bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Radioimmunoassay of free plasma metanephrines for the diagnosis of catecholamine-producing tumors
Authors: Pussard Eric , Chaouch Amel , Said Toihiri
Published: October 2013

Background: The determination of plasma metanephrines (MNs) provides a highly sensitive test for the diagnosis of catecholamine producing tumors. Chromatographic determinations with electrochemical or mass spectrometric detections are the methods of choice, but immunological assays have been developed. This study evaluated the clinical performances of a radioimmunoassay for free MNs in plasma.

Methods: MNs, normetanephrine (NMN) and metanephrine (MN) and catecholamines, norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (E) were determined in plasma and urine of 533 patients suspected of catecholamine producing tumor. Urinary and plasma catecholamines and urinary MNs were determined by HPLC using amperometric detection. Plasma MNs were purified by solid phase chromatography and quantified by a specific radioimmunoassay.

Results: Fifty-nine patients had tumors (13 paraganglioma and 46 pheochromocytoma) and the diagnosis was excluded in 474 patients. Receiver operator characteristic curves have identified optimal thresholds at 100 pg/mL for plasma NMN (sensitivity 96.6% and specificity 95.8%) and 70 pg/mL for plasma MN (sensitivity 61.0% and specificity 96.8%). These cut-off values were lower than those suggested by the manufacturer (170 and 100 pg/mL, respectively). The sensitivity of combined MNs was similar in plasma (100%) and urine (98%) but higher than that of urinary catecholamines (85%, p<0.001). The specificity of combined MNs in plasma (95%) was higher than urinary MNs (85%, p<0.001) and plasma catecholamines (75%, p<0.001).

Conclusions: Plasma-free and urinary-total MNs have a better discriminative power than catecholamines in the diagnosis of catecholamines producing tumors. Using these established cut-offs, measurement of plasma-free MN by radioimmunoassay represents an effective alternative to chromatographic methods.
Recent examples on the clinical relevance of the CYP2D6 polymorphism and endogenous functionality of CYP2D6
Authors: Haertter Sebastian
Published: October 2013

The cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) belongs to a group of CYPs considered of utmost importance in the metabolism of xenobiotics. Despite being of only minor abundance in the liver, it is involved in the clearance of >25% of marketed drugs. Accordingly, CYP2D6 can be very efficiently inhibited by a couple of commonly used drugs such as some antidepressants, although induction by any drug has not been observed thus far. CYP2D6 was also one of the first enzymes for which a highly polymorphic expression could be shown leading to a widespread range of functionality, from a complete lack of a functional enzyme to overexpression due to multiplication of active alleles. A clear relationship between the CYP2D6 genotype and adverse events during treatment with CNS-active drugs such as codeine, antidepressants, or antipsychotics could be demonstrated. More recently, some new aspects emerged about the potential endogenous function of CYP2D6 in terms of behavior and brain disorders.
Accounting for systematic risk in benefit-cost analysis: a practical approach
Authors: Hansen Jason , Lipow Jonathan
Published: October 2013

Circular A-94 specifies how analysts should discount costs and benefits of government projects, and thus how to account for risk. In this paper, we argue that the methods mandated by A-94 properly account for non-systematic and term risk, but not for systematic risk. A numerical example illustrates how improper accounting for systematic risk produces misleading results and social welfare loss. We conclude by proposing a simple modification of A-94’s procedures that would allow analysts to at least partially account for systematic risk.
Plan and Intent Recognition in a Multi-agent System for Collective Box Pushing
Authors: Ahmad Najla , Agah Arvin
Published: October 2013

In a distributed multi-agent system, an idle agent may be available to assist other agents in the system. An agent architecture called intent recognition is proposed in this article to accomplish this with minimal communication. To assist other agents in the system, an agent performing recognition observes the tasks other agents are performing. Unlike the much-studied field of plan recognition, the overall intent of an agent is recognized instead of a specific plan. The observing agent may use capabilities that it has not observed. In this study, the key research question is: What are intent-recognition systems and how can these be used to have agents autonomously assist each other effectively and efficiently? A conceptual framework is proposed to address this question. An implementation of the conceptual framework is tested and evaluated. A set of metrics, including task time and number of communications, is used to compare the performance of plan recognition and intent recognition. This research shows that under certain conditions, an intent-recognition system is more efficient than a plan recognition system.
The thermal resistance, flame retardance, and smoke control mechanism of nano MH/GF/NBR composite material
Authors: Wang Qilei
Published: October 2013

In order to produce a rubber sealing material with decent physical and mechanical properties, heat resistance, and flame retardance, a nano MH/GF/NBR composite material was made by using nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), glass fiber (GF), and nano magnesium hydroxide (MH). The physical and mechanical performances, heat resistance, and flame retardance of the composite material were investigated for different fractions of nano MH and GF. The results showed that nano MH reinforces the internal structure of the composite material. The bond strength between GF and the rubber matrix decreases with the increase in the amount of GF in the composite. The proportion of nano MH and GF can improve the physical and mechanical performances of NBR. The tensile strength, tear strength, permanent compression deformation, and hardness also increase. The nano MH/GF composite has good flame retardance, which improves the thermal stability of NBR. Additionally, the total smoke production of the composite material is reduced and the lifetime of the material is extended. The results established a foundation for further applications using the nano MH/GF/NBR composite material as a sealant.
Imaging Social Motivation: Distinct Brain Mechanisms Drive Effort Production during Collaboration versus Competition
Authors: Le Bouc Raphaël , Pessiglione Mathias
Published: October 2013

Collaborative and competitive interactions have been investigated extensively so as to understand how the brain makes choices in the context of strategic games, yet such interactions are known to influence a more basic dimension of behavior: the energy invested in the task. The cognitive mechanisms that motivate effort production in social situations remain poorly understood, and their neural counterparts have not been explored so far. A dominant idea is that the motivation provided by the social context is reducible to the personal utility of effort production, which decreases in collaboration and increases in competition. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we scanned human participants while they produced a physical effort in a collaborative or competitive context. We found that motivation was indeed primarily driven by personal utility, which was reflected in brain regions devoted to reward processing (the ventral basal ganglia). However, subjects who departed from utility maximization, working more in collaborative situations, showed greater functional activation and anatomical volume in a brain region implicated previously in social cognition (the temporoparietal junction). Therefore, this region might mediate a purely pro-social motivation to produce greater effort in the context of collaboration. More generally, our findings suggest that the individual propensity to invest energy in collaborative work might have an identifiable counterpart in the brain functional architecture.
Mechanisms for Stable, Robust, and Adaptive Development of Orientation Maps in the Primary Visual Cortex
Authors: Stevens Jean-Luc R. , Law Judith S. , Antolík Ján , Bednar James A.
Published: October 2013

Development of orientation maps in ferret and cat primary visual cortex (V1) has been shown to be stable, in that the earliest measurable maps are similar in form to the eventual adult map, robust, in that similar maps develop in both dark rearing and in a variety of normal visual environments, and yet adaptive, in that the final map pattern reflects the statistics of the specific visual environment. How can these three properties be reconciled? Using mechanistic models of the development of neural connectivity in V1, we show for the first time that realistic stable, robust, and adaptive map development can be achieved by including two low-level mechanisms originally motivated from single-neuron results. Specifically, contrast-gain control in the retinal ganglion cells and the lateral geniculate nucleus reduces variation in the presynaptic drive due to differences in input patterns, while homeostatic plasticity of V1 neuron excitability reduces the postsynaptic variability in firing rates. Together these two mechanisms, thought to be applicable across sensory systems in general, lead to biological maps that develop stably and robustly, yet adapt to the visual environment. The modeling results suggest that topographic map stability is a natural outcome of low-level processes of adaptation and normalization. The resulting model is more realistic, simpler, and far more robust, and is thus a good starting point for future studies of cortical map development.
Stochastic Calcium Mechanisms Cause Dendritic Calcium Spike Variability
Authors: Anwar Haroon , Hepburn Iain , Nedelescu Hermina , Chen Weiliang , De Schutter Erik
Published: October 2013

Bursts of dendritic calcium spikes play an important role in excitability and synaptic plasticity in many types of neurons. In single Purkinje cells, spontaneous and synaptically evoked dendritic calcium bursts come in a variety of shapes with a variable number of spikes. The mechanisms causing this variability have never been investigated thoroughly. In this study, a detailed computational model using novel simulation routines is applied to identify the roles that stochastic ion channels, spatial arrangements of ion channels, and stochastic intracellular calcium have toward producing calcium burst variability. Consistent with experimental recordings from rats, strong variability in the burst shape is observed in simulations. This variability persists in large model sizes in contrast to models containing only voltage-gated channels, where variability reduces quickly with increase of system size. Phase plane analysis of Hodgkin-Huxley spikes and of calcium bursts identifies fluctuation in phase space around probabilistic phase boundaries as the mechanism determining the dependence of variability on model size. Stochastic calcium dynamics are the main cause of calcium burst fluctuations, specifically the calcium activation of mslo/BK-type and SK2 channels. Local variability of calcium concentration has a significant effect at larger model sizes. Simulations of both spontaneous and synaptically evoked calcium bursts in a reconstructed dendrite show, in addition, strong spatial and temporal variability of voltage and calcium, depending on morphological properties of the dendrite. Our findings suggest that stochastic intracellular calcium mechanisms play a crucial role in dendritic calcium spike generation and are therefore an essential consideration in studies of neuronal excitability and plasticity.
Blood Oxygen Level-Dependent Activation of the Primary Visual Cortex Predicts Size Adaptation Illusion
Authors: Pooresmaeili Arezoo , Arrighi Roberto , Biagi Laura , Morrone Maria Concetta
Published: October 2013

In natural scenes, objects rarely occur in isolation but appear within a spatiotemporal context. Here, we show that the perceived size of a stimulus is significantly affected by the context of the scene: brief previous presentation of larger or smaller adapting stimuli at the same region of space changes the perceived size of a test stimulus, with larger adapting stimuli causing the test to appear smaller than veridical and vice versa. In a human fMRI study, we measured the blood oxygen level-dependent activation (BOLD) responses of the primary visual cortex (V1) to the contours of large-diameter stimuli and found that activation closely matched the perceptual rather than the retinal stimulus size: the activated area of V1 increased or decreased, depending on the size of the preceding stimulus. A model based on local inhibitory V1 mechanisms simulated the inward or outward shifts of the stimulus contours and hence the perceptual effects. Our findings suggest that area V1 is actively involved in reshaping our perception to match the short-term statistics of the visual scene.
Actin Polymerization Does Not Provide Direct Mechanical Forces for Vesicle Fission during Clathrin-Mediated Endocytosis
Authors: Yao Li-Hua , Rao Yan , Bang Chi , Kurilova Svetlana , Varga Kelly , Wang Chun-Yang , Weller Brandon D. , Cho Wonhwa , Cheng Jun , Gong Liang-Wei
Published: October 2013

Actin polymerization is important for vesicle fission during clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME), and it has been proposed that actin polymerization may promote vesicle fission during CME by providing direct mechanical forces. However, there is no direct evidence in support of this hypothesis. In the present study, the role of actin polymerization in vesicle fission was tested by analyzing the kinetics of the endocytic tubular membrane neck (the fission-pore) with cell-attached capacitance measurements to detect CME of single vesicles in a millisecond time resolution in mouse chromaffin cells. Inhibition in dynamin GTPase activity increased the fission-pore conductance (Gp), supporting the mechanical role of dynamin GTPase in vesicle fission. However, disruptions in actin polymerization did not alter the fission-pore conductance Gp, thus arguing against the force-generating role of actin polymerization in vesicle fission during CME. Similar to disruptions of actin polymerization, cholesterol depletion results in an increase in the fission-pore duration, indicating a role for cholesterol-dependent membrane reorganization in vesicle fission. Further experiments suggested that actin polymerization and cholesterol might function in vesicle fission during CME in the same pathway. Our results thus support a model in which actin polymerization promotes vesicle fission during CME by inducing cholesterol-dependent membrane reorganization.
Impaired Critical Period Plasticity in Primary Auditory Cortex of Fragile X Model Mice
Authors: Kim Heesoo , Gibboni Robert , Kirkhart Colleen , Bao Shaowen
Published: October 2013

Fragile X syndrome, the most common form of heritable mental retardation, is a developmental disorder with known effects within sensory systems. Altered developmental plasticity has been reported in the visual and somatosensory systems inFmr1knock-out (KO) mice. Behavioral studies have revealed maladaptive auditory responses in fragile X syndrome patients andFmr1KO mice, suggesting that adaptive plasticity may also be impaired in the auditory system. Here we show that, whereas tonotopic frequency representation develops normally inFmr1KO mice, developmental plasticity in primary auditory cortex is grossly impaired. This deficit can be rescued by pharmacological blockade of mGluR5 receptors. These results support the mGluR hypothesis of fragile X mental retardation and suggest that deficient developmental plasticity may contribute to maladaptive auditory processing in fragile X syndrome.
Heredity and lifestyle in the determination of between-subject variation in thyroid hormone levels in euthyroid men
Authors: Roef Greet , Taes Youri , Toye Kaatje , Goemaere Stefan , Fiers Tom , Verstraete Alain , Kaufman Jean-Marc
Published: October 2013

Objective

Variation in thyroid hormone (TH) concentrations between subjects is greater than in a single subject over a prolonged period of time, suggesting an individual set point for thyroid function. We have previously shown that TH levels within normal range are associated with clinical indices such as bone mass, BMI, and heart rate. The aim of this study on young men was therefore to gain insight into the determinants of variation in TH levels among healthy subjects.

Methods

Healthy male siblings (n=941, 25–45 years) were recruited in a cross-sectional, population-based study; a history or treatment of thyroid disease and thyroid auto-immunity were exclusion criteria. A complete assessment of TH status was performed (TSH, free thyroxine (FT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3), thyroperoxidase, and thyroglobulin antibodies, reverse T3(rT3), thyroid-binding globulin (TBG), and urinary iodine levels). Genotyping was performed by TaqMan and KASP (KBiosciences) genotyping assays.

Results

(F)T4, rT3, and TBG had heritability estimates between 80 and 90%. Estimates were lower for (F)T3(60%) and lowest for TSH (49%).

Significant associations were observed between different single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the thyroid pathway and TSH, FT4, ratio FT3:FT4, and rT3. Nevertheless, these SNPs only explain a limited part of the heredity. As to age and lifestyle-related factors, (F)T3was negatively related to age and education level, positively to smoking and BMI (allP<0.0001) but not substantially to urinary iodine concentrations. Smoking was also negatively related to TSH and positively to FT4.

Conclusion

Both genetic and lifestyle-related factors play a role in determining between-subject variation in TH levels in euthyroid young men, although genetic factors seem most important.
Developmental androgen excess disrupts reproduction and energy homeostasis in adult male mice
Authors: Nohara Kazunari , Liu Suhuan , Meyers Matthew S , Waget Aurélie , Ferron Mathieu , Karsenty Gérard , Burcelin Rémy , Mauvais-Jarvis Franck
Published: October 2013

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a common endocrine disorder in females of reproductive age and is believed to have a developmental origin in which gestational androgenization programs reproductive and metabolic abnormalities in offspring. During gestation, both male and female fetuses are exposed to potential androgen excess. In this study, we determined the consequences of developmental androgenization in male mice exposed to neonatal testosterone (NTM). Adult NTM displayed hypogonadotropic hypogonadism with decreased serum testosterone and gonadotropin concentrations. Hypothalamic KiSS1 neurons are believed to be critical to the onset of puberty and are the target of leptin. Adult NTM exhibited lower hypothalamicKiss1expression and a failure of leptin to upregulateKiss1expression. NTM displayed an early reduction in lean mass, decreased locomotor activity, and decreased energy expenditure. They displayed a delayed increase in subcutaneous white adipose tissue amounts. Thus, excessive neonatal androgenization disrupts reproduction and energy homeostasis and predisposes to hypogonadism and obesity in adult male mice.
Simultaneous selection of yield and yield stability in chickpea genotypes using the GGE biplot technique
Authors: Farshadfar E.
Published: October 2013

GGE biplot analysis is an effective method, based on principal component analysis (PCA), to fully explore multi-environment trials (METs). It allows visual examination of the relationships among the test environments, genotypes and the genotype-by-environment interactions (G×E interaction). The objective of this study was to explore the effect of genotype (G) and the genotype × environment interaction (GEI) on the grain yield of 20 chickpea genotypes under two different rainfed and irrigated environments for 4 consecutive growing seasons (2008–2011). The yield data were analysed using the GGE biplot method. The first mega-environment contained environments E1, E3, E4 and E6, with genotype G17 (X96TH41K4) being the winner; the second mega-environment contained environments E5, E7 and E8, with genotype G12 (X96TH46) being the winner. The E2 environment made up another mega-environment, with G19 (FLIP-82-115) the winner. The mean performance and stability of the genotypes indicated that genotypes G4, G16 and G20 were highly stable with high grain yield.
Effects of nutrient supply and sowing time on the yield and pathological traits of winter oilseed rape
Authors: Pepó P.
Published: October 2013

The fertilizer response of oilseed rape (Brassica napus var. oleifera f. biennis L.) was investigated on the chernozem soil in Eastern Hungary in a three-year experiment with two sowing times. The results proved that oilseed rape had high fertilizer (N+PK) demand. In the experiments, N = 210 kg ha−1 +PK proved to be the optimal fertilizer dose. The yield-increasing effect of fertilization was 800 to 1300 kg ha−1, depending on the year. The maximum yield (5000 kg ha−1) was obtained in the year with least infection. The excellent natural nutrient-providing ability of chernozem soil was confirmed by the high yield level (3000–4200 kg ha−1) of the control treatment (N = 0 kg ha−1 +PK). The results showed that the specific fertilizer utilization efficiency of oilseed rape decreased if the dose of N+PK fertilizer was increased (being 19–27 kg/1 kg NPK in the control treatment and 11–12 kg/1 kg NPK in the N = 210 kg ha−1 +PK treatment). On the other hand, fertilization improved the water utilization from 4–8 kg/1 mm precipitation + irrigation water to 11–14 kg/1 mm precipitation + irrigation water. The results of these studies confirmed that hybrid rape had excellent adaptability to the sowing time. The results of Pearson’s correlation analysis showed a strong correlation (0.6*–0.9**) between the spring precipitation and temperature and the most important diseases (Sclerotinia, Alternaria, Peronospora, Phoma) attacking oilseed rape.
Functional diversity of native mesorhizobial genotypes nodulating chickpea in Indian soils of Haryana state
Authors: Nadwani R. , Dudeja S.
Published: October 2013

The functional diversity of native mesorhizobial genotypes nodulating chickpea was assessed using two chickpea cultivars under pot culture conditions. The symbiotic effectiveness ratio of the mesorhizobial genotypes showed the existence of wide functional diversity among the isolates in Haryana soils. Mesorhizobial isolates belonging to the third genotype (MG III) were more efficient than the other genotypes. The majority of the isolates (94%) had intermediate effectiveness and only a very small percentage (2%) were ineffective, while 4–6% of the isolates were highly effective with a symbiotic ratio > 4.0. These included CP2381A, CP741, CP1423 and CP2437. Among all the isolates, strain CP2381A was the most efficient isolate for both cvs HC1 and HC5. The symbiotic ratio of the shoot N contents varied for both the cultivars after inoculation with mesorhizobial isolates from different districts. The most efficient chickpea mesorhizobial isolates were found to be present in soils from the Bhiwani district followed by that from RDS Farm, Hisar, but isolates from Mahendragarh, Fatehabad and Jhajjar were less efficient.
Effect of irrigation intervals and fertilizers on chemical composition, minerals and fatty acids of safflower (Carthamus Tinctorius L.) seed
Authors: Mohamed N. , Mariod A. , Yagoub S. , Dagash Y.
Published: October 2013

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of different irrigation intervals (every 7 and every 14 days) and fertilizers (farmyard manure, pellet granules and urea) on the composition of safflower seed and its oil stability. Fertilizers have a significant effect on the carbohydrate, fat, ash and protein contents of safflower seed oil. Pellet granules slightly increased the carbohydrate content, while farmyard manure increased the fat and oil contents of safflower seed oil. On the other hand, urea and farmyard manure increased the fibre content compared with pellets, which slightly decreased it. Irrigation every 7 days increased the protein content. Farmyard manure significantly (P < 0.05) increased the mineral content (iron, potassium and calcium). The use of FTIR spectroscopy revealed that the period of storage significantly (P < 0.05) affects oil stability. The peak intensities (absorbencies) recorded for oil stored at zero time changed after storage for 1, 2 and 3 days, indicating a clear effect of storage time on the oil, and the bands 3008, 2923, 2854, 1747, 1654, 1463, 1377, 1238, 1163, 1099 and 723 exhibited a clear decrease in the intensity of the individual group vibrations, indicating a decrease in oil stability.
Historical bodies and historical space
Authors: Blommaert Jan , Huang April
Published: October 2013

The work of the Scollons contains a number of conceptual developments that open new pathways towards a maturely theorized ethnography. Two such developments are discussed in this paper: the emphasis on the body, and the emphasis on space. Both developments show how the Scollons connected synchronic events with historical patterns of becoming. Their notion of the ‘historical body’ sees the body as enskilled through trajectories of learning and acquisition, and their notion of space sees space as demarcating and normative. This connection between synchrony and history enables ethnography to transcend the problem of atemporality and anecdotism.
'Your light switch is your vote'
Authors: McIlvenny Paul
Published: October 2013

This paper applies some of the major concepts and methods that Ron Scollon developed in order to analyse how discourses of environmental citizenship, sustainability and climate change are mediated in a global media event. ‘Earth Hour’ began in 2007 in Sydney, Australia, and in 2009 it was proclaimed a successful global event. The event focused primarily on citizen awareness, participation and solidarity in mitigating climate change. In its sister campaign (‘Vote Earth’), the discourse of representative democracy was deployed to constitute an imaginary global electorate. The paper focuses on the analysis of: (a) the intense drive to visualize and spectacularize (mediational means) the simple act of switching off the lights and the consequences of such an act; (b) the massive infrastructure of discourse to synchronize the collective performance of a global ‘climate public’; (c) the discursive ‘memory work’ to archive and memorialize the hour, e.g. on YouTube; (d) the attempt to inculcate a ‘global citizen’ who is concerned with the environment/climate and whose anticipatory mediated actions in relation to it are prefigured by the event; and (e) the resistance to the circulation of this new mediated discourse.
Peak oil and climate change in a rural Alaskan community
Authors: Scollon Suzie Wong
Published: October 2013

Peak oil and global warming have both been vilified and then vindicated. When the small community of Haines, Alaska, dependent for food, fuel and social services on the increasingly less viable fossil fuel economy, began noticing deficits in early 2007, its Borough Assembly engaged the volunteer Haines Energy Task Force to research and make recommendations on alternative energy sources for heating and transportation, local food production and harvesting of subsistence resources, social services and economic change. As a long-term resident and property owner, I found myself in a zone of identification (Burke 1950) as part of a nexus of practice (NOP) of citizens thinking about the future of reduced and alternative energy consumption and taking action toward bringing about the envisioned future. As part of this NOP, my analysis constituted social action by transforming the NOP in engaging the NOP, the opening move in a nexus analysis (Scollon and Scollon 2004: 9). This paper is an account of the ways and extent to which the task force was able to bring about change in the community. It is not a nexus analysis as such but a summary report.
Discourse and technology
Authors: Van Leeuwen Theo
Published: October 2013

The paper discusses three aspects of the relation between discourse and technology. The first is the influence of new communication technologies on the agenda of linguistics and discourse analysis. The beginning of radio broadcasting led to new theories of intonation and the beginning of television created an interest in linguistically inspired approaches to non-verbal communication. The second is the use of technologies as tools for discourse analysis. The move from film to the tape recorder and the subsequent birth of conversation analysis diminished the earlier interest in non-verbal communication, while today corpus linguistics challenges approaches that focus on the analysis of single, whole texts. Finally, contemporary software not only builds in spelling and grammar rules, but also text structure rules (templates), and systematic options for the use of layout, typography, colour, animation and other non-linguistic means of expression, leading to a renewed interest in multimodality. The paper concludes with the view that considerations of technology should be integrated with discourse analysis and cites the work of Ron and Suzie Scollon as an early example of this approach.
Review: dermatitis herpetiformis
Authors: Mendes Fernanda Berti Rocha , Hissa-Elian Adaucto , Abreu Marilda Aparecida Milanez Morgado de , Gonçalves Virgínica Scaff
Published: October 2013

Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) or Duhring-Brocq disease is a chronic bullous disease characterized by intense itching and burning sensation in the erythematous papules and urticarial plaques, grouped vesicles with centrifuge growth, and tense blisters. There is an association with the genotypes HLA DR3, HLA DQw2, found in 80-90% of cases. It is an IgA-mediated cutaneous disease, with immunoglobulin A deposits appearing in a granular pattern at the top of the dermal papilla in the sublamina densa area of the basement membrane, which is present both in affected skin and healthy skin. The same protein IgA1 with J chain is found in the small intestinal mucosa in patients with adult celiac disease, suggesting a strong association with DH. Specific antibodies such as antiendomysium, antireticulina, antigliadin and, recently identified, the epidermal and tissue transglutaminase subtypes, as well as increased zonulin production, are common to both conditions, along with gluten-sensitive enteropathy and DH. Autoimmune diseases present higher levels of prevalence, such as thyroid (5-11%), pernicious anemia (1-3%), type 1 diabetes (1-2%) and collagen tissue disease. The chosen treatment is dapsone and a gluten-free diet.
Ichthyosis associated with widespread tinea corporis: report of three cases
Authors: Freitas Camila Fernanda Novak Pinheiro de , Mulinari-Brenner Fabiane , Fontana Hanae Rafaela , Gentili Arthur Conelian , Hammerschmidt Mariana
Published: October 2013

Ichthyoses are a common group of keratinization disorders. A non-inflammatory generalized persistent skin desquamation is observed. It is characterized by increased cell turnover, thickening of the stratum corneum and functional changes of sebaceous and sweat glands. All of these favor fungal proliferation. Dermatophytes may infect skin, hair and nails causing ringworm or tinea. They have the ability to obtain nutrients from keratinized material. One of its most prevalent genera is Trichophyton rubrum. Although tineas and ichthyoses are quite common, the association of the two entities is rarely reported in the literature. Three cases of ichthyosis associated with widespread infection by T. rubrum are presented. Resistance to several antifungal treatments was responsible for worsening of ichthyosis signs and symptoms.
Do you know this syndrome?
Authors: Kondo Rogerio Nabor , Martins Ligia Márcia Mario , Lopes Vivian Cristina Holanda , Bittar Rodrigo Antonio , Araújo Fernanda Mendes
Published: October 2013

Noonan Syndrome is one of the most common genetic syndromes and also an important differential diagnosis in children presenting with syndromic facies similar to Turner's syndrome phenotype. This syndrome is characterized by facial dysmorphism, congenital heart defects, short stature and also a wide phenotypic variation. This article discusses the case of a 10 year-old patient with Noonan syndrome that presented typical facies, cardiac defects (pulmonary dilatation and mitral regurgitation), dental malocclusion, micrognatism, short stature and a certain degree of learning disability.
Protein contact dermatitis - case report
Authors: Barata Ana Rita Rodrigues , Conde-Salazar Luis
Published: October 2013

Protein contact dermatitis is a skin condition not well known and underdiagnosed by dermatologists, resulting from an IgE-mediated allergic reaction. Clinically it presents as a chronic hand and/or forearms eczema of occupational origin, especially in professionals who work as food handlers. Epicutaneous tests are negative, and to diagnose this condition it is necessary to perform immediate-type allergy tests. The most sensitive and practical is the prick-by-prick test with food that the patient refers to cause intense itching after immediate skin contact. Treatment is symptomatic, and it is mandatory to avoid the responsible allergen, wearing plastic gloves and even sometimes leaving the workplace for symptom resolution.
Evaluation of renal function in patients with psoriasis using immunobiologicals
Authors: Melgaco Sarah Suyanne Carvalho , Silva Junior Geraldo Bezerra da , Dantas Amanda Maria Menezes , Vasconcelos Ana Mirella Arcanjo , Siqueira Veronica Riquet de , Vieira Ana Patricia Freitas , Daher Elizabeth de Francesco
Published: October 2013

The aim of this study was to evaluate renal function in patients with psoriasis using immunobiologicals. A prospective study was conducted with 15 patients with confirmed diagnosis of psoriasis who were starting to use immunobiologicals. The mean age was 41±11 years, with 60% females. The mean time of disease was 11±6.6 years. Significant changes in creatinine and creatinine clearance were not observed in the course of the study. There was an increase in transaminases and a decrease in magnesium levels.
Precipitating factors of porphyria cutanea tarda in Brazil with emphasis on hemochromatosis gene (HFE) mutations. Study of 60 patients
Authors: Vieira Fatima Mendonca Jorge , Nakhle Maria Cristina , Abrantes-Lemos Clarice Pires , Cancado Eduardo Luiz Rachid , Reis Vitor Manoel Silva dos
Published: October 2013

BACKGROUND: Porphyria cutanea tarda is the most common form of porphyria, characterized by the decreased activity of the uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase enzyme. Several reports associated HFE gene mutations of hereditary hemochromatosis with porphyria cutanea tarda worldwide, although up to date only one study has been conducted in Brazil. OBJECTIVES: Investigation of porphyria cutanea tarda association with C282Y and H63D mutations in the HFE gene. Identification of precipitating factors (hepatitis C, HIV, alcoholism and estrogen) and their link with HFE mutations. METHODS: An ambispective study of 60 patients with PCT was conducted during the period from 2003 to 2012. Serological tests for hepatitis C and HIV were performed and histories of alcohol abuse and estrogen intake were investigated. HFE mutations were identified with real-time PCR. RESULTS: Porphyria cutanea tarda predominated in males and alcohol abuse was the main precipitating factor. Estrogen intake was the sole precipitating factor present in 25% of female patients. Hepatitis C was present in 41.7%. All HIV-positive patients (15.3%) had a history of alcohol abuse. Allele frequency for HFE mutations, i.e., C282Y (p = 0.0001) and H63D (p = 0.0004), were significantly higher in porphyria cutanea tarda patients, compared to control group. HFE mutations had no association with the other precipitating factors. CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol abuse, hepatitis C and estrogen intake are prevalent precipitating factors in our porphyria cutanea tarda population; however, hemochromatosis in itself can also contribute to the outbreak of porphyria cutanea tarda, which makes the research for HFE mutations necessary in these patients
Parallel ridge pattern on dermoscopy: observation in non-melanoma cases
Authors: Fracaroli Tainá Scalfoni , Lavorato Fernanda Guedes , Maceira Juan Piñeiro , Barcaui Carlos
Published: October 2013

The acral melanoma is the most prevalent type of melanoma in the non-Caucasian population, and dermoscopy is a useful tool for earlier diagnosis and differentiation from benign lesions. The dermoscopic pattern often associated with melanoma on the volar skin is the parallel ridge, with 99% specificity according to the literature. However, this pattern can also occur in several benign acral lesions, so it is important to make a good interpretation of this pattern, along with the clinical history and evolution.
Case for diagnosis
Authors: Mota Amanda Nascimento Cavalleiro de Macedo , Nery Natalia Solon , Barcaui Carlos Baptista
Published: October 2013

We present a case of bullosis diabeticorum. It is a rare disorder, probably underdiagnosed, associated with long-term diabetes mellitus. Its etiology remains unclear. It is characterized by tense blisters, with serous content, recurrent and spontaneous on normal skin especially in the acral regions. Displays self-limiting course. No specific laboratory tests for diagnosis of this bullous disease exist. Clinical and conservative management to prevent secondary infection reduces morbidity in diabetic patients.
Detecção do gerenciamento de resultados pela análise do diferimento tributário
Authors: Paulo Edílson , Martins Eliseu , Corrar Luiz João
Published: October 2013

O objetivo deste trabalho é veriﬁcar se a análise do diferimento tributário aumenta signiﬁ cativamente a detecção do gerenciamento de resultados nas companhias abertas brasileiras. Desenvolveu-se uma pesquisa empírica nos setores de mineração, siderurgia e metalurgia, e têxtil, durante o período de 2000 a 2004, utilizando-se as regressões probit e logit baseadas nos modelos Jones Modiﬁcado e Kang e Sivaramakrishnan (KS). Este estudo apresenta evidências de que a análise do diferimento tributário não aumenta o poder preditivo dos modelos analisados. Essa divergência pode ser explicada pelo fato de que a maioria dos trabalhos realizados foi direcionada ao contexto norte-americano, que supostamente apresenta diferentes fatores motivadores para o gerenciamento de resultados. Além disso, as diferenças das evidências empíricas no âmbito brasileiro podem ser originadas pelo uso da flexibilidade do método parcial de reconhecimento do diferimento dos tributos.
Size matters: insights from an allometric approach to evaluate control methods for invasive AustralianRhinella marina
Authors: Beaty Lynne E. , Salice Christopher J.
Published: October 2013

Invasive species are costly and difficult to control. In order to gain a mechanistic understanding of potential control measures, individual‐based models uniquely parameterized to reflect the salient life‐history characteristics of invasive species are useful. Using invasive AustralianRhinella marinaas a case study, we constructed a cohort‐ and individual‐based population simulation that incorporates growth and body size of terrestrial stages. We used this allometric approach to examine the efficacy of nontraditional control methods (i.e., tadpole alarm chemicals and native meat ants) that may have indirect effects on population dynamics mediated by effects on body size. We compared population estimates resulting from these control methods with traditional hand removal. We also conducted a sensitivity analysis to investigate the effect that model parameters, specifically those associated with growth and body size, had on adult population estimates. Incremental increases in hand removal of adults and juveniles caused nonlinear decreases in adult population estimates, suggesting less return with increased investment in hand‐removal efforts. Applying tadpole alarm chemicals or meat ants decreased adult population estimates on the same level as removing 15–25% of adults and juveniles by hand. The combined application of tadpole alarm chemicals and meat ants resulted in ∼80% decrease in adult abundance, the largest of any applied control method. In further support of the nontraditional control methods, which greatly affected the metamorph stage, our model was most sensitive to changes in metamorph survival, juvenile survival, metamorph growth rate, and adult survival. Our results highlight the use and insights that can be gained from individual‐based models that incorporate growth and body size and the potential success that nontraditional control methods could have in controlling established, invasiveRhinella marinapopulations.
Terrestrial carbon is a resource, but not a subsidy, for lake zooplankton
Authors: Kelly Patrick T. , Solomon Christopher T. , Weidel Brian C. , Jones Stuart E.
Published: October 2013

Inputs of terrestrial organic carbon (t‐OC) into lakes are often considered a resource subsidy for aquatic consumer production. Although there is evidence that terrestrial carbon can be incorporated into the tissues of aquatic consumers, its ability to enhance consumer production has been debated. Our research aims to evaluate the net effect of t‐OC input on zooplankton. We used a survey of zooplankton production and resource use in ten lakes along a naturally occurring gradient of t‐OC concentration to address these questions. Total and group‐specific zooplankton production was negatively related to t‐OC. Residual variation in zooplankton production that was not explained by t‐OC was negatively related to terrestrial resource use (allochthony) by zooplankton. These results challenge the designation of terrestrial carbon as a resource subsidy; rather, the negative effect of reduced light penetration on the amount of suitable habitat and the low resource quality of t‐OC appear to diminish zooplankton production. Our findings suggest that ongoing continental‐scale increases in t‐OC concentrations of lakes will likely have negative impacts on the productivity of aquatic food webs.
Chloride and Lithium Transport in Large Arrays of Undisturbed Silt Loam and Sandy Loam Soil Columns
Authors: Akhtar M. Saleem , Steenhuis Tammo S. , Richards Brian K. , McBride Murray B.
Published: October 2013

The transport of Cl− and Li+ was investigated in 90 undisturbed soil columns (28‐cm diam., 35 cm deep) representing two soil series: structured silt loam (Hudson; fine, illitic, mesic Glossaquic Hapludalfs) and unstructured sandy loam (Arkport; coarse‐loamy, mixed, active, mesic Lamellic Hapludalfs). The columns had previously been operated with two cropping cycles, including two applications of a variety of sewage sludges (biosolids) at agronomic rates. With soil columns at field capacity and with no crops present, a pulse of 3.55 mM LiCl was added in the equivalent of 5.8 cm of water over the surface of the columns, followed by several irrigations (11.6 cm total depth) of deionized water and multiple subsequent irrigations with synthetic acid rain. Tracer concentrations in the outflow water increased almost immediately after application, with the Li+ concentrations an order of magnitude less than Cl− Although there was a great deal of variation in initial Cl− concentrations among the individual columns, the overall pattern was consistent for each soil after the initial 10 cm of flow (when variable preferential flow effects dominated) and was independent of the sludge applications. Outflow Li+ concentrations were extremely variable among columns. Lithium adsorption partition coefficients (kd) from batch equilibrations were lower than those derived from outflow concentrations. Solute losses were described with a simple preferential flow model. Apparent water contents fit a normal distribution for Cl− while Li+ apparent kd values were lognormally distributed. Outliers (i.e., columns with transport parameters very different from the mean) had transport velocities that were slower than would be predicted by the respective distributions. Probabilistic approaches can be used to select the number of experimental columns required to meet a desired level of probability that soils columns with a meaningful range of transport velocities will be represented in the experimental set.
Preferential Flow and Transport of Cryptosporidium parvum Oocysts through the Vadose Zone: Experiments and Modeling
Authors: Darnault Christophe J. G. , Steenhuis Tammo S. , Garnier Patricia , Kim Young‐Jin , Jenkins Michael B. , Ghiorse William C. , Baveye Philippe C. , Parlange J.‐Yves
Published: October 2013

As a result of Cryptosporidium parvum in drinking water, several outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis have occurred in the last 10 yr. Although it is generally believed that movement of pathogens through the soil is minimal, recent research has shown that appreciable numbers of C. parvum oocysts may be transported via preferential or fingered flow to groundwater. The objective of the present research was to further investigate and model the transport of oocysts through preferential flow paths in the vadose zone under a “worst‐case” scenario. This was studied by adding calves feces containing C. parvum oocysts with a Cl− tracer to undisturbed silt loam columns and disturbed sand columns during a simulated steady‐state rain. The sand columns exhibited preferential flow in the form of fingers whereas macropore flow occurred in the undisturbed cores. In the columns with fingered flow, oocysts and Cl were transported rapidly with the same velocity through the columns. Although only 14 to 86% of the amount applied, the number of oocysts transported across the columns was several orders of magnitude above an infective dose. The macropore columns had only a very limited breakthrough of oocysts, which appeared several pore volumes after the Cl broke through initially. A simulation model for the transport of oocysts via preferential flow was developed on the basis of an existing preferential flow model for nonadsorbing solutes, with addition of a first‐order sink term for adsorbance of the C. parvum to the air–water–solid (AWS) interfaces, and with velocity and dispersivity parameters derived from Cl− transport. The breakthrough of C. parvum oocysts could be described realistically for the sand columns. However, the model could not describe oocyst transport in the columns with macropores.
Interdependence in water resource development in the Ganges: an economic analysis
Authors: Wu Xun , Jeuland Marc , Sadoff Claudia , Whittington Dale
Published: October 2013

It is often argued that the true benefits of water resource development in international river basins are undermined by a lack of consideration of interdependence in water resource planning. Yet it has not been adequately recognized in the water resources planning literature that overestimation of interdependence may also contribute to lack of progress in cooperation in many systems. This paper examines the nature and degree of economic interdependence in new and existing water storage projects in the Ganges River basin based on analysis conducted using the Ganges Economic Optimization Model. We find that constructing large dams on the upstream tributaries of the Ganges would have much more limited effects on controlling downstream floods than is thought and that the benefits of low-flow augmentation delivered by storage infrastructures are currently low. A better understanding of actual and prospective effects of interdependence not only changes the calculus of the benefits and costs of different scenarios of infrastructure development, but might also allow riparian countries to move closer to benefit-sharing positions that are mutually acceptable.