bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What socio-demographic factors influence poverty and financial health care access among disabled people in Flanders: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Adams Margo , Augustyns Nele , Janssens Herman , Vriesacker Bart , Van Hal Guido
Published: February 2014

Background

Current literature shows that people with a disability have a lower income than people without a disability. Disabled people often experience difficulties with health care access.

The objective of this study is to assess the current financial situation and poverty rate amongst disabled people in Flanders. Furthermore we wanted to analyze factors that contribute to the risk of poverty and problems with financial health care access in adult people with a disability in Flanders.

Methods

An online and paper survey were constructed and made available through two large organizations for people with different types of disability in Flanders. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were performed.

Results

In this convenience sample, 20.9% of the 889 respondents live under the poverty threshold. Important contributing factors to the risk of poverty are having children (OR 3.43, 95% CI 2.10-5.59) and a low level of dependence (OR 16.40, 95% CI 6.21-43.28). 25.2% of the respondents did not access health care because of financial shortcomings. A low level of dependence is one important contributing factor (OR 3.16, 95% CI 1.41-6.98) to limited financial health care access.

Conclusion

This research confirms that disability is associated with a higher risk of poverty and impaired financial health care access.
CARD8 is a negative regulator for NLRP3 inflammasome, but mutant NLRP3 in cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes escapes the restriction
Authors: Ito Sayaka , Hara Yukichi , Kubota Tetsuo
Published: February 2014

Introduction

NLRP3 plays a role in sensing various pathogen components or stresses in the innate immune system. Once activated, NLRP3 associates with apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC) and procaspase-1 to form a large protein complex termed inflammasome. Although some investigators have proposed a model of NLRP3-inflammasome containing an adaptor protein caspase recruitment domain-containing protein 8 (CARD8), the role of this molecule remains obscure. This study aimed to clarify the interaction between CARD8 and wild-type NLRP3 as well as mutant forms of NLRP3 linked with cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS).

Methods

In here HEK293 expression system, cells were transfected with the cDNAs for inflammasome components. Also used were peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and human monocyte-derived macrophages (HMDMs) from healthy volunteers. The interaction of CARD8 and NLRP3 was studied by immunoprecipitation. The effect of CARD8 expression on IL-1β secretion was assessed by ELISA. CARD8 knockdown experiments were carried out by transfection of the specific siRNA into HMDMs.

Results

In HEK293 cells, CARD8 interacted with wild-type NLRP3, but not with CAPS-associated mutant NLRP3. CARD8 significantly reduced IL-1β secretion from cells transfected with wild-type NLRP3, but not if they were transfected with mutant NLRP3. In addition, association of endogenously expressed CARD8 with NLRP3 was confirmed in resting PBMCs, and CARD8 knockdown resulted in higher amount of IL-1β secretion from HMDMs.

Conclusions

Until specific stimuli activate NLRP3, CARD8 holds NLRP3, and is supposed to prevent activation by subtle stimuli. However, CAPS-associated mutant NLRP3 is unable to bind with CARD8, which might be relevant to the pathogenesis of CAPS.
Platelet mitochondrial membrane depolarization reflects disease severity in patients with sepsis and correlates with clinical outcome
Authors: Gründler Katharina , Angstwurm Matthias , Hilge Robert , Baumann Philipp , Annecke Thorsten , Crispin Alexander , Sohn Hae-Young , Massberg Steffen , Kraemer Bjoern F
Published: February 2014

Introduction

Sepsis is still a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, even in modern times, and thrombocytopenia has been closely associated with unfavorable disease outcome. Decreases in mitochondrial membrane potential (depolarization) were found in different tissues during sepsis. Previous work suggests that mitochondrial dysfunction of platelets correlates with clinical disease activity in sepsis. However, platelet mitochondrial membrane potential (Mmp) has not been investigated in a clinical follow-up design and not with regard to disease outcome.

Methods

In this study, platelet mitochondrial membrane depolarization was assessed by means of a fluorescent Mmp-Index with flow cytometry in 26 patients with sepsis compared with control patients. Platelet Mmp-Index on admission was correlated with the clinical disease scores Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Score II (APACHE II), Sequential Organ Failure Score (SOFA), and Simplified Acute Physiology Score II (SAPS II). Finally, platelet Mmp-Index on admission and follow-up were compared in the group of sepsis survivors and nonsurvivors. Expression of the prosurvival protein Bcl-xL in platelets was quantified by immunoblotting.

Results

Platelet mitochondrial membrane depolarization correlated significantly with the simultaneously assessed clinical disease severity by APACHE II (r = -0.867; P < 0.0001), SOFA (r = -0.857; P <0.0001), and SAPS II score (r = -0.839; P < 0.0001). Patients with severe sepsis showed a significant reduction in platelet Mmp-Index compared with sepsis without organ failure (0.18 (0.12 to 0.25) versus 0.79 (0.49 to 0.85), P < 0.0006) or with the control group (0.18 (0.12 to 0.25) versus 0.89 (0.68 to 1.00), P < 0.0001). Platelet Mmp-Index remained persistently low in sepsis nonsurvivors (0.269 (0.230 to 0.305)), whereas we observed recovery of platelet Mmp-Index in the survivor group (0.9 (0.713 to 1.017)). Furthermore, the level of prosurvival protein Bcl-xL decreased in platelets during severe sepsis.

Conclusion

In this study, we demonstrated that mitochondrial membrane depolarization in platelets correlates with clinical disease severity in patients with sepsis during the disease course and may be a valuable adjunct parameter to aid in the assessment of disease severity, risk stratification, and clinical outcome.
Human adipose-derived stem cell transplantation as a potential therapy for collagen VI-related congenital muscular dystrophy
Authors: Alexeev Vitali , Arita Machiko , Donahue Adele , Bonaldo Paolo , Chu Mon-Li , Igoucheva Olga
Published: February 2014

Introduction

Congenital muscular dystrophies (CMD) are a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of neuromuscular disorders characterized by muscle weakness within the first two years of life. Collagen VI-related muscle disorders have recently emerged as one of the most common types of CMD. COL6 CMD is caused by deficiency and/or dysfunction of extracellular matrix (ECM) protein collagen VI. Currently, there is no specific treatment for this disabling and life-threatening disease. The primary cellular targets for collagen VI CMD therapy are fibroblasts in muscle, tendon and skin, as opposed to muscle cells for other types of muscular dystrophies. However, recent advances in stem cell research have raised the possibility that use of adult stem cells may provide dramatic new therapies for treatment of COL6 CMD.

Methods

Here, we developed a procedure for isolation of human stem cells from the adipose layer of neonatal skin. The adipose-derived stem cells (ADSC) were examined for expression of ECM and related genes using gene expression array analysis. The therapeutic potential of ADSC was assessed after a single intramuscular transplantation in collagen VI-deficient mice.

Results

Analysis of primary cultures confirmed that established ADSC represent a morphologically homogenous population with phenotypic and functional features of adult mesenchymal stem cells. A comprehensive gene expression analysis showed that ADSC express a vast array of ECM genes. Importantly, it was observed that ADSC synthesize and secrete all three collagen VI chains, suggesting suitability of ADSC for COL6 CMD treatment. Furthermore, we have found that a single intramuscular transplantation of ADSC into Col6a1
−/−
Rag1
−/−
mice under physiological and cardiotoxin-induced injury/regeneration conditions results in efficient engraftment and migration of stem cells within the skeletal muscle. Importantly, we showed that ADSC can survive long-term and continuously secrete the therapeutic collagen VI protein missing in the mutant mice.

Conclusions

Overall, our findings suggest that stem cell therapy can potentially provide a new avenue for the treatment of COL6 CMD and other muscular disorders and injuries.
The Use of Non-Verbal Means in Cross-Cultural Communication Teaching to Russians and Germans
Authors: Дубинский  , Dubinskiy Vladimir
Published: February 2014

In this paper a transition is made from a general consideration of language’s nonverbal means containing a personal assessment to comparison of examples related to nonverbal semiotics of Russian and German languages providing fuller expression of concepts in situations of communication and expressivity of interlocutors’ thinking. The author determines the paper’s material importance, in particular, by its practice-focused use for science and directly when training in foreign languages. The offered material is addressed to researchers, teachers, and to all men who is interested in the process of cross-cultural communication’s training and optimization.
Models of culture and modelling culture: Visiting artists as cultural ambassadors
Authors: Gall David
Published: February 2014

However lofty our educational goals, models of culture inform our teaching for better or worse. Therefore the quality of our theories of culture makes a difference to alleviating teacher anxieties about teaching diverse cultures and to better transcultural teaching. Effective preparation for multicultural teaching needs the best models of culture available, opportunities to interact with diverse cultures, and reflective practice about art teaching as a transcultural event. The limitations of dominant models of culture, which generally either assume people are puppets of cultural systems, or that cultural systems are epiphenomena of people’s actions, are reviewed. Transformative models developed by Critical Realists are recommended. Reflection on a visiting artist workshop as a case study of transcultural interaction complements the review of theory. Not knowing is the engine of cultural change; and lack of total control a reason for improvisation. Familiarity with culture’s Janus faces, fluid/incoherent and comforting/coherent, relieves teacher anxieties.
Los diarios de campo en la investigación social: el caso en el estudio “Socialización, aculturación y competencia intercultural. Un análisis empírico de familias multiculturales”
Authors: Perea Crespo Ignacia , López Monsalve Begoña
Published: February 2014

El desarrollo de la investigación empírica en el ámbito de las ciencias sociales ofrece la oportunidad de tomar contacto con la realidad en más aspectos, incluso, de los que se prevén en un proyecto. En este texto se presenta, a modo de nota metodológica, algunas de esas llamadas de atención que el mismo desarrollo del trabajo de campo ha ido incorporando en cuanto a la siempre difícil labor de categorización social que, en algunos casos, hace cuestionarse las estandarizaciones sociológicas más básicas referidas a entornos en transformación.
Matrimonios mixtos intraeuropeos: un modelo empírico
Authors: Alaminos Chica Antonio
Published: February 2014

La heterogeneidad con la que nos encontramos al estudiar las parejas interculturales o mixtas, va más allá de las diferencias de origen sociocultural; interviene factores tales como el rol que cada individuo adopta dentro de la pareja (por ejemplo, quién contribuye más económicamente, el status, el nivel educativo, etc.). En este artículo se propone un modelo empírico que muestra el efecto de un conjunto de variables, que expresan circunstancias sociales, sobre la decisión de formar un matrimonio interculturalmente mixto. También las consecuencias en la vida social del individuo.
Productivity and profitability of harvesting power line corridors for bioenergy
Authors: Fernandez-Lacruz Raul , Di Fulvio Fulvio , Bergström Dan
Published: February 2014

Trees growing under the wires and around the pylons carrying power lines (PL) represent a significant threat to the power supply because they can cause power outages and damage. The vegetation in these PL corridors is cleared motor-manually on a regular basis, which represents about 50% of the PL maintenance costs. In Sweden, PL corridors account for 140â000 ha of productive forest land, with an estimated bioenergy potential of 3 TWh/year. The aim of this study was to measure the productivity of a harvester (with an accumulating felling head) and a forwarder, performing PL corridor clearing (with the collection of whole trees for energy use) and to calculate how the cost and economic profitability is dependent on tree height, biomass removal, harvested area, forwarding distance and wood fuel price. The study also compared the economic profitability of the mechanized harvesting system with motor-manual clearing. Experimental units were inventoried along a PL corridor in central Sweden and a time study of one harvester and one forwarder (with a single operator per machine), working in those units, was carried out. The results showed that if the tree height was greater than about 6 m, the mechanized harvesting system became a more cost-efficient alternative, when compared to motor-manual clearing, but it was also found that mechanized clearing is not always the most cost-effective option. Nevertheless, mechanization of PL clearing has a huge potential for expansion, requiring further research in the combined management of the PL corridors and side areas.
An improved open-top chamber warming system for global change research
Authors: Sun Shou-Qin , Peng Liang , Wang Gen-Xu , Wu Yan-Hong , Zhou Jun , Bing Hai-Jian , Yu Dong , Luo Ji
Published: February 2014

This study is an assessment of an improved temperature warming system developed to enhance global warming research-based forest ecosystem and soil ecophysiological experiments. The architecture couples a standard open-top chamber (OTC) with a heating cable. A 16 m wire cable with an 18 W m and 288 W h power rating was coiled around a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe 2.5 m in length and 3.5 cm in diameter. The pipe was reshaped into a circle and fixed inside the OTC at a height of 15 cm. PVC pipe distance to plants was 10 to 15 cm while distance to OTC inner walls was 15 cm. The cable was constructed from a heating source with an alloy resistance wire, an aluminum foil and copper wire shielded layer, a crosslinking polyethylene inner insulator, a PVC coating, and a tinned copper grounding wire. After the cable is powered up, air and soil inside the OTC-cable system is heated by conductivity. Temperature is manipulated according to the voltage and resistance of the cable. The OTC-cable system was developed to examine plant reaction to an increase in air and soil temperatures by 2.84 Â°C and 1.83 Â°C, respectively. Temperature values are adjustable by changing cable and PVC pipe length. It offers a new, affordable, low energy consumption and low running cost method by which to study climate change effects on forest ecosystems. This method is especially useful for application in forest ecosystems of many developing countries or in many remote areas of developed countries where the feasibility in supplying sufficient power from local power grids is questionable.-1-1
Aerobic Exercise Protects Retinal Function and Structure from Light-Induced Retinal Degeneration
Authors: Lawson Eric C. , Han Moon K. , Sellers Jana T. , Chrenek Micah A. , Hanif Adam , Gogniat Marissa A. , Boatright Jeffrey H. , Pardue Machelle T.
Published: February 2014

Aerobic exercise is a common intervention for rehabilitation of motor, and more recently, cognitive function (Intlekofer and Cotman, 2013; Wood et al., 2012). While the underlying mechanisms are complex, BDNF may mediate much of the beneficial effects of exercise to these neurons (Ploughman et al., 2007; Griffin et al., 2011; Real et al., 2013). We studied the effects of aerobic exercise on retinal neurons undergoing degeneration. We exercised wild-type BALB/c mice on a treadmill (10 m/min for 1 h) for 5 d/week or placed control mice on static treadmills. After 2 weeks of exercise, mice were exposed to either toxic bright light (10,000 lux) for 4 h to induce photoreceptor degeneration or maintenance dim light (25 lux). Bright light caused 75% loss of both retinal function and photoreceptor numbers. However, exercised mice exposed to bright light had 2 times greater retinal function and photoreceptor nuclei than inactive mice exposed to bright light. In addition, exercise increased retinal BDNF protein levels by 20% compared with inactive mice. Systemic injections of a BDNF tropomyosin-receptor-kinase (TrkB) receptor antagonist reduced retinal function and photoreceptor nuclei counts in exercised mice to inactive levels, effectively blocking the protective effects seen with aerobic exercise. The data suggest that aerobic exercise is neuroprotective for retinal degeneration and that this effect is mediated by BDNF signaling.
Trans-Signaling Is a Dominant Mechanism for the Pathogenic Actions of Interleukin-6 in the Brain
Authors: Campbell Iain L. , Erta Maria , Lim Sue Ling , Frausto Ricardo , May Ulrike , Rose-John Stefan , Scheller Jürgen , Hidalgo Juan
Published: February 2014

IL-6 is implicated in the pathogenesis of various neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative disorders of the CNS. IL-6 signals via binding to either the membrane bound IL-6Rα (classic signaling) or soluble (s)IL-6Ra (trans-signaling) that then form a complex with gp130 to activate the JAK/STAT signaling pathway. The importance of classic versus trans-signaling in mediating IL-6 actions in the living CNS is relatively unknown and was the focus of this investigation. Bigenic mice (termedGFAP-IL6/sgp130mice) were generated with CNS-restricted, astrocyte-targeted production of IL-6 and coproduction of the specific inhibitor of IL-6 trans-signaling, human sgp130-Fc. Transgene-encoded IL-6 mRNA levels were similar in the brain ofGFAP-IL6andGFAP-IL6/sgp130mice. However,GFAP-IL6/sgp130mice had decreased pY705-STAT3 in the brain due to a reduction in the total number of pY705-STAT3-positive cells and a marked loss of pY705-STAT3 in specific cell types. Blockade of trans-signaling in the brain of theGFAP-IL6mice significantly attenuated Serpina3n but not SOCS3 gene expression, whereas vascular changes including angiogenesis and blood–brain barrier leakage as well as gliosis were also reduced significantly. Hippocampal neurogenesis which was impaired inGFAP-IL6mice was rescued in youngGFAP-IL6mice with cerebral sgp130 production. Finally, degenerative changes in the cerebellum characteristic ofGFAP-IL6mice were absent inGFAP-IL6/sgp130mice. The findings indicate that in the CNS: (1) sgp130 is able to block IL-6 trans-signaling, (2) trans-signaling is important for IL-6 cellular communication with selective cellular and molecular targets, and (3) blocking of trans-signaling alleviates many of the detrimental effects of IL-6.
Astroglial-Derived Periostin Promotes Axonal Regeneration after Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Shih Chung-Hsuan , Lacagnina Michelle , Leuer-Bisciotti Kelly , Pröschel Christoph
Published: February 2014

Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) results in a cascade of tissue responses leading to cell death, axonal degeneration, and glial scar formation, exacerbating the already hostile environment and further inhibiting axon regeneration. Overcoming these inhibitory cues and promoting axonal regeneration is one of the primary targets in developing a cure for SCI. Previously, we demonstrated that transplantation of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-induced astrocytes derived from embryonic glial-restricted precursors (GDAsBMP) promotes extensive axonal growth and motor function recovery in a rodent spinal cord injury model. Here, we identify periostin (POSTN), a secreted protein, as a key component of GDABMP-induced axonal regeneration. POSTN is highly expressed by GDAsBMPand the perturbation of POSTN expression by shRNA diminished GDABMP-induced neurite extensionin vitro. We also found that recombinant POSTN is sufficient to overcome the inhibitory effect of scar-associated molecules and promote neurite extensionin vitroby signaling through focal adhesion kinase and Akt. Furthermore, transplantation of POSTN-deficient GDAsBMPinto the injured rat spinal cord resulted in compromised axonal regeneration, indicating that POSTN plays an essential role in GDABMP-mediated axonal regeneration. This finding reveals not only one of the major mechanisms underlying GDABMP-dependent recovery from SCI, but also the potential of POSTN as a therapeutic agent for traumatic injury of the CNS.
Interleukin-10 Is Produced by a Specific Subset of Taste Receptor Cells and Critical for Maintaining Structural Integrity of Mouse Taste Buds
Authors: Feng Pu , Chai Jinghua , Zhou Minliang , Simon Nirvine , Huang Liquan , Wang Hong
Published: February 2014

Although inflammatory responses are a critical component in defense against pathogens, too much inflammation is harmful. Mechanisms have evolved to regulate inflammation, including modulation by the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10). Previously we have shown that taste buds express various molecules involved in innate immune responses, including the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Here, using a reporter mouse strain, we show that taste cells also express the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Remarkably, IL-10 is produced by only a specific subset of taste cells, which are different from the TNF-producing cells in mouse circumvallate and foliate taste buds: IL-10 expression was found exclusively in the G-protein gustducin-expressing bitter receptor cells, while TNF was found in sweet and umami receptor cells as reported previously. In contrast, IL-10R1, the ligand-binding subunit of the IL-10 receptor, is predominantly expressed by TNF-producing cells, suggesting a novel cellular hierarchy for regulating TNF production and effects in taste buds. In response to inflammatory challenges, taste cells can increase IL-10 expression bothin vivoandin vitro. These findings suggest that taste buds use separate populations of taste receptor cells that coincide with sweet/umami and bitter taste reception to modulate local inflammatory responses, a phenomenon that has not been previously reported. Furthermore, IL-10 deficiency in mice leads to significant reductions in the number and size of taste buds, as well as in the number of taste receptor cells per taste bud, suggesting that IL-10 plays critical roles in maintaining structural integrity of the peripheral gustatory system.
Bdnf Deletion or TrkB Impairment in Amygdala Inhibits Both Appetitive and Aversive Learning
Authors: Heldt Scott A. , Zimmermann Kelsey , Parker Kathryn , Gaval Meriem , Ressler Kerry J.
Published: February 2014

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is known to have an integral role in establishing stable memories after learning events. The neuroplasticity induced by Pavlovian fear conditioning has likewise been shown to rely on interactions between BDNF and its principal receptor, tyrosine kinase receptor B (TrkB), in the amygdala after training. Although the necessity of amygdalabdnfexpression and TrkB activation for associative learning within aversive contexts has been explored, it is unclear to what extent this interaction is involved in appetitive learning. It is also unclear whether the noted increases in amygdala BDNF after fear conditioning are due to local gene transcription and translation or anterograde transmission from cortical regions. To address both of these questions, we used two lentiviral approaches in mice, using both fear conditioning and cocaine-conditioned place preference (CPP), during acquisition and extinction. First, we decreased expression ofbdnfmRNA in the amygdala of homozygous floxed mice with a Cre-expressing virus. In a second set of studies, we infused a virus that expressed a dominant-negative TrkB isoform into the same region. These approaches significantly impaired consolidation of fear conditioning and cocaine-CPP, as well as extinction of CPP. Together, these data suggest that BDNF-TrkB signaling is critical for amygdala-dependent learning of both appetitive and aversive emotional memories.
An Adaptive Role for BDNF Val66Met Polymorphism in Motor Recovery in Chronic Stroke
Authors: Qin Luye , Jing Deqiang , Parauda Sarah , Carmel Jason , Ratan Rajiv R. , Lee Francis S. , Cho Sunghee
Published: February 2014

Little is known about the influence of genetic diversity on stroke recovery. One exception is the polymorphism in brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a critical neurotrophin for brain repair and plasticity. Humans have a high-frequency single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the prodomain of theBDNFgene. Previous studies show that the BDNF Val66Met variant negatively affects motor learning and severity of acute stroke. To investigate the impact of this common BDNF SNP on stroke recovery, we used a mouse model that contains the human BDNF Val66Met variant in both alleles (BDNFM/M). Male BDNF+/+and BDNFM/Mlittermates received sham or transient middle cerebral artery occlusion. We assessed motor function regularly for 6 months after stroke and then performed anatomical analyses. Despite reported negative association of the SNP with motor learning and acute deficits, we unexpectedly found that BDNFM/Mmice displayed significantly enhanced motor/kinematic performance in the chronic phase of motor recovery, especially in ipsilesional hindlimb. The enhanced recovery was associated with significant increases in striatum volume, dendritic arbor, and elevated excitatory synaptic markers in the contralesional striatum. Transient inactivation of the contralateral striatum during recovery transiently abolished the enhanced function. This study showed an unexpected benefit of the BDNFVal66Met carriers for functional recovery, involving structural and molecular plasticity in the nonstroked hemisphere. Clinically, this study suggests a role for BDNF genotype in predicting stroke recovery and identifies a novel systems-level mechanism for enhanced motor recovery.
Obesity Elicits Interleukin 1-Mediated Deficits in Hippocampal Synaptic Plasticity
Authors: Erion Joanna R. , Wosiski-Kuhn Marlena , Dey Aditi , Hao Shuai , Davis Catherine L. , Pollock Norman K. , Stranahan Alexis M.
Published: February 2014

Adipose tissue is a known source of proinflammatory cytokines in obese humans and animal models, including thedb/dbmouse, in which obesity arises as a result of leptin receptor insensitivity. Inflammatory cytokines induce cognitive deficits across numerous conditions, but no studies have determined whether obesity-induced inflammation mediates synaptic dysfunction. To address this question, we used a treadmill training paradigm in which mice were exposed to daily training sessions or an immobile belt, with motivation achieved by delivery of compressed air on noncompliance. Treadmill training prevented hippocampal microgliosis, abolished expression of microglial activation markers, and also blocked the functional sensitization observed in isolated cells afterex vivoexposure to lipopolysaccharide. Reduced microglial reactivity with exercise was associated with reinstatement of hippocampus-dependent memory, reversal of deficits in long-term potentiation, and normalization of hippocampal dendritic spine density. Because treadmill training evokes broad responses not limited to the immune system, we next assessed whether directly manipulating adiposity through lipectomy and fat transplantation influences inflammation, cognition, and synaptic plasticity. Lipectomy prevents and fat transplantation promotes systemic and central inflammation, with associated alterations in cognitive and synaptic function. Levels of interleukin 1β (IL1β) emerged as a correlate of adiposity and cognitive impairment across both the treadmill and lipectomy studies, so we manipulated hippocampal IL1 signaling using intrahippocampal delivery of IL1 receptor antagonist (IL1ra). Intrahippocampal IL1ra prevented synaptic dysfunction, proinflammatory priming, and cognitive impairment. This pattern supports a central role for IL1-mediated neuroinflammation as a mechanism for cognitive deficits in obesity and diabetes.
Neu3 Sialidase-Mediated Ganglioside Conversion Is Necessary for Axon Regeneration and Is Blocked in CNS Axons
Authors: Kappagantula Sunil , Andrews Melissa R. , Cheah Menghon , Abad-Rodriguez José , Dotti Carlos G. , Fawcett James W.
Published: February 2014

PNS axons have a high intrinsic regenerative ability, whereas most CNS axons show little regenerative response. We show that activation of Neu3 sialidase, also known as Neuraminidase-3, causing conversion of GD1a and GT1b to GM1 ganglioside, is an essential step in regeneration occurring in PNS (sensory) but not CNS (retinal) axons in adult rat. In PNS axons, axotomy activates Neu3 sialidase, increasing the ratio of GM1/GD1a and GM1/GT1b gangliosides immediately after injuryin vitroandin vivo. No change in the GM1/GD1a ratio after axotomy was observed in retinal axons (in vitroandin vivo), despite the presence of Neu3 sialidase. Externally applied sialidase converted GD1a ganglioside to GM1 and rescued axon regeneration in CNS axons and in PNS axons after Neu3 sialidase blockade. Neu3 sialidase activation in DRGs is initiated by an influx of extracellular calcium, activating P38MAPK and then Neu3 sialidase. Ganglioside conversion by Neu3 sialidase further activates the ERK pathway. In CNS axons, P38MAPK and Neu3 sialidase were not activated by axotomy.
On-Site Energy Supply at Synapses through Monocarboxylate Transporters Maintains Excitatory Synaptic Transmission
Authors: Nagase Masashi , Takahashi Yukari , Watabe Ayako M. , Kubo Yoshihiro , Kato Fusao
Published: February 2014

ATP production through oxidative phosphorylation in the mitochondria is the most efficient way to provide energy to various energy-consuming activities of the neurons. These processes require a large amount of ATP molecules to be maintained. Of these, synaptic transmission is most energy consuming. Here we report that lactate transported through monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs) at excitatory synapses constitutively supports synaptic transmission, even under conditions in which a sufficient supply of glucose and intracellular ATP are present. We analyzed the effects of MCT inhibition on neuronal activities using whole-cell recordings in brain slices of rats in the nucleus of the solitary tract. MCT inhibitors (α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (4-CIN), phloretin, andd-lactate) significantly decreased the amplitude of EPSCs without reducing release probability. Although 4-CIN significantly reduced currents mediated by heterologously expressed AMPA-Rs in oocytes (a novel finding in this study), the IC50of the inhibitory effect on EPSC in brain slices was ∼3.8 times smaller than that on AMPA-R currents in oocytes. Removal of intracellular ATP significantly potentiated the inhibition of EPSC with 4-CIN in a manner that was counteracted by intracellular lactate addition. In addition, extracellular lactate rescued aglycemic suppression of EPSC, in a manner that was prevented by 4-CIN. Inhibition of MCTs also reduced NMDA-R-mediated EPSCs and, to a lesser extent, the IPSC. The reduction in EPSC amplitude by γ-d-glutamylglycine was enhanced by 4-CIN, suggesting also a decreased quantal content. We conclude that “on-site” astrocyte-neuron lactate transport to presynaptic and postsynaptic elements is necessary for the integrity of excitatory synaptic transmission.
Loss of MeCP2 From Forebrain Excitatory Neurons Leads to Cortical Hyperexcitation and Seizures
Authors: Zhang Wen , Peterson Matthew , Beyer Barbara , Frankel Wayne N. , Zhang Zhong-wei
Published: February 2014

Mutations ofMECP2cause Rett syndrome (RTT), a neurodevelopmental disorder leading to loss of motor and cognitive functions, impaired social interactions, and seizure at young ages. Defects of neuronal circuit development and function are thought to be responsible for the symptoms of RTT. The majority of RTT patients show recurrent seizures, indicating that neuronal hyperexcitation is a common feature of RTT. However, mechanisms underlying hyperexcitation in RTT are poorly understood. Here we show that deletion ofMecp2from cortical excitatory neurons but not forebrain inhibitory neurons in the mouse leads to spontaneous seizures. Selective deletion ofMecp2from excitatory but not inhibitory neurons in the forebrain reduces GABAergic transmission in layer 5 pyramidal neurons in the prefrontal and somatosensory cortices. Loss of MeCP2 from cortical excitatory neurons reduces the number of GABAergic synapses in the cortex, and enhances the excitability of layer 5 pyramidal neurons. Using single-cell deletion ofMecp2in layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons, we show that GABAergic transmission is reduced in neurons without MeCP2, but is normal in neighboring neurons with MeCP2. Together, these results suggest that MeCP2 in cortical excitatory neurons plays a critical role in the regulation of GABAergic transmission and cortical excitability.
O Partido Comunista Brasileiro e o governo João Goulart
Authors: Ferreira Jorge
Published: February 2014

O artigo tem por objetivo conhecer as estratégias e a atuação do Partido Comunista Brasileiro (PCB) durante o governo Goulart. Os comunistas tiveram diferentes posturas nesse período: na fase parlamentarista de governo, o partido demonstrou distanciamento crítico em relação ao presidente da República. A seguir, durante todo o ano de 1963, o PCB foi opositor de Goulart, recusando a estratégia presidencial de aliar o PTB ao PSD para alcançar maioria no Congresso Nacional. Por fim, de fins de 1963 até o golpe militar no ano seguinte, os comunistas tornaram-se aliados do presidente. A mudança foi motivada pela decisão de Goulart de romper com o PSD e governar com o apoio político das esquerdas.
Um espelho possível de santidade na Bahia colonial: madre Vitória da Encarnação (1661-1715)
Authors: Martins William de Souza
Published: February 2014

O artigo procura analisar a obra de d. Sebastião Monteiro da Vide publicada em 1720, que trata da vida virtuosa e da morte santa de Vitória da Encarnação, freira do Convento de Santa Clara do Desterro. O objetivo principal é comparar a narrativa em foco com hagiografias e modelos de devoção influentes no contexto do período, como aqueles propiciados pelas vidas das santas Catarina de Siena e Rosa de Lima.
Controle da podridão abacaxi da cana-de-açúcar por meio da pulverização de fungicidas em rebolos no sulco de plantio
Authors: Chapola Roberto Giacomini , Ogasawara Gustavo Akio , Jans Bruno , Massola Junior Nelson Sidnei
Published: February 2014

A podridão abacaxi da cana-de-açúcar, causada pelo fungo Thielaviopsis paradoxa, pode causar quedas de até 50% na brotação e de 42% na produtividade de colmos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o controle da doença por meio da pulverização de fungicidas em rebolos no sulco de plantio. Para isso, foram instalados dois experimentos em casa de vegetação e um no campo. O substrato e o solo foram infestados com o patógeno antes do plantio da cana-de-açúcar e os fungicidas foram aplicados nos rebolos imediatamente após o plantio, com um pulverizador costal pressurizado com CO2. A pulverização dos rebolos no sulco de plantio mostrou-se eficaz no controle da podridão abacaxi com determinados fungicidas, trazendo incrementos na brotação e proporcionando recuperação de até 12% na produtividade. Dentre os tratamentos testados, os fungicidas piraclostrobina + epoxiconazol; piraclostrobina e propiconazol mostraram bom potencial no controle da doença.
Aplicação do 1-metilciclopropeno e sua influência no processo de remoção da adstringência com etanol em caqui 'Giombo' refrigerado
Authors: Terra Felipe de Angelis Monteiro , Edagi Fernando Kazuhiro , Sasaki Fabiana Fumi Cerqueira , Frassetto Filho Marcos Eduardo , Silva Mayla Majado da , Giro Beatriz , Berno Natalia Dallocca , Kluge Ricardo Alfredo
Published: February 2014

Este trabalho tem como objetivo verificar a possibilidade de aplicação de vapor de etanol para a destanização, associado ao 1-metilciclopropeno (1-MCP) para prolongar o armazenamento de caquis 'Giombo' em ambiente refrigerado, evitando rápido amolecimento de polpa, decorrente do processo de destanização. Os seguintes tratamentos foram realizados: T1) controle: frutos sem tratamento, apenas colocados sob armazenamento refrigerado (AR); T2) aplicação de etanol (3,50mL kg-1 durante 12h) + AR; T3) aplicação de 1-MCP (1000nL L-1 durante 12h) + AR; T4) aplicação de 1-MCP e posterior aplicação de etanol + AR; T5) aplicação de 1-MCP + AR + aplicação de etanol após o AR. O AR consistiu no armazenamento dos frutos por 30 dias a 5ºC e 90% UR. Posteriormente, os frutos foram mantidos a 25oC durante 15 dias. Frutos não tratados (controle) e os tratados com 1-MCP apresentaram maior firmeza de polpa que os demais tratamentos, mas não alcançaram a destanização. Frutos submetidos ao etanol apresentaram rápida perda de adstringência, acompanhado de elevada perda de firmeza. O 1-MCP, quando aplicado antes do armazenamento, em frutos que posteriormente à refrigeração foram tratados com etanol, manteve mais alta a firmeza de polpa em relação aos frutos que foram submetidos ao etanol imediatamente à aplicação do 1-MCP e aqueles tratados apenas com etanol. Esse tratamento pode ser utilizado nessa cultivar para manter a qualidade durante a comercialização.
Tamanho de amostra para a estimação da média de caracteres morfológicos e produtivos de nabo forrageiro
Authors: Cargnelutti Filho Alberto , Facco Giovani , Lúcio Alessandro Dal'Col , Toebe Marcos , Burin Cláudia , Fick André Luis , Neu Ismael Mario Márcio
Published: February 2014

O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar o tamanho de amostra (número de plantas) para a estimação da média de caracteres morfológicos e produtivos de nabo forrageiro (Raphanus sativus L.). Em um experimento a campo, foram selecionadas, aleatoriamente, 300 plantas e mensurados os caracteres morfológicos (estatura de planta e número de folhas aos 21, 35, 48, 55, 62, 70, 77 e 91 dias após a semeadura) e os produtivos (massas verde e seca, de raízes, de caule, de folhas e total aos 91 dias após a semeadura). Foram calculadas medidas de tendência central e de variabilidade, verificada a normalidade e calculado o tamanho de amostra. Para estimar a média, com mesma precisão, o tamanho de amostra dos caracteres produtivos é maior que dos morfológicos. Para os caracteres morfológicos e produtivos estudados, 231 plantas são suficientes para um erro de estimação máximo de 10% da média estimada, com grau de confiança de 95%.
Ideal seeds harvest moment of different maize hybrids
Authors: Jacob Junior Elias Abrahão , Mertz Liliane Marcia , Henning Fernando Augusto , Peske Silmar Teichert , Villela Francisco Amaral , Labbé Leopoldo Mario Baudet
Published: February 2014

The aim of this study was to identify the ideal maize seed harvest moment by different characteristics, as black layer formation, milk line development, seed moisture content and seed dry matter accumulation. Three simple hybrids from Syngenta Company were used in this work; ears from plants in the same development stage were collected, the first harvesting began 40 days after flowering, at four days interval until all seeds in an ear had the black layer formation. The characteristics evaluated were: black layer formation, milk line development, seed moisture content and seed dry matter. Seed physiological quality was evaluated by germination test, cold test, accelerated ageing and electrical conductivity. Results obtained in this study showed that the best indicative to identify the ideal maize seeds harvest moment is milk line stage 4 (75% of solidified endosperm). This stage occurs at different time for each genotype studied, 60DAF to hybrids 1 and 3, and 52DAF to hybrid 2, due to genetic differences among the hybrids.
Número de amostras na análise geoestatística e na krigagem de mapas de atributos do solo
Authors: Souza Zigomar Menezes de , Souza Gustavo Soares de , Marques Júnior José , Pereira Gener Tadeu
Published: February 2014

O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar diferentes intensidades de amostragem do solo com relação à precisão na análise geoestatística e interpolação de mapas, para fins de agricultura de precisão em área de cana-de-açúcar. O solo foi coletado em duas grades regulares na profundidade de 0,00-0,20m para análise granulométrica (área 1) e da fertilidade do solo (área 2). Foram comparadas intensidades de amostragem do solo: 208, 105, 58 e 24 pontos na área 1 e 206, 102 e 53 pontos na área 2. Os dados foram submetidos à análise descritiva e geoestatística. Os variogramas construídos com 105 pontos não diferem dos variogramas com 208 pontos, fato que não ocorre para 58 e 24 pontos. O aumento do intervalo de amostragem e a redução do número de pontos promovem o maior erro na estimativa por krigagem. As amostragens com mais de 100 pontos por área não resultaram em melhorias significativas no erro da estimativa por krigagem, nem diferiram na quantidade de insumos aplicados em campo.
Formação in vitro de raízes em canafístula: o efeito de diferentes meios de cultivo
Authors: Curti Aline Ritter , Reiniger Lia Rejane Silveira
Published: February 2014

A canafístula [Peltophorum dubium (Spreng.) Taub.] é uma espécie florestal nativa do Brasil, dotada de características silviculturais promissoras para fins de (re)florestamento. No entanto, a produção de mudas de alta qualidade por meio da micropropagação é limitada pela reduzida formação de raízes. Em virtude disso, o presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito de substratos alternativos ao ágar e do período de cultivo na formação in vitro de raízes de canafístula. Para tanto, foram testados, aos 30 e 60 dias de cultivo in vitro, meios de cultivo compostos por combinações dos substratos vermiculita (V), Plantmax®(P) ou areia fina (AF) ao meio nutritivo MS, contendo 10 µM de ácido 3-indol butírico (AIB), acrescido ou não de ágar (A). Obteve-se elevada sobrevivência das brotações, tanto aos 30 (92,3%) quanto aos 60 (82,6%) dias de cultivo. Em relação aos meios de cultivo, a maioria deles proporcionou uma elevada sobrevivência (91,1 a 100,0%) das brotações; constituíram exceções àqueles que continham (P). Intensa formação calogênica foi observada apenas após 60 dias de cultivo, na testemunha, que incluiu MS e (A), e naqueles outros dois tratamentos contendo (V). O melhor resultado de formação de raízes, tanto quantitativamente (36,78%) como pela qualidade das raízes, foi obtido no tratamento que incluiu (V) e (A), além de MS, aos 60 dias de cultivo. Com a utilização de (V) no meio de cultivo, há intensa formação de calos, aos 60 dias de cultivo, porém, também há maior formação de raízes e melhoria na qualidade do sistema radicular, quando este substrato é combinado ao meio nutritivo MS.
Morfometria de oocistos de Eimeria em bezerras segundo a faixa etária e a intensidade de infecção, Município de Piraí, RJ
Authors: Vidal Letícia Gabriela Poblete , Fagundes Thais Ferreira , Pantoja Camila Santos , Menezes Rita de Cássia Alves Alcantara de
Published: February 2014

Objetivou-se avaliar a variação média no tamanho dos oocistos de Eimeria, segundo as categorias das variáveis: faixa etária das bezerras (zero a 100 e 101 a 180 dias de idade) e intensidade de infecção bem como correlacionar as espécies do gênero Eimeria, utilizando técnicas de morfometria. De agosto/2010 a junho/2011, no Município de Piraí, RJ, foram coletadas 1512 amostras de fezes de 57 bezerras, sendo 955 enquanto estavam na faixa etária de 0 a 100 dias e 557 já com 101 a 180 dias. Com base nas características morfológicas e morfométricas dos oocistos esporulados, identificaram-se nove espécies nas seguintes porcentagens: E. ellipsoidalis (39,7%), E. alabamensis (18,4%), E. bovis (12,1%), E. zuernii (11,4%), E. subspherica (7,3%), E. cylindrica (6,0%), E. auburnensis (3,6%), E. wyomingensis (1,0%) e E. canadensis (0,6%). As bezerras de até 100 dias apresentaram maior intensidade de infecção e, nas duas faixas etárias houve menos amostras classificadas como de alta intensidade. Pode-se observar que não houve correlação (p>0,05) entre as técnicas de medidas aplicadas, mostrando que uma independe da outra. Com base na análise dos oocistos da espécie E. ellipsoidalis, pode-se observar que a idade dos animais influenciou na morfometria dos oocistos em ambos os recursos de medida. Entretanto, não houve diferença significativa (p>0,05) na morfometria dos oocistos de acordo com a intensidade de infecção.
Características físico-químicas e composição centesimal de cortes cárneos de borregas confinadas e alimentadas com diferentes proporções volumoso: concentrado
Authors: Coutinho Marcelo Aranda da Silva , Morais Maria da Graça , Alves Fabiana Villa , Fernandes Henrique Jorge , Feijó Gelson Luís Dias , Ítavo Camila Celeste Brandão Ferreira , Comparini Marco Aurélio Scarton , Coelho Roberta Gomes
Published: February 2014

Objetivou-se avaliar as características físico-químicas e a composição centesimal da carne de borregas confinadas recebendo diferentes relações volumoso (V):concentrado (C) (80:20; 60:40; 40:60 e 20:80) e os cortes cárneos destes animais (paleta, lombo e do pernil). Foram utilizadas 24 borregas (mestiças) recém-desmamadas com peso vivo inicial médio de 23,1 ± 2,1kg, confinadas por 120 dias. Após o abate, foram removidos os músculos Triceps brachii (paleta), Longissimus dorsi (lombo) e Semimembranosus (pernil) para representar os respectivos cortes. O aumento nos níveis de C não influenciou a composição centesimal dos cortes cárneos e diminuiu a luminosidade (L*) e aumentou a tonalidade vermelha (a*). O lombo apresentou o menor teor de umidade (U) (699,7g/kg) e maior teor de extrato etéreo (64,5g/kg), enquanto a paleta apresentou maior teor de U (738,7g/kg) e menor teor de PB (214,0g/kg), e o pernil apresentou o maior valor para PB (232,8g/kg) e valores intermediários para U (716,3g/kg) e EE (40,1g/kg). O pernil forneceu a carne menos macia (FC=2,98kgf). Para as características físico-químicas, o lombo e a paleta apresentaram carnes com maior valor de b* e o pernil e a paleta obtiveram maiores valores para a*. As diferentes proporções V:C não alteram a composição centesimal e proporcionam valores diferentes para L* e a*. Os cortes cárneos apresentam diferenças na composição química e nas características físicas.