bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Palmaria mollis stat. nov.: a newly recognized species of Palmaria (Rhodophyceae) from the northeast Pacific Ocean
Authors: Meer John P. van der , Bird Carolyn J.
Published: November 2009

Attempts were made to hybridize Palmaria palmata (L.) O. Kuntze from the North Atlantic Ocean with Palmaria palmata f. mollis (Setchell and Gardner) Guiry from the eastern North Pacific Ocean. No hybrids were obtained in reciprocal crosses, although fertilization was readily achieved for control crosses within each taxon. The number and placement of carpogonia on well-developed female gametophytes (disc diameter, 100–150 μm) was different for the two taxa. The Atlantic plants had comparatively few carpogonia (1–10), which were always found at the center of the holdfast disc or on young upright fronds, whereas the Pacific plants had many carpogonia (15–60), which were most commonly located away from the centermost portion of the disc and were never observed on developing fronds. The two taxa also differed in their susceptibility to a small parasitic Oomycete of the genus Petersenia Sparrow, which is pathogenic for f. mollis but did not infect the Atlantic plants. Cytological examination revealed that f. mollis has n = 21 chromosomes, the same as P. palmata from the north Atlantic Ocean. In view of the genetic isolation between the two forms, P. palmata f. mollis is raised to specific status as Palmaria mollis (Setchell & Gardner) van der Meer & Bird.
Ultrastructure of the fungus Petersenia palmariae (Oomycetes) parasitic on the alga Palmaria mollis (Rhodophyceae)
Authors: Pueschel C. M. , Meer J. P. van der
Published: November 2009

Invasion of Palmaria mollis by the marine oomycete Petersenia palmariae begins with penetration of the cell wall and then the lumen of an outer cortex cell. The fungus in its vegetative phase lacks a wall but is separated from the host cytoplasm by the invaginated plasmalemmaof the host cell. By promoting fusion of host cells or by the dissolution of the host cells' pit plugs, the fungus is able to use a symplastic route to invade cells deep in the cortex and medulla of the host. In the process, a compound confluent host cell lumen is created. The deposition of a thick wall around the lobed fungal cell marks the beginning of holocarpic sporangium formation and is followed by great proliferation of the parasite's nuclei and concomitant diminution of nuclear and nucleolar size. The cytoplasm becomes parietal when a large central vacuole develops. Mastigonemes are formed in dilated endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria become associated with nuclei, and cleavage begins. Flagella begin to form on paired basal bodies before cleavage is complete. Following a period of motility, zoospores retract and then resorb their flagella. The naked spores develop walls and the basal bodies persist as centrioles.
Palmaria hecatensis sp. nov. (Rhodophyta, Palmariales) from British Columbia and Alaska with a survey of other Palmaria species
Authors: Hawkes Michael W.
Published: November 2009

Palmaria hecatensis sp. nov. is described based on material from northern British Columbia. Male gametophytes and tetrasporophytes are thick, coriaceous, flattened blades, linear to lobed in habit and arise from an extensive encrusting basal holdfast. Putative female gametophytes are microscopic multicellular discs. Palmaria hecatensis grows on rocky shores in the midintertidal to lower intertidal zones and has a known geographical distribution from Nootka Island, Vancouver Island, B.C., to Shemya Island in the Aleutian Islands, Alaska. Palmaria hecatensis is compared with other species in the genus and, in addition, another distinctive (and possibly undescribed) Palmaria species from British Columbia and Alaska is discussed, bringing the total number of Palmaria species reported in the North Pacific Ocean to six.
DIABATIC ELECTRONIC MANIFOLD OF HN2(2A′) AND N + NH REACTION DYNAMICS ON ITS LOWEST ADIABAT
Authors: MOTA V. C. , CARIDADE P. J. S. B. , VARANDAS A. J. C.
Published: November 2009

A previously reported approach [J. Chem. Phys.97:867, (1997)] to back transform the diagonal adiabats into a 2 × 2 diabatic potential matrix has been utilized to generate a global multi-sheeted form for the title system. Global adiabatic dynamics calculations carried out on the new form using the quasi-classical trajectory method yield results that lie essentially within the statistical error of similar calculations performed on the best surface reported thus far for the title reaction. This makes it suitable for future adiabatic and nonadiabatic calculations carried out either using classical or quantum methods.
NUMERICAL STABILITIES IN FITTING ATOMIC CHARGES TO ELECTRIC FIELD AND ELECTROSTATIC POTENTIAL
Authors: MEI YE , ZHANG JOHN Z. H.
Published: November 2009

It is known that electrostatic potential (ESP) derived atomic charges for molecular systems suffer from rank deficiency in least-square fitting. In this paper, we studied numerical properties of atomic charges by fitting to ESP and electric field (EF) for a series of molecular systems, ranging from small molecules to peptides. Our study shows that although atomic charges of certain atoms in a molecule may differ a lot resulting from different fitting schemes, the effect on some observed physical properties of the molecules, such as solvation free energy and radial distributions of the solvent, are negligible. For all the molecules studied in this paper, it is shown that by incorporating EF terms in the least-square fitting, the rank of the least-squares matrix is increased, and the full rank is achieved when only EF terms are included. The current study demonstrates that by using EF, instead of the widely used ESP, in least-square fitting of atomic charges, one can obtain numerically more stable and better defined atomic charges in molecules. Such derived atomic charges may have more desirable properties and better numerical stabilities in studying detailed molecular processes such as in molecular dynamics simulation of macromolecules.
Revisiting the parietal cell
Authors: Kopic Sascha , Murek Michael , Geibel John P.
Published: November 2009

The parietal cell is responsible for secreting concentrated hydrochloric acid into the gastric lumen. To fulfill this task, it is equipped with a broad variety of functionally coupled apical and basolateral ion transport proteins. The concerted scientific effort over the last years by a variety of researchers has provided us with the molecular identity of many of these transport mechanisms, thereby contributing to the clarification of persistent controversies in the field. This article will briefly review the current model of parietal cell physiology and ion transport in particular and will update the existing models of apical and basolateral transport in the parietal cell.
Food restriction, refeeding, and gastric fill fail to affect emesis in musk shrews
Authors: Horn Charles C. , Still Liz , Fitzgerald Christiana , Friedman Mark I.
Published: November 2009

Nausea and emesis are common side effects of gastrointestinal disease. Reports indicate that ghrelin and endocannabinoids, agents that stimulate appetite, also reduce emesis evoked by chemotherapy treatment, which suggests that stimulation of feeding inhibits the emetic system. In the following study we conducted a more direct test of this hypothesis by determining the impact of manipulating the motivation to eat on emesis, using food restriction and refeeding. Emesis was induced in musk shrews, a commonly used animal model for emesis research, using the cancer chemotherapy agent cisplatin (20 mg/kg ip), nicotine (2 mg/kg sc), or motion (1 Hz, horizontal, 4-cm displacement), because these treatments are known to target separate emetic pathways: gut vagal afferents, area postrema, and vestibular pathways, respectively. Twenty-four hours of food restriction was sufficient to stimulate food intake, and 1 h of refeeding filled the stomach. The results indicate that food restriction, refeeding, and gastric fill had no significant effects on the amount of emesis produced by any of the emetic treatments tested here. This suggests that, although activation of the emetic system might have prominent effects on food intake, neural controls for feeding behavior do not significantly affect the neural pathways for emesis. These results may have implications for how we treat patients who experience a constellation of side effects, including nausea and emesis, since stimulating appetite may not necessarily inhibit emetic pathways.
Altered whole kidney blood flow autoregulation in a mouse model of reduced β-ENaC
Authors: Grifoni Samira C. , Chiposi Rumbidzayi , McKey Susan E. , Ryan Michael J. , Drummond Heather A.
Published: November 2009

Renal blood flow (RBF) autoregulation is mediated by at least two mechanisms, the fast acting myogenic response (∼5 s) and slow acting tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF; ∼25 s). Previous studies suggest epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) family proteins, β-ENaC in particular, mediate myogenic constriction in isolated renal interlobar arteries. However, it is unknown whether β-ENaC-mediated myogenic constriction contributes to RBF autoregulation in vivo. Therefore, the goal of this investigation was to determine whether the myogenic mediated RBF autoregulation is inhibited in a mouse model of reduced β-ENaC (m/m). To address this goal, we evaluated the temporal response of RBF and renal vascular resistance (RVR) to a 2-min step increase in mean arterial pressure (MAP). Pressure-induced changes in RBF and RVR at 0–5, 6–25, and 110–120 s after step increase in MAP were used to assess the contribution of myogenic and TGF mechanisms and steady-state autoregulation, respectively. The rate of the initial increase in RVR, attributed to the myogenic mechanism, was reduced by ∼50% in m/m mice, indicating the speed of the myogenic response was inhibited. Steady-state autoregulation was similar between β-ENaC +/+ and m/m mice. Although the rate of the secondary increase in RVR, attributed to TGF, was similar in β-ENaC +/+ and m/m mice, however, it occurred over a longer period (+10 s), which may have allowed TGF to compensate for a loss in myogenic autoregulation. Our findings suggest β-ENaC is an important mediator of renal myogenic constriction-mediated RBF autoregulation in vivo.
To Be or Not to Be: A Reexamination of Name Language in Deuteronomy and the Deuteronomistic History
Authors: Hundley Michael
Published: November 2009

Advocates of name theology have long argued that Deuteronomy and the Deuteronomistic History relocate YHWH from the temple to heaven, putting the name in his place, as either a forwarding station for prayer or some form of substitute presence. In recent years, this position has come under particular scrutiny. Rather than rejecting the traditional theory outright, the present article posits an important corrective through a reexamination of the name language in context. In sum, the Deuteronomistic innovation lies not in absenting God from earth, but in leaving the exact nature and extent of his presence on earth ambiguous.
Estimation of N*0 for the Two-Scale Gamma Raindrop Size Distribution Model and Its Statistical Properties at Several Locations in Asia
Authors: Kozu Toshiaki , Masuzawa Kazuhiro , Shimomai Toyoshi , Kashiwagi Nobuhisa
Published: November 2009

An automatic estimation method is developed to detect stepwise changes in the amplitude parameter of the normalized raindrop size distribution (DSD) N*0. To estimate N*0, it is also assumed that the variation of three DSD parameters follows the two-scale gamma DSD model; this is defined as a DSD model in which one DSD parameter is fixed, the second is allowed to vary rapidly, and the third is constant over a certain space or time domain and sometimes exhibits stepwise transitions. For this study, it is assumed that N*0 is the third DSD parameter. To estimate this stepwise-varying parameter automatically, a non-Gaussian state-space model is used for the time series of log10N*0. The smoothed time series of log10N*0 fit well to the stepwise transition of log10N*0 when it was assumed that the state transition probability follows a Cauchy distribution. By analyzing the long-term disdrometer data using this state-space model, statistical properties for log10N*0 are obtained at several Asian locations. It is confirmed that the N*0 thus estimated is useful to improve the rain-rate estimation from the measurement of radar reflectivity factor.
Linear Spectral Numerical Model for Internal Gravity Wave Propagation
Authors: Marty J. , Dalaudier F.
Published: November 2009

A three-dimensional linear spectral numerical model is proposed to simulate the propagation of internal gravity wave fluctuations in a stably stratified atmosphere. The model is developed to get first-order estimations of gravity wave fluctuations produced by identified sources. It is based on the solutions of the linearized fundamental fluid equations and uses the fully compressible dispersion relation for inertia–gravity waves. The spectral implementation excludes situations involving spatial variations of buoyancy frequency or background wind. However, density stratification variations are taken into account in the calculation of fluctuation amplitudes. In addition to gravity wave packet free propagation, the model handles both impulsive and continuous sources. It can account for spatial and temporal variations of the sources, encompassing a broad range of physical situations. The method is validated with a monochromatic pressure monopole, which is known to generate St. Andrew’s cross–shaped waves. It is then applied to the case of the ozone layer cooling during a total solar eclipse. The asymptotic response to a Gaussian thermal forcing traveling at constant velocity and the transient response to the 4 December 2002 eclipse show good agreement with previous numerical simulations. Further applications for the model are discussed.
Response of Tropical Cyclone Potential Intensity to a Global Warming Scenario in the IPCC AR4 CGCMs
Authors: Yu Jinhua , Wang Yuqing , Hamilton Kevin
Published: November 2009

This paper reports on an analysis of the tropical cyclone (TC) potential intensity (PI) and its control parameters in transient global warming simulations. Specifically, the TC PI is calculated for phase 3 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP3) integrations during the first 70 yr of a transient run forced by a 1% yr−1 CO2 increase. The linear trend over the period is used to project a 70-yr change in relevant model parameters. The results for a 15-model ensemble-mean climate projection show that the thermodynamic potential intensity (THPI) increases on average by 1.0% to ∼3.1% over various TC basins, which is mainly attributed to changes in the disequilibrium in enthalpy between the ocean and atmosphere in the transient response to increasing CO2 concentrations. This modest projected increase in THPI is consistent with that found in other recent studies.

In this paper the effects of evolving large-scale dynamical factors on the projected TC PI are also quantified, using an empirical formation that takes into account the effects of vertical shear and translational speed based on a statistical analysis of present-day observations. Including the dynamical efficiency in the formulation of PI leads to larger projected changes in PI relative to that obtained using just THPI in some basins and smaller projected changes in others. The inclusion of the dynamical efficiency has the largest relative effect in the main development region (MDR) of the North Atlantic, where it leads to a 50% reduction in the projected PI change. Results are also presented for the basin-averaged changes in PI for the climate projections from each of the 15 individual models. There is considerable variation among the results for individual model projections, and for some models the projected increase in PI in the eastern Pacific and south Indian Ocean regions exceeds 10%.
Recent Changes in the Mediterranean Water Cycle: A Pathway toward Long-Term Regional Hydroclimatic Change?
Authors: Mariotti Annarita
Published: November 2009

An observational analysis of Mediterranean Sea water cycle variability based on recently available datasets provides new insights on the long-term changes that affected the region since the 1960s. Results indicate an overall increase in evaporation during 1958–2006, with a decrease up until the mid-1970s and an increase thereafter. Precipitation variability is characterized by substantial interdecadal variations and a negative long-term trend. Evaporation increase, primarily driven by SST variability, together with precipitation decrease resulted in a substantial increase in the loss of freshwater from the Mediterranean Sea toward the overlying atmosphere. An increase in the freshwater deficit is consistent with observed Mediterranean Sea salinity tendencies and has broad implications for the Mediterranean water cycle and connected systems.

These observational results are in qualitative agreement with simulated Mediterranean Sea water cycle behavior from a large ensemble of models from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 3 (CMIP3). However, simulated anomalies are about one order of magnitude smaller than those observed. This inconsistency and the large uncertainties associated with the observational rates of change highlight the need for more research to better characterize and understand Mediterranean water cycle variations in recent decades, and to better simulate the crucial underlying processes in global models.
Mesoscale Convective Vortices in Multiscale, Idealized Simulations: Dependence on Background State, Interdependency with Moist Baroclinic Cyclones, and Comparison with BAMEX Observations
Authors: Conzemius Robert J. , Montgomery Michael T.
Published: November 2009

A set of multiscale, nested, idealized numerical simulations of mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) and mesoscale convective vortices (MCVs) was conducted. The purpose of these simulations was to investigate the dependence of MCV development and evolution on background conditions and to explore the relationship between MCVs and larger, moist baroclinic cyclones. In all experiments, no mesoscale convective system (MCS) developed until a larger-scale, moist baroclinic system with surface pressure amplitude of at least 2 hPa was present. The convective system then enhanced the development of the moist baroclinic system by its diabatic production of eddy available potential energy (APE), which led to the enhanced baroclinic conversion of basic-state APE to eddy APE. The most rapid potential vorticity (PV) development occurred in and just behind the leading convective line. The entire system grew upscale with time as the newly created PV rotated cyclonically around a common center as the leading convective line continued to expand outward. Ten hours after the initiation of deep moist convection, the simulated MCV radii, heights of maximum winds, tangential velocity, and shear corresponded reasonably well to their counterparts in BAMEX. The increasing strength of the simulated MCVs with respect to larger values of background CAPE and shear supports the hypothesis that as long as convection is present, CAPE and shear both add to the strength of the MCV.
Enteral Nutrition and Cardiovascular Failure: From Myths to Clinical Practice
Authors: Berger Mette M. , Chiolero René L.
Published: November 2009

Cardiovascular failure and low flow states may arise in very different conditions from both cardiac and noncardiac causes. Systemic hemodynamic failure inevitably alters splanchnic blood flow but in an unpredictable way. Prolonged low splanchnic blood flow causes intestinal ischemia, increased mucosal permeability, endotoxemia, and distant organ failure. Mortality associated with intestinal ischemia is high. Why would enteral nutrition (EN) be desirable in these complex patients when parenteral nutrition could easily cover energy and substrate requirements? Metabolic, immune, and practical reasons justify the use of EN. In addition, continuous enteral feeding minimizes systemic and myocardial oxygen consumption in patients with congestive heart failure. Further, early feeding in critically ill mechanically ventilated patients has been shown to reduce mortality, particularly in the sickest patients. In a series of cardiac surgery patients with compromised hemodynamics, absorption has been maintained, and 1000‐1200 kcal/d could be delivered by enteral feeding. Therefore, early EN in stabilized patients should be attempted, and can be carried out safely under close clinical monitoring, looking for signs of incipient intestinal ischemia. Energy delivery and balance should be monitored, and combined feeding considered when enteral feeds cannot be advanced to target within 4‐6 days.
Comparative analysis of plant genomes allows the definition of the "Phytolongins": a novel non-SNARE longin domain protein family
Authors: Vedovato Marco , Rossi Valeria , Dacks Joel B , Filippini Francesco
Published: November 2009

Background

Subcellular trafficking is a hallmark of eukaryotic cells. Because of their pivotal role in the process, a great deal of attention has been paid to the SNARE proteins. Most R-SNAREs, or "longins", however, also possess a highly conserved, N-terminal fold. This "longin domain" is known to play multiple roles in regulating SNARE activity and targeting via interaction with other trafficking proteins. However, the diversity and complement of longins in eukaryotes is poorly understood.

Results

Our comparative genome survey identified a novel family of longin-related proteins, dubbed the "Phytolongins" because they are specific to land plants. Phytolongins share with longins the N-terminal longin domain and the C-terminal transmembrane domain; however, in the central region, the SNARE motif is replaced by a novel region. Phylogenetic analysis pinpoints the Phytolongins as a derivative of the plant specific VAMP72 longin sub-family and allows elucidation of Phytolongin evolution.

Conclusion

"Longins" have been defined as R-SNAREs composed of both a longin domain and a SNARE motif. However, expressed gene isoforms and splice variants of longins are examples of non-SNARE motif containing longins. The discovery of Phytolongins, a family of non-SNARE longin domain proteins, together with recent evidence on the conservation of the longin-like fold in proteins involved in both vesicle fusion (e.g. the Trs20 tether) and vesicle formation (e.g. σ and μ adaptin) highlight the importance of the longin-like domain in protein trafficking and suggest that it was one of the primordial building blocks of the eukaryotic membrane-trafficking machinery.
Activity of tannins from Stryphnodendron adstringens on Cryptococcus neoformans: effects on growth, capsule size and pigmentation
Authors: Ishida Kelly , Rozental Sonia , de Mello João Carlos Palazzo , Nakamura Celso Vataru
Published: November 2009

Background

Stryphnodendron adstringens (Mart.) Coville, Leguminosae, also known in Brazil as barbatimão, is rich in tannins and many flavan-3-ols and proanthocyanidins such as prodelphinidins and prorobinetinidins. Previous studies have demonstrated several pharmacological properties of tannins from barbatimão, including anti-candidal activity.

Methods

The antifungal activity of proanthocyanidin polymeric tannins from Stryphnodendron adstringens (subfraction F2.4) was evaluated against three strains of Cryptococcus neoformans with different capsule expressions, using the broth microdilution technique, light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The effect of subfraction F2.4 on C. neoformans and melanoma mammalian cells pigmentation was also evaluated.

Results

Although susceptibility assays revealed MIC values quite similar (between 2.5 and 5.0 μg/ml), analyses of MFC values revealing that the acapsular mutant Cap 67 was more susceptible to be killed by the subfraction F2.4 (MFC = 20 μg/ml) than the two tested capsular strains (T1-444 and ATCC 28957) (MFC > 160 μg/ml). Optical and electron microscopy experiments revealed relevant alterations in cell shape and size in all strains treated with 1 and 2.5 μg/ml of subfraction F2.4. Capsule size of the capsular strains decreased drastically after subfraction F2.4 treatment. In addition, ultrastructural alterations such as cell wall disruption, cytoplasm extraction, mitochondria swelling, increase in the number of cytoplasmic vacuoles and formation of membranous structures in the cytoplasm were also observed in treated yeasts. Incubation with subfraction F2.4 also decreased C. neoformans pigmentation, however, did not interfere in melanization of B16F10 mammalian cells.

Conclusion

Our data indicate that tannins extracted from S. adstringens interfered with growth, capsule size and pigmentation, all important virulence factors of C. neoformans, and may be considered as a putative candidate for the development of new antifungal agents.
Gastroparesis associated with gastroptosis presenting as a lower abdominal bulking mass in a child: a case report
Authors: Christianakis Efstratios , Bouchra Konstantina , Koliatou Aikaterini , Paschalidis Nikolaos , Filippou Dimitrios
Published: November 2009

Background

Gastroparesis is defined as an inhibition of the gastric motility associated with delayed gastric emptying, which is mainly presented with acute dyspepsia. Gastroptosis is the downward displacement of the stomach.

Case Report

We report a rare case of secondary gastroparesis due to gastroptosis in an 11-year-old female child. The patient complained for bulking mass in the left lower quadrate presented a week ago, which was mimicking a large abdominal hernia. The laboratory and radiological exams revealed an excessive gastroptosis associated with gastroparesis. We searched the literature but we failed to find other cases with idiopathic gastroptosis in a child. The patient was treated conservatively and six months after the initial diagnosis and treatment the patient does not complains for dyspepsia.

Conclusion

Gastroparesis associated with gastroptosis is a rare entity that can be treated conservatively with acceptable results.
The adaptor protein p66shc is a positive regulator in the angiogenic response induced by hypoxic T cells
Authors: Naldini Antonella , Morena Emilia , Pucci Annalisa , Pellegrini Michela , Baldari Cosima T , Pelicci Pier Giuseppe , Presta Marco , Ribatti Domenico , Carraro Fabio
Published: November 2009

The present study demonstrates that hypoxia activates a novel T cell-mediated mechanism of neovascularization triggered by VEGF in which p66Shc acts as the master regulator.

Immune cells play an important role in the onset of angiogenesis. Here, we report that VEGF represents the major proangiogenic factor expressed by T cells exposed to hypoxia, a common feature of inflammation and tumor microenvironment. The supernatants of hypoxic T cells were highly angiogenic when delivered on the chick embryo CAM. The angiogenic response was abrogated by a neutralizing anti-VEGF antibody and mimicked by rVEGF. Interestingly, VEGF induction by hypoxia was up-regulated in Jurkat T cells overexpressing the adaptor protein p66Shc but not the inactive S36 p66Shc mutant, and it was abolished in p66Shc−/− mouse splenocytes. Accordingly, the angiogenic response induced by the supernatants from hypoxic p66Shc−/− splenocytes was reduced dramatically when compared with the wild-type controls. In conclusion, hypoxic T cells may contribute to the onset of angiogenesis through a novel VEGF-mediated mechanism, where p66Shc acts as a positive regulator.
Prosecution of physical assaults by psychiatric in-patients in Northern Ireland
Authors: Young Ciara , Brady John , Iqbal Nauman , Browne Fred
Published: November 2009

Aims and Method

Assaults in healthcare settings have resulted in a range of national strategies aimed at reducing the incidence of violence. This study aimed to quantify the use of prosecution of assailants as a response, and to examine what other responses were used. the responses to violent incidents in three Northern Ireland psychiatric in-patient units in the year 2003 were ascertained retrospectively.

Results

Of 245 incidents meeting the legal definition of assault, police were contacted in 10, and 1 resulted in a prosecution. Seven in-patients accounted for 30.4% of assaults. of the assaults, 46.5% were dealt with by staff using de-escalation alone.

Clinical Implications

These results demonstrate the infrequent reporting of such assaults to the police. A more structured approach should be taken to this important decision. Factors relating to the prosecution of assaults in psychiatric in-patient units are discussed.
Mouse models of inherited lipodystrophy
Authors: Savage David B.
Published: November 2009

Insulin resistance is a major factor in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes and underpins the strong association between obesity and diabetes. Paradoxically, the metabolic consequences of having ‘too much’ fat (obesity) are remarkably similar to those of having ‘too little’ fat (lipodystrophy): a finding that has generated considerable interest in a rare disease. In both cases, excess energy accumulates as lipid in ectopic sites such as the liver (fatty liver) and skeletal muscle, where it plays a central role in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and type 2 diabetes. Human lipodystrophies are characterised by a total or partial deficiency of body fat, and may be inherited or acquired in origin. Genetically engineered mice with generalised lipodystrophy manifest many of the features of the human disorder, including hyperphagia, fatty liver, hypertriglyceridaemia, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, providing a useful tractable model of the human disorder. Partial lipodystrophy, which causes similar, albeit milder, metabolic problems in humans has been more difficult to mimic in the mouse. This review discusses key translational studies in mice with generalised lipodystrophy, including fat transplantation and the use of recombinant leptin replacement therapy. These studies have been instrumental in advancing our understanding of the underlying molecular pathogenesis of ectopic lipid accumulation and insulin resistance, and have prompted the initiation and subsequent adoption of leptin replacement therapy in human lipodystrophies. This review also considers the possible reasons for the apparent difficulties in generating mouse models of partial lipodystrophy, such as interspecies differences in the distribution of fat depots and the apparent lack of sexual dimorphism in fat mass and distribution in mice compared with the dramatic differences present in adult humans.
The Impact of Fischer–Tropsch Diesel on the Oxidation Stability of Biodiesel (FAME) Blends
Authors: Blignaut Annalie , Collier Lelani , Pretorius Marié
Published: November 2009

Fischer–Tropsch (FT) distillates and first generation biodiesel are alternative fuels that can both be used directly as neat fuels in an internal combustion diesel engine or as blend stocks with conventional diesel fuel. Biodiesel is generally produced by the catalytic trans-esterification of triglycerides (vegetable oil) with methanol to form fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) and glycerol as a by-product. The FT process (or FT synthesis) is a catalyzed chemical reaction in which synthesis gas (syngas), a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, is converted into liquid hydrocarbons of various compositions. The oxidation and thermal stability of diesel fuel are very important properties since unstable diesel fuels can form soluble gums and or insoluble organic particulates that can clog the fuel filters and fuels system components. In the quest for increased efficiency of internal combustion compression ignition engines, the engines are increasingly downsized and turbo charged. These developments, together with the latest demands from modern injector systems, place a greater demand on the oxidative and thermal stability performance of a fuel due to the exposure of fuels to higher temperatures in comparison to historic engine and injector designs. Recirculation of heated fuel can also cause injector deposits originating from either gum or particulate formation. Biodiesel (FAME) and FT diesel have shown to be fully compatible as blend components with conventional crude derived diesel. FT diesel, produced from the low temperature FT (LTFT) process, generally has a lower density and viscosity and good cold flow properties. It is also a very stable fuel, which compensates for the high viscosity and density, poor cold flow properties, and unstable nature associated with biodiesel (FAME). This paper discusses the results obtained from a comparative study of the oxidation stability (using the Rancimat methodology) of FT (high temperature FT and LTFT) and petroleum diesel fuels, blended with up to 20 vol % of soya and rapeseed derived biodiesel (FAME).
Practical Implications of Instrument Displacement Drift during Force-Controlled Nanoindentation
Authors: Romasco A. L. , Friedman L. H. , Fang L. , Meirom R. A. , Clark T. C. , Polcawich R. , Pulskamp J. , Dubey M. , Muhlstein C. L.
Published: November 2009

The accuracy of instrumented indentation data relies heavily on the evaluation of experimental errors such as displacement drift. In spite of its importance, little attention has been given to the magnitude of an acceptable displacement drift rate, its relationship to a given set of test conditions, and how errors manifest themselves in force-displacement data. In this work we explored how drift rates that were acceptable for short-term tests caused artificial “abnormal” behavior that could have been interpreted as a true material response for a longer-term test. A critical review of the drift behavior of the nanoindentation system revealed that a useful metric for screening data quality was the nominal accumulated system drift as a fraction of the maximum penetration depth. Additionally, suggestions for drift management during nanoindentation tests were given.
Histomorfologia do órgão acessório de perfuração de Thais haemastoma (Mollusca, Gastropoda)
Authors: Lima Ana Valêsca P. , Martins Inês X.
Published: November 2009

Os representantes da família Thaididae são organismos predadores de outros moluscos, perfurando suas conchas pela ação alternada de secreção oriunda do "Accessory Boring Organ" (ABO) e por raspagem através da rádula. Nesta família, o ABO está localizado na porção ventral mediano-anterior do pé. Os animais examinados neste estudo foram coletados na praia do Futuro, Fortaleza, em seguida levados ao laboratório para fixação e posterior tratamento histológico rotineiro. A porção glandular do ABO de Thais haemastoma (Linnaeus, 1758) se encontra alojada em uma cavidade circundada pela musculatura do pé e apresentando um ducto excretório que a comunica com o meio externo. Esta cavidade é revestida por um epitélio cilíndrico simples separando a porção glandular deste órgão do músculo pedioso, sendo contínuo com o epitélio de revestimento do ducto excretório. Subjacente a este tecido foi visualizado um tecido conjuntivo frouxo. A região glandular do ABO da espécie apresenta um formato discoidal com superfície irregular devido à presença de reentrâncias em direção à porção central da glândula. O epitélio glandular pseudoestratificado com células cilíndricas e ciliadas reagiu negativamente aos testes histoquímicos. Abaixo do epitélio, foi observado um tecido conjuntivo frouxo de sustentação.
Feeding of Pellona flavipinnis (Clupeiformes, Pristigasteridae)in a Central Amazonian floodplain
Authors: Moreira-Hara Sandra S. , Zuanon Jansen A. S. , Amadio Sidineia A.
Published: November 2009

The feeding habits of Pellona flavipinnis (Valenciennes, 1836) at Catalão, a floodplain area on the Brazilian Central Amazon was studied. Data was obtained during three hydrological cycles, between September 1999 and September 2003. Diet composition, daily and seasonal variation in the feeding activity and the relationship between predator's size and its prey were analyzed. Almost 80% of the food consumed has autochthonous origin and diet was composed basically by insects and fish. Juvenile fish predominated in the stomach contents of all size classes but there was no significant relationship between predator's size and its prey. Pellona flavipinnis may be considered a carnivorous species which feeds mainly on juvenile (young-of-the-year) specimens of other fish. More intense feeding activity occurred at night and in the high water period.
Produção de H²S pelos Clostridios anaerobios
Authors: Pacheco Genesio , Costa Gobert Araujo
Published: November 2009

a) A junção de extrato de figado-baço ao meio com bismuto se mostrou muito favorável no aumento da produção de H²S pelos clostridios anaerobios. b) O bismuto ajuntado ao meio com extrato fígado-baço revelou maior sensibilidade ao H²S que o meio com ferro de Spray. c) O emprego do meio extrato de fígado-baço-cistina, com indicador de carbonato de bismuto, revelou a produção abundante de H²S por todos os anaeróbios submetidos à prova de produção de H²S, o que não aconteceu com o emprego de ferro como indicador de reação. d) Certas espécies de clostridios possuem capacidade sulfurigena mais precoce e intensa que outras. e) Há variações individuais na precocidade da capacidade sulfurigena dos anaerobios.
Técnica do xenodiagnostico na molestia de Chagas
Authors: Dias Emmanuel
Published: November 2009

O xenodiagnostico é um processo muito valioso para o diagnostico etiologico da moléstia de Chagas. Consiste em alimentar-se barbeiros normais em supótos portadores da infecção e determinar-se, depois, si eles adquirem ou não o parasitismo. Em cada região deve ser empregada, de preferência, o transmissor local mais importante. Três a seis ninfas famintas são geralmente empregadas em cada prova, devendo ficar em contacto com o doador até encherem-se completamente (15-30 minutos). Si o exame de fezes – espontaneamente eliminadas ou obtidas por punção anal – não revelar a presença de flagelados, os insetos devem ser dissecados 40 a 60 dias depois da sucção, para exame do conteúdo duodenal.
Avaliação de meios de contraste submetidos à radiação ionizante
Authors: Pinho Kátia Elisa Prus , Gewehr Pedro Miguel , Silva Caroline Werner Pereira da , Barison Andersson , Tilly Júnior João Gilberto , Soboll Danyel Scheidegger
Published: November 2009

OBJETIVO: O presente estudo consistiu em investigar a influência da radiação ionizante por raios X e raios gama sobre a estabilidade molecular de diversos meios de contraste radiológicos utilizados em exames de diagnóstico por imagem, por meio da espectroscopia de ressonância magnética nuclear de ¹H e 13C. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Oito diferentes meios de contraste iodados (três iônicos e cinco não iônicos) foram expostos à radiação por raios X e raios gama. Em seguida, espectros de ressonância magnética nuclear de ¹H e 13C{¹H} foram coletados. RESULTADOS: Os espectros de ressonância magnética nuclear de 13C{¹H} de ambos os meios de contraste iônicos e não iônicos irradiados por raios X ou raios gama mostraram que não houve alterações na composição química desses contrastes. CONCLUSÃO: Não há problemas em armazenar as amostras nas salas, ou próximo aos equipamentos em que são realizados os exames. Enfatiza-se que a radiação recebida pelas amostras durante os ensaios foi direta, enquanto em uma sala de exames de radiodiagnóstico a radiação é indireta e, portanto, os níveis de radiações nestes casos são bastante inferiores àqueles empregados neste estudo.
Mediastinite fibrosante: relato de caso
Authors: Lima Thales de Carvalho , Marchiori Edson , Capone Domenico , Barreto Miriam Menna , Rodrigues Rosana Souza , Zanetti Gláucia
Published: November 2009

Neste trabalho é relatado o caso de uma mulher de 51 anos de idade, com dor torácica, dispneia e engurgitamento de vasos do tórax superior, sem evidências clínicas de doença granulomatosa. O estudo por imagem do tórax revelou massa mediastinal com calcificações, abordada por mediastinoscopia com biópsia. A análise histopatológica mostrou padrão inflamatório crônico sem etiologia definida, compatível com mediastinite fibrosante.
Indução de resistência a doenças foliares em tomateiro por indutores biótico (Bacillus subtilis) e abiótico (Acibenzolar-S-Metil)
Authors: Araujo Fabio Fernando de , Menezes Danilo
Published: November 2009

O objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar se doenças foliares do tomateiro (Lycopersicon esculentum) podem ser afetadas pela indução de resistência proporcionada pela aplicação de Bacillus subtilis, no solo e nas folhas e aplicação via foliar de acibenzolar-S-metil. A fim de investigar o modo de ação envolvido no controle foi avaliada a atividade de peroxidases nas folhas do tomateiro tratado com os indutores biótico e abiótico. Para se avaliar a severidade das doenças foliares foi avaliado o número de folhas de tomate com algum sintoma de doença e determinado o percentual de folhas doentes em relação ao total de folhas por planta. O aumento significativo da concentração de peroxidases nas plantas tratadas com os indutores, assim como a ausência de controle das doenças no tratamento com pulverização direta de B. subtilis nas folhas, são evidências que sugerem que o mecanismo de controle das doenças em questão está relacionado à resistência induzida.
Efeito de extratos de plantas medicinais no controle de Colletotrichum acutatum, agente causal da flor preta do morangueiro
Authors: Almeida Taís Ferreira , Camargo Margarete , Panizzi Rita de Cássia
Published: November 2009

A flor preta do morangueiro, causada por Colletotrichum acutatum, acarreta sérios problemas à cultura. Com o objetivo de verificar a utilização de extratos vegetais no controle da doença, testes "in vitro" foram realizados com 11 extratos vegetais hidroalcoólicos produzidos de plantas utilizadas na medicina popular. Os extratos foram preparados a partir de diferentes partes da planta, de acordo com a espécie, utilizando água e álcool no processo de extração por maceração. Foi verificada a influência dos extratos no crescimento micelial, esporulação e germinação de esporos de C. acutatum, e também no controle do patógeno em folhas e frutos destacados. De acordo com a metodologia utilizada, os extratos vegetais que apresentaram maior eficiência foram os de folha e ramos de Ruta graveolens, Artemisia absinthium e bulbos de Allium sativum, indicando ter essas plantas potencial fungitóxico para o controle de C. acutatum.
Reação de cultivares de batata a Streptomyces scabies, agente causal da sarna comum profunda
Authors: Fischer Ivan Herman , Teixeira Ana Paula Matoso , Toffano Leonardo , Garcia Ely Oliveira
Published: November 2009

Este trabalho visou caracterizar quanto a critérios morfológicos e fisiológicos isolados de Streptomyces causadores de sarna comum profunda em batata; avaliar o comportamento de cultivares em relação à doença e a variação na agressividade entre os isolados da bactéria. Os isolados de Streptomyces apresentaram coloração cinza em meio extrato de levedura e malte e cadeias de esporos espiraladas, produzidas sobre um micélio aéreo. Ocorreu produção de melanina em meio de tirosina-ágar e a utilização de oito fontes de carbono recomendadas, propriedades estas que correspondem às descritas para S. scabies. Batatas-semente sadias de seis cultivares foram plantadas em substrato infestado com seis isolados de S. scabies separadamente e as plantas cultivadas em vasos e ambiente aberto. A severidade da doença foi estimada com auxílio de uma escala diagramática e avaliou-se o rendimento de tubérculos (g/planta). As cvs. Mondial e Jaete Bintje foram as mais resistentes à sarna comum com severidade média nos dois experimentos de 10,5% e 14,0%, respectivamente, seguidas por Asterix (17,4%), Ágata (21,8%), Monalisa (23,0%) e Cupido (23,3%). A agressividade dos isolados variou quantitativamente, com severidade maior para o isolado M4 (34,7%) e menor para o isolado M1 (6,2%). Redução da produção de tubérculos foi verificada na cv. Jaete Bintje, no primeiro experimento, e quando as cultivares foram infectadas pelos isolados A1, M2 e M3, no primeiro experimento, e pelo isolado M4, no segundo experimento.
Método híbrido para o cálculo dos custos de interrupções em processos eletro-eletrônicos causados por faltas em sistemas de distribuição de energia elétrica
Authors: Amasifen Juan Carlos Cebrian , Kagan Nelson
Published: November 2009

Neste trabalho é apresentado um método híbrido para análise de riscos de interrupções em processos sensíveis provocadas por faltas nos sistemas de distribuição de energia elétrica. Com a utilização deste método, são avaliados índices relativos às interrupções de longa duração e às variações de tensão de curta duração (afundamentos e elevações) em cada consumidor da rede de distribuição de energia elétrica. O método permite, de forma inovadora, a obtenção, para cada ocorrência na rede, dos valores de magnitude da tensão e da duração do evento. Em cada barra do sistema, as freqüências de ocorrências de cada índice são obtidas e classificadas por faixas de magnitude e duração. O método parte de um conjunto de informações de configuração, de parâmetros da rede e dos dispositivos de proteção e, através de um conjunto de simulações aleatórias de curto-circuito, é possível mapear as áreas de risco relativas aos fenômenos de interrupção e variações de tensão de curta duração (VTCDs). Dispondo ainda do conjunto de curvas de sensibilidade dos processos industriais, avaliam-se as freqüências de disrupções de processos, esperadas por ano no ponto analisado, isto é, o número de vezes que um processo é interrompido pelos eventos de curta duração considerados, para então serem avaliados os custos anuais associados.
An electronic solution for the direct connection of a three-phase induction generator to a single-phase feeder
Authors: Machado Ricardo Q. , Gonçalves Amílcar F. Q. , Buso Simone , Pomilio José A.
Published: November 2009

This paper proposes a solution for the direct connection of a three-phase induction generator to a single-phase feeder. This high power quality system is intended to be used in micro-hydro power plants applications with control of the water flow. It is employed to maintain the speed of the induction generator greater than its synchronous value. The difference between the generated power and the power consumed by the local load flows through the single-phase feeder. The power flow control is provided by a three-phase PWM inverter that additionally guarantees the local power quality. A system with good power quality must have sinusoidal and constant amplitude voltages, fixed frequency operation, balanced induction generator voltages and currents, harmonics and reactive power compensation. The paper describes the inverter control strategy, presents design criteria of the controllers, and shows experimental results.
Eficácia de limpeza durante o beneficiamento do tomate de mesa
Authors: Magalhães Ana Maria de , Ferreira Marcos David , Moretti Celso Luiz
Published: November 2009

Neste trabalho avaliou-se a limpeza do tomate de mesa 'Débora' em relação à eficácia na qualidade dos frutos. Primeiramente, estudou-se a eficácia, com auxílio de esferas de borracha, variando-se as cerdas (náilon, sisal, PET e fibra de coco) e a rotação (40, 80, 120 e 160rpm) das escovas. Depois, com os melhores resultados, foram avaliadas a eficácia da limpeza em tomates e a qualidade pós-colheita dos frutos mensurada pela perda de massa (%), atividade respiratória (CO2) e evolução da concentração de etileno. No primeiro ensaio, as cerdas de náilon, sisal e fibra de coco combinadas com as altas rotações tornaram a limpeza mais eficaz. A cerda PET e a rotação de 40rpm foram ineficientes, apresentando um índice de limpeza (IL) inferior a 50%. Para os tomates, o tratamento com náilon a 120rpm foi o mais eficaz na limpeza (IL=91%); todavia, o tratamento com náilon 160rpm apresentou um IL inferior (88%), pois, devido à alta velocidade, os frutos pulavam e não eram envoltos pelas cerdas. Menores IL foram obtidos com fibra de coco a 80 e 120rpm, mas não estatisticamente diferentes. De modo geral, frutos limpos com náilon e sisal a 120rpm apresentaram as maiores alterações na qualidade pós-colheita quando comparados aos frutos limpos nessas mesmas cerdas a 160rpm. Maior flexibilidade das cerdas proporciona maior contato fruto/cerdas, com melhoria na eficiência de limpeza, o que pode provocar alterações na qualidade pós-colheita do fruto, porém não significativas.