bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development and evaluation of a leadership training program for public health emergency response: results from a Chinese study
Authors: Wang Chongjian , Wei Sheng , Xiang Hao , Wu Jing , Xu Yihua , Liu Li , Nie Shaofa
Published: October 2008

Background

Since the 9/11 attack and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), the development of qualified and able public health leaders has become a new urgency in building the infrastructure needed to address public health emergencies. Although previous studies have reported that the training of individual leaders is an important approach, the systemic and scientific training model need further improvement and development. The purpose of this study was to develop, deliver, and evaluate a participatory leadership training program for emergency response.

Methods

Forty-one public health leaders (N = 41) from five provinces completed the entire emergency preparedness training program in China. The program was evaluated by anonymous questionnaires and semi-structured interviews held prior to training, immediately post-training and 12-month after training (Follow-up).

Results

The emergency preparedness training resulted in positive shifts in knowledge, self-assessment of skills for public health leaders. More than ninety-five percent of participants reported that the training model was scientific and feasible. Moreover, the response of participants in the program to the avian influenza outbreak, as well as the planned evaluations for this leadership training program, further demonstrated both the successful approaches and methods and the positive impact of this integrated leadership training initiative.

Conclusion

The emergency preparedness training program met its aims and objectives satisfactorily, and improved the emergency capability of public health leaders. This suggests that the leadership training model was effective and feasible in improving the emergency preparedness capability.
Induction of apoptosis of human primary osteoclasts treated with extracts from the medicinal plant Emblica officinalis
Authors: Penolazzi Letizia , Lampronti Ilaria , Borgatti Monica , Khan Mahmud Tareq Hassan , Zennaro Margherita , Piva Roberta , Gambari Roberto
Published: October 2008

Background

Osteoclasts (OCs) are involved in rheumatoid arthritis and in several pathologies associated with bone loss. Recent results support the concept that some medicinal plants and derived natural products are of great interest for developing therapeutic strategies against bone disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis. In this study we determined whether extracts of Emblica officinalis fruits display activity of possible interest for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis by activating programmed cell death of human primary osteoclasts.

Methods

The effects of extracts from Emblica officinalis on differentiation and survival of human primary OCs cultures obtained from peripheral blood were determined by tartrate-acid resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positivity and colorimetric MTT assay. The effects of Emblica officinalis extracts on induction of OCs apoptosis were studied using TUNEL and immunocytochemical analysis of FAS receptor expression. Finally, in vitro effects of Emblica officinalis extracts on NF-kB transcription factor activity were determined by gel shift experiments.

Results

Extracts of Emblica officinalis were able to induce programmed cell death of mature OCs, without altering, at the concentrations employed in our study, the process of osteoclastogenesis. Emblica officinalis increased the expression levels of Fas, a critical member of the apoptotic pathway. Gel shift experiments demonstrated that Emblica officinalis extracts act by interfering with NF-kB activity, a transcription factor involved in osteoclast biology. The data obtained demonstrate that Emblica officinalis extracts selectively compete with the binding of transcription factor NF-kB to its specific target DNA sequences. This effect might explain the observed effects of Emblica officinalis on the expression levels of interleukin-6, a NF-kB specific target gene.

Conclusion

Induction of apoptosis of osteoclasts could be an important strategy both in interfering with rheumatoid arthritis complications of the bone skeleton leading to joint destruction, and preventing and reducing osteoporosis. Accordingly, we suggest the application of Emblica officinalis extracts as an alternative tool for therapy applied to bone diseases.
HOX cofactors expression and regulation in the human ovary
Authors: Ota Takayo , Asahina Haruka , Park Se-Hyung , Huang Qing , Minegishi Takashi , Auersperg Nelly , Leung Peter CK
Published: October 2008

Background

HOX cofactors enhance HOX binding affinities and specificities and increase HOX's unique functional activities. The expression and the regulation of HOX cofactors in human ovaries are unknown.

Methods

In this study, the expression of HOX cofactors, PBX1, PBX2, and MEIS1/2, were examined by using RT-PCR, immunofluorescence in cultured immortalized human granulosa (SVOG) cells. The distribution of these HOX cofactors in human ovaries was examined by immunohistochemistry. The effects of growth differentiation factor-9 (GDF-9) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) on PBX2 in SVOG cells were investigated by western blot analysis. Binding activities of HOXA7 and PBX2 to the specific sequences in granulosa cells were determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA).

Results and conclusion

In SVOG cells, PBX1, PBX2 and MEIS1/2 were expressed during cell culture. In normal human ovaries, PBX1 and MEIS1/2 were expressed in granulosa cells at essentially all stages of follicular development. These cofactors were expressed in the nuclei of the granulosa cells from the primordial to the secondary follicles, whereas beyond multilayered follicles was observed in the cytoplasm. The co-expression of PBX1 and MEIS1/2 in granulosa cells in normal human ovaries suggested that MEIS1/2 might control PBX1 sublocalization, as seen in other systems. PBX2 was not expressed or weakly expressed in the primordial follicles. From the primary follicles to the preovulatory follicles, PBX2 expression was inconsistent and the expression was found in the granulosa cell nuclei. The PBX2 expression pattern is similar to HOXA7 expression in ovarian follicular development. Furthermore, FSH down-regulated, GDF-9 did not change PBX2 expression, but co-treatment of the granulosa cells with FSH and GDF-9 up-regulated PBX2 expression. These results implicated a role for PBX2 expression in the steroidogenic activities of granulosa cells in humans. Moreover, PBX2 and HOXA7 bound together to the Pbx sequence, but not to the EMX2 promoter sequence, in SVOG cells. Our findings indicate that HOX cofactors expression in normal human ovary is temporally and spatially specific and regulated by FSH and GDF-9 in granulosa cells. HOX proteins may use different HOX cofactors, depending on DNA sequences that are specific to the granulosa cells.
Modeling the effects of drug resistant influenza virus in a pandemic
Authors: Brockmann Stefan O , Schwehm Markus , Duerr Hans-Peter , Witschi Mark , Koch Daniel , Vidondo Beatriz , Eichner Martin
Published: October 2008

Neuraminidase inhibitors (NI) play a major role in plans to mitigate future influenza pandemics. Modeling studies suggested that a pandemic may be contained at the source by early treatment and prophylaxis with antiviral drugs. Here, we examine the influence of NI resistant influenza strains on an influenza pandemic. We extend the freely available deterministic simulation programInfluSimto incorporate importations of resistant infections and the emergence ofde novoresistance. The epidemic with the fully drug sensitive strain leads to a cumulative number of 19,500 outpatients and 258 hospitalizations, respectively, per 100,000 inhabitants. Development ofde novoresistance alone increases the total number of outpatients by about 6% and hospitalizations by about 21%. If a resistant infection is introduced into the population after three weeks, the outcome dramatically deteriorates. Wide-spread use of NI treatment makes it highly likely that the resistant strain will spread if its fitness is high. This situation is further aggravated if a resistant virus is imported into a country in the early phase of an outbreak. As NI-resistant influenza infections with high fitness and pathogenicity have just been observed, the emergence of drug resistance in treated populations and the transmission of drug resistant strains is an important public health concern for seasonal and pandemic influenza.
The incidence of acute encephalitis syndrome in Western industrialised and tropical countries
Authors: Jmor Fidan , Emsley Hedley CA , Fischer Marc , Solomon Tom , Lewthwaite Penny
Published: October 2008

Background

As part of efforts to control Japanese encephalitis (JE), the World Health Organization is producing a set of standards for JE surveillance, which require the identification of patients with acute encephalitis syndrome (AES). This review aims to provide information to determine what minimum annual incidence of AES should be reported to show that the surveillance programme is active.

Methods

A total of 12,436 articles were retrieved from 3 databases; these were screened by title search and duplicates removed to give 1,083 papers which were screened by abstract (or full paper if no abstract available) to give 87 papers. These 87 were reviewed and 25 papers identified which met the inclusion criteria.

Results

Case definitions and diagnostic criteria, aetiologies, study types and reliability varied among the studies reviewed. Amongst prospective studies reviewed from Western industrialised settings, the range of incidences of AES one can expect was 10.5–13.8 per 100,000 for children. For adults only, the minimum incidence from the most robust prospective study from a Western setting gave an incidence of 2.2 per 100,000. The incidence from the two prospective studies for all age groups was 6.34 and 7.4 per 100,000 from a tropical and a Western setting, respectively. However, both studies included arboviral encephalitis, which may have given higher rather than given higher] incidence levels.

Conclusion

In the most robust, prospective studies conducted in Western industrialised countries, a minimum incidence of 10.5 per 100,000 AES cases was reported for children and 2.2 per 100,000 for adults. The minimum incidence for all ages was 6.34 per 100,000 from a tropical setting. On this basis, for ease of use in protocols and for future WHO surveillance standards, a minimum incidence of 10 per 100,000 AES cases is suggested as an appropriate target for studies of children alone and 2 per 100,000 for adults and 6 per 100,000 for all age groups.
Effects of General Anesthetics on Visceral Pain Transmission in the Spinal Cord
Authors: Wang Yun , Wu Jing , Lin Qing , Nauta HJ , Yue Yun , Fang Li
Published: October 2008

Current evidence suggests an analgesic role for the spinal cord action of general anesthetics; however, the cellular population and intracellular mechanisms underlying anti-visceral pain by general anesthetics still remain unclear. It is known that visceral nociceptive signals are transmited via post-synaptic dorsal column (PSDC) and spinothalamic tract (STT) neuronal pathways and that the PSDC pathway plays a major role in visceral nociception. Animal studies report that persistent changes including nociception-associated molecular expression (e.g. neurokinin-1 (NK-1) receptors) and activation of signal transduction cascades (such as the protein kinase A [PKA]-c-AMP-responsive element binding [CREB] cascade)-in spinal PSDC neurons are observed following visceral pain stimulation. The clinical practice of interruption of the spinal PSDC pathway in patients with cancer pain further supports a role of this group of neurons in the development and maintenance of visceral pain. We propose the hypothesis that general anesthetics might affect critical molecular targets such as NK-1 and glutamate receptors, as well as intracellular signaling by CaM kinase II, protein kinase C (PKC), PKA, and MAP kinase cascades in PSDC neurons, which contribute to the neurotransmission of visceral pain signaling. This would help elucidate the mechanism of antivisceral nociception by general anesthetics at the cellular and molecular levels and aid in development of novel therapeutic strategies to improve clinical management of visceral pain.
Trichobezoar presenting with the 'comma sign' in Rapunzel Syndrome: a case report and literature review
Authors: Dindyal S , Bhuva NJ , Dindyal S , Ramdass MJ , Narayansingh V
Published: October 2008

Introduction

Rapunzel Syndrome is an uncommon presentation of trichobezoar, involving strands of swallowed hair extending as a tail through the small intestine, beyond the stomach. This was first described in 1968 and until 2003 only thirteen cases have been reported.

Case Presentation

A 55-year old man of East Indian descent presented to the surgical team via the emergency department in Trinidad, West Indies, with an acute abdomen and small bowel obstruction. He had a recent psychiatric history and patchy alopecia as well as a family history of schizophrenia. A supine abdominal radiograph revealed a small bowel obstruction as well as an unusual air shadow in the left hypochondrium in the region of the duodeno-jejunal flexure associated with the stomach bubble, which resembled a 'comma'. At laparotomy, the stomach and third part of the duodenum were distended and contained a large mass of dark, foul-smelling hair that occupied the stomach, crossed the pylorus and extended into the small bowel. A retroperitoneal perforation of the third part of duodenum was found and repaired. The large trichobezoar was removed via a gastro-enterotomy and the patient made a slow, but complete recovery.

Conclusion

We wish to report another case of Rapunzel Syndrome and describe an unusual radiologic sign associated with a retroperitoneal perforation of the third part of duodenum – the comma sign. To the best of our knowledge this is the first reported case of a spontaneous retroperitoneal perforation of the third part of duodenum associated with Rapunzel Syndrome.
LPS activation is required for migratory activity and antigen presentation by tolerogenic dendritic cells
Authors: Anderson Amy E , Swan David J , Sayers Bethan L , Harry Rachel A , Patterson Angela M , von Delwig Alexei , Robinson John H , Isaacs John D , Hilkens Catharien M U
Published: October 2008

Autoimmune pathologies are caused by a breakdown in self-tolerance. Tolerogenic dendritic cells (tolDC) are a promising immunotherapeutic tool for restoring self-tolerance in an antigen-specific manner. Studies about tolDC have focused largely on generating stable maturation-resistant DC, but few have fully addressed questions about the antigen-presenting and migratory capacities of these cells, prerequisites for successful immunotherapy. Here, we investigated whether human tolDC, generated with dexamethasone and the active form of vitamin D3, maintained their tolerogenic function upon activation with LPS (LPS-tolDC), while acquiring the ability to present exogenous autoantigen and to migrate in response to the CCR7 ligand CCL19. LPS activation led to important changes in the tolDC phenotype and function. LPS-tolDC, but not tolDC, expressed the chemokine receptor CCR7 and migrated in response to CCL19. Furthermore, LPS-tolDC were superior to tolDC in their ability to present type II collagen, a candidate autoantigen in rheumatoid arthritis. tolDC and LPS-tolDC had low stimulatory capacity for allogeneic, naïve T cells and skewed T cell polarization toward an anti-inflammatory phenotype, although LPS-tolDC induced significantly higher levels of IL-10 production by T cells. Our finding that LPS activation is essential for inducing migratory and antigen-presenting activity in tolDC is important for optimizing their therapeutic potential.
CCL11 blocks IL-4 and GM-CSF signaling in hematopoietic cells and hinders dendritic cell differentiation via suppressor of cytokine signaling expression
Authors: Stevenson Nigel J , Addley Mark R , Ryan Elizabeth J , Boyd Caroline R , Carroll Helen P , Paunovic Verica , Bursill Christina A , Miller Helen C , Channon Keith M , McClurg Angela E , Armstrong Marilyn A , Coulter Wilson A , Greaves David R , Johnston James A
Published: October 2008

The chemokine eotaxin/CCL11 is an important mediator of leukocyte migration, but its effect on inflammatory cytokine signaling has not been explored. In this study, we find that CCL11 induces suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS)1 and SOCS3 expression in murine macrophages, human monocytes, and dendritic cells (DCs). We also discover that CCL11 inhibits GM-CSF-mediated STAT5 activation and IL-4-induced STAT6 activation in a range of hematopoietic cells. This blockade of cytokine signaling by CCL11 results in reduced differentiation and endocytic ability of DCs, implicating CCL11-induced SOCS as mediators of chemotactic inflammatory control. These findings demonstrate cross-talk between chemokine and cytokine responses, suggesting that myeloid cells tracking to the inflammatory site do not differentiate in the presence of this chemokine, revealing another role for SOCS in inflammatory regulation.
Reconstructing Brain White Matter Pathways with Diffusion Tensor MRI Using Kernel-Based Diffusion Simulations
Authors: Kang Ning , Carlson Eric S. , Zhang Jun
Published: October 2008

A novel algorithm for approximating anatomical brain connectivity in vivo is presented using diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging (DT-MRI). This technique relies on simulating diffusion process within a series of overlapping three dimensional diffusion kernels that cover only a small portion of the human brain volume. The shape of the anisotropic diffusion represented by diffusion fronts is used to estimate the directional organization of the underlying white matter fiber tracts. The proposed algorithm is tested on both simulated and real DT-MRI data. The demonstration shows that the synthetic tracts are accurately replicated, while various examples of white matter fiber pathways can be reconstructed as well, with assigned connectivity indices showing uncertainty. Several features of the algorithm are elucidated by the tracking experiments, including its capability of handling fiber branching and crossing, and robustness to noise. Impact of thresholding settings and the kernel size on performance of the algorithm is also analyzed.
Prokaryotic silencing (psi)RNAs inPyrococcus furiosus
Authors: Hale Caryn , Kleppe Kyle , Terns Rebecca M. , Terns Michael P.
Published: October 2008

In many prokaryotes, noncoding RNAs that arise from the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) loci are now thought to mediate defense against viruses and other molecular invaders by an RNAi-like pathway. CRISPR loci contain multiple short regions of similarity to invader sequences separated by short repeat sequences, and are associated with resistance to infection by corresponding viruses. It is hypothesized that RNAs derived from these regions, termed prokaryotic silencing (psi)RNAs, guide Slicer-like complexes of partner proteins to destroy invader nucleic acids. Here we have investigated CRISPR-derived RNAs in the archaeonPyrococcus furiosus. Northern analysis revealed multiple RNA species consistent with a proposed biogenesis pathway that includes full-length CRISPR locus transcripts and intermediates generated by endonucleolytic cleavages within the repeat sequences. However, our results identify the principal products of the CRISPR loci as small psiRNAs comprised primarily of invader-targeting sequence with perhaps only 5–10 nucleotides of CRISPR repeat sequence. These RNAs are the most abundant CRISPR RNA species inP. furiosusand are likely the guides for the effector complexes of the proposed prokaryotic RNAi (pRNAi) system. We analyzed cell-free extracts fractionated under non-denaturing conditions and found that the various CRISPR RNA species are components of distinct RNA–protein complexes, including at least two complexes that contain mature-length psiRNAs. Finally, RNAs are produced from all seven CRISPR loci present in theP. furiosusgenome, and interestingly, the most recently acquired psiRNAs encoded proximal to the leader sequence of a CRISPR locus appear to be the most abundant.
Structure of yeast U6 snRNPs: Arrangement of Prp24p and the LSm complex as revealed by electron microscopy
Authors: Karaduman Ramazan , Dube Prakash , Stark Holger , Fabrizio Patrizia , Kastner Berthold , Lührmann Reinhard
Published: October 2008

Protein components of the U6 snRNP (Prp24p and LSm2–8) are thought to act cooperatively in facilitating the annealing of U6 and U4 snRNAs during U4/U6 di-snRNP formation. To learn more about the spatial arrangement of these proteins in S. cerevisiae U6 snRNPs, we investigated the structure of this particle by electron microscopy. U6 snRNPs, purified by affinity chromatography and gradient centrifugation, and then immediately adsorbed to the carbon film support, revealed an open form in which the Prp24 protein and the ring formed by the LSm proteins were visible as two separate morphological domains, while particles stabilized by chemical cross-linking in solution under mild conditions before binding to the carbon film exhibited a compact form, with the two domains in close proximity to one another. In the open form, individual LSm proteins were located by a novel approach employing C-terminal genetic tagging of the LSm proteins with yECitrine. These studies show the Prp24 protein at defined distances from each subunit of the LSm ring, which in turn suggests that the LSm ring is positioned in a consistent manner on the U6 RNA. Furthermore, in agreement with the EM observations, UV cross-linking revealed U6 RNA in contact with the LSm2 protein at the interface between Prp24p and the LSm ring. Further, LSmp–Prp24p interactions may be restricted to the closed form, which appears to represent the solution structure of the U6 snRNP particle.
Investigation of Material Fatigue Behavior Through Cyclic Ball Indentation Testing
Authors: Prakash Raghu V. , Bhokardole Prashant , Shin Chow Shing
Published: October 2008

An experimental investigation of cyclic indentation testing to characterize the fatigue response of three different metallic materials: two aluminum alloys (2014-T651 and 7175-T7351) and a duplex stainless steel (2205), was carried out. The force-displacement response during cyclic loading was logged continuously throughout the entire duration of the test and the data were analyzed to identify parameters such as change in total depth of penetration, change in loading and unloading slopes, change in unloading intercept as a function of number of cycles, and change in displacement range as a function of number of cycles. From the results, one could identify the transient response of the material during cyclic loading, and identify some specific points relating to fatigue failure life, such as knee-point response in depth of penetration as a function of number of cycles of loading. It was observed that data on unloading slope plotted as a function of number of cycles also provide an indication of specimen failure in compression-compression fatigue. The responses were found to be similar for all the three materials tested at different maximum compressive force levels. Failure life data in the low cycle fatigue (LCF) region was evaluated for Al-Cu-Mg alloy 7175-T7351 and the data compared with the failure indicators (knee point) during cyclic indentation testing. A reasonable correlation was established between failure life, as indicated by LCF testing and knee point indicated by cyclic indentation. Experiments were also carried out on virgin material of 7175-T7351 alloy and plastically deformed material of the same alloy. Both static and cyclic indentation tests show a difference in material behavior before and after residual plastic deformation. Further work is required to correlate failure life data as obtained from cyclic indentation with specimens having controlled damage levels, before this technique can be used for residual life estimation purposes.
A Feasibility Study of the Use of Bismuth Bath to Replace Lead Bath as the Quenching Media for Steel Heat-Treating
Authors: Ru Jilai , Wang Zhirui
Published: October 2008

The metallurgical feasibility of replacing lead (Pb) bath with bismuth (Bi) bath as quenching media for steel has been investigated. It is found that there is a good consistency in microstructures and hardness, i.e., mechanical properties for specimens quenched in Bi and Pb bath. On the possible side effect of Bi molten on the quality of steels, both the theoretical and experimental results indicate that there is no apparent corrosion or reaction between Bi and steel during quenching operation in Bi bath. Therefore, it can be firmly concluded that replacing Pb bath with Bi bath as quenching media for steel is proven to be practicable.
Stringent Mating-Type-Regulated Auxotrophy Increases the Accuracy of Systematic Genetic Interaction Screens with Saccharomyces cerevisiae Mutant Arrays
Authors: Singh Indira , Pass Rebecca , Togay Sine Ozmen , Rodgers John W , Hartman John L
Published: October 2008

A genomic collection of haploid Saccharomyces cerevisiae deletion strains provides a unique resource for systematic analysis of gene interactions. Double-mutant haploid strains can be constructed by the synthetic genetic array (SGA) method, wherein a query mutation is introduced by mating to mutant arrays, selection of diploid double mutants, induction of meiosis, and selection of recombinant haploid double-mutant progeny. The mechanism of haploid selection is mating-type-regulated auxotrophy (MRA), by which prototrophy is restricted to a particular haploid genotype generated only as a result of meiosis. MRA escape leads to false-negative genetic interaction results because postmeiotic haploids that are supposed to be under negative selection instead proliferate and mate, forming diploids that are heterozygous at interacting loci, masking phenotypes that would be observed in a pure haploid double-mutant culture. This work identified factors that reduce MRA escape, including insertion of terminator and repressor sequences upstream of the MRA cassette, deletion of silent mating-type loci, and utilization of α-type instead of a-type MRA. Modifications engineered to reduce haploid MRA escape reduced false negative results in SGA-type analysis, resulting in >95% sensitivity for detecting gene–gene interactions.
Ultraconserved Elements: Analyses of Dosage Sensitivity, Motifs and Boundaries
Authors: Chiang Charleston W K , Derti Adnan , Schwartz Daniel , Chou Michael F , Hirschhorn Joel N , Wu C-ting
Published: October 2008

Ultraconserved elements (UCEs) are sequences that are identical between reference genomes of distantly related species. As they are under negative selection and enriched near or in specific classes of genes, one explanation for their ultraconservation may be their involvement in important functions. Indeed, many UCEs can drive tissue-specific gene expression. We have demonstrated that nonexonic UCEs are depleted among segmental duplications (SDs) and copy number variants (CNVs) and proposed that their ultraconservation may reflect a mechanism of copy counting via comparison. Here, we report that nonexonic UCEs are also depleted among 10 of 11 recent genomewide data sets of human CNVs, including 3 obtained with strategies permitting greater precision in determining the extents of CNVs. We further present observations suggesting that nonexonic UCEs per se may contribute to this depletion and that their apparent dosage sensitivity was in effect when they became fixed in the last common ancestor of mammals, birds, and reptiles, consistent with dosage sensitivity contributing to ultraconservation. Finally, in searching for the mechanism(s) underlying the function of nonexonic UCEs, we have found that they are enriched in TAATTA, which is also the recognition sequence for the homeodomain DNA-binding module, and bounded by a change in A + T frequency.
LINE-Like Retrotransposition inSaccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Dong Chun , Poulter Russell T , Han Jeffrey S
Published: October 2008

Over one-third of human genome sequence is a product of non-LTR retrotransposition. The retrotransposon that currently drives this process in humans is the highly abundant LINE-1 (L1) element. Despite the ubiquitous nature of L1's in mammals, we still lack a complete mechanistic understanding of the L1 replication cycle and how it is regulated. To generate a genetically amenable model for non-LTR retrotransposition, we have reengineered the Zorro3 retrotransposon, an L1 homolog from Candida albicans, for use in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We found that S. cerevisiae, which has no endogenous L1 homologs or remnants, can still support Zorro3 retrotransposition. Analysis of Zorro3 mutants and insertion structures suggest that this is authentic L1-like retrotransposition with remarkable resemblance to mammalian L1-mediated events. This suggests that S. cerevisiae has unexpectedly retained the basal host machinery required for L1 retrotransposition. This model will also serve as a powerful system to study the cell biology of L1 elements and for the genetic identification and characterization of cellular factors involved in L1 retrotransposition.
Use of Electroshock for Euthanizing and Immobilizing Adult Spring Chinook Salmon in a Hatchery
Authors: Zydlewski Gayle Barbin , Gale William , Holmes John , Johnson Jeffrey , Brigham Troy , Thorson William
Published: October 2008

This study evaluated the use of electroshock as an alternative to traditional techniques for immobilizing and euthanizing hatchery fish. We used a commercially available electroanesthesia unit at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Carson National Fish Hatchery (Carson, Washington) to euthanize adult spring Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha and to sort and collect gametes of fish at maturation. During euthanization by electroshock, the response of each fish was observed, muscular and vertebral hemorrhaging was quantified, and electrical settings were optimized accordingly. During gamete collection, fish were either electroshocked or exposed to tricaine methanesulfonate (MS-222); hemorrhaging, egg viability, egg size and quantity, and resultant fry quality were examined for each treatment group. Electroshocked fish had a higher likelihood of injury during gamete collection than did fish exposed to MS-222. On average, each electroshocked fish had less than two hemorrhages on both fillets examined. The size of each hemorrhage was less than 0.10% of the fillet surface. Fecundity and egg and fry quality were not affected by either immobilization method. Electroshock was a viable and efficient means of euthanizing adult spring Chinook salmon or sorting the fish and collecting their gametes. However, equipment settings must be optimized based on site-specific (e.g., water conductivity) and species-specific (e.g., fish size and seasonal state of maturation) factors.
Effects of Temperature on the Growth of Golden Shiners in Aquaria
Authors: Melandri Marcella , Stone Nathan , Lochmann Rebecca
Published: October 2008

Control of fish size is critical to baitfish production and marketing, and temperature is a major factor affecting fish growth. Temperature-dependent growth models were developed for juvenile golden shiners Notemigonus crysoleucas. Two 10-week trials with two juvenile sizes (0.5 and 1.0 g) were conducted in a flow-through aquarium system to determine the growth response to temperature. Four temperature treatments (15, 20, 25, and 30°C) were randomly assigned to twenty 110-L glass aquaria; 20 fish were stocked into each aquarium. Each aquarium received a constant inflow of water at a rate of approximately 200 mL/min, equivalent to a total water exchange every 9 h. Fish were hand fed twice daily to apparent satiation with a commercial minnow feed (32% crude protein) that had been crumbled and sieved (particle size < 0.85 mm). Fish in each aquarium were batch weighed and counted every 2 weeks to document growth and survival. Average survival across treatments ranged from 93% to 96% for 0.5-g fish and from 91% to 97% for 1.0-g fish, and survival was not significantly different among treatments (P > 0.05). Quadratic equations were derived to predict maximum rates of total weight growth (ΔW, g/d) and total length growth (ΔL, mm/d) from temperature. Under study conditions, ΔW was obtained at 26.0°C for 0.5-g fish and at 24.1°C for 1.0-g fish; ΔL was obtained at 26.0°C for 0.5-g fish and at 23.9°C for 1.0-g fish. Documenting the relationship of temperature to growth could lead to improvements in baitfish farming techniques. A combination of pond and tank culture would make it possible to extend the growing season or to stockpile quantities of different sizes of fish to meet market requirements.
Seasonal Variation in Sensitivity of Larval Sea Lampreys to the Lampricide 3-Trifluoromethyl-4-Nitrophenol
Authors: Scholefield Ronald J. , Slaght Karen S. , Stephens Brian E.
Published: October 2008

We evaluated the sensitivity of larval sea lampreys Petromyzon marinus to the lampricide 3-trifluoromethyl-4-nitrophenol (TFM) in a series of toxicity tests in spring and summer. Although noted previously, the seasonal variation in sensitivity to TFM had never been tested as a means of reducing TFM usage in stream treatments. A preliminary study consisted of three spring and four summer static toxicity tests conducted at 12°C. A more comprehensive study consisted of 12 spring and summer paired flow-through toxicity tests conducted both at seasonal water temperatures and at 12°C. The sensitivity of larval sea lampreys to TFM was greater in spring than in summer. The preliminary static toxicity tests indicated that the concentration of TFM needed to kill larval sea lampreys in spring (May and June) was about one-half that required in summer (August); the concentrations lethal to 50% and 99.9% of the test animals (the LC50 and LC99.9 values) were less in spring than in summer. Analysis of variance of the flow-through toxicity data indicated that season significantly affected both the LC50 and LC99.9 values. For all 12 paired flow-through toxicity tests, the spring LC50 and LC99.9 values were less than the corresponding summer values. For 9 of the 12 paired flow-through toxicity tests, the dose–response toxicity lines were parallel and allowed statistical comparison of the LC50 values. The spring LC50 values were significantly lower than the summer values in eight of the nine tests. Verification of a seasonal variation in the sensitivity of larval sea lampreys to TFM will allow inclusion of this factor in the selection model currently used by both the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans–Canada to schedule lampricide stream treatments.
Uma reflexão sobre a elaboração de um léxico bilíngüe preliminar na subárea de cardiologia a partir do uso de termos encontrados em um corpus paralelo e em dois corpora comparáveis
Authors: Paiva Paula Tavares Pinto , Camargo Diva Cardoso de , Xatara Cláudia Maria
Published: October 2008

O objetivo principal deste trabalho foi propor uma reflexão sobre o processo a ser utilizado para a elaboração de um léxico bilíngüe na subárea de cardiologia. Para tanto, tomamos como base os conceitos dos estudos da tradução baseados em corpus, da lingüística de corpus e da terminologia. Como material para compor os corpora utilizamos artigos de cardiologia escritos em português e traduzidos para o inglês, assim como artigos originalmente escritos em português e em inglês. Com base no léxico proposto, pudemos notar algumas diferenças e algumas correspondências de uso entre os termos que aparecem no subcorpus de estudo de textos originais e traduzidos e nos corpora comparáveis em português e em inglês. Essa diferença apontaria que os termos não seriam unívocos dentro dessa linguagem de especialidade devido às diferenças de uso pelos especialistas de cardiologia para designar um mesmo referente.
A constituição de um gênero textual escolar no exercício de escrita coletiva
Authors: Silva Wagner Rodrigues
Published: October 2008

Neste trabalho, analiso alguns flagrantes de um processo de produção escrita coletiva, em aula de língua materna, que resultaram na elaboração de um jornal escolar por mim caracterizado como um gênero textual híbrido. Em outros termos, investigo as misturas de gêneros de domínios escolares e não-escolares, instauradas no processo de produção escrita no espaço de sala de aula. Tal caracterização é justificada pelas remissões, semiotizadas na materialidade textual, a outros gêneros textuais familiares aos atores participantes do processo aqui reconstruído. Esses gêneros integram alguns eventos de letramento do cotidiano dos alunos, em diferentes domínios sociais. Em termos de planejamento didático, a análise dos dados mostra que as remissões são pouco previsíveis, sendo desencadeadas pelas ações de inúmeros atores componentes do espaço complexo da sala de aula, resultando na instauração de novas práticas de uso e reflexão sobre a escrita. Essa dinâmica da sala de aula pode desencadear inovações no ensino de língua materna.
Interdisciplinaridade na história e na psicologia: do "tribunal da impotência" à impotência como conflito interno
Authors: Campos Alzira Lobo de Arruda , Coelho Filho Joaquim Gonçalves , Corrêa Ligia Caran Costa
Published: October 2008

A psicologia entende-se perfeitamente com a história, uma vez que o presente e o passado unem-se no método científico psicanalítico. No divã do psicanalista ou no ambiente social, o presente é invadido pelo passado por intermédio do cotidiano, da literatura, da moral, do direito, da linguagem, das ciências, das técnicas, das artes. Com o objetivo de ilustrar a interdisciplinaridade na história e na psicologia, são discutidas duas visões sobre a sexualidade: a primeira refere-se à exteriorização extrema da impotência, a partir do julgamento de impotentes; a segunda seleciona a interiorização da culpa por meio da transformação de procedimentos legais de inculpação do impotente em conflitos internos. Destaca-se, assim, a visita à história, à procura de vítimas de tribunais a serviço da repressão dos incapacitados, e a visita aos porões da história de pacientes, à procura de formas para a supressão da repressão mental que os incapacitou.
Rendimento de grãos de híbridos de milho em duas densidades de plantas com e sem a retirada dos perfilhos
Authors: Sangoi Luís , Schmitt Amauri , Saldanha Alexandre , Fiorentin Ciro Franco , Pletsch Anderson José , Vieria Jefferson , Gattelli Maxciel Alcimar
Published: October 2008

O milho não possui um mecanismo efetivo de compensação de espaços vazios na lavoura. Desse modo, híbridos perfilhadores podem ser mais eficientes no aproveitamento dos recursos ambientais, principalmente sob baixas populações de plantas. Este trabalho foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar o desempenho agronômico de híbridos de milho cultivados em duas densidades de plantas, com e sem a presença de perfilhos. O ensaio foi implantado em Lages, Santa Catarina, nos anos agrícolas de 2005/2006 e 2006/2007. Foram avaliados três híbridos: AS1560, PENTA e P30F53. Cada híbrido foi cultivado nas densidades de 4,0 e 7,0pl m-2, mantendo-se os perfilhos produzidos até o final do ciclo ou removendo-os quando as plantas estavam com nove folhas expandidas. Foram determinados a percentagem de plantas perfilhadas em quatro estádios fenológicos da cultura, o rendimento de grãos e os componentes do rendimento. Os híbridos P30F53 e AS 1560 perfilharam mais que o PENTA na densidade de 4pl m-2. No primeiro ano do estudo, o destino dos perfilhos não interferiu sobre o rendimento de grãos. Em 2006/2007, a manutenção dos perfilhos propiciou maior rendimento de grãos que a sua remoção para todos os híbridos avaliados, na densidade de 4pl m-2. Os resultados obtidos no trabalho demonstraram que a remoção dos perfilhos não traz benefícios ao desempenho agronômico do milho e que a sua manutenção pode incrementar o rendimento de grãos quando a lavoura é conduzida com baixas densidades de plantas.
Modified stabilization method for the tibial tuberosity advancement technique: a biomechanical study
Authors: Lins Bruno Testoni , Rahal Sheila Canevese , Louzada Mário Jefferson , Dalmas José Carlos , Selmi André Luis
Published: October 2008

The present study aimed to determine biomechanical alterations resultant from a modification in the fixation method of the tibial tuberosity advancement technique (TTA), originally described for stabilization of the cranial cruciate-deficient stifle. Ten adult mongrel dogs weighing 25-30kg were used. After euthanasia, performed for reasons unrelated to this study, the hind limbs were distributed into two groups: G1 operated (n=10) and G2 control (n=10), represented by the contralateral limb. The operated hind limbs were orthopedically, goniometrically and radiographically evaluated, sequentially at four moments: moment 1, in intact joints; moment 2, after cranial cruciate desmotomy; moment 3, after surgical stabilization of the stifle joint using modified TTA; and moment 4, after caudal cruciate ligament desmotomy. The tibial tuberosity was stabilized by one shaft screw craniocaudally and a titanium cage inserted at the osteotomy site. The position of the patellar tendon at 90° in relation to the tibial plateau allowed cranial tibial thrust force neutralization, despite cranial drawer motion maintenance in all dogs. The biomechanical tests confirm the viability of the tibial tuberosity fixation method and support future clinical trials to validate the technique.
Assessing the genetic structure of Oryza glumaepatula populations with isozyme markers
Authors: Veasey Elizabeth Ann , Cardin Daruska , Silva Rainério Meireles , Bressan Eduardo de Andrade , Vencovsky Roland
Published: October 2008

To assess the genetic diversity and genetic structure parameters, nine populations of Oryza glumaepatula from the Amazon biome, four from the Pantanal biome, and one collected at Rio Xingu, Mato Grosso, totaling 14 populations and 333 individuals were studied with isozyme markers. Six loci were evaluated showing a moderate allozyme variability (A = 1.21, P = 20.7%, Ho = 0.005, He = 0.060). The populations from the Pantanal biome showed higher diversity levels than the Amazon biome. High genetic differentiation among the populations, expected for self-fertilizing species, was observed (F ST=0.763), with lower differentiation found among the Pantanal populations (F ST=0.501). The average apparent outcrossing rate was higher for the Pantanal populations (t a = 0.092) than for the Amazonian populations (t a = 0.003), while the average for the 14 populations was 0.047, in accordance with a self-fertilization mating system.
Evaluation of the possible role of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) as mechanical vectors of nematodes and protists
Authors: Villani Fabio , Morini Maria Santina de Castro , Franco Marco Antonio , Bueno Odair Correa
Published: October 2008

Nematodes and protists can be transmitted to humans in many ways and little concern has been given to the mechanical transmission by ants. This study aimed at analysing how the eggs of Ascaris lumbricoides and cysts of Entamoeba coli could be mechanically transmitted to the man by Formicidae. Through the experiments using nests of Tapinoma melanocephalum, Linepithema humile and Monomorium pharaonis reared in the laboratory allied to observations of some 17 ant species in an urban park area in Mogi das Cruzes (SP), it was found that L. humile was capable of carrying eggs of A. lumbricoides both in the field and laboratory conditions (1 worker), as well as was Camponotus rufipes (2), Solenopsis saevissima (1) and Acromyrmex niger (1). The cysts of Escherichia coli were found over three workers of C. rufipes. Although the frequency of the workers found transporting pathogens was low, the capacity of common household species in carrying pathogens like nematodes and protists was demonstrated.
Jurema-Preta (Mimosa tenuiflora [Willd.] Poir.): a review of its traditional use, phytochemistry and pharmacology
Authors: Souza Rafael Sampaio Octaviano de , Albuquerque Ulysses Paulino de , Monteiro Júlio Marcelino , Amorim Elba Lúcia Cavalcanti de
Published: October 2008

Numerous plant species are used throughout the world to achieve the modified states of conscientiousness. Some of them have been used for the therapeutic purposes, such as Mimosa tenuiflora (Willd) Poir. (family Mimosaceae) known as "jurema-preta", an hallucinogenic plant traditionally used for curing and divination by the Indians of northeastern Brazil. In this review, several aspects of the use, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of this plant are considered.
Temporal expression pattern of the insulin-like growth factor II and fibroblast growth factor transcripts in avian embryogenesis
Authors: Gabriel Jane Eyre , Alvares Lúcia Elvira , Coutinho Luiz Lehmann
Published: October 2008

In this study, the abundance of IGF-II and bFGF transcripts was estimated in the chicken embryos using the competitive RT-PCR analysis. Significant enhancements in the abundance of IGF-II mRNA were observed at stages HH1 and 5, and a new accumulation in these levels was observed at stage HH18 in comparison to the basal levels. The abundance of bFGF mRNA increased significantly at stages HH18 and 20, followed by an upregulation in the expression of these transcripts at stage HH26. These findings provided important information about the temporal expression pattern of IGF-II and bFGF transcripts in the whole chicken embryos during in ovo development.
Occurrence and distribution of the Ceratiomyxales (Myxomycetes) in northeastern Brazil
Authors: Cavalcanti Laise de Holanda , Bezerra Andrea Carla Caldas , Costa Antônia Aurelice Aurélio , Ferreira Inaldo do Nascimento , Bezerra Maria de Fátima de Andrade
Published: October 2008

Order Ceratiomyxales, which belongs to subclass Ceratiomyxomycetidae, includes the exospore bearing Myxomycetes, solely comprising family Ceratiomyxaceae and genus Ceratiomyxa, with four species. Based on the literature, on herbarium collections, and on recent surveys carried out by the authors in different states and ecosystems, it was possible to determine the occurrence and distribution of C. fruticulosa (cosmopolitan),C. morchella and C. sphaerosperma (predominantly tropical or subtropical) in northeastern Brazil. Species descriptions and illustrations are presented, as well as a map of their geographical distribution in eight of the nine states of Northeast Brazil. This order is being recorded for the first time for the state of Sergipe. Ceratiomyxa morchella and C. sphaerosperma are being cited for the first time for the state of Paraíba.
Reproductive studies in ipecac (Psychotria ipecacuanha (Brot.) stockes; Rubiaceae): pollen development and morphology
Authors: Souza Margarete Magalhães , Martins Ernane Ronie , Pereira Telma Nair Santana , Oliveira Luiz Orlando de
Published: October 2008

The aim of this work was to carry out the reproductive studies on Brazilian accessions of ipecac, Psychotria ipecacuanha. It presented heterostyly, with brevistylous and longistylous flowers. The pollen development was observed from the sections of the anthers embedded in resin. Anther development was normal as usually observed in dicotyledones, displaying four layers: outer epidermis, endothecium, middle layer and inner tapetum. The pollen was bicellular and filled with starch at the microspore stage. Pollen morphology was studied using SEM, which showed pollen polymorphism within and between the two floral morphs. Five types of pollen with reticulate or perforate exine were identified. The characteristics showed that the sexual process was as important as the vegetative propagation for the reproduction of this species.