion

Testosterone therapy decreased subcutaneous fat on the abdomen and lower extremities, but visceral fat was unchanged. Moreover, adiponectin levels were significantly decreased during testosterone therapy.
Decrease in circulating fibroblast growth factor 21 after an oral fat load is related to postprandial triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and liver fat
Authors: Matikainen Niina , Taskinen Marja-Riitta , Stennabb Sanna , Lundbom Nina , Hakkarainen Antti , Vaaralahti Kirsi , Raivio Taneli
Published: December 2011

Background

Elevated levels of circulating fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) are commonly encountered in type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, all of which share exaggerated postprandial lipemia as a common proatherogenic feature. How FGF21 responds to an oral fat load in man is unknown.

Methods

We measured liver fat contents and subcutaneous and visceral fat volumes in 47 healthy subjects, who also underwent an oral fat load with measurements of plasma FGF21 and free fatty acid (FFA). Triglyceride (TG), apolipoprotein B-48 (apoB-48), and apoB-100 concentrations were measured in triglyceride-rich lipoprotein (TRL) fractions.

Results

When compared with fasting levels, the concentration of FGF21 decreased significantly at 4 h (P<0.05) and tended to return to fasting levels at 8 h after an oral fat load. Fasting and postprandial FGF21 correlated significantly with liver fat as well as with TRLs in the chylomicron and especially in very low-density lipoprotein 1 (VLDL1) and VLDL2 fractions representing remnant particles, but not with FFA. Subjects with increased liver fat (>5%,n=12) showed impaired suppression of FGF21 at 4 h (P<0.05) and at 8 h (P=0.01) and demonstrated higher postprandial TG area under the curve in plasma and TRL fractions (P≤0.032) compared with those with normal liver fat (≤5%,n=35).

Conclusions

We observed a significant decrease of FGF21 concentration after an oral fat load. Fasting and postprandial FGF21 levels were closely related to large VLDL and remnants, but not to plasma FFA. Our pilot findings suggest that the postprandial accumulation of TRL remnants and liver fat may modulate postprandial FGF21 levels.
Consórcio de milho com braquiária e guandu-anão em sistema de dessecação parcial
Authors: Oliveira Priscila de , Kluthcouski João , Favarin José Laércio , Santos Darliane de Castro
Published: December 2011

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a viabilidade do consórcio de milho (Zea mays) cv. BRS 1035 com braquiária (Urochloa brizantha) e guandu-anão (Cajanus cajan), no sistema de dessecação parcial. Os experimentos foram realizados na safra de verão de 2008/2009, em Santo Antônio de Goiás, GO e Ipameri, GO, em blocos completos ao acaso, com cinco repetições. Os tratamentos constituíram-se de cultivos de milho, em consórcio com braquiária e guandu-anão, com a aplicação de nitrogênio mineral em cobertura, à emergência da cultura ou aos 20 dias após esse evento, com ou sem aplicação de subdose de herbicida à braquiária não dessecada. A viabilidade do sistema de dessecação parcial é dependente do manejo da adubação nitrogenada do milho ou do controle do crescimento da braquiária nas faixas não dessecadas.
Época de dessecação de pastagem de inverno e produtividade de grãos de soja
Authors: Ricce Wilian da Silva , Alves Sérgio José , Prete Cássio Egídio Cavenaghi
Published: December 2011

O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar o efeito da época de dessecação da pastagem de inverno sobre a produtividade de grãos de soja e seus componentes do rendimento. O experimento foi realizado em área de integração lavoura-pecuária, em Campo Mourão, PR nos anos agrícolas de 2002 a 2005. Utilizou-se o delineamento de blocos ao acaso com oito repetições. Os tratamentos foram: dessecação 30, 20 10 e 0 dias antes da semeadura (DAS). Foram avaliados: a quantidade de massa de matéria seca da pastagem de inverno, no dia da semeadura; a altura de plantas; o número de plantas por metro; o número de vagens por planta; o número de grãos por vagem; a massa de mil grãos; e a produtividade de grãos. A dessecação pode ser realizada a 0, 10, 20 e 30 DAS, sem prejuízo para a produtividade de grãos de soja. Os componentes de produção se ajustam para reduzir as variações da produtividade de grãos. A redução no número de plantas por metro é compensada pelo maior número de vagens por planta.
Trigo de duplo propósito submetido ao pastejo de bovinos nos Campos Gerais do Paraná
Authors: Bartmeyer Tarcísio Nicolau , Dittrich João Ricardo , Silva Hernani Alves da , Moraes Anibal de , Piazzetta Ricardo Guimarães , Gazda Tatiana Louise , Carvalho Paulo César de Faccio
Published: December 2011

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a produtividade de grãos da cultivar de trigo de duplo propósito BRS 176 e o ganho de peso de bovinos, em função de períodos de pastejo, tendo-se considerado a intensidade de pastejo. O experimento foi realizado em Castro, PR, em Cambissolo Háplico, de maio a novembro de 2004. Utilizou-se o delineamento em blocos ao acaso, com três repetições. Os tratamentos foram constituídos de quatro períodos de pastejo: T-0, zero dia; T-15, 15 dias; T-30, 30 dias; e T-45, 45 dias. Foram utilizados novilhos com 260 kg de peso vivo, em pastoreio contínuo, com lotação variável e oferta diária de forragem de 8% do peso vivo animal. A produtividade de grãos foi de 3.999, 4.154, 3.210 e 1.588 kg ha-1 para T-0, T-15, T-30 e T-45, respectivamente, e o ganho em peso vivo de 0, 181, 351 e 459 kg ha-1. A cultivar BRS 176 apresenta alto potencial de produção de grãos sob pastejo e suporta bem a desfolha. O pastejo da cultivar BRS 176 proporciona elevado ganho de peso vivo médio diário de bovinos, e o ganho de peso por hectare aumenta linearmente com o aumento no período de pastejo.
Agregação, carbono e nitrogênio em agregados do solo sob plantio direto com integração lavoura-pecuária
Authors: Loss Arcângelo , Pereira Marcos Gervasio , Giácomo Simone Guimarães , Perin Adriano , Anjos Lúcia Helena Cunha dos
Published: December 2011

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a estabilidade dos agregados, o conteúdo de matéria orgânica leve do solo (MOL), a distribuição dos teores de carbono orgânico total (COT) e nitrogênio (N) e a abundância natural de 13C e 15N dos agregados de um Latossolo Vermelho argiloso sob sistema plantio direto (SPD) com integração lavoura-pecuária (ILP), em comparação à uma área em SPD sem ILP e uma área de Cerrado natural em Montividiu, GO. Foram coletadas amostras de solo nas camadas de 0-5 e 5-10 cm, em delineamento inteiramente casualizado. Foram avaliados distribuição da massa dos agregados, diâmetro médio ponderado (DMP), diâmetro médio geométrico (DMG) e MOL, e foram quantificados os teores de COT, N, δ13C e δ15N dos agregados. A área de Cerrado apresentou os maiores valores de DMP, DMG e MOL. O SPD-ILP apresentou valores maiores de DMP, DMG, COT, N e MOL na camada 5-10 cm do que o SPD, sem braquiária. O SPD-ILP promoveu aumentos nos índices de agregação do solo (0-5 e 5-10 cm), nos teores de MOL (5-10 cm), COT e N (0-5 cm) e na formação de agregados estáveis em água (5-10 cm), em comparação ao SPD, sem braquiária.
Produção e composição bromatológica de forrageiras em sistema de integração lavoura-pecuária em diferentes épocas de semeadura
Authors: Pariz Cristiano Magalhães , Azenha Mariana Vieira , Andreotti Marcelo , Araújo Fabio Cruz de Mello , Ulian Nelson de Araújo , Bergamaschine Antonio Fernando
Published: December 2011

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a produção de matéria seca e a composição bromatológica de forrageiras em sistema de integração lavoura-pecuária, em diferentes datas de semeadura. Foi usado delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, em esquema fatorial 4x3, com quatro forrageiras - braquiária, Urochloa brizantha; capim-moa, Setaria italica; milheto, Pennisetum glaucum; e sorgo forrageiro, Sorghum bicolor - semeadas em três datas nas estações inverno/primavera e verão/outono, em sucessão à soja. O milheto e o sorgo forrageiro produziram maior quantidade de matéria seca em todas as datas de semeadura, nas duas estações de cultivo e, ao contrário da braquiária e do capim-moa, não diminuíram o teor de nutrientes digestíveis totais no inverno/primavera. Os teores de proteína bruta reduziram com o avanço das datas de semeadura no inverno/primavera e aumentaram no verão/outono, exceto para braquiária e milheto. O sorgo apresentou os menores teores de fibras em detergente neutro nas segunda e terceira datas de semeadura no inverno/primavera, e na primeira data de semeadura no verão/outono. Nas segunda e terceiras datas do inverno/primavera, o sorgo apresentou menor teor de fibras em detergente ácido. Quanto aos constituintes da parede celular, apenas os teores de hemicelulose não se alteram nas forrageiras em virtude das datas de semeadura, em ambas as estações.
Crime organizado e crime comum no Rio de Janeiro: diferenças e afinidades
Authors: Misse Michel
Published: December 2011

O artigo trata das relações entre "crime organizado" e "crime comum" no Rio de Janeiro. Seu objetivo é definir as condições para responder a questões como quanto o crime organizado explica as lógicas do crime comum ou se estamos subestimando ou superestimando essa relação entre um e outro. A análise foca três atividades criminais violentas organizadas: (i) o "jogo do bicho"; (ii) os "comandos" que controlam e disputam territórios de venda a varejo de drogas e outras mercadorias ilícitas; (iii) as "milícias", que disputam com os "comandos" o controle desses territórios, com vistas a impor a venda de proteção aos seus moradores. Concluímos defendendo que o modelo das milícias, como também ocorreu com o jogo do bicho e com o tráfico de drogas, todos surgidos no Rio de Janeiro, vem sendo adotado em cidades de outros estados brasileiros, nacionalizando formas de organizações criminosas que têm no recurso à violência uma de suas principais características. A dinâmica de funcionamento dessas organizações depende, primordialmente, de sua constituição como mercados ilegais, em que cada mercadoria explorada - jogo, drogas, armas e proteção - possuem diferentes propriedades como capital. A dinâmica social, a atuação e a violência associados a cada uma dessas atividades, por sua vez, estão ligados a essas propriedades.
Ações de saúde mental na estratégia saúde da família e as tecnologias em saúde
Authors: Mielke Fernanda Barreto , Olschowsky Agnes
Published: December 2011

O presente artigo teve o objetivo de avaliar as tecnologias em saúde utilizadas por equipes da Estratégia Saúde da Família para o desenvolvimento de ações de saúde mental no território. Estudo avaliativo qualitativo, realizado com duas equipes de saúde da família, desenvolvido por meio da Avaliação de Quarta Geração. Para a coleta de dados utilizou-se observação participante e entrevista individual. Os dados foram analisados pelo Método Comparativo Constante. Os resultados apontaram que os profissionais utilizam diversas tecnologias para a inclusão da saúde mental no território, tais como acolhimento, escuta, vínculo, visita domiciliar, discussão de casos, consulta médica e grupo terapêutico. O desenvolvimento dessas ações tem possibilitado a construção de uma nova prática em saúde mental no território que valoriza o indivíduo em sofrimento psíquico como protagonista de sua existência.
Desenvolvimento e validação de teoria fundamentada em dados sobre o ambiente de unidade de terapia intensiva
Authors: Backes Marli Terezinha Stein , Erdmann Alacoque Lorenzini , Büscher Andreas , Backes Dirce Stein
Published: December 2011

Estudo qualitativo que partiu da questão: como vêm sendo construídas as teorias e modelos de cuidado de enfermagem, focalizando o processo de construção da teoria substantiva, referente à Tese que teve como objetivos compreender o significado do ambiente de cuidados em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva e construir um modelo teórico sobre ele. O método utilizado foi a Grounded Theory. Realizaram-se 39 entrevistas com 47 sujeitos diferenciados de três Unidades de Terapia Intensiva Adulto, em Florianópolis/SC, Santa Maria/RS e Pelotas/RS, entre junho de 2009 a setembro de 2010. A teoria "Sustentando a vida no ambiente complexo de cuidados em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva" foi delimitada por oito categorias. Conclui-se que sustentar a vida no ambiente de Unidade de Terapia Intensiva significa investir intensivamente no cuidado de pacientes instáveis, com auxílio de tecnologias diferenciadas e profissionais capacitados, trabalhando em equipe, onde se convive com estresse/conflitos e dificuldades para lidar com a morte.
O cuidado e a clínica na formação do enfermeiro: saberes, práticas e modos de subjetivação
Authors: Vieira Alcivan Nunes , Silveira Lia Carneiro
Published: December 2011

O cuidado e a clínica são imanentes ao trabalho do enfermeiro, e a forma como eles são concebidos norteia a formação e a produção do cuidado. Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo identificar as concepções e as bases teóricas de clínica e de cuidado que norteiam a formação do enfermeiro. Os sujeitos da pesquisa foram docentes e discentes de um curso de graduação em enfermagem. Os dados foram produzidos através de entrevistas semiestruturadas e analisados a partir da análise do discurso. Na formação, evidenciou-se uma produção de sentidos acerca destes conceitos enquanto atenção à doença, embora os sujeitos reconheçam que eles podem ser pensados em outras perspectivas. A análise revelou que esses conceitos não correspondem apenas a uma apreensão de referenciais teóricos, mas que se consolidam a partir da vivência da clínica e do cuidado nas relações entre docentes e discentes, e com os serviços de saúde.
Teoria ego-ecológica e o estudo da identidade social : aplicabilidade em pesquisas de enfermagem
Authors: Mello Rosâne , Furegato Antônia Regina Ferreira
Published: December 2011

A enfermagem vem trilhando caminhos teórico-metodológicos mais sensíveis para desenvolver um conhecimento que discuta, analise e fundamente sua prática cotidiana. O objetivo deste texto foi refletir sobre as bases metodológicas e a aplicação da Teoria Ego-ecológica nas pesquisas em enfermagem. Por este caminho, é possível conhecer a identidade do indivíduo, suas peculiaridades e sua realidade, através das representações que ele possui acerca de si mesmo, de seus grupos de pertencimento e da sociedade. A Teoria Ego-ecológica entende a identidade como um modo de construção da realidade, a partir do qual o mundo exterior funde-se ao mundo interior a partir da história de vida do indivíduo. A análise Ego-Ecológica permite compreender o cliente e suas complexidades e paradoxos e as relações que estabelece no contexto da família, do trabalho, do lazer e nas situações sociais no espaço micro ou macrossocial.
A produção científica da enfermagem e a utilização da teoria de Madeleine Leininger: revisão integrativa 1985 - 2011
Authors: Seima Márcia Daniele , Michel Tatiane , Méier Marineli Joaquim , Wall Marilene Loewen , Lenardt Maria Helena
Published: December 2011

Trata-se de revisão integrativa cujo objetivo foi refletir sobre a utilização da teoria da diversidade e universalidade do cuidado cultural de Madeleine Leininger na produção científica brasileira de enfermagem. Foram consultadas as bases de dados: Base de Dados de Enfermagem, Literatura Latino-americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde e Scientific Electronic Library Online no período amostral de janeiro de 1985 a janeiro de 2011. Foram selecionados 62 artigos dos quais emergiram quatro grupos segundo a semelhança metodológica: 16,12% tratam de relatos de experiência; 45,16%, de processos investigativos; 22,58%, de reflexão e 16,12%, de revisão sobre a teoria de Leininger. Constatou-se que a teoria é utilizada para favorecer a proposta do cuidado holístico em enfermagem e a intenção de conhecer e respeitar a cultura dos clientes para que as ações da enfermeira alcancem o resultado almejado. Suscita valiosa contribuição ao trazer reflexões e delinear orientações para a prática de enfermagem.
Caracterização das funções estomatognáticas e disfunções temporomandibulares pré e pós cirurgia ortognática e reabilitação fonoaudiológica da deformidade dentofacial classe II esquelética
Authors: Pereira Juliana Bartolomucci Angeli , Bianchini Esther Mandelbaum Gonçalves
Published: December 2011

OBJETIVO: investigar as características funcionais e de disfunções temporomandibulares em indivíduos com deformidade dentofacial do tipo Classe II esquelética com indicação de cirurgia ortognática, assim como sua evolução após correção cirúrgica das bases ósseas e reabilitação miofuncional orofacial, buscando subsídios para o aprimoramento de reabilitação desses pacientes. MÉTODO: estudo longitudinal com 22 indivíduos com deformidade dentofacial Classe II, definidos após análise de critérios de inclusão e exclusão. A investigação dos dados referentes às queixas gerais, disfunções temporomandibulares e funções estomatognáticas foi realizada em avaliação miofuncional orofacial prévia à cirurgia, e em reavaliação quatro meses após realização da cirurgia ortognática e reabilitação fonoaudiológica. Foi utilizado teste de igualdade de duas proporções para análise estatística. RESULTADOS: as principais queixas foram funcionais. Constatou-se presença de disfunção temporomandibular na maioria da amostra, com remissão dos sinais em 81% dos casos comprometidos. A caracterização das funções estomatognáticas foi descrita, sendo obtida melhora funcional após os tratamentos com diferenças estatisticamente significantes. CONCLUSÃO: os tratamentos, cirúrgico e fonoaudiológico, produzem modificações dos padrões funcionais e dos sinais de disfunção temporomandibular com redução das queixas iniciais, redução dos sinais e correção dos padrões funcionais, sendo a deglutição a função mais beneficiada pelos tratamentos.
Alterações vocais e cuidados de saúde entre professoras
Authors: Medeiros Adriane Mesquita de , Assunção Ada Ávila , Barreto Sandhi Maria
Published: December 2011

OBJETIVO: conhecer os fatores associados à busca de assistência vocal entre professoras. MÉTODO: participaram 1.980 professoras do ensino fundamental diurno de 76 escolas públicas. Os dados foram coletados entre maio de 2004 e julho de 2005 por meio de questionário. A variável dependente referiu-se a questão "Nas duas últimas semanas, você procurou médico/fonoaudiólogo por causa de problemas na voz?" As variáveis independentes foram: sintomas de cansaço vocal e de piora na qualidade vocal, aspectos sociodemográficos, aspectos de saúde, percepção de ruído na sala de aula e na escola, ausência e afastamento do trabalho por problemas de voz, trabalho em outra atividade com uso intensivo da voz. A regressão logística foi utilizada para a análise das associações entre a variável dependente e os fatores de interesse com magnitudes estimadas usando-se o odds ratio, com intervalo de confiança de 95%. RESULTADOS: apenas 7% das professoras buscaram assistência no período de 15 dias. A procura por assistência foi associada ao ruído elevado na sala de aula, relato de piora na voz, problemas de vias aéreas superiores e ausência do trabalho por causa da voz. O presente trabalho mostrou que o comportamento recente é precipitado pela piora ou superposição de problemas vocais e respiratórios. CONCLUSÃO: a procura ou não pela assistência à saúde articula-se a fatores relacionados a outras dimensões além do adoecimento. Portanto, questões referentes ao uso de serviços de saúde como um processo dinâmico e relacionado ao distúrbio da voz devem ser abordadas em pesquisas futuras.