bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effects of acute tryptophan depletion on mood in patients with Parkinson’s disease and the healthy elderly
Authors: Mace JL , Porter RJ , Dalrymple-Alford JC , Anderson TJ
Published: July 2009

Reduced serotonergic tone may be a compensatory adaptation to reduced dopaminergic activity in Parkinson’s disease (PD) and may result in vulnerability to depression. To test this hypothesis this study examined the effects of serotonin depletion, using the technique of acute tryptophan depletion (ATD) in PD. The effects of ATD were investigated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, counterbalanced, cross-over, randomised design, in 20 patients with PD and 32 healthy controls matched for age, gender and pre-morbid IQ. The primary outcome was change in scores on a modified Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). ATD resulted in a small but statistically significant increase in score on the MADRS, but there was no effect specific to the PD group. The results do not support the hypothesis that low serotonergic tone results in vulnerability to depression in PD and are in accord with an earlier study using the same technique in PD.
The Interlanguage Grammar of Information Management in L1 and L2 Developing Writing
Authors: Kenkel James , Yates Robert
Published: July 2009

In the tradition of work by Shaughnessy (1977) and Bartholomae (1980) applying concepts from second language acquisition research to developing writing, we explore the commonalities of L1 and L2 writers on the specific level of linguistic choices needed to order information within and across sentence boundaries. We propose that many of the kinds of constructions in L1 and L2 writing most difficult to categorize, labeled as errors, are in structures that are, from the writers’ perspective, principled attempts to meet their obligation of managing information. We examine 90 essays written by college students, 60 by native speakers, and 30 by nonnative speakers, and identify 360 non-target-like structures that are attempts to manage information. There are similarities in number and type of these constructions used by L1 and L2 developing writers.
Accomplishing the Difficult but Not Impossible
Authors: Jenness Valerie , Maxson Cheryl L. , Sumner Jennifer Macy , Matsuda Kristy N.
Published: July 2009

The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) increases opportunities for scholars to conduct research in carceral settings to determine the prevalence and contours of sexual assault. However, researchers face many challenges, including working cooperatively with state agencies while maintaining independence; gaining access to prisons and prisoners; securing necessary institutional approvals; and collecting generalizable data on a highly sensitive topic, sexual assault in prisons. This article reports our responses to these challenges in a study of inmate-on-inmate sexual assault in California. We describe our research procedures and provide an assessment of interviewer effects and threats to the generalizability of our sample. Our experience should be instructive to other researchers undertaking similar efforts at a moment in time in which others have rightfully decried the decline of in-prison research.
Extracranial Internal Carotid Artery Mycotic Aneurysm: Case Report and Review
Authors: O'Connell Jessica Beth , Darcy Sean , Reil Todd
Published: July 2009

Mycotic aneurysms of the internal carotid artery (ICA) are rare and often difficult to diagnose. They can have nonspecific signs and symptoms, an unclear etiology, and can lead to severe morbidity and mortality if left untreated. We present a case of a 47-year-old woman with an apparent mycotic aneurysm of the extracranial ICA associated with Klebsiella pneumonia. We discuss the various clinical findings and radiographic imaging that lead to this unusual diagnosis and the details of our surgical treatment, which included excision of the mycotic aneurysm and reconstruction with a greater saphenous vein interposition graft. We also review the literature on mycotic aneurysms of the ICA, including the radiologic modalities available to diagnose this condition, epidemiology, pathophysiology, and treatment options.
The IKK2/NF-κB pathway suppresses MYC-induced lymphomagenesis
Authors: Klapproth Kay , Sander Sandrine , Marinkovic Dragan , Baumann Bernd , Wirth Thomas
Published: July 2009

Deregulated c-MYC is found in a variety of cancers where it promotes proliferation as well as apoptosis. In many hematologic malignancies, enhanced NF-κB exerts prosurvival functions. Here we investigated the role of NF-κB in mouse and human c-MYC–transformed lymphomas. The NF-κB pathway is extinguished in murine lymphoma cells, and extrinsic stimuli typically inducing NF-κB activity fail to activate this pathway. Genetic activation of the NF-κB pathway induces apoptosis in these cells, whereas inhibition of NF-κB by an IκBα superrepressor provides a selective advantage in vivo. Furthermore, in human Burkitt lymphoma cells we find that NF-κB activation induces apoptosis. NF-κB up-regulates Fas and predisposes to Fas-induced cell death, which is caspase-8 mediated and can be prevented by CFLAR overexpression. We conclude that c-MYC overexpression sensitizes cells to NF-κB–induced apoptosis, and persistent inactivity of NF-κB signaling is a prerequisite for MYC-mediated tumorigenesis. We could also show that low immunogenicity and Fas insensitivity of MYC-driven lymphoma cells are reversed by activation of NF-κB. Our observations provide a molecular explanation for the described absence of the NF-κB signaling in Burkitt lymphoma and question the applicability of NF-κB inhibitors as candidates for treatment of this cancer.
Minimal requirement for induction of natural cytotoxicity and intersection of activation signals by inhibitory receptors
Authors: Bryceson Yenan T. , Ljunggren Hans-Gustaf , Long Eric O.
Published: July 2009

Natural killer (NK) cells provide innate control of infected and neoplastic cells. Multiple receptors have been implicated in natural cytotoxicity, but their individual contribution remains unclear. Here, we studied the activation of primary, resting human NK cells by Drosophila cells expressing ligands for receptors NKG2D, DNAM-1, 2B4, CD2, and LFA-1. Each receptor was capable of inducing inside-out signals for LFA-1, promoting adhesion, but none induced degranulation. Rather, release of cytolytic granules required synergistic activation through coengagement of receptors, shown here for NKG2D and 2B4. Although engagement of NKG2D and 2B4 was not sufficient for strong target cell lysis, collective engagement of LFA-1, NKG2D, and 2B4 defined a minimal requirement for natural cytotoxicity. Remarkably, inside-out signaling induced by each one of these receptors, including LFA-1, was inhibited by receptor CD94/NKG2A binding to HLA-E. Strong inside-out signals induced by the combination of NKG2D and 2B4 or by CD16 could overcome CD94/NKG2A inhibition. In contrast, degranulation induced by these receptors was still subject to inhibition by CD94/NKG2A. These results reveal multiple layers in the activation pathway for natural cytotoxicity and that steps as distinct as inside-out signaling to LFA-1 and signals for granule release are sensitive to inhibition by CD94/NKG2A.
Hereditary fibrinogen A α-chain amyloidosis: phenotypic characterization of a systemic disease and the role of liver transplantation
Authors: Stangou Arie J. , Banner Nicholas R. , Hendry Bruce M. , Rela Mohamed , Portmann Bernard , Wendon Julia , Monaghan Mark , MacCarthy Philip , Buxton-Thomas Muriel , Mathias Christopher J. , Liepnieks Juris J. , O'Grady John , Heaton Nigel D. , Benson Merrill D.
Published: July 2009

Variants of fibrinogen A α-chain (AFib) cause the most common type of hereditary renal amyloidosis in Europe and, possibly, the United States as well. Variant fibrinogen is produced in the liver, and solitary renal allografts fail within 1 to 7 years with recurrent amyloidosis. We assessed 22 AFib patients for combined liver and kidney transplantation (LKT) and report the clinical features and outcome. Twenty-one had E526V and 1, the R554L variant. Coronary atherosclerosis was identified in 68% and systemic atheromatosis in 55%. Vascular atheroma excised at endarterectomy and endomyocardial biopsies contained purely variant fibrinogen amyloid. Half had autonomic neuropathy. Six of 9 patients who underwent LKT are alive (67%), with good allograft function and no amyloidosis at median 67 months (range, 33-155 months) of follow-up. Serial technetium-99m–labeled dimercaptosuccinic acid (99mTc-DMSA) renal scintigraphy in 2 cases of preemptive LKT demonstrated preserved native kidney residual function at 5 years. Four explanted livers were used successfully for domino transplantation. Fibrinogen amyloidosis is a systemic amyloid disease with visceral, vascular, cardiac, and neurologic involvement. LKT is curative; however, cardiovascular amyloidosis may preclude this option. Our data encourage evaluation of preemptive solitary liver transplantation early in the course of amyloid nephropathy to prevent hemodialysis and kidney transplantation.
Analysis of fine-scale mammalian evolutionary breakpoints provides new insight into their relation to genome organisation
Authors: Lemaitre Claire , Zaghloul Lamia , Sagot Marie-France , Gautier Christian , Arneodo Alain , Tannier Eric , Audit Benjamin
Published: July 2009

Background

The Intergenic Breakage Model, which is the current model of structural genome evolution, considers that evolutionary rearrangement breakages happen with a uniform propensity along the genome but are selected against in genes, their regulatory regions and in-between. However, a growing body of evidence shows that there exists regions along mammalian genomes that present a high susceptibility to breakage. We reconsidered this question taking advantage of a recently published methodology for the precise detection of rearrangement breakpoints based on pairwise genome comparisons.

Results

We applied this methodology between the genome of human and those of five sequenced eutherian mammals which allowed us to delineate evolutionary breakpoint regions along the human genome with a finer resolution (median size 26.6 kb) than obtained before. We investigated the distribution of these breakpoints with respect to genome organisation into domains of different activity. In agreement with the Intergenic Breakage Model, we observed that breakpoints are under-represented in genes. Surprisingly however, the density of breakpoints in small intergenes (1 per Mb) appears significantly higher than in gene deserts (0.1 per Mb).

More generally, we found a heterogeneous distribution of breakpoints that follows the organisation of the genome into isochores (breakpoints are more frequent in GC-rich regions). We then discuss the hypothesis that regions with an enhanced susceptibility to breakage correspond to regions of high transcriptional activity and replication initiation.

Conclusion

We propose a model to describe the heterogeneous distribution of evolutionary breakpoints along human chromosomes that combines natural selection and a mutational bias linked to local open chromatin state.
The role of pharmacists in developing countries: the current scenario in Pakistan
Authors: Azhar Saira , Hassali Mohamed Azmi , Ibrahim Mohamed Izham Mohamed , Ahmad Maqsood , Masood Imran , Shafie Asrul Akmal
Published: July 2009

During the past few years, the pharmacy profession has expanded significantly in terms of professional services delivery and now has been recognized as an important profession in the multidisciplinary provision of health care. In contrast to the situation in developed countries, pharmacists in developing countries are still underutilized and their role as health care professionals is not deemed important by either the community or other health care providers. The aim of this paper is to highlight the role of pharmacists in developing countries, particularly in Pakistan. The paper draws on the literature related to the socioeconomic and health status of Pakistan's population, along with background on the pharmacy profession in the country in the context of the current directions of health care.

The paper highlights the current scenario and portrays the pharmacy profession in Pakistan. It concludes that although the pharmacy profession in Pakistan is continuously evolving, the health care system of Pakistan has yet to recognize the pharmacist's role. This lack of recognition is due to the limited interaction of pharmacists with the public. Pharmacists in Pakistan are concerned about their present professional role in the health care system. The main problem they are facing is the shortage of pharmacists in pharmacies. Moreover, their services are focused towards management more than towards customers. For these reasons, the pharmacist's role as a health care professional is not familiar to the public.
Identification of progressors in osteoarthritis by combining biochemical and MRI-based markers
Authors: Dam Erik B , Loog Marco , Christiansen Claus , Byrjalsen Inger , Folkesson Jenny , Nielsen Mads , Qazi Arish A , Pettersen Paola C , Garnero Patrick , Karsdal Morten A
Published: July 2009

Introduction

At present, no disease-modifying osteoarthritis drugs (DMOADS) are approved by the FDA (US Food and Drug Administration); possibly partly due to inadequate trial design since efficacy demonstration requires disease progression in the placebo group. We investigated whether combinations of biochemical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based markers provided effective diagnostic and prognostic tools for identifying subjects with high risk of progression. Specifically, we investigated aggregate cartilage longevity markers combining markers of breakdown, quantity, and quality.

Methods

The study included healthy individuals and subjects with radiographic osteoarthritis. In total, 159 subjects (48% female, age 56.0 ± 15.9 years, body mass index 26.1 ± 4.2 kg/m2) were recruited. At baseline and after 21 months, biochemical (urinary collagen type II C-telopeptide fragment, CTX-II) and MRI-based markers were quantified. MRI markers included cartilage volume, thickness, area, roughness, homogeneity, and curvature in the medial tibio-femoral compartment. Joint space width was measured from radiographs and at 21 months to assess progression of joint damage.

Results

Cartilage roughness had the highest diagnostic accuracy quantified as the area under the receiver-operator characteristics curve (AUC) of 0.80 (95% confidence interval: 0.69 to 0.91) among the individual markers (higher than all others, P < 0.05) to distinguish subjects with radiographic osteoarthritis from healthy controls. Diagnostically, cartilage longevity scored AUC 0.84 (0.77 to 0.92, higher than roughness: P = 0.03). For prediction of longitudinal radiographic progression based on baseline marker values, the individual prognostic marker with highest AUC was homogeneity at 0.71 (0.56 to 0.81). Prognostically, cartilage longevity scored AUC 0.77 (0.62 to 0.90, borderline higher than homogeneity: P = 0.12). When comparing patients in the highest quartile for the longevity score to lowest quartile, the odds ratio of progression was 20.0 (95% confidence interval: 6.4 to 62.1).

Conclusions

Combination of biochemical and MRI-based biomarkers improved diagnosis and prognosis of knee osteoarthritis and may be useful to select high-risk patients for inclusion in DMOAD clinical trials.
A Preformed Signaling Complex Mediates GnRH-Activated ERK Phosphorylation of Paxillin and FAK at Focal Adhesions in LβT2 Gonadotrope Cells
Authors: Dobkin-Bekman Masha , Naidich Michal , Rahamim Liat , Przedecki Fiorenza , Almog Tal , Lim Stefan , Melamed Philippa , Liu Ping , Wohland Thorsten , Yao Zhong , Seger Rony , Naor Zvi
Published: July 2009

Most receptor tyrosine kinases and G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) operate via a limited number of MAPK cascades but still exert diverse functions, and therefore signal specificity remains an enigma. Also, most GPCR ligands utilize families of receptors for mediation of diverse biological actions; however, the mammalian type I GnRH receptor (GnRHR) seems to be the sole receptor mediating GnRH-induced gonadotropin synthesis and release. Signaling complexes associated with GPCRs may thus provide the means for signal specificity. Here we describe a signaling complex associated with the GnRHR, which is a unique GPCR lacking a C-terminal tail. Unlike other GPCRs, this signaling complex is preformed, and exposure of LβT2 gonadotropes to GnRH induces its dynamic rearrangement. The signaling complex includes c-Src, protein kinase Cδ, -ε, and -α, Ras, MAPK kinase 1/2, ERK1/2, tubulin, focal adhesion kinase (FAK), paxillin, vinculin, caveolin-1, kinase suppressor of Ras-1, and the GnRHR. Exposure to GnRH (5 min) causes MAPK kinase 1/2, ERK1/2, tubulin, vinculin, and the GnRHR to detach from c-Src, but they reassociate within 30 min. On the other hand, FAK, paxillin, the protein kinase Cs, and caveolin-1 stay bound to c-Src, whereas kinase suppressor of Ras-1 appears in the complex only 30 min after GnRH stimulation. GnRH was found to activate ERK1/2 in the complex in a c-Src-dependent manner, and the activated ERK1/2 subsequently phosphorylates FAK and paxillin. In parallel, caveolin-1, FAK, vinculin, and paxillin are phosphorylated on Tyr residues apparently by GnRH-activated c-Src. Receptor tyrosine kinases and GPCRs translocate ERK1/2 to the nucleus to phosphorylate and activate transcription factors. We therefore propose that the role of the multiprotein signaling complex is to sequester a cytosolic pool of activated ERK1/2 to phosphorylate FAK and paxillin at focal adhesions.
Achieving Horizontal Equity: Must We Have a Single-Payer Health System?
Authors: Gusmano Michael K. , Weisz Daniel , Rodwin Victor G.
Published: July 2009

The question posed in this article is whether single-payer health care systems are more likely to provide equal treatment for equal need (horizontal equity) than are multipayer systems. To address this question, we compare access to primary and specialty health care services across selected neighborhoods, grouped by average household income, in a single-payer system (the English NHS), a multiple-payer system with universal coverage (French National Health Insurance), and the U.S. multiple-payer system characterized by large gaps in health insurance coverage. We find that Paris residents, including those with low incomes, have better access to health care than their counterparts in Inner London and Manhattan. This finding casts doubt on the notion that the number of payers influences the capacity of a health care system to provide equitable access to its residents. The lesson is to worry less about the number of payers and more about the system's ability to assure access to primary and specialty care services.
An investigation of the temperature distributions inside a spool valve owing to a viscous heating effect
Authors: Deng J , Shao X-M , Fu X
Published: July 2009

The objective of this article is a numerical analysis of the temperature distributions around the notches of a spool valve, because of the viscous heating effect caused by high-speed flow of the large-viscosity hydraulic oil. Two valve spools fabricated with different shapes of notches are investigated, of which spool A is an earlier one, being reported to cause a jam fault under specific working conditions. Spool B is an improved one, which has shown no evidence of damage from jamming in applications up to the present. However, except for practical application, no experimental or numerical tests have been carried out to support it. The deformation of the spool caused by viscous heating is very small, so it is difficult to be observed by conventional experimental methods. In this article, a numerical method is employed to uncover the flow field inside the valve as well as the temperature distributions on the valve spool. The results show important differences between spool A and spool B, including local temperature distributions and peak temperatures around the notches. In conclusion, spool B is evaluated to be more reliable from jam faults than spool A. However, present studies are limited to computational fluid dynamics analysis, which restricts studies on flow and heat transfer. More reliable predictions will be made in the future.
Water flow model turbine flow visualization study of the unsteady interaction of secondary flow vortices with the downstream rotor
Authors: Aurahs L , Kasper C , Kürner M , Rose M G , Staudacher S , Gier J
Published: July 2009

This article presents detailed flow visualization photographs, root mean square processed photography, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) results of the interaction of the vane passage vortex and horseshoe vortex with the rotor of an axial flow turbine model. Different modes of vortex breakdown behaviour have been experimentally observed inside the rotating passage of the turbine blade. These are spiral vortex mode and bubble mode breakdown. The breakdown mode changes as the vortices are influenced by the periodic pressure field of the rotor. The measurements were taken in a vertical water channel with ink injection for flow visualization.

Unsteady CFD analyses have been made with some success in prediction of the unsteady flow structures. In particular, the pre-instability behaviour of the passage vortex in the experiments matches the results of the numerical investigations.
Chronic disease management and the home-care alternative in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Tsasis Peter
Published: July 2009

The pressure on our health-care system to deliver efficient, quality and cost-effective care is increasing. The debate on its sustainability is also expanding. These challenges can be managed with revisions to our health-care policy frameworks governing how and what public health-care services are delivered. Chronic disease management and home care can together ease many of the present and future pressures facing the health-care system. However, the current level of investment and the present policy are not effectively supporting movement in this direction. Updating the Canada Health Act to reflect the realities of our health-care system, and developing policies to support the areas of interdisciplinary teamwork and system integration are needed to facilitate chronic disease management and home care in Canada. This article lays out the challenges, highlights the impending issues and suggests a framework for moving forward.
MD simulations of ligand-bound and ligand-free aptamer: Molecular level insights into the binding and switching mechanism of the add A-riboswitch
Authors: Sharma Monika , Bulusu Gopalakrishnan , Mitra Abhijit
Published: July 2009

Riboswitches are structural cis-acting genetic regulatory elements in 5′ UTRs of mRNAs, consisting of an aptamer domain that regulates the behavior of an expression platform in response to its recognition of, and binding to, specific ligands. While our understanding of the ligand-bound structure of the aptamer domain of the adenine riboswitches is based on crystal structure data and is well characterized, understanding of the structure and dynamics of the ligand-free aptamer is limited to indirect inferences from physicochemical probing experiments. Here we report the results of 15-nsec-long explicit-solvent molecular dynamics simulations of the add A-riboswitch crystal structure (1Y26), both in the adenine-bound (CLOSED) state and in the adenine-free (OPEN) state. Root-mean-square deviation, root-mean-square fluctuation, dynamic cross-correlation, and backbone torsion angle analyses are carried out on the two trajectories. These, along with solvent accessible surface area analysis of the two average structures, are benchmarked against available experimental data and are shown to constitute the basis for obtaining reliable insights into the molecular level details of the binding and switching mechanism. Our analysis reveals the interaction network responsible for, and conformational changes associated with, the communication between the binding pocket and the expression platform. It further highlights the significance of a, hitherto unreported, noncanonical W:H trans base pairing between A73 and A24, in the OPEN state, and also helps us to propose a possibly crucial role of U51 in the context of ligand binding and ligand discrimination.
Effect of salts on the formation and properties of microcrystalline cellulose and chitosan gels 10th EWLP, Stockholm, Sweden, August 25–28, 2008
Authors: Laka Marianna , Chernyavskaya Svetlana
Published: July 2009

The difference in the effect of salts on the formation and properties of gels based on microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and microcrystalline chitosan (MCCh) was investigated. Bleached sulphate pulp from wood and chitosan obtained from exoskeletons of crustaceans served as raw materials. These were destructed by a thermocatalytic method to the levelling-off degree of polymerisation and then dispersed in solutions of different salts. At a sufficiently high concentration, gels with a liquid crystalline structure were formed. For MCC, the gels are stronger when the dispersion solution contains polyvalent cations, which decrease the negative charge on the cellulose surface caused by the carboxyl groups present there. As a result, the mutual repulsing forces between the cellulose particles decrease and the lattice formed by them becomes stronger. For MCCh, strong gels with a great viscosity are formed when the dispersion solution contains polyvalent anions, which decrease the positive charge on the chitosan surface caused by amine groups. The effect of salts depends also on their concentration in the solution.
A Review of Solid-State Electrochemical Sensors for Measurements of Sulfur Content of Liquid Metals
Authors: Liu Tao , Li Lin , Yu Jingkun
Published: July 2009

Sulfur in steel is one of the most important deleterious element, so monitoring sulfur content is important to improve the quality of steel products. Solid electrolyte based sensors are well suited to metallurgical processes. However, the design of effective high temperature electrochemical sulfur sensors requires higher stability of sulfides and strategic combinations of electrolyte and auxiliary electrode materials to provide satisfactory response and stability. The approaches and materials used in the development of sulfur sensor are reviewed, and theoretical sulfur activity versus potential relation is given in this paper.
A Dove and a Nightingale: Mahābhārata 3. 130. 18–3. 131. 32 and Hesiod, works and days 202–213
Authors: Zanker Andreas
Published: July 2009

Hesiod’s Fable of the Hawk and the Nightingale remains a scholarly problem: its “might is right” moral seems to counteract the point that the poet appears to be making in this part of the Works and Days. Moreover, it is introduced with an address to the kings but finishes immediately prior to a dislocated appellation to Hesiod’s brother Perses. We have no clearly analogous fable to set next to this one. In this paper I step outside the Greek tradition and present a comparable story from the Indic Mahābhārata that involves not only a hawk and a dove but also a king who protects the latter. I argue that the material it supplies can help us in our interpretation of the Hesiodic fable by opening up the possibility that there is in fact a third character within the drama – absent from the text itself but essential for our understanding of it – who had the power to protect the nightingale from the hawk but who failed to do so.
Effects of acute administration of acylated and unacylated ghrelin on glucose and insulin concentrations in morbidly obese subjects without overt diabetes
Authors: Kiewiet Rosalie M , van Aken Maarten O , van der Weerd Kim , Uitterlinden Piet , Themmen Axel P N , Hofland Leo J , de Rijke Yolanda B , Delhanty Patric J D , Ghigo Ezio , Abribat Thierry , van der Lely Aart Jan
Published: July 2009

Objective

To investigate the effects of unacylated ghrelin (UAG) and co-administration of acylated ghrelin (AG) and UAG in morbid obesity, a condition characterized by insulin resistance and low GH levels.

Design and method

Eight morbidly obese non-diabetic subjects were treated with either UAG 200 μg, UAG 100 μg in combination with AG 100 μg (Comb) or placebo in three episodes of 4 consecutive days in a double-blind randomized crossover design. Study medication was administered as daily single i.v. bolus injections at 0900 h after an overnight fast. At 1000 h, a standardized meal was served. Glucose, insulin, GH, free fatty acids (FFA) and ghrelin were measured up to 4 h after administration.

Results

Insulin concentrations significantly decreased after acute administration of Comb only, reaching a minimum at 20 min: 58.2±3.9% of baseline versus 88.7±7.2 and 92.7±2.6% after administration of placebo and UAG respectively (P<0.01). After 1 h, insulin concentration had returned to baseline. Glucose concentrations did not change after Comb. However, UAG administration alone did not change glucose, insulin, FFA or GH levels.

Conclusion

Co-administration of AG and UAG as a single i.v. bolus injection causes a significant decrease in insulin concentration in non-diabetic subjects suffering from morbid obesity. Since glucose concentration did not change in the first hour after Comb administration, our data suggest a strong improvement in insulin sensitivity. These findings warrant studies in which UAG with or without AG is administered for a longer period of time. Administration of a single bolus injection of UAG did not influence glucose and insulin metabolism.
Cross-suppression of specific immune responses after oral tolerance
Authors: Vaz Nelson M. , Maia Luiz Carlos , Hanson Donald G. , Lynch James M.
Published: July 2009

Adult normal inbred mice rendered tolerant to OVA by previous oral exposure do not respond to intraperitonela immunization with DNP-OVA in adjuvant. These tolerant mice also form less DNP-specific antibodies to DNP-KLH when immunized with mixtures of DNP-KLH and DNP-OVA, or less HGG-specific antibodies when immunized with cross-linked conjugates of OVA and HGG. These same procedures increased DNP-specific or HGG-specific responses in non-tolerant control mice. The cross-supperssion was ineffective, however, to inhibit already ongoing antibody responses.
Morbidade da esquistossomose mansoni no Brasil. I - Estudo de 4.652 casos observados no Rio de Janeiro de 1960 a 1979
Authors: Coura J. Rodrigues , Queiroz Genaro Correia de , Florêncio Cleber Gitirana , Argento Carlos Alberto , Coutinho Sergio Gomes , Figueiredo Norton , Wanke Bodo , Camillo-Coura Léa
Published: July 2009

No período de vinte anos (1960-1979), os autores observaram na Clínica de Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, sediada no Pavilhão Carlos Chagas do Hospital São Francisco de Assis, 4.652 casos de esquistossomose mansoni procedentes de 18 Estados do Brasil. Entre os casos observados 87,18% eram da forma hepatointestinal e 12,82% da forma hepatoesplênica entre os quais 30 tinham a forma pulmonar associada. Adicionalmente 30 casos da forma aguda ou toxémica foram estudados no mesmo Serviço, em famílias residentes no Rio de Janeiro. Além da observação clínica e do estudo epidemiológico incluindo o perfil migratório de cada caso e da casuística como um todo, foram realizados exames complementares como hemograma, mielograma, dosagem de transaminases, provas de função hepática, eletroforese de proteínas séricas, biópsia hepática, radiografias de tórax e de esôfago, esplenoportografia, eletrocardiograma e estudos hemodinâmicos do sistema porta, do coração e da artéria pulmonar em grupos de pacientes selecionados.
About some trematodes parasites of Haemulon sciurus (Shaw, 1803)
Authors: Kohn A. , Macedo Berenice , Fernandes B. M. M.
Published: July 2009

From September, 1980 to August, 1981 forty specimens of Haemulon sciurus from "Praia da Ribeira, Ilha do Governador", Rio de Janeiro State, were examined for parasites. In this paper, parcial results concerning only the collected trematodes are reported: Diplomonorchis leiostomi Hopkins, 1941 (first record in Brazil and in a new host); Lasiotocus beauforti (Hopkins, 1941) Thomas, 1959 (new host record); Genolopa ampullacea Linton, 1910; Parahemiurus merus (Linton, 1910) Yamaguti, 1938 (new host record): Aponurus pyriformis (Linton, 1910) Overstreet, 1973 and Diplangus paxillus Linton, 1910. Figures, measurements and comments of each species are given.
Utilização da reação de imunofluorescência indireta no acompanhamento da terapêutica da leishmaniose tegumentar americana'
Authors: Souza Wilson Jacinto Silva de , Coutinho Sergio Gomes , Marzochi Mauro Celio de Almeida , Toledo Luciano Medeiros de , Gottlieb Marina Ventura
Published: July 2009

Foram estudados 17 indivíduos cujas idades variaram de 2 a 78 anos, procedentes da área endêmica de Jacarepaguá (RJ), com diagnóstico clínico, epidemiológico, imunológico e parasitológico de leishmaniose tegumentar americana. Todos foram tratados pelo antimoniato de N-metilglucamina na dose de 60 mg/kg/dia em três séries de 10 dias de duração, com 10 dias de intervalo entre cada série e submetidos à coleta e sangue venoso para a reação de imunofluorescência indireta (IF-IgG) antes, durante e após o medicamento. Estes 17 indivíduos foram reatores a intradermorreação de Montenegro (= 5 mm) e soro-reagentes (= 1:45) na IF-1gG, sendo que em 6 deles (31,7%) foi demonstrado ou isolado Leishmania braziliensis. A positividade da IF-IgG antes do tratamento foi de 76,4% (13 casos com título = 1:90). As médias geométricas das recíprocas dos títulos antes da primeira série do antimonial (89,9), durante o tratamento (63,6 a 29,3) e 10, 30 e 120 dias após medicação, mostraram uma graduação nitidamente decrescente (14,9;2,1 e 1,2), respectivamente. Todos tiveram suas lesões cicatrizadas ao final do tratamento sendo maior o número de cicatrizações após a 2°série. Somente 120 dias após a terapêutica, foram observados títulos abaixo de 1:45 na quase todalidade dos pacientes (16 casos - 94,1%) sugerindo que, na utilização da IF-IgG como controle de cura, faz-se necessário um acompanhamento sorológico de no mínimo 3 a 4 meses.
Contribution to the study of immune hemolysis by toad complement
Authors: Gennari Marisa , Reis Moema H. , Ferreira Vera C. A. , Siqueira Maria , Bier Otto G.
Published: July 2009

EA (sheep erythrocytes carrying rabbit antibody) are lysed by toad complement under optimal conditions which include a low concentration of cells (1.54 x 10*8/ml), a low temperature of incubation (30°C) and the same amounts of Ca++ and Mg++ as required for the titration of guinea-pig complement. Kinetic studies of the role of cations mentioned above in immune lysis by toad C have disclosed a fundamental difference as compared to guinea-pig C. In a limited complement system, the lysis by amphibian C is completely blocked by EDTA, even when the chelating agent is added as late as 15 minutes after zero-time. Inhibition by EGTA is only partial and the findings suggest that Mg++ is required not only at the beginning, but also at late stages of the lytic process. It has been speculated that the activation of amphibian complement proceeds mainly by the alternative pathway.
Incapacidade de evolução do Trypanosoma cruzi na hemocele de triatomíneos
Authors: Alvarenga Nelson J. , Bronfen Elizabeth
Published: July 2009

O exame da hemolinfa de triatomíneos (Triatoma infestans e Dipetalogastermaxima) infectados pelo Trypanosoma cruzi há 10, 15, 20 e 30 dias não revelaram a presença do flagelado. Material colhido e lavado da hemocele de D. maxima infectados, também foi negativo. A inoculação de formas sanguíneas do parasita e daquelas obtidas do conteúdo intestinal de triatomíneos na hemocele revelou que os parasitas não foram capazes de manter na hemolinfa uma infecção por mais de 40 dias e que não puderam penetrar no intestino dos triatomíneos. A inoculação de hemolinfa de insetos naturalmente infectados em camundongos recém-nascidos não induziu infecção.
Microenxertia interespecífica ex vitro em maracujazeiros
Authors: Pereira Wilson Vicente Souza , Ribeiro Leonardo Monteiro , Vieira Lorena Melo , Mercadante-Simões Maria Olívia
Published: July 2009

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito da espécie de Passiflora usada como porta-enxerto no pegamento e desenvolvimento da microenxertia interespecífica ex vitro e caracterizar anatomicamente a região em que ela é realizada. Ápices caulinares de Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa foram enxertados em hipocótilo de porta-enxertos de P. alata, P. cincinnata, P. edulis e P. setacea. Foram avaliados o desenvolvimento da microenxertia, a ocorrência de brotações adventícias do porta-enxerto e o percentual de microenxertos com folhas expandidas. Os porta-enxertos foram submetidos à avaliação anatômica e histoquímica. O desenvolvimento dos microenxertos e o número de brotações adventícias foram maiores quando se utilizou porta-enxertos de P. edulis e menores com porta-enxertos de P. setacea e P. alata. Porta-enxertos de P. edulis, P. cincinnata, P. alata e P. setacea proporcionaram, respectivamente, 30,3, 10, 1,6 e 0% de microenxertos com folhas expandidas. As avaliações histológicas evidenciaram maior espessura da região cortical em porta-enxertos de P. edulis, enquanto em P. setacea foi observado menor número de camadas corticais, maior quantidade de fibras floemáticas e de alcaloides, características que influenciaram negativamente o resultado da microenxertia.
Taxas de crescimento de mudas de catingueira submetidas a diferentes substratos e sombreamentos
Authors: Dantas Bárbara França , Lopes Armando Pereira , Silva Fabrício Francisco Santos da , Lúcio Aldenir Alves , Batista Patrício Ferreira , Pires Mayara Milena Menezes da Luz , Aragão Carlos Alberto
Published: July 2009

A catingueira (Caesalpinia pyramidalis Tul.) é uma espécie nativa da caatinga dotada de grande resistência à seca e de grande potencial econômico. No entanto, não existem informações sobre o desenvolvimento dessa espécie em diferentes substrates e luminosidade, fatores ambientais que mais influenciam a produção de seedlings florestais. Dessa forma, este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar o efeito de diferentes níveis de shading e tipos de substrates nas taxas de crescimento de mudas de catingueira. O experimento foi conduzido na Universidade do Estado da Bahia e na Embrapa Semiárido, Petrolina, PE. As sementes foram semeadas em recipientes preenchidos com diferentes substratos: solo, areia, solo+areia, solo+areia+esterco caprino e substrato comercial, sendo os recipientes mantidos em quatro diferentes sombreamentos, a céu aberto (sem sombreamento) e em telados tipo sombrite de 30%, 50% e 75% de sombreamento. Aos 30, 60 e 100 dias após a estabilização da emergência das plântulas, as mudas foram avaliadas quanto à taxa de crescimento absoluto, taxa de crescimento relativo, taxa assimilatória líquida, razão de área foliar,área foliar específica, peso específico da folha e razão de peso foliar. Não houve interação significativa entre os dois fatores estudados em nenhuma das taxas de crescimento calculadas. Nas condições deste trabalho, foi possível concluir que as taxas de crescimento das mudas de catingueira, em geral, não foram influenciadas pela luminosidade às quais elas foram submetidas e que solo coletado em região de caatinga, combinado ou não, com areia e esterco, possibilitou maior crescimento das mudas.
Respostas morfofisiológicas in vitro de plântulas de Anadenanthera colubrina (Vell.) Brenan var. cebil (Griseb) Altschul
Authors: Nepomuceno Cristina Ferreira , Rios Ana Paula de Souza , Queiroz Sandra Regina de Oliveira Domingos , Pelacani Claudinéia Regina , Santana José Raniere Ferreira de
Published: July 2009

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o estabelecimento in vitro de Anadenanthera colubrina var. cebil, através das respostas morfofisiológicas das plântulas submetidas a várias condições de cultivo. As sementes foram desinfestadas e inoculadas em placas de Petri contendo papel germtest previamente esterilizado e umedecido com água estéril. As placas ficaram no escuro por dois dias até que ocorresse a germinação das sementes e, em seguida, transferidas para tubo de ensaio contendo meio de cultura WPM. Foram avaliados três tipos de fechamentos dos tubos de ensaio: filme de PVC, tampa plástica sem filme de PVC e tampão de algodão. No segundo experimento, o meio de cultura foi suplementado com carvão ativado (0,0; e 82,2 mM) e diferentes concentrações de sacarose (0,0; 29,21; 58,43; e 87,64 mM). Ao final de 30 dias, observaram-se efeitos altamente significativos dos tipos de fechamento sobre todas as variáveis analisadas: comprimento da parte aérea (CPA), número de folhas (NF), número de pinas (NP), matéria seca da parte aérea (MSPA), abscisão foliar (AF), comprimento da raiz (CR), matéria seca da raiz (MSR) e número de raízes secundárias (NRS). A AF foi reduzida em 7,3 vezes, quando os tubos de ensaio foram fechados com tampão de algodão em relação ao fechamento com filme de PVC. Os maiores valores de CPA (102,5 mm), NF (3,0), CR (194,7 mm) e NRS (47,88) foram obtidos com 29,21 mM de sacarose; a MSPA (59,1 mg), quando utilizou 58,43 mM e MSR (33,37 mg), com 87,64 mM de sacarose. O carvão ativado apresentou efeito significativo apenas em NRS, com maior valor (45,79) na presença desse composto.
Reinventando a história: Lincoln Gordon e as suas múltiplas versões de 1964
Authors: Green James N. , Jones Abigail
Published: July 2009

Lincoln Gordon, embaixador dos Estados Unidos no Brasil, esteve no centro das operações norte-americanas que apoiaram o golpe de Estado de 1964, desde a coordenação das conexões entre Vernon Walters e os conspiradores militares, até o lobby por uma força-tarefa naval dos Estados Unidos que interviria no caso da explosão de uma guerra civil entre forças pró e anti-Goulart. Apesar disso, naquele momento, e nos anos seguintes, Gordon insistiu em que o golpe de Estado tinha sido "100% brasileiro". Através de documentos do Departamento de Estado norte-americano, discursos de Gordon, testemunhos orais, e de uma entrevista em 2005 com o embaixador, este artigo analisa as diversas justificativas que Gordon ofereceu ao longo dos últimos quarenta anos para explicar por que apoiou a derrubada de Goulart e concedeu suporte incondicional ao novo regime militar.
Análise de indicadores ambientais no reservatório do Passaúna
Authors: Mattar Neto Jorge , Krüger Cláudio Marchand , Dziedzic Maurício
Published: July 2009

A importância dos indicadores ambientais está associada à sua utilização como instrumentos para a sociedade avaliar a própria evolução. No contexto ambiental, indicadores são parâmetros representativos, concisos e fáceis de interpretar utilizados para ilustrar as principais características de uma determinada região. O presente trabalho apresenta uma proposta de indicadores ambientais para o reservatório do Passaúna, um dos principais mananciais de Curitiba, com base em 14 parâmetros. Apresenta, também, uma proposta de determinação de um índice de comprometimento ambiental (ICA) com base na importância relativa de cada um dos potenciais poluidores. Apresenta-se, aqui, um exemplo de determinação do ICA, considerando os dados disponíveis para seis parâmetros, concluindo-se que o reservatório do Passaúna apresenta forte comprometimento ambiental.
Alteração da inclinação dos incisivos inferiores e ocorrência de recessão gengival
Authors: Closs Luciane Q. , Grehs Betina , Raveli Dirceu Barnabé , Rösing Cassiano Kuchenbecker
Published: July 2009

OBJETIVOS: o objetivo deste estudo foi investigar se alterações na posição vestibulolingual dos incisivos inferiores em adolescentes podem predispor ao desenvolvimento de recessões gengivais. MÉTODOS: documentações de 189 adolescentes leucodermas (107 meninos e 81 meninas) pré e pós-tratamento ortodôntico foram selecionadas. Os pacientes apresentavam uma idade média de 11,2 ± 1,9 anos nos exames iniciais e 14,7 ± 1,8 anos nos exames finais. A presença de recessão gengival foi avaliada em modelos de estudo e em fotografias. A inclinação dos incisivos inferiores, em relação ao plano mandibular (IMPA) foi medida nos cefalogramas laterais pré e pós-tratamento e os casos foram divididos em proclinados, retroinclinados e inalterados. RESULTADOS: não foi observada associação significativa entre a alteração da inclinação dentária e a presença de recessões gengivais, utilizando o teste do qui-quadrado (p = 0,277). Foi observado que 107 pacientes (56,6%) apresentaram os incisivos proclinados; 64 pacientes (33,9%) com incisivos retroinclinados; e 18 pacientes (9,5%) não apresentaram alteração na inclinação. Nos casos em que novas recessões gengivais ocorreram, 64,9% foram vestibularizados, 26,3% foram lingualizados e 8,8% não apresentaram alteração na inclinação. No grupo de pacientes que apresentou migração coronal da margem gengival, 60% foram movimentados para lingual, 30% foram vestibularizados e 10% não alteraram de posição. CONCLUSÕES: apesar de a porcentagem de casos que foram vestibularizados apresentar um maior número de novas recessões, esse não foi estatisticamente significativo.
Variáveis relevantes no tratamento da má oclusão de Classe II
Authors: Janson Guilherme , Barros Sérgio Estelita Cavalcante , Simão Tassiana Mesquita , Freitas Marcos Roberto de
Published: July 2009

Os resultados do tratamento da má oclusão de Classe II podem ser influenciados por características que são inerentes ao paciente - como a idade, a severidade da má oclusão e o grau de colaboração - ou, ainda, por fatores relacionados à conduta do profissional - como a escolha do protocolo de tratamento. Basicamente, o tratamento da Classe II pode ser realizado sem extrações ou com extrações de dois ou quatro pré-molares. Contudo, uma maior proporção de sucesso do tratamento pode ser esperada com extrações de dois pré-molares superiores, independentemente do padrão facial e da relação maxilomandibular. Considerando esta revisão, pôde-se concluir que os resultados oclusais do tratamento da Classe II são fortemente influenciados pelo protocolo de tratamento, enquanto o padrão facial não parece exercer uma influência significativa.
O processo de certificação socioambiental das empresas: o estudo de caso do certificado 'empresa cidadã'
Authors: Bufoni André Luiz , Muniz Natiara Penalva , Ferreira Aracéli Cristina de Sousa
Published: July 2009

Este artigo trata de Contabilidade Social Corporativa, em uma de suas formas mais conhecidas, preferidas e utilizadas: o Balanço Social. O objetivo deste estudo é a análise da eficácia do processo de certificação do Empresa Cidadã, promovida pelo Conselho Regional de Contabilidade do Rio de Janeiro [CRC/RJ], que teve por objetivo "elevar a qualidade e a transparência dos relatórios sociais publicados e incentivar a realização de balanços sociais pelas organizações". Efetuou-se ainda uma análise qualitativa dos dados apresentados para certificação. Este trabalho se utiliza então do estudo de caso simples como metodologia, tendo a certificação como caso e o processo como unidade em análise. Esta pesquisa conclui que, apesar da melhoria contínua, da consolidação do processo, da sofisticação e da tecnicidade e abrangência, o processo ainda se encontra distante de alcançar os objetivos de influenciar as decisões dos gestores e modificar o comportamento das instituições sobre investimentos desta natureza. A análise dos dados é dificultada pela inconsistência, heterogeneidade e posicionamento das informações apresentadas, enquanto o processo em si se revela excessivamente quantitativo, apresentando ainda o problema da não publicidade dos critérios e julgamentos efetuados na análise dos dados.