bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diversity and population characteristics of terrestrial isopods (Crustacea, Oniscidea) across three forest environments in southern Brazil
Authors: Bugs Priscila da Silva , Araujo Paula Beatriz , Mendonça Júnior Milton de Souza , Ott Ricardo
Published: November 2014

Terrestrial isopods are important and dominant component of meso and macrodecomposer soil communities. The present study investigates the diversity and species composition of terrestrial isopods on three forests on the Serra Geral of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The area has two natural formations (Primary Woodland and Secondary Woodland) and one plantation of introduced Pinus. The pitfall traps operated from March 2001 to May 2002, with two summer periods and one winter. There were 14 sampling dates overall. Of the five species found: Alboscia silveirensis Araujo, 1999, Atlantoscia floridana (van Name, 1940), Benthana araucariana Araujo & Lopes, 2003 (Philoscidae), Balloniscus glaber Araujo & Zardo, 1995 (Balloniscidae) and Styloniscus otakensis (Chilton, 1901) (Styloniscidae); only A. floridana is abundant on all environments and B. glaber is nearly exclusive for the native forests. The obtained data made it possible to infer about population characteristics of this species. The Similarity Analysis showed a quantitative difference among the Secondary forest and Pinus plantation, but not a qualitative one. The operational sex ratio (OSR) analysis for A. floridana does not reveal significant differences in male and female proportions among environments. The reproductive period identified in the present study for A. floridana was from spring to autumn in the primary forest and Pinus plantation and during all year for the secondary forest. The OSR analysis for B. glaber reveals no significant differences in abundance between males and females for secondary forest, but the primary forest was a significant difference. The reproductive period for B. glaber extended from summer to autumn (for primary and secondary forest). This is the first record for Brazil of an established terrestrial isopod population in a Pinus sp. plantation area, evidenced by the presence of young, adults and ovigerous females, balanced sex ratio, expected fecundity and reproduction pattern, as compared to populations from native vegetation areas.
Cytochemical characterization of gill and hepatopancreatic cells of the crab Ucides cordatus (Crustacea, Brachyura) validated by cell metal transport
Authors: Ortega Priscila , Santos Rudney A. , Lacouth Patrícia , Rozas Enrique E. , Custódio Márcio R. , Zanotto Flavia Pinheiro
Published: November 2014

Ucides cordatus (Linnaeus, 1763) is a hypo-hyper-regulating mangrove crab possessing gills for respiratory and osmoregulatory processes, separated in anterior and posterior sections. They also have hepatopancreas, which is responsible for digestion and absorption of nutrients and detoxification of toxic metals. Each of these organs has specific cells that are important for in vitro studies in cell biology, ion and toxic metals transport. In order to study and characterize cells from gills and hepatopancreas, both were separated using a Sucrose Gradient (SG) from 10 to 40% and cells in each gradient were characterized using the vital mitochondrial dye DASPEI (2-(4-dimethylaminostyryl)-N- ethylpyridinium iodide) and Trichrome Mallory's stain. Both in 20 and 40% SG for gill cells and 30% SG for hepatopancreatic cells, a greater number of cells were colored with DASPEI, indicating a larger number of mitochondria in these cells. It is concluded that the gill cells present in 20% and 40% SG are Thin cells, responsible for respiratory processes and Ionocytes responsible for ion transport, respectively. For hepatopancreatic cells, the 30% SG is composed of Fibrillar cells that possess larger number of membrane ion and nutrient transporters. Moreover, the transport of toxic metal cadmium (Cd) by isolated hepatopancreatic cells was performed as a way of following cell physiological integrity after cell separation and to study differences in transport among the cells. All hepatopancreatic cells were able to transport Cd. These findings are the first step for further work on isolated cells of these important exchange epithelia of crabs, using a simple separation method and to further develop successful in vitro cell culture in crabs.
On a new genus and species of Hemicytheridae (Ostracoda, Crustacea) from the southern Brazilian coast
Authors: Morais Anderson L. M. de , Coimbra João C.
Published: November 2014

This study is based on 62 samples of phytal and bottom sediments collected along rocky beaches (< 3 m water depth) of the central and northern coasts of the state of Santa Catarina (26Âº10'/27Âº50'S â€“ 48Âº26'/48Âº40'W), southern Brazil. Living and dead ostracodes distributed among 16 families were recovered. In this paper is emphasized one new hemicytherid genus and species that is described and richly illustrated: Auricythere sublitoralis gen. nov. and sp. nov. Some ecological and zoogeographical aspects of this new ostracode are briefly discussed.
Estação de Transbordo de Cargas como Mediador da Logística de Fertilizantes
Authors: Moori Roberto Giro , Riquetti Alessandro
Published: November 2014

Para atender o competitivo mercado mundial dos alimentos, as empresas do agronegócio brasileiro têm alargado as fronteiras agrícolas para regiões cada vez mais distantes das áreas de consumo, o que faz da logística, imprescindível. Nesse sentido, este artigo teve como objetivo verificar a importância das estações de transbordos de cargas como variável mediadora entre a gestão integrada da logística e seu desempenho em empresas brasileiras do ramo de fertilizantes de origem mineral. Para tanto, realizou-se uma pesquisa descritiva em que, para coletar dados, utilizou-se de questionários semiestruturados aplicados junto a gestores de logística. Foram obtidas 89 respostas. Os dados foram submetidos à modelagem em equações estruturais, o PLS-PM, em nível de significância estatística (α ≤ 0,05), revelou que as estações de transbordos de cargas medeiam parcialmente a relação entre gestão integrada da logística de fertilizantes e seu desempenho. O resultado obtido mostrou a aderência do modelo teórico estabelecido e evidências de que a utilização das estações de transbordos de cargas de fertilizantes como fator mediador pleno, ainda, tem um longo caminho a ser percorrido.
Effect of root and leaf applications of soluble silicon on blast development in rice
Authors: Cacique Isaias Severino , Domiciano Gisele Pereira , Moreira Wiler Ribas , Rodrigues Fabrício Ávila , Cruz Maria Fernanda Antunes , Serra Núria Sierras , Català Ana Botta
Published: November 2014

Blast, caused by Pyricularia oryzae, is the most important fungal disease of rice worldwide. This study aimed to compare root and foliar supply of soluble silicon (Si) on rice resistance to blast. The application of soluble Si to the roots increased Si concentration in leaf tissues as compare to plants grown in soil amended with calcium silicate. There was no increase in leaf Si concentration after soluble Si spray, regardless if the leaves were washed or not before analysis. X-ray microanalysis revealed that Si deposition was very similar on the leaf epidermis of plants sprayed with soluble Si, root amended with soluble Si or grown in soil amended with calcium silicate. The lesion size, the number of lesions per cm² of leaf and the area under blast progress curve were reduced for rice plants grown in soil that received the application of soluble Si or was amended with calcium silicate. The results of this study showed that the supply of soluble Si to the roots or its spray onto to the rice leaves can decrease blast symptoms.
Eficiência das escolas públicas urbanas das regiões nordeste e sudeste do Brasil: uma abordagem em três estágios
Authors: Carvalho Luciana Duarte Bhering de , Sousa Maria da Conceição Sampaio de
Published: November 2014

Nesse trabalho foi calculada uma medida de eficiência técnica para as escolas públicas urbanas das regiões Nordeste e Sudeste do Brasil, avaliadas pela Prova Brasil 2007, por meio da metodologia chamada de Análise da Envoltória de Dados (DEA) em três estágios, adotando-se a escola como unidade de análise. Em relação a todas as escolas estudadas, há indícios para afirmar que, mesmo descontando os fatores ambientais e aleatórios, ainda persiste a necessidade de melhorias ligadas à gestão de cada uma delas.
Quais os impactos da desaposentação? Um estudo para as aposentadorias por tempo de contribuição do regime geral de previdência social
Authors: Zanella Angelo José , Carvalho João Vinícius de França , Afonso Luís Eduardo
Published: November 2014

Este trabalho visa a avaliar os impactos da desaposentação, termo empregado quando um segurado do INSS se aposenta, mas se mantém no mercado de trabalho formal e pede recálculo do valor da aposentadoria, devido ao acréscimo no período contributivo. Há um trade off importante: quanto mais o segurado demorar em pedir a desaposentação, maior será o incremento no valor do benefício. Porém, o tempo de usufruto deste ganho será menor. Inversamente, quanto mais prematura a desaposentação, menor será o aumento no benefício e maior o período de desfrute. A fundamentação teórica baseia-se nos conceitos de justiça atuarial e neutralidade atuarial. Foram utilizados quatro indicadores usualmente adotados na literatura previdenciária: Taxa de Reposição, Taxa Interna de Retorno, Alíquota Necessária e Alíquota Efetiva. Os resultados evidenciam um período ótimo para a desaposentação: pelo menos 4,83 anos (homens) e 7,83 anos para (mulheres). Se a devolução do benefício for obrigatória antes do recálculo, não há vantagens na desaposentação.
Crédito privado antes da grande depressão do século XX: o mercado hipotecário
Authors: Marcondes Renato Leite
Published: November 2014

Apesar das restrições existentes, o mercado hipotecário cresceu no Brasil ao longo do século XIX e início do século XX. As mudanças institucionais possibilitaram a expansão do mercado por meio de bancos e de particulares, principalmente a partir da década de 1870. Houve um avanço do sistema bancário, especialmente ao final do século XIX. A presença de instituições estrangeiras ressaltou-se no início do século XX. Não obstante estas transformações do período em estudo, o mercado hipotecário ainda se concentrava nas mãos de agentes privados. A quase totalidade das transações ocorreu entre indivíduos, especialmente no meio urbano mesmo antes de 1930. No início do século XX, quando havia um sistema bancário mais avançado, os emprestadores particulares ainda realizavam mais transações do que os bancos.
Simplified gastric bypass: 13 years of experience and 12,000 patients operated
Authors: RAMOS Almino Cardoso , SILVA Andrey Carlo Sousa , RAMOS Manoela Galvão , CANSECO Edwin Gonzalo Claros , GALVÃO-NETO Manoel dos Passos , MENEZES Mariano de Almeida , GALVÃO Thales Delmondes , BASTOS Eduardo Lemos de Souza
Published: November 2014

BACKGROUND: Obesity is increasingly prevalent disease worldwide and bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for the most severe cases. The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is still the most used technique all over the world and the laparoscopic approach has been preferred by surgeons with different approaches, propositions and techniques in performing the procedure. AIM: To report the surgical aspects of the systematization and results of the simplified laparoscopic gastric bypass (Brazilian technique). METHODS: Were included all patients undergoing this procedure from January 2001 to July 2014; were described and analyzed aspects of this technique, the systematization and complications associated with the procedure. RESULTS: A total of 12,000 patients (72% women) were included, with a mean age of 43 years (14-76) and a mean BMI of 44.5 (35-90 kg/m2). Mean total operative time was 72 minutes (36-270) and the mean hospital stay was 36 hours. There were 303 cases of gastrojejunostomy stenosis (2.5%), 370 patients had gastrointestinal bleeding (3%) with only one lap revision due to a enteroanastomosis bleeding and six revisions related to intestinal obstruction caused by impacted clots in the jejunojenunostomy. Blood transfusion was needed in 32 patients (0.3%); Petersen hernia was diagnosed in 18 (0.15%) and digestive fistula in 54 (0.45%), which led to reoperation in 43 of them (67%). The overall mortality was 0.1% (fistula with sepsis=8, pulmonary thromboembolism=3; intestinal obstruction associated with sepsis=1). CONCLUSION: The simplified laparoscopic gastric bypass is a feasible and safe option with low complication rate and easy reproducibility for education and training in bariatric surgery.
Diet micronutrient adequacy of women after 1 year of gastric bypass
Authors: LEIRO Larissa Silveira , Melendez-ARAÚJO Mariana Silva
Published: November 2014

BACKGROUND: The more effective treatment for severe obesity is bariatric surgery. Gastric bypass is a surgical technique used worldwide; however, as well as other techniques; it has postoperative risks, including nutrient deficiency. AIM: To determine the amounts of dietary iron, calcium, vitamin D and vitamin B12 ingested by patients of a public hospital one year after gastric bypass, and compare with the recommendations of the Recommended Dietary Allowances. METHODS: This was a transverse descriptive study and the sample consisted of 36 women, with at least one year of gastric bypass. Data collected included sociodemographic, anthropometric and diet variables. Dietetic information was collected through a validated food frequency questionnaire. Ingestion of iron, calcium, vitamin D and vitamina B12 was evaluated in comparison with the Recommended Dietary Allowances, as well as correlation of micronutrient ingestion with time of surgery. RESULTS: There was inadequate consumption of iron, calcium and vitamin D. The vitamin B12 intake was considered adequate. There was statistically significant positive correlation between the time of surgery and the ingestion of iron, vitamin B12 and vitamin D. CONCLUSION: The intake of iron, calcium and vitamin D of women one year after gastric bypass was inadequate, emphasizing the importance of multiprofessional monitoring postoperatively to prevent nutrient deficiencies.
Nutritional status and life quality in patients undergoing bariatric surgery
Authors: SILVA Paulo Roberto Bezerra da , SOUZA Marcela Ramos de , SILVA Evane Moises da , SILVA Silvia Alves da
Published: November 2014

BACKGROUND: The obesity has achieved an alarming increase in recent years, which led this disease to global epidemic condition. AIM: To evaluate the nutritional status as well as the quality of life of obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery. METHODS: A transversal study was conducted with obese adults of both genders who underwent bariatric surgery by Fobi-Capella technique for at least 30 days. It was evaluated: age, gender, marital status, occupation, weight before surgery, current weight, height, preoperative and current BMI, weight loss and loss of excess weight percentages, presence of clinical manifestations and food intolerances. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 70 patients, being 81.4% female, 37.1% aged 30 to 39 years, 58.6% were married, 41.4% have undergone the bariatric surgery in the last 12 months. It was observed a reduction in BMI from 37.2 kg/m2 (one to three months) to 28.9 kg/m2 (>12 months) and consequent increase in weight loss and loss of excess weight percentages. The most frequent clinical manifestation was alopecia (62.9%). The most reported food intolerance was on the red meat (24%). According to the Baros questionnaire, 50% of patients were classified as having good quality of life. CONCLUSION: The operation of Fobi-Capella proved to be effective in promoting gradual and lasting weight loss. Quality of life was considered good in most patients, indicating that the operation had a positive impact on their lives.
Effect of the ingestion of the palm oil and glutamine in serum levels of GLP-1, PYY and glycemia in diabetes mellitus type 2 patients submitted to metabolic surgery
Authors: TAKEUTI Tharsus Dias , TERRA Guilherme Azevedo , SILVA Alex Augusto da , TERRA-JÚNIOR Júverson Alves , SILVA Luci Mara da , CREMA Eduardo
Published: November 2014

BACKGROUND: Incretins are hormones produced by the intestine and can stimulate the secretion of insulin, helping to diminish the post-prandial glycemia. The administration of an emulsion of palm oil can help in the maintenance of the weight, and can increase circulating incretins levels. Glutamine increases the concentration of incretins in diabetic people. Both can help in metabolic syndrome. AIM: To analyze the effects of ingestion of palm oil and glutamine in glycemia and in incretins in patients with diabetes submitted to surgical duodenojejunal exclusion with ileal interposition without gastrectomy. METHODS: Eleven diabetic type 2 patients were included and were operated. They were called to laboratory follow-up without eating anything between eight and 12 hours. They had there blood collected after the stimulus of the palm oil and glutamine taken in different days. For the hormonal doses were used ELISA kits. RESULTS: The glycemia showed a meaningful fall between the fast and two hours after the stimulus of the palm oil (p=0,018). With the glutamine the GLP-1 showed an increase between the fast and one hour (p=0,32), the PYY showed an important increase between the fast and one hour after the stimulus (p=0,06), the glycemia showed a meaningful fall after two hours of the administration of the stimulus (p=0,03). CONCLUSION: Palm oil and glutamine can influence intestinal peptides and glucose
Metabolic and endocrinological factors related to nephrolithiasis pre and post multiple techniques of bariatric surgery: a sistematic review
Authors: SANTOS Marcos Vinicius Ribeiro dos , FERREIRA Gustavo Enrique Correia , OLIVEIRA Eduardo Cirne Pedrosa de , KREIMER Flavio , CAMPOS Josemberg Marins , FERRAZ Alvaro Antonio B.
Published: November 2014

INTRODUCTION: Despite of benefits of bariatric surgery for obesity treatment, the procedure may be related to some complications. AIM: Analyze studies to address the relation between nephrolithiasis and bariatric surgery. METHODS: Ten papers about this theme were selected from 2005-2013 in Pubmed, describing the relation of nephrolithiasis or their risk factors with several types of bariatric surgery. RESULTS: Retrospective studies with minimal follow-up of three years demonstrated 7,65% in surgery patients and 4,63% non-surgery with nephrolithiasis (p<0,05). Prospective studies (8 of 10) revealed large percentage of calculi appearing and significant increase in oxaluria. CONCLUSION: There is correlation between obesity surgery and nephrolithiasis.
Tumor neuroendócrino primário do fígado: descrição de caso e revisão da literatura
Authors: Camargo Éden Sartor , Viveiros Marcelo de Melo , Corrêa Neto Isaac José Felippe , Robles Laercio , Rezende Marcelo Bruno
Published: November 2014

Tumores carcinoides primários do fígado são neoplasias derivadas de células neuroendócrinas produtoras de hormônios, extremamente raras e de difícil diagnóstico antes da biópsia, ressecção cirúrgica ou mesmo da necrópsia. Em recente publicação, descreveram-se apenas 94 casos dessa afecção. É uma doença sem predileção por sexo e que, aparentemente, não tem associação com cirrose, nem com doença hepática preexistente. O tratamento que se demonstra mais eficaz é a hepatectomia, cuja extensão da ressecção é determinada pelo tamanho e pela localização das lesões.
Barriers associated with reduced physical activity in COPD patients
Authors: Amorim Priscila Batista , Stelmach Rafael , Carvalho Celso Ricardo Fernandes , Fernandes Frederico Leon Arrabal , Carvalho-Pinto Regina Maria , Cukier Alberto
Published: November 2014

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the ability of COPD patients to perform activities of daily living (ADL); to identify barriers that prevent these individuals from performing ADL; and to correlate those barriers with dyspnea severity, six-minute walk test (6MWT), and an ADL limitation score. METHODS: In COPD patients and healthy, age-matched controls, the number of steps, the distance walked, and walking time were recorded with a triaxial accelerometer, for seven consecutive days. A questionnaire regarding perceived barriers and the London Chest Activity of Daily Living (LCADL) scale were used in order to identify the factors that prevent the performance of ADL. The severity of dyspnea was assessed with two scales, whereas submaximal exercise capacity was determined on the basis of the 6MWT. RESULTS: We evaluated 40 COPD patients and 40 controls. In comparison with the control values, the mean walk time was significantly shorter for COPD patients (68.5 ± 25.8 min/day vs. 105.2 ± 49.4 min/day; p < 0.001), as was the distance walked (3.9 ± 1.9 km/day vs. 6.4 ± 3.2 km/day; p < 0.001). The COPD patients also walked fewer steps/day. The most common self-reported barriers to performing ADL were lack of infrastructure, social influences, and lack of willpower. The 6MWT distance correlated with the results obtained with the accelerometer but not with the LCADL scale results. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with COPD are less active than are healthy adults of a comparable age. Physical inactivity and the barriers to performing ADL have immediate implications for clinical practice, calling for early intervention measures.
Clinical and economic aspects of the use of rituximab in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
Authors: Figueirêdo Camila Bezerra Melo , Souza Joelma Rodrigues de , Soares Daniel Handerson Galindo , Silva Caio Cesar de Andrade Rodrigues , Lorena Virginia Maria Barros de
Published: November 2014

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) consists of a group of neoplasias involving mainly B cells and represents 90% of all lymphomas. The current available therapy is based on chemotherapy associated with the monoclonal antibody rituximab (Mab Thera(r)), which targets the CD20 protein, present in over 80% of NHL mature B cells. Recent clinical reports show a preference for combining the benefits of immunotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy, thus generating safe and effective alternative treatments. The current review aimed at evaluating various aspects related to the use of rituximab for NHL, highlighting the possible inhibitory mechanisms of cell proliferation, the achieved clinical results, and the expected clinical and economic outcomes of treatments. The results from clinical tests indicate the need for a better understanding of the critical mechanisms of action of this antibody, which may maximize its therapeutic efficacy. This therapy not only represents a viable option to treat most types of NHLs, especially when associated with conventional chemotherapy, but also offers cost-utility and cost-effectiveness advantages.
Development and validation of UV spectrophotometric method for orbifloxacin assay and dissolution studies
Authors: Cazedey Edith Cristina Laignier , Salgado Hérida Regina Nunes
Published: November 2014

New, simple and cost effective UV-spectrophotometric method was developed for the estimation of orbifloxacin in pharmaceutical formulation. Orbifloxacin was estimated at 290 nm in 0.5 M hydrochloric acid. Linearity range was found to be 1.0-6.0 μg mL-1. The method was tested and validated for various parameters according to main guidelines. The proposed method was successfully applied for the determination of orbifloxacin in tablets. The results demonstrated that the procedure is accurate, precise and reproducible, while being simple, economical and less time consuming. It can be suitably applied for the estimation of orbifloxacin in routine quality control and dissolution studies.
Simultaneous estimation of rosuvastatin and amlodipine in pharmaceutical formulations using stability indicating HPLC method
Authors: Ashfaq Muhammad , Akhtar Tazeem , Mustafa Ghulam , Danish Muhammad , Razzaq Syed Naeem , Nazar Muhammad Faizan
Published: November 2014

A viable cost-effective and isocratic approach employing C-18 column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 µm) based HPLC has been utilized to separate and estimate the drugs, rosuvastatin, amlodipine and their stress induced degradation products, simultaneously in pharmaceutical formulations. Focused on ICH guideline parameters, the efficient separation of both drugs and their degradation products was achieved by optimizing a 30:70 (v/v) solvent mixture of acetonitrile and 0.1 M ammonium acetate buffer (pH 5) as mobile phase. The flow rate of the mobile phase was 1.5 mL/min and all the detections were carried out at 240 nm using UV detector. The method was linear in the concentration range of 1-200 µg/mL for rosuvastatin with 0.996 coefficient of determination value. For amlodipine, linearity was in the range of 0.5-100 µg/ml with 0.994 coefficient of determination value. Both the drugs along with their degradation products were separated in less than twenty minutes. The results of within-day and between-day precision were varied from 0.72 to 1.81% for rosuvastatin and 0.83 to 1.88% for amlodipine. The results show that this ICH validated method can be employed successfully for the routine as well as stability quantification of both the active ingredients simultaneously in pharmaceutical formulations.
The Impact of Firm Specific Factors on Capital Structure
Authors: Öner Mehtap
Published: November 2014

The main aim of this study is to analyze the impact of firm specific factors on corporate capital structure decisions of firms. The analysis is based on the year end observations of 100 firms which are among the top 1000 industrial enterprises listed on Borsa Istanbul for the period 2005-2011. By using panel data methodology, five explanatory variables: tangibility, profitability, firm size, non-debt tax shields and growth opportunities are evaluated as the firm specific determinants of capital structure decisions. The leverage ratio which is the dependent variable of the analysis is used as the proxy of firms' capital structure. In order to test whether crucial results are robust to alternative leverage definitions, this study measures leverage as the firm's total debt to total asset and long term debt to total asset ratios by focusing both on book and market based measures. The major findings of the study with respect to financing decisions of firms provide significant and positive impact of tangibility on long term debt ratio, however it turns out to be inverse for total debt ratio. In addition, it is found that profitable firms tend to have lower leverage; and larger companies tend to have higher debt ratios compared to small ones. What is more, evidence support that firms with greater growth opportunities and non-debt tax shield reveal inverse relation with debt level. Except the impact of growth opportunities which is only significant for market based leverage ratios, the findings for all other variables are robust for different definitions of leverage.
Analyzing the Existence of the Day of the Week Effect in Selected Emerging Country Stock Exchanges
Authors: Çinko Murat , Avci Emin , Aybars Aslı , Öner Mehtap
Published: November 2014

Calendar anomalies, specifically Day of the Week (DoW) effect, have attracted considerable attention by academicians and practitioners during the last decades. This study investigates the existence of DoW effect in 13 emerging stock markets by utilizing an observation period of 12 years. Whereas the findings of the study reveal the presence of negative Monday effects for Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand; positive Monday returns are found in South Africa contrary to expectations. Furthermore; positive Friday returns are observed in 9 of the markets belonging to Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Indonesia, Malaysia, Romania, Thailand, Tunisia, and Turkey. Additional results document the presence of positive Wednesday and Thursday returns for most of the markets analyzed.
Gene Targeting RhoA Reveals Its Essential Role in Coordinating Mitochondrial Function and Thymocyte Development
Authors: Zhang Shuangmin , Konstantinidis Diamantis G. , Yang Jun-Qi , Mizukawa Benjamin , Kalim Khalid , Lang Richard A. , Kalfa Theodosia A. , Zheng Yi , Guo Fukun
Published: November 2014

Thymocyte development is regulated by complex signaling pathways. How these signaling cascades are coordinated remains elusive. RhoA of the Rho family small GTPases plays an important role in actin cytoskeleton organization, cell adhesion, migration, proliferation, and survival. Nonetheless, the physiological function of RhoA in thymocyte development is not clear. By characterizing a conditional gene targeting mouse model bearing T cell deletion of RhoA, we show that RhoA critically regulates thymocyte development by coordinating multiple developmental events. RhoA gene disruption caused a strong developmental block at the pre-TCR checkpoint and during positive selection. Ablation of RhoA led to reduced DNA synthesis in CD4−CD8−, CD4+CD8−, and CD4−CD8+ thymocytes but not in CD4+CD8+ thymocytes. Instead, RhoA-deficient CD4+CD8+ thymocytes showed an impaired mitosis. Furthermore, we found that abrogation of RhoA led to an increased apoptosis in all thymocyte subpopulations. Importantly, we show that the increased apoptosis was resulted from reduced pre-TCR expression and increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which may be because of an enhanced mitochondrial function, as manifested by increased oxidative phosphorylation, glycolysis, mitochondrial membrane potential, and mitochondrial biogenesis in RhoA-deficient thymocytes. Restoration of pre-TCR expression or treatment of RhoA-deficient mice with a ROS scavenger N-acetylcysteine partially restored thymocyte development. These results suggest that RhoA is required for thymocyte development and indicate, to our knowledge, for the first time that fine-tuning of ROS production by RhoA, through a delicate control of metabolic circuit, may contribute to thymopoiesis.
Lipocalin 2 Imparts Selective Pressure on Bacterial Growth in the Bladder and Is Elevated in Women with Urinary Tract Infection
Authors: Steigedal Magnus , Marstad Anne , Haug Markus , Damås Jan K. , Strong Roland K. , Roberts Pacita L. , Himpsl Stephanie D. , Stapleton Ann , Hooton Thomas M. , Mobley Harry L. T. , Hawn Thomas R. , Flo Trude H.
Published: November 2014

Competition for iron is a critical component of successful bacterial infections, but the underlying in vivo mechanisms are poorly understood. We have previously demonstrated that lipocalin 2 (LCN2) is an innate immunity protein that binds to bacterial siderophores and starves them for iron, thus representing a novel host defense mechanism to infection. In the present study we show that LCN2 is secreted by the urinary tract mucosa and protects against urinary tract infection (UTI). We found that LCN2 was expressed in the bladder, ureters, and kidneys of mice subject to UTI. LCN2 was protective with higher bacterial numbers retrieved from bladders of Lcn2-deficient mice than from wild-type mice infected with the LCN2-sensitive Escherichia coli strain H9049. Uropathogenic E. coli mutants in siderophore receptors for salmochelin, aerobactin, or yersiniabactin displayed reduced fitness in wild-type mice, but not in mice deficient of LCN2, demonstrating that LCN2 imparts a selective pressure on bacterial growth in the bladder. In a human cohort of women with recurrent E. coli UTIs, urine LCN2 levels were associated with UTI episodes and with levels of bacteriuria. The number of siderophore systems was associated with increasing bacteriuria during cystitis. Our data demonstrate that LCN2 is secreted by the urinary tract mucosa in response to uropathogenic E. coli challenge and acts in innate immune defenses as a colonization barrier that pathogens must overcome to establish infection.
Definition of the Cattle Killer Cell Ig–like Receptor Gene Family: Comparison with Aurochs and Human Counterparts
Authors: Sanderson Nicholas D. , Norman Paul J. , Guethlein Lisbeth A. , Ellis Shirley A. , Williams Christina , Breen Matthew , Park Steven D. E. , Magee David A. , Babrzadeh Farbod , Warry Andrew , Watson Mick , Bradley Daniel G. , MacHugh David E. , Parham Peter , Hammond John A.
Published: November 2014

Under selection pressure from pathogens, variable NK cell receptors that recognize polymorphic MHC class I evolved convergently in different species of placental mammal. Unexpectedly, diversified killer cell Ig–like receptors (KIRs) are shared by simian primates, including humans, and cattle, but not by other species. Whereas much is known of human KIR genetics and genomics, knowledge of cattle KIR is limited to nine cDNA sequences. To facilitate comparison of the cattle and human KIR gene families, we determined the genomic location, structure, and sequence of two cattle KIR haplotypes and defined KIR sequences of aurochs, the extinct wild ancestor of domestic cattle. Larger than its human counterpart, the cattle KIR locus evolved through successive duplications of a block containing ancestral KIR3DL and KIR3DX genes that existed before placental mammals. Comparison of two cattle KIR haplotypes and aurochs KIR show the KIR are polymorphic and the gene organization and content appear conserved. Of 18 genes, 8 are functional and 10 were inactivated by point mutation. Selective inactivation of KIR3DL and activating receptor genes leaves a functional cohort of one inhibitory KIR3DL, one activating KIR3DX, and six inhibitory KIR3DX. Functional KIR diversity evolved from KIR3DX in cattle and from KIR3DL in simian primates. Although independently evolved, cattle and human KIR gene families share important function-related properties, indicating that cattle KIR are NK cell receptors for cattle MHC class I. Combinations of KIR and MHC class I are the major genetic factors associated with human disease and merit investigation in cattle.
The accuracy of integrated [ 18 F] fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography in detection of pelvic and para-aortic nodal metastasis in patients with high risk endometrial cancer
Authors: Gholkar Nikhil , Saha Subhas , Prasad GRV , Bhattacharya Anish , Srinivasan Radhika , Suri Vanita
Published: November 2014

Lymph nodal (LN) metastasis is the most important prognostic factor in high-risk endometrial cancer. However, the benefit of routine lymphadenectomy in endometrial cancer is controversial. This study was conducted to assess the accuracy of [ 18 F] fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography ([ 18 F] FDG-PET/CT) in detection of pelvic and para-aortic nodal metastases in high-risk endometrial cancer. 20 patients with high-risk endometrial carcinoma underwent [ 18 F] FDG-PET/CT followed by total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and systematic pelvic lymphadenectomy with or without para-aortic lymphadenectomy. The findings on histopathology were compared with [ 18 F] FDG-PET/CT findings to calculate the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy of [ 18 F] FDG-PET/CT. The pelvic nodal findings were analyzed on a patient and nodal chain based criteria. The para-aortic nodal findings were reported separately. Histopathology documented nodal involvement in two patients (10%). For detection of pelvic nodes, on a patient based analysis, [ 18 F] FDG-PET/CT had a sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 61.11%, PPV of 22.22%, NPV of 100% and accuracy of 65% and on a nodal chain based analysis, [ 18 F] FDG-PET/CT had a sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 80%, PPV of 20%, NPV of 100%, and accuracy of 80.95%. For detection of para-aortic nodes, [ 18 F] FDG-PET/CT had sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 66.67%, PPV of 20%, NPV of 100%, and accuracy of 69.23%. Although [ 18 F] FDG-PET/CT has high sensitivity for detection of LN metastasis in endometrial carcinoma, it had moderate accuracy and high false positivity. However, the high NPV is important in selecting patients in whom lymphadenectomy may be omitted.
Correlative 99m Tc-labeled tropane derivative single photon emission computer tomography and clinical assessment in the staging of parkinson disease
Authors: Shinto Ajit , Antony Joppy , Kamaleshwaran Koramadai , Vijayan Krishnan , Selvan Arul , Korde Aruna , Kameshwaran Mythili , Samuel Grace
Published: November 2014

Parkinson′s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a selective loss of dopamine in the striatum. Problems remain in the accurate diagnosis of PD. The diagnosis of idiopathic PD is based on the interpretation of clinical signs and symptoms could be incorrect at the time of initial presentation. In vivo imaging of the dopaminergic system has the potential to improve the diagnosis of PD in its early stages. The imaging of dopamine transporter (DAT) with 99m Tc-labeled tropane derivative (TRODAT-1) single photon emission computer tomography/computer tomography (SPECT/CT) has been proposed to be a valuable and feasible means of assessment of the integrity of dopamine neurons. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential usefulness of 99m Tc-TRODAT-1 imaging in the evaluation of patients with PD and classify into different stages of the disease. SPECT imaging with 99m Tc-TRODAT-1 was conducted in 16 consecutive PD patients (9 men; 7 women) and in 6 age matched healthy volunteers (4 men; 2 women). The images were obtained 3 h after the intra-venous injection of the tracer. Specific uptake in the striatum and its sub-regions, including the putamen and caudate nucleus was calculated and the ratios of specific striatal binding to nonspecific occipital binding were calculated. ANOVA with Dunnett C post-hoc analysis was conducted using SPSS 20. A stepwise reduction in specific striatal uptake of 99m Tc-TRODAT-1 with increasing disease severity between healthy control versus Stage I versus Stage II versus Stage III was found in PD patients (i.e., 3.77 vs. 2.56 vs. 1.57 vs. 0.63, P < 0.05). The changes were magnified by measurement of specific putaminal uptake (1.43 vs. 0.79 vs. 0.54 vs. 0.19, P < 0.05) and specific caudate uptake (1.90 vs. 1.47 vs. 0.73 vs. 0.27, P < 0.05). No remarkable adverse reactions were found in either healthy volunteers or PD patients during or after imaging. 99m Tc-TRODAT-1 is accurate and widely available for the assessment of DAT activity, which might shed light on the integrity of the presynaptic nigrostriatal function. Our preliminary study results confirm the potential of using 99m Tc-TRODAT-1 for DAT measurement, which is clinically important for the staging of PD.
Gallium-68 Dota-Tate positron emission tomography/computed tomography: Scintigraphic changes of adrenal glands following management of ectopic cushing′s syndrome by steroidogenesis inhibitors
Authors: Huang Yu-Ting , Aziz Shaikh , Ravi Kumar Aravind
Published: November 2014

In the era of emerging functional imaging techniques, an understanding of the effects of hormonal therapies on the scintigraphic appearance of endocrine organs is desirable to minimize the erroneous scan interpretation. The mechanisms by which changes in the scintigraphic appearance of endocrine organs occur however sometimes remain ambiguous. This case demonstrates the gallium-68 (Ga-68) DOTA-TATE positron emission tomography/computed tomography (CT) appearance of adrenal glands following management with steroidogenesis inhibitors. The potential mechanisms underlying this change are discussed. A 17-year-old boy with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) dependent Cushing′s syndrome secondary to ectopic ACTH secretion underwent pre- and post-metyrapone and dexamethasone treatment Ga-68 DOTA-TATE scans 4 months apart. Pretreatment, both adrenals demonstrated normal symmetrical prominent Ga-68 DOTA-TATE uptake and normal CT appearance. The posttherapy scan revealed marked symmetrical suppression of Ga-68 DOTA-TATE uptake, but with bilateral adrenal hypertrophy on CT.
Occult prostate cancer detected with 18F-fluorocholine positron emission tomography/computed tomography
Authors: Xie Wanying , Tan Andrew Eik , Cheng Christopher , Whatt Anthony Goh
Published: November 2014

We present a case of a 63-year-old gentleman, who had an initial negative prostate needle biopsy, but persistently elevated prostate-specific antigen levels. An magnetic resonance imaging study of the prostate failed to demonstrate the presence of malignancy. 18F-fluorocholine positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) was then acquired which revealed suspicious prostate lesions. These were confirmed by subsequent surgery and histology to represent prostatic carcinoma.
Contracts for the International Sale of Goods
Authors: Kruisinga S.A.
Published: November 2014

Contracts for the International Sale of Goods: Recent Developments at the International and European Level

In the globalizing economy, national borders seem to have disappeared. However, when determining which law will apply to a commercial transaction, the opposite seems true. In 1980, the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (hereafter the CISG) was specifically drafted to apply to contracts for the international sale of goods. Recently, the European Commission also published a document containing provisions that can apply to contracts for the international sale of goods: the Proposal for a Regulation on a Common European Sales Law. This paper compares the scope of application of these legal regimes, it compares the regulation of standard terms in both regimes and addresses the provisions in the EU Regulation on jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters (Brussels I), which are of relevance for contracts for the international sale of goods which do not contain a valid dispute settlement clause.
Role of SAGA in the asymmetric segregation of DNA circles during yeast ageing
Authors: Denoth-Lippuner Annina , Krzyzanowski Marek Konrad , Stober Catherine , Barral Yves
Published: November 2014

In eukaryotes, intra-chromosomal recombination generates DNA circles, but little is known about how cells react to them. In yeast, partitioning of such circles to the mother cell at mitosis ensures their loss from the population but promotes replicative ageing. Nevertheless, the mechanisms of partitioning are debated. In this study, we show that the SAGA complex mediates the interaction of non-chromosomal DNA circles with nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) and thereby promotes their confinement in the mother cell. Reciprocally, this causes retention and accumulation of NPCs, which affects the organization of ageing nuclei. Thus, SAGA prevents the spreading of DNA circles by linking them to NPCs, but unavoidably causes accumulation of circles and NPCs in the mother cell, and thereby promotes ageing. Together, our data provide a unifying model for the asymmetric segregation of DNA circles and how age affects nuclear organization.
Ionospherically reflected proton whistlers
Authors: Vavilov D. I. , Shklyar D. R.
Published: November 2014

We present experimental observations and detailed investigation of the variety of proton whistlers that includes transequatorial and ionospherically reflected proton whistlers. The latter have previously been indicated from numerical modeling of spectrograms. The study is based on six‐component ELF wave data from the Detection of Electro‐Magnetic Emissions Transmitted from Earthquake Regions (DEMETER) satellite which permits to obtain not only spectrograms displaying the power spectral density but also such wave properties as the polarization, wave normal angle, wave refractive index, and normalized parallel component of the Poynting vector. The explanation of various types of proton whistlers is based on the properties of ion cyclotron wave propagation in a multicomponent magnetoplasma, with special consideration of the effect of ion hybrid resonance reflection. Analysis of experimental data is supplemented by numerical modeling of spectrograms that reproduces the main features of experimental ones. As a self‐contained result, we provide conclusive experimental evidences that the region illuminated by a lightning stroke in the Earth‐ionosphere waveguide may spread over a distance of 4000 km in both hemispheres.
Integrated modeling framework to quantify the coastal protection services supplied by vegetation
Authors: Guannel Greg , Ruggiero Peter , Faries Joe , Arkema Katie , Pinsky Malin , Gelfenbaum Guy , Guerry Anne , Kim Choong‐Ki
Published: November 2014

Vegetation can protect communities by reducing nearshore wave height and altering sediment transport processes. However, quantitative approaches for evaluating the coastal protection services, or benefits, supplied by vegetation to people in a wide range of coastal environments are lacking. To begin to fill this knowledge gap, we propose an integrated modeling approach for quantifying how vegetation modifies nearshore processes—including the attenuation of wave height, mean and total water level—and reduces shoreline erosion during storms. We apply the model to idealized seagrass‐sand and mangrove‐mud cases, and illustrate its potential by quantifying how those habitats reduce water levels and sediment loss beyond what would be observed in the absence of vegetation. The integrated modeling approach provides an efficient way to quantify the coastal protection services supplied by vegetation and highlights specific research needs for improved representations of the ways in which vegetation modifies wave‐induced processes.
Numerical simulations of impact crater formation with dilatancy
Authors: Collins G. S.
Published: November 2014

Impact‐induced fracturing creates porosity that is responsible for many aspects of the geophysical signature of an impact crater. This paper describes a simple model of dilatancy—the creation of porosity in a shearing geological material—and its implementation in the iSALE shock physics code. The model is used to investigate impact‐induced dilatancy during simple and complex crater formation on Earth. Simulations of simple crater formation produce porosity distributions consistent with observations. Dilatancy model parameters appropriate for low‐quality rock masses give the best agreement with observation; more strongly dilatant behavior would require substantial postimpact porosity reduction. The tendency for rock to dilate less when shearing under high pressure is an important property of the model. Pressure suppresses impact‐induced dilatancy: in the shock wave, at depth beneath the crater floor, and in the convergent subcrater flow that forms the central uplift. Consequently, subsurface porosity distribution is a strong function of crater size, which is reflected in the inferred gravity anomaly. The Bouguer gravity anomaly for simulated craters smaller than 25 km is a broad low with a magnitude proportional to the crater radius; larger craters exhibit a central gravity high within a suppressed gravity low. Lower crustal pressures on the Moon relative to Earth imply that impact‐induced dilatancy is more effective on the Moon than Earth for the same size impact in an initially nonporous target. This difference may be mitigated by the presence of porosity in the lunar crust.