bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pactos territoriais e agências locais de desenvolvimento: a apropriação destes instrumentos ao território do Baixo Tocantins
Authors: Peixoto Rodrigo
Published: April 2011

O desenvolvimento é, antes de tudo, político e exige mecanismos para a afirmação das vontades sociais. Tais mecanismos devem estar regulados por um corpo de normas criadas para confrontar interesses contraditórios, negociar acordos, implementar ações e avaliar resultados, tudo conforme escalas espaciais diversas. O desenvolvimento fundado na deliberação social pede metodologias e técnicas, para cuja formulação os pactos territoriais e as agências locais de desenvolvimento podem proporcionar inspiração. Nos contextos da Amazônia, a aplicação das normas serve para impedir a vigência da lei da selva, onde poderes fortes subjugam populações e pequenos produtores. Além de coibir abusos, as normas e metodologias servem também à promoção de processos virtuosos, no que tange ao emprego de novas tecnologias e ao incentivo de novas relações sociais e produtivas. O desenvolvimento e o seu planejamento é, pois, um problema de compatibilização de éticas políticas, normas técnicas e metodologias de emancipação social. Não existem prescrições universalmente válidas, mas certos princípios e instrumentos da política regional européia podem inspirar novas práticas na Amazônia
Arqueologia na Fortaleza de São José de Macapá
Authors: Magalhães Marcos Pereira
Published: April 2011

Este artigo argumenta que o principal objetivo da construção da Fortaleza de São José de Macapá não foi militar, mas representa um empreendimento de colonização e ocupação territorial, através da fixação de uma população comprometida com a Coroa portuguesa, cujos objetivos militares mais específicos, que eram a defesa contra outros conquistadores e base de ataque para a conquista de novos territórios (as minas peruanas), sempre exerceram papel secundário
Novas perguntas para um velho problema: escolhas tecnológicas como índices para o estudo de fronteiras e identidades sociais no registro arqueológico
Authors: Dias Adriana Schmidt
Published: April 2011

A relação entre variabilidade artefatual e identidades sociais no registro arqueológico é uma das principais problemáticas da pesquisa arqueológica, independente do enfoque teórico. No que tange à arqueologia brasileira, esta questão foi tradicionalmente abordada através dos conceitos de fase e tradição, porém suas aplicações não acompanharam os debates teórico-metodológicos sobre tecnologia produzidos ao longo dos últimos 40 anos, através da antropologia das técnicas e dos estudos de estilo tecnológico. Neste artigo são apresentadas as implicações desta perspectiva na interpretação do registro arqueológico no alto vale do rio dos Sinos, Rio Grande do Sul.
'Cave canem!': cuidado com os 'Pronapianos'! Em busca dos jovens da arqueologia brasileira
Authors: Hilbert Klaus
Published: April 2011

Comenta quatro trabalhos do Simpósio sobre fronteiras territoriais e identidades socioculturais: as causas e os significados da variabilidade artefatual dos registros arqueológicos, apresentados no XIII Congresso da Sociedade de Arqueologia Brasileira. Posteriormente, busca entender a relação entre práticas, teorias e discursos na arqueologia brasileira, tomando como exemplo o Programa Nacional de Pesquisas Arqueológicas.
Is Greenberg's "Macro-Carib" viable?
Authors: Gildea Spike , Payne Doris
Published: April 2011

In his landmark work Language in the Americas, Greenberg (1987) proposed that Macro-Carib was one of the major low-level stocks of South America, which together with Macro-Panoan and Macro-Ge-Bororo were claimed to comprise the putative Ge-Pano-Carib Phylum. His Macro-Carib includes the isolates Andoke and Kukura, and the Witotoan, Peba-Yaguan, and Cariban families. Greenberg's primary evidence came from person-marking paradigms in individual languages, plus scattered words from individual languages collected into 79 Macro-Carib 'etymologies' and another 64 Amerind 'etymologies'. The goal of this paper is to re-evaluate Greenberg's Macro-Carib claim in the light of the much more extensive and reliable language data that has become available largely since 1987. Based on full person-marking paradigms for Proto-Cariban, Yagua, Bora and Andoke, we conclude that Greenberg's morphological claims are unfounded. For our lexical comparison, we created lexical lists for Proto-Cariban, Proto-Witotoan, Yagua and Andoke, for both Greenberg's 143 putative etymologies and for the Swadesh 100 list. From both lists, a total of 23 potential cognates were found, but no consonantal correspondences were repeated even once. We conclude that our greatly expanded and improved database does not provide sufficient evidence to convince the skeptic that the Macro-Carib hypothesis is viable
Representações sociais e agricultura familiar: indícios de práticas agrícolas sustentáveis no Vale do Bananal - Salinas, Minas Gerais
Authors: Silva Adilson José da , Silva Junior Milton Ferreira
Published: April 2011

A agricultura tem mostrado através dos tempos, responsabilidade histórica na transformação dos espaços naturais, proporcionada pela crescente necessidade de produção de alimentos. A intensa discussão dos problemas ambientais da atualidade tem exigido reflexão sobre a relação homem-natureza. O presente artigo, resultado de pesquisa de mestrado no Vale do Bananal, município de Salinas, Minas Gerais, do Programa de Pós-Graduação da Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, traz elementos da representação social do pequeno produtor rural, sobre meio ambiente e práticas agrícolas, mediante análise de seu discurso representado na coletividade e de sua prática agrícola de base familiar. Foi utilizada a teoria das Representações Sociais com a pesquisa de campo por meio da entrevista semi-estruturada e observação direta. A análise dos dados ocorreu através do Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo. Identificou-se vários problemas ambientais como desmatamento, uso de agrotóxicos, descaracterização da mata ciliar, erosão, contaminação de rio. Pode-se inferir que embora o pequeno produtor rural do Vale do Bananal no município de Salinas, possua uma percepção naturalista do meio ambiente, há indícios de práticas de uma agricultura sustentável.
A descentralização da política nacional de ATER: uma experiência nos assentamentos de reforma agrária no noroeste mineiro - Brasil
Authors: Almeida Suênia Cibeli Ramos de , Oliveira Marcelo Nascimento de , Xavier José Humberto Valadares
Published: April 2011

A descentralização de políticas públicas no país permitiu a participação da sociedade civil organizada em diferentes âmbitos de sua formulação, execução e fiscalização. Desde a década de 1990, a universalização desse processo vem se consolidando no meio rural por meio da operacionalização de serviços de assistência técnica e extensão rural realizada por organizações não governamentais. Com a regulamentação da Política Nacional de Assistência Técnica e Extensão Rural, houve uma ampliação na participação das organizações sociais ligadas aos movimentos sociais de agricultores familiares. Este texto aborda uma experiência vivenciada por agentes de desenvolvimento em assentamentos de reforma agrária do município de Unaí, Minas Gerais.
Contribuições científicas do professor Dr. Heinz Charles Kohler para a Geomorfologia Cárstica Tropical brasileira
Authors: Travassos Luiz Eduardo Panisset
Published: April 2011

O presente trabalho tem por objetivo homenagear o Prof. Dr. Heinz Charles Kohler por ocasião de seu recente falecimento. Ao analisar a sua obra, especialmente no campo da geomorfologia cárstica, é possível confirmar seu caráter pioneiro no estudo do carste carbonático tropical brasileiro. Mesmo que seja muito difícil, ou mesmo impossível, resumir uma vida em poucas páginas, é objetivo do autor lembrar alguns dos mais importantes trabalhos do Dr. Kohler relacionados ao carste.
Estimating the turnover number in enzyme kinetic reactions using transient and stationary state data
Authors: Uludag-Demirer Sibel , Duran Jorge , Tanner Robert D.
Published: April 2011

Substrate and product concentration data obtained by simulating enzyme-substrate reaction rate equations were used to test two proposed kinetic rate constant estimation techniques in this study. In the first technique, the turnover number, k3, was calculated using early transient time domain data, which are difficult to obtain experimentally. The technique used an iterative approach to calculate k3 with a pair of data and the value of k3 could be retrieved with 35% error. The second technique calculated k3 using stationary domain data and the value of k3 could be retrieved with less than 5% error. This second technique also offered internal consistency in the calculation of k3 by calculating k3 both from the intercept and the slope of the linear plot derived in this study. A series of sensitivity analyses was conducted to understand the robustness of the second technique in estimating k3 from simulated data to the changes in the reaction rate constants (k1, k2, and k3) and the initial concentration of enzyme used for simulation. It was found that the second technique generally worked well in the estimation of k3 except for the simulated data for fast substrate conversions such as in the large k3 and [E]0 cases . This latter method, thus, shows promise for the use of late time experimental substrate/product concentration data to obtain k3. Exclusively using late time data avoids the need for difficult and expensive rapid early time measurement techniques for estimating k3. Once a reasonable estimate for k3 is obtained, the initial enzyme value can easily be determined from the maximum velocity constant established from fitting the Michaelis-Menten or Briggs-Haldane equations to substrate and product stationary state domain (late time) data. While the first technique can estimate k3 with only one point in the transient domain, it is suggested that the second method generally be favored since it only requires late-time stationary domain data and appears to be more accurate.
Enantioselective metabolism of hydroxychloroquine employing rats and mice hepatic microsomes
Authors: Cardoso Carmem Dickow , Bonato Pierina Sueli
Published: April 2011

Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is an important chiral drug used, mainly, in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and malaria, and whose pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties look to be stereoselective. Respecting the pharmacokinetic properties, some previous studies indicate that the stereoselectivity could express itself in the processes of metabolism, distribution and excretion and that the stereoselective metabolism looks to be a function of the studied species. So, the in vitro metabolism of HCQ was investigated using hepatic microsomes of rats and mice. The microsomal fraction of livers of Wistar rats and Balb-C mice was separated by ultracentrifugation and 500 μL were incubated for 180 minutes with 10 μL of racemic HCQ 1000 μg mL-1. Two stereospecific analytical methods, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and capillary electrophoresis (CE), were used to separate and quantify the formed metabolites. It was verified that the main formed metabolite is the (-)-(R)-desethyl hydroxychloroquine for both animal species.
Development of granules from Phyllanthus niruri spray-dried extract
Authors: Souza Tatiane Pereira de , Gómez-Amoza José Luiz , Pacheco Ramón Martínez , Petrovick Pedro Ros
Published: April 2011

The aim of this study was to develop granules from Phyllanthus niruri spray-dried extract using dry and wet granulation and to assess techniques to enable the production of granules with improved technological characteristics and yields. Granules were characterized by granulometry, reological parameters, compression and hygroscopic behavior. Independent of the granulation technique, technologically developed granules presented particle diameter, bulk and tapped densities and compressibility indexes suitable for a solid dosage form. The compression behavior showed plastic and fragmentary deformation for granules produced by the dry granulation technique and predominantly plastic deformation for wet granulation. Concerning the humidity sorption, the study showed that granules absorb less humidity than the spray-dried extract. However, granules with Eudragit® E 100 were the least hygroscopic.
Biological activities of the fermentation extract of the endophytic fungus Alternaria alternata isolated from Coffea arabica L.
Authors: Fernandes Maurette dos Reis Vieira , Silva Tales Alexandre Costa e , Pfenning Ludwig Heinrich , Costa-Neto Cláudio Miguel da , Heinrich Tassiela Andréa , Alencar Severino Matias de , Lima Marisa Aparecida de , Ikegaki Masaharu
Published: April 2011

A total of 22 endophytic fungi isolated from coffee (Coffea arabica L.) were cultivated in vitro and their crude extracts tested. The screening was carried out using the agar diffusion method against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans. The most effective isolate was Alternaria alternata, and subsequently, its extract was assayed. The total phenolic content was 3.44 μg GAE/mg of the crude extract. For the antibacterial and antifungal activity assays, minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum bactericidal and fungicidal concentrations (MBC and MFC) were determined. The ranges of MIC values were 50-100 μg/mL for S. aureus and 400-800 μg/mL for E. coli. The extract did not show activity in the tested concentrations for C. albicans. The fungal crude extract was assayed for antioxidant activities. Its ability to scavenge DPPH radicals and antioxidant activity by β-carotene/linoleic acid system oxidation was not significant. In addition, antitumor activity was studied using the MTT assay. At a dilution of 400 μg/mL, the extract displayed a cytotoxic activity of approximately 50% towards HeLa cells in vitro. The results indicate that endophytic fungi could be a promising source of bioactive compounds and warrant further study.
Chemical waste risk reduction and environmental impact generated by laboratory activities in research and teaching institutions
Authors: Nascimento Elizabeth de Souza , Tenuta Filho Alfredo
Published: April 2011

The environmental impact caused by teaching and research with regard to chemical waste is of increasing concern, and attempts to solve the issue are being made. Education and research-related institutions, in most laboratory and non-laboratory activities, contribute to the generation of small quantities of waste, many of them highly toxic. Of this waste, some is listed by government agencies who are concerned about environmental pollution: disposal of acids, metals, solvents, chemicals and toxicity of selected products of synthesis, whose toxicity is often unknown. This article presents an assessment of the problem and identifies possible solutions, indicating pertinent laws, directives and guidelines; examples of institutions that have implemented protocols in order to minimize the generation of waste; harmonization of procedures for waste management and waste minimization procedures such as reduction, reuse and recycling of chemicals.
Elderly and drugs: risks and necessity of rational use
Authors: Baldoni André de Oliveira , Chequer Farah Maria Drumond , Ferraz Elisa Raquel Anastácio , Oliveira Danielle Palma de , Pereira Leonardo Régis Leira , Dorta Daniel Junqueira
Published: April 2011

In recent decades, the world has undergone a demographic transformation with a rapid growth of the elderly population, resulting in an increased demand for funds to maintain their health and drug consumption. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic changes occurring in the elderly can interfere directly in the adverse effects of drugs and increase the risk of intoxication. In addition, there are external factors interfering with the pharmacotherapy of the elderly, such as inappropriate use and the lack of access to information. Many therapeutic classes of drugs should be used with caution or avoided in the elderly population, such as anti-inflammatory and some anti-hypertensive drugs, diuretics and digitalis. If not managed carefully, these medicines can affect the safety and quality of life in the elderly. Thus, the aim of this review was to identify drugs that should be used with caution in elderly patients in order to avoid intoxication and/or adverse drug events.
Quantification of glucosylceramide in plasma of Gaucher disease patients
Authors: Muller Maria Viviane Gomes , Petry André , Vianna Luciene Pinheiro , Breier Ana Carolina , Michelin-Tirelli Kristiane , Pires Ricardo Flores , Trindade Vera Maria Treis , Coelho Janice Carneiro
Published: April 2011

Gaucher disease is a sphingolipidosis that leads to an accumulation of glucosylceramide. The objective of this study was to develop a methodology, based on the extraction, purification and quantification of glucosylceramide from blood plasma, for use in clinical research laboratories. Comparison of the glucosylceramide content in plasma from Gaucher disease patients, submitted to enzyme replacement therapy or otherwise, against that from normal individuals was also carried out. The glucosylceramide, separated from other glycosphingolipids by high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) was chemically developed (CuSO4 / H3PO4) and the respective band confirmed by immunostaining (human anti-glucosylceramide antibody / peroxidase-conjugated secondary antibody). Chromatogram quantification by densitometry demonstrated that the glucosylceramide content in Gaucher disease patients was seventeen times higher than that in normal individuals, and seven times higher than that in patients on enzyme replacement therapy. The results obtained indicate that the methodology established can be used in complementary diagnosis and for treatment monitoring of Gaucher disease patients.
Determination of nimodipine in plasma by HPLC-MS/MS and pharmacokinetic application
Authors: Nascimento Demétrius Fernandes do , Moraes Manoel Odorico de , Bezerra Fernando Antônio Frota , Pontes Andréa Vieira , Uchoa Célia Regina Amaral , Moraes Renata Amaral de , Leite Ismenia Osório , Santana Gilmara Silva de Melo , Santana Ana Paula Macedo , Leite Ana Lourdes Almeida e Silva , Pedrazzoli Júnior José , Moraes Maria Elisabete Amaral de
Published: April 2011

To develop and validate a rapid, specific and highly sensitive method to quantify nimodipine in human plasma using dibucaine as the internal standard (IS). The analyte and IS were extracted from plasma samples by liquid-liquid extraction using hexane-ethyl acetate (1:1 v/v). The chromatographic separation was performed on a Varian® Polaris C18 analytical column (3 μm, 50 x 2.0 mm) and pre-column SecurityguardTM C18 (4.0 x 3.0 mm) with a mobile phase of Acetonitrile-Ammonium acetate 0.02 ml/L (80:20v/v). The method had a chromatographic run time of 4.5 min and linear calibration curve over the range of 0.1- 40 ng/mL (r > 0.9938). The limit of quantification was 100 pg/mL. Acceptable precision and accuracy were obtained for concentrations over the standard curve ranges. This validated method was successfully applied in determining the pharmacokinetic profile of nimodipine tablets of 30 mg administered to 24 healthy volunteers. The proposed method of analysis provided a sensitive and specific assay for nimodipine determination in human plasma. The time for the determination of one plasma sample was 4.5 min. This method is suitable for the analysis of nimodipine in human plasma samples collected for pharmacokinetic, bioavailability or bioequivalence studies in humans.
Desmoid Tumors: Clinical Features and Treatment Options for Advanced Disease
Authors: Kasper Bernd , Ströbel Philipp , Hohenberger Peter
Published: April 2011

Desmoid tumors describe a rare monoclonal, fibroblastic proliferation characterized by a variable and often unpredictable clinical course. Although histologically benign, desmoids are locally invasive and associated with a high local recurrence rate, but lack metastatic potential. On the molecular level, desmoids are characterized by mutations in the β-catenin gene, CTNNB1, or the adenomatous polyposis coli gene, APC. Proof of a CTNNB1 mutation may be useful when the pathological differential diagnosis is difficult and location might be predictive for disease recurrence.

Many issues regarding the optimal treatment of patients with desmoids remain controversial; however, surgery is the therapeutic mainstay, except if mutilating and associated with considerable function loss. Postoperative radiotherapy reduces the local recurrence rate, in cases of involved surgical margins. Because of the heterogeneity of the biological behavior of desmoids, including long periods of stable disease or even spontaneous regression, treatment needs to be individualized to optimize local tumor control and preserve patients' quality of life. Therefore, the application of a multidisciplinary assessment with multimodality treatment forms the basis of care for these patients. Watchful waiting may be the most appropriate management in selected asymptomatic patients. Patients with desmoids located at the mesentery or in the head and neck region could present with life-threatening complications and often need more aggressive treatment. This review describes treatment options and management strategies for patients with desmoid tumors with a focus on advanced disease.
Briefing: Young Coastal Scientists and Engineers Conference 2010
Authors: Simons Richard R , Brampton Alan H , Adcock Thomas A A , Briganti Riccardo , Carroll Ben , Milne Fraser D , Stagonas Dimitris
Published: April 2011

The 33 papers and posters presented at the sixth Young Coastal Scientists and Engineers Conference held at University College London in March 2010 were of a high standard, typical of that expected at a leading international conference. They gave a good indication of the breadth of basic and applied research currently being pursued in UK universities and consultancies. Topics included coastal management, dunes, saltmarshes, beaches, swash, renewable energy, gravity-driven currents, freak waves, sediment transport, morphological modelling, nutrient and pollution transport, scour protection, liquefied natural gas facilities and submerged breakwaters. The paper below reproduces the abstracts of the keynote Peregrine Lecture and of five presentations judged by the organising committee to be of particular merit. The next UK Young Coastal Scientists and Engineers Conference will be held at the National Oceanography Centre in Liverpool and is scheduled for 30–31 March 2011.
Salinity intrusion length: comparison of different approaches
Authors: Etemad-Shahidi Amir , Parsa Javad , Hajiani Mahmood
Published: April 2011

Salinity is an important parameter influencing the water quality of estuaries. Prediction of salt intrusion length in estuaries is a challenge for managers as well as scientists in this field. Several numerical and empirical models have been developed for the prediction of salt intrusion length in recent decades. The aim of this study is to evaluate the performance of empirical models in the Arvand river estuary in south-west Iran. A laterally averaged, two-dimensional hydrodynamics–water quality model called CE-QUAL-W2 was used for numerical simulations. Salt intrusion lengths under different discharge and tidal conditions were first predicted by the validated numerical model, then the semi-empirical models were applied to the same hydrological/tidal conditions. From the comparison of the results, it was found that the model of Savenije, that properly considers the variation of bathymetry along the estuary, outperformed the others and could be used as a rapid assessment tool in the Arvand river estuary.
Organizing the in-Between: The Population Dynamics of Network-Weaving Organizations in the Global Interstate Network
Authors: Ingram Paul , Torfason Magnus Thor
Published: April 2011

This article examines the population dynamics and viability of network weavers, which are organizations that provide network relations for others. An analysis of the population dynamics of the intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) that are the basis of the interstate networks that influenced global economic relations, peace, and democracy in the 1815–2000 period shows that IGO founding and failure depends on the ease and value of specific interstate relations. Results indicate that network-weaving organizations are easier to operate when they encompass proximate and similar actors, yet they also reap rewards for bringing together otherwise disconnected actors, in particular, actors with conflicts. Combined, these organizational processes can account for the high clustering and short-path distance between nodes that are characteristic of the endemic small-world network structure. Furthermore, the study shows that the concepts of legitimacy and competition can be applied to identify particular spaces in the network of bilateral relations that are more or less hospitable for IGOs.
Network Churn: The Effects of Self-Monitoring Personality on Brokerage Dynamics
Authors: Sasovova Zuzana , Mehra Ajay , Borgatti Stephen P. , Schippers Michaéla C.
Published: April 2011

The apparent stability of social network structures may mask considerable change and adjustment in the ties that make up the structures. In this study, we theorize and test—using longitudinal data on friendship relations from a radiology department located in the Netherlands—the idea that the characteristics of this “network churn” and the resultant brokerage dynamics are traceable to individual differences in self-monitoring personality. High self-monitors were more likely than low self-monitors to attract new friends and to occupy new bridging positions over time. In comparison to low self-monitors, the new friends that high self-monitors attracted tended to be relative strangers, in the sense that they were unconnected with previous friends, came from different functions, and more efficiently increased the number of structural holes in the resultant network. Our study suggests that dispositional forces help shape the dynamic structuring of networks: individuals help (re)create the social network structures they inhabit.
Metformin Inhibits Nuclear Receptor TR4–Mediated Hepatic Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase 1 Gene Expression With Altered Insulin Sensitivity
Authors: Kim Eungseok , Liu Ning-Chun , Yu I-Chen , Lin Hung-Yun , Lee Yi-Fen , Sparks Janet D. , Chen Lu-Min , Chang Chawnshang
Published: April 2011

OBJECTIVE

TR4 is a nuclear receptor without clear pathophysiological roles. We investigated the roles of hepatic TR4 in the regulation of lipogenesis and insulin sensitivity in vivo and in vitro.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

TR4 activity and phosphorylation assays were carried out using hepatocytes and various TR4 wild-type and mutant constructs. Liver tissues from TR4 knockout, C57BL/6, and db/db mice were examined to investigate TR4 target gene stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) 1 regulation.

RESULTS

TR4 transactivation is inhibited via phosphorylation by metformin-induced AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) at the amino acid serine 351, which results in the suppression of SCD1 gene expression. Additional mechanistic dissection finds TR4-transactivated SCD1 promoter activity via direct binding to the TR4-responsive element located at −243 to −255 on the promoter region. The pathophysiological consequences of the metformin→AMPK→TR4→SCD1 pathway are examined via TR4 knockout mice and primary hepatocytes with either knockdown or overexpression of TR4. The results show that the suppression of SCD1 via loss of TR4 resulted in reduced fat mass and increased insulin sensitivity with increased β-oxidation and decreased lipogenic gene expression.

CONCLUSIONS

The pathway from metformin→AMPK→TR4→SCD1→insulin sensitivity suggests that TR4 may function as an important modulator to control lipid metabolism, which sheds light on the use of small molecules to modulate TR4 activity as a new alternative approach to battle the metabolic syndrome.
Fasting-Induced Protein Phosphatase 1 Regulatory Subunit Contributes to Postprandial Blood Glucose Homeostasis via Regulation of Hepatic Glycogenesis
Authors: Luo Xiaolin , Zhang Yongxian , Ruan Xiangbo , Jiang Xiaomeng , Zhu Lu , Wang Xiao , Ding Qiurong , Liu Weizhong , Pan Yi , Wang Zhenzhen , Chen Yan
Published: April 2011

OBJECTIVE

Most animals experience fasting–feeding cycles throughout their lives. It is well known that the liver plays a central role in regulating glycogen metabolism. However, how hepatic glycogenesis is coordinated with the fasting–feeding cycle to control postprandial glucose homeostasis remains largely unknown. This study determines the molecular mechanism underlying the coupling of hepatic glycogenesis with the fasting–feeding cycle.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Through a series of molecular, cellular, and animal studies, we investigated how PPP1R3G, a glycogen-targeting regulatory subunit of protein phosphatase 1 (PP1), is implicated in regulating hepatic glycogenesis and glucose homeostasis in a manner tightly orchestrated with the fasting–feeding cycle.

RESULTS

PPP1R3G in the liver is upregulated during fasting and downregulated after feeding. PPP1R3G associates with glycogen pellet, interacts with the catalytic subunit of PP1, and regulates glycogen synthase (GS) activity. Fasting glucose level is reduced when PPP1R3G is overexpressed in the liver. Hepatic knockdown of PPP1R3G reduces postprandial elevation of GS activity, decreases postprandial accumulation of liver glycogen, and decelerates postprandial clearance of blood glucose. Other glycogen-targeting regulatory subunits of PP1, such as PPP1R3B, PPP1R3C, and PPP1R3D, are downregulated by fasting and increased by feeding in the liver.

CONCLUSIONS

We propose that the opposite expression pattern of PPP1R3G versus other PP1 regulatory subunits comprise an intricate regulatory machinery to control hepatic glycogenesis during the fasting–feeding cycle. Because of its unique expression pattern, PPP1R3G plays a major role to control postprandial glucose homeostasis during the fasting–feeding transition via its regulation on liver glycogenesis.
Prevalence of and Risk Factors for Hepatic Steatosis and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in People With Type 2 Diabetes: the Edinburgh Type 2 Diabetes Study
Authors: Williamson Rachel M. , Price Jackie F. , Glancy Stephen , Perry Elisa , Nee Lisa D. , Hayes Peter C. , Frier Brian M. , Van Look Liesbeth A.F. , Johnston Geoffrey I. , Reynolds Rebecca M. , Strachan Mark W.J. ,   on behalf of the Edinburgh Type 2 Diabetes Study Investigators
Published: April 2011

OBJECTIVE

Type 2 diabetes is an established risk factor for development of hepatic steatosis and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We aimed to determine the prevalence and clinical correlates of these conditions in a large cohort of people with type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A total of 939 participants, aged 61–76 years, from the Edinburgh Type 2 Diabetes Study (ET2DS)—a large, randomly selected population of people with type 2 diabetes—underwent liver ultrasonography. Ultrasound gradings of steatosis were compared with magnetic resonance spectroscopy in a subgroup. NAFLD was defined as hepatic steatosis in the absence of a secondary cause (screened by questionnaire assessing alcohol and hepatotoxic medication use, plasma hepatitis serology, autoantibodies and ferritin, and record linkage to determine prior diagnoses of liver disease). Binary logistic regression was used to analyze independent associations of characteristics with NAFLD.

RESULTS

Hepatic steatosis was present in 56.9% of participants. After excluding those with a secondary cause for steatosis, the prevalence of NAFLD in the study population was 42.6%. Independent predictors of NAFLD were BMI, lesser duration of diabetes, HbA1c, triglycerides, and metformin use. These remained unchanged after exclusion of participants with evidence of hepatic fibrosis from the group with no hepatic steatosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Prevalences of hepatic steatosis and NAFLD were high in this unselected population of older people with type 2 diabetes, but lower than in studies in which ultrasound gradings were not compared with a gold standard. Associations with features of the metabolic syndrome could be used to target screening for this condition.
Fusarium Sporotrichioides Sherb. Toxins Evaluated in Cereal Grain with Trichoderma Harzianum
Authors: Wiśniewska Halina , Basiński Tomasz , Chełkowski Jerzy , Perkowski Juliusz
Published: April 2011

Fusarium SporotrichioidesSherb. Toxins Evaluated in Cereal Grain withTrichoderma Harzianum

Fusariumhead blight is one of the most severe diseases of small grain cereals and is caused by several toxigenicFusariumspecies. Yield losses and mycotoxin accumulation in grain are caused by the disease.F. sporotrichioidesandF. poaeproduce type A trichothecenes. Saprophyte fungal antagonists, especiallyTrichoderma harzianum, are effective biocontrol agents against several fungal soil-borne plant pathogens. These fungal antagonists can reduce the production ofFusariumspp. mycotoxins in some crop plants. The aim of this study was to examine the influence ofT. harzianumAN4 on the production of type A trichothecenes byF. sporotrichioidesin cereals. The accumulation of six trichothecene mycotoxins (scirpentriol,i.e.STO, T-2 tetraol, T-2 triol, HT-2 toxini.e., HT-2, T-2 toxini.e., T-2, diacetoxyscirpenol,i.e., DAS) was reduced on average, by over 89% in bioassays ofF. sporotrichioidesandTrichodermaisolate AN4 on a liquid medium and on solid substrates (seeds of naked and husked oats and wheat). The reduction in our experiments depended on fungal isolate and substrate. From the three isolates ofF. sporotrichioidesused in the experiments, the highest accumulation of all the metabolites after 21 days byF. sporotrichioidesin nearly all substrates, was recorded for strain ZFR 159. On the liquid medium inoculated withF. sporotrichioidesZFR 159, the amount of type A trichothecenes was the lowest (STO, T-2 tetraol, and T-2 triol not detected, HT-2 toxin 0.02 ppm, DAS 0.10 ppm, T-2 toxin 0.99 ppm). The highest total concentration of these toxins was produced by this isolate in husked oat cv. German (180.16 ppm), but in naked oat cv. Akt the toxin concentration was low (27.62 ppm). Trichothecene accumulation byT. harzianumAN4 was reduced the most in oat cv. Akt (98.48%) in the liquid medium (98.22%), while the lowest reduction was in oat cv. German (48.77%). The non-toxigenicT. harzianumAN4 isolate proved to be a useful biocontrol agent against the toxigenicF. sporotrichioidesin cereals, significantly reducing the production of six type A trichothecenes. This is the first report on effective biocontrol ofF. sporotrichioidesin cereals byT. harzianum.
Oil and Powder of Spearmint as an Alternative to Sitophilus Oryzae Chemical Control of Wheat Grains
Authors: Derbalah Aly , Ahmed Sahar
Published: April 2011

Oil and Powder of Spearmint as an Alternative toSitophilus OryzaeChemical Control of Wheat Grains

Stored product pests such asSitophilus Oryzaeare a major concern. Alternative and safe control methods for such pests are needed. Therefore, powder and essential oil of Mentha viridis plant were tested under laboratory conditions for their ability to protect wheat grains against the insectS. oryzae. The insect was reared and tested on whole wheat grains. The emergence and adult mortality of the insectS. oryzaewere tested. The efficacy of these plant products was evaluated and compared with malathion. The standard compound for controllingS. oryzaehas been malathion. The effect of botanical products and malathion on the germination of wheat grains was also evaluated. The chemical components of spearmint oil were also identified using GC-MS analysis. The results showed that, the oil and powder ofM. viridiswere effective againstS. oryzaewith the respect to adults mortality. Also, the oil and powdered products ofM. viridissignificantly reduced the emergence ofS. oryzaecompared to the control treatment. Spearmint oil and powder do not significantly affect wheat grains germination relative to the control treatment. The efficacy of spearmint against the tested insect was due to the presence of a mixture of bioactive compounds. The results suggested that, spearmint oil and powder are promising as alternatives to chemical control used againstS. oryzaein wheat grains. Also, these spearmint products submit a solution of resistance development by insect due to the presence of a lot of bioactive components rather than the single insecticide.
Quality Structure of the Noctuidae Family in Selected Habitats of the Agricultural Landscape
Authors: Jakubowska Magdalena
Published: April 2011

Quality Structure of the Noctuidae Family in Selected Habitats of the Agricultural Landscape

The aim of the study was to compare the Noctuidae moths in three selected farmland environments, using ecological indices. The study was conducted from 2003 to 2006 on fields sown with winter wheat, sugar beets, maize and winter rape plants. The subject of the study was the imago of moth caught by light traps. Light traps (Polish brand) were located at: the Institute of Plant Protection, the Agricultural Research Station in Winna Góra, the Sugar Beet Breeding Research Station in Więcławice and the Institute of Plant Protection in the Poznań research garden. The collected Noctuidae imagines were identified and characterized quantitatively and qualitatively. The Noctuidae imagines were analyzed using Shannon-Weaver's diversity index (H'), Simpson's dominance index (d) and Marczewski-Steinhaus index of similarity (MS %). The results showed a higher similarity between species composition in the agrocenos of Poznań and Więcławice. The smallest diversity of species, reflected in the lowest value of the diversity index and the high value of the dominance index, was observed in the biotic community of Winna Góra which reveals a few Noctuidae, namely:Agrotis segetum(Schiff. et Den.),A. exclamationis(L.),Xestia c-nigrum(L.), andDiscestra trifolii(L.).
Effect of Lupin Cyclitols on Pea Aphid Probing Behaviour
Authors: Kordan Bożena , Lahuta Lesław , Dancewicz Katarzyna , Sądej Wojciech , Gabryś Beata
Published: April 2011

Effect of Lupin Cyclitols on Pea Aphid Probing Behaviour

The cyclitols: D-pinitol, D-chiro-inositol are naturally present in the tissues ofLupinus angustifolius. The effect of these cyclitols on the behaviour of the pea associated clone ofAcyrthosiphon pisumduring various stages of probing was studied. The main stage of probing studied was the stylet penetration in mesphyll and vascular bundle. D-pinitol, D-chiro-inositol and their mixture were exogenously applied to peaPisum sativumexplants and the aphid probing behaviour was evaluated using the Electrical Penetration Graph technique (EPG). Feeding of peas with cyclitols at a concentration of 10 mM, caused a selective accumulation of D-pinitol and D-chiro-inositol in stems, leaf petioles, and leaf blades. In aphid bodies, both cyclitols were traced, respectively, to the host plant treatment. The new cyclitols in pea tissues did not significantly affect the total duration and frequency of aphid activities during probing in peripheral as well as vascular tissues. However, the aphid behaviour on cyclitol-treated plants as compared to their behaviour on the control was slightly altered. Non-probing and probing in mesophyl prevailed among aphid activities during the initial period of stylet penetration. Aphids on D-pinitol+D-chiro-inositol-treated plants reached phloem vessels relatively later than aphids on the control and D-chiro-inositol plants. There were recurrent switches between E1 (salivation) and E2 (sap ingestion) patterns in some aphids during the phloem phase on D-pinitol and D-pinitol+D-chiro-inositol - treated plants. This may reflect difficulties in the uptake of the phloem sap, and point to lupin cyclitols as being responsible, at least in part, for the rejection ofL. angustifoliusas a host plant by the pea clone ofA. pisum.
Biology of Hippodamia Variegata (Goeze) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), on Aphis Fabae Scopoli (Hemiptera: Aphididae)
Authors: Jafari Reza
Published: April 2011

Biology ofHippodamia Variegata(Goeze) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), on AphisFabae Scopoli(Hemiptera: Aphididae)

Hippodamia variegata(Goeze) is a among natural enemy of bean aphid so far identified in the world. In this study, the duration of hatching, larval instars and pupal stages ofH. variegatafeeding on black bean aphid,Aphis fabaeScopoli were investigated under laboratory conditions (25±1°C, 60±5% relative humidity and 16:8 (light:darkness) hours photoperiod. The mean pre-oviposition period ofH. variegatawas 6.20±0.13 days and the oviposition period was 43±0.21 days. The female beetles laid on an average 943.90±53.53 eggs and the hatching % was 82.86±3.12. The average incubation period was 3.35±0.11 days and the duration of total larval period from egg to adult was 16.5±0.13 days. The pre-pupal and pupal periods were 1.40±0.16 and 3.10±0.07 days, respectively. The mean longevity of the male and the female beetles were 50±3.2 and 55.5±3.37 days, respectively.
Warning against warnings: Alerted subjects may perform worse. Misinformation, involvement and warning as determinants of witness testimony
Authors: Szpitalak Malwina , Polczyk Romuald
Published: April 2011

Warning against warnings: Alerted subjects may perform worse. Misinformation, involvement and warning as determinants of witness testimony

The article presents experiments exploring the memory misinformation effect. Subjects heard a recording and afterwards read a description of it, which included, in the misled group, some details inconsistent with the recording; finally thay answered questions about the recording. The aim of the research was to replicate the tainted truth effect, consisting in poor memory functioning of non-misled warned subjects and to check whether a subject's involvement in the issue moderates this effect. Highly involved subjects were more resistant to the misinformation effect than those lowly involved. In the case of highly involved participants, warning was effective in reducing the misinformation effect, but it also caused more errors in the case of non-misled subjects. Thus, warning witnesses about nonexising discrepancies between what they saw/heard and what they were told, might lead to less accurate testimony.
Fusion of Data from Inertial Sensors, Raster Maps and GPS for Estimation of Pedestrian Geographic Location in Urban Terrain
Authors: Baranski Przemyslaw , Polanczyk Maciej , Strumillo Pawel
Published: April 2011

Fusion of Data from Inertial Sensors, Raster Maps and GPS for Estimation of Pedestrian Geographic Location in Urban Terrain

An electronic system and an algorithm for estimating pedestrian geographic location in urban terrain is reported in the paper. Different sources of kinematic and positioning data are acquired (i.e.: accelerometer, gyroscope, GPS receiver, raster maps of terrain) and jointly processed by a Monte-Carlo simulation algorithm based on the particle filtering scheme. These data are processed and fused to estimate the most probable geographical location of the user. A prototype system was designed, built and tested with a view to aiding blind pedestrians. It was shown in the conducted field trials that the method yields superior results to sole GPS readouts. Moreover, the estimated location of the user can be effectively sustained when GPS fixes are not available (e.g. tunnels).
Thermal characterisation of Lake Morskie Oko water in 2007 based on measurements by a gradient thermal probe
Authors: Choiński Adam
Published: April 2011

Thermal characterisation of Lake Morskie Oko water in 2007 based on measurements by a gradient thermal probe

The study was undertaken to illustrate a wide range of application of a gradient thermal probe in thermal characterisation of water reservoirs on the example of Lake Morskie Oko whose water temperature has been measured since 2006. For analysis, the data collected in 2007 were chosen because of the least missing data; in this year only the data from 13 days were not recorded. The data permitted analysis of changes in daily mean temperatures of water at particular depths, with the daily means calculated as arithmetic means from 144 measurements made at every 10 minutes. The daily amplitudes of temperatures at particular depths and mean daily amplitudes for particular months were determined, which permitted an assessment of the scale of the temperature amplitude damping with increasing depth. High frequency of temperature reading permitted detection of short-duration anomalies, taking place e.g. over a time span of 10 minutes, or their vertical extent. It has been established that measurement at 2 a.m. is the optimum for determination of the annual mean temperature. The time moments at which the minimum and maximum temperatures are recorded within a day at the surface were identified. Different variants of temporary jump changes in the surface water temperature within the day were analysed. The dynamics of temperature changes from the surface to the bottom of the lake was discussed.
Application of Phytotoxkit microbiotest for hazard assessment of bottom sediments in the eutrophic dam reservoir
Authors: Trojanowska Adriana
Published: April 2011

Application of Phytotoxkit microbiotest for hazard assessment of bottom sediments in the eutrophic dam reservoir

The aim of this study was to estimate ecotoxicity of the sediments from the shallow, eutrophic dam reservoir - Sulejowski. Research was carried out using Phytotoxkit microbiotests, which measure inhibition of seeds germination and roots growth retardation of the three species of plants (dicotyl Lepidium sativum, Sinapis alba, monocotyl Sorgum saccharatum). Tested plants gave different response to sediment samples, with decreasing sensitivity gradient: L. sativum, S. saccharatum, S. alba. The relationship of phytotoxicity of sediments with its water content was recorded (r = 0.63, p < 0.05). The results obtained showed spatial diversification along the reservoir, with the highest values in its opposite ends of the upper and lower parts (up to 87%), which are separated by a central area with the lowest toxicity (up to 45%). Possible reasons and implications of bottom sediments phytotoxicity are discussed.
Overseas Internet Poker and Problem Gambling in Finland 2007: A Secondary Data Analysis of a Finnish Population Survey
Authors: Halme Jukka T.
Published: April 2011

AIMS

Internet gambling has been associated with Increased risk of problem gambling. In this study different clusters of gambling activities and behavioral measures of gambling were used In analyses, which aimed at Investigating prevalence of problem gambling in Internet poker gamblers and In other gamblers.

DATA AND METHODS

The study consisted of secondary analyses of a Finnish population data set collected in 2007 (telephone survey, reaching 5,008 Finns aged 15 years and over). Bivariate statistics and logistic regression models were used in the analyses.

Results

When only age and sex were added to logistic regressions, overseas Internet poker (IP) gamblers were almost three times more likely to be problem gamblers than other gamblers. However, when also behavioral measures of gambling were added to equations, no difference in problem gambling between IP and other gambling was found. In the slot machine (SM) cluster an opposite phenomena occurred: when behavioral variables were added to analyses, subjects in SM cluster were more likely to be problem gamblers than other gamblers. When IP and SM were compared in the same multivariate analysis, subjects in both of these gambling clusters were more likely to be problem gamblers than other gamblers.

Conclusions

The present study shows the importance of behavioral measures in gambling research. The level of involvement in gambling should be one of the primary interests in studies and interventions.