bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative transcriptome profiling of amyloid precursor protein family members in the adult cortex
Authors: Aydin Dorothee , Filippov Mikhail A , Tschäpe Jakob-Andreas , Gretz Norbert , Prinz Marco , Eils Roland , Brors Benedikt , Müller Ulrike C
Published: April 2011

Background

The β-amyloid precursor protein (APP) and the related β-amyloid precursor-like proteins (APLPs) undergo complex proteolytic processing giving rise to several fragments. Whereas it is well established that Aβ accumulation is a central trigger for Alzheimer's disease, the physiological role of APP family members and their diverse proteolytic products is still largely unknown. The secreted APPsα ectodomain has been shown to be involved in neuroprotection and synaptic plasticity. The γ-secretase-generated APP intracellular domain (AICD) functions as a transcriptional regulator in heterologous reporter assays although its role for endogenous gene regulation has remained controversial.

Results

To gain further insight into the molecular changes associated with knockout phenotypes and to elucidate the physiological functions of APP family members including their proposed role as transcriptional regulators, we performed DNA microarray transcriptome profiling of prefrontal cortex of adult wild-type (WT), APP knockout (APP-/-), APLP2 knockout (APLP2-/-) and APPsα knockin mice (APPα/α) expressing solely the secreted APPsα ectodomain. Biological pathways affected by the lack of APP family members included neurogenesis, transcription, and kinase activity. Comparative analysis of transcriptome changes between mutant and wild-type mice, followed by qPCR validation, identified co-regulated gene sets. Interestingly, these included heat shock proteins and plasticity-related genes that were both down-regulated in knockout cortices. In contrast, we failed to detect significant differences in expression of previously proposed AICD target genes includingBace1,Kai1,Gsk3b,p53,Tip60, andVglut2. OnlyEgfrwas slightly up-regulated in APLP2-/-mice. Comparison of APP-/-and APPα/αwith wild-type mice revealed a high proportion of co-regulated genes indicating an important role of the C-terminus for cellular signaling. Finally, comparison of APLP2-/-on different genetic backgrounds revealed that background-related transcriptome changes may dominate over changes due to the knockout of a single gene.

Conclusion

Shared transcriptome profiles corroborated closely related physiological functions of APP family members in the adult central nervous system. As expression of proposed AICD target genes was not altered in adult cortex, this may indicate that these genes are not affected by lack of APP under resting conditions or only in a small subset of cells.
Rapid obtention of stable, bioluminescent tumor cell lines using a tCD2-luciferase chimeric construct
Authors: Jimenez Anne-Sophie , Gressette Mélanie , Barjon Clément , Wei Ming , Gourzones Claire , Busson Pierre
Published: April 2011

Background

Bioluminescent tumor cell lines are experimental tools of major importance for cancer investigation, especially imaging of tumors in xenografted animals. Stable expression of exogenous luciferase in tumor cells combined to systemic injection of luciferin provides an excellent signal/background ratio for external optical imaging. Therefore, there is a need to rationalize and speed up the production of luciferase-positive tumor cell lines representative of multiple tumor phenotypes. For this aim we have designed a fusion gene linking the luciferase 2 protein to the c-terminus of a truncated form of the rat CD2 protein (tCD2-luc2). To allow simultaneous assessment of the wild-type luciferase 2 in a context of tCD2 co-expression, we have made a bicistronic construct for concomitant but separate expression of these two proteins (luc2-IRES-tCD2). Both the mono- and bi-cistronic constructs were transduced in lymphoid and epithelial cells using lentiviral vectors.

Results

The tCD2-luc2 chimera behaves as a type I membrane protein with surface presentation of CD2 epitopes. One of these epitopes reacts with the OX34, a widely spread, high affinity monoclonal antibody. Stably transfected cells are sorted by flow cytometry on the basis of OX34 staining. In vitro and, moreover, in xenografted tumors, the tCD2-luc2 chimera retains a substantial and stable luciferase activity, although not as high as the wild-type luciferase expressed from the luc2-IRES-tCD2 construct. Expression of the tCD2-luc2 chimera does not harm cell and tumor growth.

Conclusion

Lentiviral transduction of the chimeric tCD2-luc2 fusion gene allows selection of cell clones with stable luciferase expression in less than seven days without antibiotic selection. We believe that it will be helpful to increase the number of tumor cell lines available for in vivo imaging and assessment of novel therapeutic modalities. On a longer term, the tCD2-luc2 chimera has the potential to be expressed from multi-cassette vectors in combination with various inserts of interest.
Production of nanoparticles from natural hydroxylapatite by laser ablation
Authors: Boutinguiza Mohamed , Comesaña Rafael , Lusquiños Fernando , Riveiro Antonio , Pou Juan
Published: April 2011

Laser ablation of solids in liquids technique has been used to obtain colloidal nanoparticles from biological hydroxylapatite using pulsed as well as a continuous wave (CW) laser. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements revealed the formation of spherical particles with size distribution ranging from few nanometers to hundred nanometers and irregular submicronic particles. High resolution TEM showed that particles obtained by the use of pulsed laser were crystalline, while those obtained by the use of CW laser were amorphous. The shape and size of particles are consistent with the explosive ejection as formation mechanism.
Tahyna virus genetics, infectivity, and immunogenicity in mice and monkeys
Authors: Bennett Richard S , Gresko Anthony K , Murphy Brian R , Whitehead Stephen S
Published: April 2011

Background

Tahyna virus (TAHV) is a human pathogen of the California encephalitis virus (CEV) serogroup (Bunyaviridae) endemic to Europe, Asia, and Africa. TAHV maintains an enzootic life cycle with several species of mosquito vectors and hares, rabbits, hedgehogs, and rodents serving as small mammal amplifying hosts. Human TAHV infection occurs in summer and early fall with symptoms of fever, headache, malaise, conjunctivitis, pharyngitis, and nausea. TAHV disease can progress to CNS involvement, although unlike related La Crosse virus (LACV), fatalities have not been reported. Human infections are frequent with neutralizing antibodies present in 60-80% of the elderly population in endemic areas.

Results

In order to determine the genomic sequence of wild-type TAHV, we chose three TAHV isolates collected over a 26-year period from mosquitoes. Here we present the first complete sequence of the TAHV S, M, and L segments. The three TAHV isolates maintained a highly conserved genome with both nucleotide and amino acid sequence identity greater than 99%. In order to determine the extent of genetic relatedness to other members of the CEV serogroup, we compared protein sequences of TAHV with LACV, Snowshoe Hare virus (SSHV), Jamestown Canyon virus (JCV), and Inkoo virus (INKV). By amino acid comparison, TAHV was most similar to SSHV followed by LACV, JCV, and INKV. The sequence of the GN protein is most conserved followed by L, N, GC, NSS, and NSM. In a weanling Swiss Webster mouse model, all three TAHV isolates were uniformly neurovirulent, but only one virus was neuroinvasive. In rhesus monkeys, the virus was highly immunogenic even in the absence of viremia. Cross neutralization studies utilizing monkey immune serum demonstrated that TAHV is antigenically distinct from North American viruses LACV and JCV.

Conclusions

Here we report the first complete sequence of TAHV and present genetic analysis of new-world viruses, LACV, SSHV, and JCV with old-world viruses, TAHV and INKV. Using immune serum generated in monkeys against TAHV, LACV, and JCV, we have demonstrated cross-neutralization within the CEV serogroup. Such cross reactivity may complicate virus identification, especially following JCV infection which elicited antibodies that cross neutralized both LACV and TAHV. These data also suggest that a single vaccine could generate a cross-neutralizing antibody response which may provide protection against CEV serogroup viruses from a wide geographic range.
Rationale and design of a proof-of-concept trial investigating the effect of uninterrupted perioperative (par)enteral nutrition on amino acid profile, cardiomyocytes structure, and cardiac perfusion and metabolism of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting
Authors: Visser Marlieke , Davids Mariska , Verberne Hein J , Kok Wouter EM , Niessen Hans WM , van Venrooij Lenny MW , Cocchieri Riccardo , Wisselink Willem , de Mol Bas AJM , van Leeuwen Paul AM
Published: April 2011

Background

Malnutrition is very common in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Malnutrition can change myocardial substrate utilization which can induce adverse effects on myocardial metabolism and function. We aim to investigate the hypothesis that there is a disturbed amino acids profile in the cardiac surgical patient which can be normalized by (par)enteral nutrition before, during and after surgery, subsequently improving cardiomyocyte structure, cardiac perfusion and glucose metabolism.

Methods/Design

This randomized controlled intervention study investigates the effect of uninterrupted perioperative (par)enteral nutrition on cardiac function in 48 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Patients are given enteral nutrition (n = 16) or parenteral nutrition (n = 16), at least two days before, during, and two days after coronary artery bypass grafting, or are treated according to the standard guidelines (control) (n = 16). We will illustrate the effect of (par)enteral nutrition on differences in concentrations of amino acids and asymmetric dimethylarginine and in activity of dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase and arginase in cardiac tissue and blood plasma. In addition, cardiomyocyte structure by histological, immuno-histochemical and ultrastructural analysis will be compared between the (par)enteral and control group. Furthermore, differences in cardiac perfusion and global left ventricular function and glucose metabolism, and their changes after coronary artery bypass grafting are evaluated by electrocardiography-gated myocardial perfusion scintigraphy and 18F-fluorodeoxy-glucose positron emission tomography respectively. Finally, fat free mass is measured before and after intervention with bioelectrical impedance spectrometry in order to evaluate nutritional status.

Trial registration

Netherlands Trial Register (NTR): NTR2183
Arctigenin from Arctium lappa inhibits interleukin-2 and interferon gene expression in primary human T lymphocytes
Authors: Tsai Wei-Jern , Chang Chu-Ting , Wang Guei-Jane , Lee Tzong-Huei , Chang Shwu-Fen , Lu Shao-Chun , Kuo Yuh-Chi
Published: April 2011

Background

Arctium lappa (Niubang), a Chinese herbal medicine, is used to treat tissue inflammation. This study investigates the effects of arctigenin (AC), isolated from A. lappa, on anti-CD3/CD28 Ab-stimulated cell proliferation and cytokine gene expression in primary human T lymphocytes.

Methods

Cell proliferation was determined with enzyme immunoassays and the tritiated thymidine uptake method. Cytokine production and gene expression were analyzed with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.

Results

AC inhibited primary human T lymphocytes proliferation activated by anti-CD3/CD28 Ab. Cell viability test indicated that the inhibitory effects of AC on primary human T lymphocyte proliferation were not due to direct cytotoxicity. AC suppressed interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) production in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, AC decreased the IL-2 and IFN-γ gene expression in primary human T lymphocytes induced by anti-CD3/CD28 Ab. Reporter gene analyses revealed that AC decreased NF-AT-mediated reporter gene expression.

Conclusion

AC inhibited T lymphocyte proliferation and decreased the gene expression of IL-2, IFN-γ and NF-AT.
Acute kidney injury in critical ill patients affected by influenza A (H1N1) virus infection
Authors: Martin-Loeches Ignacio , Papiol Elisabeth , Rodríguez Alejandro , Diaz Emili , Zaragoza Rafael , Granada Rosa María , Socias Lorenzo , Bonastre Juan , Valverdú Montserrat , Pozo Juan Carlos , Luque Pilar , Juliá-Narvaéz Jose Antonio , Cordero Lourdes , Albaya Antonio , Serón Daniel , Rello Jordi ,   the H1N1 SEMICYUC Working Group
Published: April 2011

Introduction

Little information exists about the impact of acute kidney injury (AKI) in critically ill patients with the pandemic 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus infection.

Methods

We conducted a prospective, observational, multicenter study in 148 Spanish intensive care units (ICUs). Patients with chronic renal failure were excluded. AKI was defined according to Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) criteria.

Results

A total of 661 patients were analyzed. One hundred eighteen (17.7%) patients developed AKI; of these, 37 (31.4%) of the patients with AKI were classified as AKI I, 15 (12.7%) were classified as AKI II and 66 (55.9%) were classified as AKI III, among the latter of whom 50 (75.7%) required continuous renal replacement therapy. Patients with AKI had a higher Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score (19.2 ± 8.3 versus 12.6 ± 5.9; P < 0.001), a higher Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score (8.7 ± 4.2 versus 4.8 ± 2.9; P < 0.001), more need for mechanical ventilation (MV) (87.3% versus 56.2%; P < 0.01, odds ratio (OR) 5.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.0 to 9.4), a greater incidence of shock (75.4% versus 38.3%; P < 0.01, OR 4.9, 95% CI, 3.1 to 7.7), a greater incidence of multiorgan dysfunction syndrome (92.4% versus 54.7%; P < 0.01, OR 10.0, 95% CI, 4.9 to 20.21) and a greater incidence of coinfection (23.7% versus 14.4%; P < 0.01, OR 1.8, 95% CI, 1.1 to 3.0). In survivors, patients with AKI remained on MV longer and ICU and hospital length of stay were longer than in patients without AKI. The overall mortality was 18.8% and was significantly higher for AKI patients (44.1% versus 13.3%; P < 0.01, OR 5.1, 95% CI, 3.3 to 7.9). Logistic regression analysis was performed with AKIN criteria, and it demonstrated that among patients with AKI, only AKI III was independently associated with higher ICU mortality (P < 0.001, OR 4.81, 95% CI 2.17 to 10.62).

Conclusions

In our cohort of patients with H1N1 virus infection, only those cases in the AKI III category were independently associated with mortality.
Cardiac filling volumes versus pressures for predicting fluid responsiveness after cardiovascular surgery: the role of systolic cardiac function
Authors: Trof Ronald J , Danad Ibrahim , Reilingh Mikel WL , Breukers Rose-Marieke BGE , Groeneveld ABJohan
Published: April 2011

Introduction

Static cardiac filling volumes have been suggested to better predict fluid responsiveness than filling pressures, but this may not apply to hearts with systolic dysfunction and dilatation. We evaluated the relative value of cardiac filling volume and pressures for predicting and monitoring fluid responsiveness, according to systolic cardiac function, estimated by global ejection fraction (GEF, normal 25 to 35%) from transpulmonary thermodilution.

Methods

We studied hypovolemic, mechanically ventilated patients after coronary (n = 18) or major vascular (n = 14) surgery in the intensive care unit. We evaluated 96 colloid fluid loading events (200 to 600 mL given in three consecutive 30-minute intervals, guided by increases in filling pressures), divided into groups of responding events (fluid responsiveness) and non-responding events, in patients with low GEF (<20%) or near-normal GEF (≥20%). Patients were monitored by transpulmonary dilution and central venous (n = 9)/pulmonary artery (n = 23) catheters to obtain cardiac index (CI), global end-diastolic volume index (GEDVI), central venous (CVP) and pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP).

Results

Fluid responsiveness occurred in 8 (≥15% increase in CI) and 17 (≥10% increase in CI) of 36 fluid loading events when GEF was <20%, and 7 (≥15% increase in CI) and 17 (≥10% increase in CI) of 60 fluid loading events when GEF was ≥20%. Whereas a low baseline GEDVI predicted fluid responsiveness particularly when GEF was ≥20% (P = 0.002 or lower), a low PAOP was of predictive value particularly when GEF was <20% (P = 0.004 or lower). The baseline CVP was lower in responding events regardless of GEF. Changes in CVP and PAOP paralleled changes in CI particularly when GEF was <20%, whereas changes in GEDVI paralleled CI regardless of GEF.

Conclusions

Regardless of GEF, CVP may be useful for predicting fluid responsiveness in patients after coronary and major vascular surgery provided that positive end-expiratory pressure is low. When GEF is low (<20%), PAOP is more useful than GEDVI for predicting fluid responsiveness, but when GEF is near-normal (≥20%) GEDVI is more useful than PAOP. This favors predicting and monitoring fluid responsiveness by pulmonary artery catheter-derived filling pressures in surgical patients with systolic left ventricular dysfunction and by transpulmonary thermodilution-derived GEDVI when systolic left ventricular function is relatively normal.
Genome sequence of the stramenopile Blastocystis, a human anaerobic parasite
Authors: Denoeud France , Roussel Michaël , Noel Benjamin , Wawrzyniak Ivan , Da Silva Corinne , Diogon Marie , Viscogliosi Eric , Brochier-Armanet Céline , Couloux Arnaud , Poulain Julie , Segurens Béatrice , Anthouard Véronique , Texier Catherine , Blot Nicolas , Poirier Philippe , Ng Geok Choo , Tan Kevin SW , Artiguenave François , Jaillon Olivier , Aury Jean-Marc , Delbac Frédéric , Wincker Patrick , Vivarès Christian P , El Alaoui Hicham
Published: April 2011

Background

Blastocystis is a highly prevalent anaerobic eukaryotic parasite of humans and animals that is associated with various gastrointestinal and extraintestinal disorders. Epidemiological studies have identified different subtypes but no one subtype has been definitively correlated with disease.

Results

Here we report the 18.8 Mb genome sequence of a Blastocystis subtype 7 isolate, which is the smallest stramenopile genome sequenced to date. The genome is highly compact and contains intriguing rearrangements. Comparisons with other available stramenopile genomes (plant pathogenic oomycete and diatom genomes) revealed effector proteins potentially involved in the adaptation to the intestinal environment, which were likely acquired via horizontal gene transfer. Moreover, Blastocystis living in anaerobic conditions harbors mitochondria-like organelles. An incomplete oxidative phosphorylation chain, a partial Krebs cycle, amino acid and fatty acid metabolisms and an iron-sulfur cluster assembly are all predicted to occur in these organelles. Predicted secretory proteins possess putative activities that may alter host physiology, such as proteases, protease-inhibitors, immunophilins and glycosyltransferases. This parasite also possesses the enzymatic machinery to tolerate oxidative bursts resulting from its own metabolism or induced by the host immune system.

Conclusions

This study provides insights into the genome architecture of this unusual stramenopile. It also proposes candidate genes with which to study the physiopathology of this parasite and thus may lead to further investigations into Blastocystis-host interactions.
Indigeneity and Sovereignty in Canada's Far North: The Arctic and Inuit Sovereignty
Authors: Christie Gordon
Published: April 2011

As the Arctic “opens up” to exploration and economic development, a new stage in colonization looms. This essay builds toward a vision of Arctic nation-states meeting with the Inuit to work out how they might together come to an understanding of how decisions about the future of the Arctic may be appropriately made.

The Inuit are currently actively resisting the new wave of colonization within a framework built on the bedrock of nation-state sovereignty. The notion of “sovereignty” serves as a keystone in a system of controlling narratives, functioning to generate and police ways of thinking about decision-making processes, a notion deriving much of its power from its being interwoven with notions of legitimacy and “right.” This concept functions at a deep level, not only upholding decision-making processes but going into the very structuring of meaning, thereby defining ranges of possible thought and action.

The central thesis in this work is that the Inuit, occupying a vantage point defined by their Indigeneity (marked by the power they possess to build and maintain their own worlds of meaning through and about themselves, and their relationship to the world around), can advance a second form of resistance, challenging the new wave of colonization by placing their “stories” directly against those built around nation-state sovereignty.
Indigenous Sovereignty, Culture, and International Human Rights Law
Authors: Graham Lorie M. , Wiessner Siegfried
Published: April 2011

Indigenous peoples' concept of sovereignty is intimately linked to their culture, their language, and their land. These three essential components of their self-determination have been, and remain, under existential threat. This essay explores how international law has responded to Indigenous peoples' demands for cultural survival, appraising progress made and suggesting further improvements to the international legal regime. In doing so, the essay focuses on the 2007 UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, overwhelmingly passed by the UN General Assembly, as well as pertinent treaty and customary international law.
The Transposition of Law and Literature in Delgamuukw and Monkey Beach
Authors: Suzack Cheryl
Published: April 2011

This essay undertakes a cultural analysis of law and literature to analyze the relationship between the Supreme Court of Canada's reasoning in Delgamuukw and Eden Robinson's novel Monkey Beach. It shows how legal texts enact a foreclosure of social space by transforming human relations into legal resolutions. It argues that “outsider” accounts, such as those represented by Robinson's text, are important for framing stories and perspectives that are overlooked by legal accounts of human relations.
“Now is not your time; it's ours”: Insurgent Confederation, “Race War,” and Liberal State Formation in the Bolivian Federal War of 1899
Authors: Hylton Forrest
Published: April 2011

Focusing on late nineteenth-century insurgent movements for self-government, sovereignty, and political representation in Bolivia in 1899, this essay explores issues of regional antagonism, elite fragmentation, and incipient class divisions within Indian peasant communities. I discuss the theoretical and methodological stakes involved in analyzing the Bolivian Federal War of 1899 and detail existing historiographic debate. Then I explore the geographic and historical coordinates of the Indian community insurgency, leadership, and political representation, as well as revolutionary consciousness. Finally, I describe how victorious Liberal elites used the trope of race war to criminalize community insurgents, whose leaders were subject to trial, imprisonment, and execution, and stress the importance of linking national political struggles to local-level conflicts and indigenous visions of political alternatives. I caution against reading insurgent projects in the Federal War of 1899 in terms of subaltern nationalism
“We have all become students of color now”: The California Student Movement and the Rhetoric of Privilege
Authors: Chen Chris
Published: April 2011

This essay tracks the instability of race as a political signifier in the California student movement, with a particular focus on the racial critiques of the politics of direct action and the escalation of hate crimes directed at communities of color over the course of the 2009–2010 academic year. The essay explores the conflict between various multiethnic political groups attempting to lay claim to the radical legacy of 1960s-era Bay Area ethnic movements and address the catastrophic impact of the state budget cuts on underrepresented communities of color. The essay goes on to reveal deepening conflicts within and between these communities, as institutionally funded student groups of color, deploying a rhetoric of multiculturalism and managed diversity, clash with unsponsored multiethnic organizing groups espousing a more confrontational antiracist politics. The simultaneous mobilizations of multiethnic organizing groups with radically dissimilar political and educational agendas have exposed the limits of widely promoted institutional discourses of cultural diversity.
UCLA's Underground Students Rise to Fight for Public Education
Authors: Amador Carlos
Published: April 2011

This essay provides an account of the events that took place during the November 2009 protests against the University of California Regents' tuition hikes at UCLA. Although the tuition hikes affected every student in the UC system, they are particularly difficult for undocumented students, who face such barriers as inaccessibility to most types of financial aid and work-study programs and the inability to secure jobs. The essay describes how hundreds of students from all over California gathered at UCLA to demand equality in the educational system. The essay then elaborates on how race and privilege played out during the planning and execution of the actions. Finally, the author points to the impact that these tuition hikes had on undocumented students in the UC system. Whereas UC president Mark Yudof promised to expand financial aid programs for students of families with an income less than $70,000, undocumented college students could not benefit from these proposals due to restrictions in state laws. To the contrary, one out of five undocumented students dropped out of UCLA in the quarter following the implementation of the tuition hikes. Despite the direct impacts on their accessibility to education, undocumented students continued to organize and expose their plight on the UCLA campus long after the rest of the student body had accepted the hikes.
Privatize Now! Ask Questions Later: UCMeP's Unauthorized Performance of Administrative Authority
Authors: Boyle Michael Shane
Published: April 2011

Through a discussion of selected guerilla performances, Internet pranks, and ironic manifestos created by the UC Movement for Efficient Privatization (UCMeP), this essay focuses on the ways student activists at the University of California have turned to satiric performance as a mode of critique and mobilization against the controversial budget cuts to public education in California. UCMeP's playful yet earnest performative manipulations of the discourses and rituals of authority staged by the UC administration take the rhetoric and proposals for privatizing public higher education to their logical extremes. Be it raising money for the UC Board of Regents, renaming campus buildings in honor of administrators, or auctioning off prominent campus landmarks to the highest bidder, UCMeP employs a performance-based strategy of satiric overidentification that ridicules the authoritative discourses used to legitimate austerity measures and criminalize dissent. Moreover, tactics like those used by UCMeP complement other forms of campus activism by adding fun to the hard work of movement building.
Conscription and Crime: Evidence from the Argentine Draft Lottery
Authors: Galiani Sebastian , Rossi Martín A , Schargrodsky Ernesto
Published: April 2011

We estimate the causal effect of mandatory participation in military service on individuals' subsequent involvement in criminal activities. To identify this causal effect, we exploit the random assignment of young men to conscription in Argentina through a draft lottery. Using a dataset that includes draft eligibility, participation in military service, and criminal records, we find that conscription increases the likelihood of developing a criminal record. The effects are significant not only for cohorts that provided military service during wartime, but also for those that served during peacetime. Our results do not support the introduction of conscription for anti-crime purposes. JEL (H56, K42, O17)
The Price of Political Opposition: Evidence from Venezuela's Maisanta
Authors: Hsieh Chang-Tai , Miguel Edward , Ortega Daniel , Rodriguez Francisco
Published: April 2011

In 2004, the Hugo Chávez regime in Venezuela distributed the list of several million voters who had attempted to remove him from office throughout the government bureaucracy, allegedly to identify and punish these voters. We match the list of petition signers distributed by the government to household survey respondents to measure the economic effects of being identified as a Chávez political opponent. We find that voters who were identified as Chávez opponents experienced a 5 percent drop in earnings and a 1.3 percentage point drop in employment rates after the voter list was released. (JEL D72, O17)
A pilot programme using mobile phones for HIV prevention
Authors: Juzang Ivan , Fortune Thierry , Black Sandra , Wright Erin , Bull Sheana
Published: April 2011

We explored the feasibility of engaging young black men in a 12-week text messaging programme about HIV prevention. There were two non-randomized groups of 30 young men each. The participants were aged 16–20 years, self-identifying as black or African-American, sexually active, who owned a mobile phone and lived in Philadelphia. They received three text messages per week for 12 weeks. People in the intervention group received text messages about HIV prevention, while those in the control group received text messages about nutrition. The intervention participants showed trends in increased monogamy at follow-up compared to controls. Awareness of sexual health was significantly higher in the intervention group. Condom norms were significantly higher for the control group. There were no differences in the proportion of protected sex acts. The participants embraced the project, and were enrolled and retained in numbers that suggest such an intervention is worth examining for efficacy.
Differences between surrogate telephone triage calls in an adult population and self calls
Authors: North Frederick , Muthu Alexandra , Varkey Prathibha
Published: April 2011

We reviewed surrogate calls (i.e. those made on behalf of the patient) to a national triage call centre to determine whether there were differences between calls made by surrogates and self calls. During a three-year period there were 14,646 calls (14% of the total) made by a surrogate on behalf of the patient. Surrogate calls, as a percentage of total calls, increased with the age of the patient from 12% in the 18–34 year age group to 43% in the 80 and over age group ( P < 0.0001). The symptoms of vomiting or nausea and dizziness or light-headedness were significantly more likely to be reported by surrogate callers than self callers. Surrogates reported a higher original intention of taking patients to the hospital emergency department (ED) compared with self callers across all adult age groups (OR 1.64; 95% CI 1.57 to 1.71). A higher proportion (38%) of surrogate calls ended with the nurse recommending an ED visit compared with only 26% of self calls (OR 1.72; 95% CI 1.66 to 1.79). Calls about men accounted for 54% of surrogate calls but only 26% of self calls (OR 3.3; 95% CI 3.2 to 3.4), suggesting that surrogate calls may be a way of increasing medical access for men.
Current questions of thyroid diseases in childhood
Authors: Ilyés István
Published: April 2011

In recent years our knowledge on thyroid diseases in childhood has been increased. Several forms of congenital hypothyroidism (dysgenesis, dyshormongenesis, thyrotropin resistance and some central forms) are consequences of gene mutations. Maternal hypothyroxinemia due to severe iodine deficiency leads to early neurological damage and congenital hypothyroidism. Neonatal screening of congenital hypothyroidism and early treatment with l-thyroxin ensure good prognosis. Differential diagnosis of the various forms of congenital hypothyroidism in newborns is not an easy task. The need for treatment of transient hypothyroxinemia is still controversial. Diagnosis of juvenile lymphocytic thyroiditis can be ascertained by the clinical status, ultrasound examination, detection of anti-peroxydase antibodies, evaluation of thyroid function, and fine needle aspiration cytology. L-thyroxin therapy is recommended in cases of subclinical and manifest hypothyroidism. The transient form of the rare newborn hyperthyroidism is the consequence of maternal Graves-Basedow disease. It can be a sever condition and its permanent form is caused by TSH-receptor gene mutation. In the pathogenesis of autonomic thyroid adenoma mutations of the TSH-receptor and the alpha subunit of the stimulatory G-protein are involved. Treatment of Graves-Basedow disease in childhood is a debated question. The first choice is medical treatment with antithyroid and beta-blocking drugs. However, remission rate is low under this therapy, and the disease is characterised by frequent relapses. For this reason, the necessity of definitive therapy frequently arises. In Europe subtotal thyroidectomy is used as second choice of therapy, but clinical experience in the United States showed that radioiodine treatment is a safe and effective therapy for children and adolescents. Iodine deficient goitre in childhood is a form of iodine deficiency disorder. It is the consequence of adaptation to iodine deficiency. It can be treated by iodine or/and l-thyroxin, and its development can be prevented by iodinated salt. In childhood, thyroid nodule needs for a detailed investigation because of the possibility of thyroid cancer. Medullar thyroid carcinoma indicates genetic screening in the patients and their family, and the presence of disease-causing RET-proto-oncogene mutation confirms the need for total thyroidectomy already in childhood. Orv. Hetil., 2011, 152, 617–627.
Tunasniyoj, a dinosaur tracksite from the Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary of Bolivia
Authors: Apesteguía Sebastián , Gallina Pablo A.
Published: April 2011

Here we report a superbly preserved and profusely represented five-ichnotaxa dinosaur track assemblage near Icla village, 100 km southeast of Sucre, Bolivia. As preserved in reddish Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary aeolian sandstones, this rich and uncommon assemblage is, additionally, the oldest dinosaur tracksite for Bolivia. Four trackmakers were identified in the area: three quadrupedal and one bipedal, all of them with tracks of around 35 cm in lenght. One of the quadrupedals is represented by no less than five adult individuals (ichnotaxon A), and four purported juveniles (ichnotaxon B) walking in association. The other two quadrupedals (ichnotaxa C and D) involve four trackways, and the last, the bipedal trackmaker (ichnotaxon E), is represented by one trackway. The five ichnotaxa represented in the "Palmar de Tunasniyoj" could be tentatively assigned to the following trackmakers: Ichnotaxa A and B are assigned to basal stegosaurians; ichnotaxon C to a basal tyreophoran, perhaps related to the ankylosaur lineage; ichnotaxon D to the Ankylosauria, and ichnotaxon E to Theropoda. The Tunasniyoj assemblage, the oldest dinosaur tracksite for Bolivia, includes the oldest known evidence assigned to ankylosaurs and stegosaurs for South America.
A pterodactyloid pterosaur from the Upper Cretaceous Lapurr sandstone, West Turkana, Kenya
Authors: O'Connor Patrick M. , Sertich Joseph J.W. , Manthi Fredrick K.
Published: April 2011

An isolated pterosaurian caudal cervical (~ postcervical) vertebra was recovered from the Upper Cretaceous Lapurr sandstone ofWest Turkana, northwestern Kenya. The vertebral centrum is short, wide, and dorsoventrally compressed. Although the specimen is lightly built similar to most pterosaurs, it is here referred to Pterodactyloidea and tentatively to the Azhdarchidae in that it lacks pneumatic features on both the centrum and neural arch. This represents one of the few pterosaurs recovered from the entirety of Afro-Arabia, the first pterosaur recovered from the Cretaceous of East Africa, and, significantly, a specimen that was recovered from fluvial deposits rather than the near-shore marine setting typical of most pterosaur discoveries.
Relation of uric acid with components of metabolic syndrome before and after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in morbidly obese subjects
Authors: Serpa Neto Ary , Rossi Felipe Martin Bianco , Valle Leonardo Guedes Moreira , Teixeira Gabriel Kushiyama , Rossi Marçal
Published: April 2011

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to investigate the prevalence of hyperuricemia in morbidly obese subjects before and after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) and its relationship with metabolic syndrome abnormalities. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: We evaluated 420 morbidly obese patients. Pre and postoperative (8 months after RYGBP) blood samples were drawn. Obese patients underwent laparoscopic RYGBP and after eight months all the tests were repeated. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of hyperuricemia was 34.28%. Hyperuricemia was more common in men than in women (51.72 vs. 29.72%; p = 0.0002). Men with hyperuricemia were more likely to have diabetes (p = 0.034) and more elevated fasting plasma glucose levels (p = 0.027). Women with hyperuricemia were more likely to have hypertension (p = 0.003), metabolic syndrome (p = 0.001), elevated triglycerides (p = 0.001) and GGT (p = 0.009), and decreased HDL (p = 0.011). After surgery, uric acid levels decreased from 5.60 ± 1.28 to 4.23 ± 1.20 (p < 0.0001). The prevalence of hyperuricemia decreased from 33.6% to 6.4% (p < 0.0001), in men from 48.3% to 17.2% (p < 0.0001) and in women from 29.7% to 3.6% (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Concentrations of uric acid were associated with the prevalence of metabolic abnormalities in this sample of morbidly obese patients. Also, weight loss after RYGBP can reduce uric acid levels and the prevalence of hyperuricemia.
Síndrome de Berardinelli-Seip: descrição genética e metabólica de cinco pacientes
Authors: Barra Cristiane B. , Savoldelli Roberta D. , Manna Thais D. , Kim Chong A. , Magre Jocelyn , Porta Gilda , Setian Nuvarte , Damiani Durval
Published: April 2011

OBJETIVO: Descrever o perfil genético e metabólico de portadores da síndrome de Berardinelli-Seip (BSCL) acompanhados no Instituto da Criança do HC-FMUSP. SUJEITOS E MÉTODOS: Pacientes com as características clínicas da BSCL (n = 5), todas do sexo feminino, foram avaliadas com dosagens de glicose e insulina, lípides, leptina, enzimas hepáticas, análise de DNA, ultrassonografia abdominal. RESULTADOS: A deficiência de leptina e a hipertrigliceridemia foram constatadas nas cinco pacientes. Três evoluíram para diabetes melito (DM). Quatro tiveram mutação no gene AGPAT2 e uma no gene CAV1. CONCLUSÃO: As alterações metabólicas mais precoces foram a hipertrigliceridemia e a resistência insulínica, culminando no surgimento do DM à época da puberdade, sendo as mutações no gene AGPAT2 as mais frequentes em nossa casuística.
Anemia falciforme alterações angiográficas cerebrais
Authors: Alarcon-Adorno J. O. , Ferreira Adelmo , Muszkat M.
Published: April 2011

São descritos dois casos de pacientes com anemia falciforme (AF) que desenvolveram complicações neurológicas. Os estudos angiográficos mostraram alterações semelhantes àquelas encontradas na doença moyamoya. Estes achados ocorrem também em outras patologias e são resultado de mecanismo de compensação a oclusão das artérias da base do cérebro. São comentados os riscos e as precauções para a realização da angiografia cerebral.
Cefaléia cervicogênica relato de um caso
Authors: Vincent Maurice , Bovim Gunnar
Published: April 2011

A produção de cefaléias a partir de anormalidades no pescoço nunca foi sistematizada a ponto de permitir o estudo de sua patogenia, embora fosse fato conhecido há muitos anos. Sjaastad et al. descreveram, em 1983, grupo de pacientes com uma cefaléia uniforme e estereotipada. Os ataques se caracterizavam por dor moderada, unilateral sem mudança de lado, de longa duração, recorrendo em poucas semanas. A cefaléia podia ser provocada por certos movimentos do pescoço ou por compressão de pontos desencadeadores ali localizados. A dor se iniciava rua região cervical, irradiando-se para as áreas órbito-fronto-temporal e/ou facial. A denominação «cefaléia cervicogênica» (CC) foi proposta para esta entidade. Sua fisiopatogenia não é completamente conhecida. Bloqueios da raiz C2 e do nervo grande occipital eliminam a dor. Apresentamos um caso de CC, fazendo alguns comentários acerca do seu quadro clínico, fisiopatologia e tratamento.
Neurocisticercose estudo neuropatológico de caso fatal tratado com praziquantel
Authors: Queiroz Aristides Cheto de , Andrade Filho Antonio de Souza
Published: April 2011

São mostrados neste estudo aspectos anatomopatológicos das lesões cerebrais em caso fatal de neurocisticercose tratada com praziquantel. Os achados mostram a eficácia da droga como agente parasiticida no tecido nervoso, evidenciada pela necrose com desintegração parasitária. É chamada a atenção para a exuberante resposta inflamatória exsudativa e necrotizante do tecido nervoso na periferia do cisticerco morto, sendo discutido o papel desta resposta como fator importante no mecanismo da morte do paciente.
Distrofia muscular congênita estudo histoquímico do músculo esquelético de 17 pacientes
Authors: Oliveira Acary S. B. , Schmidt Beny , Ferreira Neto Armando , Kiyomoto Beatriz H. , Gabbai Alberto A. , Lima J. G. Camargo
Published: April 2011

Foram individualizados 17 pacientes com distrofia muscular congênita (DMC) por critérios clínico-laboratoriais e biópsia muscular com estudo histoquímico do músculo deltóide superficial. São descritas e ilustradas, com detalhes, as alterações histológicas observadas nas respectivas biópsias e que compõem seu substrato anátomo-patológico: proliferação conjuntiva, alteração na arquitetura interna, necrose, involução gordurosa, macrofagia, regeneração, segmentação, centralizações nucleares e predominância de fibras tipo I. Destacamos a intensa proliferação conjuntiva endomisial ,que tende a isolar cada fibra muscular separadamente, e as importantes alterações na arquitetura, interna, com formação de fibras bizarras, que constituem dois importantes sinais que devem ser ressaltados tendo em vista um diagnóstico histológico diferencial com a distrofia muscular de Duchenne e Becker (DMD/ B) e com a distrofia forma cintura-membros. A importância de se individualizar a DMC das outras formas de distrofias musculares reside principalmente em seu prognóstico que, na maioria das vezes, é mais favorável que na DMD.
Persistência da artéria trigeminal primitiva revisão crítica do significado clínico
Authors: Oliveira Hélio Araujo , Passos Josias Dantas , Barbosa Marcelo Barreto , Amorim Eduardo Alves do
Published: April 2011

Os autores registram três casos de persistência da artéria trigeminal primitiva em que não foram encontradas evidências de relação entre a presença dessa anomalia vascular e dada síndrome clínica específica. Comentam aspectos embriológicos e discutem a possibilidade de relacionar a persistência dessa artéria primitiva com o tic doloroso e com alterações morfológicas do polígono de Willis. Fazem análise crítica da correlação feita por vários autores entre a persistência dessa artéria primitiva e outras patologias intracranianas.
Esclerose lateral amiotrófica variante distal dos membros inferiores apresentação de três casos
Authors: Godoy J. M. , Skacel M. , Balassiano S. L. , Neves J. R. M. , Goffredo Filho G. S. , Castro R. B. de , Nicaretta D. H. , Souza R. G. S. , Mendes M. H. F.
Published: April 2011

Os autores apresentam três casos de pacientes com esclerose lateral amiotrófica, variante de Patrikios, chamando a atenção para a importância do diagnóstico diferencial desta com as neuropatias periféricas.
Adult peripheral neuroblastoma
Authors: Rossitti S. L. , Matos Patrícia S. de , Balbo R. J. , Zuiani A. R. , Thomaz I.R.
Published: April 2011

Report of clinical features, diagnostic and surgical aspects observed in a case of adult peripheral neuroblastoma infiltrative of the lumbosacral plexuses. The patient, a 39-year-old male, presented with sciatalgia and progressive crural monoplegia. Characteristic histological features of this rare tumor are described. Surgical resection was attempted via a posterior transgluteal approach to the retroperitoneum through the greater sciatic foramen.
Hypoprothrombinemia in the compensated form of hepatosplenic schistosomiasis: further studies
Authors: Manoukian Nora , Borges Durval Rosa
Published: April 2011

Coagulation abnormality is frequently observed in schistosomiasis patients but its pathophysiology has not been established. We measured, by immunodiffusion. the prothrombin-antigen concentration in 56 individuals; of these 19 with demonstrated compensated form of hepatosplenic schistosomiasis, 17 with cirrhosis and 20 were control subjects. Transaminases, albumin, transthyretin, prothrombin time, antithrombin III, factor VII, and fibrinogen were also evaluated. All parameters were altered in the cirrhotic group but only albumin, prothrombin and antithrombin III levels were altered in the schistosomiasis group. Ninety percent of the patients with cirrhosis and sixty percent of the patients with schistosomiasis had abnormal plasma levels of albumin, transthyretin, prothrombin-antigen, and/or antithrombin III; an impaired hepatic synthesis was responsible for these results. Conversely forty percent of the schistosomiasis patients with normal plasma concentrations of both albumin and transthyretin had decreased mean plasma levels of both prothrombin and antithrombin III. These results suggest that either proth rombin and antithrombin III are more sensitive markers of impaired hepatic synthesis in schistosomiasis than are levels of albumin and transthyretin combined, or a low grade chronic consumption of clotting proteins also occurs. Considering the latter hypothesis it is possible that the thrombin formed would be inhibited by antithrombin III with the complexed thrombin-antithrombin III being cleared by the liver. Consequently the plasma levels of both prothrombin and antithrombin would be decreased, but the level of fibrinogen would be preserved.
Monitoramento da suscetibilidade de populações de Triatoma sordida Stål, 1859 (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) ao inseticida deltametrina, na região Centro-Oeste do Brasil
Authors: Obara Marcos Takashi , Otrera Vanessa Camargo Garbeloto , Gonçalves Rodrigo Gurgel , Santos Janduhy Pereira dos , Santalucia Marcelo , Rosa João Aristeu da , Almeida Paulo Silva de , Barata José Maria Soares
Published: April 2011

INTRODUÇÃO: Populações de Triatoma sordida Stål, 1859 foram investigadas quanto à suscetibilidade à deltametrina. MÉTODOS: Análise por meio de bioensaios por aplicação tópica em 11 populações de T. sordida procedentes dos Estados de Goiás, Mato Grosso e Mato Grosso do Sul. RESULTADOS: As estimativas de DL50 e RR50 demonstraram elevados níveis de suscetibilidade (DL50 < 1 e RR50 < 2). Entretanto, as análises do coeficiente angular da curva dose resposta revelaram que as populações de triatomíneos dos municípios de Firminópolis/GO, Posse/GO, Poxoréu/MT, Douradina/MS e Aparecida do Taboado/MS apresentam maiores probabilidades de evolução de resistência, portanto, mais propícias a tolerar o tratamento com deltametrina. CONCLUSÕES: Detectaram-se pequenas alterações de suscetibilidade e baixos níveis de resistência, porém as alterações temporais de suscetibilidade deverão ser continuamente monitoradas, a fim de nortear adequadamente as ações de controle dos vetores da DC.