bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Challenges in clinical and laboratory diagnosis of androgen insensitivity syndrome: a case report
Authors: Melo Caroline OA , Silva Daniela M , da Cruz Aparecido D
Published: September 2011

Introduction

Androgen is a generic term usually applied to describe a group of sex steroid hormones. Androgens are responsible for male sex differentiation during embryogenesis at the sixth or seventh week of gestation, triggering the development of the testes and penis in male fetuses, and are directed by the testicular determining factor: the gene SRY (sex determining region on Y chromosome) located on the short arm of chromosome Y. The differentiation of male external genitalia (penis, scrotum and penile urethra) occurs between the 9th and 13th weeks of pregnancy and requires adequate concentration of testosterone and the conversion of this to another more potent androgen, dihydrotestosterone, through the action of 5α-reductase in target tissues.

Case presentation

This report describes the case of a teenage girl presenting with a male karyotype, and aims to determine the extension of the mutation that affected the AR gene. A Caucasian girl aged 15 was referred to our laboratory for genetic testing due to primary amenorrhea. Physical examination, karyotype testing and molecular analysis of the androgen receptor were critical in making the correct diagnosis of complete androgen insensitivity syndrome.

Conclusions

Sex determination and differentiation depend on a cascade of events that begins with the establishment of chromosomal sex at fertilization and ends with sexual maturation at puberty, subsequently leading to fertility. Mutations affecting the AR gene may cause either complete or partial androgen insensitivity syndrome. The case reported here is consistent with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome, misdiagnosed at birth, and consequently our patient was raised both socially and educationally as a female. It is critical that health care providers understand the importance of properly diagnosing a newborn manifesting ambiguous genitalia. Furthermore, a child with a pseudohermaphrodite phenotype should always undergo adequate endocrine and genetic testing to reach a conclusive diagnosis before gender is assigned and surgical interventions are carried out. Our results show that extreme care must be taken in selecting the genetic tools that are utilized for the diagnosis for androgen insensitivity syndrome.
The Expression and Pathophysiological Role of Osteopontin in Graves' Disease
Authors: Xu Lingyan , Ma Xinran , Wang Yanyan , Li Xiaoli , Qi Yicheng , Cui Bin , Li Xiaoying , Ning Guang , Wang Shu
Published: September 2011

Context:

Graves' disease (GD) is a common autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid gland. Its pathogenesis is tightly involved with aberrant proinflammatory cytokine production. Osteopontin (OPN), an extracellular matrix protein of pleiotropic properties, has recently been recognized as a potent inflammatory cytokine in several autoimmune diseases.

Objective:

This study sought to explore the pathophysiological role of OPN in GD by comparing OPN levels in initial GD patients and healthy controls.

Methods:

Seventy-six patients who met criteria for initial GD and sixty-five healthy controls were recruited. OPN and other clinical GD diagnosis parameters were measured. In addition, the coexpression of several OPN receptors as well as various nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) downstream target genes were examined in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from human subjects. The effect of OPN on NF-κB activation was determined by in vitro assays.

Results:

We demonstrated for the first time that the OPN levels are enhanced in serum from GD patients. OPN levels are strongly associated with clinical serum parameters for GD diagnosis. The coexpression of selective OPN receptors and inflammatory response genes was enhanced in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from GD patients. Furthermore, serum from GD patients activated NF-κB activity in vitro, which was significantly suppressed by OPN monoclonal antibody abrogation.

Conclusion:

These data indicated a clinical correlation between serum OPN levels and GD. OPN could affect GD development through NF-κB activation and the subsequent changes in inflammatory milieu. OPN could serve as a novel biomarker for GD as well as a potential target for GD treatment.
Molecular Basis of Thyroid Dyshormonogenesis: Genetic Screening in Population-Based Japanese Patients
Authors: Narumi Satoshi , Muroya Koji , Asakura Yumi , Aachi Masanori , Hasegawa Tomonobu
Published: September 2011

Context:

Inborn errors of thyroid hormone biosynthesis are collectively referred to as thyroid dyshormonogenesis (DH). Seven genes have been implicated in DH, including the dual oxidase 2 gene (DUOX2), the thyroglobulin gene (TG), and the thyroid peroxidase gene (TPO).

Objective:

We aimed to define the prevalence and phenotypic spectrum of DH with single gene mutations.

Subjects and Methods:

A population-based cohort of 102 patients with permanent congenital hypothyroidism was enrolled. Fourteen were diagnosed as DH and were analyzed for the seven causative genes including DUOX2, TG, and TPO. Several common mutations were screened in the remaining 88 patients. Pathogenicity of single amino acid mutations was verified in vitro.

Results:

We identified four, five, and two patients with seemingly biallelic mutations in DUOX2, TG, and TPO, respectively. We also found two patients having one heterozygous DUOX2 mutation and one uncommon single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) p.H678R (rs57659670, allele frequency 0.035) and another two patients with homozygous p.H678R. Expression experiments and RT-PCR revealed that p.H678R is a functional SNP with theoretical 40% loss of function, supporting a role of p.H678R in the onset of DH. As for clinical phenotypes, patients with inactive DUOX2 alleles (mutations and/or p.H678R) showed characteristic time-dependent improvement of thyroid function and morphology. All three evaluated patients had a negative result in the perchlorate test.

Conclusions:

Mutations (or a functional SNP) in DUOX2, TG, or TPO were observed in 93% (95% confidence interval = 70–99%) of DH patients. Inactive DUOX2 alleles cause a broader phenotypic spectrum than currently accepted.
Effect of yoga on menopausal symptoms
Authors: Joshi Sulabha , Khandwe Rambhau , Bapat Dinesh , Deshmukh Ujwala
Published: September 2011

Objectives.

To observe the effect of yoga on menopausal symptoms using a prospective, randomized, controlled and interventional study.

Main outcome measures.

Total Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) score and three subscale scores (somatovegetative, psychological and urogenital) were measured on day 1 and day 90 in the study group which performed yoga (asana, pranayam and meditation) under supervision for three months, and were compared with the control group that did not perform yoga. MRS has been designed to measure health-related quality of life of ageing women. It consists of 11 symptoms and three subscales.

Results.

It was observed that on day 1 the scores in both the groups were comparable. On day 90, the scores in the yoga group showed a reduction in score on all the subscales, which was statistically significant. No significant difference was noted in the control group.

Conclusion.

Yoga is effective in reducing menopausal symptoms and should be considered as alternative therapy for the management of menopausal symptoms.
Vitamin D and the postmenopausal population
Authors: Holroyd Christopher R , Cooper Cyrus , Harvey Nicholas C
Published: September 2011

Vitamin D, a hormone critical to the body's maintenance of serum calcium and phosphorus concentrations, is currently the subject of much scientific interest. Low levels of vitamin D have been observed in many populations and epidemiological studies have suggested a link between this biochemical state and a range of diseases, such as cancer, diabetes and multiple sclerosis. While the consequence of vitamin D deficiency is well documented for bone (rickets and osteomalacia), with mixed findings relating to falls and fractures, a causal link between vitamin D deficiency and these wider health outcomes has not been established. If these relationships were found to be causal, the morbidity and mortality resulting from low levels of vitamin D could be substantial; the current evidence base, however, most robustly supports the assessment of serum 25(OH)-vitamin D in the context of specific symptoms, low bone mineral density or biochemical abnormalities, rather than as an entity to treat in its own right or as the basis for a population-wide screening programme.
A Coconstructed World: Adolescent Self-Socialization on the Internet
Authors: Anderson Laurel , McCabe Deborah Brown
Published: September 2011

This article examines the ubiquitous Internet as a context for socialization for both younger and older adolescents. This research finds that the Internet adds dimensions to and takes away elements in the socialization process that have not been manifest in the same way in the past. The Internet serves as both an influence agent and an interactive context in which socialization and identity development takes place. The authors find that the lack of the usual adult socialization agents in this context challenges the more traditional view of adolescent socialization and results in a self-socialization process. The authors attempt to understand some of the more subtle practices of self-socializing and identity development that occur during adolescence by describing the interrelated themes that arose from the data, including (1) the online structure and context that supported this self-socialization, (2) adolescents’ goals while online, (3) predominant socialization and identity development activities that they partake in, (4) negotiated norms of this online coconstructed world, (5) multiple identities related to their identity development, and (6) carryover to the offline world. By examining the confluence of these adolescents with the often “hot” context of Internet social space, this article demonstrates how self-socialization and the negotiated norm of deception and lying gives rise to both benefits and potentially risky behaviors.
Characterization and expression patterns of two 70-kDa heat shock protein genes in the intertidal red alga Porphyra yezoensis
Authors: Zhou Xianghong , Wang Ping , Yan Binlun , Li Xinshu , Yi Lefei
Published: September 2011

Thalli of Porphyra yezoensis growing in the intertidal region periodically experience diverse abiotic stresses induced by tidal cycles. To investigate the contribution of 70-kDa heat shock proteins (HSP70s) to abiotic stress tolerance in P. yezoensis thalli, we isolated the cDNAs of two HSP70 genes (designated as PyHSP70-1 and PyHSP70-2) from P. yezoensis by in silico cloning and RT-PCR amplification, and examined their relative mRNA expression levels in P. yezoensis thalli responding to various abiotic stresses using real-time quantitative PCR. The deduced amino acid sequences of the two PyHSP70s lacked signal peptides, but contained signature motifs and conserved domains of the HSP70 family. The two PyHSP70s shared high amino acid sequence similarities with cytosolic HSP70s from other algae and higher plants, and clustered together with all cytosolic HSP70s in the phylogenetic tree, indicating they belong to the cytosolic HSP70 family. Expression of the two PyHSP70 genes was induced by cold shock at 0°C and heat shocks at 20°C and 25°C, and was significantly upregulated in a dose-dependent manner. The expression patterns under heat shock, along with the absence of introns in the coding regions, demonstrate that the two PyHSP70s are inducible HSP70s. Expression of the two PyHSP70 genes was repressed by desiccation stress, suggesting that they do not play a role in tolerance to desiccation stress. The expression patterns in response to salinity stress were different between PyHSP70-1 and PyHSP70-2 genes. The expression of PyHsp70-1 was induced by a salinity of 5; however, the expression of PyHsp70-2 was induced by salinities of 35 and 45. The different expression patterns suggest that they have distinct biological tasks.
Physiological responses of Hizikia fusiformis to copper and cadmium exposure
Authors: Zhu Xifeng , Zou Dinghui , Du Hong
Published: September 2011

The brown macroalga Hizikia fusiformis was cultured in media with different copper (Cu) or cadmium (Cd) concentrations for 7 days; physiological indicators were measured to establish the toxic effects of Cu and Cd on this economically important seaweed. Relative growth rate of H. fusiformis was significantly reduced at Cu concentrations of ≥0.05 mg l-1 or Cd ≥4 mg l-1. Chlorophyll a and carotenoid contents increased at low Cu or Cd concentrations, but significantly decreased at 0.25 and 0.50 mg l-1 Cu. Optimal quantum yield, maximum net photosynthetic rate and apparent photosynthetic efficiency were reduced with increasing Cu or Cd concentrations. Malondialdehyde content and the superoxide dismutase activity increased under Cu or Cd stress. Catalase activity also increased at low Cu or Cd concentrations, but significantly decreased at high concentrations. Nitrate reductase activity significantly increased at 0.05 mg l-1 Cu and 4 mg l-1 Cd, but was inhibited at high Cu or Cd concentrations. Thus, both Cu and Cd were physiological stressors for H. fusiformis, with Cu being more toxic than Cd.
Heterophilic antibody interference in commercial immunoassays; a screening study using paired native and pre-blocked sera
Authors: Bolstad Nils , Warren David J. , Bjerner Johan , Kravdal Gunnhild , Schwettmann Lutz , Olsen Kari H. , Rustad Pål , Nustad Kjell
Published: September 2011

Heterophilic antibodies are still an important source of interference in immunoassays. We have conducted a screening study for interference in a panel of commercially available assays using two sera known to contain high titer Fc-reactive heterophilic antibodies.

The sera were distributed to laboratories participating in the Nordic External Quality Assessment cooperation (EQANord). Duplicate samples pre-blocked with aggregated murine monoclonal MAK33 were also supplied. Discrepancies (>50%) between the results for native and blocked samples were used to classify the tested assays as susceptible to interference. A total of 170 different assay kits covering 91 analytes were tested.

We found that 21 assays, covering 19 different analytes, were susceptible to interference from the heterophilic antibodies in the two sera. Many of these are clinically and commercially important assays. Some of the false results were grossly elevated and could have been detrimental to patient care in a clinical setting.

Heterophilic antibodies with Fc-reactivity remain a threat. A more widespread use of antibody fragments and aggregated immunoglobulin could potentially improve the heterophilic antibody resistance of assays intended for clinical use.
Novel paper sizing agents based on renewables. Part 5: characterization of maleated oleates by ozonolysis
Authors: Lackinger Elisabeth , Sartori Jürgen , Potthast Antje , Rosenau Thomas
Published: September 2011

Maleated high oleic sunflower oil (maleated SOHO, MSOHO) is a promising substitute for alkenyl succinic anhydrides (ASA) that are widely used as sizing agents for paper. The part of the MSOHO molecule that is believed to be responsible for adhesion of the molecule onto cellulose, i.e., the maleated oleic acid moiety, was separately prepared and analytically characterized. Structural analysis was completed by studies of the molecular fragments obtained upon ozonolysis. The interesting question of whether there was a preferential reactivity during the ene-reaction of maleic anhydride with oleates was answered in a way that the newly formed double bond was placed to either side with no apparent selectivity.
Ab initio study of the properties of CuAlSe2: A chalcopyrite compound
Authors: Verma U. P. , Sharma Monika , Jensen Per
Published: September 2011

The ground-state structural, electronic, optical and thermal properties of CuAlSe2 compound in the body centered tetragonal phase have been studied by employing the full potential linearized augmented plane wave plus local orbitals method based on the density functional theory. For the exchange-correlation effects we have adopted the local density approximation (LDA), generalized gradient approximation (GGA) due to Perdew, Burke and Ernzerhof (PBE) and Engel and Vosko (EV). At the equilibrium unit cell volume, ration of the lattice constants, c/a, has been obtained as 1.99 and the unit cell constant a
0 = 5.51Å which are well comparable with the experimental results. The energy band gap obtained using EVGGA (1.92 eV) is in good agreement in comparison to that using LDA (1.09 eV), GGA (PBE) (1.26 eV) and other earlier available data. Upper portion of the valance band is mainly composed of Cu-d and Se-p states and they are highly hybridized. The optical properties such as dielectric function, refraction, reflection, conductivity, absorption and loss of energy of CuAlSe2 are presented. The quasi Harmonic Debye model is applied to study the thermal and vibrational effects for the stable BCT CuAlSe2. Thermal parameters such as Gruneisen parameter, Debye temperature, specific heat etc have been determined as a function of pressure and temperature.
Femtosecond interferometry of molecular dynamics – the role of relative and absolute phase of two individual laser pulses
Authors: Korolkov M. V. , Weitzel Karl-Michael
Published: September 2011

Dynamical implications of the dissociation of a molecular ion under the influence of interferometrically generated light fields have been investigated by numerical solution of time dependent Schrödinger equations. As an example the dissociation of DCl+ ions by means of two interfering 7 fs laser pulses at 800 nm has been chosen. We demonstrate that product branching ratios D+:Cl+ can be manipulated from 10:1 to 1:10 not only by adjusting the appropriate delay time in the time-shifted two-pulse approach, but also by choosing the proper carrier envelope phase (CEP) of the two partial light fields. The effects of the phase shift related to the time shift and that of the CEP can be clearly distinguished.
Can we ever stop imaging in surgically treated and radiotherapy-naive patients with non-functioning pituitary adenoma?
Authors: Reddy Raghava , Cudlip Simon , Byrne James V , Karavitaki Niki , Wass John A H
Published: September 2011

Background

Non-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFAs) are slow-growing tumours with reported re-growth rates following surgical resection alone of up to 50% at 10 years. Currently, the desired length of follow-up surveillance imaging in un-irradiated patients is unclear.

Aim

To clarify the timing of re-growth in patients with NFAs, treated solely by surgery without post-operative pituitary radiotherapy, and also to clarify whether continued imaging is necessary in these patients.

Methods

A case note analysis of all patients who underwent surgery alone for NFA between January 1984 and December 2007 was undertaken. Patients were followed for a minimum of 1 year. Re-growth was diagnosed on the basis of radiological appearances with or without associated manifestations.

Results

One hundred and fifty-five patients (94 males, mean age at diagnosis 57.9 (range 18.3–88) years) were included. Twenty-nine were followed up for more than 10 years. The mean follow-up following surgery was 6.1 years (median 4.3 (range 1–25.8)). Re-growth was documented in 54 (34.8%) cases and 20.4% of these cases showed relapse/re-growth 10 or more years after the initial surgery. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed relapse rates of 23.1, 46.7 and 67.9% at 5, 10 and 15 years respectively. There was a significant increase in the re-growth rates if there was either pituitary tumour remnant observed on the first post-operative scan (P≤0.001) or a younger age at initial surgery (P=0.034).

Conclusion

These results suggest that patients with NFAs need to be closely monitored following surgery, particularly those with post-operative tumour remnants. With 20% of relapse occurring after 10 years, follow-up surveillance needs to be continued beyond this time.
A General Method for Calculating Likelihoods Under the Coalescent Process
Authors: Lohse K , Harrison R J , Barton N H
Published: September 2011

Analysis of genomic data requires an efficient way to calculate likelihoods across very large numbers of loci. We describe a general method for finding the distribution of genealogies: we allow migration between demes, splitting of demes [as in the isolation-with-migration (IM) model], and recombination between linked loci. These processes are described by a set of linear recursions for the generating function of branch lengths. Under the infinite-sites model, the probability of any configuration of mutations can be found by differentiating this generating function. Such calculations are feasible for small numbers of sampled genomes: as an example, we show how the generating function can be derived explicitly for three genes under the two-deme IM model. This derivation is done automatically, using Mathematica. Given data from a large number of unlinked and nonrecombining blocks of sequence, these results can be used to find maximum-likelihood estimates of model parameters by tabulating the probabilities of all relevant mutational configurations and then multiplying across loci. The feasibility of the method is demonstrated by applying it to simulated data and to a data set previously analyzed by Wang and Hey (2010) consisting of 26,141 loci sampled from Drosophila simulans and D. melanogaster. Our results suggest that such likelihood calculations are scalable to genomic data as long as the numbers of sampled individuals and mutations per sequence block are small.
Interfering Waves of Adaptation Promote Spatial Mixing
Authors: Martens Erik A , Hallatschek Oskar
Published: September 2011

A fundamental problem of asexual adaptation is that beneficial substitutions are not efficiently accumulated in large populations: Beneficial mutations often go extinct because they compete with one another in going to fixation. It has been argued that such clonal interference may have led to the evolution of sex and recombination in well-mixed populations. Here, we study clonal interference, and mechanisms of its mitigation, in an evolutionary model of spatially structured populations with uniform selection pressure. Clonal interference is much more prevalent with spatial structure than without, due to the slow wave-like spread of beneficial mutations through space. We find that the adaptation speed of asexuals saturates when the linear habitat size exceeds a characteristic interference length, which becomes shorter with smaller migration and larger mutation rate. The limiting speed is proportional to μ1/2 and μ1/3 in linear and planar habitats, respectively, where the mutational supply μ is the product of mutation rate and local population density. This scaling and the existence of a speed limit should be amenable to experimental tests as they fall far below predicted adaptation speeds for well-mixed populations (that scale as the logarithm of population size). Finally, we show that not only recombination, but also long-range migration is a highly efficient mechanism of relaxing clonal competition in structured populations. Our conservative estimates of the interference length predict prevalent clonal interference in microbial colonies and biofilms, so clonal competition should be a strong driver of both genetic and spatial mixing in those contexts.
Genetic Dissection of Salicylic Acid-Mediated Defense Signaling Networks in Arabidopsis
Authors: Ng Gina , Seabolt Savanna , Zhang Chong , Salimian Sasan , Watkins Timley A , Lu Hua
Published: September 2011

Properly coordinated defense signaling networks are critical for the fitness of plants. One hub of the defense networks is centered on salicylic acid (SA), which plays a key role in activating disease resistance in plants. However, while a number of genes are known to affect SA-mediated defense, relatively little is known about how these gene interact genetically with each other. Here we exploited the unique defense-sensitized Arabidopsis mutant accelerated cell death (acd) 6-1 to dissect functional relationships among key components in the SA hub. We show that while enhanced disease susceptibility (eds) 1-2 and phytoalexin deficient (pad) 4-1 suppressed acd6-1–conferred small size, cell death, and defense phenotypes, a combination of these two mutations did not incur additive suppression. This suggests that EDS1 and PAD4 act in the same signaling pathway. To further evaluate genetic interactions among SA regulators, we constructed 10 pairwise crosses in the acd6-1 background among mutants defective in: SA INDUCTION-DEFICIENT 2 for SA biosynthesis; AGD2-LIKE DEFENSE 1, EDS5, and PAD4 for SA accumulation; and NONEXPRESSOR OF PR GENES 1 for SA signaling. Systematic analysis of the triple mutants based on their suppression of acd6-1–conferred phenotypes revealed complex and interactive genetic relationships among the tested SA genes. Our results suggest a more comprehensive view of the gene networks governing SA function and provide a framework for further interrogation of the important roles of SA and possibly other signaling molecules in regulating plant disease resistance.
Rapid Mapping and Identification of Mutations inCaenorhabditis elegansby Restriction Site-Associated DNA Mapping and Genomic Interval Pull-Down Sequencing
Authors: O’Rourke Sean M , Yochem John , Connolly Amy A , Price Meredith H , Carter Luke , Lowry Joshua B , Turnbull Douglas W , Kamps-Hughes Nick , Stiffler Nicholas , Miller Michael R , Johnson Eric A , Bowerman Bruce
Published: September 2011

Forward genetic screens provide a powerful approach for inferring gene function on the basis of the phenotypes associated with mutated genes. However, determining the causal mutation by traditional mapping and candidate gene sequencing is often the rate-limiting step, especially when analyzing many mutants. We report two genomic approaches for more rapidly determining the identity of the affected genes in Caenorhabditis elegans mutants. First, we report our use of restriction site-associated DNA (RAD) polymorphism markers for rapidly mapping mutations after chemical mutagenesis and mutant isolation. Second, we describe our use of genomic interval pull-down sequencing (GIPS) to selectively capture and sequence megabase-sized portions of a mutant genome. Together, these two methods provide a rapid and cost-effective approach for positional cloning of C. elegans mutant loci, and are also applicable to other genetic model systems.
Attitudes of medical students towards communication skills studies
Authors: Tóth Ildikó , Bán Ildikó , Füzesi Zsuzsanna , Kesztyüs Márk , Nagy Lajos
Published: September 2011

In their institute authors teach medical communication skills in three languages (Hungarian, English and German) for medical students in the first year of their studies. In order to improve teaching methods, authors wanted to explore the attitudes of students towards the communication skills learning. For this purpose authors applied the Communication Skills Attitudes Scale created by Rees et al., which is an internationally accepted and well adaptable instrument. Aims: In this survey authors wanted to validate the Hungarian and German version of the Communication Skills Attitudes Scale. In addition, their aim was to analyze possible differences between the attitudes of each of the three medical teaching programs. Methods: Questionnaires were filled anonymously at the beginning of the practices. Principal component analysis with varimax rotation was performed to evaluate the attitudes using the SPSS 10.5 version for analysis. Results: Authors created a model consisting of 7 factors. Factors were the following: 1: respect and interpersonal skills; 2: learning; 3: importance of communication within medical profession; 4: excuse; 5: counter; 6: exam; 7: overconfidence. It was found that students had mainly positive attitudes. Except the learning factor, all other factors showed significant differences between the three medical teaching programs. Conclusions: although students had mainly positive attitudes toward learning communication skills, there were negative attitudes which can be partly modified by improving the teaching methods. However, results may create a proper base for further research to help improving communication skills teaching methods of the authors. Orv. Hetil., 2011, 152, 1535–1543.
Uso de indicadores da qualidade para avaliação de prestadores de serviços públicos de odontologia: um estudo de caso
Authors: Soller Schelle Aldrei de Lima da , Regis Filho Gilsée Ivan
Published: September 2011

Qualidade é um tema muito discutido, tendo em conta a grande concorrência, a necessidade de conter custos e a maior exigência dos clientes. Exigência esta que se estende a todos os tipos de serviços, inclusive os serviços de saúde. No entanto, não basta apenas dizer que se presta um atendimento de qualidade; é preciso avaliá-la e esta avaliação pode ser realizada pelo uso dos Indicadores da Qualidade, que em saúde são categorizados em três grupos: Estrutura, Processo e Resultado. Desta forma, este trabalho se propôs avaliar um serviço público de odontologia com a utilização de um Indicador da Qualidade de cada categoria. Sendo "horas de treinamento ou cursos fornecidos pela instituição/cirurgião-dentista/ano" o Indicador de Estrutura selecionado, "cuidados com biossegurança" o de Processo e "satisfação do prestador" o de Resultado. Conclui-se que os indicadores aplicados são excelentes instrumentos de avaliação e fonte de dados para planejamento de um serviço de odontologia.
Jovem empreendedor no Brasil: a busca do espaço da realização ou a fuga da exclusão?
Authors: Bulgacov Yára Lúcia M. , Cunha Sieglinde Kindl da , Camargo Denise de , Meza Maria Lucia , Bulgacov Sergio
Published: September 2011

Este artigo focaliza a trajetória do jovem brasileiro (18-24 anos) no empreendedorismo no período de 2001-08. Com base em dados da Pesquisa GEM, analisa-se a participação do jovem empreendedor da América Latina e do Bris (Brasil, Rússia, Índia e África do Sul). Priorizam-se as atividades empreendedoras iniciais do jovem, sua motivação (empreender por necessidade ou oportunidade), características de renda, escolaridade, tipo de atividade e políticas públicas. Associando métodos quantitativos e qualitativos, descreve-se o perfil da atividade empreendedora do jovem brasileiro contextualizando-a a partir de fontes secundárias como o IBGE, BID, PNAD, OIT e OMS. Observou-se que no Brasil a maior parte dos jovens são autoempregadores, empregam poucas pessoas em seus negócios e com pouca estrutura para enfrentamento de riscos. Baixo índice de escolaridade, entre outros fatores, encaminham o negócio no sentido de uma probabilidade maior de fracasso. Empreendimentos que sobrevivem não resultam em impactos econômicos, mantendo de forma precária a sobrevivência de um grande número de jovens, excluídos do mercado de trabalho formal. Por outro lado, os jovens que empreendem por oportunidade são um grupo relativamente pequeno. Eles identificam oportunidades e têm melhores habilidades para sustentá-las. Por fim, destaca-se que o apoio e a sustentabilidade do jovem empreendedor dependem do contexto geral e de políticas educacionais.
Estresse ocupacional na administração pública Brasileira: quais os fatores impactantes?
Authors: Balassiano Moises , Tavares Elaine , Pimenta Roberto da Costa
Published: September 2011

Neste artigo é examinado o estresse ocupacional no ambiente organizacional da administração pública brasileira. Na recensão teórica, são indicados os principais estressores organizacionais apontados na literatura especializada e identificados efeitos destes estressores sobre a saúde e o desempenho do indivíduo. A pesquisa empírica utilizou dados de uma investigação realizada com base em uma amostra de 242 servidores públicos federais. Na identificação dos estressores e dos sintomas de estresse, bem como a forma como eles se relacionam, foi utilizado um modelo de equações estruturais (SEM). Com base nesse modelo, foram identificados três tipos de estressores ambientais: emoção, social e mobilidade, na forma percebida pelos servidores. Foram também identificados dois tipos de estresse: o psicológico e o fisiológico. Os resultados revelam que apenas o fator emocional presente no ambiente de trabalho nas organizações públicas influencia o estresse ocupacional psicológico, entre os fatores estudados. Espera-se que os resultados possam contribuir para orientar gestores públicos a criar um ambiente propício ao trabalho, com melhor qualidade de vida, gerando condições favorecedoras a altos padrões de produtividade na administração pública brasileira.
Gestão de capital de giro: contribuição para as micro e pequenas empresas no Brasil
Authors: Zouain Deborah Moraes , Ferreira Calebe da Costa , Macedo Marcelo Álvaro da Silva , Sant'anna Paulo Roberto de , Longo Orlando Celso , Barone Francisco Marcelo
Published: September 2011

Este artigo trata da importância das questões de capital de giro na gestão das micro e pequenas empresas (MPE) no Brasil. Apresenta-se uma revisão dos conceitos de capital de giro e da importância das MPE no Brasil, além de uma discussão sobre a relevância de uma gestão financeira de curto prazo eficiente para o sucesso de um empreendimento de pequeno porte. Com características bem definidas, as micro e pequenas empresas são responsáveis pela geração da maior parte dos empregos formais no Brasil; apesar disso, ainda não contam com uma estrutura formal de apoio de crédito. O trabalho aponta como fator relevante para o sucesso das micro e pequenas empresas ter um bom gerenciamento do capital de giro. O mau gerenciamento desse fator contribui para o alto índice de mortalidade dessas empresas. Para que o administrador de capital de giro tenha êxito, é importante que haja um forte entrelaçamento com a administração estratégica, para uma solução definitiva do problema, isto é, que consista numa recuperação de lucratividade da empresa e as consequentes recomposições de seu fluxo de caixa, fazendo com que as micro e pequenas empresas consigam chegar à fase de maturidade.
In vitro activity of the clinical pulmonary surfactant Surfacen® against Leishmania amazonensis
Authors: Blanco Odalys , Lugones Yuliannis , Díaz Elaine , Monzote Lianet
Published: September 2011

Surfacen® is an exogenous natural lung surfactant, composed by phospholipids and hydrophobic proteins, which is applied successfully in Newborn Respiratory Distress Syndrome. In this paper, in vitro activity of Surfacen® against Leishmania amazonensis is described. The product showed activity against the amastigote form found in peritoneal macrophages from BALB/c mice, with an IC50 value of 17.9 ± 3.0 µg/mL; while no toxic effect on host cell was observed up to 200 µg/mL. This is the first report about the antileishmanial activity of Surfacen®.
Erosão hídrica associada a algumas variáveis hidrológicas em pomar de maçã submetido a diferentes manejos do solo
Authors: Gobbi Ederson , Bertol Ildegardis , Barbosa Fabrício Tondello , Werner Romeu de Souza , Ramos Roger Robert , Paz-Ferreiro Jorge , Gebler Luciano
Published: September 2011

O manejo do solo em cultivos perenes, como pomares, influencia a erosão hídrica. O presente estudo avaliou as perdas de solo e água sob chuva simulada em um Latossolo, em pomar de maçã, entre os meses de agosto de 2007 e abril de 2008, na estação experimental de fruticultura de clima temperado da Embrapa Uva e Vinho, em Vacaria (RS). O trabalho foi conduzido em parcelas experimentais de 3,5 x 11 m, sob chuvas com 1 h de duração e intensidade constante ao longo delas, com variação de 70 a 88 mm h-1 entre uma chuva e outra. Os sistemas de manejo estudados foram: 1) capina manual sob a copa das plantas e solo coberto com gramíneas e leguminosas no restante da área (ST); 2) aveia não dessecada, em que as sementes foram incorporadas ao solo, com capina manual em toda a área, dois meses antes do início dos testes de chuva (AN); 3) aveia dessecada quimicamente sete dias antes do início dos testes de chuva, em que as sementes foram incorporadas ao solo com enxada rotativa em toda a área, dois meses antes do início dos testes (AD); e 4) solo sem cobertura, em que a vegetação, após ter sido dessecada, foi removida da superfície do solo em toda a área com capina manual, um dia antes de iniciar os testes de chuva (SC). A forma de manejo da superfície do solo e o número de chuvas influenciaram a erosão hídrica; as perdas de solo variaram amplamente, enquanto as perdas de água apresentaram menor variação. Apesar da mobilização do solo para implantação de aveia, os tratamentos AN e AD com esse cultivo mostraram a mesma eficácia de controle da erosão em relação ao tratamento ST, em que o solo foi mobilizado apenas sob a copa das plantas. A eliminação da cobertura do solo no tratamento SC aumentou expressivamente as perdas de solo em relação aos tratamentos com cobertura; no que se refere às perdas de água, a diferença foi menor. O tempo de ocorrência do escoamento superficial influenciou a perda de solo; observou-se aumento dessa variável com o aumento do tempo de enxurrada até certo momento, a partir do qual diminuiu, independentemente do tratamento; a perda de água aumentou até certo momento e estabilizou. Houve relação inversa entre razão de perda de solo e razão de perda de água, independentemente do tipo de cobertura do solo e do sistema de manejo sob as macieiras. O modelo exponencial ajustou-se a essa relação.
Nova abordagem sobre o modelo Brasileiro de serviços ambientais
Authors: Rodrigues Dulce Buchala Bicca , Sobrinho Teodorico Alves , Oliveira Paulo Tarso Sanches de , Panachuki Elói
Published: September 2011

O programa brasileiro de serviços ambientais, denominado "Produtor de Água", apoia-se em incentivos financeiros proporcionais à redução da erosão advinda da implantação voluntária de projetos de conservação do solo por parte de produtores rurais. No entanto, esse programa não constitui restrições preestabelecidas de elegibilidade de áreas de aplicação ou de propostas de conservação. Assim, no sentido de contribuir para a evolução metodológica desse programa, propõe-se uma nova abordagem deste, analisando-se, essencialmente, duas adaptações: introdução de critério de elegibilidade; e utilização da aptidão agrícola para indicação de propostas de uso intensivo e conservação do solo. Para isso, tomou-se por base uma bacia hidrográfica rural próxima ao Pantanal brasileiro, em Terenos, MS. O novo critério de elegibilidade foi baseado no Risco Natural de Erosão (razão entre o potencial natural de erosão e a tolerância à perda de solo). As propostas de ocupação do solo, por sua vez, foram definidas a partir de mapa de aptidão agrícola predefinido. O estudo revela que o novo critério de elegibilidade foi capaz de contemplar somente cerca de 40 % da área de estudo. A aplicação da classificação de aptidão agrícola nessa parcela reduziu drasticamente as alternativas de uso intensivo do solo, direcionando-as, em grande parte, para a atividade pecuária. A análise das duas propostas de inovação do programa "Produtor de Água" permite inferir quanto à potencialidade delas na formação de estratégias de aplicação do programa, além de promover uso mais eficiente dos recursos financeiros destinados ao pagamento por serviços ambientais no contexto brasileiro.
Características químicas do solo sob algodoeiro em área que recebeu água residuária da suinocultura
Authors: Medeiros Salomão de Sousa , Gheyi Hans Raj , Pérez-Marin Aldrin Martin , Soares Frederico Antonio Loureiro , Fernandes Pedro Dantas
Published: September 2011

A crescente geração de efluentes líquidos e o seu lançamento no meio ambiente tem-se constituído numa preocupação mundial devido aos impactos negativos gerados. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os possíveis impactos da aplicação do efluente proveniente da suinocultura, após seu tratamento, nos atributos químicos do solo, em área cultivada com algodão. O experimento foi realizado no Perímetro Irrigado Formoso, no município de Bom Jesus da Lapa, BA, em área experimental da Companhia de Desenvolvimento dos Vales do São Francisco e do Parnaíba - CODEVASF. Foram testados cinco tratamentos: MC - manejo convencional = água de "boa qualidade" + adubação química; ET100 = 100 % de efluente tratado; ET75:25 = 75 % de efluente tratado + 25 % de água boa; ET50:50 = 50 % de efluente tratado + 50 % de água boa; ET25:75 = 25 % de efluente tratado + 75 % de água boa. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso com quatro repetições. Os atributos químicos do solo avaliados foram: pH, condutividade elétrica, teores de N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Zn, Fe, Mn e Cu. Em geral, quanto aos atributos químicos do solo, a adoção do manejo com efluente tratado apresentou resultados semelhantes aos obtidos com o MC, favorecendo a melhoria da fertilidade do solo e constituindo-se em uma fonte alternativa de fertilização de baixo custo. O efluente tratado, independentemente do fator de diluição, também demonstrou ser uma fonte alternativa de água.
Modelos empíricos para estimar o acúmulo de matéria seca de capim-marandu com variáveis agrometeorológicas
Authors: Cruz Pedro Gomes da , Santos Patricia Menezes , Pezzopane José Ricardo Macedo , Oliveira Patrícia Perondi Anchão , Araujo Leandro Coelho de
Published: September 2011

O objetivo deste estudo foi testar modelos empíricos de regressão linear, para a predição do acúmulo de matéria seca (TAMS) de Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu, em função de variáveis agrometeorológicas. Para gerar os modelos, foi utilizada a taxa média de acúmulo de matéria seca, em condições de sequeiro, entre 1998 e 2002. As variáveis avaliadas foram: temperaturas mínima, máxima e média, radiação global (Rg), graus-dia, evapotranspiração real (ETR) e potencial (ETP) obtidas a partir do balanço hídrico, unidades fototérmicas (UF) e índice climático de crescimento (ICC). As regressões univariada e multivariada mostraram boa capacidade de predição, com exceção para as que utilizam a UF. Os melhores resultados foram para a regressão multivariada, com Tmín, Rg e ETR: R², 0,84; raiz do quadrado médio do resíduo (RQMR), 14,72; e critério de informação de Akaike (CIA), 222,5. Na regressão linear univariada, destacaram-se as variáveis: graus-dia corrigido (R², 0,75; RQMR,17,84; e CIA, 242,6), temperatura mínima corrigida (R², 0,75; RQMR, 17,82; CIA, 244,1), e ICC (R², 0,74; RQMR, 17,85; CIA, 236,9). A correção das variáveis agrometeorológicas pela relação entre evapotranspiração real e potencial (ETR/ETP), em geral, melhora a predição da TAMS pelos modelos.
Desenvolvimento e reprodução da mosca-do-mediterrâneo em caquizeiro, macieira, pessegueiro e videira
Authors: Zanardi Odimar Zanuzo , Nava Dori Edson , Botton Marcos , Grützmacher Anderson Dionei , Machota Jr Ruben , Bisognin Maicon
Published: September 2011

O objetivo deste trabalho foi descrever o desenvolvimento e reprodução de Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae) em frutos de caqui 'Fuyu', maçã 'Gala', pêssego 'Maciel' e uva 'Itália'. Foram feitas avaliações quanto a: duração e viabilidade do ovo, duração do estágio larval, peso de pupa, duração e viabilidade da pupa, duração do período ovo-adulto, razão sexual, período de pré-oviposição e oviposição, fecundidade diária e total e longevidade de machos e fêmeas. A maior duração do período ovo-adulto ocorreu em maçã, em consequência do aumento do estágio larval, seguido por uva, caqui e pêssego. Larvas que se alimentaram de pêssego apresentaram maior peso médio de pupa. A maior viabilidade pupal foi registrada em pêssego, equivalente à de uva e caqui. O período de pré-oviposição foi maior para fêmeas provenientes de maçã e uva. Fêmeas provenientes de pêssego apresentaram período de oviposição mais longo, além de maior fecundidade média diária e fecundidade total. A longevidade de adultos foi superior em insetos criados em pêssego. Frutos de pessegueiro são mais adequados para o desenvolvimento de C. capitata, em comparação aos de caqui, maçã e uva.
Atributos fisiológicos, físico-químicos e minerais associados à ocorrência de "bitter pit" em maçãs
Authors: Miqueloto Aquidauana , Amarante Cassandro Vidal Talamini do , Steffens Cristiano André , Santos Aline dos , Miqueloto Tiago , Silveira João Paulo Generoso
Published: September 2011

O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar os atributos fisiológicos, físico-químicos e minerais associados à ocorrência pós-colheita de "bitter pit" em maçãs 'Fuji' e 'Catarina'. Os frutos foram colhidos, armazenados por 120 dias a 1ºC, com 90–95% de umidade relativa e, em seguida, divididos em lotes com ou sem sintoma de "bitter pit". Maçãs 'Catarina' apresentaram maior incidência e severidade de "bitter pit", em comparação a 'Fuji'. Em ambas as cultivares, os frutos com "bitter pit" apresentaram maior produção de etileno, respiração e acidez titulável, e menor pH, firmeza de polpa, textura da casca e da polpa e percentagem de cor vermelha na casca. Os frutos com "bitter pit" também apresentaram menores teores de Ca e maiores valores das relações K/Ca, N/Ca, (K+Mg)/Ca e (K+Mg+N)/Ca nos tecidos da casca e da polpa da região pistilar. A análise canônica discriminante indica que os atributos mais adequados para discriminar frutos com e sem "bitter pit" são força para penetração na polpa e relação K/Ca na polpa, em maçãs 'Fuji', e acidez titulável e relação K/Ca na casca, em maçãs 'Catarina'.
Sooty blotch and flyspeck control with fungicide applications based on calendar, local IPM, and warning system
Authors: Spolti Piérri , Valdebenito-Sanhueza Rosa Maria , Gleason Mark Lawrence , Del Ponte Emerson Medeiros
Published: September 2011

The objective of this work was to compare fungicide application timing for the control of sooty blotch and flyspeck (SBFS) of 'Fuji' apples in Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. The following treatments were evaluated in two growing seasons: two warning system-based (modified version of the Brown-Sutton-Hartmann system) spray of captan plus thiophanate methyl, with or without summer pruning; two calendar/rain-based spray of captan or a mixture of captan plus thiophanate methyl; fungicide spray timing based on a local integrated pest management (IPM) for the control of summer diseases; and a check without spraying. Sooty blotch and flyspeck incidence over time and their severity at harvest were evaluated. The highest number of spray was required by calendar/rain-based treatments (eight and seven sprays in the sequential years). The warning system recommended five and three sprays, in the sequential years, which led to the highest SBFS control efficacy expressed by the reduced initial inoculum and disease progress rate. Summer pruning enhanced SBFS control efficacy, especially by suppressing SBFS signs which tended to be restrained to the peduncle region of the fruit. Sooty blotch and flyspeck can be managed both with calendar and the grower-based IPM practices in Brazil, but a reduced number of sprays is required when the warning system is used.
Genomic behavior of hybrid combinations between elephant grass and pearl millet
Authors: Leão Fernando Ferreira , Davide Lisete Chamma , Campos José Marcello Salabert de , Pereira Antonio Vander , Bustamante Fernanda de Oliveira
Published: September 2011

The objective of this work was to evaluate the genomic behavior of hybrid combinations between elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) and pearl millet (P. glaucum). Tetraploid (AAA'B) and pentaploid (AA'A'BB) chromosome races resulting from the backcross of the hexaploid hybrid to its parents elephant grass (A'A'BB) and pearl millet (AA) were analyzed as to chromosome number and DNA content. Genotypes of elephant grass, millet, and triploid and hexaploid induced hybrids were compared. Pentaploid and tetraploid genomic combinations showed high level of mixoploidy, in discordance with the expected somatic chromosome set. The pentaploid chromosome number ranged from 20 to 34, and the tetraploid chromosome number from 16 to 28. Chromosome number variation was higher in pentaploid genomic combinations than in tetraploid, and mixoploidy was observed among hexaploids. Genomic combinations 4x and 5x are mixoploid, and the variation of chromosome number within chromosomal race 5x is greater than in 4x.