bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating Intermittent Androgen-Deprivation Therapy Phase III Clinical Trials: The Devil Is in the Details
Authors: Hussain Maha , Tangen Catherine , Higano Celestia , Vogelzang Nicholas , Thompson Ian
Published: November 2015

Purpose

Intermittent androgen deprivation (IAD) has been widely tested in prostate cancer. However, phase III trials testing continuous androgen deprivation (CAD) versus IAD have reached inconclusive and seemingly contradictory results. Different design and conduct issues must be critically evaluated to better interpret the results.

Patients and Methods

Seven published phase III trials were examined for prespecified design and outcomes. Treatment specifications; primary end point; superiority versus noninferiority design assumptions, including magnitude of assumed versus observed noninferiority margin (NIM); duration of follow-up; and quality-of-life (QOL) outcomes were considered in terms of the results and conclusions reported.

Results

Five trials had a superiority and three had a noninferiority primary hypothesis. Only three trials had a uniform population and overall survival (OS) end point. All trials observed better outcomes in terms of OS and progression-free survival (PFS) than assumed at time of study design, translating into prespecified NIMs or hazard ratios that reflected larger absolute differences in OS or PFS between arms. Lower-than-expected event rates also reduced statistical power for the trials. Other factors, including length of follow-up, cause of death, QOL, and primary end point, and their impact on trial interpretation are discussed.

Conclusion

No trial to date has demonstrated survival superiority of IAD compared with CAD. Trials concluding IAD is noninferior to CAD were based on wide NIMs that included clinically important survival differences, not likely to be considered comparable by physicians or patients. Interim analyses relying on short follow-up and including a majority of non–prostate cancer deaths will favor a noninferiority conclusion and should be interpreted cautiously. Adequate follow-up is required to ensure capture of prostate cancer deaths in both superiority and noninferiority trials.
Misfolding Ectodomain Mutations of the Lutropin Receptor Increase Efficacy of Hormone Stimulation
Authors: Charmandari E. , Guan R. , Zhang M. , Silveira L. G. , Fan Q. R. , Chrousos G. P. , Sertedaki A. C. , Latronico A. C. , Segaloff D. L.
Published: November 2015

We demonstrate 2 novel mutations of the LHCGR, each homozygous, in a 46,XY patient with severe Leydig cell hypoplasia. One is a mutation in the signal peptide (p.Gln18_Leu19ins9; referred to here as SP) that results in an alteration of the coding sequence of the N terminus of the mature mutant receptor. The other mutation (p.G71R) is also within the ectodomain. Similar to many other inactivating mutations, the cell surface expression of recombinant human LHR(SP,G71R) is greatly reduced due to intracellular retention. However, we made the unusual discovery that the intrinsic efficacy for agonist-stimulated cAMP in the reduced numbers of receptors on the cell surface was greatly increased relative to the same low number of cell surface wild-type receptor. Remarkably, this appears to be a general attribute of misfolding mutations in the ectodomains, but not serpentine domains, of the gonadotropin receptors. These findings suggest that there must be a common, shared mechanism by which disparate mutations in the ectodomain that cause misfolding and therefore reduced cell surface expression concomitantly confer increased agonist efficacy to those receptor mutants on the cell surface. Our data further suggest that, due to their increased agonist efficacy, extremely small changes in cell surface expression of misfolded ectodomain mutants cause larger than expected alterations in the cellular response to agonist. Therefore, for inactivating LHCGR mutations causing ectodomain misfolding, the numbers of cell surface mutant receptors on fetal Leydig cells of 46,XY individuals exert a more exquisite effect on the relative severity of the clinical phenotypes than already appreciated.
daf-18/PTEN locally antagonizes insulin signalling to couple germline stem cell proliferation to oocyte needs inC. elegans
Authors: Narbonne Patrick , Maddox Paul S. , Labbé Jean-Claude
Published: November 2015

During development, stem cell populations rapidly proliferate to populate the expanding tissues and organs. During this phase, nutrient status, through systemically affecting insulin/IGF-1 signalling, largely dictates stem cell proliferation rates. In adults however, differentiated stem cell progeny requirements are generally reduced and vary according to the spatio-temporal needs of each tissue. We demonstrate here that differential regulation of germline stem cell proliferation rates in C. elegans adults is accomplished through localized neutralization of insulin/IGF-1 signalling, requiring daf-18/PTEN, but not daf-16/FOXO. Indeed, the specific accumulation of oocytes, the terminally-differentiated stem cell progeny, triggers a feedback signal that locally antagonizes insulin/IGF-1 signalling outputs in the germ line, regardless of their systemic levels, to block germline stem cell proliferation. Thus, during adulthood, stem cells can differentially respond within tissues to otherwise equal insulin/IGF-1 signalling inputs, according to the needs for production of their immediate terminally-differentiated progeny.
Cytoplasmic poly(A) binding protein-1 binds to genomically encoded sequences within mammalian mRNAs
Authors: Kini Hemant K. , Silverman Ian M. , Ji Xinjun , Gregory Brian D. , Liebhaber Stephen A.
Published: November 2015

The functions of the major mammalian cytoplasmic poly(A) binding protein, PABPC1, have been characterized predominantly in the context of its binding to the 3′ poly(A) tails of mRNAs. These interactions play important roles in post-transcriptional gene regulation by enhancing translation and mRNA stability. Here, we performed transcriptome-wide CLIP-seq analysis to identify additional PABPC1 binding sites within genomically encoded mRNA sequences that may impact on gene regulation. From this analysis, we found that PABPC1 binds directly to the canonical polyadenylation signal in thousands of mRNAs in the mouse transcriptome. PABPC1 binding also maps to translation initiation and termination sites bracketing open reading frames, exemplified most dramatically in replication-dependent histone mRNAs. Additionally, a more restricted subset of PABPC1 interaction sites comprised A-rich sequences within the 5′ UTRs of mRNAs, including Pabpc1 mRNA itself. Functional analyses revealed that these PABPC1 interactions in the 5′ UTR mediate both auto- and trans-regulatory translational control. In total, these findings reveal a repertoire of PABPC1 binding that is substantially broader than previously recognized with a corresponding potential to impact and coordinate post-transcriptional controls critical to a broad array of cellular functions.
Divulgación: El curso de articulación disciplinar de Contabilidad en la UNL. Evaluación diagnóstica de los conocimientos previos de los alumnos aportados por el secundario
Authors: Di Russo Leila , Hauque Santiago
Published: November 2015

Actualmente, quienes deseen iniciar una carrera en la Facultad de Ciencias Económicas de la Universidad Nacional del Litoral deben asistir a los denominados Cursos de Articulación disciplinar en Matemática y Contabilidad, además de los denominados cursos de articulación generales. Los cursos de Contabilidad, que son el tema específico de este trabajo, tienen orígenes que se remontan muy atrás en el tiempo, pero que permiten ponerlos en perspectiva respecto de sus objetivos y resultados en la actualidad. El trabajo enfatiza la importancia de observar tanto las necesidades universitarias como la realidad de cada momento de la escuela secundaria, para optimizar los esfuerzos de articulación, considerados como un único sistema ordenado de acciones. En particular, el proceso que se realiza es analizado desde el punto de vista de las distintas tipologías de evaluación implicados en cada una de sus partes, teniendo en mira como herramienta central del trabajo los materiales que se utilizan para el proceso de enseñanza. A modo de conclusión, el trabajo sostiene que las adecuaciones realizadas en los últimos años en este proceso, van en la dirección correcta considerando la realidad actual de la Escuela Secundaria argentina. Sin embargo, se señalan acciones concretas posibles que demuestran que hay aún mucho por avanzar en este camino.
Divulgación: Crisis financiera global. Un problema que afecta a todos
Authors: Manrique Joya Gloria Mercedes , Varón Gúzman Félix Santos
Published: November 2015

En este documento se presenta una breve descripción de los principales detonantes de la crisis financiera de 2007 y los efectos causados por la misma en variables de tipo social y económico. La información reportada se hace con base en la literatura escrita desde el momento en que estalló la crisis a la fecha por diversos autores académicos y corporativos entre los que se cuentan el FMI; CEPAL, Banco Mundial, los cuales son un punto importante de apoyo y reflexión para observar el modo en que problemas que se generan en estructuras tan complejas, como es el funcionamiento de una economía, terminan por derivar en complejidades de igual magnitud en agentes económicos participantes en los mismos, como los hogares y las empresas.
Vegetation of the Ferdynandovian interglacial (MIS 13–15) based on plant macrofossils from a new profile of the stratotype site
Authors: Stachowicz-Rybka Renata
Published: November 2015

Early Middle Pleistocene palaeolacustrine sediments of the Ferdynandów site (E Poland), serving as a stratotype for the Ferdynandovian interglacial, were subjected to a new drilling in 2011. The obtained profile, covering the late Sanian 1 glaciation, two interglacial successions (Ferdynandovian 1 and 2), the cold Ferdynandovian 1/2 interval, and the early Sanian 2 glaciation, permitted a high-resolution plant macroremains analysis, correlated with the results of a palynological examination. In detailed studies of plant macroremains from the profile, new taxa were discovered for the Polish Pleistocene flora: specifically, species that are extinct or not found nowadays in Poland. On the basis of the taxonomic diversity and occurrence of bioindicators, the division into warm and cold units of the Ferdynandovian interglacial as well as units associated with the Sanian 1 and 2 glaciations, already applied in pollen studies, were confirmed, and the periods were described in terms of plant macroremains.

The Ferdynandovian succession is correlated with the Cromerian Complex (Cromerian III and IV) in the Early Middle Pleistocene of Western Europe, as well as with Marine Isotope Stages (MIS) 13-15. New geological and palaeobotanical data enabled a description of the palaeogeographic context and conditions of functioning, as well as the evolution of the interglacial lake at the stratotype site.

The outcome of plant macroremains analysis is presented and interpreted in comparison with corresponding results previously obtained for the Ferdynandów B profile, studied by Janczyk-Kopikowa (1975). Particular consideration is given to similarities between the succession of Ferdynandów 2011 and the profiles of Ferdynandów B and the nearby drilled Łuków 3A.

Study of the macrofossil flora of Ferdynandów 2011 revealed the presence of species absent in the archival Ferdynandów B. Taxa not formerly recorded in early Middle Pleistocene floras, such as Brasenia borysthenica, Aldrovanda borysthenica, Pilularia borysthenica, Caulinia goretskyi, and Potamogeton saryanensis, were identified. These species and other taxa of stratigraphic or climatic significance provided the basis for a more detailed description of the Ferdynandovian flora, afterwards compared with other stratigraphically corresponding Polish and European early Middle Pleistocene floras.

The composition of characteristic taxa also was used for comparisons between two bimodal interglacial sequences, namely the Ferdynandovian (correlated with MIS 13-15) and Augustovian (correlated with MIS 19-21), and the Domuratovian succession (correlated with MIS 17).
Application of multivariate statistical techniques in the water quality assessment of Danube river, Serbia
Authors: Voza Danijela , Vukovic Milovan , Takic Ljiljana , Nikolic Djordje , Mladenovic-Ranisavljevic Ivana
Published: November 2015

The aim of this article is to evaluate the quality of the Danube River in its course through Serbia as well as to demonstrate the possibilities for using three statistical methods: Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Factor Analysis (FA) and Cluster Analysis (CA) in the surface water quality management. Given that the Danube is an important trans-boundary river, thorough water quality monitoring by sampling at different distances during shorter and longer periods of time is not only ecological, but also a political issue. Monitoring was carried out at monthly intervals from January to December 2011, at 17 sampling sites. The obtained data set was treated by multivariate techniques in order, firstly, to identify the similarities and differences between sampling periods and locations, secondly, to recognize variables that affect the temporal and spatial water quality changes and thirdly, to present the anthropogenic impact on water quality parameters.
MGL induces nuclear translocation of EndoG and AIF in caspase-independent T cell death
Authors: Bu Qingpan , Wang Jianhui , Zheng Yi , Zou Yingying , Wei Min
Published: November 2015

Macrophage galactose-type lectin (MGL) participates in the regulation of T cell apoptosis, but the exact death pathway remains unclear. Here, we demonstrated that MGL-induced T cell death occurs in a caspaseindependent manner. Furthermore, MGL treatment triggers the translocation of endonuclease G (EndoG) and apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) from the mitochondria to the nucleus. Because galectin-1 (Gal-1) can also initiate similar mitochondrial events, we speculate that this death pathway may be widely used by the lectin family.
A new lithospheric model in the eastern part of the Western Carpatians: 2D integrated modelling
Authors: Hlavňová Petra , Bielik Miroslav , Dérerová Jana , Kohút Igor , Pašiaková Mariana
Published: November 2015

Using 2D integrated geophysical modelling we recalculated lithospheric model along transect KP-X in the eastern part of the Western Carpathians. Our model takes into account the joint interpretation of the heat flow, free air anomalies, topography and geoid data. A more accurate model of lithospheric structure has been created, especially the lithosphere-astenosphere boundary. Lithosphere thickness in the study region increases from the area of the Pannonian Basin where we modelled it at the depth of 80 km towards the oldest and coolest area of the European Platform where it reaches about 150 km. In the Pannonian Basin the modelled Moho depths reach about of 25 km and it decreases towards theWestern Carpathians. The Western Carpathian’s crustal thickness varies from about 30 km to 45 km. The largest crustal thickness (45 km) has been located beneath the Externides (Carpathian Foredeep) of the Western Carpathians. In the direction of the European platform a Moho depth gradually increases until the end of the profile, where the crustal thickness reaches of about 42 km. Our modelling has confirmed the existence of an anomalous body with average density of 2850 kgm−3 seated mostly in the lower crust. Its uppermost boundary reaches a depth of about 12 km. The lower crust beneath the Western Carpathian Externides is much thicker (20 km) in comparison beneath the Pannonian Basin, where it is only 8 km on average.
3D GPR investigation of pavement using 1 GHz and 2 GHz horn type antenna – comparison of the results
Authors: Grinč Michal
Published: November 2015

Today, non-invasive, simple, safe, time efficient and traffic flow non-disturbing methods of the pavement diagnostics are requested. From this point of view a very convenient method seems to be the GPR investigation. The trial GPR survey of the Žilina airport was carried out in order to investigate the pavement of the runway. A testing field is placed where the geological drill hole has been drilled out. The GPR survey was performed in 3D geometry, hence in x and y directions. Two horn type antennas with central frequencies of 1 GHz and 2 GHz were used on the test field in order to verify thicknesses of pavement construction layers Here, the results of both 3D measurements are compared to each other However the investigation confirms two subhorizontal construction layers of the runway pavement, the results obtained in y-direction slightly differ at some areas. These errors are situated mainly in the areas where the linear cracks are found. On the other hand, results in x-directions are within standard error.
Modeling of CME and CIR driven geomagnetic storms by means of artificial neural networks
Authors: Revallo Miloš , Valach Fridrich , Hejda Pavel , Bochníček Josef
Published: November 2015

A model of geomagnetic storms based on the method of artificial neural networks (ANN) combined with an analytical approach is presented in the paper. Two classes of geomagnetic storms, caused by coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and those caused by corotating interaction regions (CIRs), of medium and week intensity are subject to study. As the model input, the hourly solar wind parameters measured by the ACE satellite at the libration point L1 are used. The time series of the Dst index is obtained as the model output. The simulated Dst index series is compared with the corresponding observatory data. The model reliabilty is assessed using the skill scores, namely the correlation coefficient CC and the prediction efficiency PE. The results show that the model performance is better for the CME driven storms than for the CIR driven storms. At the same time, it appears that in the case of medium and weak storms the model performance is worse than in the case of intense storms
Vintervejen til de levendes land. En sammenlignende læsning af salmer af Kingo, Grundtvig og Sarvig
Authors: Støvring Kasper
Published: November 2015

This article analyzes three Danish hymns: Thomas Kingo's hymn “Far, Verden, far vel” (also known as the XI. Song) from 1681, N. F. S ­Grundtvig's hymn “De Levendes Land” from 1824 and Ole Sarvig’s hymn “Frostsalme for to eller tre” from 1948. Through a comparative reading it is shown that the three hymns have the same metrical pattern, and that they also share the same themes. Kingo's hymn establishes a dualism that is well known in the Baroque period; Grundtvig's hymn overcomes this dualism by showing that paradise is here and now, while Ole Sarvig’s hymn incorporates a doubt about the Christian dogmas concerning baptism and salvation. Sarvig’s hymn is interesting because it expresses Christian motifs while at the same time reflecting the intellectual ambiguity concerning Christian faith, which is an integral part of modernist literature.
Access to Tablet Portable Computers and Undergraduates Reading Culture: The experience of a Nigerian University
Authors: Bello M.B. , Daramola D.S. , Yusuf A. , Amali I.O.O.
Published: November 2015

This paper examines the use of tablet personal computers (PCs) and how they interfere with Nigerian undergraduates reading culture and love for educational books. The study adopts a descriptive research design. The University of Ilorin undergraduates constitute the population for this study while 200 level students of three faculties across the university constitute the target population. Stratified sampling technique was used to sample the needed respondents. A researchers’ designed questionnaire was use for data collection. The collected data was analysed using descriptive statistics. The findings revealed that access to tablet computer influence the undergraduate reading culture. Also, 55.7% of 200 level undergraduates read more electronic materials on their tablet computer than printed texts. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that students should be encouraged to visit the library and read textbooks since there is certain fundamental knowledge that might not be accessible on the net
The Actor, the Pilgrim and the Fieldpath
Authors: Copeliovitch Andrea
Published: November 2015

This article aims to cast a glance on some questions relevant for theatre, with an emphasis on the actor’s point of view, not in order to investigate the acting practice but to develop a reflection. Theatre is a marginal art; an actor’s action is a displacement action, out of the centre, searching, moving. Also, the actor is always a foreigner, a strange stranger. We follow these questions while going through the fieldpath, with direct reference to Martin Heidegger’s text “Der Feldweg” (1949). As an actress, I try to understand it by walking my own path.
Plasma Neutrophil Gelatinase Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) – Early Biomarker for Acute Kidney Injury in Critically Ill Patients
Authors: Bianca Grigorescu , Raluca Fodor , Veres Mihaly , Orlandea Monica , Badea Judita , Hlavathy Katalin , Cioc Adrian
Published: November 2015

Introduction: NGAL (Neutrophil Gelatinase Associated Lipocalin) is a biomarker recently introduced into clinical practice for the early diagnosis of acute kidney injury (AKI). The aim of this study was to correlate the plasmatic NGAL value determined at admission with clinical progression and severity of AKI in critically ill patients.

Material and method: Thirty two consecutive critically ill adult patients at risk of developing AKI (trauma, sepsis), admitted in Intensive Care Unit of the Clinical County Emergency Hospital Mures, between January to March 2015 were enrolled in the study. For each patient included in the study plasma NGAL levels were determined on admission, and these were correlated with the degree of AKI development (according to AKIN criteria) at 48 hours and 5 days post admission. The discriminatory power of NGAL, creatinine, creatinine clearance and corrected creatinine (depending on water balance) were determined using the ROC (receiver-operating characteristic) and likelihood ratios.

Results: ROC curve analysis showed a better discriminatory capacity in terms of early diagnosis of AKI for NGAL (AUC=0.81 for NGAL, AUC=0.59 for creatinine, AUC=0.62 for corrected creatinine, AUC=0.29 for creatinine clearance). The value of likelihood ratio was also significantly higher for NGAL (3.01±2.73 for NGAL, 1.27±1.14 for creatinine, 1.78±1.81 for corrected creatinine, and 0.48±0.33 for creatinine clearance).

Conclusions: NGAL biomarker has a better discrimination capacity for early prediction of acute kidney injury compared to previously used markers.
The microwave syndrome or electro-hypersensitivity: historical background
Authors: Carpenter David O.
Published: November 2015

Microwave generating equipment first became common during World War 2 with the development of radar. Soviet bloc countries reported that individuals exposed to microwaves frequently developed headaches, fatigue, loss of appetite, sleepiness, difficulty in concentration, poor memory, emotional instability, and labile cardiovascular function, and established stringent exposure standards. For a variety of reasons these reports were discounted in Western countries, where the prevailing belief was that there could be no adverse health effects of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) that were not mediated by tissue heating. The reported Soviet effects were at lower intensities than those that cause heating. However, there were several accidental exposures of radar operators in Western countries that resulted in persistent symptoms similar to those described above. The Soviets irradiated the US Embassy in Moscow with microwaves during the period 1953–1975, and while no convincing evidence of elevated cancer rates was reported, there were reports of “microwave illness”. Officials passed these complaints off as being due to anxiety, not effects of the microwave exposure. There is increasing evidence that the “microwave syndrome” or “electro-hypersensitivity” (EHS) is a real disease that is caused by exposure to EMFs, especially those in the microwave range. The reported incidence of the syndrome is increasing along with increasing exposure to EMFs from electricity, WiFi, mobile phones and towers, smart meters and many other wireless devices. Why some individuals are more sensitive is unclear. While most individuals who report having EHS do not have a specific history of an acute exposure, excessive exposure to EMFs, even for a brief period of time, can induce the syndrome.
Language as a complex algebra: Post-structuralism and inflectional morphology in Saussure’s Cours
Authors: Aranovich Raúl
Published: November 2015

In Item-and-Arrangement models of inflection, morphemes are associations of form and meaning stored in a mental lexicon. Saussure’s notion of the linguistic sign as a unit of an acoustic image (signifier) and a concept (signified) immediately suggests such a model. But close examination of the examples of inflectional morphology throughout the Cours brings Saussure’s ideas more in line with Process morphology, a model in which recurrent elements in word forms are exponents of content features, and realizational rules license a word form inferentially from the word’s content. The Saussurean sign allowed French structuralists to revolutionize the methods of modern social science, eschewing the motives and intentions of human actors to focus on the system of oppositions that make signification possible in each domain. Eventually, post-structuralism rejected the static nature of the linguistic sign, forcing linguistics into relative isolation (since it held on to sign-based models of language). The criticism of structuralist treatments of morphology in Process models of inflection, however, stands as an exception to this tendency. In retrospect, I argue, similar ideas can be found in Saussure’s view of the langue as a complex algebra.
Software Development for EECU Platform of Turbofan Engine
Authors: Kim Bo Gyoung , Kwak Dohyup , Kim Byunghyun , Choi Hee ju , Kong Changduk
Published: November 2015

The turbofan engine operation consists of a number of hardware and software. The engine is controlled by Electronic Engine Control Unit (EECU). In order to control the engine, EECU communicates with an aircraft system, Actuator Drive Unit (ADU), Engine Power Unit (EPU) and sensors on the engine. This paper tried to investigate the process form starting to taking-off and aims to design the EECU software mode and defined communication data format. The software is implemented according to the designed software mode.
The modulated structure of intermediate-valent CeCoGa
Authors: Niehaus Oliver , Hoffmann Rolf-Dieter , Chevalier Bernard , Pöttgen Rainer
Published: November 2015

CeCoGa was synthesized by melting of the elements in an arc-melting furnace as well as in a sealed niobium tube in an induction furnace. A further annealing step improves the purity and crystallinity of the samples significantly. Its structure was refined on the basis of single-crystal X-ray diffractometer data at different temperatures. Already at room temperature CeCoGa crystallizes in a superstructure of the HT-CeCoAl type. This superstructure can be described in the (3+1)D superspace group C2/m(α0γ)00; α=2/3, γ=1/3 with a temperature independent q-vector (Z=4). For the 300 K data (also for 90 K) the commensurate modulated structure could be refined with 1336 F
2 values, 56 variables and residuals of wR=0.0348 for the main and wR=0.0605 for the satellites of 1st order [a=1101.7(1), b=436.0(1) and c=482.4(1) pm, β=103.2(1)°]. Furthermore a description in a transformed 3D supercell with the space group C2/m and Z=12 is possible. For the 90 K data this 3D supercell was refined with 1289 F
2 values, 56 variables and a residual of wR=0.0409 [a=1618.8(1), b=435.3(1) and c=1094.1(1) pm, β=119.3(1)°]. The relation of the HT-CeCoAl type structure, the (3+1)D modulated and the 3D supercell structure are discussed on the basis of a group-subgroup relation. By thermal analysis and magnetic measurements the phase transition temperature to the HT-CeCoAl type structure is stated slightly above 475 K. Furthermore intermediate cerium valence was identified by the magnetic susceptibility.
Chemically Induced Oncogenesis in the Peripheral Nervous System Is Suppressed in Congenic BDIX.BDIV-Mss1 and -Mss7 Rats
Authors: Koelsch Bernd , van den Berg Linda , Fischer Christine , Winzen-Reichert Bettina , Kutritz Andrea , Kindler-Röhrborn Andrea
Published: November 2015

Human malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are highly aggressive soft-tissue sarcomas with a poor prognosis that arise either in the context of neurofibromatosis 1 or sporadically. Inbred BDIX and BDIV rat strains highly susceptible and resistant, respectively, to the development of ethylnitrosourea-induced MPNST enable us to identify, by using methods not applicable in humans, variant alleles involved in the pathways underlying individual MPNST risk. On the basis of a genome-wide association analysis using reciprocal intercrosses of BDIX and BDIV, BDIV alleles of two loci on chromosome 10, Mss1 and Mss7, were predicted to lower the risk of MPNST, the latter locus with a female bias. In this study we confirm the two nonoverlapping loci by exposing two congenic strains, BDIX.BDIV-Mss1 (Mss1) and BDIX.BDIV-Mss7 (Mss7), each carrying a BDIV genomic segment spanning the respective locus, to ethylnitrosourea. Compared with BDIX rats, the rate of MPNST is reduced 6.2-fold and 2.0-fold for Mss1 and Mss7 rats of both sexes, respectively. Although a moderate gain of survival time (30−50 days) is seen in Mss1 rats of both sexes and Mss7 males, Mss7 females survive 134 days longer than BDIX females. BDIV alleles at Mss7 obviously cause a markedly increased intrastrain sex difference regarding survival time in Mss7 compared with BDIX rats. Fine mapping will lead to the identification of allelic variants modulating rat MPNST risk and subsequently to their human counterparts. This is of particular relevance, because so far neither gene nor anonymous sequence variants have been identified that influence the risk of human sporadic Schwann cell malignancy.
Oviposition but Not Sex Allocation Is Associated with Transcriptomic Changes in Females of the Parasitoid WaspNasonia vitripennis
Authors: Cook Nicola , Trivedi Urmi , Pannebakker Bart A , Blaxter Mark , Ritchie Michael G , Tauber Eran , Sneddon Tanya , Shuker David M
Published: November 2015

Linking the evolution of the phenotype to the underlying genotype is a key aim of evolutionary genetics and is crucial to our understanding of how natural selection shapes a trait. Here, we consider the genetic basis of sex allocation behavior in the parasitoid wasp Nasonia vitripennis using a transcriptomics approach. Females allocate offspring sex in line with the local mate competition (LMC) theory. Female-biased sex ratios are produced when one or a few females lay eggs on a patch. As the number of females contributing offspring to a patch increases, less female-biased sex ratios are favored. We contrasted the transcriptomic responses of females as they oviposit under conditions known to influence sex allocation: foundress number (a social cue) and the state of the host (parasitized or not). We found that when females encounter other females on a patch or assess host quality with their ovipositors, the resulting changes in sex allocation is not associated with significant changes in whole-body gene expression. We also found that the gene expression changes produced by females as they facultatively allocate sex in response to a host cue and a social cue are very closely correlated. We expanded the list of candidate genes associated with oviposition behavior in Nasonia, some of which may be involved in fundamental processes underlying the ability to facultatively allocate sex, including sperm storage and utilization.
A NovelSaccharomyces cerevisiaeFG Nucleoporin Mutant Collection for Use in Nuclear Pore Complex Functional Experiments
Authors: Adams Rebecca L , Terry Laura J , Wente Susan R
Published: November 2015

FG nucleoporins (Nups) are the class of proteins that both generate the permeability barrier and mediate selective transport through the nuclear pore complex (NPC). The FG Nup family has 11 members in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and the study of mutants lacking different FG domains has been instrumental in testing transport models. To continue analyzing the distinct functional roles of FG Nups in vivo, additional robust genetic tools are required. Here, we describe a novel collection of S. cerevisiae mutant strains in which the FG domains of different groups of Nups are absent (Δ) in the greatest number documented to date. Using this plasmid-based ΔFG strategy, we find that a GLFG domain-only pore is sufficient for viability. The resulting extensive plasmid and strain resources are available to the scientific community for future in-depth in vivo studies of NPC transport.
Community reintegration following spinal cord injury: Insights for health professionals in community rehabilitation services in New Zealand
Authors: Dwyer Kathryn J. , Mulligan Hilda
Published: November 2015

When returning home following a spinal cord injury (SCI), individuals will be in contact with a range of health professionals who will be involved in their ongoing rehabilitation. This study explored the qualitative literature to determine what individuals with SCI perceive to be the barriers or facilitators to community reintegration to provide insights for health professionals working in community rehabilitation services in New Zealand. The databases of Ovid Medline, CINAHL, the Allied and Complementary Medicine Database (AMED), Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and PEDro were searched for relevant articles. Barriers and facilitators to community reintegration were classified into the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework with the addition of self-management factors to further define personal factors. Of the 381 studies uncovered in the search, seven met the inclusion criteria. Findings revealed that accessibility of the environment, re-establishing self, support and connections were strong themes for reintegration. The challenge for health professionals working in the community with individuals with SCI is to be client-centred and ensure the individual’s needs are suitably met to support them to re-connect with their work and community life.
Energy balance in transition cows and its association with health, reproduction and milk production
Authors: Nakao T. , Hoedemaker M. , Furken C.
Published: November 2015

Objective: It was the purpose of this study to determine the effects of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) concentrations at different time periods of the transition period as well as lactation number on metabolism, health, reproduction and milk production in dairy cows. Material and methods: This trial was conducted in a single dairy herd located in Northern Germany. Of the herd, which comprised 330 lactating Holstein cows housed in a free stall barn and fed a total mixed ration (TMR), 83 primiparous and multiparous cows were randomly selected. Animals were checked for body condition score (BCS), locomo tion score, calving data, quality of colostrum, reproductive measures, daily rectal temperature of the first 10 days post-partum (p. p.), health data and culling rates up to 200 days in milk (DIM) as well as milk production until 305 DIM. Three different time periods were considered: 3 and 1 week ante partum (a. p.); partus and 1 week p. p.; 3 weeks p. p. Results: Animals with NEFA concentrations 0.4 mmol/l ante partum had a higher risk of no ovarian activity in week 5 p. p. and of subclinical ketosis post partum than cows with lower NEFA concentrations (p < 0.05). Cows with NEFA concentrations 1.1 mmol/l in week 1 p. p., in comparison to those with lower NEFA concentrations, showed a higher prevalence of clinical ketosis (24.1% vs. 5.9%), subclinical ketosis (62.1% vs. 34.0%) and culling rate within 200 DIM (34.5% vs. 14.0%) (p < 0.05). Cows with NEFA concentrations 0.3 mmol/l at week 3 p. p. had higher 100- and 305-day milk yields than cows with lower NEFA concentrations (p < 0.05). First lactating heifers were at higher risk to loose body condition ante partum, of dystocia, fever within the first 10 DIM, metritis, clinical and subclinical ketosis as well as to develop a disease within the first 30 DIM (p < 0.05). Multipara were more likely to loose body condition after calving, to a prolonged calving to first service interval and to higher milk yields (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion increased NEFA concentrations during the transition period as well as parity can have an influence on health, production and reproduction of dairy cows.
Time Dependent Relative Risks in Life Insurance Medical Underwriting
Authors: Kneepkens Robert F.
Published: November 2015

Introduction

Life insurance medicine focuses on mortality hazards in specified periods. People are free to insure their lives for shorter or longer terms. Because the chosen terms range from 1 year to a life time, life insurers have to take into account the fact that the predictive value of risk indicators can and will change over time. The time a risk indicator keeps its predictive value, will be dependent on its biological effects, volatility, and treatability. For a given applicant this implies that the relative hazard (RH) calculated for his/her medical condition should be dependent on the term of the insurance. The main objective of this study is to determine if some commonly used risk indicators – previously used to study age dependency of relative risks – have a predictive value that increases with the observation period.1

Methods

This population-based cohort study uses NHANES-data files from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) and the NHANES Linked Mortality Files 2010. Only participants aged 20 to 69 that were examined in mobile examination centers, without a history of some prevalent high risk diseases were included. The observed mortality was compared to the expected mortality in a Generalized Linear Model (GLM) with Poisson error structure with two reference populations, which both can serve as preferred reference for life insurers: The United States Life Tables 2008 (USLT) and the 2008 Valuation Basic Tables (VBT) based on the insured population of 35 US Life insurers. The time dependency of the RHs of the systolic blood pressure (SBP), aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), serum albumin and albuminuria, was assessed, with correction for ethnicity, household income, history of diabetes mellitus, BMI and serum cholesterol. To be able to compare the results with the results of the Age Dependency Study (ADS), the same data, risk indicators, statistical analysis method, and the Generalized Linear Model (GLM) were used.

Results

Contrary to the results in the univariate analyses, the multivariate analyses show no difference between the USLT and VBT models. In both models the RHs of SBP and albuminuria increase over time, while the RH of LDH decreases over time. Only the slopes are different, reflecting the rate of mortality increase between USLT and VBT. The RHs of ASAT and serum albumin are independent of time in both models.

Discussion

Time dependency of RHs can be assumed to exist with many risk indicators. Time dependency may take two forms: decreasing the RH and increasing the RH of a variable as time passes. Medical underwriting guidelines should therefore differentiate between short term and long term life insurances. Medical directors should realize that the presence of time dependency diminishes the value of short term clinical studies for life insurance medical underwriting. Life insurance mortality studies should always contain a discussion of the time dependency of the predictive value of the variables under study.
Negative T Waves Again
Authors: MacKenzie Ross
Published: November 2015

An asymptomatic middle-aged man is found to have an abnormal ECG during routine life insurance applicant screening. Subsequent investigations reveal a rare cause for the applicant's ECG abnormality.
Actividades interdisciplinares de matemáticas y música para Educación Infantil
Authors: Chao Rocío , Mato María Dorinda , Chao Aurelio
Published: November 2015

Los beneficios de trabajar la Música y las Matemáticas interdisciplinariamente son innumerables debido a que existe una conexión extraordinaria entre ambas y una enseñanza adecuada puede ayudar a que los estudiantes consigan asociar los conceptos de ambas disciplinas logrando una educación integral y no fragmentada. Para promover un aprendizaje significativo es importante la formación del profesorado y la renovación constante, tanto de las metodologías como de los materiales y recursos, adaptándose a las características y circunstancias del alumnado.Esta investigación complementa anteriores estudios en los que se concluyó la demanda, por parte del profesorado, de estrategias y actividades para desarrollar en el aula de forma interdisciplinar ambas materias.Con tal motivo, se ha llevado a cabo una experiencia de aula para aprovechar los beneficios  de trabajar ambas materias conjuntamente y dar  respuesta a la necesidad que surge en el profesorado de tener que buscar alternativas innovadoras que sirvan para la adquisición de los conocimientos y las competencias propias de la etapa de Educación Infantil a la par que promover la motivación de los escolares. Para ello se diseñó y se llevó a cabo una propuesta didáctica con una muestra de 119 estudiantes de 5 años repartidos en 6 aulas de Educación Infantil de sendos centros públicos de la provincia de A Coruña. Las actividades  planteadas son interdisciplinares, contextualizadas, diversas y significativas para que permitiesen dar a conocer la cercanía entre ambas disciplinas. Los resultados, medidos a través de la observación diaria por parte del profesorado con el que colaboramos, indican que los contenidos correspondientes a un área sirvieron para aprender la otra materia, permitiendo así, dar unidad al aprendizaje y mejorar las competencias en las seis aulas. Creemos que esta metodología es adecuada para integrar contenidos y experiencias educativas, pues hace que el alumnado llegue a comprender más profundamente los diversos conceptos, adquiriendo la capacidad de relacionarlos y desarrollar una visión más globalizada de la educación en esta etapa educativa.
O papel da Mediação Psicopedagógica nos Primeiros Contatos com a Leitura e a Escrita
Authors: Vitória Maria Inés Corte , Ramos Milena
Published: November 2015

Esta pesquisa tem como objetivo analisar as boas práticas pedagógicas de leitura e escrita num curso de Graduação, que primam pelo desenvolvimento das habilidades da pessoa do leitor/escritor, a partir das contribuições da psicopedagogia. A coleta de dados para o estudo foi feita com alunos da disciplina Educação e Literatura Infantil, do curso de Pedagogia da PUCRS/RS/Brasil. No referencial teórico, abordamos a questão da leitura e da escrita como um compromisso que precisa ser assumido pelas escolas, desde a mais tenra etapa de escolarização formal até o Ensino Superior, buscando, através de teóricos da área, identificar as potencialidades e limitações para o aprimoramento de sujeitos  leitores e produtores de texto, numa perspectiva interdisciplinar: Pedagogia e Psicopedagogia.  Os dados coletados no questionário aplicado aos alunos do Curso foram analisados qualitativamente através da técnica de Análise de Conteúdo de Bardin e resultaram nas seguintes categorias, que estão alinhadas aos objetivos propostos por esta pesquisa: 1 – O papel da Mediação Psicopedagógica nos Primeiros Contatos com a Leitura e a Escrita; 2 – Formação da Cultura Leitora e de  Escrita; 3- Sentimentos Despertados pela Leitura e Escrita no Curso investigado; 4 - Leitura e Escrita nos Âmbitos Pessoal e Profissional. 5 - As contribuições que a prática psicopedagógica pode trazer para a formação da pessoa do leitor/escritor nos cursos de Graduação.  E, nas considerações finais, abordamos os destaques desse trabalho de qualificação que vem sendo feito, bem como o quanto é imprescindível uma abordagem em leitura e escrita que foque o desenvolvimento da pessoa do leitor/escritor na Graduação em Pedagogia, enfocando a interface com a Psicopedagogia.
Integração das linguagens artísticas: formação continuada de professores da Educação Básica
Authors: Weber Dorcas Janice
Published: November 2015

A Arte no contexto da educação brasileira tem se caracterizado por diferentes concepções e práticas pedagógicas. Os documentos legais vigentes sugerem que no ensino da Arte se constitue em um componente curricular na qual estejam envolvidas diferentes linguagens artísticas, para tal estão sugeridas as Artes Visuais, Música, Dança e Teatro. Nas práticas observadas junto ao espaço escolar, tais sugestões, que já estão em vigor há quase duas décadas, ainda não estão amplamente colocadas em prática. Diferentes aspectos podem ser apontados para explicar a atual situação, contudo, o fator que ressalta é a formação dos profesores que atuam com o ensino da Arte no espaço escolar. Assim, vale destacar três tipos de profesores, aqueles que possuem formação específica em uma linguagem artística, aqueles que não possuem nenhuma formação em Arte e, aqueles que possuem pouquíssima formação em Arte junto à sua formação. Estes últimos, em geral, com formação em Pedagogia (curso de formação de professores para a Educação Infantil ou anos iniciais do Ensino Fundamental). De todo modo, pensar em uma formação que abarque as quatro linguagens sugeridas caracteriza um retrocesso no ensino da Arte brasileiro. Então, é preciso proporcionar aos profesores conhecimento, ainda que mínimo, acerca das diferentes linguagens artísticas, de modo que possam transitar e estabelecer relações entre elas de maneira mais familiar durante sua prática pedagógica. Em busca de compreender e refletir sobre estratégias de mudança, buscou-se em Pourtois & Desmet (1997), Debord (1977), Barbosa, A. M. (2005) e (2008), entre outros, referencial teórico. Tendo em conta o contexto acima, foi desenvolvido um curso de formação continuada para professores atuantes com o componente curricular Arte na Educação Básica brasileira.  O curso denominado “Arte na Educação Básica”, tomou como ponto de partida os espetáculos escolares, termo que faz referência às festividades comumente presentes no espaço escolar. A partir disso, possibilitou-se o estudo dos diferentes espetáculos originários nas diferentes linguagens da Arte, posibilitando, assim, um olhar ampliado sobre este campo do conhecimento. A ação foi desenvolvida como ação de extensão universitária e ofertada para professores de escolas públicas do estado do Rio Grande do Sul/RS, localizado no sul do Brasil, sob a modalidade semi-presencial. Os resultados reafirmaram a necessidade de formação continua em Arte para os profesores que atuam com Arte na escola, principalmente aqueles com formação em pedagogía.