bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
poloIs Identified as a Suppressor ofbubR1Nondisjunction in a Deficiency Screen of the Third Chromosome inDrosophila melanogaster
Authors: Sousa-Guimarães Sofia , Sunkel Claudio , Malmanche Nicolas
Published: December 2011

We have previously characterized an EMS-induced allele of the bubR1 gene (bubR1D1326N) that separates the two functions of BubR1, causing meiotic nondisjunction but retaining spindle assembly checkpoint activity during somatic cell division in Drosophila melanogaster. Using this allele, we demonstrate that bubR1 meiotic nondisjunction is dosage sensitive, occurs for both exchange and nonexchange homologous chromosomes, and is associated with decreased maintenance of sister chromatid cohesion and of the synaptonemal complex during prophase I progression. We took advantage of these features to perform a genetic screen designed to identify third chromosome deficiencies having a dominant effect on bubR1D1326N/bubR1rev1 meiotic phenotypes. We tested 65 deficiencies covering 60% of the third chromosome euchromatin. Among them, we characterized 24 deficiencies having a dominant effect on bubR1D1326N/bubR1rev1 meiotic phenotypes that we classified in two groups: (1) suppressor of nondisjunction and (2) enhancer of nondisjunction. Among these 24 deficiencies, our results show that deficiencies uncovering the polo locus act as suppressor of bubR1 nondisjunction by delaying meiotic prophase I progression and restoring chiasmata formation as observed by the loading of the condensin subunit SMC2. Furthermore, we identified two deficiencies inducing a lethal phenotype during embryonic development and thus affecting BubR1 kinase activity in somatic cells and one deficiency causing female sterility. Overall, our genetic screening strategy proved to be highly sensitive for the identification of modifiers of BubR1 kinase activity in both meiosis and mitosis.
Replication Stress-Induced Chromosome Breakage Is Correlated with Replication Fork Progression and Is Preceded by Single-Stranded DNA Formation
Authors: Feng Wenyi , Di Rienzi Sara C , Raghuraman M K , Brewer Bonita J
Published: December 2011

Chromosome breakage as a result of replication stress has been hypothesized to be the direct consequence of defective replication fork progression, or “collapsed” replication forks. However, direct and genome-wide evidence that collapsed replication forks give rise to chromosome breakage is still lacking. Previously we showed that a yeast replication checkpoint mutant mec1-1, after transient exposure to replication impediment imposed by hydroxyurea (HU), failed to complete DNA replication, accumulated single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) at the replication forks, and fragmented its chromosomes. In this study, by following replication fork progression genome-wide via ssDNA detection and by direct mapping of chromosome breakage after HU exposure, we have tested the hypothesis that the chromosome breakage in mec1 cells occurs at collapsed replication forks. We demonstrate that sites of chromosome breakage indeed correlate with replication fork locations. Moreover, ssDNA can be detected prior to chromosome breakage, suggesting that ssDNA accumulation is the common precursor to double strand breaks at collapsed replication forks.
Partitioning Transcript Variation inDrosophila: Abundance, Isoforms, and Alleles
Authors: Yang Yajie , Graze Rita M , Walts Brandon M , Lopez Cecilia M , Baker Henry V , Wayne Marta L , Nuzhdin Sergey V , McIntyre Lauren M
Published: December 2011

Multilevel analysis of transcription is facilitated by a new array design that includes modules for assessment of differential expression, isoform usage, and allelic imbalance in Drosophila. The ∼2.5 million feature chip incorporates a large number of controls, and it contains 18,769 3′ expression probe sets and 61,919 exon probe sets with probe sequences from Drosophila melanogaster and 60,118 SNP probe sets focused on Drosophila simulans. An experiment in D. simulans identified genes differentially expressed between males and females (34% in the 3′ expression module; 32% in the exon module). These proportions are consistent with previous reports, and there was good agreement (κ = 0.63) between the modules. Alternative isoform usage between the sexes was identified for 164 genes. The SNP module was verified with resequencing data. Concordance between resequencing and the chip design was greater than 99%. The design also proved apt in separating alleles based upon hybridization intensity. Concordance between the highest hybridization signals and the expected alleles in the genotype was greater than 96%. Intriguingly, allelic imbalance was detected for 37% of 6579 probe sets examined that contained heterozygous SNP loci. The large number of probes and multiple probe sets per gene in the 3′ expression and exon modules allows the array to be used in D. melanogaster and in closely related species. The SNP module can be used for allele specific expression and genotyping of D. simulans.
Multiple Quantitative Trait Loci Influence the Shape of a Male-Specific Genital Structure inDrosophila melanogaster
Authors: McNeil Casey L , Bain Clint L , Macdonald Stuart J
Published: December 2011

The observation that male genitalia diverge more rapidly than other morphological traits during evolution is taxonomically widespread and likely due to some form of sexual selection. One way to elucidate the evolutionary forces acting on these traits is to detail the genetic architecture of variation both within and between species, a program of research that is considerably more tractable in a model system. Drosophila melanogaster and its sibling species, D. simulans, D. mauritiana, and D. sechellia, are morphologically distinguishable only by the shape of the posterior lobe, a male-specific elaboration of the genital arch. We extend earlier studies identifying quantitative trait loci (QTL) responsible for lobe divergence across species and report the first genetic dissection of lobe shape variation within a species. Using an advanced intercross mapping design, we identify three autosomal QTL contributing to the difference in lobe shape between a pair of D. melanogaster inbred lines. The QTL each contribute 4.6–10.7% to shape variation, and two show a significant epistatic interaction. Interestingly, these intraspecific QTL map to the same locations as interspecific lobe QTL, implying some shared genetic control of the trait within and between species. As a first step toward a mechanistic understanding of natural lobe shape variation, we find an association between our QTL data and a set of genes that show sex-biased expression in the developing genital imaginal disc (the precursor of the adult genitalia). These genes are good candidates to harbor naturally segregating polymorphisms contributing to posterior lobe shape.
The SPRED1 Variants Repository for Legius Syndrome
Authors: Sumner Kelli , Crockett David K , Muram Talia , Mallempati Kalyan , Best Hunter , Mao Rong
Published: December 2011

Legius syndrome (LS) is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by germline loss-of-function mutations in the sprouty-related, EVH1 domain containing 1 (SPRED1) gene. The phenotype of LS is multiple café au lait macules (CALM) with other commonly reported manifestations, including intertriginous freckling, lipomas, macrocephaly, and learning disabilities including ADHD and developmental delays. Since the earliest signs of LS and neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) syndrome are pigmentary findings, the two are indistinguishable and individuals with LS may meet the National Institutes of Health diagnostic criteria for NF1 syndrome. However, individuals are not known to have an increased risk for developing tumors (compared with NF1 patients). It is therefore important to fully characterize the phenotype differences between NF1 and LS because the prognoses of these two disorders differ greatly. We have developed a mutation database that characterizes the known variants in the SPRED1 gene in an effort to facilitate this process for testing and interpreting results. This database is free to the public and will be updated quarterly.
QTL Mapping and Candidate Gene Analysis of Telomere Length Control Factors in Maize (Zea maysL.)
Authors: Brown Amber N , Lauter Nick , Vera Daniel L , McLaughlin-Large Karen A , Steele Tace M , Fredette Natalie C , Bass Hank W
Published: December 2011

Telomere length is a quantitative trait important for many cellular functions. Failure to regulate telomere length contributes to genomic instability, cellular senescence, cancer, and apoptosis in humans, but the functional significance of telomere regulation in plants is much less well understood. To gain a better understanding of telomere biology in plants, we used quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping to identify genetic elements that control telomere length variation in maize (Zea mays L.). For this purpose, we measured the median and mean telomere lengths from 178 recombinant inbred lines of the IBM mapping population and found multiple regions that collectively accounted for 33–38% of the variation in telomere length. Two-way analysis of variance revealed interaction between the quantitative trait loci at genetic bin positions 2.09 and 5.04. Candidate genes within these and other significant QTL intervals, along with select genes known a priori to regulate telomere length, were tested for correlations between expression levels and telomere length in the IBM population and diverse inbred lines by quantitative real-time PCR. A slight but significant positive correlation between expression levels and telomere length was observed for many of the candidate genes, but Ibp2 was a notable exception, showing instead a negative correlation. A rad51-like protein (TEL-MD_5.04) was strongly supported as a candidate gene by several lines of evidence. Our results highlight the value of QTL mapping plus candidate gene expression analysis in a genetically diverse model system for telomere research.
Unexpected Diversity of Chloroplast Noncoding RNAs as Revealed by Deep Sequencing of the Arabidopsis Transcriptome
Authors: Hotto Amber M , Schmitz Robert J , Fei Zhangjun , Ecker Joseph R , Stern David B
Published: December 2011

Noncoding RNAs (ncRNA) are widely expressed in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Eukaryotic ncRNAs are commonly micro- and small-interfering RNAs (18–25 nt) involved in posttranscriptional gene silencing, whereas prokaryotic ncRNAs vary in size and are involved in various aspects of gene regulation. Given the prokaryotic origin of organelles, the presence of ncRNAs might be expected; however, the full spectrum of organellar ncRNAs has not been determined systematically. Here, strand-specific RNA-Seq analysis was used to identify 107 candidate ncRNAs from Arabidopsis thaliana chloroplasts, primarily encoded opposite protein-coding and tRNA genes. Forty-eight ncRNAs were shown to accumulate by RNA gel blot as discrete transcripts in wild-type (WT) plants and/or the pnp1-1 mutant, which lacks the chloroplast ribonuclease polynucleotide phosphorylase (cpPNPase). Ninety-eight percent of the ncRNAs detected by RNA gel blot had different transcript patterns between WT and pnp1-1, suggesting cpPNPase has a significant role in chloroplast ncRNA biogenesis and accumulation. Analysis of materials deficient for other major chloroplast ribonucleases, RNase R, RNase E, and RNase J, showed differential effects on ncRNA accumulation and/or form, suggesting specificity in RNase-ncRNA interactions. 5′ end mapping demonstrates that some ncRNAs are transcribed from dedicated promoters, whereas others result from transcriptional read-through. Finally, correlations between accumulation of some ncRNAs and the symmetrically transcribed sense RNA are consistent with a role in RNA stability. Overall, our data suggest that this extensive population of ncRNAs has the potential to underpin a previously underappreciated regulatory mode in the chloroplast.
Major Families of Multiresistant Plasmids from Geographically and Epidemiologically Diverse Staphylococci
Authors: Shearer Julia E S , Wireman Joy , Hostetler Jessica , Forberger Heather , Borman Jon , Gill John , Sanchez Susan , Mankin Alexander , LaMarre Jacqueline , Lindsay Jodi A , Bayles Kenneth , Nicholson Ainsley , O’Brien Frances , Jensen Slade O , Firth Neville , Skurray Ronald A , Summers Anne O
Published: December 2011

Staphylococci are increasingly aggressive human pathogens suggesting that active evolution is spreading novel virulence and resistance phenotypes. Large staphylococcal plasmids commonly carry antibiotic resistances and virulence loci, but relatively few have been completely sequenced. We determined the plasmid content of 280 staphylococci isolated in diverse geographical regions from the 1940s to the 2000s and found that 79% of strains carried at least one large plasmid >20 kb and that 75% of these large plasmids were 20–30 kb. Using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis, we grouped 43% of all large plasmids into three major families, showing remarkably conserved intercontinental spread of multiresistant staphylococcal plasmids over seven decades. In total, we sequenced 93 complete and 57 partial staphylococcal plasmids ranging in size from 1.3 kb to 64.9 kb, tripling the number of complete sequences for staphylococcal plasmids >20 kb in the NCBI RefSeq database. These plasmids typically carried multiple antimicrobial and metal resistances and virulence genes, transposases and recombinases. Remarkably, plasmids within each of the three main families were >98% identical, apart from insertions and deletions, despite being isolated from strains decades apart and on different continents. This suggests enormous selective pressure has optimized the content of certain plasmids despite their large size and complex organization.
Genome-wide Fitness Profiles Reveal a Requirement for Autophagy During Yeast Fermentation
Authors: Piggott Nina , Cook Michael A , Tyers Mike , Measday Vivien
Published: December 2011

The ability of cells to respond to environmental changes and adapt their metabolism enables cell survival under stressful conditions. The budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae) is particularly well adapted to the harsh conditions of anaerobic wine fermentation. However, S. cerevisiae gene function has not been previously systematically interrogated under conditions of industrial fermentation. We performed a genome-wide study of essential and nonessential S. cerevisiae gene requirements during grape juice fermentation to identify deletion strains that are either depleted or enriched within the viable fermentative population. Genes that function in autophagy and ubiquitin-proteasome degradation are required for optimal survival during fermentation, whereas genes that function in ribosome assembly and peroxisome biogenesis impair fitness during fermentation. We also uncover fermentation phenotypes for 139 uncharacterized genes with no previously known cellular function. We demonstrate that autophagy is induced early in wine fermentation in a nitrogen-replete environment, suggesting that autophagy may be triggered by other forms of stress that arise during fermentation. These results provide insights into the complex fermentation process and suggest possible means for improvement of industrial fermentation strains.
Generation of Highly Homogeneous Strains of Zebrafish Through Full Sib-Pair Mating
Authors: Shinya Minori , Sakai Noriyoshi
Published: December 2011

Genetically homogeneous populations, such as inbred strains, are powerful experimental tools that are ideally suited for studying immunology, cancer, and genetics of complex traits. The zebrafish, Danio rerio, has been underutilized in these research areas because homogeneous strains of experimental fish have not been available in tractable condition. Here, we attempted to inbreed two zebrafish wild-type strains, Tübingen and India, through full sib-pair mating. Although the inbred Tübingen strain failed to thrive and was lost after 13 generations, an inbred India strain (IM) has been maintained successfully. The IM strain has endured 16 generations of inbreeding and has maintained a healthy condition. Two additional strains, IM12m and IM14m, were established as closed colonies from the branches of the IM strain. Genotype analyses using genetic markers revealed a dramatic decrease in polymorphisms (62% dropped to 5%) in both IM (generation 14) and the two closed colonies. This indicates a high level of homogeneity in these strains. Furthermore, scale transplantations between individuals within each strain were successful. These data suggest that extremely homogeneous zebrafish strains have been established, thereby creating a valuable resource for practical application.
Glypican Gene GPC5 Participates in the Behavioral Response to Ethanol: Evidence from Humans, Mice, and Fruit Flies
Authors: Joslyn Geoff , Wolf Fred W , Brush Gerry , Wu Lianqun , Schuckit Marc , White Raymond L
Published: December 2011

Alcohol use disorders are influenced by many interacting genetic and environmental factors. Highlighting this complexity is the observation that large genome-wide association experiments have implicated many genes with weak statistical support. Experimental model systems, cell culture and animal, have identified many genes and pathways involved in ethanol response, but their applicability to the development of alcohol use disorders in humans is undetermined. To overcome the limitations of any single experimental system, the analytical strategy used here was to identify genes that exert common phenotypic effects across multiple experimental systems. Specifically, we (1) performed a mouse linkage analysis to identify quantitative trait loci that influence ethanol-induced ataxia; (2) performed a human genetic association analysis of the mouse-identified loci against ethanol-induced body sway, a phenotype that is not only comparable to the mouse ethanol-ataxia phenotype but is also a genetically influenced endophenotype of alcohol use disorders; (3) performed behavioral genetic experiments in Drosophila showing that fly homologs of GPC5, the member of the glypican gene family implicated by both the human and mouse genetic analyses, influence the fly’s response to ethanol; and (4) discovered data from the literature demonstrating that the genetically implicated gene’s expression is not only temporally and spatially consistent with involvement in ethanol-induced behaviors but is also modulated by ethanol. The convergence of these data provides strong support to the hypothesis that GPC5 is involved in cellular and organismal ethanol response and the etiology of alcohol use disorders in humans.
Detecting and Removing Ascertainment Bias in Microsatellites from the HGDP-CEPH Panel
Authors: Eriksson Anders , Manica Andrea
Published: December 2011

Although ascertainment bias in single nucleotide polymorphisms is a well-known problem, it is generally accepted that microsatellites have mutation rates too high for bias to be a concern. Here, we analyze in detail the large set of microsatellites typed for the Human Genetic Diversity Panel (HGDP)-CEPH panel. We develop a novel framework based on rarefaction to compare heterozygosity across markers with different mutation rates. We find that, whereas di- and tri-nucleotides show similar patterns of within- and between-population heterozygosity, tetra-nucleotides are inconsistent with the other two motifs. In addition, di- and tri-nucleotides are consistent with 16 unbiased tetra-nucleotide markers, whereas the HPGP-CEPH tetra-nucleotides are significantly different. This discrepancy is due to the HGDP-CEPH tetra-nucleotides being too homogeneous across Eurasia, even after their slower mutation rate is taken into account by rarefying the other markers. The most likely explanation for this pattern is ascertainment bias. We strongly advocate the exclusion of tetra-nucleotides from future population genetics analysis of this dataset, and we argue that other microsatellite datasets should be investigated for the presence of bias using the approach outlined in this article.
Genome Evolution in the Eremothecium Clade of the Saccharomyces Complex Revealed by Comparative Genomics
Authors: Wendland Jürgen , Walther Andrea
Published: December 2011

We used comparative genomics to elucidate the genome evolution within the pre–whole-genome duplication genus Eremothecium. To this end, we sequenced and assembled the complete genome of Eremothecium cymbalariae, a filamentous ascomycete representing the Eremothecium type strain. Genome annotation indicated 4712 gene models and 143 tRNAs. We compared the E. cymbalariae genome with that of its relative, the riboflavin overproducer Ashbya (Eremothecium) gossypii, and the reconstructed yeast ancestor. Decisive changes in the Eremothecium lineage leading to the evolution of the A. gossypii genome include the reduction from eight to seven chromosomes, the downsizing of the genome by removal of 10% or 900 kb of DNA, mostly in intergenic regions, the loss of a TY3-Gypsy–type transposable element, the re-arrangement of mating-type loci, and a massive increase of its GC content. Key species-specific events are the loss of MNN1-family of mannosyltransferases required to add the terminal fourth and fifth α-1,3-linked mannose residue to O-linked glycans and genes of the Ehrlich pathway in E. cymbalariae and the loss of ZMM-family of meiosis-specific proteins and acquisition of riboflavin overproduction in A. gossypii. This reveals that within the Saccharomyces complex genome, evolution is not only based on genome duplication with subsequent gene deletions and chromosomal rearrangements but also on fungi associated with specific environments (e.g. involving fungal-insect interactions as in Eremothecium), which have encountered challenges that may be reflected both in genome streamlining and their biosynthetic potential.
Uma proposição sistêmica para o desenvolvimento de embalagens
Authors: Santos Rubens da Costa , Castro Virgínia Maria Ferraz de
Published: December 2011

O presente trabalho propõe um enfoque sistêmico para o desenvolvimento de embalagens de alimentos. A aplicação dessa abordagem possibilitará o aprimoramento das inúmeras funções desempenhadas por esse veículo de comunicação. O reconhecimento das relações interdependentes entre os agentes presentes no sistema conduzirá ao fortalecimento da cadeia de escolha/aquisição/consumo. Com o ambiente da globalização empresaÂrial, a proposição trará contribuições relevantes, principalmente para o setor executivo. Produtores e consumidores poderão atuar num regime de parceria, na produção e comercialização de produtos alimentícios.
Reproductive traits of Gymnogeophagus labiatus (Teleostei, Cichlidae), in an upper stretch of Sinos river, Caraá, Brazil
Authors: Verba Júlia T. , Lampert Vinicius R. , Azevedo Marco A.
Published: December 2011

This work describes the reproduction of Gymnogeophagus labiatus (Hensel, 1870) from an upper stretch of Sinos river, southern Brazil, based on the analysis of 174 males and 132 females captured in monthly samples taken from January to December 2007. Results showed that reproductive activity occur in spring and summer although ripe males were found along the year. The standard length of the smallest ripe male was 104.74 mm (Lt) and the smallest ripe female was 55.00 mm (Lt). There was a significant difference in total sex ratio, with 1.32 males to each female (χ2 = 5.76). Males were much more abundant in March (1.75 males: 1 female) and December (5 males: 1 female). Females were more abundant in the 62├77 mm interval (1 male: 2.36 female) while males were more abundant in the 77├92 mm size interval (2.57 males: 1 female). The largest length intervals were composed of only males. Mean absolute fecundity was 113.4 (± 31.24 sd) and mean relative fecundity was 0.0125 (± 0.0026 sd) oocytes/mg. In ripe ovaries, small-diameter oocytes were observed at high frequencies while larger ones occurred at lower frequencies. This pattern is common in fishes with asynchronous oocyte development. Characteristics of G. labiatus, such as low fecundity, asynchrony in oocyte development, multiple spawning, and its well-known parental care behavior, are consistent with an equilibrium strategy, as proposed for other cichlids.
Dípteros ectoparasitas (Insecta, Diptera) em morcegos (Chiroptera, Mammalia) na Reserva Biológica das Perobas Paraná, Brasil
Authors: Silva Josiane R. R. da , Ortêncio Filho Henrique
Published: December 2011

Streblidae e Nycteribiidae são encontradas exclusivamente em associação com morcegos. Este trabalho teve como objetivo investigar a diversidade de insetos ectoparasitas encontrados em morcegos da Reserva Biológica das Perobas, Estado do Paraná, Brasil. O trabalho foi realizado nos meses de maio, junho e agosto de 2008 e fevereiro, março e abril de 2009. Para a captura dos morcegos, foram utilizadas 32 redes-de-neblina, totalizando esforço de captura de 43.520m².h. A coleta de ectoparasitas foi feita manualmente ou com auxílio de pinça reta de ponta fina. Os espécimes foram conservados em álcool 70% e identificados com auxílio de microscópio estereoscópico. Os dados foram analisados por meio do estimador não paramétrico Bootstrap e estatística descritiva. As espécies de ectoparasitas identificadas foram: Aspidoptera falcata Wenzel, 1976, Megistopoda proxima (Séguy, 1926), Megistopoda aranea (Coquillett, 1899), Paratrichobius longicrus (Miranda Ribeiro, 1907), Trichobius tiptoni Wenzel, 1976 e Basilia quadrosae Graciolli & Moura, 2005. A curva de riqueza estimada indicou tendência à ocorrência de outras espécies de ectoparasitas na unidade de conservação, haja vista que não foi alcançada a assíntota horizontal. Os dados obtidos corroboram com os verificados em outras regiões do Brasil e contribuem com as informações sobre a diversidade do grupo no bioma Mata Atlântica do noroeste do Paraná.
Detecção molecular e análise filogenética de vírus respiratório sincicial bovino (BRSV) em swabs e tecido pulmonar de bovinos adultos
Authors: Domingues Helena Gallicchio , Spilki Fernando Rosado , Arns Clarice Weis
Published: December 2011

O vírus respiratório sincicial bovino (BRSV) é um dos agentes etiológicos de pneumonias em bovinos jovens. Poucos estudos foram realizados visando à detecção do agente em amostras coletadas de animais adultos, e em especial de bovinos assintomáticos. No entanto, presume-se que as infecções ocorridas nestes grupos possam ocorrer em sua maioria de forma assintomática e este seria um mecanismo importante para manutenção do BRSV nos rebanhos. No presente estudo, o objetivo foi realizar uma análise da prevalência de infecções assintomáticas pelo BRSV em pulmões (n=68) e swabs nasais (209) coletados de bovinos adultos coletadas em frigoríficos da região Sul e Sudeste respectivamente, no sentido de detectar por intermédio de reação da polimerase em cadeia qual a taxa de animais infectados em populações de animais adultos onde não ocorram sinais clínicos da infecção. As amostras positivas à RT-PCR (6) foram posteriormente submetidas ao corte com enzimas de restrição (REA) e sequenciamento para caracterização genética do gene F (2 das amostras). Todas as amostras se enquadram no subgrupo B de BRSV, o grupo circulante no Brasil conforme estudos anteriores. Os resultados obtidos demonstram que o BRSV pode estar presente em amostras obtidas de animais sadios, reforçando a hipótese de que infecções subclínicas fazem parte do mecanismo de manutenção do vírus nos rebanhos.
Análise interactômica da VDAC (voltage-dependent anion selective channel) nos cérebros aviar, bovino e murino
Authors: Crepaldi Carla Rossini , Munin Flávia Simone , Vitale Phelipe Augusto Mariano , César Marcelo de Cerqueira
Published: December 2011

A VDAC é a proteína mais abundante na membrana mitocondrial externa. Exerce o controle da atividade desta organela através da regulação da troca de metabólitos e tem função crucial no mecanismo de apoptose. Em nosso caso, os estudos dos complexos protéicos, das interações entre a VDAC e outras proteínas presentes no interior do neurônio que auxiliam na manutenção das funções das organelas e da célula, fazem parte da chamada interactômica. O presente estudo determinou o interactoma do complexo protéico Hexoquinase-VDAC-ANT presente em cérebros murino, bovino e aviar. Nosso objetivo foi identificar se as expressões diferenciadas da VDAC1 e VDAC2 verificadas nos cérebros murino, aviar e bovino, estão associadas a diferenças nos interactomas dessas proteínas. Este estudo revelou que as espécies aviar e bovina apresentaram o maior número de complexos protéicos contendo VDACs (5) quando comparadas com os neurônios de rato (1), o que é indicativo de uma cinética diferencial de montagem ou desmontagem do complexo. Além disso, a VDAC mitocondrial neuronal aviar também interage com mais proteínas em relação à VDAC mitocondrial neuronal bovina, o que é resultado de uma composição de subunidades diferenciada. Tais resultados indicam diferenças significativas quanto ao metabolismo energético e apoptótico no cérebro aviar, bovino e murino, existindo interações diferenciais da VDAC no cérebro aviar.
Development of an orange juice surrogate for the study of dental erosion
Authors: Scaramucci Tais , Hara Anderson T. , Zero Domenick T. , Ferreira Stella S. , Aoki Idalina V. , Sobral Maria Angela P.
Published: December 2011

The aim of this study was to create a synthetic juice (SJ) to be used as a surrogate for natural orange juices in erosion studies, verifying its erosive potential. The SJ was formulated based on the chemical composition of orange juices from different locations. Forty enamel and 40 root dentin specimens were randomly assigned into 4 experimental groups (n=10): SJ; 1% Citric Acid (CA); Minute Maid Original® (MM) and Florida Natural Original® (FN). The specimens were immersed in their respective solutions for 5 min, 6x/day for 5 days, in an erosion-remineralization cycling model. Enamel specimens were analyzed by surface Knoop microhardness and optical profilometry and dentin specimens only by optical profilometry. Outcomes were analyzed statistically by ANOVA followed by Tukey’s test considering a significance level of 5%. For enamel, the surface loss and microhardness changes found for MM and SJ groups were similar (p>0.05) and significantly lower (p<0.01) than those found in the CA group. For dentin, CA promoted significantly greater (p<0.01) surface loss compared with all the other groups. No significant difference (p>0.05) was observed in dentin surface loss between MM and SJ. In conclusion, CA was the most erosive solution, and SJ had a similar erosive potential to that of MM natural orange juice.
Glutaraldehyde release from heat-polymerized acrylic resins after disinfection and chemical and mechanical polishing
Authors: Orsi Iara Augusta , Andrade Vanessa Gomes , Bonato Pierina Sueli , Raimundo Lariça Barbosa , Herzog Daniella Silva , Borie Eduardo
Published: December 2011

This study evaluated the release of glutaraldehyde from heat-polymerized acrylic resins subjected to disinfection followed by chemical and mechanical polishing. Ninety disc-shaped specimens (15 x 4 mm), 30 per resin (Lucitone 550, QC-20 and Classico), were made and assigned to 2 groups according to the type of polishing. One side of each specimen was not polished and the other was either mechanically (n=45) or chemically (n=45) polished, and immersed in water at 50°C for 1 h to allow the release of intrinsic substances and then kept in distilled water for 7 days. The specimens were disinfected by immersion in 2% glutaraldehyde for 10 min. After this period, 3 specimens from each group were immersed in water for 15, 30, 60, 120 and 240 min. For the 15-, 30-, 60-min immersions, 4 water exchanges were done at the end of period. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to detect and quantify the glutaraldehyde released after each period. Data were analyzed statistically by two-way ANOVA and multiple comparisons were done by Tukey’s and Scheffé’s tests (α=0.05). No glutaraldehyde release was observed from the specimens with chemical polishing at any of the immersion periods, while the mechanically polished specimens released glutaraldehyde. In the groups with water exchanges, Lucitone released more disinfectant in the 15-min period (0.040 μg/mL), Classico in the 30-min (0.021 μg/mL) and 60-min (0.018 μg/mL) periods, and QC-20 the same amount (-1.760 μg/mL) in all periods. In the groups without water exchanges, Lucitone released the highest amount of disinfectant (-1.370 μg/mL), differing significantly from QC-20 (0022 g/mL) and Classico (0019 g/mL), which were similar. The findings of this showed that chemically polished specimens from the 3 resin brands did not release glutaraldehyde after different periods of immersion, while glutaraldehyde release was observed from the mechanically polished specimens, especially from those made of Lucitone resin.
Dental care management in a child with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa
Authors: Torres Carolina Paes , Gomes-Silva Jaciara Miranda , Mellara Thalita Siqueira , Carvalho Lívia Pasqualini , Borsatto Maria Cristina
Published: December 2011

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a heterogeneous group of rare genetic disorders characterized by marked fragility of the skin and mucous membranes in which vesiculobullous lesions occur in response to trauma, heat or no apparent cause. The recessive form of EB presents the greatest oral alterations including repeated blistering and scar formation leading to limited oral opening, ankyloglossia, tongue denudation, microstomia, vestibule obliteration and predisposition to oral carcinoma. Routine dental care may cause bullae formation on the lips and oral mucosa. Together with the ingestion of soft and frequently carbohydrate food, these anomalies lead to a high caries risk. This paper documents a case of a child diagnosed with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB); describes the phases and difficulties of dental treatment and the measures that dentists and health care providers should adopt in order to provide a safe and effective dental treatment as well as earlier prevention to these patients.
Oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC): alcohol and tobacco consumption versus non-consumption. A study in a Portuguese population
Authors: Albuquerque Rui , López-López José , Marí-Roig Antonio , Jané-Salas Enric , Roselló-Llabrés Xavier , Santos Jorge Rosa
Published: December 2011

There has been an increase in the incidence of carcinoma of the tongue, particularly among alcohol and tobacco non-users. However, the number of studies that would allow a better understanding of etiological factors and clinical features, particularly in the Portuguese population, is very limited. This study was based on patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the anterior two thirds of the tongue that were treated at the Department of Head and Neck Surgery of the “Instituto Portugues de Oncologia de Lisboa - Francisco Gentil” (IPOLFG) in Lisbon, Portugal, between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2009. The patients were divided in alcohol and tobacco users and non-users in order to evaluate the differences between these 2 groups based on gender, age, tumor location, denture use, and tumor size, metastasis and stage. Of the 354 cases, 208 were users and 146 were non-users. The main location in both groups was the lateral border of the tongue. Denture use showed no significant effect in both study groups. It was possible to conclude that patients who did not drink or smoke were older and presented with smaller tumor size, lower incidence of ganglion metastasis and lower tumor stage compared with alcohol and tobacco users.
Caracterização físico-química da mucilagem de inhame liofilizada
Authors: Tavares Sandra Aparecida , Pereira Joelma , Guerreiro Mário César , Pimenta Carlos José , Pereira Lucinéia , Missagia Simone Velloso
Published: December 2011

A mucilagem do inhame desempenha papel de interesse na indústria de alimentos em razão das suas propriedades como espessante, estabilizante e emulsificante. Neste estudo, objetivou-se caracterizar a mucilagem liofilizada do inhame por meio de análises físicas, químicas e reológicas. Foram determinados a composição centesimal, valor calórico, pH, acidez, sais minerais, vitamina C, açúcares totais, polifenóis, pectinametilesterase, poligalacturonase, termogravimétrica, análise térmica diferencial, calorimetria diferencial de varredura, espectroscopia infravermelho e viscosidade aparente. A mucilagem de inhame liofilizada apresentou elevados teores de proteína bruta e fibra alimentar e baixos teores de fração glicídica e de valor calórico. Quanto à análise termogravimétrica a mucilagem de inhame demonstrou maior perda de massa cerca de 60% à temperatura média de 200º C, o que inviabiliza o seu uso acima desta temperatura.
As mútuas interfaces entre projetos e ações de educação ambiental e de gestão de recursos hídricos: subsídios para políticas de estado
Authors: Saito Carlos H.
Published: December 2011

O texto problematiza os desafios postos aos gestores públicos que lidam com a necessidade de gerir recursos para apoio a projetos de educação ambiental relacionados à gestão de recursos hídricos. As questões centrais apresentadas são: "Qual Educação Ambiental (EA) cabe fomentar?", "Que concepção de recurso hídrico estamos assumindo?" e "Quando um projeto de EA tem a ver com recursos hídricos e vice-versa?". Estas questões são respondidas a partir do reconhecimento da legitimidade e necessidade do Estado em assumir seu papel coordenador, seletivo e indutor, e à luz de diversos estudos de caso. Argumenta-se que não basta ao Estado fomentar projetos, sendo necessário que esse mesmo Estado se estruture para ser capaz de conhecer e avaliar a magnitude e a distribuição das diferentes modalidades de apoio concedidas, assumindo também um papel investigativo de sua própria ação e prática. Acredita-se assim poder manter a coerência entre os resultados das ações e os princípios geradores das mesmas, atendendo ainda os objetivos fundamentais da educação ambiental expressas na Política Nacional de Educação Ambiental.
Percepção de limitações de atividades comunicativas, resolução temporal e figura-fundo em perda auditiva unilateral
Authors: Vieira Márcia Ribeiro , Nishihata Regiane , Chiari Brasília Maria , Pereira Liliane Desgualdo
Published: December 2011

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os comportamentos auditivos de figura-fundo e resolução temporal, e a auto-percepção das limitações de atividades comunicativas de crianças e adolescentes portadores de perda auditiva unilateral. MÉTODOS: Participaram do estudo 38 indivíduos, com idades entre 8 e 19 anos, divididos em: grupo estudo (portadores de perda auditiva unilateral) e grupo controle (ouvintes normais), cada um formado por 19 indivíduos, pareados conforme gênero, idade e escolaridade. Todos foram submetidos à anamnese, avaliação audiológica e aos procedimentos do estudo: questionário de auto-avaliação das limitações de atividades comunicativas, testes de processamento auditivo Gaps-in-Noise e Pediatric Speech Intelligibility Test. A análise estatística foi realizada por meio de testes não paramétricos. RESULTADOS: No grupo estudo, a perda auditiva unilateral na maioria dos participantes foi de grau profundo, com início na fase pré-escolar, com etiologias desconhecidas ou identificadas como meningite, traumas, caxumba e sarampo. A maioria dos indivíduos apresentou queixa de dificuldades de aprendizagem e mostrou limitações de atividades comunicativas de grau moderado predominantemente, e principalmente em situações ruidosas. No grupo estudo foram observadas as piores respostas tanto para os limiares de detecção de gap como no teste Pediatric Speech Intelligibility Test obtidas na orelha normal. Não houve correlação significativa entre os limiares de detecção de gap na orelha normal e o lado da orelha com perda auditiva. CONCLUSÃO: Indivíduos com perda auditiva unilateral apresentam limitações de atividades comunicativas, principalmente em ambientes ruidosos associadas a piores habilidades auditivas de resolução temporal e de figura-fundo.
Fonoterapia em glossectomia total: estudo de caso
Authors: Vieira Camila Alves
Published: December 2011

A cirurgia curativa do câncer de língua ocasiona sequelas que prejudicam o bom funcionamento das funções estomatognáticas. O objetivo do trabalho é descrever, por meio de estudo de caso, os achados da avaliação e a evolução da reabilitação fonoaudiológica das funções de deglutição e fala de um indivíduo de 58 anos, gênero masculino, submetido à glossectomia total em junho de 2009. Após a avaliação diagnosticou-se disfagia orofaríngea mecânica severa e alteração na articulação da fala. Na reabilitação fonoaudiológica foram utilizadas, como formas de atuação, as terapias direta e indireta. Na terapia indireta trabalhou-se controle motor oral, sensibilidade, mobilidade, motricidade, tônus e postura das estruturas adjacentes da língua resseccionada. Na terapia direta empregou-se a manobra de postura de cabeça para trás para auxiliar na ejeção de alimentos para a faringe. O paciente passou a alimentar-se exclusivamente por via oral, com a restrição de sólidos, após dez meses em tratamento. No que se refere à fala, foram utilizados exercícios de sobrearticulação, velocidade e ritmo para melhorar a sua inteligibilidade. Dessa forma, considerou-se os resultados da intervenção fonoaudiológica positivos e o paciente recebeu alta após um ano em tratamento. Conclui-se que as ressecções de língua apresentam sequelas significativas nas funções de deglutição e fala, assim sendo, é imprescindível a atuação fonoaudiológica para modificar e adaptar essas funções, além de proporcionar melhor qualidade de vida ao paciente.
Performance of Artificial Neural Network for Predicting Fermentation Characteristics in Biosurfactant Production by Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 using Sugar Cane Molasses
Authors: Rahimi Kashkouli Yousef , Mogharei Azadeh , Mousavian Saman , Vahabzadeh Farzaneh
Published: December 2011

Artificial neural network (ANN) was successfully applied to model fermentation parameters for biosurfactant production by Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 using sugar cane molasses. Cell growth and biosurfactant production were monitored along the surface activity of the cell-free broth. Response surface methodology (RSM) as a formal statistical model building system was used for the ANN development. The network predicted biosurfactant concentration was 0.381 g/l which showed almost no differences with the relevant experimental value which obtained according to the RSM arrangement. Furthermore, the ANN surface tension reduction was 30.48 mN/m, which was within 3.24% of the experimental value. Comparisons between RSM and the ANN showed preference of using ANN as complementary to RSM and not as a replacement to it.
Analyzing Business Issues—With Excel: The Case of Superior Log Cabins, Inc.
Authors: Convery Susan P. , Swaney Amy M.
Published: December 2011

This paper describes an instructional module developed for the principles of management accounting course to strengthen students' analytical problem-solving skills using spreadsheets. The module and all its components are presented first, followed by one of the four mini-cases used in a recent semester along with implementation guidance. The Analyzing Business Issues—with Excel (ABI-WE) mini-cases present a short business scenario, data related to the business issue, and a set of requirements to be completed using specific Excel functions from a directory of 40 covered in a semester. The mini-case itself is in Excel, so students can readily copy data into a solution worksheet. The primary focus is on analysis of the business issue using managerial accounting data, and the secondary learning objective is to develop an advanced level of expertise in selected spreadsheet functions; such as pivot tables, regression, if/then statements, V-lookup, conditional formatting, goal seek, and net present value.
The Effect of Distance and Tooth Structure on Laser Fluorescence Caries Detection
Authors: Markowitz K , Stenvall RM , Graye M
Published: December 2011

Clinical Relevance

Devices used to aid occlusal caries diagnosis are supposed to detect small lesions deep in the pit and fissure system. In detecting small occlusal caries, distance and tooth structure may separate the instrument and the carious lesion. In this study distance and tooth structure were found to reduce the ability of the DIAGNOdent to detect caries.
Anesthetic Efficacy of Combinations of 0.5 M Mannitol and Lidocaine With Epinephrine in Inferior Alveolar Nerve Blocks: A Prospective Randomized, Single-Blind Study
Authors: Wolf Ronald , Reader Al , Drum Melissa , Nusstein John , Beck Mike
Published: December 2011

The purpose of this prospective, randomized, single-blind study was to determine the anesthetic efficacy of lidocaine with epinephrine compared to lidocaine with epinephrine plus 0.5 M mannitol in inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) blocks. Forty subjects randomly received an IAN block in 3 separate appointments spaced at least 1 week apart using the following formulations: a 1.8 mL solution of 36 mg lidocaine with 18 µg epinephrine (control solution); a 2.84 mL solution of 36 mg lidocaine with 18 µg epinephrine (1.80 mL) plus 0.5 M mannitol (1.04 mL); and a 5 mL solution of 63.6 mg lidocaine with 32 µg epinephrine (3.18 mL) plus 0.5 M mannitol (1.82 mL). Mandibular teeth were blindly electric pulp tested at 4-minute cycles for 60 minutes postinjection. No response from the subject to the maximum output (80 reading) of the pulp tester was used as the criterion for pulpal anesthesia. Mean percent total pulpal anesthesia was defined as the total of all the times of pulpal anesthesia (80 readings) over the 60 minutes. Pain of solution deposition and postoperative pain were also measured. The results demonstrated that 2.84 mL of lidocaine with epinephrine plus 0.5 M mannitol was significantly better than 1.8 mL of lidocaine with epinephrine for the molars and premolars. The 5 mL of lidocaine with epinephrine plus 0.5 M mannitol was statistically better than 1.8 mL of lidocaine with epinephrine and 2.84 mL of lidocaine with epinephrine plus 0.5 M mannitol for all teeth except the central incisor. Solution deposition pain and postoperative pain were not statistically different among the mannitol formulations and the lidocaine formulation without mannitol. We concluded that adding 0.5 M mannitol to lidocaine with epinephrine formulations significantly improved effectiveness in achieving a greater percentage of total pulpal anesthesia compared with a lidocaine formulation without mannitol for IAN block.
Development and Application of Multidimensional HPLC Mapping Method for O-linked Oligosaccharides
Authors: Yagi Hirokazu , Ohno Erina , Kondo Sachiko , Yoshida Atsuhiro , Kato Koichi
Published: December 2011

Glycosylation improves the solubility and stability of proteins, contributes to the structural integrity of protein functional sites, and mediates biomolecular recognition events involved in cell-cell communications and viral infections. The first step toward understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying these carbohydrate functionalities is a detailed characterization of glycan structures. Recently developed glycomic approaches have enabled comprehensive analyses of N-glycosylation profiles in a quantitative manner. However, there are only a few reports describing detailed O-glycosylation profiles primarily because of the lack of a widespread standard method to identify O-glycan structures. Here, we developed an HPLC mapping method for detailed identification of O-glycans including neutral, sialylated, and sulfated oligosaccharides. Furthermore, using this method, we were able to quantitatively identify isomeric products from an in vitro reaction catalyzed by N-acetylglucosamine-6O-sulfotransferases and obtain O-glycosylation profiles of serum IgA as a model glycoprotein.