bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Functional Roles of Complexin in Neurotransmitter Release at Ribbon Synapses of Mouse Retinal Bipolar Neurons
Authors: Vaithianathan Thirumalini , Henry Diane , Akmentin Wendy , Matthews Gary
Published: March 2015

Ribbon synapses of photoreceptor cells and bipolar neurons in the retina signal graded changes in light intensity via sustained release of neurotransmitter. One molecular specialization of retinal ribbon synapses is the expression of complexin protein subtypes Cplx3 and Cplx4, whereas conventional synapses express Cplx1 and Cplx2. Because complexins bind to the molecular machinery for synaptic vesicle fusion (the SNARE complex) and modulate transmitter release at conventional synapses, we examined the roles of ribbon-specific complexin in regulating release at ribbon synapses of ON bipolar neurons from mouse retina. To interfere acutely with the interaction of native complexins with the SNARE complex, a peptide consisting of the highly conserved SNARE-binding domain of Cplx3 was introduced via a whole-cell patch pipette placed directly on the synaptic terminal, and vesicle fusion was monitored using capacitance measurements and FM-dye destaining. The inhibitory peptide, but not control peptides, increased spontaneous synaptic vesicle fusion, partially depleted reserve synaptic vesicles, and reduced fusion triggered by opening voltage-gated calcium channels under voltage clamp, without affecting the number of synaptic vesicles associated with ribbons, as revealed by electron microscopy of recorded terminals. The results are consistent with a dual role for ribbon-specific complexin, acting as a brake on the SNARE complex to prevent spontaneous fusion in the absence of calcium influx, while at the same time facilitating release evoked by depolarization.
Juvenile Obesity Enhances Emotional Memory and Amygdala Plasticity through Glucocorticoids
Authors: Boitard Chloé , Maroun Mouna , Tantot Frédéric , Cavaroc Amandine , Sauvant Julie , Marchand Alain , Layé Sophie , Capuron Lucile , Darnaudery Muriel , Castanon Nathalie , Coutureau Etienne , Vouimba Rose-Marie , Ferreira Guillaume
Published: March 2015

In addition to metabolic and cardiovascular disorders, obesity is associated with adverse cognitive and emotional outcomes. Its growing prevalence during adolescence is particularly alarming since recent evidence indicates that obesity can affect hippocampal function during this developmental period. Adolescence is a decisive period for maturation of the amygdala and the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) stress axis, both required for lifelong cognitive and emotional processing. However, little data are available on the impact of obesity during adolescence on amygdala function. Herein, we therefore evaluate in rats whether juvenile high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity alters amygdala-dependent emotional memory and whether it depends on HPA axis deregulation. Exposure to HFD from weaning to adulthood, i.e., covering adolescence, enhances long-term emotional memories as assessed by odor–malaise and tone–shock associations. Juvenile HFD also enhances emotion-induced neuronal activation of the basolateral complex of the amygdala (BLA), which correlates with protracted plasma corticosterone release. HFD exposure restricted to adulthood does not modify all these parameters, indicating adolescence is a vulnerable period to the effects of HFD-induced obesity. Finally, exaggerated emotional memory and BLA synaptic plasticity after juvenile HFD are alleviated by a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist. Altogether, our results demonstrate that juvenile HFD alters HPA axis reactivity leading to an enhancement of amygdala-dependent synaptic and memory processes. Adolescence represents a period of increased susceptibility to the effects of diet-induced obesity on amygdala function.
Losing the Music: Aging Affects the Perception and Subcortical Neural Representation of Musical Harmony
Authors: Bones Oliver , Plack Christopher J.
Published: March 2015

When two musical notes with simple frequency ratios are played simultaneously, the resulting musical chord is pleasing and evokes a sense of resolution or “consonance”. Complex frequency ratios, on the other hand, evoke feelings of tension or “dissonance”. Consonance and dissonance form the basis of harmony, a central component of Western music. In earlier work, we provided evidence that consonance perception is based on neural temporal coding in the brainstem (Bones et al., 2014). Here, we show that for listeners with clinically normal hearing, aging is associated with a decline in both the perceptual distinction and the distinctiveness of the neural representations of different categories of two-note chords. Compared with younger listeners, older listeners rated consonant chords as less pleasant and dissonant chords as more pleasant. Older listeners also had less distinct neural representations of consonant and dissonant chords as measured using a Neural Consonance Index derived from the electrophysiological “frequency-following response.” The results withstood a control for the effect of age on general affect, suggesting that different mechanisms are responsible for the perceived pleasantness of musical chords and affective voices and that, for listeners with clinically normal hearing, age-related differences in consonance perception are likely to be related to differences in neural temporal coding.
Spatiotemporal Memory Is an Intrinsic Property of Networks of Dissociated Cortical Neurons
Authors: Ju Han , Dranias Mark R. , Banumurthy Gokulakrishna , VanDongen Antonius M.J.
Published: March 2015

The ability to process complex spatiotemporal information is a fundamental process underlying the behavior of all higher organisms. However, how the brain processes information in the temporal domain remains incompletely understood. We have explored the spatiotemporal information-processing capability of networks formed from dissociated rat E18 cortical neurons growing in culture. By combining optogenetics with microelectrode array recording, we show that these randomly organized cortical microcircuits are able to process complex spatiotemporal information, allowing the identification of a large number of temporal sequences and classification of musical styles. These experiments uncovered spatiotemporal memory processes lasting several seconds. Neural network simulations indicated that both short-term synaptic plasticity and recurrent connections are required for the emergence of this capability. Interestingly, NMDA receptor function is not a requisite for these short-term spatiotemporal memory processes. Indeed, blocking the NMDA receptor with the antagonist APV significantly improved the temporal processing ability of the networks, by reducing spontaneously occurring network bursts. These highly synchronized events have disastrous effects on spatiotemporal information processing, by transiently erasing short-term memory. These results show that the ability to process and integrate complex spatiotemporal information is an intrinsic property of generic cortical networks that does not require specifically designed circuits.
Astrocyte-Mediated Ischemic Tolerance
Authors: Hirayama Yuri , Ikeda-Matsuo Yuri , Notomi Shoji , Enaida Hiroshi , Kinouchi Hiroyuki , Koizumi Schuichi
Published: March 2015

Preconditioning (PC) using a preceding sublethal ischemic insult is an attractive strategy for protecting neurons by inducing ischemic tolerance in the brain. Although the underlying molecular mechanisms have been extensively studied, almost all studies have focused on neurons. Here, using a middle cerebral artery occlusion model in mice, we show that astrocytes play an essential role in the induction of brain ischemic tolerance. PC caused activation of glial cells without producing any noticeable brain damage. The spatiotemporal pattern of astrocytic, but not microglial, activation correlated well with that of ischemic tolerance. Interestingly, such activation in astrocytes lasted at least 8 weeks. Importantly, inhibiting astrocytes with fluorocitrate abolished the induction of ischemic tolerance. To investigate the underlying mechanisms, we focused on the P2X7 receptor as a key molecule in astrocyte-mediated ischemic tolerance. P2X7 receptors were dramatically upregulated in activated astrocytes. PC-induced ischemic tolerance was abolished in P2X7 receptor knock-out mice. Moreover, our results suggest that hypoxia-inducible factor-1α, a well known mediator of ischemic tolerance, is involved in P2X7 receptor-mediated ischemic tolerance. Unlike previous reports focusing on neuron-based mechanisms, our results show that astrocytes play indispensable roles in inducing ischemic tolerance, and that upregulation of P2X7 receptors in astrocytes is essential.
β1-Integrin Alters Ependymal Stem Cell BMP Receptor Localization and Attenuates Astrogliosis after Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: North Hilary A. , Pan Liuliu , McGuire Tammy L. , Brooker Sarah , Kessler John A.
Published: March 2015

Astrogliosis after spinal cord injury (SCI) is a major impediment to functional recovery. More than half of new astrocytes generated after SCI are derived from ependymal zone stem cells (EZCs). We demonstrate that expression of β1-integrin increases in EZCs following SCI in mice. Conditional knock-out of β1-integrin increases GFAP expression and astrocytic differentiation by cultured EZCs without altering oligodendroglial or neuronal differentiation. Ablation of β1-integrin from EZCsin vivoreduced the number of EZC progeny that continued to express stem cell markers after SCI, increased the proportion of EZC progeny that differentiated into GFAP+ astrocytes, and diminished functional recovery. Loss of β1-integrin increased SMAD1/5/8 and p38 signaling, suggesting activation of BMP signaling. Coimmunoprecipitation studies demonstrated that β1-integrin directly interacts with the bone morphogenetic protein receptor subunits BMPR1a and BMPR1b. Ablation of β1-integrin reduced overall levels of BMP receptors but significantly increased partitioning of BMPR1b into lipid rafts with increased SMAD1/5/8 and p38 signaling. Thus β1-integrin expression by EZCs reduces movement of BMPR1b into lipid rafts, thereby limiting the known deleterious effects of BMPR1b signaling on glial scar formation after SCI.
Marker expression reveals heterogeneity of spermatogonia in the neonatal mouse testis
Authors: Niedenberger Bryan A , Busada Jonathan T , Geyer Christopher B
Published: March 2015

Prospermatogonia transition to type A spermatogonia, which provide the source for the spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) pool. A percentage of these type A spermatogonia then differentiate to enter meiosis as spermatocytes by ∼P10. It is currently unclear as to when these distinct populations are initially formed in the neonatal testis, and when the expression of markers both characteristic of and required for the adult undifferentiated and differentiating states is established. In this study, we compared expression of known spermatogonial cell fate markers during normal development and in response to the differentiation signal provided by retinoic acid (RA). We found that some markers for the undifferentiated state (ZBTB16/PLZF and CDH1) were expressed in nearly all spermatogonia from P1 through P7. In contrast, differentiation markers (STRA8 and KIT) appeared in a subset of spermatogonia at P4, coincident with the onset of RA signaling. GFRA1, which was present in nearly all prospermatogonia at P1, was only retained in STRA8/KIT− spermatogonia. From P4 through P10, there was a great deal of heterogeneity in the male germ cell population in terms of expression of markers, as markers characteristic of the undifferentiated (except GFRA1) and differentiating states were co-expressed through this interval. After P10, these fate markers diverged to mark distinct populations of undifferentiated and differentiating spermatogonia, and this pattern was maintained in juvenile (P18) and adult (P>60) testes. Taken together, these results reveal that the spermatogonia population is heterogeneous during the first wave of spermatogenesis, and indicate that neonatal spermatogonia may not serve as an ideal substitute for studying the function of adult spermatogonia.
Genetic Mapping of Natural Variation in Schooling Tendency in the Threespine Stickleback
Authors: Greenwood Anna K , Ardekani Reza , McCann Shaugnessy R , Dubin Matthew E , Sullivan Amy , Bensussen Seth , Tavaré Simon , Peichel Catherine L
Published: March 2015

Although there is a heritable basis for many animal behaviors, the genetic architecture of behavioral variation in natural populations remains mostly unknown, particularly in vertebrates. We sought to identify the genetic basis for social affiliation in two populations of threespine sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) that differ in their propensity to school. Marine sticklebacks from Japan school strongly whereas benthic sticklebacks from a lake in Canada are more solitary. Here, we expanded on our previous efforts to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for differences in schooling tendency. We tested fish multiple times in two assays that test different aspects of schooling tendency: 1) the model school assay, which presents fish with a school of eight model sticklebacks; and 2) the choice assay, in which fish are given a choice between the model school and a stationary artificial plant. We found low-to-moderate levels of repeatability, ranging from 0.1 to 0.5, in schooling phenotypes. To identify the genomic regions that contribute to differences in schooling tendency, we used QTL mapping in two types of crosses: benthic × marine backcrosses and an F2 intercross. We found two QTL for time spent with the school in the model school assay, and one QTL for number of approaches to the school in the choice assay. These QTL were on three different linkage groups, not previously linked to behavioral differences in sticklebacks. Our results highlight the importance of using multiple crosses and robust behavioral assays to uncover the genetic basis of behavioral variation in natural populations.
Leveraging DNA Damage Response Signaling to Identify Yeast Genes Controlling Genome Stability
Authors: Hendry Jason A , Tan Guihong , Ou Jiongwen , Boone Charles , Brown Grant W
Published: March 2015

Oncogenesis frequently is accompanied by rampant genome instability, which fuels genetic heterogeneity and resistance to targeted cancer therapy. We have developed an approach that allows precise, quantitative measurement of genome instability in high-throughput format in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae model system. Our approach takes advantage of the strongly DNA damage-inducible gene RNR3, in conjunction with the reporter synthetic genetic array methodology, to infer mutants exhibiting genome instability by assaying for increased Rnr3 abundance. We screen for genome instability across a set of ~1000 essential and ~4200 nonessential mutant yeast alleles in untreated conditions and in the presence of the DNA-damaging agent methylmethane sulfonate. Our results provide broad insights into the cellular processes and pathways required for genome maintenance. Through comparison with existing genome instability screens, we isolated 130 genes that had not previously been linked to genome maintenance, 51% of which have human homologs. Several of these homologs are associated with a genome instability phenotype in human cells or are causally mutated in cancer. A comprehensive understanding of the processes required to prevent genome instability will facilitate a better understanding of its sources in oncogenesis.
Rapid and Efficient Identification ofCaenorhabditis elegansLegacy Mutations Using Hawaiian SNP-Based Mapping and Whole-Genome Sequencing
Authors: Jaramillo-Lambert Aimee , Fuchsman Abigail S , Fabritius Amy S , Smith Harold E , Golden Andy
Published: March 2015

The production of viable embryos requires the coordination of many cellular processes, including protein synthesis, cytoskeletal reorganization, establishment of polarity, cell migration, cell division, and in Caenorhabditis elegans, eggshell formation. Defects in any of these processes can lead to embryonic lethality. We examined six temperature-sensitive mutants as well as one nonconditional mutant that were previously identified in genetic screens as either embryonic lethal (maternal-effect or zygotic lethal) or eggshell defective. The responsible molecular lesion for each had never been determined. After confirmation of temperature sensitivity and lethality, we performed whole-genome sequencing using a single-nucleotide polymorphism mapping strategy to pinpoint the molecular lesions. Gene candidates were confirmed by RNA interference phenocopy and/or complementation tests and one mutant was further validated by CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palidromic Repeats)/Cas9 gene editing. This approach identified new alleles of several genes that had only been previously studied by RNA interference depletion. Our identification of temperature-sensitive alleles for all of these essential genes provides an extremely useful tool for further investigation for the C. elegans community, such as the ability to address mutant phenotypes at various developmental stages and the ability to carry out suppressor/enhancer screens to identify other genes that function in a specific cellular process.
A Systematic Mutational Analysis of a Histone H3 Residue in Budding Yeast Provides Insights into Chromatin Dynamics
Authors: Johnson Paige , Mitchell Virginia , McClure Kelsi , Kellems Martha , Marshall Sarah , Allison Mary K , Lindley Harrison , Nguyen Hoai-Trang T , Tackett Jessalyn E , Duina Andrea A
Published: March 2015

In previous work using the Saccharomyces cerevisiae model system, a mutant version of histone H3—H3-L61W—was found to confer a variety of abnormal growth phenotypes and defects in specific aspects of the transcription process, including a pronounced alteration in the distribution pattern of the transcription elongation factor Spt16 across transcribed genes and promotion of cryptic transcription initiation within the FLO8 gene. To gain insights into the contribution of the H3-L61 residue to chromatin function, we have generated yeast strains expressing versions of histone H3 harboring all possible natural amino acid substitutions at position 61 (H3-L61X mutants) and tested them in a series of assays. We found that whereas 16 of the 19 H3-L61X mutants support viability when expressed as the sole source of histone H3 in cells, all 19 confer abnormal phenotypes ranging from very mild to severe, a finding that might in part explain the high degree of conservation of the H3-L61 residue among eukaryotes. An examination of the strength of the defects conferred by each H3-L61X mutant and the nature of the corresponding substituted residue provides insights into structural features of the nucleosome required for proper Spt16−gene interactions and for prevention of cryptic transcription initiation events. Finally, we provide evidence that the defects imparted by H3-L61X mutants on Spt16−gene interactions and on repression of intragenic transcription initiation are mechanistically related to each other.
Synchrotron x-ray diffraction analysis of gadolinium and lanthanum titanate oxides irradiated by xenon and tantalum swift heavy ions
Authors: Park Sulgiye , Lang Maik , Tracy Cameron L. , Zhang Fuxiang , Trautmann Christina , Wang Zhongwu , Ewing Rodney C.
Published: March 2015

A synthetic cubic pyrochlore, Gd2Ti2O7 (Fd3̅m) irradiated with swift heavy ions is compared with a compositionally-related composition La2Ti2O7 (P21), which has a monoclinic, layered, perovskite-type structure. Irradiation experiments were performed at the GSI Helmholtz Center with 181Ta ions and 129Xe ions at specific energies of 11MeV/amu. At these energies the ions pass entirely through the sample thickness of ∼ 40 μm. Angle-dispersive synchrotron powder x-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements were completed and an increasing ion-induced amorphization with increasing ion fluence was for both phases. The ion track cross-sections for the radiation-induced crystalline-to-amorphous transformation, as determined from the evolution of the integrated peak intensities as a function of fluence, reveal that La2Ti2O7 (track diameter, d ∼ 7.2 nm with 181Ta and 5.1 nm with 129Xe) is more susceptible to amorphization than Gd2Ti2O7 (d ∼ 6.2 nm with 181Ta and 4.6 nm with 129Xe). The radiation response of the two titanate compounds can be understood in the context of their different structures and cation ionic radius ratios rA/rB, where the susceptibility of radiation of titanate pyrochlores is proportionate with this radius ratio. The higher electronic linear energy loss of the 181Ta ions as compared with 129Xe ions leads to a consistent increase of volume amorphized per ion in both materials, which manifests as a larger track diameter.
MANOS erase performance dependence on nitrogen annealing conditions
Authors: Ioannou-Sougleridis Vassilios , Nikolaou Nikolaos , Dimitrakis Panagiotis , Normand Pascal , Skarlatos Dimitrios , Travlos Anastasios , Kukli Kaupo , Niinisto Jaakko , Ritala Mikko , Leskela Markku
Published: March 2015

In this work we examine the electrical characteristics and the memory properties of metal-alumina-nitride-oxide-silicon (MANOS) devices as a function of the post deposition annealing conditions. Post deposition annealing of the samples was performed at 850 or 1050°C in nitrogen ambient using two different processes: (1) Furnace annealing for 15 min and (2) rapid thermal annealing for 1 or 5 min. The capacitance equivalent thickness as extracted from the capacitance voltage characteristics depends strongly on the annealing process, being smallest for the furnace annealing. Furthermore, the experimental results indicate that the type of the annealing determines the defect state density of the Al2O3layer, via which the undesired effect of gate electrode electron injection takes place in the negative voltage regime. For inert ambient annealing the furnace process appears more efficient as compared to RTA.
Effects of Low Energy Carbon Ion Implantation on the Material Properties of InAs/GaAs Quantum Dots with Variation in Capping Layer
Authors: Upadhyay S. , Mandal A , Basu A. , Singh P. , Chakrabarti S.
Published: March 2015

Under controlled irradiation of low energy carbon ions, photoluminescence (PL) study of InAs quantum dots prepared with different capping structures (GaAs and InAlGaAs) was carried out. Samples were investigated by varying implantation energy from 15 keV to 50 keV with fluence ranging between 3 × 1011ions/cm2 and 8 × 1011 ions/cm2. For fixed fluence of 4 × 1011ions/cm2, low temperature PL showed enhancement in a certain range of energy, along with a blue shift in the PL peak wavelength. In contrast, with varying fluence at fixed implantation energy of 50 keV, PL enhancement was not significant, rather a drop in PL intensity was noted at higher fluence from 5 × 1011 to 8 × 1011 ions/cm2. Moreover, carbon ion implantation caused a blue shift in the PL emission peak for both energy and fluence variations. PL intensity suppression was possibly caused by the formation of non-radiative recombination centers (NRCs) near the capping layer, while the corresponding blue shift might be attributed to stress generation in the capping layer due to implantation. As-grown and implanted InAlGaAs capped samples did not exhibit much variation in full width at half maxima of PL spectra; however, significant variation was observed for the GaAs capped sample. These results validate that InAlGaAs-capped QDs are more immune to ion implantation.
Ion Beam Irradiation Induced Structural Modifications in Iron Phosphate Glasses: A Model System for Understanding Radiation Damage in Nuclear Waste Glasses
Authors: Gandy Amy S. , Stennett Martin C. , Brigden Clive , Hyatt Neil C.
Published: March 2015

Fe K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) was applied to study the structural response of iron phosphate glasses to atomic displacements arising from ion beam irradiation, as an analogue of α-recoil damage arising from actinide immobilization. Analysis of XAS spectra demonstrated reduction of Fe3+ to Fe2+ as a consequence of 2 MeV Kr+ and 2 MeV Au+ implantation to a fluence of 2 x 1016 ions / cm2 and 5 x 1015 ions / cm2, respectively.
Differences in student and clinician perceptions of clinical competency in undergraduate physiotherapy
Authors: Lo Kristin , Osadnik Christian , Leonard Marcus , Maloney Stephen
Published: March 2015

The ability of healthcare students to accurately self-reflect is crucial to the attainment of clinical competency; however limited research has been conducted in the physiotherapy profession. This study sought to determine a) whether ratings of clinical performance on a nationally standardised tool differ between students and their clinical educators; and b) whether the magnitude of agreement differs between ratings of clinical performance measured at two different time-points during clinical placements. From January 2012 until June 2013 undergraduate physiotherapy students and clinicians independently assessed students’ clinical competency via the Assessment of Physiotherapy Practice (APP) at midway and final assessments across all clinical placements. The mean degree of agreement was compared using the Bland-Altman method. Statistical analysis revealed a mean APP% score difference (student minus clinical educator) of -7.5% (95% limits of agreement 13.7 to -28.8%) at midway and -9.7% (95% limits of agreement 7.9 to -27.4%) at final assessment. This represents student ‘underestimation’ of their clinical competency. Considerable within-subject variability was evident from midway to final assessment. Further  examination of student and clinical educator agreement in the evaluation of student performance during health professional clinical placements is indicated in light of recent research.
Novelties in secretory structures and anatomy of Rhynchosia(Fabaceae)
Authors: VARGAS WANDERLEIA DE , SARTORI ÂNGELA L.B. , DIAS EDNA S.
Published: March 2015

A comparative anatomical study was carried out on the secretory structures of leaflets from taxa belonging to the genus Rhynchosia - taxa difficult to delimit because of uncertain interspecific relations - in order to evaluate the potential diagnostic value of these anatomical traits for taxonomic assignment. A further objective was to establish consensual denomination for these secretory structures. The new anatomical features found in these taxa were sufficiently consistent to separate the species evaluated. The presence and localization of glandular-punctate structures bulbous-based trichomes, the number of layers in the palisade parenchyma and the arrangement of vascular units distinguish the taxa investigated and these characteristics can be extended to other species of Papilionoideae. The trichomes analyzed were described and classified into five types. Depicted in diagrams, photomicrographs, and by scanning electron microscopy, and listed for the first time at the genus and species levels. The information obtained served to effectively distinguish the taxa investigated among species of Papilonoideae.
Biological associations of color variation in the Indo-Pacific swimming crab Charybdis hellerii
Authors: WATANABE TIMOTEO T. , ZARA FERNANDO J. , HATTORI GUSTAVO Y. , TURRA ALEXANDER , SANT'ANNA BRUNO S.
Published: March 2015

A marine biological invasion is a natural process accelerated by human activities, and the crab Charybdis hellerii is an example of a globally widespread invasive species. This study evaluated color variation in C. hellerii and its relationship to the sex, size and sexual maturity of these crabs, and compared the efficiency of a freeware digital image-editing program with a commercially available program. The color of the individuals was analyzed using standardized digital images. The color pattern varied significantly with size; smaller and immature individuals were darker than larger and mature ones. The female abdomen changed in morphology and color with sexual maturity, becoming wider and orange-colored. There was no statistical difference in the color values between males and females and immature males did not show morphological or color differences in their abdomen. This study highlights the possible relationships of the color and physiological state of the reproductive system, which could help in future studies of behavior, avoiding the need to dissect and/or remove individuals from nature for assessment of sexual maturity. The freeware program showed the same efficiency in digital image analysis as a widely known commercial program.
The overexpression of SOX2 affects the migration of human teratocarcinoma cell line NT2/D1
Authors: DRAKULIC DANIJELA , VICENTIC JELENA MARJANOVIC , SCHWIRTLICH MARIJA , TOSIC JELENA , KRSTIC ALEKSANDAR , KLAJN ANDRIJANA , STEVANOVIC MILENA
Published: March 2015

The altered expression of the SOX2 transcription factor is associated with oncogenic or tumor suppressor functions in human cancers. This factor regulates the migration and invasion of different cancer cells. In this study we investigated the effect of constitutive SOX2 overexpression on the migration and adhesion capacity of embryonal teratocarcinoma NT2/D1 cells derived from a metastasis of a human testicular germ cell tumor. We detected that increased SOX2 expression changed the speed, mode and path of cell migration, but not the adhesion ability of NT2/D1 cells. Additionally, we demonstrated that SOX2 overexpression increased the expression of the tumor suppressor protein p53 and the HDM2 oncogene. Our results contribute to the better understanding of the effect of SOX2 on the behavior of tumor cells originating from a human testicular germ cell tumor. Considering that NT2/D1 cells resemble cancer stem cells in many features, our results could contribute to the elucidation of the role of SOX2 in cancer stem cells behavior and the process of metastasis.
Functional properties of a Brazilian derived mouse embryonic stem cell line
Authors: VAIRO LEANDRO , MEDEI EMILIANO , SANTOS DANÚBIA S. DOS , RODRIGUES DEIVID C. , GOLDENBERG REGINA C.S. , CARVALHO ANTONIO C. CAMPOS DE
Published: March 2015

Pluripotent mouse embryonic stem cells (mESC) are cell lines derived from the inner cell mass of blastocyst-stage early mammalian embryos. Since ion channel modulation has been reported to interfere with both growth and differentiation process in mouse and human ESC it is important to characterize the electrophysiological properties of newly generated mESC and compare them to other lines. In this work, we studied the intercellular communication by way of gap junctions in a Brazilian derived mESC (USP-1, generated by Dr. Lygia Pereira's group) and characterized its electrophysiological properties. We used immunofluorescence and RT-PCR to reveal the presence of connexin 43 (Cx43), pluripotency markers and ion channels. Using a co-culture of neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes with mESC, where the heart cells expressed the enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein, we performed dye injections to assess functional coupling between the two cell types observing dye diffusion. The patch-clamp study showed outward currents identified as two types of potassium currents, transient outward potassium current (Ito) and delayed rectifier outward potassium current (Iks), by use of specific drug blockage. Calcium or sodium currents in undifferentiated mESC were not identified. We conclude that USP-1 mESC has functional Cx43 channels establishing intercellular communication among themselves and with cardiomyocytes and has a similar electrophysiological profile compared to other mESC cell lines.
Disparidades en salud mental asociadas a la orientación sexual en adolescentes mexicanos
Authors: Ortiz-Hernández Luis , Valencia-Valero Reyna Guadalupe
Published: March 2015

El objetivo de este estudio fue documentar las disparidades en salud mental relacionadas con la discriminación por orientación sexual en adolescentes de México. Se estudió una muestra nacional representativa de estudiantes de bachillerato. Se usaron dos indicadores de orientación homosexual: haber tenido un novio del mismo sexo y haber tenido relaciones sexuales con alguien del mismo sexo. Los eventos fueron: depresión, autoestima, ideación suicida e intento de suicidio y consumo de cigarros, alcohol y otras drogas. Los adolescentes que habían tenido noviazgos o relaciones sexuales con personas de su mismo sexo tuvieron un riesgo incrementando de síntomas depresivos, ideación e intento de suicidio y consumo problemático de alcohol. Estas diferencias sobre todo se relacionaron con la experiencia de violencia en la familia y la escuela. A pesar de los avances institucionales y legales para el reconocimiento de los derechos de la población lésbica, bisexual y homosexual, persisten inequidades en salud relacionadas con la discriminación por orientación sexual.
Empirically derived dietary patterns: interpretability and construct validity according to different factor rotation methods
Authors: Castro Michelle Alessandra de , Baltar Valéria Troncoso , Selem Soraya Sant'Ana de Castro , Marchioni Dirce Maria Lobo , Fisberg Regina Mara
Published: March 2015

This study aimed to investigate the effects of factor rotation methods on interpretability and construct validity of dietary patterns derived in a representative sample of 1,102 Brazilian adults. Dietary patterns were derived from exploratory factor analysis. Orthogonal (varimax) and oblique rotations (promax, direct oblimin) were applied. Confirmatory factor analysis assessed construct validity of the dietary patterns derived according to two factor loading cut-offs (≥ |0.20| and ≥ |0.25|). Goodness-of-fit indexes assessed the model fit. Differences in composition and in interpretability of the first pattern were observed between varimax and promax/oblimin at cut-off ≥ |0.20|. At cut-off ≥ |0.25|, these differences were no longer observed. None of the patterns derived at cut-off ≥ |0.20| showed acceptable model fit. At cut-off ≥ |0.25|, the promax rotation produced the best model fit. The effects of factor rotation on dietary patterns differed according to the factor loading cut-off used in exploratory factor analysis.
Compostos fenólicos e capacidade antioxidante em frutos de tomateiros mutantes fotomorfogenéticos
Authors: Dias Tiago , Melo Hyrandir Cabral de , Alves Frederico Rocha Rodrigues , Carvalho Rogério Falleiros , Carneiro Karla da Silva , Sousa Cleiton Mateus
Published: March 2015

Compostos fenólicos e capacidade antioxidante são mecanismos de defesa das plantas aos danos do estresse oxidativo. Os compostos fenólicos são sintetizados pela via dos fenilpropanoides, cuja enzima chave, fenilalanina amônia liase, é influenciada pela luz e ação de fotorreceptores, como o fitocromo. O objetivo do presente trabalho é avaliar a concentração de compostos fenólicos e a capacidade antioxidante de frutos de microtomateiro selvagem, cultivar "Micro-Tom" (MT), e seus mutantes fotomorfogenéticos high pigment 1 (hp1), super-responsivo a eventos mediados por luz e aurea (au), deficiente quantitativo em fitocromos. Vinte frutos maduros de cada genótipo (MT, hp1 e au) foram utilizados para as análises, realizadas em triplicata. Para quantificação dos compostos fenólicos totais, foi utilizado o método de Folin-Ciocalteu e a capacidade antioxidante foi realizada pelos métodos Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) e 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Os frutos do mutante hp1 apresentaram maiores conteúdos de compostos fenólicos totais e também maior capacidade antioxidante em relação à cultivar selvagem ("MT") e ao mutante au, o qual não diferiu significativamente da cultivar "MT".
Critérios técnicos para a seleção de pulverizadores autopropelidos comercializados no mercado brasileiro
Authors: Farias Marcelo Silveira de , Schlosser José Fernando , Estrada Javier Solis , Martini Alfran Tellechea , Barbieri Juan Paulo
Published: March 2015

Nos últimos anos, a oferta de pulverizadores autopropelidos no mercado brasileiro aumentou, principalmente para suprir a demanda de agricultores que possuem grandes extensões de áreas, nas quais se requer um alto ritmo operacional. Neste trabalho, foram avaliados, em função da potência nominal do motor, os diferentes tipos de transmissões, a capacidade do reservatório de calda, tamanho das barras e vão livre, considerados critérios técnicos importantes para a seleção dessas máquinas. Para tanto, utilizaram-se informações técnicas de 41 modelos de pulverizadores autopropelidos comercializados no mercado brasileiro. Como resultado, classificaram-se os pulverizadores em cinco classes, segundo a potência do motor. Verificou-se que, com o aumento da potência, os pulverizadores são equipados com transmissão hidrostática e a capacidade dos reservatórios de calda são maiores.
Physical benefits and reduction of depressive symptoms among the elderly: Results from the Portuguese "National Walking Program"
Authors: Branco Jeronimo Costa , Jansen Karen , Sobrinho Jessica Teixeira , Carrapatoso Susana , Spessato Barbara , Carvalho Joana , Mota Jorge , Silva Ricardo Azevedo da
Published: March 2015

The aim of this study was to investigate alterations in physical fitness and anthropometric parameters as well as depression symptoms among the elderly after participation in the "National Walking Program" (Portugal). The sample consisted of 26 elderly people over six months with a total of 72 exercise sessions. The exercise sessions consisted of aerobics (walking and running) and strength and flexibility exercises. Participants were assessed pre- and post-intervention for physical fitness with the Rikli & Jones test. The anthropometric measurements were assessed with a bioimpedance scale and a stadiometer, and depression with Yesavage's Geriatric Depression Scale. Physical activity was only assessed with an accelerometer at the pre-intervention phase. For statistical analysis, the student t test for paired samples was performed using SPSS 21 software. Statistically significant improvements were found in depressive symptoms (p ≤ 0.001), and in all physical fitness tests (p ≤ 0.05) except for flexibility tests (p ≥ 0.05). Waist circumference reduction also showed the positive effects of the intervention (p = 0.031). The conclusion drawn is that participation in the "National Walking Program" for 6 months was effective in improving the physical and psychological health of the elderly.
Gender inequalities in external cause mortality in Brazil, 2010
Authors: Moura Erly Catarina de , Gomes Romeu , Falcão Marcia Thereza Couto , Schwarz Eduardo , Neves Alice Cristina Medeiros das , Santos Wallace
Published: March 2015

Objective: To estimate mortality rate by external causes in Brazil.Methods: Mortality national 2010's data corrected by underreport and adjusted by direct method were evaluated by sex according to age, region of residence, race/skin color, education and conjugal situation.Results: The standardized mortality coefficient of external causes is higher among men (178 per thousand inhabitants) than among women (24 per thousand inhabitants), being higher among young men (20 to 29 years old) in all regions and decreasing with aging. The mortality rate reaches almost nine times higher among men comparably to women, being higher in North and Northeast regions. The death incidence by external causes is higher among men (36.4%) than among women (10.9%), meaning 170% more risk for men. The risk is also higher among the youngest: 6.00 for men and 7.36 for women. The main kind of death by external causes among men is aggressions, followed by transport accidents, the opposite of women.Conclusions: Besides sex, age is the more important predictive factor of precocious death by external causes, pointing the need of many and various sectors in order to construct new identities of non violence.
Microvascular complications in type 2 diabetes and associated factors: a telephone survey of self-reported morbidity
Authors: Santos Aliny de Lima , Cecílio Hellen Pollyanna Mantelo , Teston Elen Ferraz , Arruda Guilherme Oliveira de , Peternella Fabiana Magalhães Navarro , Marcon Sonia Silva
Published: March 2015

The scope of this article is to estimate the prevalence of microvascular complications of self-reported type 2 diabetes and the association with sociodemographic characteristics, nutritional status, treatment given and time since diagnosis. It involved a cross-sectional study with 318 people with type 2 diabetes living in Maringá in the State of Paraná. A telephone survey of self-reported morbidity was conducted in the months from January to June 2012. For the analysis descriptive statistics, univariate and multiple logistic regression were used. The prevalence of self-reported complications of diabetes was 53.8%, the most frequent being retinopathy (42.8%), followed by peripheral neuropathy (14.5%) and nephropathy (12.9%). The variables associated with the presence of complications were age (p = 0.008), overweight/obesity (p = 0.002), insulin (p < 0.001), insulin use linked to oral antidiabetic drug (p = 0.003) and time since diagnosis (p = 0.013). The prevalence of self-reported microvascular complications for people with diabetes was high, being more frequent among those of more advanced age, with inadequate nutritional status, a delay in diagnosis of the disease and those who were using insulin alone or in combination with oral antidiabetic agents.
Letramento em saúde de diabéticos tipo 2: fatores associados e controle glicêmico
Authors: Sampaio Helena Alves de Carvalho , Carioca Antônio Augusto Ferreira , Sabry Maria Olganê Dantas , Santos Patrícia Mariano dos , Coelho Maria Auristela Magalhães , Passamai Maria da Penha Baião
Published: March 2015

Pacientes com diabetes mellitus requerem um autocuidado extenso, com tratamentos complexos e comportamentos de saúde adequados, sendo, essas habilidades, fator chave. Frente a tal complexidade surge a importância do letramento funcional em saúde. O objetivo do estudo foi analisar fatores associados ao letramento em saúde e sua relação com controle glicêmico em pacientes diabéticos. Este estudo foi realizado com 82 pacientes diabéticos tipo 2, atendidos em um ambulatório de endocrinologia de um hospital público, de ambos os sexos e com idade entre 19 e 59 anos, que responderam à versão abreviada e traduzida do Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (b-TOFHLA). Valores de glicemia de jejum e hemoglobina glicada foram coletados dos prontuários dos participantes. Foram realizadas correlações, comparações de médias e modelos de regressão linear. O letramento inadequado foi encontrado em 65,9% dos pacientes. Foram fatores associados à pontuação do b-TOFHLA, a idade e os anos de estudos. O letramento global não explicou o controle glicêmico, mas o numeramento apresentou associação com tal controle. Nossos resultados apontam para a necessidade de melhorar o numeramento em saúde dos pacientes para obter seu melhor controle glicêmico, principalmente naqueles com maior idade e menos anos de estudo.
Unawareness of hypertension and its determinants among 'quilombolas' (inhabitants of 'quilombos' - hinterland settlements founded by people of African origin) living in Southwest Bahia, Brazil
Authors: Bezerra Vanessa Moraes , Andrade Amanda Cristina de Souza , César Cibele Comini , Caiaffa Waleska Teixeira
Published: March 2015

This study sought to evaluate the prevalence of unawareness of arterial hypertension (AH) and associated factors among the quilombola population and to describe aspects of the non-pharmacological management of AH. It involved a cross-sectional study with a sample of 358 people with AH aged 18 years or more. AH was considered systolic blood pressure (BP) ≥ 140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg and/or reported use of antihypertensive drugs. Unawareness of AH was classified as persons answering negatively when asked if they suffered from AH. Poisson regression was then used. The prevalence of unawareness of AH was 44.1% (95% CI: 38.9-49.3). Among those who already knew the diagnosis and had drug treatment only 24.8% had controlled BP. The unawareness of AH was positively associated with the male sex and Stage 1 of AH and negatively with increasing age, overweight, negative self-perception of health and medical visits. For non-pharmacological management, low percentages of quilombola reported appropriate standard recommendations of care. Arterial hypertension is a serious public health issue among the quilombola population, revealing great vulnerability in health due to poor levels of awareness, treatment and control.
Chronic non-communicable diseases, risk and health promotion: social construction of Vigitel participants
Authors: Mássimo Erika de Azevedo Leitão , Souza Hercília Najara Ferreira de , Freitas Maria Imaculada de Fátima
Published: March 2015

The dimension of choice and adherence to healthy lifestyles is in the area of social constructions made in representations of individuals and had not yet been included in the Surveillance of Risk and Protective Factors for Chronic Diseases by Telephone Survey (VIGITEL) analysis systems. This article aims to understand, in individual narratives, representations contained in the trajectories of people's lives selected from the 2010 VIGITEL sample, in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais. It is a qualitative study based on Social Representation Theory. Thirty in-depth and open interviews with subjects selected from the 2010 VIGITEL sample were conducted in Belo Horizonte in the State of Minas Gerais. The Structural Analysis of Narrative technique was used to reveal the content of speeches. Age and heredity representations related to NCDs are part of the spectrum of current scientific information. Learning from childhood onwards is the basis of care. The lack of comprehension of the pathophysiology of NCDs, and the depth of representations of illness and death related to communicable diseases, is partly responsible for the difficulty of preventing NCDs.
Smoking trend indicators in Brazilian capitals, 2006-2013
Authors: Malta Deborah Carvalho , Oliveira Tais Porto , Luz Micheline , Stopa Sheila Rizzato , Silva Junior Jarbas Barbosa da , Reis Ademar Arthur Chioro dos
Published: March 2015

This study aims to analyze the trend of indicators related to smoking in the capitals of Brazil from 2006 to 2013. Information on smoking trends extracted from the survey of risk and protective factors for chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are analyzed through telephone interviews - VIGITEL conducted from 2006-2013 for the adult population in Brazilian capitals. To estimate the trend, the simple linear regression model was used. The prevalence of smokers in Brazil showed a relative reduction of 0.62% for each year of the survey, ranging from 15.6% in 2006 to 11.3% in 2013. A decrease was observed in both sexes in all age ranges except between 55 and 64 years in all education levels and regions. The total population of former smokers remained stable, with a reduction for men. Smoking 20 or more cigarettes per day decreased from 4.6% (2006) to 3.4% (2013), or 0.162 percentage points per year. Passive smoking at home decreased among women 13.4% (2009) to 10.7% (2013), a reduction of 0.72% per annum. Passive smoking at work has remained stable over the period. The smoking trend reduced in the period in most indicators, reflecting the importance of the tobacco control actions in the country.