bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maternal Coping Style and Perceived Adequacy of Income Predict CRH Levels at 14-20 Weeks of Gestation
Authors: Latendresse Gwen , Ruiz Roberta Jeanne
Published: August 2010

Objective: This exploratory study examines the role of psychosocial—behavioral variables as predictors of elevated corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) at 14—20 weeks of gestation. Method: One hundred and twenty women were enrolled into the study. Blood samples were collected at 14—20 weeks of pregnancy and assayed for CRH. Participants completed questionnaires that included the Perceived Stress Scale, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies (CES) Depression Scale, the Pregnancy-Specific Anxiety (PAS) Scale, the Norbeck Social Support Questionnaire, the Life Orientation Test, the Brief COPE scale, and questions regarding violence/abuse, and work, sleep, and nutritional patterns. Results: Pregnant women with high CRH levels (15 pcg/ml and above) perceived their income to be inadequate, slept more hours at night, stood more hours during the day, and used the coping styles of disengagement or religion but not humor. Logistic regression identified three predictors for high CRH (accounting for 42.2% of the variance): perceived inadequacy of income and the use of ‘‘religion’’ and ‘‘disengagement’’ to cope with stress. Conclusions: These results are the first known to identify coping style and perceived income inadequacy as predictors of high CRH. Women with perceived inadequacy of income had almost three times the odds for high CRH. Women who used religion or disengagement to cope with stress had 14 times and 7 times the odds for high CRH levels, respectively. Higher CRH levels are associated with preterm birth (PTB). Thus, it may be important to include maternal coping style and perceptions of income inadequacy in future investigations of CRH levels and PTB.
Aliskiren, a renin inhibitor, downregulates TNF-α-induced tissue factor expression in HUVECS
Authors: Del Fiorentino Alessandra , Cianchetti Silvana , Celi Alessandro , Pedrinelli Roberto
Published: August 2010

Angiotensin (Ang)II, the effector arm of the locally active renin—angiotensin system (RAS), modulates Tissue Factor (TF), the principal initiator of blood coagulation and a key promoter of atherothrombotic events. Consistent with that knowledge, previous data showed inhibitory properties of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI)s and angiotensin II type-1 receptor blocker (ARB)s, but no data are available about the effect of renin inhibition. We aimed to evaluate whether aliskiren, a direct renin inhibitor (DRI), modulates TNF-α-stimulated TF expression in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Zofenopril, an ACEI, and olmesartan, an ARB, were the controls. HUVECs were incubated with experimental drugs (1 nM) 30 min prior to TNF-α stimulation (0.1 ng/ml × 4 h). Main evaluation variables were procoagulant activity (single-stage clotting assay), TF antigen (ELISA) and mRNA expression (real-time polymerase chain reaction) in cell lysates. TNF-α stimulated procoagulant activity and increased TF antigen and mRNA expression. Aliskiren inhibited TNF-α-mediated TF stimulation; zofenopril and olmesartan exerted a comparable effect. We conclude that aliskiren, a DRI, downregulates TNF-α-stimulated TF expression in HUVECs, possibly as a reflection of endothelial renin activation by the cytokine.
Online Sex-Seeking Behaviors of Men Who Have Sex With Men in New York City
Authors: Grosskopf Nicholas A. , Harris Jenine K. , Wallace Barbara C. , Nanin Jose E.
Published: August 2010

The ongoing HIV epidemic among men who have sex with men (MSM) in New York City and the increased use of Internet sexual social networking websites by MSM fosters a need to understand the characteristics and sex-related behaviors of this group. The authors conducted an online survey of 195 MSM who use sexual social networking websites in New York City. Demographic characteristics, sexual sensation seeking, and HIV optimism–skepticism were compared among participants reporting sex with and without condom use (safe sex and high-risk sex, respectively) with partners met online. There was no difference in income, education, race, or employment status between the groups. The groups differed significantly in age, sexual sensation seeking, and HIV optimism–skepticism. In a multivariate logistic regression both HIV optimism–skepticism ( p < .05) and sexual sensation seeking ( p < .05) were significant predictors of high-risk sexual behavior (pseudo- R2 = .24). This information should be considered when developing interventions for this group. For example, to reach those with high sexual sensation seeking, public health professionals should design sex-positive prevention messages for online distribution that highlight safer sex without condemning risky sexual practices.
HPV Vaccine Acceptability in Heterosexual, Gay, and Bisexual Men
Authors: Gilbert Paul , Brewer Noel T. , Reiter Paul L. , Ng Terence W. , Smith Jennifer S.
Published: August 2010

We know little about men’s beliefs about human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and willingness to receive it. In January 2009, the authors recruited 296 heterosexual men and 312 gay and bisexual men from a national panel of U.S. households to complete an online survey about HPV and HPV vaccine. The authors analyzed data using logistic regression, controlling for age, education, number of lifetime sexual partners, and urban residence. More gay and bisexual men than heterosexual men were willing to receive HPV vaccine (73% vs. 37%; adjusted odds ratio = 4.99; 95% confidence interval = 3.36, 7.49). Gay and bisexual men reported greater awareness of HPV vaccine, perceived worry about HPV-related diseases, perceived effectiveness of HPV vaccine, and anticipated regret if they declined vaccination and later developed HPV-related disease compared with heterosexual men (all ps < .05). The lower acceptability and different beliefs among heterosexual men suggest that novel interventions for this group may be needed.
“It Used to Be That if It Weren’t Broken and Bleeding Profusely, I Would Never Go to the Doctor”: Men, Masculinity, and Health
Authors: Gast Julie , Peak Terry
Published: August 2010

Masculine gender scripts have been influential in health decision making in men. In addition, although past research has identified some success in using churches as sites for health education with women, little is known if similar programs would be successful with men. It is also unclear if religious beliefs influence the health attitudes and behaviors of men. Four focus groups with men from four religious denominations were conducted to learn about their health beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors, with the following themes emerging: men’s health fears, health promotion behaviors, spousal influence, aging and men’s health, and church-based health influence. Finally, the interaction of masculine gender scripts within these themes was considered.
Capturing crime, criminals and the public’s imagination: Assembling Crime Stoppers and CCTV surveillance
Authors: Lippert Randy , Wilkinson Blair
Published: August 2010

This article explores Crime Stoppers’ use of CCTV images as a node of a surveillant assemblage via analysis of a sample of Crime Stoppers advertisements deploying CCTV images supplemented by interviews and other qualitative procedures. Advertisements using images are becoming more prevalent and rely on complex textual narratives and the CCTV image format to construct crime for public consumption to generate ‘tips’. The advertisements capture a narrow range of ‘street crime’ to the benefit of private business and to the neglect of pervasive and serious conduct affecting the less powerful. The convergence of Crime Stoppers and CCTV surveillance is found to have unanticipated and ironic consequences regarding deterrence and identification, to befit a form of ‘counter-law’, and to demonstrate potential to harm individuals and visible minorities. Theoretical implications of this analysis for understanding assumptions about the relation between image and the Truth of crime, governance, and surveillance are discussed.
Performing mexicanidad: Criminality and lucha libre
Authors: Vargas Cervantes Susana
Published: August 2010

Juana Barraza Samperio, a wrestler known as la Dama del Silencio (the Lady of Silence), has been declared the first female serial killer in Mexico. In January 2006, Barraza was arrested as the alleged Mataviejitas (the little old lady killer), a serial killer of elderly women in Mexico City whom police had struggled for two years to apprehend. La Dama del Silencio became la Mataviejitas , and vice versa, more than Juana Barraza became la Mataviejitas. I argue that discourses of criminality and the spectacle of lucha libre intersect within Mexican culture to police and perform the parameters of mexicanidad, reinforcing but also revealing the limits of Mexican masculinity and femininity. This article focuses on this intersection as a potent site for denaturalizing and destabilizing Mexican masculinity and femininity and redressing the raced, classed, gendered and sexualized limits of mexicanidad and criminality that have served to exclude so many from the rights of full citizenship in Mexico.
Photodepletion differentially affects CD4+ Tregs versus CD4+ effector T cells from patients with chronic graft-versus-host disease
Authors: Bastien Jean-Philippe , Krosl Gorazd , Therien Cynthia , Rashkovan Marissa , Scotto Christian , Cohen Sandra , Allan David S. , Hogge Donna , Egeler R. Maarten , Perreault Claude , Roy Denis Claude
Published: August 2010

Even the most potent immunosuppressive drugs often fail to control graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), the most frequent and deleterious posttransplantation complication. We previously reported that photodepletion using dibromorhodamine (TH9402) eliminates T cells from healthy donors activated against major histocompatibility complex–incompatible cells and spares resting T cells. In the present study, we identified photodepletion conditions selectively eradicating endogenous proliferating T cells from chronic GVHD patients, with the concomittant sparing and expansion of CD4+CD25+ forkhead box protein 3–positive T cells. The regulatory T-cell (Treg) nature and function of these photodepletion-resistant cells was demonstrated in coculture and depletion/repletion experiments. The mechanism by which Tregs escape photodepletion involves active P-glycoprotein–mediated drug efflux. This Treg-inhibitory activity is attributable to interleukin-10 secretion, requires cell-cell contact, and implies binding with cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4). Preventing CTLA-4 ligation abrogated the in vitro generation of Tregs, thus identifying CTLA-4–mediated cell-cell contact as a crucial priming event for Treg function. Moreover, the frequency of circulating Tregs increased in chronic GVHD patients treated with TH9402 photodepleted cells. In conclusion, these results identify a novel approach to both preserve and expand Tregs while selectively eliminating CD4+ effector T cells. They also uncover effector pathways that could be used advantageously for the treatment of patients with refractory GVHD.
Novel strong tissue specific promoter for gene expression in human germ cells
Authors: Kuzmin Denis , Gogvadze Elena , Kholodenko Roman , Grzela Dawid P , Mityaev Maxim , Vinogradova Tatyana , Kopantzev Eugene , Malakhova Galina , Suntsova Maria , Sokov Dmitry , Ivics Zoltán , Buzdin Anton
Published: August 2010

Background

Tissue specific promoters may be utilized for a variety of applications, including programmed gene expression in cell types, tissues and organs of interest, for developing different cell culture models or for use in gene therapy. We report a novel, tissue-specific promoter that was identified and engineered from the native upstream regulatory region of the human gene NDUFV1 containing an endogenous retroviral sequence.

Results

Among seven established human cell lines and five primary cultures, this modified NDUFV1 upstream sequence (mNUS) was active only in human undifferentiated germ-derived cells (lines Tera-1 and EP2102), where it demonstrated high promoter activity (~twice greater than that of the SV40 early promoter, and comparable to the routinely used cytomegaloviral promoter). To investigate the potential applicability of the mNUS promoter for biotechnological needs, a construct carrying a recombinant cytosine deaminase (RCD) suicide gene under the control of mNUS was tested in cell lines of different tissue origin. High cytotoxic effect of RCD with a cell-death rate ~60% was observed only in germ-derived cells (Tera-1), whereas no effect was seen in a somatic, kidney-derived control cell line (HEK293). In further experiments, we tested mNUS-driven expression of a hyperactive Sleeping Beauty transposase (SB100X). The mNUS-SB100X construct mediated stable transgene insertions exclusively in germ-derived cells, thereby providing further evidence of tissue-specificity of the mNUS promoter.

Conclusions

We conclude that mNUS may be used as an efficient promoter for tissue-specific gene expression in human germ-derived cells in many applications. Our data also suggest that the 91 bp-long sequence located exactly upstream NDUFV1 transcriptional start site plays a crucial role in the activity of this gene promoter in vitro in the majority of tested cell types (10/12), and an important role - in the rest two cell lines.
Modeling the epidemiological history of plague in Central Asia: Palaeoclimatic forcing on a disease system over the past millennium
Authors: Kausrud Kyrre Linné , Begon Mike , Ari Tamara Ben , Viljugrein Hildegunn , Esper Jan , Büntgen Ulf , Leirs Herwig , Junge Claudia , Yang Bao , Yang Meixue , Xu Lei , Stenseth Nils Chr
Published: August 2010

Background

Human cases of plague (Yersinia pestis) infection originate, ultimately, in the bacterium's wildlife host populations. The epidemiological dynamics of the wildlife reservoir therefore determine the abundance, distribution and evolution of the pathogen, which in turn shape the frequency, distribution and virulence of human cases. Earlier studies have shown clear evidence of climatic forcing on contemporary plague abundance in rodents and humans.

Results

We find that high-resolution palaeoclimatic indices correlate with plague prevalence and population density in a major plague host species, the great gerbil (Rhombomys opimus), over 1949-1995. Climate-driven models trained on these data predict independent data on human plague cases in early 20th-century Kazakhstan from 1904-1948, suggesting a consistent impact of climate on large-scale wildlife reservoir dynamics influencing human epidemics. Extending the models further back in time, we also find correspondence between their predictions and qualitative records of plague epidemics over the past 1500 years.

Conclusions

Central Asian climate fluctuations appear to have had significant influences on regional human plague frequency in the first part of the 20th century, and probably over the past 1500 years. This first attempt at ecoepidemiological reconstruction of historical disease activity may shed some light on how long-term plague epidemiology interacts with human activity. As plague activity in Central Asia seems to have followed climate fluctuations over the past centuries, we may expect global warming to have an impact upon future plague epidemiology, probably sustaining or increasing plague activity in the region, at least in the rodent reservoirs, in the coming decades.

See commentary: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1741-7007/8/108
Serological characterization of guinea pigs infected with H3N2 human influenza or immunized with hemagglutinin protein
Authors: Bushnell Ruth V , Tobin John K , Long Jinxue , Schultz-Cherry Stacey , Chaudhuri A Ray , Nara Peter L , Tobin Gregory J
Published: August 2010

Background

Recent and previous studies have shown that guinea pigs can be infected with, and transmit, human influenza viruses. Therefore guinea pig may be a useful animal model for better understanding influenza infection and assessing vaccine strategies. To more fully characterize the model, antibody responses following either infection/re-infection with human influenza A/Wyoming/03/2003 H3N2 or immunization with its homologous recombinant hemagglutinin (HA) protein were studied.

Results

Serological samples were collected and tested for anti-HA immunoglobulin by ELISA, antiviral antibodies by hemagglutination inhibition (HI), and recognition of linear epitopes by peptide scanning (PepScan). Animals inoculated with infectious virus demonstrated pronounced viral replication and subsequent serological conversion. Animals either immunized with the homologous HA antigen or infected, showed a relatively rapid rise in antibody titers to the HA glycoprotein in ELISA assays. Antiviral antibodies, measured by HI assay, were detectable after the second inoculation. PepScan data identified both previously recognized and newly defined linear epitopes.

Conclusions

Infection and/or recombinant HA immunization of guinea pigs with H3N2 Wyoming influenza virus resulted in a relatively rapid production of viral-specific antibody thus demonstrating the strong immunogenicity of the major viral structural proteins in this animal model for influenza infection. The sensitivity of the immune response supports the utility of the guinea pig as a useful animal model of influenza infection and immunization.
SICTIN: Rapid footprinting of massively parallel sequencing data
Authors: Enroth Stefan , Andersson Robin , Wadelius Claes , Komorowski Jan
Published: August 2010

Background

Massively parallel sequencing allows for genome-wide hypothesis-free investigation of for instance transcription factor binding sites or histone modifications. Although nucleotide resolution detailed information can easily be generated, biological insight often requires a more general view of patterns (footprints) over distinct genomic features such as transcription start sites, exons or repetitive regions. The construction of these footprints is however a time consuming task.

Methods

The presented software generates a binary representation of the signals enabling fast and scalable lookup. This representation allows for footprint generation in mere minutes on a desktop computer. Several different input formats are accepted, e.g. the SAM format, bed-files and the UCSC wiggle track.

Conclusions

Hypothesis-free investigation of genome wide interactions allows for biological data mining at a scale never before seen. Until recently, the main focus of analysis of sequencing data has been targeted on signal patterns around transcriptional start sites which are in manageable numbers. Today, focus is shifting to a wider perspective and numerous genomic features are being studied. To this end, we provide a system allowing for fast querying in the order of hundreds of thousands of features.
A self-regulating and patch subdivided population
Authors: Belhadji Lamia , Bertacchi Daniela , Zucca Fabio
Published: August 2010

We consider an interacting particle system on a graph which, from a macroscopic point of view, looks like ℤd and, at a microscopic level, is a complete graph of degree N (called a patch). There are two birth rates: an inter-patch birth rate λ and an intra-patch birth rate ϕ. Once a site is occupied, there is no breeding from outside the patch and the probability c(i) of success of an intra-patch breeding decreases with the size i of the population in the site. We prove the existence of a critical value λc(ϕ, c, N) and a critical value ϕc(λ, c, N). We consider a sequence of processes generated by the families of control functions {cn}n∈ℕ and degrees {Nn}n∈ℕ; we prove, under mild assumptions, the existence of a critical value nc(λ, ϕ, c). Roughly speaking, we show that, in the limit, these processes behave as the branching random walk on ℤd with inter-neighbor birth rate λ and on-site birth rate ϕ. Some examples of models that can be seen as particular cases are given.
Swimming behavior and prey retention of the polychaete larvaePolydora ciliata(Johnston)
Authors: Hansen B. W. , Jakobsen H. H. , Andersen A. , Almeda R. , Pedersen T. M. , Christensen A. M. , Nilsson B.
Published: August 2010

The behavior of the ubiquitous estuarine planktotrophic spionid polychaete larvae Polydora ciliata was studied. We describe ontogenetic changes in morphology, swimming speed and feeding rates and have developed a simple swimming model using low Reynolds number hydrodynamics. In the model we assumed that the ciliary swimming apparatus is primarily composed of the prototroch and secondarily by the telotroch. The model predicted swimming speeds and feeding rates that corresponded well with the measured speeds and rates. Applying empirical data to the model, we were able to explain the profound decrease in specific feeding rates and the observed increase in the difference between upward and downward swimming speeds with larval size. We estimated a critical larval length above which the buoyancy-corrected weight of the larva exceeds the propulsion force generated by the ciliary swimming apparatus and thus forces the larva to the bottom. This modeled critical larval length corresponded to approximately 1 mm, at which, according to the literature, competence for metamorphosis and no more length increase is observed. These findings may have general implications for all planktivorous polychaete larvae that feed without trailing threads. We observed bell shaped particle retention spectra with a minimum prey size of approximately 4 μm equivalent spherical diameter, and we found that an ontogenetic increase in maximum prey size add to a reduction in intra-specific food competition in the various larval stages. In a grazing experiment using natural seawater, ciliates were cleared approximately 50% more efficiently than similar sized dinoflagellates. The prey sizes retainable for P. ciliata larvae covers the microplankton fraction and includes non-motile as well as motile prey items, which is why the larvae are trophically positioned among the copepods and dinoflagellates. Not only do larval morphology and behavior govern larval feeding, prey behavior also influences the feeding efficiency of Polydora ciliata.
The orientation-dependent visual spatial cut-off frequency in a spider
Authors: Fenk Lisa M. , Schmid Axel
Published: August 2010

Cupiennius salei (Araneae, Ctenidae) has, like most spiders, eight camera-type eyes. The anterior median eyes are called principal eyes and have a movable retina; all of the other eyes are referred to as secondary eyes and are equipped with a reflecting tapetum. The photoreceptors in the secondary eyes are arranged in rows on the tapetum and the inter-receptor angle along such a row is smaller than normal to it. In this study, the vertical and horizontal spatial cut-off frequencies of moving gratings were measured for the posterior median (PM) eyes, and the data were then compared with the anatomical data reported in the literature. Detection of moving objects in the secondary eyes enhances the eye muscle potential frequency in the principal eyes. We thus recorded the eye muscle activity with a telemetric unit as a monitor for motion detection while moving stimuli – sinusoidally modulated bright and dark stripes – were presented to the PM eyes on a computer screen. A significant increase in the eye muscle activity was measured for gratings at an angular wavelength of 2.0 deg in the vertical orientation and of 2.7 deg in the horizontal direction. In the vertical orientation the critical wavelength is twice the inter-receptor angle; in the horizontal orientation the spiders responded to wavelengths that are smaller than twice the corresponding inter-receptor angle. The cut-off frequency seems thus to be limited by the visual field of the photoreceptors rather than the inter-receptor angle. The relative intensity modulations modelled for the two different grating orientations in single photoreceptor cells were in line with our data.
Homeotropic alignment through charge-transfer-induced columnar mesophase formation in an unsymmetrically substituted triphenylene derivative
Authors: Li Juanjuan , He Zhiqun , Zhao Huan , Gopee Hemant , Kong Xiangfei , Xu Min , An Xinxin , Jing Xiping , Cammidge Andrew N.
Published: August 2010

An unsymmetrically substituted triphenylene, with two adjacent chloroethoxyethyl lateral flexible chains, was synthesized and characterized. Although this compound showed no mesomorphic behavior, it formed a donor–acceptor charge-transfer complex with 2,4,7-trinitrofluorenone (TNF). The resulting 1:1 complex has been investigated using UV–vis and IR spectroscopy, optical microscopy, thermal analysis, and X-ray diffraction. A columnar mesophase with hexagonal symmetry was found. More interestingly, this charge-transfer complex can be easily aligned on a glass surface in a homeotropic orientation, which is stable at room temperature (RT) and over a wide temperature range.
The NADPH Oxidase NOX2 Controls Glutamate Release: A Novel Mechanism Involved in Psychosis-Like Ketamine Responses
Authors: Sorce Silvia , Schiavone Stefania , Tucci Paolo , Colaianna Marilena , Jaquet Vincent , Cuomo Vincenzo , Dubois-Dauphin Michel , Trabace Luigia , Krause Karl-Heinz
Published: August 2010

Subanesthetic doses of NMDA receptor antagonist ketamine induce schizophrenia-like symptoms in humans and behavioral changes in rodents. Subchronic administration of ketamine leads to loss of parvalbumin-positive interneurons through reactive oxygen species (ROS), generated by the NADPH oxidase NOX2. However, ketamine induces very rapid alterations, in both mice and humans. Thus, we have investigated the role of NOX2 in acute responses to subanesthetic doses of ketamine. In wild-type mice, ketamine caused rapid (30 min) behavioral alterations, release of neurotransmitters, and brain oxidative stress, whereas NOX2-deficient mice did not display such alterations. Decreased expression of the subunit 2A of the NMDA receptor after repetitive ketamine exposure was also precluded by NOX2 deficiency. However, neurotransmitter release and behavioral changes in response to amphetamine were not altered in NOX2-deficient mice. Our results suggest that NOX2 is a major source of ROS production in the prefrontal cortex controlling glutamate release and associated behavioral alterations after acute ketamine exposure. Prolonged NOX2-dependent glutamate release may lead to neuroadaptative downregulation of NMDA receptor subunits.
Associations between cardiovascular risk, insulin resistance, β-cell function and thyroid dysfunction: a cross-sectional study in She ethnic minority group of Fujian Province in China
Authors: Chen Gang , Wu Juan , Lin Yinghua , Huang Baoying , Yao Jin , Jiang Qiqin , Wen Junping , Lin Lixiang
Published: August 2010

Objective

To investigate the associations between cardiovascular risk, insulin resistance (IR), β-cell function and thyroid dysfunction in She ethnic minority group in China.

Methods

We enrolled 5080 participants of She ethnicity in this analysis eventually. We measured serum TSH and thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) concentrations, blood glucose and insulin levels in both fasting and 2-h postprandial states, serum lipid levels, blood pressure (BP), brachial–ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), electrophysiological parameters, includingTpeak–Tendinterval (Tp–e), QT interval and height of the R wave in lead aVL (RaVL), and anthropometric parameters.

Results

The total prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in this population is 12.1%. Hyperthyroid subjects had shorterTp–einterval and QT interval in electrocardiogram (ECG), while hypothyroid subjects had shorterTp–einterval and longer QT interval in ECG than euthyroid subjects. Neither hyperthyroid nor hypothyroid subjects showed significant difference in BP, pulse pressure, and baPWV compared with euthyroid subjects. RaVL was slightly higher in hyperthyroid subjects, though the difference did not reach statistical significance (P=0.08). Subjects with TSH<0.3 mIU/l had higher blood glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and β-cell function (HOMA-β), whereas subjects with TSH>10 mIU/l had lower insulin, HOMA-IR, and HOMA-β than the reference group. There was a significant negative correlation, albeit weak, between TSH and HOMA-IR, HOMA-β after adjustment for confounding factors.

Conclusions

Hypothyroid subjects may carry higher cardiovascular risk than euthyroid subjects. Moreover, IR and β-cell function are inversely correlated with TSH, which may be explained by the decreasing insulin-antagonistic effects of thyroid hormones along with increasing TSH.
The Confounding Effects of Population Structure, Genetic Diversity and the Sampling Scheme on the Detection and Quantification of Population Size Changes
Authors: Chikhi Lounès , Sousa Vitor C , Luisi Pierre , Goossens Benoit , Beaumont Mark A
Published: August 2010

The idea that molecular data should contain information on the recent evolutionary history of populations is rather old. However, much of the work carried out today owes to the work of the statisticians and theoreticians who demonstrated that it was possible to detect departures from equilibrium conditions (e.g., panmictic population/mutation–drift equilibrium) and interpret them in terms of deviations from neutrality or stationarity. During the last 20 years the detection of population size changes has usually been carried out under the assumption that samples were obtained from populations that can be approximated by a Wright–Fisher model (i.e., assuming panmixia, demographic stationarity, etc.). However, natural populations are usually part of spatial networks and are interconnected through gene flow. Here we simulated genetic data at mutation and migration–drift equilibrium under an n-island and a stepping-stone model. The simulated populations were thus stationary and not subject to any population size change. We varied the level of gene flow between populations and the scaled mutation rate. We also used several sampling schemes. We then analyzed the simulated samples using the Bayesian method implemented in MSVAR, the Markov Chain Monte Carlo simulation program, to detect and quantify putative population size changes using microsatellite data. Our results show that all three factors (genetic differentiation/gene flow, genetic diversity, and the sampling scheme) play a role in generating false bottleneck signals. We also suggest an ad hoc method to counter this effect. The confounding effect of population structure and of the sampling scheme has practical implications for many conservation studies. Indeed, if population structure is creating “spurious” bottleneck signals, the interpretation of bottleneck signals from genetic data might be less straightforward than it would seem, and several studies may have overestimated or incorrectly detected bottlenecks in endangered species.
Declínio da prevalência do HTLV-1/2 em doadores de sangue do Hemocentro Regional da Cidade de Uberaba, Estado de Minas Gerais, 1995 a 2008
Authors: Lima Guilherme Manso de , Eustáquio José Martins Juliano , Martins Raquel Alves , Josahkian Juliana Alves , Pereira Gilberto de Araújo , Moraes-Souza Helio , Martins Paulo Roberto Juliano
Published: August 2010

INTRODUCÃO: Estudo retrospectivo com o objetivo de avaliar a prevalência e fatores associados à soropositividade para o HTLV-1/2, no período de 1995 a 2008, no Hemocentro Regional de Uberaba e descrever os doadores soropositivos quanto ao gênero, idade, estado civil, cor de pele e procedência. MÉTODOS: Foram realizados análise estatística descritiva, testes qui-quadrado e odds ratio para comparação de proporções e gráfico de dispersão com coeficiente de correlação linear. RESULTADOS: Dentre x doadores testados, foi encontrada a prevalência de sorologia positiva para o HTLV de 0,02% e indeterminada de 0,09%. Houve uma redução significativa da sorologia positiva para HTLV, no período de 2002 a 2008, em comparação ao período de 1995 a 2001. Dentre os soropositivos, observou predomínio significante no gênero feminino. CONCLUSÕES: Imputamos a queda gradativa de soropositividade no período à exclusão permanente dos doadores de repetição soropositivos e ao aprimoramento dos métodos de triagem clínica e dos testes sorológicos ao longo dos anos com reflexos positivos na segurança transfusional.
Nutrição mineral de hortaliças LXX: acumulação de matéria seca e recrutamento de macronutrientes pelo melão (Cucimis Melo L. cv. Valenciano Amarelo CAC) cultivado em latossolo vermelho amarelo em presidente Venceslau, SP
Authors: Belfort C.C. , Haag H.P. , Matsumoto T. , Carmello Q.A.C. , Santos J.W.C.
Published: August 2010

Com o objetivo de determinar: - a curva de crescimento do melão (Cucumis melo L.), através da acumulação de matéria seca; - os teores e consequentes acúmulos de nutrientes nos órgãos aéreos da planta, em diferentes estádios de crescimento; - a exportação de nutrientes na colheita de frutos, no ponto de consumo. Foi conduzido um ensaio em condições de campo o qual consistiu da amostragem em cinco estádios de crescimento - 15, 30, 45, 60 e 75 dias após a emergência - de plantas competitivas, as quais eram cortadas rente ao solo, divididas em caule e ramos, folhas, flores e frutos, para determinação de quantidade de matéria seca e análise química para macronutrientes minerais. Os tratamentos, então representados por épocas de amostragem, constaram de um delineamento em blocos casualizados com quatro repetições. Concluiu-se que: - o crescimento das plantas é inicialmente lento, intensificando-se posteriormente, com maiores incrementos entre 30 e 45 dias; - no final do ciclo, a planta acumulou 905,88 g de matéria seca, assim distribuída; caule e ramos 19,38%, folhas 30,32% e flores e frutos 50,30%; - a concentração dos nutrientes na parte aérea variou com a idade e o órgão considerado; - verifica-se nos frutos uma tendência de redução nos teores dos macronutrientes (com exceção do enxofre); - a parte aérea acumulou, aos 75 dias, em miligramas por planta: 23,08 de N; 3,46 de P; 28,90 de K; 12,74 de Ca; 5,55 de Mg; 1,59 de S. - são exportados numa colheita de uma tonelada de frutos, cerca de 1,78 kg de N; 0,33 kg de P; 2,65 kg de K; 0,14 kg de Ca; 0,21 kg de Mg; 0,09 kg de S.
Toxidez de alumínio e Manganês em Sorgo Sacarino (Sorghum Bicolor L. Moench): I. Relações entre P, Ca e Al
Authors: Primavesi A.C.P.A. , Malavolta E. , Primavesi O.
Published: August 2010

Foi conduzido um experimento em casa de vegetação usando quatro cultivares de sorgo sacarino: CMSXS603, Br 500, Sart e Br 602, em solução nutritiva de Hoagland e Arnon nº 1 modificada para a soluçao padrão contendo os tratamentos (níveis de Al, P, Ca). Após a colheita foram determinados os pesos da matéria seca da raiz e parte aérea e os teores de P, K, Ca, Mg e Al. Verificou-se que: a) o alumínio reduziu a produção de matéria seca dos cultivares sendo a parte aérea mais afetada que a radicular. Entretanto, a quantidade de matéria seca do sistema radicular refletiu melhor a tolerância relativa dos cultivares. b) o aumento dos níveis de Ca no substrato proporcionou um aumento na tolerância ao Al, desde que o P estivesse em alta concentração, c) quando comparados os tratamentos que acarretaram as maiores e menores produções de matéria seca na presença de Al e tolerância ao mesmo, os teores dos elementos Ca, Mg, K, P e Al na parte aérea dos cultivares foram diferentes. O elemento fósforo foi mais importante para conferir tolerância ao alumínio no tecido radicular e na parte aérea.
Efeito do tratamento térmico e da adição de calcário dolomítico na cinética de liberação de potássio do sienito nefelinico de Poços de Caldas
Authors: Faquin V. , Klnjo T. , Malavolta E.
Published: August 2010

Com o objetivo de determinar o efeito do tratamento térmico e da mistura de calcário dolomítico, na liberação de K do sienito nefelinico (rocha potássica de Poços de Caldas), este experimento foi realizado. Assim, o sienito nefelinico e o calcário dolomítico, foram misturados nas proporções de 1:1 e 3:1 e calcinados nas temperaturas de 1.000, 1.100, 1.200 e 1.300°C e Fusão. Os materiais calcinados, bem como a rocha "in natura", apenas moída, foram submetidos a equilíbrios por períodos de 1, 4, 8, 12, 24, 36 e 48 horas, em água, na relação 1:100, com agitação contínua. Os resultados mostraram que a calcinação e a adição de calcário dolomítico, aumentaram a liberação de K do sienito nefelínico, sendo que os melhores efeitos foram verificados na proporção de mistura 1:1, quando calcinados nas temperaturas de 1.000 e 1.100°C.
Modificação ao método de Bray para avaliar a fertilidade do solo
Authors: Mello Francisco de A. F. de
Published: August 2010

Neste trabalho é apresentada uma modificação ao método de BRAY (1948) para se construir uma curva de calibração de nutrientes disponíveis no solo. Basicamente, trata-se de se estimar o valor da constante da equação de Mitscherlich, na forma linear, por meio de regressão linear e com esse valor construir uma curva de calibração.
Biologia do bicho do cesto Oiketicus kirbyi (Lands.-Guilding, 1827) (Lepidoptera, Psychidae) em folhas de Eucalyptus spp
Authors: Arce J.J. Campos , Peres Filho O. , Berti Filho E.
Published: August 2010

O bicho do cesto, Oiketicus kirbyi (Lands.-Guilding, 1827), inseto extremamente polífago, é praga de várias culturas de importância econômica, principalmente na região sul do Brasil. Sua ocorrência em áreas reflorestadas com eucalipto é freqüente, embora não tenha causado, ainda, danos econômicos de monta. Este trabalho trata da biologia deste inseto em folhas de Eucalyptus spp., com a finalidade de trazer subsídios para o caso de eventuais surtos de O. kirbyi em florestas implantadas. O bicho do cesto foi criado em laboratório em temperatura de 25±3°C, umidade relativa de 70± 10% e fotofase de 13 h. Os seguintes valores médios foram obtidos: período embrionário de 43,1 dias, período larval de 140 dias (machos) e 151 dias (fêmeas), período pupal de 38,2 dias (machos), longevidade dos adultos de 3,0 dias (machos) e 3,9 dias (fêmeas) e período de oviposição 2,1 dias. Foram determinadas, também, as dimensões de ovos, pupas, adultos e das cápsulas cefálicas, o número de ínstares larvais, período de cópula, além da estimativa do dano foliar.
Toxidez de alumínio e manganes em sorgo sacarino (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench): III relações entre P, Mg e AL
Authors: Primavesi Ana Cândida P. Aguirre , Malavolta E. , Primavesi Odo
Published: August 2010

Conduziu-se um experimento em casa de vegetação, em solução nutritiva de Hoagland e Arnon nº 1, modificada para a solução padrão contendo os tratamentos (níveis de Al, P, Mg) e usando-se quatro cultivares de sorgo sacarino: CMS x S603, Br500, Sart e Br602. Após a colheira determinou-se os pesos da matéria seca da raiz e parte aérea e os teores de P, K, Ca, Mg e Al. Verificou-se que: a) a tolerância relativa dos cultivares for indicada pela produção de matéria seca do sistema radicular na seguinte ordem decrescente: SART > CMS x S603 > Br500 > Br602. b) a elevação dos níveis de Mg no substrato permitiu um aumento na tolerância ao alumínio desde que o fósforo se apresentasse em alta concentração. c) os teores dos elementos Ca, Mg, K, P e Al na parte aérea dos cultivares, comparando-se tratamentos que acarretaram as maiores e menores produções de matéria seca na presença de Al, e grau de tolerância ao mesmo, foram diferentes para os cultivares. d) ocorreu estimulo na produção de matéria seca para determinadas combinações de níveis de Al e nutrientes, dependendo do cultivar.
Análise do boro disponível em solos do estado de S. Paulo: I. Crescimento e composição mineral do girassol (Helianthus annuus Mill.)
Authors: Ruy V. De Moraes , Brasil Sobrinho M.O.C. , Malavolta E.
Published: August 2010

Com a finalidade de determinar a disponibilidade do boro, cultivou-se o girassol em casa de vegetação, usando-se solos de cinco séries do município de Piracicaba, SP e sete doses do elemento. Durante o período experimental de 40 dias foram obtidos dados de crescimento e registrados sintomas de deficiência. No material colhido foram determinados macro e micronutrientes. Foram tiradas as seguintes conclusões principais: a altura das plantas refletiu o estado nutricional melhor do que qualquer outra característica das mesmas; o teor de B das folhas mais novas forneceu a melhor avaliação da resposta das plantas, entre as partes analisadas.
Efeitos do triacontanol na germinação de milho e tomateiro
Authors: Castro Paulo R. C. , Henrique Ana A. , Fumis Terezinha F. , Babboni Júnior Antonio C. , Minarelli Angela M. , di Stasi Luiz C. , Rodrigues João D.
Published: August 2010

Novos estimulantes vegetais têm merecido estudos por possuírem alto potencial para melhorarem a produtividade de culturas. Triacontanol, um álcool alifático primário de cadeia longa isolado de vegetais encontra-se dentre essas substâncias. Com o objetivo de verificar o efeito deste estimulante vegetal sob condições de laboratório, sementes de Zea mays cv. C-525 e Lycopersicon esculentum cv. Kada foram submetidas aos efeitos de 10 ml de triacontanol 0,01, 0,1 e 1 mg. 1-1, além do controle, em caixas de Petri. Observações realizadas 7 e 14 dias após a instalação do ensaio mostraram que concentrações crescentes de triacontanol tendem a aumentar o crescimento da radícula e do hipocótilo do tomateiro, 14 dias após a aplicação. Nesta data notou-se também que concentrações crescentes de triacontanol tendem a incrementar o desenvolvimento do hipocótilo do milho.
Efeito residual de alguns adubos nitrogenados sobre algumas características químicas de um solo
Authors: Rosales Manuel Palma , Mello Francisco A. F. , Arzolla Sylvio , Thomasi Maria D.
Published: August 2010

Foi feito um ensaio em vasos, com 4 repetições, usando terra ácida e de baixa fertilidade para testar os valores fertilizantes de uréia (com e sem enxofre), nitrato de amônio e sulfato de amônio. Fez-se, a princípio, correção do pH para 6,0 e aplicação de adubo fosfatado e potássio nas doses de 90 e 120 kg/ha de P(2)0(5) e K(2)0, respectivamente. As doses de N foram de 0, 120 e 240 kg/ha. A planta teste foi o milho. No ano seguinte o ensaio foi repetido, mas sem calagem e sem adição dos fertilizantes nitrogenados. No ano subsequente repetiu-se o ensaio anterior fazendo-se, porém, calagem em duas repetições de cada tratamento. Após a colheita do milho estudaram-se os efeitos residuais dos adubos nitrogenados em competição tomando-se como parâmetros de avaliação a produção de massa de matéria seca de partes aéreas e de plantas inteiras e conteúdos de nitrogênio das mesmas, os teores de alumínio trocável do solo, de hidrogênio potencial, hidrogênio trocável, indices pH e porcentagens de nitrogênio das terras. As principais conclusões gerais são: a. Relativamente ao Al3+ trocável, nos tratamentos que receberam calagem não houve efeito residual dos adubos nitrogenados, mas na ausência do corretivo o sulfato de amônio apresentou efeito considerável. Os demais apresentaram efeitos menos pronunciados. b. De um modo global, no que se refere ao H+ potencial e trocável não houve efeito residual dos fertilizantes nitrogenados nos tratamentos que sofreram correção da acidez, mas, naqueles que não receberam CaCO3 houve algum efeito residual, sobretudo do sulfato de amônio. c. Quando se tomou o valor pH como índice de avaliação do efeito residual, apenas o sulfato de amônio baixou o pH das terras, tanto nos tratamentos que receberam calagem como nos que não a receberam. d. Não houve efeito residual dos fertilizantes nitrogenados quando ele foi avaliado pelo teor de N do solo. e. Quando se emprega fertilizantes amoniacais com frequência, sobretudo o sulfato de amônio, deve-se atentar para a correção da acidez do solo.
Nutrição mineral de plantas ornamentais XII: Deficiências de N, P, Ca, Mg, S e B em crisântemo (Chrysanthemum morifolium cv golden polaris)
Authors: Lima Ana Maria Liner Pereira , Haag Henrique Paulo
Published: August 2010

Com o objetivo de determinar: Os sintomas de deficiência de macronutrientes e de boro, de modo a relacioná-los com a composição química da planta; Foi conduzido um experimento em casa-de-vegetação com plantas de crisântemo cultivadas em substrato de sílica e irrigadas com soluções nutritivas, submetidas aos tratamentos: completo, omissão e nitrogênio (-N), omissão de fósforo (-P), omissão de potássio (-K), omissão de cálcio (-Ca), omissio de magnésio (-Mg), omissão de enxofre (-S) e omissão de boro (-B). O desenvolvimento dos sintomas foi acompanhado e, ao final do ciclo, as plantas foram colhidas e separadas em folhas novas, folhas velhas, hastes e inflorescências para serem analisadas quanto a concentração dos nutrientes. Os autores concluiram que: A sintomatologia de carência de nutrientes aparece, em sequência, para os elementos N, B, S, K, Ca, P e Mg, sendo mais pronunciada nos tratamentos -N, -K, -B e -Ca. Os níveis de nutrientes nas folhas de plantas sadias, expressos em função da matéria seca, estão na faixa de:N-1,02% -2,25%; P-0,08%-0,13%; K-2,79%-2,87%; Ca -1,18%-1 ,68%; Mg-0,70%-0,93%; S- 0,93%-0,13% e B-56,5 ppm-67,25 ppm. Os níveis de nutrientes nas folhas de plantas com sintomas de carência, expressos na matéria seca, são: N-0,73%; P-0,03%; K-0,42%; Ca-0,46%; Mg-0,48%; S-0,10% e B-33 ppm.
Efeitos de reguladores e estimulantes vegetais no desenvolvimento do milho (Zea mays L. cv. c-525)
Authors: Castro Paulo R. C. , Conforto Elenice , Nicolini Eliana M. , Gabriel José L. C. , Ismael João J.
Published: August 2010

Estudou-se, sob condições de casa de vegetação, o efeito da aplicação de reguladores e estimulantes vegetais no desenvolvimento do milho cultivar Cargill -525. Os reguladores e estimulantes utilizados foram: giberelina 100 ppm, ethephon 600 ppm, Agrostemin 0,8 g/l e Triacontanol 0,5 mg/l; aplicados por pulverização 34 dias após a semeadura, além do controle, foram determinados os parâmetros relativos a altura da planta, número de folhas, área foliar e peso da materia seca de raiz, caule e folhas. A partir dos dados de área foliar e peso da matéria seca total obtidos em 4coletas realizadas com intervalos de 14 dias, foram calculadas a taxa assimilatória líquida (TAL), taxa de crescimento relativo (TCR) e razão de área foliar (RAF). Giberelina 100 ppm aumentou inicialmente a altura das plantas de milho, sendo que ethephon 600 ppm reduziu a altura média do milho. 0 número de folhas foi diminuído nas plantas tratadas com giberelina, tendendo a aumentar no tratamento com ethephon. Giberelina reduziu o peso da matéria seca das plantas de milho, sendo que ethephon incrementou o peso de raízes, colmo e folhos. Triacontanol promoveu redução na TAL e na TCR do milho 'Cargill - 525' . Giberelina e ethephon tenderam a diminuir a RAF das plantas de Zea mays L.
Adubação fosfatada na cultura do milho (Zea mays L.) em solos primitivamente cobertos por vegetação de cerrado
Authors: Borges Luiz Carlos V. , Mello Francisco de A. F. de
Published: August 2010

Foram realizados dois experimentos em solos sob vegetação de cerrado representativos daqueles que atualmente são usados para fins agrícolas. Estes experimentos foram localizados nas proximidades de Goiânia (Latossolo Vermelho Amarelo) e de Santa Helena (Latossolo Roxo), municípios do Estado de Goiás, Brasil. Fosfato natural de Catalão foi aplicado a lanço, no primeiro ano, nas doses de 0, 150, 300, 600 e 1200 kg/ha de P(2)0(5) total. Este fosfato é uma apatita que contem 38,2% de P2O5total e 3,1% solúvel em ácido cítrico a 2% (relação 1 :100). No segundo ano foi feita uma adubação no sulco de plantio com superfosfato triplo nas doses de 0, 50, 100 e 200 kg/ha de P2O5. Esta segunda aplicação foi efetuada nas parcelas que haviam recebido fosfato de Catalão no ano anterior. No primeiro ano não foi observada resposta significativa, em produção de milho (Zea mays L.), em ambos os locais, devida ao fosfato de Catalão. No segundo ano houve resposta apenas em Goiânia. O superfosfato triplo teve um efeito pronunciado indicando a necessidade de aplicação do fosfato solúvel nesses dois locais.