bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Caspase cleavage of Atg4D stimulates GABARAP-L1 processing and triggers mitochondrial targeting and apoptosis
Authors: Betin Virginie M. S. , Lane Jon D.
Published: June 2009

Autophagy is an important catabolic process with roles in cell survival and cell death. It sequesters cytosol and organelles within double-membrane autophagosomes that deliver their contents to lysosomes for degradation. Autophagosome biogenesis is coordinated by the autophagy-related protein 4 (Atg4) family of C54 endopeptidases (Atg4A-Atg4D). These enzymes prime and then later delipidate the autophagosome marker, Atg8. Here, we show that one family member, Atg4D, is cleaved by caspase-3 in vitro and in apoptotic cells. Atg4D is a poor priming and delipidation enzyme in vitro, but truncated ΔN63 Atg4D displays increased activity against the Atg8 paralogue, γ-aminobutyric acid receptor-associated protein-like 1 (GABARAP-L1). In living cells, ΔN63 Atg4D stimulates the delipidation of GABARAP-L1, whereas siRNA silencing of the gene expressing Atg4D abrogates GABARAP-L1 autophagosome formation and sensitises cells to starvation and staurosporine-induced cell death. Interestingly, Atg4D overexpression induces apoptosis, which is preceded by the caspase-independent recruitment of Atg4D to mitochondria and is facilitated by a putative C-terminal Bcl-2 homology 3 (BH3) domain. Atg4D also acquires affinity for damaged mitochondria in cells treated with hydrogen peroxide. These data suggest that Atg4D is an autophagy regulator that links mitochondrial dysfunction with apoptosis.
Regulation of β4-integrin expression by epigenetic modifications in the mammary gland and during the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition
Authors: Yang Xiaofang , Pursell Bryan , Lu Shaolei , Chang Tsun-Kai , Mercurio Arthur M.
Published: June 2009

The β4 integrin is expressed in epithelial cells, a few other cell types and in some carcinomas. Despite this restricted expression pattern and the functional importance of β4 integrin in epithelial and carcinoma biology, little is known about how its expression is regulated. Here, we assessed the epigenetic regulation of β4 integrin based on the presence of a large CpG island in the β4-integrin gene promoter. We separated basal (β4+) and luminal (β4–) epithelial cells from the mammary glands of K14-eGFP mice and demonstrated that the β4-integrin promoter is unmethylated in basal cells and methylated in luminal cells. We also observed that expression of β4 integrin and E-cadherin is lost during the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of mammary gland cells induced by transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ), which is coincident with de novo DNA methylation, a decrease in active histone modifications (H3K9Ac and H3K4me3) and an increase in the repressive histone modification H3K27me3. Furthermore, TGFβ withdrawal promotes a mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET) and triggers the re-expression of β4 integrin and E-cadherin. Intriguingly, demethylation at either promoter is not obligatory for transcriptional reactivation after TGFβ withdrawal. However, both H3K9Ac and H3K4me3 modifications are restored during the MET, and H3K27me3 is reduced, strongly suggesting that reversible histone modifications rather than DNA demethylation are the predominant factors in reactivating expression of these genes. Our data indicate that complex epigenetic modifications contribute to the regulation of the β4 integrin and E-cadherin.
Direct recruitment of H+-ATPase from lysosomes for phagosomal acidification
Authors: Sun-Wada Ge-Hong , Tabata Hiroyuki , Kawamura Nobuyuki , Aoyama Minako , Wada Yoh
Published: June 2009

The nascent phagosome progressively establishes an acidic milieu by acquiring a proton pump, the vacuolar-type ATPase (V-ATPase). However, the origin of phagosomal V-ATPase remains poorly understood. We found that phagosomes were enriched with the V-ATPase a3 subunit, which also accumulated in late endosomes and lysosomes. We modified the mouse Tcirg1 locus encoding subunit a3, to express an a3-GFP fusion protein. Live-cell imaging and immunofluorescence microscopy revealed that nascent phagosomes received the a3-GFP from tubular structures extending from lysosomes located in the perinuclear region. Macrophages from a3-deficient mice exhibited impaired acidification of phagosomes and delayed digestion of bacteria. These results show that lysosomal V-ATPase is recruited directly to the phagosomes via tubular lysosomes to establish the acidic environment hostile to pathogens.
Psychology and Economics: Evidence from the Field
Authors: DellaVigna Stefano
Published: June 2009

The research in Psychology and Economics (a.k.a. Behavioral Economics) suggests that individuals deviate from the standard model in three respects: (1) nonstandard preferences, (2) nonstandard beliefs, and (3) nonstandard decision making. In this paper, I survey the empirical evidence from the field on these three classes of deviations. The evidence covers a number of applications, from consumption to finance, from crime to voting, from charitable giving to labor supply. In the class of nonstandard preferences, I discuss time preferences (self-control problems), risk preferences (reference dependence), and social preferences. On nonstandard beliefs, I present evidence on overconfidence, on the law of small numbers, and on projection bias. Regarding nonstandard decision making, I cover framing, limited attention, menu effects, persuasion and social pressure, and emotions. I also present evidence on how rational actors—firms, employers, CEOs, investors, and politicians—respond to the nonstandard behavior described in the survey. Finally, I briefly discuss under what conditions experience and market interactions limit the impact of the nonstandard features.
Can the West Save Africa?
Authors: Easterly William
Published: June 2009

In the new millennium, the Western aid effort toward Africa has surged due to writings by well-known economists, a celebrity mass advocacy campaign, and decisions by Western leaders to make Africa a major foreign policy priority. This survey contrasts the predominant “transformational” approach (West comprehensively saves Africa) to occasional swings to a “marginal” approach (West takes one small step at a time to help individual Africans). Evaluation of “one step at a time” initiatives is generally easier than that of transformational ones either through controlled experiments (although these have been oversold) or simple case studies where it is easier to attribute outcomes to actions. We see two themes emerge from the literature survey: (1) escalation—as each successive Western transformational effort has yielded disappointing results (as judged at least by stylized facts, since again the econometrics are shaky), the response has been to try an even more ambitious effort and (2) the cycle of ideas—rather than a progressive testing and discarding of failed ideas, we see a cycle in aid ideas in many areas in Africa, with ideas going out of fashion only to come back again later after some lapse long enough to forget the previous disappointing experience. Both escalation and cyclicality of ideas are symptomatic of the lack of learning that seems to be characteristic of the “transformational” approach. In contrast, the “marginal” approach has had some successes in improving the well-being of individual Africans, such as the dramatic fall in mortality.
A Review of Michael Tomz's Reputation and International Cooperation: Sovereign Debt across Three Centuries
Authors: Gersovitz Mark
Published: June 2009

Repudiation and expropriation pose obstacles to the international mobility of capital and thereby to efficient international allocation of resources. Tomz discusses the determinants of lending in the face of the threat of repudiation. Using history, he argues that debtor countries have sought a reputation for compliance with loan agreements to access future loans and that military or trade sanctions have been unimportant in sustaining lending. He discusses when and why banks have been more active as lenders relative to bondholders. This article situates Tomz's concerns in the broad themes of thought on obstacles to capital mobility and evaluates his arguments.
Breaking the seals: Efficient mRNA detection from human archival paraffin-embedded tissue
Authors: Illig Romana , Fritsch Helga , Schwarzer Christoph
Published: June 2009

During our study on HOXA13, HOXD12, and HOXD13 mRNA expression in human adult and embryonic tissues, we were confronted with the fact that, within our specimen collection, as in other University Departments in Europe, <20% of all samples yielded reliable labeling, while most samples were resistant to hybridization by standard protocols due to over-fixation. Fixation is essential for specimen stability, especially when samples are stored at room temperature and used for histology, and people tend to be more worried about under- than over-fixation. On the other hand fixation inhibits penetration by the probe and may also trap mRNA within ribosomes. Therefore, we developed a nonradioactive in situ hybridization technique, which allows detection of mRNA expressed on low levels from a variety of differentially fixed tissues while maintaining tissue integrity. This was achieved by improving target retrieval and probe detection. In contrast with others, our method allows reliable staining from tissues that are fixed in paraformaldehyde from four hours to over one week, and archived samples that were stored at room temperature for several years (17–19 yr in some cases) and exceeds detection limits of purely fluorescent methods. Our protocol is highly suitable for detecting CDX-2 mRNA in carcinoma specimens, but especially designed to investigate mRNAs in nonpathological adult and embryonic tissues. Due to the use of standardized probes, we do not expect problems in detecting other mRNAs expressed in suitable amounts.
Conformational change in the Bacillus subtilis RNase P holoenzyme–pre-tRNA complex enhances substrate affinity and limits cleavage rate
Authors: Hsieh John , Fierke Carol A.
Published: June 2009

Ribonuclease P (RNase P) is a ribonucleoprotein complex that catalyzes the 5′ maturation of precursor tRNAs. To investigate the mechanism of substrate recognition in this enzyme, we characterize the thermodynamics and kinetics of Bacillus subtilis pre-tRNAAsp binding to B. subtilis RNase P holoenzyme using fluorescence techniques. Time courses for fluorescein-labeled pre-tRNA binding to RNase P are biphasic in the presence of both Ca(II) and Mg(II), requiring a minimal two-step association mechanism. In the first step, the apparent bimolecular rate constant for pre-tRNA associating with RNase P has a value that is near the diffusion limit and is independent of the length of the pre-tRNA leader. Following formation of the initial enzyme–substrate complex, a unimolecular step enhances the overall affinity of pre-tRNA by eight- to 300-fold as the length of the leader sequence increases from 2 to 5 nucleotides. This increase in affinity is due to a decrease in the reverse rate constant for the conformational change that correlates with the formation of an optimal leader–protein interaction in the RNase P holoenzyme–pre-tRNA complex. Furthermore, the forward rate constant for the conformational change becomes rate limiting for cleavage under single-turnover conditions at high pH, explaining the origin of the observed apparent pKa in the RNase P-catalyzed cleavage reaction. These data suggest that a conformational change in the RNase P•pre-tRNA complex is coupled to the interactions between the 5′ leader and P protein and aligns essential functional groups at the cleavage active site to enhance efficient cleavage of pre-tRNA.
Anticoagulation: Effect of a Warfarin Adherence Aid on Anticoagulation Control in an Inner-City Anticoagulation Clinic Population
Authors: Nochowitz Beth , Shapiro Nancy L , Nutescu Edith A , Cavallari Larisa H
Published: June 2009

Background:

Poor adherence to warfarin therapy is a major contributor to subtherapeutic anticoagulation.

Objective:

To determine whether use of a monthly medication organizer, filled at each clinic visit, improves anticoagulation control among warfarin-treated patients.

Methods:

Patients who had a history of nonadherence to warfarin and were attending an inner-city anticoagulation clinic were enrolled in this prospective cohort study and provided with a 28-day medication organizer. Patients were instructed to bring their organizers and warfarin tablets to each anticoagulation clinic visit over the following 3 months. At each visit, the international normalized ratio (INR) was measured, warfarin adherence was assessed, and the organizer was filled with the prescribed warfarin regimen until the next scheduled visit. Data on warfarin adherence and INR values during the 3 months prior to enrollment were collected from medical records and compared with postenrollment data.

Results:

Thirteen patients were enrolled and completed at least one postenrollment clinic visit. Adherence to warfarin therapy improved with use of the medication organizer (mean ± SD preenrollment 55 ± 25%, postenrollment 67 ± 21%; p = 0.06). There was a significant decrease in the proportion of subtherapeutic INR values (60 ± 25% to 35 ± 29%; p = 0.04) and a significant improvement in the percent of time spent within the therapeutic INR range (32 ± 22% to 56 ± 28%; p = 0.03) after enrollment.

Conclusions:

Use of a monthly medication organizer significantly reduced the percent of subtherapeutic INR values and improved the time spent within the therapeutic anticoagulation range among previously nonadherent patients managed in an inner-city anticoagulation clinic.
Influence of Local Site Conditions on the Reliability of Fundamental-Mode Surface Wave Inversion Methods
Authors: Rosenblad Brent L. , Li Jianhua
Published: June 2009

The development of reliable shear wave velocity (VS) profiles from surface wave velocity measurements requires compatibility between the measured and theoretical dispersion curves used in the inversion procedure. The most common approach in geotechnical applications is to use a fundamental-mode theoretical dispersion curve based on the assumption that the measured dispersion curve is representative of the fundamental mode of surface wave propagation. Analyses of low-frequency surface wave measurements presented in this paper show that this widespread assumption is invalid at low frequencies (long wavelengths) for some profile conditions. Results are presented from measurements performed at two deep soil sites in the central United States where surface wave analyses were performed using both the common fundamental-mode approach as well as an “effective-velocity” approach. At one site these two methods produced essentially the same estimate of the VS profile, while at the second site the estimated VS values at depth differed by more than 40 %. Using soil profile information for these sites and simulations of surface wave propagation, it is shown that the shallower depth to a higher-velocity formation at the second site created dominant higher-mode energy at wavelengths of 300–600 m, resulting in an overestimation of deep VS values.
Imazapyr Absorption and Translocation in Northern Red Oak and Red Maple as Affected by Herbicide Formulation and the Adjuvant Methylated Seed Oil
Authors: Bernards Mark L. , Penner Donald , Michael Jan
Published: June 2009

Imazapyr-based herbicides are important in removing deciduous hardwood species from conifer plantations. Imazapyr can be applied as a site preparation (pre-establishment) application or as a postestablishment herbaceous or release application. Herbicide efficacy is dependent, in part, on how much herbicide is absorbed and translocated throughout the target weed species. Herbicide absorption can be strongly influenced by herbicide formulation or tank-mix adjuvants. Little data are available on imazapyr absorption and translocation by woody species. The objective of this research was to compare the absorption and translocation of six experimental formulations of imazapyr to a commercial formulation, Chopper®, with and without methylated seed oil (MSO), in northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) and red maple (Acer rubrum L.). Saplings of both species were grown in the greenhouse until they reached a height of approximately 1 m. Trees were blocked according to size, and treatments were randomly assigned within blocks. For the absorption study, five leaves were selected per plant and received two 1-μL drops of 14C-imazapyr-labeled solution. Leaves were rinsed at 2, 8, 24, 72, and 144 h after treatment (HAT). Absorption was quantified as 14C imazapyr that was not collected in the rinse solution. All experimental formulations that were tank-mixed with MSO increased absorption on oak compared to Chopper+MSO. Not all experimental formulations increased absorption in maple, and absorption data were highly variable. Absorption continued for at least 72 HAT in both species for most formulations. For the translocation study, one leaf was treated with two 1-μL drops of 14C-imazapyr-labeled solution. The leaf was rinsed at 144 HAT, and the plant was harvested and divided into sections: above treated leaf, treated leaf, below treated leaf, and roots. The majority (52–91 %) of the applied imazapyr remained in the treated leaf. More imazapyr was translocated from the leaf of red oak than red maple. Translocated 14C accumulated in the tissue above the treated leaf (3–13 % of absorbed) and in the roots (3–34 %). Including the adjuvant MSO and optimizing the herbicide formulation increased the absorption of imazapyr in red maple and northern red oak.
Understanding the Molecular Surface Charges of Asphalt or Clay Particles and Application in the Transportation and Oil Sands Industries
Authors: Ho Susanna , Zanzotto Ludo
Published: June 2009

Asphalt binder is a mixture of many different types of molecules. At the molecular level, one can visualize the asphalt binder as a colloidal system with asphaltene molecules dispersed in oil with naphthene and polar aromatics. The functional groups of the asphaltene molecules are essential in keeping them dispersed as colloids. These polar functional groups include alcohol, amine, carboxylic, and phenolic groups. The polarity of asphalt molecules are very important in allowing them to adhere to the inorganic aggregates, which also bear charges at the surface. The application of this understanding to the aging of paving asphalt, asphalt modification, the Superpave direct tension test, aggregate specific gravity determination, ash as modifiers in asphalt, low-volume road chemical stabilization, and the oil sands industry are discussed.
Calibration Procedures for the Intelligent Asphalt Compaction Analyzer
Authors: Commuri Sesh , Mai Anh , Zaman Musharraf
Published: June 2009

The intelligent asphalt compaction analyzer (IACA) is a device based on neural network technology that can measure the density of an asphalt pavement continuously in real time during its construction. It was shown during limited field trials that the IACA could, in real time, measure the density of an asphalt pavement during its construction with accuracy comparable to existing point-wise measurement technologies. In this paper, the procedure to calibrate the IACA and the validation of the performance, i.e., accuracy of density measurements, are addressed. The results demonstrate that the IACA can be used to determine the density of the asphalt mat during compaction with an accuracy needed for quality control operations in the field.
Fatores associados à sintomatologia depressiva numa coorte urbana de idosos
Authors: Lima Márcio Tomita da Rocha , Silva Rebeca de Souza e , Ramos Luiz Roberto
Published: June 2009

OBJETIVO: Analisar a associação, em uma coorte urbana de idosos, entre sintomatologia depressiva e outros indicadores de capacidade funcional com a mortalidade após 15 anos de seguimento. MÉTODOS: Foram estudados os casos de 1.667 idosos (> 65 anos) residentes em Vila Clementino, na cidade de São Paulo, por meio de uma avaliação multidimensional da capacidade funcional e dos atestados de óbito referentes a mortes ocorridas entre 1991 (início do estudo) e abril de 2006. Na análise univariada foram calculadas as razões de chances e sua significância estatística foi avaliada pelo intervalo de confiança (95%). Na análise múltipla foi empregada a regressão logística. RESULTADOS: Entre os idosos estudados, 21,1% eram deprimidos em 1991. Na análise univariada, as maiores proporções de deprimidos foram observadas entre indivíduos do sexo feminino, com mais de 80 anos, analfabetos, viúvos ou solteiros, com alto nível de dependência física e de déficit cognitivo, usuários de mais medicamentos e entre os que morreram no período de seguimento de 15 anos. Na análise múltipla, controlando-se por sexo e idade, a presença de dependência física e o fato de ser usuário de mais medicamentos foram os principais preditores da ocorrência de depressão. CONCLUSÕES: A ocorrência de sintomatologia depressiva parece estar diretamente relacionada aos níveis de incapacidade física observados entre os idosos.
Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis due to Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis associated with domestic animals in Venezuela and Brazil
Authors: Aguilar Cruz Manuel , Rangel Elizabeth F. , Garcia Leonardo , Fernandez Elio , Momen Hooman , Grimaldi Filho Gabriel , Vargas Zaray de
Published: June 2009

After outbreaks of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Solano State, Venezuela, 5% of the population had parasitized ulcers while after similar outbreaks in Mesquita, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, 9% had the disease. In these foci children, including some under six years of age, wre affected. There was no significant difference in the occurence of the disease according to sex or type of employment. In Solano, 3% of dogs and 28% of donkeys had parasitized lesions, while in Mesquita these indices were 19.8% and 30.8% respectively. The parasite from man, dogs and equines was identified as Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis, by zymodeme and serodeme characterization. In these foci there is evidence suggesting that leishmaniasis is a zoonosis, possibly with equine and dogs as reservoirs, although both a wild enzootic cycle and the role of man as a source of infection can not be ruled out. Transmission is assumed to occur peridomestically by sandfly vectors such as Lutzomyia panamensis in Venezuela and Lutzomyia intermedia in Brazil. Information about the origin of these foci suggests that infected equines may be an important factor in the dissemination of the parasite in a peridomestic situation where these sandflies are abundant.
Padrão isoenzimático da cepa Y do Trypanosoma cruzi após quimioterapia específica
Authors: Silva Rosângela Castro , Santiago Christiane M. G. , Pontes Albélia Lima , Andrade Sonia G.
Published: June 2009

Foi estudado o perfil isoenzimático da cepa Y do Trypanosoma cruzi isolada de camundongos tratados e não curados com o Nufurtimox (Bay 2502) ou com o Benzonidazol (Ro 7.1051), submetida à passagens em camundongos recém-nascidos e a seguir inoculada nos seguintes grupos experimentais: I - camundongos inoculados com a cepa Y resistente ao Nifurtimox e tratados com esta mesma droga; II - camundongos inoculdado com a cepa Y resistente ao Nifurtimox e tratados com o Benzonidazol e III - camundognos resistentes ao tratamento com o Benzonidazol e tratados com esta mesma droga. Os inóculos foram de 15 x 10 [elevado a 4 ] tripomastigotas sanguícolas. Houve aumento de resistência em relação a cepa original com a mesma droga e resistência cruzada. A cepa Y isolada dos animais não curados foi passada em cultura em meio Warren e preparados os extratos enzimáticos para a eletroforese das seguintes enzimas: GPI, PGM, ALAT e ASAT. Como controle isoenzimático foram utilizadas as cepas Peruana (Tipo I), 21 SF (Tipo II) e Colombiana (Tipo III) e duas amostras da cepa Y mantidas por diferentes período em cultura e em criopreservação dos extraidos enzimáticos. Não houve modificações do perfil isoenzimático da cepa Y, que Tipo I (Peruana) e ao padrão das amostras da cepa Y com diferentes períodos de manutenção.
Dinosoma clupeola sp. n. (Hemiuridae) and Pseudoacanthostomum floridensis Nahhas & Short, 1965 (Acanthostomidae), digenetic trematodes in Brazilian Marine fishes
Authors: Fernandes Berenice M. M. , Goulart Miriam B.
Published: June 2009

Dinosoma clupeola sp. n. is described from Harengula clupeola, and resembles D. hawaiiense Yamaguti, 1970, from which it differs in the entire, elongate-saccular seminal vesicle, tegument weakly plicated, smaller size of body and internal organs, and slightly larger and narrower eggs. Pseudoacanthostomum floridensis Nahhas & Short, 1965 is referred to Netuma barba, which represents a new host record.
Biologia do Triatoma vitticeps (Stal, 1859) em condições de laboratório (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae): II. Resistência ao jejum
Authors: Gonçalves Teresa Cristina M. , Victório Vânia Maria N. , Jurberg José , Cunha Vanda
Published: June 2009

Em prosseguimento ao estudo da biologia do Triatoma vitticeps (Gonçalves et al., 1988), foram feitas observações sobre a sua resistência ao jejum. Dos 286 ovos obtidos, apenas 201 eclodiram e atingiram o estádio pretendido para as observações. Os demais não eclodiram, não completaram a muda ou morreram sem motivo aparente. As ninfas foram acondicionadas, individualmente em frascos de Borrel, devidamente registrados. Para a alimentação foram utilizados camundongos e a medida que as ninfas atingiam o estágio pretendido a alimentação era suspensa até ocorrer a morte. A avaliação da resistência ao jejum foi feita da seguinte forma: o intervalo de dias entre o último repasto e a morte e entre a muda e a morte. Verificou-se que a resistência está diretamente relacionada com a fase de desenvolvimento. Para os parâmetros último repasto/morte e muda/morte, ambos os sexos foram menos resistentes do que as ninfas de 3º e 2º estádios, respectivamente. O experimento teve duração de 15 meses e neste período as temperaturas máxima e mínima e a umidade relativa do ar variaram em média de 25 ± 2ºC e 81 ± 3% UR, respectivamente. O material foi proveniente da criação de triatomíneos mantida no Departamento de Entomologia do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz.
Résistance a la dessiccation de Biomphalaria glabrata adultes infestés par plusieurs miracidiums de Schistosoma mansoni
Authors: Lancastre F. , Vianey-Liaud M. , Coutris G. , Bolognini-Treney J. , Mougeot G. , Ouaghlissi J. P.
Published: June 2009

Les auteurs ont soumis à 6 semaines d'anhydrobiose 1200 Biomphalaria adultes, saines, ou parasitées par 8 ± 2 miracidiums de Schistosoma mansoni depois 3 ou 12 jours, ou émettant des cercaires. Les planorbes étaient placées individuellement sur, ou dans de la terre humide, dans des boîtes closes ou aérées. La survie a été nulle chez les planorbes saines, infestées, ou déjà positives, placées dans les boîtes closes. Chez les mollusques placés dans les boîtes aérées, elle a été de 44% chez les témoins sains, et de 40,6% pour l'emsemble des infestées depuis 3 et 12 jours, avec chez ces derniers une meilleure survie lorsqu'ils étaient en surface. N n'est pas apparu de différence entre les infestations de 3 jours et de 12 jours. La mortalité et la production cercarienne sont infériéures à celles de planorbes infestées et gardées en eau. L'analyse des émissions montre une production des cercaires mâles siginificativement inférieure à celle des cercaires femelles ou mâles et femelles. Chez toutes les B. glabrata positives, les auteurs ont observé des variations périodiques dans la production des cercaires, quel que soit le sexe de celles-ci. De plus, chez les mollusques préalablement soumis à dessiccation, il existe de nombreus arrêts ou pauses dans l'émission des larves.
Estudos bacteriológicos e sorológicos de um surto de peste no Estado da Paraíba, Brasil
Authors: Almeida Alzira Maria Paiva , Brasil Darci Pascoal , Leal Nilma Cintra , Melo Maria Eliane Bezerra de , Rêgo Rosa Virgínia Batista do , Almeida Célio Rodrigues de
Published: June 2009

Foram realizados estudos bacteriológicos e/ou sorológicos para diagnóstico da infecção pestosa, em material obtido de 452 pacientes (48 positivos), 1.938 roedores e outros pequenos mamíferos (75 positivos), 4.756 cães (141 positivos) e 3.047 gatos (57 positivos), oriundos de 41 municípios localizados em toda a extensão da área paraibana do Planalto da Borborema. A infecção foi encontrada em 21 municípios. Foram isoladas 20 cepas de Yersinia pestis de amostras coletadas de três pacientes e 17 roedores. Estas cepas apresentam características bioquímicas, fatores de virulência, sensibilidade aos antibióticos e poder patogênico experimental semelhantes ao de cepas isoladas anteriormente. Pelos estudos realizados não foram observados, no surto de peste que eclodiu em setembro de 1986 na Paraíba, fatores diferentes dos observados nos outros focos do nordeste do Brasil.
Tegumental Ca-stimulated adenosine triphosphatase activity in adult Schistosoma mansoni worms
Authors: Cesari Italo M. , Aldana Elis , Gil Francisco , Condrescu Madalina
Published: June 2009

A Ca-stimulated ATPase activity (pH 9.5) associated with the tegumental membrane enriched (TME) fraction of Schistosoma mansoni adults was partially inhibited by NAP-taurine or by increasing concentrations of chlorpromazine; endogenous calmodulin was found associated with the TME fraction. A similar activity (pH 8.6) was histochemically visualized whithin the tegument of fixed worms on the cytoplasmic leaflet of both the doubel surface membrane and the basement membrane; this reaction was inhibited by 1 µM chloropromazine and it was also observed on the inner side of double membrane vesicles present in the TME fraction. No ATPase activity could be seen at alkaline pH with added Mg or Na/K ions. Without ATP, the addition of external Ca to the fixed worms induced the appearance of lead precipitates on the tegumental discoid bodies; this reaction was inhibited by molybdate and not by chlorpromazine. The intrategumentary regulation of calcium by the systems described and the possible use of phenothiazines against schistosimes are discussed.
Study of a population of Biomphalaria tenagophila (Orbigny, 1835) and of schistosomiasis transmission in "Alto da Boa Vista", Rio de Janeiro
Authors: Baptista D. F. , Vasconcelos M. C. , Schall V. T.
Published: June 2009

The present study was performed using data from a Biomphalaria tenagophila population located in a water cress garden in the Alto da Boa Vista region representing an isolated focal point of schistosomiasis in the city of Rio de Janeiro. The density and age structure of this B. tenagophila population and its rate of intection by Schistosoma mansoni were studied for a period of 15 months. The snail population showed seasonal variation in density, with a decrease in number of individual at the begining of the rainy season. At the end of this season, the population consisted mainly of adults (92.8% in May 1985 and 82.8% in April 1986). The population growth curve was logistic and of sigmoidal configuration. Shiscotoma mansoni cercariae were eliminated over a short period of time (March, April and May 1986). The release of cercariae of S. mansoni and of birds seems to depend on environmental temperature, which during certain months would show a daily variation of up to 13ºC, with the lower thermal limit approaching the limit value for sporocyte development.
Hyperparasitism by helminths: new records of cestodes and nematodes in proteocephalid cestodes from South American siluriform fishes
Authors: Rego Amilcar Arandas , Gibson David I.
Published: June 2009

Proteocephalid cestode hyperparasite are reported from numerous proteocephalids occurring in pimelodid fishes in different regions of Brazil. In addition, three specimens of a nematode hyperparasite are reported from the proteocephalid cestode Choanoscolex abscissus from the pimelodid fish Pseudoplatystoma corruscans in Brazil. Previous records of cestode and nematode hyperparasite of cestode are listed, and the possible identities of the Brazilian records are discussed.
Influência da temperatura na biologia de triatomíneos: IX. Rhodnius nasutus Stal, 1859 (Hemiptera, Reduviidae)
Authors: Silva Ionizete Garcia da , Silva Heloisa Helena Garcia da
Published: June 2009

Estudou-se a influência da temperatura na biologia de Rhodnius nasutus Stal, 1859 (Hemiptera, Reduviidae), tendo em vista a sua criação em grande escala, em laboratório, para serem utilizados no xenodiagnóstico e fornecer informações que subsidien as ações de controle. Os experimentos realizaram-se em duas câmaras climatizadas, a 25 ± 0,5ºC e 3º ± 1ºC, com umidade relativa de 70 ± 5% e fotoperíodo de 12 horas. Apresentam-se os dados relativos ao ciclo evolutivo, pré-postura, fecundidade, fertilidade, sobrevivência ao jejum e quantidade de sangue ingerido. A duração média do ciclo evolutivo foi de 145,7 dias a 25ºC e de 114,2 dias, a 30ºC. A quantidade de sangue ingerido para completar o ciclo evolutivo foi de 304,3mg e 350,3 mg, a 25º e 30ºC, respectivamente. A sobrevivência ao jejum absoluto foi significativamente maior a 25º do que a 30ºC, ao nível de 1%.
Trypanosoma guairaensis sp. n. (Protozoa, Kinetoplastida) parasita de megaloancistrus aculeatus (Perugia, 1891) (Pisces, Loricariidae)
Authors: Eiras J. C. , Rego A. A. , Pavanelli G. C.
Published: June 2009

Descreve-se a espécie Trypanosoma guairaensis sp. n. parasita de Megaloancistrus aculeatus do rio Paraná (reservatório de Itaipu). Características morfométricas como comprimento e largura do núcleo e comprimento da parte livre do flagelo, bem como os valores do índice nuclear, diferenciam T. guairaensis de todas as espécies de tripanosomas descritas para peixes de água doce do Brasil.
Leishmaniose en Bolivie: IV. Le chien dans les cycles des leishmanioses en Bolivie
Authors: Le Pont François , Mollinedo Sergio , Mouchet Jean , Desjeux Philippe
Published: June 2009

En Bolivie le chien domestique est impliqué dans le cycle de la leishmaniose viscérale (Leishmania (Le.) chagasi) das les Yungas (alt. 1,000-2,000 m) et aussi dans le cycle de la leishmaniose tégumetaire (Le. (V.) braziliensis) dans l'Alto Beni (alt. 400-600 m). Mais il joue un rôle différent dans les deux cycles. Il est le prencipal résevoir, peut-être l'unique de Le. (Le.) chagasi dans les Yungas, et la source de contamination de l'home. Dans l'Alto Beni, il n'est seulement qu'une victime, comme l'home, de Le. (V.) braziliensis, dont le réservoir reste inconnu, les soupçons se portant sur des mammifères sauvages.
Treatment of acute experimental schistosomiasis
Authors: Andrade Zilton A. , Azevedo Theomira Mauadie de
Published: June 2009

A model of acute schistosomiasis of the mouse was used to observe whether curative treatment would be followed by an enhancement of the hepatic and splenic lesions, as a consequence of the massive destruction of worms and eggs within the portal system. Mice infected with 50 cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni were treated with both oxamniquine and praziquantel on the 50th day of infection and submitted to a sequential histologic examination from the 2nd to the 45th day after treatment. Although severe focal lesions due to dead and disintegranting worms were present in the livers of the treated animals, no aggravation of the general changes (reative hepatitis and splenitis, or periovular granulomas) was seen in comparison with a control non-treated group. Of 50 animals treated during the acute phase of schistosomiasis only one died espontaneously, while 16 ou of 30 infected controls died before the end of the experiment. The present investigation indicates that curative treatment during the acute phase of schistosomiasis does not enhance previous lesions at first and results in progressive disappearance of the lesions starting six days following chemotherapy.
Enteric parasites and HIV infection: occurrence in AIDS patients in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Authors: Moura H. , Fernandes O. , Viola J. P. B. , Silva S. P. , Passos R. H. , Lima D. B.
Published: June 2009

The occurrence of intestinal parasites, its relation with the transmission mechanism of HIV, and the clinical state of the AIDS patients, were analyzed in 99 Group IV patients (CDC, 1986), treated at "Hospital Universitário Pedro Ernesto" (HUPE), between 1986 and 1988. The group consisted of 79 (79.8%) patients whose HIV transmission mechanism took place through sexual contact and of 16 (20.2%) who were infected through blood. Feces samples from each patient were examined by four distincts methods (Faust et al, Kato-Katz, Baermann-Moraes and Baxby et al.). The moste occuring parasites were: Cryptosporidium sp., Entamoeba coli and Endolimax nana (18.2%), Strongyloides stercoralis and Giardia lambia (15.2%). E. histolytica and/or E. hartmanni (13.1%), Ascaris lumbricoides (11.1%) and Isospora belli (10.1%). Furthermore, 74.7% of the patients carried at least one species. Intestinal parasites were found in 78.5% of the patients who acquired the HIV through sexual intercourse and in 56,3% of those infected by blood contamination. The difference, was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). In the group under study, the increase of the occurrence of parasitc infections does not seem to depend on the acquisiton of HIV through sexual contact. It appears that in developing countries, the dependancy is more related to the classic mechanisms of parasites transmission and its endemicity.
El rol de Cyrtograpsus angulatus (Crustacea; Brachyura) en los ciclos de vida de Microphallus szidati (Digenea; Microphallidae) y Falsifilicollis chasmagnathi (Acanthocephala; Filicollidae): algunos aspectos de su ecologia parasitaria
Authors: Martorelli Sergio R.
Published: June 2009

Basándose en el estudio de los helmintos larvales parásitos del cangrejo Cyrtograpsus angulatus Dana, 1851 (Microphallus szidati Martorelli, 1986 (Digenea; Microphallidae) y Falsifilicollis chasmagnathi Holcman-Spector et al., 1977 (Acathocephala; Fillicollidae) conjuntamente con el análisis de sus ciclos biológicos y el estudio de la prevalencia, intensidad y de los índices de asociación (comparados entre los hospedadores intermediarios y definitivos) se pudo concluir que: a) C. angulatus parece ser un excelente hospedador intermediario en los ciclos de vida de los helmintos estudiados; b) el tamaño de los cangrejos y la ocurrencia de amputaciones naturales en las hembras de mayor tamaño Spivak & Politis (en prensa) aparecen correlacionadas con la prevalencia; c) en los cangrejos estudiados la prevalencia para F. chasmagnathi fue mayor en los machos que en las hembras; d) la intensidad no apareció correlacionada con el tamño y el sexo de los hospedadores intermediarios; e) M. szidati y F. chasmagnathi estan fuertemente asociados en el hospedador intermediario; f) C. angulatus e Himantopus melanurus Vieilot, 1817 (Aves; Recurvirostridae) son citados como nuevos hospedadores, intermediario y denitivo respectivamente, para F. chasmagnathi; g) Chasmagnathus granulata Dana, 1851 es citado como un nuevo hospedador intermediario para M. szidati.
Controle da esquistossomose no Brasil
Authors: Silveira Antônio Carlos
Published: June 2009

A extensa área em que há transmissão de esquistossomose (11% do território do país) e o fato de que a distribuição é sempre focal, dependente de condições locais, faz com que o controle seja metodológica e operacionalmente difícil. Desde o ano de 1976, com o Programa Especial de Controle da Esquistossomose (PECE), tem sido cumpridas atividades regulares, desde então sistematizadas em um programa vertical, que assim se manterá até que se alcance taxas de prevalência iguais ou inferiores a 5% em exames coproscópicos, rotineiramente realizados sob a forma de inquéritos que orientam o tratamento humano. A partir daí, os serviços permanentes de saúde deverão assumir as ações de controle. O uso de moluscicidas vem sendo racionalizado, a partir de uma melhor definição dos criadouros de importância epidemiológica. O saneamento e as atividades de educação em áreas localizadas, e nos limites dos recursos disponíveis, são ações complementares algumas vezes, desenvolvidas, em caráter até aqui mais ou menos esporádico. Os resultados colhidos indicam claramente a redução do número de casos de forma grave da doença, e a redução da morbidade, quando examinados os dados a um maior nível de agregação.
A formação na graduação dos profissionais de saúde e a educação para o cuidado de pacientes fora de recursos terapêuticos de cura
Authors: Bifulco Vera Anita , Iochida Lúcia Christina
Published: June 2009

Este estudo trata de algumas questões fundamentais relacionadas com a filosofia dos Cuidados Paliativos (CP) e propõe uma educação dos alunos de graduação por meio de cursos de CP com o objetivo de criar uma atitude humanitária nos futuros profissionais em relação àquele que está morrendo. A esperança está na intervenção sobre a formação dos profissionais da saúde, na reformulação curricular que contemple esta visão antropológica, para além da formação tecnocientífica necessária, e na implementação da filosofia de CP. Buscaram-se na literatura discussões sobre a formação destes profissionais e o cuidado do paciente fora de recursos de cura, porém não fora de recursos sintomáticos. A metodologia adotada combina revisão da literatura nacional e internacional com pesquisa empírica, por meio da aplicação de questionário a uma equipe multiprofissional, atuante em CP numa instituição de ensino. O estudo foi desenvolvido com abordagem qualitativa. Desvelou-se na área da saúde a necessidade de capacitar os profissionais de saúde a enfrentarem o cuidado destes pacientes por meio de uma educação continuada, fundamentada no conhecimento do processo de morte e morrer.
Atividades grupais reflexivas com estudantes de Medicina
Authors: Colares Maria de Fátima Aveiro , Andrade Antônio dos Santos
Published: June 2009

As práticas grupais desenvolvidas junto a estudantes de Medicina assumem uma característica de técnica de ensino, oferecendo-lhes um espaço para a reflexão crítica sobre o desenvolvimento de seu papel profissional. Assim, como referencial teórico para o trabalho em grupos, destacamos o sociodrama educacional, caracterizado como uma linha de pesquisa-ação em Psicologia Educacional. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos de atividades grupais reflexivas com referencial sociodramático desenvolvidas com estudantes de Medicina de uma universidade pública. Participaram dez estudantes do segundo ao quarto anos, previamente selecionados. As atividades foram conduzidas em nove reuniões semanais e finalizadas com um role-playing, cujo tema foi o ingresso no curso médico. A experiência foi avaliada como positiva para os estudantes, sendo destacados: os benefícios do compartilhar em grupo as dificuldades da formação médica; a integração de alunos de anos diferentes; o favorecimento de vínculos positivos entre os integrantes; a experiência vivencial de se colocar no lugar do outro por meio do role-playing e de possibilitar maior reflexão crítica sobre o desenvolvimento do papel profissional.
Projeto pedagógico e as mudanças na educação médica
Authors: Abdalla Ively Guimarães , Stella Regina Celes de Rosa , Perim Gianna Lepre , Aguilar-da-Silva Rinaldo Henrique , Lampert Jadete Barbosa , Costa Nilce Maria da Silva Campos
Published: June 2009

Este trabalho descreve os resultados do primeiro momento do projeto da Caem/Abem no eixo Projeto Pedagógico, um dos cinco eixos relevantes para avaliação das tendências de mudanças na escola médica. Analisa como os atores envolvidos com o curso de graduação percebem e situam a escola na sociedade ao estabelecerem sua missão política e pedagógica. Ao referir a tipologia do grupo de 28 escolas médicas, seguindo uma das três alternativas predominantes (tradicional, inovadora, avançada), esse eixo mostra a predominância de situação avançada, seguida da inovadora relativa aos vetores Perfil Biomédico e Epidemiológico-Social do profissional que pretende formar, e da aplicação da tecnologia. Quanto aos vetores da produção de conhecimentos, mostram dificuldades em produzir e ampliar as linhas de pesquisa para além das áreas biomédicas. Também mostram não ter facilidade para articular os cursos de graduação, pós-graduação e a educação permanente com vista às necessidades de saúde da população.
Construção de indicadores qualitativos para avaliação de mudanças
Authors: Minayo Maria Cecília de Souza
Published: June 2009

Apresenta-se uma reflexão teórico-metodológica focada na construção de indicadores qualitativos, voltados principalmente para a avaliação de mudanças no campo educacional. Foi escrito para subsidiar o processo de autoavaliação de um conjunto de escolas médicas que desenvolvem um programa de transformação de seus métodos tradicionais para outros fundamentados na filosofia e na prática de aprendizagem ativa. Nele são discutidos e problematizados: o conceito de indicador; a produção de indicadores para pesquisa avaliativa e a construção de indicadores qualitativos. Esses últimos são tratados sob duas formas mais frequentes: dentro da lógica quantitativa e da lógica qualitativa. Indicadores qualitativos a partir da visão quantitativa da realidade são construídos principalmente por meio de escalas. Dentro da ótica qualitativa, são elaborados a partir das representações e práticas dos sujeitos envolvidos na investigação. Enfatizando a necessidade de produção de indicadores de mudança que levem em conta estruturas, processos, relações e a contribuição da subjetividade, conclui-se que a validade interna desses indicadores pode ser alcançada quando as categorias empregadas em sua construção são fundamentadas teórica e contextualmente e possuem significados mútuos e partilhados entre os participantes.
Características de frutos do meloeiro variando número e posição de frutos na planta
Authors: Queiroga Roberto Cleiton F de , Puiatti Mário , Fontes Paulo Cezar R , Cecon Paulo Roberto
Published: June 2009

O trabalho foi conduzido em ambiente protegido, em área experimental da Universidade Federal de Viçosa, de 26/09/05 a 24/01/06, onde se objetivou avaliar a produtividade e a qualidade de frutos do meloeiro, variando número e posição de frutos na planta. Os tratamentos constaram de número de frutos por planta (1 e 2) e posição de fixação de frutos na planta (entre 5(0) e 8(0) nós e 15(0) e 18(0) nós). O delineamento experimental utilizado foi de blocos ao acaso no esquema fatorial 2 x 2, com 5 repetições. Utilizou-se a 'Coronado F1', variedade reticulatus do grupo Cantaloupe, cultivada em vasos plásticos de 11,5 dm³ preenchidos com fibra de coco comercial. Plantas com um fruto apresentaram maior duração do período de colheita, área foliar (AF) (5(0) - 8(0) nó), massa média de frutos (MMF), reticulação da casca (RC), espessura da polpa (EP), comprimento (CF) e diâmetro de frutos (DF), sólidos solúveis totais (SST), açúcares solúveis totais (AST), açúcares não redutores (ANR) e menor produtividade comercial (PCF). A condução com frutos fixados entre os 15(0) e 18(0) nós, comparado a frutos fixados entre os 5(0) e 8(0) nós, proporcionou maior número de dias para iniciar e terminar a colheita, AF, MMF, PCF, EP, CF e DF (em plantas com 1 fruto), índice de maturação, AST, ANR e menor RC, acidez total titulável e concentração de açúcares redutores.