bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic interactions of hypomorphic mutations in the m7G cap-binding pocket of yeast nuclear cap binding complex: An essential role for Cbc2 in meiosis via splicing of MER3 pre-mRNA
Authors: Qiu Zhicheng R. , Chico Lidia , Chang Jonathan , Shuman Stewart , Schwer Beate
Published: September 2012

Nuclear cap binding protein complex (CBC) is a heterodimer of a small subunit (Cbc2 in yeast) that binds the m7G cap and a large subunit (Sto1 in yeast) that interacts with karyopherins. In order to probe the role of cap recognition in yeast CBC function, we introduced alanine mutations (Y24A, F91A, D120A, D122A, R129A, and R133A) and N-terminal deletions (NΔ21 and NΔ42) in the cap-binding pocket of Cbc2. These lesions had no effect on vegetative growth, but they ameliorated the cold-sensitivity of tgs1Δ cells that lack trimethylguanosine caps (a phenotype attributed to ectopic association of CBC with the m7G cap of the normally TMG-capped U1 snRNA), thereby attesting to their impact on cap binding in vivo. Further studies of the Cbc2-Y24A variant revealed synthetic lethality or sickness with null mutations of proteins involved in early steps of spliceosome assembly (Nam8, Mud1, Swt21, Mud2, Ist3, and Brr1) and with otherwise benign mutations of Msl5, the essential branchpoint binding protein. Whereas the effects of weakening CBC–cap interactions are buffered by other actors in the splicing pathway during mitotic growth, the NΔ42 allele causes a severe impediment to yeast sporulation and meiosis. RNA analysis revealed a selective defect in the splicing of MER3 and SAE3 transcripts in cbc2-NΔ42 diploids during attempted sporulation. An intronless MER3 cDNA fully restored sporulation and spore viability in the cbc2-NΔ42 strain, signifying that MER3 splicing is a limiting transaction. These studies reveal a new level of splicing control during meiosis that is governed by nuclear CBC.
The multiple Tudor domain-containing protein TDRD1 is a molecular scaffold for mouse Piwi proteins and piRNA biogenesis factors
Authors: Mathioudakis Nikolas , Palencia Andres , Kadlec Jan , Round Adam , Tripsianes Konstantinos , Sattler Michael , Pillai Ramesh S. , Cusack Stephen
Published: September 2012

Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs expressed in the germline of animals. They associate with Argonaute proteins of the Piwi subfamily, forming ribonucleoprotein complexes that are involved in maintaining genome integrity. The N-terminal region of some Piwi proteins contains symmetrically dimethylated arginines. This modification is thought to enable recruitment of Tudor domain-containing proteins (TDRDs), which might serve as platforms mediating interactions between various proteins in the piRNA pathway. We measured the binding affinity of the four individual extended Tudor domains (TDs) of murine TDRD1 protein for three different methylarginine-containing peptides from murine Piwi protein MILI. The results show a preference of TD2 and TD3 for consecutive MILI peptides, whereas TD4 and TD1 have, respectively, lower and very weak affinity for any peptide. The affinity of TD1 for methylarginine peptides can be restored by a single-point mutation back to the consensus aromatic cage sequence. These observations were confirmed by pull-down experiments with endogenous Piwi and Piwi-associated proteins. The crystal structure of TD3 bound to a methylated MILI peptide shows an unexpected orientation of the bound peptide, with additional contacts of nonmethylated residues being made outside of the aromatic cage, consistent with solution NMR titration experiments. Finally, the molecular envelope of the four tandem Tudor domains of TDRD1, derived from small angle scattering data, reveals a flexible, elongated shape for the protein. Overall, the results show that TDRD1 can accommodate different peptides from different proteins, and can therefore act as a scaffold protein for complex assembly in the piRNA pathway.
Impact of base pair identity 5′ to the spliceosomal branch site adenosine on branch site conformation
Authors: Popović Milena , Nelson Joycelynn D. , Schroeder Kersten T. , Greenbaum Nancy L.
Published: September 2012

The branch site helix from Saccharomyces cerevisiae with pseudouridine (ψ) incorporated in a phylogenetically conserved position of U2 snRNA features an extrahelical branch site adenosine (A) that forms a base triple interaction with the minor groove edge of a widely conserved purineU2 strand-pyrimidineintron strand (RU2-Yintron) base pair two positions upstream. In these studies, NMR spectra of a duplex in which 2-aminopurine (2ap), a fluorescent analog of adenine lacking the proposed hydrogen bond donor, was substituted for the branch site A, indicated that the substitution does not alter the extrahelical position of the branch site residue; thus, it appears that a hydrogen bond between the adenine amino group and the R-Y pair is not obligatory for stabilization of the extrahelical conformation. In contrast, reversal of the orientation of AU2-Uintron to UU2-Aintron resulted in an intrahelical position for the branch site A or 2ap. Fluorescence intensity of 2ap substituted for the branch site A with the original RU2-Yintron orientation (AU or GC) was high, consistent with an extrahelical position, whereas fluorescence in helices with the reversed R-Y orientation, or with a mismatched pair (A-U → G•A or U•C), was markedly quenched, implying that the residue was stacked in the helix. The A 5′ to the branch site residue was not extrahelical in any of the duplexes. These findings suggest that the RU2-Yintron base pair orientation in the ψ-dependent branch site helix plays an important role in positioning the branch site A for recognition and/or function.
Terminology and nomenclature for macromolecular rotaxanes and pseudorotaxanes (IUPAC Recommendations 2012)
Authors: Vohlídal Jiří , Wilks Edward S. , Yerin Andrey , Fradet Alain , Hellwich Karl-Heinz , Hodge Philip , Kahovec Jaroslav , Mormann Werner , Stepto Robert F. T.
Published: September 2012

This document provides (i) definitions of terms related to macromolecular rotaxanes and macromolecular pseudorotaxanes and (ii) recommendations for naming these macromolecular assemblies. The nomenclature recommendations presented here have been developed by combining the nomenclature rules for the low-molar-mass (low-M) rotaxanes and those for macromolecules (both established in published IUPAC recommendations) in such a way that the developed nomenclature system provides unambiguous names for macromolecular rotaxanes (and pseudorotaxanes), including differentiation among various isomers of these supramolecular assemblies. Application of the nomenclature recommendations is illustrated using examples covering a wide range of structure types of macromolecular rotaxanes and pseudorotaxanes. An Alphabetical Index of Terms and a List of Abbreviations and Prefixes are included.
A (1)-(2)-(3) Jumpstart Approach to Answer an Open-Ended Question
Authors: DeFina Anthony V.
Published: September 2012

I propose three guided questions for reflection as a jumpstart organizational formula for students with poor writing application skills to follow when responding to an open-ended question. The recipe prescribes that the student (1) understand the question design, (2) identify the intent or objective of the question, and (3) proceed to identify the key words or phrases that are relevant to answer the question. The three prompts serve as a “getting started” writing template for students to organize their thoughts and then compose the introductory sentences of their answer. The identified significant words and phrases should then be further explained and clarified by the student to complete the main body of the response. In addition, these opening sentences serve as an index at the outset of the response for a teacher to gauge the student’s understanding of and approach toward answering the question.
Probleme mit einem nationalheld. Zu Bedřich Smetanas oper Dalibor
Authors: Ottlová Marta
Published: September 2012

Bedřich Smetana’s and Josef Wenzig’s Dalibor (1868) attempted to convey into the Czech milieu the central topic of contemporary tragic opera, i. e. the utopy of happiness achieved only in the moment of death. Coeval reports and the revisions of the opera show that a subject matter from the national history excited other expectations from the Czech musical community, and that the public desired to see an active and brave national hero. A suffering man torn by wishing revenge on one side and searching for harmony and love on the other was out of the horizon of the patriotic ideology.
Zwischen kosmopolitischer Ästhetik und nationaler Verpflichtung: Giacomo Meyerbeer und seine Preußenoper Ein Feldlager in Schlesien
Authors: Döhring Sieghart
Published: September 2012

The chief representative of cosmopolitan grand opéra as the composer of an opera for Prussia — this uncomfortable phenomenon owes its origin to an unusual historical situation. Giacomo Meyerbeer was invited to succeed Gaspare Spontini as the chief director of music in Berlin, the city of his birth, and he could not evade the honour of being commissioned to compose a festive opera for the re-opening of the Berlin Opera after its destruction in a fire, even though he considered Paris, now as before, to be his artistic home and the future headquarters of his work as a composer for the theatre. Together with his friend Alexander von Humboldt, who had very close ties to the Prussian royal house, in particular to the young King Friedrich Wilhelm IV, Meyerbeer sought and found a diplomatic solution which made it possible for him to fulfil his commission without too great an artistic compromise. He asked the skilled Parisian librettist Eugène Scribe to write a prose text in French, but to remain anonymous while the official librettist was advertized as Ludwig Rellstab, who translated the French into German, and put the words of the sung items into verse. Since Scribe here also worked strictly to the dramaturgical prescriptions of the composer, the resulting “Lebensbilder aus der Zeit Friedrichs des Großen” (“Pictures from the time of Frederick the Great”, the subtitle of the work) pays homage to the king of Prussia as the patron of peace and the arts. Given this interpretation, which was inspired by contemporary literary and pictorial portraits of Frederick II (by Franz Kugler and Adolph von Menzel), the confrontation with authority found in Meyerbeer’s grand historical operas was here given new life in an unusual context, one which made the concept of the nation relative to a generalized ideal of humanity.
Questioning the frenchness of Le comte Ory
Authors: Colas Damien
Published: September 2012

To talk about the Frenchness of Le comte Ory might sounds like provocation. Being basically a rifacimento of his Viaggio a Reims, Rossini’s penultimate stage work belongs to the corpus of Italo-French operas. Yet there are three reasons for looking at Le comte Ory as an authentic French opera. Firstly, in the newly composed parts of the work, Rossini avoided the traditional features of the closed numbers typical of the Italian tradition by inserting recitatives inside the numbers and by merging closed numbers and subsequent recitatives, especially at the end of Act II. Secondly, the French lines written by Scribe to fit the already composed music follow poetic patterns from the Middle Ages, of which the prosodic features were closer to Italian than Classical French. Last, the very choice of the legend of Ory is typical of the troubadour style that had been fashionable in Paris since the last decades of the 18th century, and it turns out that this particular legend was extremely popular back then, as witnessed by the variety of local variants that were published in the 19th century.
Ethel Smyth’s The Wreckers: a cosmopolitan voice for English opera
Authors: Kertesz Elizabeth
Published: September 2012

As debates raged about the parlous state of English opera in the first decades of the 20th century, the composer Ethel Smyth saw her opera The Wreckers staged in London. After writing two operas directed towards the German market and in an idiom steeped in the German Romantic tradition, Smyth consciously re-focused her style for The Wreckers, exploring the possibilities of creating opera that might simultaneously find favour in England and appeal to theatres on the continent.This paper will consider The Wreckers as an essay in a cosmopolitan style, that simultaneously employed internationally recognised tropes of Englishness. Written between 1903 and 1905, The Wreckers speaks to Smyth’s interest both in French opera as exemplified by Bizet and Massenet and in elements of verismo. The Wreckers has largely been viewed in the context of English opera and this paper aims to re-situate Smyth’s most significant opera within her cosmopolitan milieu.
Ultrastructural studies on the sporogenous tissue and anther wall of Leucojum aestivum (amaryllidaceae) in different developmental stages
Authors: Ekici Nuran , Dane Feruzan
Published: September 2012

In this study, ultrastructures of anther wall and sporogenous tissue of Leucojum aestivum were investigated during different developmental stages. Cytomictic channels were seen between pollen mother cells during prophase I. Polar distribution was described in the organelle content of pollen mother cells and microspores in early phases of microsporogenesis and also in pollen mitosis. Active secretion was observed in tapetal cells. Previous reports about developmental stages of male gametophyte were compared with the results of this study.
Cholinesterase as inflammatory markers in a experimental infection by Trypanosoma evansi in rabbits
Authors: Costa Márcio M. , Silva Aleksandro S. da , Paim Francine C. , França Raqueli , Dornelles Guilherme L. , Thomé Gustavo R. , Serres Jonas D.S. , Schmatz Roberta , Spanevello Rosélia M. , Gonçalves Jamile F. , Schetinger Maria Rosa C. , Mazzanti Cinthia M.A. , Lopes Sonia T.A. , Monteiro Silvia G.
Published: September 2012

The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of cholinesterases as an inflammatory marker in acute and chronic infection by Trypanosoma evansi in rabbits experimentally infected. Twelve adult female New Zealand rabbits were used and divided into two groups with 6 animals each: control group (rabbits 1-6) and infected group (rabbits 7-12). Infected group received intraperitoneally 0.5 mL of blood from a rat containing 108 parasites per animal. Blood samples used for cholinesterases evaluation were collected on days 0, 2, 7, 12, 27, 42, 57, 87, 102 and 118 days post-inoculation (PI). Increased activity (P<0.05) of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) were observed in the blood on days 7 and 27, respectively and no differences were observed in cholinesterase activity in other periods. No significant difference in AChE activity (P>0.05) was observed in the encephalic structures. The increased activities of AChE and BChE probably have a pro-inflammatory purpose, attempting to reduce the concentration of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter which has an anti-inflammatory property. Therefore, cholinesterase may be inflammatory markers in infection with T. evansi in rabbits.
Ameliorative potential of Butea monosperma on chronic constriction injury of sciatic nerve induced neuropathic pain in rats
Authors: Thiagarajan Venkata R.K. , Shanmugam Palanichamy , Krishnan Uma M. , Muthuraman Arunachalam , Singh Nirmal
Published: September 2012

The present study was designed to investigate the ameliorative role of ethanolic extract from leaves of Butea monosperma in chronic constriction injury (CCI) of sciatic nerve induced neuropathic pain in rats. Hot plate, acetone drop, paw pressure, Von Frey hair and tail immersion tests were performed to assess the degree of thermal hyperalgesia, cold chemical allodynia, mechanical hyperalgesia & allodynia in the left hind paw and tail thermal hyperalgesia. Further on, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), reduced glutathione (GSH) and total calcium levels were estimated to assess the biochemical changes in the sciatic nerve tissue. Histopathological changes were also observed in the sciatic nerve tissue. Ethanolic extract of Butea monosperma leaves and pregabalin (serving as positive control) were administered for 14 consecutive days starting from the day of surgery. CCI resulted in significant changes in behavioural and biochemical parameters. Pretreatment of Butea monosperma attenuated CCI induced development of behavioural, biochemical and histopathological alterations in a dose dependent manner, which is comparable to that of pregabalin pretreated group. These findings may be attributed to its potential anti-oxidative, neuroprotective and calcium channel modulatory actions of Butea monosperma.
Gastric adenocarcinoma trends in the central region of Rio Grande do Sul (Southern Brazil): what has changed in 25 years?
Authors: Rampazzo Alexandre , Mott Guilherme Lang , Fontana Kalil , Fagundes Renato B.
Published: September 2012

CONTEXT: Gastric cancer is the fourth most common malignancy in the world. Its incidence varies greatly by geographic region. The highest rate is in Eastern Asia, mainly in Japan and China. In Brazil, gastric cancer is the third most common cancer in males and the fifth most common cancer in females. Rio Grande do Sul state, in Southern Brazil, has similar figures. The main histological type of gastric cancer is adenocarcinoma. OBJECTIVE: To assess the trends of this cancer over 25 years in a reference center in central Rio Grande do Sul. METHODS: We reviewed the records of upper gastrointestinal endoscopies performed at the University Hospital of Santa Maria, RS, between 1986 and 2010. We evaluated the incidence, age and gender distribution, anatomical subsite and histological subtype of gastric cancer throughout this 25-year period. RESULTS: We identified histologically confirmed primary gastric adenocarcinoma in 335 (1.6%) of the 20,521 patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy during the study period. The mean age of patients was 62.4 (± 13.0) years, and 67.8% were male (a male: female ratio of 2.0:1). Cardia cancer accounted for 14.3% of the cases, and non-cardia cancer accounted for 85.7%. According to Lauren's classification, 48.1% were intestinal subtype and 40.9% were diffuse subtype. There were no differences in mean age or gender distribution by anatomical location or histological subtype. There was also no difference in the proportions of histological subtypes by anatomical location. Over the 25-year period, there was no change in the anatomical distribution of tumors, but there was a significant decrease in the intestinal subtype and a steady increase in the diffuse subtype (P = 0.02). The subset of 39 patients (11.6%) who presented at < 45 years of age was more likely to be female and to have tumors of the diffuse subtype than was the total series of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Over this 25-year period, there were no significant trends in age, gender distribution, or the proportions of cardia and non-cardia gastric adenocarcinomas in this series of patients from Southern Brazil. There was a significant decrease in the intestinal subtype and a steady increase in the diffuse subtype of this malignancy. In patients under 45 years old, gastric cancer was more frequent in women, and the diffuse subtype predominated.
Trend of mortality rates for gastric cancer in Brazil and regions in the period of 30 years (1980-2009)
Authors: Guimarães Raphael Mendonça , Muzi Camila Drumond
Published: September 2012

CONTEXT: The most recent global estimate revealed the presence of about one million new cases of stomach cancer for the year 2008, setting itself as the fourth most common cause of cancer. OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to assess the trend of mortality from stomach cancer in Brazil according to regions between 1980 and 2009. METHODS: Data on deaths from stomach cancer were obtained from the Mortality Information System, and the demographic data, from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. The rates of mortality were standardized by age according to world population. The trend curves were calculated for Brazilian regions by sex. The technique used was polynomial regression and joinpoint. RESULTS: The tendency for males and females is similar in all regions, although the magnitude is higher among men in all places. Regions Midwest, South, Southeast tended to decline, while the Northern region showed no significant trend, and the Northeast tended to increase. CONCLUSION: It is therefore a need to evaluate public health policies for gastric cancer aimed at the demographic transition (change of urbanization and lifestyle) that is occurring throughout the country.
Liver transplantation and expanded Milan criteria: does it really work?
Authors: Ferreira Marina Vilela Chagas , Chaib Eleazar , Nascimento Maurício Ursoline do , Nersessian Rafael Souza Fava , Setuguti Daniel Takeshi , D'Albuquerque Luiz Augusto Carneiro
Published: September 2012

CONTEXT: Orthotopic liver transplantation is an excellent treatment approach for hepatocellular carcinoma in well-selected candidates. Nowadays some institutions tend to Expand the Milan Criteria including tumor with more than 5 cm and also associate with multiple tumors none larger than 3 cm in order to benefit more patients with the orthotopic liver transplantation. METHODS: The data collected were based on the online database PubMED. The key words applied on the search were "expanded Milan criteria" limited to the period from 2000 to 2009. We excluded 19 papers due to: irrelevance of the subject, lack of information and incompatibility of the language (English only). We compiled patient survival and tumor recurrence free rate from 1 to 5-years in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma submitted to orthotopic liver transplantation according to expanded the Milan criteria from different centers. RESULTS: Review compiled data from 23 articles. Fourteen different criteria were found and they are also described in detail, however the University of California - San Francisco was the most studied one among them. CONCLUSION: Expanded the Milan criteria is a useful attempt for widening the preexistent protocol for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in waiting-list for orthotopic liver transplantation. However there is no significant difference in patient survival rate and tumor recurrence free rate from those patients that followed the Milan criteria.
Weight loss during cirrhosis is related to the etiology of liver disease
Authors: Anastácio Lucilene Rezende , Ferreira Lívia Garcia , Ribeiro Hélem de Sena , Lima Agnaldo Soares , Vilela Eduardo Garcia , Correia Maria Isabel Toulson Davisson
Published: September 2012

CONTEXT: Malnutrition is widely described in patients waiting for liver transplantation (LTx). However, risk factors associated with weight loss during liver disease have not yet been well studied. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess weight loss and its risk factors during liver disease and up to the first appointment after transplantation. Patients who underwent LTx were retrospectively assessed for weight loss during liver disease while on the waiting list for LTx. The usual weight of the patients before disease and their weight on the first outpatient appointment after transplant were considered. Demographic, socioeconomic, lifestyle and clinical variables were collected to assess risk factors using a linear regression analysis. We retrospectively evaluated 163 patients undergoing LTx between 1997 and 2008. RESULTS: Patients lost in average 7.7 ± 12.4 kg while ill. Variables independently associated with weight loss by multiple linear regression analyses were as follows: former smoker (P = 0.03), greater body mass index (P<0.01), overweight before liver disease (P = 0.02) and indication for LTx (P = 0.01). Among these indications, patients with alcoholic cirrhosis had lost significantly more weight (P<0.01), and those with hepatitis C virus (P = 0.01) and autoimmune hepatitis (P = 0.02) had lost significantly less weight. CONCLUSIONS: Patients experienced weight loss during liver disease independent of age, sex, schooling and income; however, the etiology of liver disease was related to weight loss.
Autoantibodies in relatives of celiac disease patients: a follow-up of 6-10 years
Authors: Nass Flávia Raphaela , Kotze Lorete Maria , Nisihara Renato M. , Messias-Reason Iara Taborda de , Utiyama Shirley R. da Rosa
Published: September 2012

CONTEXT: Autoimmune diseases are 3 to 10 times more frequently in patients with celiac disease and their relatives than in the general population. OBJECTIVE: To investigate a broad spectrum of autoantibodies in celiac disease relatives from Southern Brazil, in a serological follow-up of 6-10 years, aiming to associate with other autoimmune diseases, degree of parentage, demographic and clinical data. METHODS: Serum samples of 233 relatives were analyzed in two different phases: n = 186 in phase I (1997-2000) and n = 138 (being 91 = follow-up group and 47 = newly tested) in phase II (2006-2007). As controls, 100 unrelated individuals were evaluated. Autoantibodies to smooth muscle, mitochondrial, liver-kidney microssome, parietal cell and thyroid microssome were tested by indirect immunofluorescence. RESULTS: A significant increase of autoantibodies, in both phases, was observed in the relatives when compared to the non-relatives (P = 0.0064), specifically to anti-thyroid microssome and anti-parietal cell. In both phases, the female/male proportion of autoantibodies was of 4:1 to 3:1 (P<0.041). The frequency of autoantibodies amongst 1st and 2nd degree relatives was 11.8% and 9.68% in phase I and 4% and 6.67% in phase II. CONCLUSION: Celiac disease relatives presented other autoantibodies and serological screening is a useful instrument for identifying autoimmune diseases along the years.
Celiac disease in first degree relatives of celiac children
Authors: Oliveira Andreia , Trindade Eunice , Tavares Marta , Lima Rosa , Terra Mariana , Dias Jorge Amil
Published: September 2012

CONTEXT - The first degree relatives of celiac patients represent a high risk group for the development of this disorder, so their screening may be crucial in the prevention of long-term complications. OBJECTIVE - In order to determine the prevalence of celiac disease in a group of first degree relatives of children with proven gluten intolerance, we conducted a prospective study that consisted in the screening of celiac disease, using a capillary immunoassay rapid test that allows a qualitative detection of IgA antibody to human recombinant tissue transglutaminase (IgA-TTG). METHODS - When the screening test was positive subjects were advised to proceed with further investigation. The screening test was performed in 268 first degree relatives (143 mothers, 89 fathers, 36 siblings) corresponding to 163 children with celiac disease. RESULTS - Screening test was positive in 12 relatives (4.5%), of which 1 refused to continue the investigation. In the remaining 11 relatives celiac disease was diagnosed in 7 cases (2.6%, 5 mothers, 2 fathers) who had a median age of 39 years (27-56 years), mild gastrointestinal symptoms, high titre of IgA-TTG and histology abnormalities confirming the diagnosis. All these patients are currently on a gluten-free diet. CONCLUSION - The prevalence of celiac disease among first degree relatives (2.6%) was 5 times higher than that in the general population. Although the recommendations for screening asymptomatic high risk groups, such as first degree relatives, are not unanimous the early diagnosis is crucial in preventing complications, including nutritional deficiency and cancer.
Alimentary factors in the development of gastric intestinal metaplasia in functional dyspeptic patients
Authors: Taborda Aline Gamarra , Prolla João Carlos
Published: September 2012

CONTEXT: Intestinal metaplasia of the stomach is a lesion in which metaplasia of gastric epithelial cells occurs for an intestinal phenotype. Gastric intestinal metaplasia is a lesion associated with an increase in the risk of gastric carcinoma development. Epidemiologic studies indicate a relation between dietary habits and stomach cancer development, some habits increasing the risk for it, and others have a protective effect, suggesting that antioxidants, such as vitamins A, C, and E, decrease the risk of this type of cancer. The relationship of these alimentary factors and intestinal metaplasia is unknown. METHODS: It is a case-control, observational study in which 320 patients with functional dyspepsia, divided in two groups, were assessed. The case I group (individuals with intestinal metaplasia) had their dietary pattern compared to that of the control group, constituted of individuals similar to those in the case group but without intestinal metaplasia, through a food frequency questionnaire. RESULTS: The analysis of the dietary pattern of functional dyspeptic patients with intestinal metaplasia, and its comparison with those without intestinal metaplasia, showed a higher frequency of canned and smoked foods consumption in the first group and, on the other hand, a higher consumption of fruits and vegetables in patients without intestinal metaplasia. No effect of salt consumption was detected. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained in this study suggest changes in the diet, with a decrease in the consumption of smoked and canned foods, and an increase in the consumption of fruits and vegetables, can lead to a diminution of gastric intestinal metaplasia cases.
Salivary parameters and teeth erosions in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease
Authors: Corrêa Maria Carolina Canteras Scarillo Falotico , Lerco Mauro Masson , Cunha Maria de Lourdes Ribeiro de Sousa da , Henry Maria Aparecida Coelho de Arruda
Published: September 2012

CONTEXT: In the gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a highly prevalent digestive disorder, gastric content may return to the esophagus and reach the mouth, thus leading to a small number of carious lesions and high incidence of dental erosion. Since saliva plays a major role in oral homeostasis, evaluating salivary parameters is necessary in attempting to explain such outcome. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed at analyzing salivary parameters (salivary flow, pH and buffering capacity), bacterial count, caries index and dental erosion in patients with GERD. MATERIALS: Sixty patients were studied, and of these, 30 had GERD (group 1), and 30 were controls (group 2). Gastroesophageal reflux disease diagnosis confirmation was achieved by means of endoscopy, manometry and pH metric esophageal monitoring. The above mentioned salivary parameters were evaluated in patients from groups 1 and 2. RESULTS: The number of erosions in patients with GERD (group 1) was larger than in controls (P<0.001). The number of carious teeth was smaller in group 1 than in group 2 (P<0.001). Salivary flow (non-stimulated and stimulated) and pH did not show differences between the 2 groups (P = 0.49; P = 0.80 and P = 0.85, respectively). Salivary buffering capacity in patients with GERD showed lower values in controls (P = 0.018). The number of bacteria (Lactobacilli and Streptococci) was smaller in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease than in controls (P = 0.0067 and P = 0.0017, respectively). CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the large number of erosions must be a result of GERD patients reduced salivary buffering capacity. The reduced number of caries of patients in group 1 can be explained by the low prevalence of bacteria (Lactobacilli and Streptococci), observed in the saliva of patients with chronic reflux.
Assessing the extent of colon lengthening due to splenic flexure mobilization techniques: a cadaver study
Authors: Araujo Sergio Eduardo Alonso , Seid Victor Edmond , Kim Nam Jin , Bertoncini Alexandre Bruno , Nahas Sergio Carlos , Cecconello Ivan
Published: September 2012

CONTEXT: Failure of a colorectal anastomosis represents a life-threatening complication of colorectal surgery. Splenic flexure mobilization may contribute to reduce the occurrence of anastomotic complications due to technical flaws. There are no published reports measuring the impact of splenic flexure mobilization on the length of mobilized colon viable to construct a safe colorectal anastomosis. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of two techniques for splenic flexure mobilization on colon lengthening during open left-sided colon surgery using a cadaver model. DESIGN: Anatomical dissections for left colectomy and colorectal anastomosis at the sacral promontory level were conducted in 20 fresh cadavers by the same team of four surgeons. The effect of partial and full splenic flexure mobilization on the extent of mobilized left colon segment was determined. SETTING: University of Sao Paulo Medical School, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil. Tertiary medical institution and university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: A team of four surgeons operated on 20 fresh cadavers. RESULTS: The length of resected left colon enabling a tension-free colorectal anastomosis at the level of sacral promontory achieved without mobilizing the splenic flexure was 46.3 (35-81) cm. After partial mobilization of the splenic flexure, an additionally mobilized colon segment measuring 10.7 (2-30) cm was obtained. After full mobilization of the distal transverse colon, a mean 28.3 (10-65) cm segment was achieved. CONCLUSION: Splenic flexure mobilization techniques are associated to effective left colon lengthening for colorectal anastomosis. This result may contribute to decision-making during rectal surgery and low colorectal and coloanal anastomosis.
Minilaparoscopic fundoplication: technical adaptations and initial experience
Authors: Dimbarre Daniellson , Loureiro Paula Marcelo de , Claus Christiano , Carvalho Gustavo , Trauczynski Pedro , Elias Fabiano
Published: September 2012

CONTEXT: Gastroesophageal reflux diasease (GERD) is a highly prevalent disease. Treatment is divided into lifestyle modifications, medical and surgical treatment. Surgical laparoscopy is the gold standard treatment. In the last decade, there were an extensive research on procedures, less aggressive than laparoscopy and with better esthetic results. Minilaparoscopy is "reemerging" as a safe, effective and with excellent cosmetic results in selected patients treated for gastroesophageal reflux diasease. We present a serie of 27 patients treated for GERD by minilaparoscopic laparoscopy. MATERIAL: Between October 2009July 2011 a total of 27 patients underwent fundoplication by minilaparoscopy. It is used one 10mm trocar, a telescope of 30 degrees and four 3 mm trocars at regular positions. Regular surgical steps are done with no modifications. Cardiac tape, suture needles, and eventually extracting bag, gauze, are placed and taked out through the umbilical port. With these technical adjustments, we can perform the procedure safely and effectively, similarly to standard laparoscopic technique. RESULTS: Of the 27 patients, 22 were female and 5 male. The average body mass index was 25.5 kg/m². Hiatal hernias were small (<3 cm) in 24 patients. Mean operative time was 60 minutes. In all cases the hiatoplasty was performed with simple or 'x' stiches of 2.0 Ethibond. There was no need for conversion to standard laparoscopy or open surgery. The length of hospital stay was less than or equal to 24 hours in all patients. In this series of patients there were no postoperative complications. We did not observe any complication of the surgical wound. There were no evidence of recurrence of symptoms or endoscopic changes. CONCLUSION: Hiatoplasty associated with fundoplication using minilaparoscopic instruments is safe, feasible and effective. If compared to other "new access", has a spectacular esthetic results. Can be done with only minor technical adjustments, for any experienced laparoscopic surgeon, and is perfectly adaptable to our financial reality.
Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy for nutritional palliation of upper esophageal cancer unsuitable for esophageal stenting
Authors: Grilo Ana , Santos Carla Adriana , Fonseca Jorge
Published: September 2012

CONTEXT: Esophageal cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage and has a poor prognosis. Most patients with advanced esophageal cancer have significant dysphagia that contributes to weight loss and malnutrition. Esophageal stenting is a widespread palliation approach, but unsuitable for cancers near the upper esophageal sphincter, were stents are poorly tolerated. Generally, guidelines do not support endoscopic gastrostomy in this clinical setting, but it may be the best option for nutritional support. OBJECTIVE: Retrospective evaluation of patients with dysphagia caused advanced esophageal cancer, no expectation of resuming oral intake and with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy for comfort palliative nutrition. METHOD: We selected adult patients with unresecable esophageal cancer histological confirmed, in whom stenting was impossible due to proximal location, and chemotherapy or radiotherapy were palliative, using gastrostomy for enteral nutrition. Clinical and nutritional data were evaluated, including success of gastrostomy, procedure complications and survival after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, and evolution of body mass index, albumin, transferrin and cholesterol. RESULTS: Seventeen males with stage III or IV squamous cell carcinoma fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Mean age was 60.9 years. Most of the patients had toxic habits. All underwent palliative chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Gastrostomy was successfully performed in all, but nine required prior dilatation. Most had the gastrostomy within 2 months after diagnosis. There was a buried bumper syndrome treated with tube replacement and four minor complications. There were no cases of implantation metastases or procedure related mortality. Two patients were lost and 12 died. Mean survival of deceased patients was 5.9 months. Three patients are alive 6, 14 and 17 months after the gastrostomy procedure, still increasing the mean survival. Mean body mass index and laboratory parameters were roughly stable 1 and 3 months after the gastrostomy procedure. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with advanced upper esophageal cancer where only palliative treatment is possible, nutritional support is easily achieved with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, allowing patients to be at homes, surviving a significant period of time. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy feeding should be considered as standard definitive nutritional palliation in patients with upper esophageal cancer, unsuitable for esophageal stenting.
Relationship between serum transforming growth factor ß1 and liver collagen content in rats treated with carbon tetrachloride
Authors: Oliveira Fernanda dos Santos , Silveira Themis Reverbel da , Matte Ursula
Published: September 2012

CONTEXT: Transforming Growth Factor ß1 (TGFß1) plays a fundamental role in fibrogenesis, although its importance as a biomarker of liver disease is still matter of debate. OBJECTIVE: Quantify serum TGFß1 and its association to liver collagen content in rats exposed to Carbon Tetrachloride (CCl4). METHODS: Rats were submitted to a fibrosis model using CCl4 and sacrificed after 6, 10, 12 and 16 weeks of treatment. Serum levels of TGFß1 were measured by ELISA and collagen content was defined by morphometric analysis. RESULTS: Serum levels of TGFß1 increased between 6 and 10 weeks, whereas collagen density increased between 12 and 16 weeks. A negative correlation was observed between liver collagen deposition and serum levels of TGFß1 (r = -0. 48; P<0. 05). CONCLUSION: Serum levels of TGFß1 were inversely proportional to collagen intensity in cirrhotic livers of rats exposed to CCl4, thus suggesting a limited use as biomarker in advanced liver disease.
Una especie nueva de rana venenosa de altura del género Excidobates (Dendrobatoidea: Dendrobatidae) de la Cordillera del Cóndor
Authors: Almendáriz C Ana , Ron Santiago R , Brito M Jorge
Published: September 2012

El género Excidobates está conformado por dos especies, E. captivus y E. mysteriosus, distribuidas en la cuenca del Río Marañón en Perú. Evaluaciones de la herpetofauna del bosque montano oriental de los Andes de la provincia de Zamora Chinchipe en Ecuador, resultaron en el descubrimiento de una nueva especie del género, la misma que describimos como Excidobates condor sp. nov. Proveemos información sobre su hábitat, distribución y describimos sus renacuajos. La especie se conoce de tres localidades separadas por 18 km en línea recta y genera un polígono de 7 km². Un análisis filogenético basado en los genes mitocondriales 12S y 16S rRNA sugiere que la especie nueva está cercanamente relacionada con Excidobates mysteriosus y E. captivus, de las cuales se diferencia por su patrón de coloración y la textura de la piel del dorso. Con la inclusión de la nueva especie en Excidobates ninguno de los caracteres morfológicos diagnósticos del género resulta sinapomórfico. Por lo tanto, Excidobates queda soportado solamente por caracteres genéticos. Adicionalmente se analiza las afinidades morfológicas entre los adultos y larvas de Andinobates abditus con los miembros del género Excidobates.
Designing a vaccination strategy against dengue
Authors: Amaku Marcos , Coudeville Laurent , Massad Eduardo
Published: September 2012

In this work we propose a mathematical approach to estimate the dengue force of infection, the average age of dengue first infection, the optimum age to vaccinate children against dengue in a routine fashion and the optimum age interval to introduce the dengue vaccine in a mass vaccination campaign. The model is based on previously published models for vaccination against other childhood infections, which resulted in actual vaccination programmes in Brazil. The model was applied for three areas of distinct levels of endemicity of the city of Recife in Northeastern State of Pernambuco, Brazil. Our results point to an optimal age to introduce the dengue vaccine in the routine immunization programme at two years of age and an age interval to introduce a mass vaccination between three and 14 years of age.
Sinais clínicos e ocorrência de anticorpos anti-Chlamydophila abortus em ovinos de São Paulo e Minas Gerais
Authors: Rossi Rodolfo Santos , Rizzo Huber , Piatti Rosa Maria , Gregory Lilian
Published: September 2012

A Chlamydophila abortusi, anteriormente conhecida como Chlamydia psittaci sovovar 1, é uma bactéria Gram negativa, intracelular obrigatória. Esse micro-organismo é frequentemente encontrado em distúrbios reprodutivos em ovinos, bovinos e caprinos, sendo o aborto epizoótico dos bovinos e o aborto enzoótico dos ovinos e caprinos as manifestações mais importantes. Considerando-se o pouco material literário a respeito da clamidofilose no Brasil, a pesquisa teve como objetivo determinar a presença de anticorpos fixadores de complemento anti-Chlamydophila abortusi, correlacionando os resultados obtidos com achados no exame clínico e histórico dos animais, além de alterações nos índices zootécnicos, em especial na esfera reprodutiva, tais como alto índice de repetição de cio, número elevado de abortamentos, elevado número de natimortos, entre outros. Foram testadas para prova de fixação do complemento 220 amostras de soro de ovinos, de 26 propriedades, distribuídas em 19 municípios, com relato de manifestação reprodutiva, obtendo-se 19,55% (43/220) de testes positivos para Chlamydophila abortusi, com ocorrência de foco constatada de 61,53%. No geral, a titulação de anticorpos encontrada foi baixa, com título não superior a 64. A frequência de manifestação reprodutiva mais observada foi o aborto, representando 65,12% (28/43) do número total de animais soropositivos, seguido de repetição de cio juntamente com nascimento de cordeiro fraco, com frequência de 6,98% (3/43) e, por fim, morte neonatal com 4,65% (2/43), sendo que não houve associação significativa entre animais que foram positivos ao teste e a esses fatores.
Disponibilidades climáticas para macieira na região de Vacaria, RS
Authors: Cardoso Loana Silveira , Bergamaschi Homero , Bosco Leosane Cristina , Paula Viviane Aires de , Marodin Gilmar Arduino Bettio , Casamali Bruno , Nachtigall Gilmar Ribeiro
Published: September 2012

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a variabilidade e as tendências temporais das principais variáveis climáticas - temperaturas máxima, mínima e média do ar, horas de frio (abaixo de 7°C), precipitação pluvial e umidade relativa do ar - no período 1983-2009 e confrontá-las com as necessidades de macieiras dos grupos Gala e Fuji, na região de Vacaria, RS. Foram utilizados dados diários de estação meteorológica da Embrapa, do período de 1983 a 2009, e comparados com as normais 1931-1960 e 1961-1990, para análise de tendência temporal. A precipitação pluvial apresentou diferenças significativas entre a média do período 1983-2009 e as normais, com aumentos de 479 e 256mm, respectivamente. Não houve diferenças significativas na temperatura do ar mensal entre os períodos analisados. A precipitação pluvial da primavera e a temperatura mínima do ar mensal apresentaram tendência significativa de aumento. O número médio de horas de frio foi de 657 de maio-agosto. O número mínimo de horas de frio delimitado no zoneamento agroclimático é atingido, na maioria dos anos, na região de Vacaria, no entanto, não significa a superação natural da dormência de gemas de macieiras. Além disso, o número de horas de frio apresentou tendência temporal de redução.
Produtividade e valor nutritivo de pastos consorciados com diferentes espécies de leguminosas
Authors: Olivo Clair Jorge , Nörnberg José Laerte , Meinerz Gilmar Roberto , Agnolin Carlos Alberto , Machado Paulo Roberto , Marx Fábio Ritter , Diehl Michelle Schalemberg , Foletto Vinícius , Aguirre Priscila Flôres , Araújo Tiago Luis da Ros , Bem Cláudia Marques de , Santos Juliano Costa dos
Published: September 2012

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar a produtividade e o valor nutritivo de dois sistemas forrageiros (SF) constituídos por capim elefante (CE), azevém (AZ), trevo branco (TB) e espécies de crescimento espontâneo (ECE), como SF1; e CE + AZ + amendoim forrageiro (AF) + ECE, como SF2. O CE foi estabelecido em linhas espaçadas a cada quatro metros. Entre elas, foi estabelecido azevém, durante o período hibernal, permitindo-se o desenvolvimento de ECE no período estival. Para avaliação, foram utilizadas vacas da raça Holandesa e o método de pastejo foi o rotacionado. Avaliaram-se a massa de forragem inicial (MFI) e a composição botânica e estrutural dos pastos. Para as estimativas de valor nutritivo, foram feitas amostragens simulando o pastejo e analisados a fibra em detergente neutro (FDN), fibra em detergente ácido (FDA), proteína bruta (PB), digestibilidade in vitro da matéria seca (DIVMS) e digestibilidade in vitro da matéria orgânica (DIVMO). O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado com dois tratamentos e duas repetições, em parcelas subdivididas no tempo. Os valores médios de massa de forragem inicial e da carga animal foram similares entre os SF. Observou-se resultado superior para o teor médio de PB da forragem do SF2. O uso do azevém, das leguminosas e das espécies de crescimento espontâneo em consórcio com o CE permite manter massa de forragem uniforme no decorrer dos pastejos.