bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Human Brain-Derived Aβ Oligomers Bind to Synapses and Disrupt Synaptic Activity in a Manner That Requires APP
Authors: Wang Zemin , Jackson Rosemary J. , Hong Wei , Taylor Walter M. , Corbett Grant T. , Moreno Arturo , Liu Wen , Li Shaomin , Frosch Matthew P. , Slutsky Inna , Young-Pearse Tracy L. , Spires-Jones Tara L. , Walsh Dominic M.
Published: December 2017

Compelling genetic evidence links the amyloid precursor protein (APP) to Alzheimer's disease (AD) and several theories have been advanced to explain the relationship. A leading hypothesis proposes that a small amphipathic fragment of APP, the amyloid β-protein (Aβ), self-associates to form soluble aggregates that impair synaptic and network activity. Here, we used the most disease-relevant form of Aβ, protein isolated from AD brain. Using this material, we show that the synaptotoxic effects of Aβ depend on expression of APP and that the Aβ-mediated impairment of synaptic plasticity is accompanied by presynaptic effects that disrupt the excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) balance. The net increase in the E/I ratio and inhibition of plasticity are associated with Aβ localizing to synapses and binding of soluble Aβ aggregates to synapses requires the expression of APP. Our findings indicate a role for APP in AD pathogenesis beyond the generation of Aβ and suggest modulation of APP expression as a therapy for AD.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTHere, we report on the plasticity-disrupting effects of amyloid β-protein (Aβ) isolated from Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain and the requirement of amyloid precursor protein (APP) for these effects. We show that Aβ-containing AD brain extracts block hippocampal LTP, augment glutamate release probability, and disrupt the excitatory/inhibitory balance. These effects are associated with Aβ localizing to synapses and genetic ablation of APP prevents both Aβ binding and Aβ-mediated synaptic dysfunctions. Our results emphasize the importance of APP in AD and should stimulate new studies to elucidate APP-related targets suitable for pharmacological manipulation.
Instantáneas de un burócrata cultural: el oficio de promover el teatro durante “el milagro mexicano”
Authors: Palacios Paulo César León
Published: December 2017

El artículo aborda la gestión de Miguel Álvarez Acosta en la Dirección de Relaciones Culturales de la Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores (sre) de México (1959–1970). Se analiza su relación con los artistas, así como sus ideas acerca del teatro y la cultura en el contexto del “milagro mexicano” (1940–1968). Para ello, el texto usa la categoría de burocracia cultural y la vincula con las discusiones sobre caciquismo e intermediación. La principal conclusión es que el trabajo de Álvarez Acosta por un teatro moderno obedecía a las reglas del juego políticas, que consistían en una mezcla de racionalización burocrática, nacionalismo y clientelismo.

The article analyzes the career of Miguel Álvarez Acosta during his tenure as the Mexican Foreign Affairs Secretary (sre) (1959–1970) in the office of Cultural Relations. His relationships with the artists and his ideas about art and culture are explored in depth and contextualized within “the Mexican miracle” (1940–1968). This essay employs the concept of cultural bureaucracy and ties it to discussions about bossism and broker mediation. The main conclusion is that Álvarez Acosta’s support for a modern theater was bound to the rules of political games; a blend of bureaucratic rationalization, nationalism and clientelism.
“If they are useful, why expel them?” Las Hermanas de la Caridad and Religious Medical Authority in Mexico City Hospitals, 1861–1874
Authors: O’Brien Elizabeth
Published: December 2017

The expulsion of las Hermanas de la Caridad was a highly contentious battle in Mexico’s nineteenth-century war between Church and State. Las Hermanas—who staffed and administrated Mexico City’s hospitals for three decades (1844–1874)—are generally portrayed as the adventitious victims of President Lerdo de Tejada’s attacks on religion. Using records from Mexico City’s Secretary of Health archive, this article argues that public health officials were a major force behind the expulsion, and that the sisters were ultimately ousted not just because they symbolized the rising influence of Vincentians in Mexico, but also because their medical and administrative autonomy represented a threat to scientific and state authorities.

En la guerra decimonónica mexicana entre la Iglesia y el Estado, la expulsión de las Hermanas de la Caridad generó una contienda sumamente disputada. Las Hermanas—que habían administrado y conformado el personal de los hospitales de la ciudad de México durante tres décadas (1844–1874)—suelen ser presentadas como las víctimas adventicias de los ataques del presidente Lerdo de Tejada contra la religión. Con base en registros del archivo de la Secretaría de Salud de la ciudad de México, este artículo sostiene que los funcionarios públicos del campo de la salud constituyeron una fuerza importante detrás de la expulsión y que, en última instancia, se echó a las Hermanas no sólo porque simbolizaban la influencia creciente de los vicentinos en México, sino también porque su autonomía médica y administrativa representaba una amenaza para las autoridades científicas y estatales.
Transcriptional Profiling of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Reveals the Impact of Variation of a Single Transcription Factor on Differential Gene Expression in 4NQO, Fermentable, and Nonfermentable Carbon Sources
Authors: Rong-Mullins Xiaoqing , Ayers Michael C , Summers Mahmoud , Gallagher Jennifer E G
Published: December 2017

Cellular metabolism can change the potency of a chemical’s tumorigenicity. 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4NQO) is a tumorigenic drug widely used on animal models for cancer research. Polymorphisms of the transcription factor Yrr1 confer different levels of resistance to 4NQO in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. To study how different Yrr1 alleles regulate gene expression leading to resistance, transcriptomes of three isogenic S. cerevisiae strains carrying different Yrr1 alleles were profiled via RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) and chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled with sequencing (ChIP-Seq) in the presence and absence of 4NQO. In response to 4NQO, all alleles of Yrr1 drove the expression of SNQ2 (a multidrug transporter), which was highest in the presence of 4NQO resistance-conferring alleles, and overexpression of SNQ2 alone was sufficient to overcome 4NQO-sensitive growth. Using shape metrics to refine the ChIP-Seq peaks, Yrr1 strongly associated with three loci including SNQ2. In addition to a known Yrr1 target SNG1, Yrr1 also bound upstream of RPL35B; however, overexpression of these genes did not confer 4NQO resistance. RNA-Seq data also implicated nucleotide synthesis pathways including the de novo purine pathway, and the ribonuclease reductase pathways were downregulated in response to 4NQO. Conversion of a 4NQO-sensitive allele to a 4NQO-resistant allele by a single point mutation mimicked the 4NQO-resistant allele in phenotype, and while the 4NQO resistant allele increased the expression of the ADE genes in the de novo purine biosynthetic pathway, the mutant Yrr1 increased expression of ADE genes even in the absence of 4NQO. These same ADE genes were only increased in the wild-type alleles in the presence of 4NQO, indicating that the point mutation activated Yrr1 to upregulate a pathway normally only activated in response to stress. The various Yrr1 alleles also influenced growth on different carbon sources by altering the function of the mitochondria. Hence, the complement to 4NQO resistance was poor growth on nonfermentable carbon sources, which in turn varied depending on the allele of Yrr1 expressed in the isogenic yeast. The oxidation state of the yeast affected the 4NQO toxicity by altering the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by cellular metabolism. The integration of RNA-Seq and ChIP-Seq elucidated how Yrr1 regulates global gene transcription in response to 4NQO and how various Yrr1 alleles confer differential resistance to 4NQO. This study provides guidance for further investigation into how Yrr1 regulates cellular responses to 4NQO, as well as transcriptomic resources for further analysis of transcription factor variation on carbon source utilization.
Strategic Imagining: Expanding Publicly Engaged Scholarship by Building Institutions and Individuals
Authors: Eatman Timothy K.
Published: December 2017

It has been my good fortune to be in fellowship with George Sánchez for just about a decade now. While it has been quite tempting to use this opportunity to simply celebrate all that he has meant to me personally in my life and career, my call for this issue was to share reflections on the generative potential of having collaborated with Dr. George J. Sánchez as part of Imagining America: Artist and Scholars in Public Life (IA). As a national consortium of higher-education institutions and community-based organizations dedicated to activating the power of the humanities, arts, and design both within the academy and in our larger society, IA promotes publicly engaged scholarship with conferences, research groups, and strategic organizing that affirm community-based knowledge and draw on the humanistic methodologies of the cultural disciplines. I discuss the goals and reach of Imagining America as well as responses to the dynamically creative and community-centered approaches driving it. In the exchange recorded in this article, edited from an interview we had in November 2016, we touch on a range of issues, beginning with his own autobiographical call to engaged scholarship and then drilling down to various layers of his strategic imagining as it manifests in both his institutional and individual work. Sánchez reflects on how he discovered IA and then in strategic and imaginative ways used that discovery to build on his approaches to research and organizing, thereby making an impact as a publicly engaged scholar in ways that do not often register in the academy. In particular, he addresses issues of diversity and the history of community-engaged work.
What’s Good for Boyle Heights Has Been Good at the Los Angeles Coliseum
Authors: Guridy Frank Andre
Published: December 2017

George Sánchez’s 2004 article “What’s Good for Boyle Heights Is Good for the Jews” brings to light the fascinating history of the cultural and political dimensions of what he calls “radical interracialism” in the mid-twentieth century. As I delve more deeply into the racial, ethnic, and recreational history of Los Angeles, I find myself strongly indebted to the work of Sánchez and his cohorts of ethnic studies scholars working on Los Angeles. Sánchez’s research on the East Los Angeles neighborhood of Boyle Heights during the 1940s and ’50s has uncovered what Luis Alvarez calls a “counter-history of Los Angeles”: a narrative of the city’s and county’s history that disrupts the dominant understandings of decentralization, privatization, and apartheid-like segregation. To Sánchez, Boyle Heights was a “particular site of ethnic cooperation in the midst of racial segregation and political conservatism.” Recalling the neighborhood’s history during this period, he writes, “better situates our own search for neighborhoods of diversity that truly worked together in the past and our hope of a multiracial Los Angeles that can work together in the future.” Following his lead, I examine Sánchez’s formulation of “radical interracialism,” as articulated in his essays on Jewish cross-racial interaction in Boyle Heights and its political manifestation in the ascendance of Edward Roybal, the first Mexican American to serve in the Los Angeles City Council since the late nineteenth century. In these essays, Sánchez historicizes the making of cross-racial linkages on both cultural and political levels. Inspired by his research, I take up his challenge by embarking on my own search for radical interracialism in an unlikely yet ubiquitous urban institution—a sports stadium, whose hidden history of racial integration and public culture counters the social hierarchies inscribed in the neoliberal ballpark of the urban gentrifying present.
Moral Capitalism
Authors: Bowles Laurian
Published: December 2017

Scholars have long held interest in the way power is accumulated and reproduced. The paradox of moral capitalism is the problematic reproduction of marginality through uneven exchanges and the embodiment of ethical and moral considerations. Despite well-known indictments, the desire for a moral capitalism persists. This essay suggests that the contexts of moral capitalism are frequently informed by this awareness and the permission people give themselves to embrace contradictory propositions. People hope that a moral capitalism can affirm the particularities of personhood, so that their identities are not valued solely through the lens of the things they do in order to earn money. In the same way that theft can be viewed as form of social redistribution that actualizes Robin Hood mythologies, moral capitalism can highlight the social and personal moments when forms of identity embrace contradiction as a habit of resilience.
East LA Interchange: A Documentary Exploration of Boyle Heights
Authors: Kalin Betsy
Published: December 2017

The documentary East LA Interchange (2015) has extraordinary potential to be used to increase awareness about our diverse, multicultural society and the specific challenges facing low-income communities of color. These communities’ residents are especially vulnerable to gentrification and displacement, and across the United States, we are currently seeing the impact of gentrification on our neighborhoods. One of the most important aspects of a documentary is what happens after the film is completed. We are in the process of creating a multiplatform strategic outreach campaign designed to engage youth and mobilize advocates around the issues addressed in the film. Our outreach and engagement goals are varied yet complementary to the themes in East LA Interchange. We believe that East LA Interchange’s message of empowerment through community action is one that can greatly benefit youth and adults in rapidly changing communities. Because Boyle Heights is one of the United States’ great places of diversity, inclusion, and tolerance, we would like the film to create momentum around social justice issues depicted in the film such as acceptance and appreciation of diversity, immigrant rights, environmental and transportation justice, urban development, and effective political representation.
Characterization of the Rhodococcus sp. MK1 strain and its pilot application for bioremediation of diesel oil-contaminated soil
Authors: Kis Ágnes Erdeiné , Laczi Krisztián , Zsíros Szilvia , Kós Péter , Tengölics Roland , Bounedjoum Naila , Kovács Tamás , Rákhely Gábor , Perei Katalin
Published: December 2017

Petroleum hydrocarbons and derivatives are widespread contaminants in both aquifers and soil, their elimination is in the primary focus of environmental studies. Microorganisms are key components in biological removal of pollutants. Strains capable to utilize hydrocarbons usually appear at the contaminated sites, but their metabolic activities are often restricted by the lack of nutrients and/or they can only utilize one or two components of a mixture. We isolated a novel Rhodococcus sp. MK1 strain capable to degrade the components of diesel oil simultaneously. The draft genome of the strain was determined and besides the chromosome, the presence of one plasmid could be revealed. Numerous routes for oxidation of aliphatic and aromatic compounds were identified. The strain was tested in ex situ applications aiming to compare alternative solutions for microbial degradation of hydrocarbons. The results of bioaugmentation and biostimulation experiments clearly demonstrated that – in certain cases – the indigenous microbial community could be exploited for bioremediation of oil-contaminated soils. Biostimulation seems to be efficient for removal of aged contaminations at lower concentration range, whereas bioaugmentation is necessary for the treatment of freshly and highly polluted sites.
Evaluation of Urinary Tryptophan Metabolite Levels in Non-diabetic Compared to Diabetic Rats
Authors: OLAR Loredana Elena , ȘTEFAN Razvan , CĂȚIOIU Anisia , PAPUC Ionel
Published: December 2017

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common metabolic disorders in animals. Thus, currently, it is imperative to introduce non-invasive, economical and rapid methods for the investigation of diabetes in animals. In this study, the urine samples collected from 10 non-diabetic and 10 streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were investigated by the spectrofluorimetric technique. Emission spectra for the urine samples were obtained following an excitation wavelength of 280 and 400 nm. The investigated fluorophores were mainly tryptophan metabolites, and significant differences resulted between the mean heights of the emission bands attributed to these fluorophore compounds in diabetic compared to non-diabetic rats. The shape of the spectral windings after the utilization of these two excitation wavelengths was almost similar for diabetic and non-diabetic rats; however, there were some discriminatory elements between the two types of investigated samples. In conclusion, the obtained urine fluorescence spectra allow a clear differentiation between diabetic and non-diabetic rats.
The Cumulative Effect of Manure on a Festuca Rubra Grasslands for 15 Years
Authors: VAIDA Ioana , ROTAR Ioan , PACURAR Florin
Published: December 2017

Over time, studies of the vegetation of natural grasslands have evolved from simple observations to rigorous research. Feed obtained from natural meadows without major technological imputations is mediocre in quality, and pastures in a rather advanced state of degradation. The main purpose of this paper is the ecological and fodder evaluation of the Festuca rubra type of grasslands in the Apuseni Mountains based on the floristic composition and the productivity of these grasslands. The experience was carried out in Ghetari village, Apuseni Mountains, which was located in 2001, following the method of randomized blocks with 4 experimental variants in 4 rehearsals. Each variant were fertilized with organic inputs using the same quantities each year. In the paper we use the results obtained after 15 years of experience. The application of organic fertilizers caused significant changes in the canopy causing changes in the dominance of the type of grassland. The livestock manure applied on the studied grassland has increases significant yield production at all variants of fertilization.In this paper it was shown on which species the productivity of the grassland increased from the control variant to the fertilized variant with the maximum dose. Regarding the analysis of the phytodiversity, this tells us if the number of species is reduced in all the treatments, 10 t/ha of manure leads to an increase in phytocoenosis equivalence and implicitly to the Shannon index.
Technogenic Ecological Sequences in Tailing Pond from Căpușu Mare, Built between 1975-1981
Authors: MAXIM Aurel , ȘANDOR Mignon , OPINCARIU Adriana , MIHALESCU Lucia , ROMAN Vasile , BÎLC Larisa
Published: December 2017

In Romania, all actions related to mining management are found in “Strategy of the mining industry for 2012-2035”. Today, numerous tailing ponds have  remained outside rehabilitation operations, and they are becoming more natural, as is the case of the tailing pond in Capusu Mare. The vegetation study was conducted in 2015, at the tailing pond III in Căpușu Mare that was operational between 1975-1981. The following phytopopulation and phytocenotic indices were calculated: presence, frequency, class of presence, abundance-dominance and average abundance-dominance (ADm) of species. Floral studies show the presence of 40 plant species. The wood species with the highest mean dominant abundance are Hippophäe rhamnoides (14.78%) and Salix alba (10.55%), and of herbaceous species stands Phragmites communis with 7.49%. After 34 years from the heap closure, the degree of vegetation coverage is 77%. Wood species occupy about 32% of the heap surface.
Minerals and Total Polyphenolic Content of Some Vegetal Powders
Authors: TUFEANU Roxana E. , GEORGESCU Cecilia , FRUM Adina , TIȚA Mihaela A. , TIȚA Ovidiu
Published: December 2017

The total polyphenolic content and minerals were determined for chia seeds, Psyllium husks and watermelon rind powder. The minerals content was performed by using the Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emissions Spectrometer and Atomic Absorption Spectrometer, technique FIAS-Furnace (for Se). The sample with the highest content of polyphenols was chia (2.69 mg GAE/g s.) followed by the watermelon rind powder. Reduced amounts of polyphenols were found in the Psyllium husks. Also, the total polyphenol concentration increased with the increase of the extraction time on the ultrasonic water bath. Minerals analysis indicated that powders obtained from chia seeds and watermelon rind contained large amounts of potassium, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium. The most abundant mineral in the Psyllium husks powder was found potassium, followed by calcium. In conclusion, these powders can be used as ingredients for functional food and food supplements production due to the high nutritional content and bioactive properties.
Is Beekeeping Affected by the Use of Neonicotinoids in Agriculture?
Authors: DOMOKOS Erzsébet Timea , MARGHITAS Liviu Alexandru , DEZMIREAN Daniel Severus , BOBIS Otilia
Published: December 2017

Neonicotinoids are systemic insecticides used in agriculture for seed treatment as well as in the pest control by spraying during plant growing. Also, they are found as an active substance in different phytosanitary products used in horticulture for winter spraying in fruit plantations when fruit trees are in vegetative rest. Taking into account the former studies on this topic, knowing all what is published regarding this important theme, both for agriculture and for beekeeping, the review is very important for all interested parts. In the present review many of the questions raised by the beekeepers and the scientists from agriculture receive an answer, together with described methods for identifying and quantifying this class of still used pesticide.
Blood Parameters, Digestive Organ Size and Intestinal Microflora of Broiler Chicks Fed Sorghum as Partial Substitute of Corn
Authors: GHEORGHE Anca , HĂBEANU Mihaela , TABUC Cristina , DUMITRU Mihaela , LEFTER Nicoleta Aurelia
Published: December 2017

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary white sorghum (WS), as partial substitute of corn on blood parameters, digestive organ size and intestinal microflora of broilers at 35 d. Cobb 500 broilers (n=400), assigned to 2 groups, were fed with isocaloric and isonitrogenous corn-soybean meal control diets (C) or corn-WS-soybean meal diets (WS), where corn was partially replaced (50%) with WS. At 35 d, sixteen broilers per group were selected for blood sampling, gastrointestinal (GIT) measurements, digesta pH and ileum microflora analysis. There was no effect (P>0.05) of the dietary WS inclusion on blood biochemistry parameters, GIT development and digesta pH of broilers. In our study, dietary WS significantly reduced the ileal population of Enterobacteriaceae (-1.38%; P<0.0001) and E. coli (-1.16%; P=0.020), and increased the Lactobacillus spp. (+1.07%; P=0.014) compared with the C diet. In conclusion, feeding white sorghum, as partial substitute of corn in broiler diets, did not affect blood parameters, digestive organ size and digesta pH, that support the obtained performance. In addition, sorghum had a positive effect of the ileal microflora increasing the beneficial bacterial Lactobacillus spp.
Morphometric differences of Spirlin, Alburnoides Bipunctatus Bloch 1782 from the Major Catchements of Transylvania
Authors: PĂPUC Tudor , COCAN Daniel , LAŢIU Călin , UIUIU Paul , MIREȘAN Vioara
Published: December 2017

Spirlin (Alburnoides bipunctatus) is found in great numbers in most Transylvanian rivers. The species has an important role in the ecosystems in which it is found in terms of feeding and habitat occupation. The morphmetric characthers of this species vary between different habitats, outlining morphometric plasticity. Morphometric profiles were made for different populations of Spirlin, to evaluate differences in body shape. Considering that different environmental conditions influence the morphology of Spirlin populations, morphometric characteristics were determined. In order to assess differences in spirlin body shape, specimens from the four major Transylvanian catchments were collected by angling techniques. The specimens were preserved and transported to the University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, where morphometric measurements and weight determinations were conducted in the Physiology of Aquatic Organisms Laboratory. Spirlin from Mures, Somes, Cris and Viseu catchments were studied, as it follows: 21 specimens from Aries River (Mures catchment), 61 specimens from the river Crisul Repede (Cris catchment), 21 specimens from Somesul Mic River (Somes catchment) and 20 specimens from Viseu River. A number of 39 determinations were made. The obtained results reflect the morphometric differences among populations of Spirlin from some Transylvanian main rivers.
Preliminary Characterization of some Fig Biotypes in Romania
Authors: AHMAD Holia , STĂNICĂ Florin , AL MASOODY Mohammed Mehdi , BUTCARU Ana Cornelia
Published: December 2017

Fig (Ficus carica L.) is an antique fruit species originated from Asia and spread all over the world. In Romania, many genotypes are found on mild climate zones, being cultivated in small gardens as ornamental and fruit plant. At the Bucharest Faculty of Horticulture recently, fig genotypes have been collected from different places, propagated and studied. This paper presents the first results regarding the characterization of some fig genotypes found in different areas of Romania. An Iraqian fig genotype was also characterized. On medium term, the team aims to identify local grown fig plants, to establish a fig distribution wide map in Romania and to analyse different plants parameters in order to decide the best genotypes to be planted in the future. Cuttings from different figs genotypes and different regions of Romania and Iraq were collected and rooted. After planting in pots, the new obtained plants where grown under controlled conditions for a year. By using the mother plants and/or the new propagated plants, several measurements and determinations were done in order to characterize each genotype. Leaves were studied and measured with Win Folia scanner and software, while fruits were observed, measured and total soluble solids was determined by refractometer. The collected biotypes are planted in four testing plots in different regions in Romania.
A Metastatic Lipid-Rich Carcinoma of the Mammary Gland in a Female Cat: Clinicopathological, Histopathological and Immunohistochemical Features
Authors: GAL Adrian Florin , CĂTOI Cornel , TAULESCU Marian , MICLĂUȘ Viorel , NAGY Andras , MARICA Raluca , POPA Roxana , TĂBĂRAN Flaviu
Published: December 2017

Lipid-rich invasive human breast cancer is a rare enigmatic entity among special types of infiltrating duct carcinoma. Our paper reports a lipid-rich mammary carcinoma in a female cat with the gross, microscopic and immunohistochemical description of the tumor. A 13-year-old intact adult female, mixed-breed cat was presented by the owner to the Laboratory of Pathologic Anatomy from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Romania. A complete necropsy examination was performed in our laboratory. The tissue samples were collected and processed by paraffin technique for further histological, histochemical, immunofluorescence and immunohistochemical examination. During the necropsy examination, a subcutaneous mass was discovered on the chest. Several variably sized, well-demarcated neoplasms were noted in the right axillary lymph node, right thoracic wall, pleura, lungs, liver, spleen and kidney. Histologically, the cells frequently formed tubuloacinar structures. The morphology of the described tumor showed features of a poorly differentiated mammary carcinoma. Numerous tumoral cells were large and polygonal, with abundant cytoplasm that showed foam-like cytoplasm. The tumoral cells contained either multiple small or large and solitary vacuoles that pushed the nucleus to the periphery of the cell. Intracytoplasmic vacuoles of the neoplastic cells were positive for Oil-Red-O and negatively with Periodic Acid–Schiff. As for immunofluorescence/immunohistochemistry, nonvacuolated and vacuolated neoplastic cells were positive for cytokeratin and negative for vimentin. Histochemical and immunohistochemical analysis support a diagnosis of lipid-rich mammary carcinoma. This is the second reliable record of a lipid-rich mammary carcinoma in female cat and the first one with internal metastases.
Carbohydrates Impact in Type 2 Diabetes in Cats
Authors: MACRI Adrian Maximilian , SUCIU Alexandra , SZAKACS Andrei Radu
Published: December 2017

Diabetes is one of the most commonly diagnosed endocrine diseases in cats. Of all types of diabetes, type II is the most frequent one, 80% of the diabetic cats have type II diabetes. Even though it’s a multifactorial disease, obesity was found to be the most important risk factor in developing diabetes, obesity increases the chances of developing this disease to up to 4 times. The study was conducted on a number of 9 cats with uncomplicated diabetes with the purpose of monitoring the effects of the commercial dry food (with a high percentage of carbohydrates) and the commercial canned food (with a higher percentage of proteins and a lower percentage of carbohydrates) on the glycemic index. For this study, we considered the occasional administration of raw chicken and turkey meat because it wasn’t given for a long enough period of time. The diet is very important for diabetic cats because a lot of sick cats enter remission after a couple of months of being fed wet canned food and they no longer need the administration of insulin, but owners are instructed to carefully monitor glycaemia for the rest of the pet’s life.
Molecular Survey on Leishmania Infantum Infection in Red Foxes (Vulpes Vulpes) From Romania
Authors: IONICĂ Angela Monica , DEAK Georgiana , KALMÁR Zsuzsa , GHERMAN Călin Mircea , MIHALCA Andrei Daniel , DUMITRACHE Mirabela Oana
Published: December 2017

Leishmania spp. (Kinetoplastida, Trypanosomatidae) are parasitic protozoans transmitted by sand flies to animals and humans. In Europe, the predominant species is Leishmania infantum, the agent of canine leishmaniasis (CanL) and of visceral (VL) and cutaneous (CL) forms in humans. Despite being regarded as a non-endemic country, recent data from Romania have shown the occurrence of autochthonous cases of human and canine infections. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of L.infantum in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from Romania. Between December 2016 and April 2017, 514 foxes originating from ten counties of Romania were evaluated and individual conjunctival swab samples were tested for the presence of L. infantum DNA by means of real-time PCR. All samples were negative. However, considering the new national epidemiological context, the importance of the red fox as sentinel and its potential role in the epidemiology of this disease in Romania should not be disregarded in the future.
The critical influence of nocturnal breathing complaints on the quality of sleep after stroke: the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and STOP-BANG
Authors: Oliveira Giuliano da Paz , Vago Eliana Regina Lottemberg , Prado Gilmar Fernandes do , Coelho Fernando Morgadinho Santos
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACT In stroke patients particularly, many factors, such as sleep-related respiratory disturbances, can impair sleep. Cheap and easy-to-use tools have been created to identify sleep quality and sleep disturbances in patients after stroke. This study described the scores of the sleep apnea screening questionnaire - STOP-BANG - in patients after a stroke, and correlated the findings with sleep quality measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The scores of the STOP-BANG and PSQI were 4.3 ± 1.8 and 76 ± 3.9, respectively. The STOP-BANG scores were higher in poor sleepers (4.5 ± 1.6 versus 3.5 ± 1.9; p = 0.032). Logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of subjective sleep quality (PSQI) and the STOP-BANG as a predictor of poor quality sleep, with a relative risk of 1.6, controlled for age and sex. This study indicated that sleep quality was largely influenced by sleep breathing problems, which were well identified by the STOP-BANG, especially in younger stroke patients.
Transtemporal amygdalohippocampectomy: a novel minimally-invasive technique with optimal clinical results and low cost
Authors: Flores Juan Antonio Castro , Sanders Felipe Hada , Figueiredo Eberval Gadelha , Teixeira Manoel Jacobsen
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACT Mesial temporal sclerosis creates a focal epileptic syndrome that usually requires surgical resection of mesial temporal structures. Objective: To describe a novel operative technique for treatment of temporal lobe epilepsy and its clinical results. Methods: Prospective case-series at a single institution, performed by a single surgeon, from 2006 to 2012. A total of 120 patients were submitted to minimally-invasive keyhole transtemporal amygdalohippocampectomy. Results: Of the patients, 55% were male, and 85% had a right-sided disease. The first 70 surgeries had a mean surgical time of 2.51 hours, and the last 50 surgeries had a mean surgical time of 1.62 hours. There was 3.3% morbidity, and 5% mild temporal muscle atrophy. There was no visual field impairment. On the Engel Outcome Scale at the two-year follow-up, 71% of the patients were Class I, 21% were Class II, and 6% were Class III. Conclusion: This novel technique is feasible and reproducible, with optimal clinical results.
Impact of disease duration on functional status of patients with spinocerebellar ataxia type 2
Authors: Amarante Thiago R. Padilha , Takeda Sibele Y. M. , Teive Hélio A. G. , Zonta Marise Bueno
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACT Objective: To correlate disease duration in spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2) with disease severity, balance and functionality. Method: Sixteen SCA2 patients were analyzed for: disease duration, disease severity (SARA score), balance (Berg balance scale score) and functionality (FIM and Lawton scores). Results: Greater severity was correlated with worse functionality (Lawton: r = −0.0561, FIM: r = −0.6402) and balance (r = −0.7188). Longer disease duration was correlated with greater severity (p = 0.0002) and reduced functionality (FIM: p = 0.005; Lawton: p = 0.0402) and balance (p = 0.0036). A year increase in disease duration corresponded to a 0.8-point increase on the SARA scale, a 1.38-point decrease in FIM score, a 2.30-point decrease on the Berg balance scale and a 0.45-point decrease on the Lawton scale. Conclusion: Longer disease duration in this series of SCA2 patients was correlated with greater disease severity, worse balance and greater functional dependency.
Limb apraxia in aphasic patients
Authors: Ortiz Karin Zazo , Mantovani-Nagaoka Joana
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACT Limb apraxia is usually associated with left cerebral hemisphere damage, with numerous case studies involving aphasic patients. The aim of this study was to verify the occurrence of limb apraxia in aphasic patients and analyze its nature. This study involved 44 healthy volunteers and 28 aphasic patients matched for age and education. AH participants were assessed using a limb apraxia battery comprising subtests evaluating lexical-semantic aspects related to the comprehension/production of gestures as well as motor movements. Aphasics had worse performances on many tasks related to conceptual components of gestures. The difficulty found on the imitation of dynamic gesture tasks also indicated that there were specific motor difficulties in gesture planning. These results reinforce the importance of conducting limb apraxia assessment in aphasic patients and also highlight pantomime difficulties as a good predictor for semantic disturbances.
Hereditary spastic paraplegia from 1880 to 2017: an historical review
Authors: Faber Ingrid , Pereira Eduardo Rafael , Martinez Alberto R. M. , França Jr Marcondes , Teive Hélio Afonso Ghizoni
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACT The authors have constructed a brief timeline of major clinical research related to hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP). This timeline summarizes the evolution of HSP research, from the first clinical descriptions by Adolf von Strümpell in 1880 to the present day, with the transformation of these diseases into a rapidly-growing and heterogeneous group of neurogenetic diseases.
Evaluation of eugenol toxicity in bioassays with test-organisms
Authors: Gueretz Juliano Santos , Somensi Cleder Alexandre , Martins Maurício Laterça , Souza Antonio Pereira de
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACT: Fish in both natural and farming conditions are exposed to stress of capture, handling, transport or treatment that provoke low zootechnical performance. Anesthetics like eugenol obtained from clove oil have been used strategically not only in freshwater but also in marine and estuarine fish in order to reduce the stress. Apart from the eugenol indication as anesthetic and its low toxicity for animals, its environment action is not clear. Bioassays or ecotoxicity tests with indicator organisms are used to evaluate the mode of action of the pollutants in the environment. The aim of this study was to test the acute toxicity of eugenol using the microcrustacean Daphnia magna and the bacterium Aliivibrio fischeri, and also its chronic toxicity for the algae Desmodesmus subspicatus. Eugenol in the concentrations of 50, 75 and 100mg L-1 were toxic to tested indicator organisms.
Arsenic, cadmium and lead concentrations in Yerba mate commercialized in Southern Brazil by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry
Authors: Santos Lisia Maria Gobbo dos , Vicentini Neto Santos Alves , Iozzi Giovanna , Jacob Silvana do Couto
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACT: “Mate” or “Yerba Mate” (Ilex paraguariensis) is a native South American plant, commonly consumed in Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and southern Brazil. Recent research has detected the presence of many vitamins and metals in this plant. Theses metals are also part of yerba mate’s mineral composition, due to soil and water contamination by pesticides and fertilizers, coal and oil combustion, vehicle emissions, mining, smelting, refining and the incineration of urban and industrial waste. Regardless of their origin, some inorganic elements, such as arsenic, cadmium and lead, are considered toxic, since they accumulate in all plant tissues and are, thus, introduced into the food chain. In this context, the aim of the present study was to determine and compare arsenic, cadmium, lead concentrations in 104 samples of yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) marketed, and consumed in three southern Brazilian States, namely Paraná (PR), Santa Catarina (SC) and Rio Grande do Sul (RS). Each element was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), on a Nexion 300D equipment (Perkin Elmer). As, Cd and Pb concentrations in yerba mate leaves ranged from 0.015 to 0.15mg kg-1, 0.18 to 1.25mg kg-1 and 0.1 to 1.20mg kg-1, respectively. Regarding Cd, 84% of the samples from RS, 63% from PR and 75% from SC showed higher concentrations than the maximum permissible limit of 0.4mg kg-1 established by the Brazilian National Sanitary Surveillance Agency (ANVISA), while 7% of the samples from RS and 5% from PR were unsatisfactory for Pb. Concentrations were below the established ANVISA limit of 0.6mg kg-1 for all samples.
A TRANSFORMAÇÃO SOCIAL DE UMA FERRAMENTA ESTRATÉGICA EM UMA ORGANIZAÇÃO FAMILIAR BRASILEIRA
Authors: Cardoso Eros Renato Silva , Silva Alfredo Rodrigues Leite da
Published: December 2017

RESUMO O objetivo deste artigo é compreender o fenômeno de transformação de um software, com potencial para ser uma ferramenta estratégica, pelas construções sociais dos atores inseridos em uma organização familiar brasileira. Defende-se que as ferramentas estratégicas podem ser transformadas pelas construções sociais de seus usuários articuladas nos contextos em que estão inseridos. Para compreender o fenômeno dessas transformações nas ferramentas estratégicas, discute-se a temática da construção social nas organizações, reconhecendo as implicações das especificidades sociais das organizações familiares. Esta pesquisa trouxe uma abordagem fenomenológica do mundo social de Schütz. O lócus do estudo foi uma organização familiar do setor de vendas de equipamentos comerciais no estado do Espírito Santo - Brasil. A coleta de dados se deu a partir de dezessete entrevistas semiestruturadas, observação participante e pesquisa documental. A análise dos dados foi inspirada no método fenomenológico. A justificativa deste trabalho está em contribuir para preencher lacunas de pesquisa sobre a transformação das ferramentas estratégicas no “fazer estratégia” em uma ótica socialmente construída, por meio de articulações teóricas e empíricas. Como resultados, questões como o despreparo, o feeling, as redes de motivos e interesses, as imposições, as heranças do contexto, as tentativas (d)e manutenção de práticas, a experiência de vida do indivíduo e interesses organizacionais, entre outras, evidenciaram que as transformações da ferramenta foram causadas pelas redes de motivos e interesses, tanto institucionais quanto específicos dos atores sociais, imersos em construções sociais no contexto.
INSTITUCIONALIZAÇÃO DE COMPRAS PÚBLICAS SUSTENTÁVEIS: UMA ANÁLISE DA EXPERIÊNCIA DO GOVERNO DE MINAS GERAIS
Authors: Mendonça Ricardo Almeida Marques , Cruz Marcus Vinicius Gonçalves da , Teodosio Armindo dos Santos de Sousa , Raso Luciana Sardinha Pinto
Published: December 2017

RESUMO O artigo tem por objetivo analisar, sob a perspectiva da teoria institucional, o processo de implantação de compras públicas sustentáveis pelo Governo do Estado de Minas Gerais, um dos pioneiros nesse processo no Brasil. Realizou-se pesquisa qualitativa por meio de estudo de caso único, utilizando-se de análise documental e entrevistas semi-estruturadas. Pôde-se compreender o papel de diferentes atores que se caracterizaram como forças institucionais no campo organizacional da difusão de compras públicas sustentáveis. A análise demonstra a preponderância de mecanismos de natureza coercitiva, além de circunstâncias ligadas aos “mitos e cerimônias” na difusão de compras públicas sustentáveis no governo em Minas Gerais.
Freshwater mussels from South America: state of the art of Unionida, specially Rhipidodontini
Authors: Miyahira Igor Christo , Santos Sonia Barbosa dos , Mansur Maria Cristina Dreher
Published: December 2017

Abstract Unionida is the most diverse clade of freshwater bivalves. Among the groups occurring in South America, one with the highest number of species is Rhipidodontini (Hyriidae, Unionida, Paleoheterodonta, Bivalvia). However several issues remains on taxonomy and systematic of this group, leading to problems on species identification, description, as also as a limiting factor to other type of studies (e.g., ecology, conservation,…). In this paper is presented a synthesis of available knowledge about Diplodon Spix in Wagner, 1827 and Rhipidodonta Mörch, 1853 in South America, as a first step in order to a better understating of Rhipidodontini. The evaluation of different authors exposes the little agreement between them that resulted in a sort of divergent taxonomical opinions. Some comments on ecology, conservation and habitat preferences were made. This work can also encourage future research on taxonomy, systematic, ecology and conservation of freshwater mussels in South America.
Yield of lettuce grown in aquaponic system using different substrates
Authors: Jordan Rodrigo A. , Geisenhoff Luciano O. , Oliveira Fabricio C. de , Santos Rodrigo C. , Martins Elton A. S.
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACT In the aquaponic system, the characteristics of the materials used as substrate directly affect plant development, because besides acting as a support base, they must present a surface to fix microorganisms, responsible for the conversion of nutrients into forms more easily available to plants. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of four growing substrates on the yield of lettuce grown in aquaponic system. The experimental design was randomized blocks with four treatments, which corresponded to the substrates, and six replicates. Plants were grown using the nutrient film technique (NFT) system. The substrates used in the experiment were: coconut shell fiber with crushed stone #3, expanded vermiculite, zeolite and phenolic foam. The treatment with phenolic foam was considered as the least suitable for lettuce cultivation in aquaponic system, because it caused lower yield (20.8 t ha-1). The treatment using coconut shell fiber with crushed stone #3 was considered as the most adequate, since it led to higher yield (39.9 t ha-1) compared with the other substrates analyzed.
Copper and zinc fractionation in biosolid cultivated with Pennisetum purpureum in different periods
Authors: Oliveira Ely S. A. de , Cardoso Paulo H. S. , Sousa Izabelle de P. , Alvarenga Anarelly C. , Rodrigues Márcio N. , Sampaio Regynaldo A.
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACT In order to reduce the effect of heavy metals on the biosolid, it is necessary to promote its phytoremediation. It is important to know the total content and chemical forms of these elements in the residue for analyzing its behavior and potential toxicity. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the fractionation and behavior of Cu and Zn in biosolid cultivated with Pennisetum purpureum in different periods. The experiment was carried out using a randomized complete block design. The treatments, with five replicates, corresponded to Pennisetum purpureum cultivation in biosolid for 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 days after planting. The total contents of Cu and Zn in the biosolid remained below the critical limits established by the CONAMA Resolution 357, and there was a reduction in these values with Pennisetum purpureum cultivation. Furthermore, the increment in the grass cultivation period caused intense reduction of Zn contents bound to organic matter, but there was an increase in soluble Zn and residual Zn. Additionally, there was an intense reduction in the content of Cu bound to sulfides. Therefore, for biosolid phytoremediation purposes, the grass should be cultivated for 150 days.
Qualificação e provimento de médicos no contexto da Política Nacional de Atenção Integral às Pessoas com Doenças Raras no Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS)
Authors: Melo Débora Gusmão , Germano Carla Maria Ramos , Porciúncula Carlos Guilherme Gaelzer , Paiva Isaias Soares de , Neri João Ivanildo da Costa Ferreira , Avó Lucimar Retto da Silva de , Demarzo Marcelo Marcos Piva , Galera Marcial Francis
Published: December 2017

Este ensaio teórico reflete sobre a qualificação e o provimento de médicos no contexto da Política Nacional de Atenção Integral às Pessoas com Doenças Raras no SUS. Para isso, apresentamos a Política e suas diretrizes, e situamos a discussão em torno de duas estratégias integradas: o provimento e a fixação de médicos geneticistas; e a capacitação de profissionais da Atenção Primária à Saúde em relação às doenças genéticas e aos defeitos congênitos. Finalmente, considerando as Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais do Curso de Graduação em Medicina, apresentamos uma proposta de perfil de competência mínimo em Genética, elaborada para instrumentalizar os cursos de graduação da área da Saúde, em particular os cursos de Medicina. Assim, oferecemos um referencial teórico para apoiar o delineamento de programas de educação e formação em Saúde, contribuindo para inclusão do cuidado em Genética no SUS.