bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Disease Cycle Approach to Plant Disease Prediction
Authors: De Wolf Erick D. , Isard Scott A.
Published: June 2007

Plant disease cycles represent pathogen biology as a series of interconnected stages of development including dormancy, reproduction, dispersal, and pathogenesis. The progression through these stages is determined by a continuous sequence of interactions among host, pathogen, and environment. The stages of the disease cycle form the basis of many plant disease prediction models. The relationship of temperature and moisture to disease development and pathogen reproduction serve as the basis for most contemporary plant disease prediction systems. Pathogen dormancy and inoculum dispersal are considered less frequently. We found extensive research efforts evaluating the performance of prediction models as part of operation disease management systems. These efforts appear to be greater than just a few decades ago, and include novel applications of Bayesian decision theory. Advances in information technology have stimulated innovations in model application. This trend must accelerate to provide the disease management strategies needed to maintain global food supplies.
Control Theories in Sociology
Authors: Robinson Dawn T.
Published: June 2007

Sociologists use negative feedback loop systems to explain identity processes, interpersonal behavior, crowd behavior, organizational behavior, social relationships, and the behavior of political systems. Control system models help us to understand how actors enact social roles with enough stability to preserve institutional arrangements, while still demonstrating remarkable creativity in unusual circumstances. These theories take us away from an oversocialized view of the actor, without relegating us to exclusive reliance on grounded theory. They provide a foundation for several generative theories of adaptive, goal-seeking behavior on the part of social actors and institutions. This chapter begins by tracing the history of control theorizing in sociology, then describes several contemporary theories that rely on control imagery, reviews the empirical support for these theories, describes some of their significant points of overlap and departure, and examines some of the key tested and untested implications of a control system approach in sociology.
Immigration and Religion
Authors: Cadge Wendy , Howard Ecklund Elaine
Published: June 2007

This review synthesizes research about religion in the lives of post-1965 immigrants to the United States. Such research consists primarily of case studies, published since 1990, focused on individual religious organizations started and attended by immigrants. We analyze these case studies to demonstrate the different ways religion influences immigrants’ adaptation in the United States. We then consider how religion informs immigrants’ ethnic and gender-based identities, their experiences of civic and political life, and the lives of the second generation. We argue that current research is more descriptive than analytic overall, and we highlight a series of research questions and comparisons to enrich theoretical thinking. In particular, we advocate a comparative approach to examining immigrants’ religious organizations and increased attention to a “lived religion” perspective, which takes seriously the ways religion is important for immigrants outside of religious organizations in social institutions, including civic organizations, families, workplaces, schools, and health-care organizations.
Military Service in the Life Course
Authors: MacLean Alair , Elder Glen H.
Published: June 2007

We review research published in the past 15 years that explores the relationship between military service and the life course, focusing on criminal careers, marital status, lifelong health, and socioeconomic attainment. Throughout the review, we note the extent to which studies find that veterans experienced different outcomes in different historical periods, ranging from World War II to the more recent voluntary armed forces. The effects of military service depend on whether health, criminal, socioeconomic, or marital outcomes are considered. They also depend on the timing and era of service, and veterans’ family background and individual characteristics such as race and delinquency. Nevertheless, the evidence to date suggests one general conclusion: Veterans exposed to combat have suffered worse outcomes than noncombat veterans and than nonveterans. We conclude with suggestions for future research including a tighter integration of the research questions and strategies that have been employed to examine the different outcomes.
The Making of the Black Family: Race and Class in Qualitative Studies in the Twentieth Century
Authors: Furstenberg Frank F.
Published: June 2007

This article reviews the history of qualitative research on the black family during the twentieth century. Most qualitative studies on black family life focused on social class differences among blacks and between blacks and whites until the mid-1960s. In the final third of the last century, attention largely turned to the study of low-income black families, a fact I attribute in part to the publication of the Moynihan report.
Inequality: Causes and Consequences
Authors: Neckerman Kathryn M. , Torche Florencia
Published: June 2007

The increase in economic disparities over the past 30 years has prompted extensive research on the causes and consequences of inequality both in the United States and, more recently, globally. This review provides an update of research on the patterns and causes of economic inequality in the United States, including inequality of earnings, wealth, and opportunity. We also explore the social and political consequences of inequality, particularly in the areas of health, education, crime, social capital, and political power. Finally, we spotlight an emerging literature on world inequality, which examines inequality trends within as well as across nations. Sociologists can advance research on inequality by bringing discipline-based expertise to bear on the organization and political economy of firms and labor markets, the pathways through which inequality has an effect, and the social, political, and cultural contingencies that might modify this effect.
Workforce Diversity and Inequality: Power, Status, and Numbers
Authors: DiTomaso Nancy , Post Corinne , Parks-Yancy Rochelle
Published: June 2007

Workforce diversity refers to the composition of work units in terms of the cultural or demographic characteristics that are salient and symbolically meaningful in the relationships among group members. Although generally thought of as the purview of management research, the topic of workforce diversity draws from and is relevant to research from sociology and psychology. In this review, we highlight two issues: (a) the importance of the substantial research on inequality to an adequate understanding of workforce diversity and (b) the need to link discussions of workforce diversity to the structural relationships among groups within the society. We organize the review in terms of three dimensions of the relationships among groups: power, status, and numbers (or composition). We highlight research from sociology, psychology, and management and show similarities and gaps across these fields. We also briefly discuss the outcomes of workforce diversity in the workplace.
Diabetic Cardiomyopathy Revisited
Authors: Boudina Sihem , Abel E. Dale
Published: June 2007

Diabetes mellitus increases the risk of heart failure independently of underlying coronary artery disease, and many believe that diabetes leads to cardiomyopathy. The underlying pathogenesis is partially understood. Several factors may contribute to the development of cardiac dysfunction in the absence of coronary artery disease in diabetes mellitus. This review discusses the latest findings in diabetic humans and in animal models and reviews emerging new mechanisms that may be involved in the development and progression of cardiac dysfunction in diabetes.
State Repression and the Tyrannical Peace
Authors: Davenport Christian
Published: June 2007

Existing literature on state repression generally ignores the diversity that exists within autocracies. At present, different political systems are collapsed together, leaving unique approaches to political order unexamined. This limitation is important for policymakers, activists, and everyday citizens around the world seeking new ways to reduce government coercion. Within this study, the author explores an alternative path to decreasing repression — a `tyrannical peace'. Examining 137 countries from 1976 to 1996, he finds that single-party regimes are generally less repressive than other autocracies. Results also show that military governments decrease civil liberties restriction and the end of the Cold War has varied influences on repression, depending upon the form considered and whether this variable is interacted with another. There are thus alternative routes to peace, but these routes are not equally robust. The implications of this analysis are threefold. First, those interested in understanding why states restrict civil liberties and violate human rights must disaggregate their conceptions of system type and repression. Second, policymakers must adjust their approach to reducing state repression according to the type of authoritarian government they are confronted with. Third, advocates for human rights must accept that, in lieu of full democratization, alternatives exist.
Yaw motion control via active differentials
Authors: Hancock M.J. , Williams R.A. , Fina E. , Best M.C.
Published: June 2007

The majority of vehicle dynamics control systems currently in production utilize some form of brake or throttle intervention to generate a yaw moment and control wheel slip. Such control systems can be both intrusive and inefficient. The use of active driveline technology is therefore an attractive alternative and recent advances in controlled differential technology have served to make it a potentially viable one. Using simulation results, this paper will demonstrate the power of these devices to influence vehicle dynamics by first proposing a suitable control strategy. This is then used to illustrate how, with perfect actuation, a vehicle's handling characteristics may be modified. The actuator limitations imposed by the two main classes of contemporary controlled differentials are then discussed and imposed on the simulation model. Using the ideal results as a benchmark, the relative merits of each type are then assessed.
A review of yaw rate and sideslip controllers for passenger vehicles
Authors: Manning W.J. , Crolla D.A.
Published: June 2007

The development of chassis control schemes has been a major area of study for automotive control engineers over the past 30 years. The volume of published literature is large, exceeding 1000 papers. Of this literature, there are 250 examining yaw and sideslip control. Here is a comprehensive review of this field of study to identify the current state of the art and research in yaw rate and sideslip control. The survey shows that there is still a significant research effort needed to address the subjective performance of handling systems, and more research is needed to develop schemes that integrate systems to achieve high-level performance objectives.
(±) Ketamine-induced prepulse inhibition deficits of an acoustic startle response in rats are not reversed by antipsychotics
Authors: Cilia Jackie , Hatcher Paula , Reavill Charlie , Jones Declan N. C.
Published: June 2007

Prepulse inhibition (PPI) is the reduction in the startle response caused by a low intensity non-startling stimulus (the prepulse) which is presented shortly before the startle stimulus and is an operational measure of sensorimotor gating. PPI is impaired in psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia. Ketamine, a non-competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist has been shown to induce schizophrenia-Like behavioural changes in humans and PPI deficits in rats, which can be reversed by antipsychotics. Thus, ketamine-induced PPI deficits in rats may provide a translational model of schizophrenia. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of antipsychotic drugs and drugs known to alter the glutamate system upon ketamine-induced PPI deficits in rats. Rats were habituated to the PPI procedure [randomized trials of either pulse alone (110 dB/50 ms) or prepulse + pulse (80 dB/10 ms)]. Animals were assigned to pre-treatments based on the level of PPI on the last habituation test and balanced across startle chambers. Ketamine (1—10 mg/kg s.c; 15 min ptt) increased startle ampLitude and induced PPI deficits at 6 and 10 mg/kg. PPI deficits induced by ketamine at 6 mg/kg were not attenuated by clozapine (2.5—10 mg/kg s.c.; 60 min ptt), risperidone (0.1—1 mg/kg i.p.; 60 min ptt), haloperidoL (0.1—1 mg/kg i.p.; 60 min ptt), lamotrigine (3—30 mg/kg p.o.; 60 min ptt), or SB-271046-A (5—20 mg/kg p.o.; 2 hour ptt) nor potentiated by 2-methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)-pyridine (3—10 mg/kg i.p.; 30 min ptt). These results suggest that under these test conditions ketamine-induced PPI deficits in rats is relatively insensitive and does not represent a translational model for drug discovery in schizophrenia.
Pharmacological models in healthy volunteers: their use in the clinical development of psychotropic drugs
Authors: Gilles Christian , Luthringer Remy
Published: June 2007

Animal models of diseases are widely used in the preclinical phase of drug development. They have a place in early human clinical psychopharmacology as well, in order to get early clues that contribute to establish the proof of concept (POC) already in healthy volunteers (HV). Different types of models are available (pharmacological or non-pharmacological provocation, models based on age-related characteristics). This review is focused on pharmacological models in HV, with the aim to identify the main issues raised by their use in pharmaceutical trials. The available models unevenly fulfil the requirements of face validity, sufficient response rate, test-retest consistence and responsiveness to reference drugs. Most of them have been developed in the purpose of pathophysiology studies, using rating instruments validated for clinical practice. Substantial progress could be made by adapting models to the specific requirements of pharmaceutical trials, including wider use of biomarkers. Characteristics that make models, as well as biomarkers, suitabLe for use in drug development are proposed. Despite obvious limitations, human models can significantly enhance the way phase I studies contribute to establish the POC, provided they are integrated into adapted phase I development plans. Their use as industrial tools for drug evaluation requires specific, dedicated development.
Ketamine effects on CNS responses assessed with MEG/EEG in a passive auditory sensory-gating paradigm: an attempt for modelling some symptoms of psychosis in man
Authors: Boeijinga Peter H. , Soufflet L. , Santoro F. , Luthringer R.
Published: June 2007

Disturbances in integrative function have been consistentLy described in psychotic disorder; for instance, prepulse inhibition of the startLe reflex (startle-PPI) which is a marker of sensory gating, is deficient in persons with schizophrenia. The N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist ketamine produces in control subjects a spectrum of neurobehaviouraL symptoms like encountered in schizophrenia, and disrupts startle-PPI in animals. In the present study, we investigated in 12 healthy subjects whether ketamine would reduce sensory-gating in auditory responses at doses which produce psychotic symptoms. In a double-blind, crossover design loading doses of 0.024, 0.081 and 0.27 mg/kg or saline were employed, followed by maintenance infusion for 120 min. A passive paradigm has been developed which consisted in tone bursts, preceded or not by a (near-threshold) click at intervals of 100 ms or 500 ms. Brain electromagnetic activity imaging of the responses to sound stimuli has been carried out by way of a 148-channel magnetoencephalography-system. Actual evoked response amplitudes and underlying equivalent current dipole strengths have been compared to multieLectrode evoked potentials from the scalp. A click stimulus is capable to inhibit test responses under placebo at the 100 ms interval. During maintenance infusion of ketamine at steady-state (for >30 min) after 0.27 mg/kg, no such amplitude changes were observed anymore ( p <0.05) and under these circumstances significant increases in Brief Psychiatric Rating scale and Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms scores were evidenced ( p < 0.001). Intermediate effects have been observed when the dose was lowered to 0.081 mg/kg. The present results have shown that ketamine may induce a psychotic-like clinical state associated with gating deficits in healthy subjects.
Neutralizing antibody (NAb) assays in multiple sclerosis patients receiving interferon-β therapy
Authors: Deisenhammer Florian
Published: June 2007

Interferon-β (IFN-β), a type I cytokine, is first-line therapy for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), a progressive neurological disease that can result in severe disability. As with all protein-based therapies, treatment with IFN-β can result in the development of neutralizing antibodies (NAbs), which has been shown to reduce the efficacy of the regimen. Recently, assays that evaluate patients for the presence of NAbs have received increased attention as a potentially valuable diagnostic tool in assessing the therapeutic effect of a chosen IFN-β regimen. However, despite the clinical desire to consistently monitor NAb levels in these patients, no standardized NAb assay has yet been identified. A lack of method standardization can lead to confusion when comparing NAb results over time and reduces the overall diagnostic value of assessing NAb status. This review will offer a summary of current NAb diagnostic methods and the factors that limit their consistency and practicality in the clinical setting. Alternatives to current methods for assessing NAb status will also be briefly discussed. Multiple Sclerosis 2007; 13: S44—S48. http://msj.sagepub.com
Development of neutralizing antibodies to intramuscular interferon beta-1a (Avonex ®)
Authors: Goelz Suzan E. , Walt L.
Published: June 2007

The most frequent treatment for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) is interferon beta (IFNβ). Development of neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) to IFN therapy is a well-documented phenomenon. Patients who have persistent NAbs of sufficient titer no longer receive clinical benefit from these therapies. In the case of intramuscular (IM) IFNβ-1a (Avonex®), approximately 22% of patients in the pivotal trial (conducted from 1990 to 1994) developed NAbs. However, improvements in the processes for the production of IFNβ-1a-Avonex resulted in a commercial product (first released in 1996) that was significantly less immunogenic; approximately 2% of patients developed NAbs with titers ≥20 neutralizing units (NU)/mL. In a large three-year Phase IV clinical trial using IFNβ-1a-Avonex, it was shown that NAb-positive patients had significantly greater annual relapse rates, greater increases in disability (compared with baseline), and more lesions detected by MRI compared with NAb-negative patients, indicating that the development of NAbs has serious consequences for patients with MS treated with IFNβ. Therefore, maintaining the low immunogenicity of IFNβ-1a-Avonex in the context of improving formulations and delivery options, has been a critical objective for Biogen Idec in the development of this important therapy for patients with MS. Multiple Sclerosis 2007; 13: S14—S20 http://msj.sagepub.com
Clinical significance of glatiramer acetate antibodies
Authors: Blanchette F.
Published: June 2007

Glatiramer acetate is a mixture of synthetic peptides that are cross-reactive with MBP. The antigen-based therapy induces a shift to an anti-inflammatory Th2 bias and is used in the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Like other peptide antigens, GA induces an antibody response in all patients. In contrast to biologically active agents, such as the recombinant interferon beta drugs, GA is a peptide antigen that lacks intrinsic biological activity. In vitro and in vivo data have shown that GA-reactive antibodies are not neutralizing. Antibodies do not alter the principal immunological effects of GA, including binding to MHC Class II molecules, activation and proliferation of GA-reactive T cells, and the release of anti-inflammatory Th2 cytokines. Higher antibody titres do not appear to be associated with a deterioration in clinical endpoints, such as relapse rate, EDSS progression or the occurrence of side effects in MS patients treated with GA. The presence of GA-reactive antibodies may promote remyelination and enhance the immunological and clinical effects of GA, indicating that they may be part of GA's mechanism of action. Multiple Sclerosis 2007; 13: S28—S35. http://msj.sagepub.com
Journey to the grave: signaling events regulating removal of apoptotic cells
Authors: Kinchen Jason M. , Ravichandran Kodi S.
Published: June 2007

Programmed cell death is critical both for organ formation during development and during adult life, when billions of cells must be removed every day. The culmination of the apoptotic process is the specific recognition and engulfment of the apoptotic cell by a phagocyte. A number of recent studies have revealed a series of evolutionarily conserved proteins that link corpse recognition to membrane movement, facilitating the internalization of the target and its subsequent degradation. Two potential signaling modules have been identified: one involving the CED-12/ELMO and CED-5/Dock180 proteins, which function as a bipartite guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for Rac1, and a second involving CED-1/LRP1 (a potential engulfment receptor) and the adaptor protein CED-6/GULP. Recognition of the apoptotic cell modulates cytokine secretion by the phagocyte, resulting in an anti-inflammatory state distinct from that induced by necrotic cells. The recent molecular delineation of the phagocytic process and the identification of novel signaling proteins involved in engulfment have provided an exciting new platform for future studies into this biologically important process.
Titin in insect spermatocyte spindle fibers associates with microtubules, actin, myosin and the matrix proteins skeletor, megator and chromator
Authors: Fabian Lacramioara , Xia Xuequin , Venkitaramani Deepa V. , Johansen Kristen M. , Johansen Jørgen , Andrew Deborah J. , Forer Arthur
Published: June 2007

Titin, the giant elastic protein found in muscles, is present in spindles of crane-fly and locust spermatocytes as determined by immunofluorescence staining using three antibodies, each raised against a different, spatially separated fragment of Drosophila titin (D-titin). All three antibodies stained the Z-lines and other regions in insect myofibrils. In western blots of insect muscle extract the antibodies reacted with high molecular mass proteins, ranging between rat nebulin (600-900 kDa) and rat titin (3000-4000 kDa). Mass spectrometry of the high molecular mass band from the Coomassie-Blue-stained gel of insect muscle proteins indicates that the protein the antibodies bind to is titin. The pattern of staining in insect spermatocytes was slightly different in the two species, but in general all three anti-D-titin antibodies stained the same components: the chromosomes, prophase and telophase nuclear membranes, the spindle in general, along kinetochore and non-kinetochore microtubules, along apparent connections between partner half-bivalents during anaphase, and various cytoplasmic components, including the contractile ring. That the same cellular components are stained in close proximity by the three different antibodies, each against a different region of D-titin, is strong evidence that the three antibodies identify a titin-like protein in insect spindles, which we identified by mass spectrometry analysis as being titin. The spindle matrix proteins skeletor, megator and chromator are present in many of the same structures, in positions very close to (or the same as) D-titin. Myosin and actin also are present in spindles in close proximity to D-titin. The varying spatial arrangements of these proteins during the course of division suggest that they interact to form a spindle matrix with elastic properties provided by a titin-like protein.
MDM2 Antagonist Nutlin-3 Suppresses the Proliferation and Differentiation of Human Pre-Osteoclasts Through a p53-Dependent Pathway
Authors: Zauli Giorgio , Rimondi Erika , Corallini Federica , Fadda Roberto , Capitani Silvano , Secchiero Paola
Published: June 2007

Exposure of human pre-osteoclasts to the MDM2 antagonist Nutlin-3 activated the p53 pathway and significantly decreased the entry of pre-osteoclasts in the S phase in response to RANKL. Moreover, repeated exposure to Nutlin-3 suppressed osteoclastic differentiation, without affecting cell survival at any culture time.

Introduction: The p53 oncosuppressor coordinates an intracellular network involved in protection from malignant transformation and cell cycle control; its activation is tightly regulated by the murine double minute 2 (MDM2) gene and p53-MDM 2 interaction can be disrupted by selective small molecule inhibitors, the Nutlins. Although the ability of Nutlins to suppress the growth of wildtype p53 tumors has been clearly established, their biological activity in normal cells and tissues has not been extensively studied.

Materials and Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cell pre-osteoclasts were cultured with macrophage-colony stimulating factor (M-CSF ) + RANKL or co-cultured with SaOS-2 osteosarcoma cells in the presence of IL-1β to induce osteoclastic differentiation. Cell cycle was analyzed by BrdU incorporation. The degree of osteoclastic differentiation was monitored at different culture times by TRACP and DAPI staining, as well as by TRACP-5b ELISA. Finally, the role of p53 in mediating the biological activity of Nutlin-3 was studied using specific siRNA.

Results: Exposure of human pre-osteoclasts to RANKL induced an early (24 h) increase in the percentage of cells in the S phase, followed by the exit from the cell cycle at later time-points. The simultaneous addition of Nutlin-3 and RANKL dose-dependently decreased the percentage of pre-osteoclasts in the S phase and induced a rapid accumulation of p53 protein coupled with the induction of p53 target genes. Unexpectedly, the administration of Nutlin-3 to pre-osteoclasts at early culture times significantly suppressed the final output of osteoclasts at day 14 of culture. The role of p53 in mediating this biological activity of Nutlin-3 was underscored by gene knockdown experiments, in which the anti-osteoclastic activity of Nutlin-3 was significantly counteracted by siRNA specific for p53. Nutlin-3 also significantly decreased the formation of osteoclasts in a co-culture system of SaOS-2 osteosarcoma and pre-osteoclastic cells.

Conclusions: These findings indicate that Nutlin-3 abrogates both pre-osteoclastic proliferation and differentiation through a p53-dependent pathway and may have therapeutic implications for those neoplastic diseases characterized by an abnormal osteoclastic activity.
HIF-1α Is a Regulator of Galectin-3 Expression in the Intervertebral Disc
Authors: Zeng Yan , Danielson Keith G , Albert Todd J , Shapiro Irving M , Risbud Makarand V
Published: June 2007

The regulation of galectin-3 expression in skeletal tissues is not completely understood. Our studies indicate that HIF-1α regulates galectin-3 expression by interacting with hypoxia regulatory elements in the promoter region. Finally, we show that galectin-3 serves a prosurvival role in the intervertebral disc.

Introduction: Earlier reports indicated that galectin-3 (gal-3) is highly expressed in the epiphyseal growth plate cartilage and the intervertebral disc. Because these skeletal tissues have a limited vascular supply and the cells reside in a low O2 environment, we determined if the oxemic status modulates gal-3 expression.

Materials and Methods: Cells were cultured in normoxia (21% O2) or hypoxia (2% O2), and gal-3 expression and promoter activity were evaluated. Interaction of hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1α with the gal-3 promoter was confirmed by gel shift and site-directed mutagenesis.

Results: There was minimal oxygen-dependent change in HIF-1α levels and no change in gal-3 expression and promoter activity in nucleus pulposus cells. In contrast, hypoxia induced gal-3 mRNA, protein, and promoter activity in HeLa cells and mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) from HIF-1α wildtype but not HIF-1–null mice. To evaluate the importance of HIF-1 in regulation of gal-3 expression, we overexpressed HIF-1α or constitutively active-HIF-1α in null MEF. An increase in gal-3 promoter activity was observed in both normoxia and hypoxia. Similarly, suppression of HIF-1α in nucleus pulposus cells, and wildtype MEF, using siRNA and pharmacological inhibitors resulted in suppression of gal-3 promoter activity and mRNA levels. Analysis of the gal-3 promoter indicated that it contained two hypoxia response elements (HREs). Gel-shift and chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis confirmed that there was binding of HIF-1α to the gal-3 HRE. Furthermore, site-directed mutagenesis of HRE completely blocked hypoxic induction of gal-3 promoter activity. In nucleus pulposus cells, suppression of gal-3 expression promoted FasL-mediated apoptosis.

Conclusions: Together, these studies showed that gal-3 is a HIF-1–regulated lectin that plays an important role in nucleus pulposus cell survival.
Morphological Differences Between Adult Wild and First‐Generation Hatchery Upper Yakima River Spring Chinook Salmon
Authors: Busack Craig , Knudsen Curtis M. , Hart Germaine , Huffman Paul
Published: June 2007

Four‐year‐old adult wild spring Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha at a supplementation hatchery were compared morphologically with their first‐generation hatchery counterparts over three consecutive brood years (BYs) using thin‐plate spline analysis on 12 digitized landmarks and an analysis of 27 truss characters based on the landmarks. Canonical discriminant analysis (CDA) of sex‐specific partial warp scores correctly classified females to origin (hatchery or wild) with 75% accuracy (up to 84% accuracy for one BY) and males to origin with 65% accuracy (up to 89% accuracy for one BY). Classification to BY using sex‐ and BY‐specific partial warps was 62% accurate for both females and males. The results of the truss analysis were very close to those from the thin‐plate spline analysis. Sex‐specific CDAs correctly classified 75% of females and 68% of males to origin. Correct classification to BY was 61% for females and 58% for males. Consensus shapes based on partial warps suggested that hatchery fish of both sexes have longer and deeper heads and shallower midbodies than wild fish. They also appear to be somewhat shorter in the posterior body. Analysis of variance of individual truss characters led to the same general conclusion but also provided evidence that hatchery fish have wider anal fins. There was no evidence of sex‐specific differences between hatchery and wild fish. Body proportion differences between hatchery and wild fish at the eight most diagnostic truss characters averaged 0.31 standard deviations in females and 0.35 standard deviations in males. In terms of actual measurement, these differences amounted to an average of 1.4% of the wild mean, providing little discriminatory power.
Efeito da fortificação de farinhas com ferro sobre anemia em pré-escolares, Pelotas, RS
Authors: Assunção Maria Cecília Formoso , Santos Iná S , Barros Aluísio J D , Gigante Denise Petrucci , Victora Cesar Gomes
Published: June 2007

OBJETIVO: A fortificação de farinhas com ferro foi estabelecida por lei no Brasil, em 2004. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o impacto da fortificação sobre nível de hemoglobina em crianças menores de seis anos. MÉTODOS: O estudo foi realizado em Pelotas, RS, sendo uma série temporal com três avaliações a cada 12 meses. Em maio de 2004, antes da fortificação das farinhas, foram medidos níveis de hemoglobina em amostra probabilística de 453 crianças. Após 12 e 24 meses, foram estudadas amostras de 923 e 863 crianças, respectivamente. RESULTADOS: Os três grupos estudados foram comparáveis em relação a características demográficas e socioeconômicas. No estudo de linha de base, as médias de hemoglobina foram 11,3±2,8 g/dL. Após a fortificação esses valores foram 11,2±2,8 (12 meses) e 11,3±2,5 g/dL (24 meses), não havendo diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os três momentos estudados (p=0,16). CONCLUSÕES: Nenhum efeito da fortificação foi observado nos níveis de hemoglobina das crianças estudadas, o que pode ser parcialmente explicado pelo consumo insuficiente de farinhas e/ou pela baixa biodisponibilidade do ferro adicionado.
Impact of socioeconomic status on Brazilian elderly health
Authors: Ramos Marília
Published: June 2007

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of socioeconomic status on elderly health. METHODS: The study was based on cross-sectional data from Survey on Health, Well-Being, and Aging in Latin America and the Caribbean. The sample comprised 2,143 non-institutionalized elderly aged 60 years and older living in the urban area of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil. Linear regression models estimated the effect of socioeconomic status indicators (years of schooling completed, occupation and purchasing power) on each one of the following health indicators: depression, self-rated health, morbidity and memory capacity. A 5% significance level was set. RESULTS: There was a significant effect of years of education and purchasing power on self-rated health and memory capacity when controlled for the variables number of diseases during childhood, bed rest for at least a month due to health problems during childhood, self-rated health during childhood, living arrangements, sex, age, marital status, category of health insurance, intake of medicines. Only purchasing power had an effect on depression. Despite the bivariate association between socioeconomic status indicators and number of diseases (morbidity), this effect was no longer seen after including the controls in the model. CONCLUSIONS: The study results confirm the association between socioeconomic status indicators and health among Brazilian elderly, but only for some dimensions of socioeconomic status and certain health outcomes.
Validade da escala de depressão do Center for Epidemiological Studies entre idosos brasileiros
Authors: Batistoni Samila Sather Tavares , Neri Anita Liberalesso , Cupertino Ana Paula F Bretas
Published: June 2007

OBJETIVO: Obter validade interna, de construto e de critério para a escala Center for Epidemiological Studies - Depression, em idosos. MÉTODOS: O instrumento foi aplicado a 903 idosos residentes em Juiz de Fora, Estado de Minas Gerais, entre os anos de 2002-2003. Os resultados foram comparados com a versão brasileira da Geriatric Depression Scale, aplicado a uma subamostra de 446 respondentes. A consistência interna das duas escalas foi aferida pelo coeficiente alfa de Cronbach, calculado para os itens em sua totalidade e para os itens de cada fator obtido para o instrumento avaliado. Para avaliar a validade de construto, seus 20 itens foram submetidos à análise fatorial exploratória a fim de conhecer o padrão de variação conjunta dos itens e a variância explicada por cada fator. RESULTADOS: O instrumento revelou índices satisfatórios de validade interna (alfa=0,860), sensibilidade (74,6%) e especificidade (73,6%), para nota de corte >11. Entretanto, apontou freqüência relativamente alta de falsos positivos em comparação à Geriatric Depression Scale: de 33,8% vs. 15%. A análise fatorial exploratória do instrumento gerou estrutura fatorial com três fatores: afetos negativos, dificuldades de iniciar comportamentos e afetos positivos. CONCLUSÕES: O instrumento mostrou-se psicometricamente adequado para uso entre idosos. Entretanto, estudos adicionais de natureza longitudinal e transversal, desenvolvidos em diferentes contextos, poderão esclarecer os efeitos de variáveis somáticas e situacionais sobre os resultados desse instrumento em pessoas idosas.
Adolescência e saúde mental: revisão de artigos brasileiros publicados em periódicos nacionais
Authors: Benetti Sílvia Pereira da Cruz , Ramires Vera Regina Röhnelt , Schneider Ana Cláudia , Rodrigues Ana Paula Guzinski , Tremarin Daniela
Published: June 2007

O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar uma revisão da publicação nacional de artigos científicos no período de 1995-2005 sobre as situações prioritárias de saúde mental na adolescência, definidas pela Organização Mundial da Saúde, tais como depressão, ansiedade, abuso de substâncias, transtorno de conduta, transtornos alimentares, psicoses, maus-tratos e violência. Foram identificados 971 resumos nas bases de dados LILACS, MEDLINE, Index Psi e SciELO utilizando-se descritores associados ao tema. Após seleção segundo critérios, foram analisados 267 resumos científicos conforme área de produção, ano, foco, delineamento metodológico e principais resultados. A seguir, foram feitas análises qualitativas dos principais resultados. Verificou-se que a produção brasileira tem aumentado nos últimos anos e que a maioria dos trabalhos está voltada para a identificação do problema, e em menor número para o desenvolvimento de estratégias de intervenção e prevenção.
Eficácia da suplementação de ferro associado ou não à vitamina A no controle da anemia em escolares
Authors: Pereira Rute Cândida , Ferreira Luiz Oscar Cardoso , Diniz Alcides da Silva , Batista Filho Malaquias , Figueirôa José Natal
Published: June 2007

Com o objetivo de avaliar a eficácia da suplementação de ferro, associado ou não à vitamina A, na anemia ferropriva, administrado semanalmente, realizou-se ensaio clínico comunitário, randomizado, não controlado por placebo, em 1999. Uma amostra probabilística de 267 escolares de ambos os sexos com 6 a 14 anos de idade foram casualizados em bloco segundo dois tipos de intervenção: um grupo (144) recebeu 200mg de sulfato ferroso com (40mg de ferro elementar) e o outro (123) recebeu dose similar de sulfato ferroso associado a 10.000 UI de vitamina A, durante 30 semanas. A prevalência de anemia ao final foi reduzida de 48,4%, para 17,7% (p < 0,001), no grupo que recebeu sulfato ferroso, e de 58,1%, para 14,3% (p < 0,001), no grupo que recebeu sulfato ferroso associado à vitamina A. Não houve diferença significante entre os grupos, ao final do estudo, quanto às médias de Hb (p = 0,355) e à proporção de anêmicos (p = 0,479). Corrigiu-se significantemente a anemia ferropriva com suplementação semanal de sulfato ferroso, mas não houve vantagem adicional com a associação da vitamina A. Sugerem-se novos estudos sobre o sinergismo desses micronutrientes.
Efetividade de diferentes estratégias de intervenção com ferro nos níveis de hemoglobina e ferritina em escolares de Teresina, Piauí, Brasil
Authors: Santos Marize Melo dos , Nogueira Nadir do Nascimento , Diniz Alcides da Silva
Published: June 2007

O estudo avaliou o efeito das intervenções com sulfato ferroso e com ferro bisglicina quelato nas concentrações de hemoglobina e ferritina sérica em escolares de 7-11 anos, de ambos os sexos, de Teresina, Piauí, Brasil. Foi desenvolvido ensaio clínico-comunitário, randomizado, envolvendo 138 escolares, com níveis de hemoglobina < 11,5g/dL, alocados, individualmente, em dois grupos de tratamento. Um grupo (n = 71) recebeu 40mg de sulfato ferroso, uma vez/semana, e o outro (n = 67) 3,8mg de ferro bisglicina quelato, fracionados em biscoitos consumidos três vezes/semana, durante oito semanas. Houve um incremento (p < 0,01) médio, nas concentrações de hemoglobina, de 1,1g/dL entre os escolares que receberam sulfato ferroso e de 0,9g/dL para aqueles que receberam ferro bisglicina quelato, embora sem diferença (p > 0,05) na comparação intergrupos. Nenhum impacto foi observado (p > 0,05) nas reservas corporais de ferro. Entretanto, escolares que apresentaram depleção das reservas corporais de ferro (< 15ng/mL), no início dos tratamentos, tiveram aumento (p < 0,01) nas concentrações médias de ferritina sérica, após a intervenção, embora com efeito similar (p > 0,05) entre os grupos de tratamento. Os resultados confirmam a efetividade das intervenções e ratificam o uso do esquema semanal com sulfato ferroso e com ferro bisglicina quelato no tratamento da deficiência do mineral e da anemia ferropriva.
Comportamentos de risco e vulnerabilidade entre estudantes de Educação Física
Authors: Palma Alexandre , Abreu Raquel Azeredo , Cunha Cristina de Almeida
Published: June 2007

O objetivo do presente estudo foi identificar a prevalência de comportamentos associados à ocorrência de doenças ou agravos à saúde em alunos de Educação Física. Para tanto, adotou-se uma pesquisa de levantamento (survey) com 448 estudantes de ambos os sexos. O instrumento envolveu questões sobre prática de exercícios físicos, uso de preservativos, uso de drogas e horas de sono. Os principais resultados foram: a) a taxa de indivíduos que não praticam exercícios regularmente é baixa quando comparada às taxas da população em geral; b) o valor médio para o esforço físico no trabalho é caracterizado como "um pouco intenso" na escala de Borg; c) do total de informantes que trabalhavam, 39,4% relataram dores associadas à ocupação profissional; d) 58,7% informaram não fazer uso regular de preservativos na relação sexual; e) o álcool é a droga mais utilizada e há um grande uso de cigarro e maconha; e f) 19,2% dos estudantes fazem ou já fizeram uso de anabolizantes na vida. Conclui-se, então, que um número importante de alunos de educação física, a despeito do discurso vigente na área, que reforça a importância de um estilo de vida considerado saudável, adota comportamentos que não necessariamente se coadunam com esta idéia.
Ligand and Substrate Effects in Gas‐Phase Reactions of NiX+/RH Couples (X=F, Cl, Br, I; R=CH3, C2H5, nC3H7, nC4H9)
Authors: Schlangen Maria , Schröder Detlef , Schwarz Helmut
Published: June 2007

The reactions of small saturated hydrocarbons by gaseous nickel cations NiX+ (X=F, Cl, Br, I) are investigated by means of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The halide cations are obtained from solutions of the corresponding NiII salts in water or methanol as solvents. NiF+ is the only NiII halide complex that brings about thermal activation of methane. The branching ratios of the observed reactions with C2H6, C3H8, and nC4H10 are shifted systematically by changing the nature of both the ligand X and the substrate RH. In the elimination of HX (X=F, Cl, Br, I), the formal oxidation state of the metal ion appears to be conserved, and the importance of this reaction channel decreases in going from NiF+ to NiI+. A reversed trend is observed in the losses of small closed‐shell neutral molecules, that is, H2, CH4 and C2H6, which dominate the gas‐phase ion chemistry of NiI+/RH couples. Additionally, inner‐sphere electron‐transfer reactions take place for a few systems, that is, the delivery of hydride or methanide ions from the hydrocarbon to NiX+ in the course of which the hydrocarbon is converted to a carbenium ion and the cationic metal complex gives rise to a neutral RNiX molecule (R=H, CH3). This process gains importance with decreasing atomic number of the halides and with increasing the size of the alkane. Thus, it constitutes the major pathway in the reactions of NiF+ with propane and n‐butane, whereas it is not observed for any of the NiI+/RH couples investigated. Concerning the regioselectivity of the reactions with propane and n‐butane, heterolytic cleavage of secondary carbonhydrogen bonds is clearly preferred compared to that of primary ones, as revealed by deuterium labeling studies. For the NiF+/C3H8 couple, the selectivity of the hydride transfer is as large as 360 in favor of the secondary positions. Though smaller, large preferences for the activation of secondary CH bonds are also operative in homolytic bond activation of RH (R=nC3H7, nC4H9).
Current status of the greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum, susceptibility to neonicotinoid and conventional insecticides on strawberries in southern California
Authors: Bi Jian L , Toscano Nick C
Published: June 2007

Since 1998, the greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae), has emerged as a major insect pest of many horticultural crops in coastal California. Control of this pest has been heavily dependent upon chemical insecticides. Objectives of this study were to determine the status of the greenhouse whitefly susceptibility to neonicotinoid and conventional insecticides on strawberries in Oxnard/Ventura, a year‐round intensive horticultural production area of southern California. For bioassay tests, adult whiteflies were collected from commercial strawberry crops, and immatures were directly developed from eggs laid by these adults. LD50 values of soil‐applied imidacloprid, thiamethoxam and dinotefuran were respectively 8.7, 3.2 and 4.9 times higher for the adults, 1.8, 1.2 and 1.5 times higher for the first‐instar nymphs and 89.4, 390 and 10.4 times higher for the third‐instar nymphs than their top label rates. LC50 values of foliar‐applied imidacloprid, thiamethoxam and acetamiprid were respectively 6.1, 6.0 and 1.7 times higher for the adults and 3.8, 8.7 and 4.4 times higher for the second‐instar nymphs than their top label rates. For the adults, LC90 values of endosulfan, malathion, methomyl, bifenthrin and fenpropathrin were 2.2, 1.2, 1.9, 2.3 and 4.9 times lower than their respective top label rates. Chlorpyrifos was not very effective against the adults, as indicated by its LC90 being 120% higher than its top label rate. The present results strongly emphasize the need to develop resistance management strategies in the region. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
[(C6H10)(NH3)2][Ni(H2O)4C6H2(COO)4]·4H2O – A Coordination Polymer with the Chain‐like Polyanion {Ni(H2O)4[C6H2(COO)4]2−}n
Authors: Köferstein Roberto , Robl Christian
Published: June 2007

Triclinic single crystals of [(C6H10)(NH3)2][Ni(H2O)4C6H2(COO)4]·4H2O have been prepared in aqueous solution at 55 °C. Space group (Nr. 2), a = 691.23(6), b = 924.84(5), c = 1082.43(7) pm, α = 74.208(6)°, β = 75.558(7)°, γ = 68.251(6)°, V = 0.60985(7) nm3, Z = 1. The Nickel(II) species, located on a crystallographic inversion centre, is coordinated in a trans‐octahedral fashion by two oxygen atoms stemming from the centrosymmetric pyromellitate anions and four from water molecules (Ni–O 205.82(12) – 208.11(13) pm). The connection between Ni2+ and [C6H2(COO)4)]4− leads to infinite chain‐like polyanions extending parallel to with {Ni(H2O)4[C6H2(COO)4]2−}n composition. [(C6H10)(NH3)2]2+‐cations are accomodated between the chains, compensating for the negative charge of the polyanions. Thermogravimetric analysis in air showed that the loss of water of crystallisation occurs in two steps between 102 and 206 °C, corresponding to the loss of 6 and 2 water molecules per formula unit, respectively. The dehydrated sample was stable between 206 and 353 °C. Further decomposition yielded nickel(II) oxide (NiO).