bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimized sample preparation for two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of soluble proteins from chicken bursa of Fabricius
Authors: Wu Yongping , Zhou Jiyong , Zhang Xin , Zheng Xiaojuan , Jiang Xuetao , Shi Lixue , Yin Wei , Wang Junhua
Published: October 2009

Background

Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) is a powerful method to study protein expression and function in living organisms and diseases. This technique, however, has not been applied to avian bursa of Fabricius (BF), a central immune organ. Here, optimized 2-DE sample preparation methodologies were constructed for the chicken BF tissue. Using the optimized protocol, we performed further 2-DE analysis on a soluble protein extract from the BF of chickens infected with virulent avibirnavirus. To demonstrate the quality of the extracted proteins, several differentially expressed protein spots selected were cut from 2-DE gels and identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS).

Results

An extraction buffer containing 7 M urea, 2 M thiourea, 2% (w/v) 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)-dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate (CHAPS), 50 mM dithiothreitol (DTT), 0.2% Bio-Lyte 3/10, 1 mM phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF), 20 U/ml Deoxyribonuclease I (DNase I), and 0.25 mg/ml Ribonuclease A (RNase A), combined with sonication and vortex, yielded the best 2-DE data. Relative to non-frozen immobilized pH gradient (IPG) strips, frozen IPG strips did not result in significant changes in the 2-DE patterns after isoelectric focusing (IEF). When the optimized protocol was used to analyze the spleen and thymus, as well as avibirnavirus-infected bursa, high quality 2-DE protein expression profiles were obtained. 2-DE maps of BF of chickens infected with virulent avibirnavirus were visibly different and many differentially expressed proteins were found.

Conclusion

These results showed that method C, in concert extraction buffer IV, was the most favorable for preparing samples for IEF and subsequent protein separation and yielded the best quality 2-DE patterns. The optimized protocol is a useful sample preparation method for comparative proteomics analysis of chicken BF tissues.
Immunological considerations of modern animal models of malignant primary brain tumors
Authors: Sughrue Michael E , Yang Isaac , Kane Ari J , Rutkowski Martin J , Fang Shanna , James C David , Parsa Andrew T
Published: October 2009

Recent advances in animal models of glioma have facilitated a better understanding of biological mechanisms underlying gliomagenesis and glioma progression. The limitations of existing therapy, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, have prompted numerous investigators to search for new therapeutic approaches to improve quantity and quality of survival from these aggressive lesions. One of these approaches involves triggering a tumor specific immune response. However, a difficulty in this approach is the the scarcity of animal models of primary CNS neoplasms which faithfully recapitulate these tumors and their interaction with the host's immune system. In this article, we review the existing methods utilized to date for modeling gliomas in rodents, with a focus on the known as well as potential immunological aspects of these models. As this review demonstrates, many of these models have inherent immune system limitations, and the impact of these limitations on studies on the influence of pre-clinical therapeutics testing warrants further attention.
Retinoic acid enhances skeletal muscle progenitor formation and bypasses inhibition by bone morphogenetic protein 4 but not dominant negative β-catenin
Authors: Kennedy Karen AM , Porter Tammy , Mehta Virja , Ryan Scott D , Price Feodor , Peshdary Vian , Karamboulas Christina , Savage Josée , Drysdale Thomas A , Li Shun-Cheng , Bennett Steffany AL , Skerjanc Ilona S
Published: October 2009

Background

Understanding stem cell differentiation is essential for the future design of cell therapies. While retinoic acid (RA) is the most potent small molecule enhancer of skeletal myogenesis in stem cells, the stage and mechanism of its function has not yet been elucidated. Further, the intersection of RA with other signalling pathways that stimulate or inhibit myogenesis (such as Wnt and BMP4, respectively) is unknown. Thus, the purpose of this study is to examine the molecular mechanisms by which RA enhances skeletal myogenesis and interacts with Wnt and BMP4 signalling during P19 or mouse embryonic stem (ES) cell differentiation.

Results

Treatment of P19 or mouse ES cells with low levels of RA led to an enhancement of skeletal myogenesis by upregulating the expression of the mesodermal marker, Wnt3a, the skeletal muscle progenitor factors Pax3 and Meox1, and the myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs) MyoD and myogenin. By chromatin immunoprecipitation, RA receptors (RARs) bound directly to regulatory regions in the Wnt3a, Pax3, and Meox1 genes and RA activated a β-catenin-responsive promoter in aggregated P19 cells. In the presence of a dominant negative β-catenin/engrailed repressor fusion protein, RA could not bypass the inhibition of skeletal myogenesis nor upregulate Meox1 or MyoD. Thus, RA functions both upstream and downstream of Wnt signalling. In contrast, it functions downstream of BMP4, as it abrogates BMP4 inhibition of myogenesis and Meox1, Pax3, and MyoD expression. Furthermore, RA downregulated BMP4 expression and upregulated the BMP4 inhibitor, Tob1. Finally, RA inhibited cardiomyogenesis but not in the presence of BMP4.

Conclusion

RA can enhance skeletal myogenesis in stem cells at the muscle specification/progenitor stage by activating RARs bound directly to mesoderm and skeletal muscle progenitor genes, activating β-catenin function and inhibiting bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signalling. Thus, a signalling pathway can function at multiple levels to positively regulate a developmental program and can function by abrogating inhibitory pathways. Finally, since RA enhances skeletal muscle progenitor formation, it will be a valuable tool for designing future stem cell therapies.
Dynamic Regulation of the Endocannabinoid System: Implications for Analgesia
Authors: Sagar Devi Rani , Gaw A Gemma , Okine Bright N , Woodhams Stephen G , Wong Amy , Kendall David A , Chapman Victoria
Published: October 2009

The analgesic effects of cannabinoids are well documented, but these are often limited by psychoactive side-effects. Recent studies indicate that the endocannabinoid system is dynamic and altered under different pathological conditions, including pain states. Changes in this receptor system include altered expression of receptors, differential synthetic pathways for endocannabinoids are expressed by various cell types, multiple pathways of catabolism and the generation of biologically active metabolites, which may be engaged under different conditions. This review discusses the evidence that pain states alter the endocannabinoid receptor system at key sites involved in pain processing and how these changes may inform the development of cannabinoid-based analgesics.
In vivo99mTc-HYNIC-annexin V imaging of early tumor apoptosis in mice after single dose irradiation
Authors: Guo Ming-fang , Zhao Yaqing , Tian Rong , Li Lin , Guo Leiming , Xu Feng , Liu Yong-mei , He Yong-bo , Bai Sen , Wang Jin
Published: October 2009

Background

Apoptosis is a major mode of hematological tumor death after radiation. Early detection of apoptosis may be beneficial for cancer adaptive treatment. 99mTc-HYNIC-annexinV has been reported as a promising agent for in vivo apoptosis imaging. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of in vivo99mTc-HYNIC-annexinV imaging of radiation- induced apoptosis, and to investigate its correlation with radiosensitivity.

Methods

Ten days after inoculation of tumor cells in the right upper limbs, the mice were randomly divided into two groups. The imaging group (4 mice each level, 4 dose levels) was injected with 4-8 MBq 99mTc-HYNIC-annexinV 24 hours after irradiation and imaged 1 hr post-injection, and the mice were sacrificed immediately after imaging for biodistribution analysis of annexin V. The observation group (4 mice each level, 2 dose levels) was only observed for tumor regression post-radiation. The number of apoptotic cells in a tumor was estimated with TUNEL assay.

Results

The 99mTc-HYNIC-annexin V uptake in E14 lymphoma significantly increased as the radiation dose escalated from 0 to 8 Gy, and significantly correlated with the number of TUNEL-positive cells (r = 0.892, P < 0.001). The Annexin-V uptake and the number of TUNEL-positive cells in El4 lymphoma were significantly greater than those in S180 sarcoma. With 8 Gy, S180 sarcoma tumor showed scanty apoptosis and less shrinkage while El4 lymphoma showed remarkable apoptosis and complete remission.

Conclusion

99mTc-HYNIC-annexinV in vivo imaging is a feasible method to detect early radiation-induced apoptosis in different tumors, and might be predictive for radiation sensitivity.
Perfusion-CT monitoring of cryo-ablated renal cells tumors
Authors: Squillaci Ettore , Manenti Guglielmo , Cicciò Carmelo , Nucera Francesca , Bove Pierluigi , Vespasiani Giuseppe , Russolillo Laura , Simonetti Giovanni
Published: October 2009

Background

No single and thoroughly validated imaging method in monitoring of cryoablated renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is available. The purpose of our study was to determine the feasibility of dynamic contrast-enhanced perfusion CT (pCT) in evaluating the hemodynamic response of RCC.

Methods

15 patients (14 male, 1 female; age range, 43-81 years; mean age, 62 years) with cryoablated RCC via a transperitoneal approach, underwent to pCT 6-8 months after cryo-therapy. pCT was performed for 65 seconds after intravenous injection of contrast medium (80 mL, 370 mg iodine per millilitre, 4 mL/sec). Perfusion parameters (Time/Density curve; Blood flow, BF; Blood Volume, BV; Mean Transit Time, MTT; Permeability-Surface Area Product, PS) were sampled in the cryoablated tumor area and in ipsilateral renal cortex using deconvolution-based method. A tumor was considered to be not responsive to treatment by CT evidence of pathological contrast enhancement in the cryoablated area or renal mass persistence compared with the preoperative CT control. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants before the study.

Results

After cryotherapy, successfully ablated tumor (n = 13) showed decrease in BV (5,39 +/- 1,28 mL/100 g), BF (69,92 +/- 20,12 mL/100 g/min) and PS (16,66 +/- 5,67 mL/100 g/min) value and increased value of MTT (25,35 +/- 4,3 sec) compared with those of normal renal cortex (BV: 117,86 +/- 31,87 mL/100 g/min; BF: 392,39 +/- 117,32 mL/100 g/min; MTT: 18,02 +/- 3,6 sec; PS: 81,68 +/- 22,75 mL/100 g/min). In one patient, assessment of perfusion parameters was not feasible for breathing artifacts. One tumor showed poor response to treatment by the evidence of nodular contrast enhancement in the region encompassing the original lesion. Two typical enhancement patterns were obtained comparing the Time-Density curves of responsive and not responsive ablated tumors.

Conclusion

Perfusion CT seems to be a feasible and promising technique in monitoring the effects of cryoablation therapy.
Genomic DNA k-mer spectra: models and modalities
Authors: Chor Benny , Horn David , Goldman Nick , Levy Yaron , Massingham Tim
Published: October 2009

Background

The empirical frequencies of DNA k-mers in whole genome sequences provide an interesting perspective on genomic complexity, and the availability of large segments of genomic sequence from many organisms means that analysis of k-mers with non-trivial lengths is now possible.

Results

We have studied the k-mer spectra of more than 100 species from Archea, Bacteria, and Eukaryota, particularly looking at the modalities of the distributions. As expected, most species have a unimodal k-mer spectrum. However, a few species, including all mammals, have multimodal spectra. These species coincide with the tetrapods. Genomic sequences are clearly very complex, and cannot be fully explained by any simple probabilistic model. Yet we sought such an explanation for the observed modalities, and discovered that low-order Markov models capture this property (and some others) fairly well.

Conclusions

Multimodal spectra are characterized by specific ranges of values of C+G content and of CpG dinucleotide suppression, a range that encompasses all tetrapods analyzed. Other genomes, like that of the protozoa Entamoeba histolytica, which also exhibits CpG suppression, do not have multimodal k-mer spectra. Groupings of functional elements of the human genome also have a clear modality, and exhibit either a unimodal or multimodal behaviour, depending on the two above mentioned values.
Pandemic influenza planning by videoconference
Authors: Kimball Ann Marie , Arima Yuzo , French H Matthew , Osaki Carl S , Hoff Rodney , Lee Soo-Sim , Schafer Lisa , Nabae Koji , Hsun Chang , Hishamuddin Pengiran , Nelson Rodney , Woody Karalee , Brown Jacqueline , Fox Louis
Published: October 2009

Collaboration between nations and sectors is crucial to improve regional preparedness against pandemic influenza. In 2008, a Virtual Symposium was organized in the Asia-Pacific region by the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Emerging Infections Network (APEC EINet) to discuss pandemic preparedness. The multipoint videoconference lasted approximately 4.5 hours and was attended by 16 APEC members who shared best practices in public-private partnerships for pandemic influenza preparedness planning. Twelve of the 16 APEC members who participated responded to a post-event survey. The overall experience of the event was rated highly. Partnering public health, technology and business communities to discuss best practices in preparedness using videoconferencing may be an effective way to improve regional preparedness. Utilization of videoconferencing on a routine basis should be considered to improve preparedness among APEC members and enhance its usability during a pandemic.
Law of Large Number Limits of Limited Processor-Sharing Queues
Authors: Zhang Jiheng , Dai J. G. , Zwart Bert
Published: October 2009

Motivated by applications in computer and communication systems, we consider a processor-sharing queue where the number of jobs served is not larger than K. We propose a measure-valued fluid model for this limited processor-sharing queue and show that there exists a unique associated fluid model solution. In addition, we show that this fluid model arises as the limit of a sequence of appropriately scaled processor-sharing queues.
On a Continuous-Time Game with Incomplete Information
Authors: Cardaliaguet Pierre , Rainer Catherine
Published: October 2009

For zero-sum two-player continuous-time games with integral payoff and incomplete information on one side, the authors show that the optimal strategy of the informed player can be computed through an auxiliary optimization problem over some martingale measures. The authors also characterize the optimal martingale measures and compute them explicitly in several examples.
The Effect of Lead Time and Demand Uncertainties in (r, q) Inventory Systems
Authors: Song Jing-Sheng , Zhang Hanqin , Hou Yumei , Wang Mingzheng
Published: October 2009

We study a single-item (r, q) inventory system, where r is the reorder point and q is the order quantity. The demand is a compound-Poisson process. We investigate the behavior of the optimal policy parameters and the long-run average cost of the system in response to stochastically shorter or less-variable lead times. We show that although some of the properties of the base-stock system can be extended to this more general model, some cannot. The same findings also apply when the comparison is conducted on the lead-time demand distributions.
Provably Near-Optimal LP-Based Policies for Revenue Management in Systems with Reusable Resources
Authors: Levi Retsef , Radovanović Ana
Published: October 2009

Motivated by emerging applications in workforce management, we consider a class of revenue management problems in systems with reusable resources. The corresponding applications are modeled using the well-studied loss network systems. We use an extremely simple linear program (LP) that provides an upper bound on the best achievable expected long-run revenue rate. The optimal solution of the LP is used to devise a conceptually simple control policy that we call the class selection policy (CSP). Moreover, the LP is used to analyze the performance of the CSP and show that it admits uniform performance guarantees. In particular, for the model with a single resource and uniform resource requirements, we prove that the CSP is guaranteed to have an expected long-run revenue rate that is at least half of the best achievable. Furthermore, as the capacity of the system grows to infinity, the CSP is asymptotically optimal, regardless of any other parameter of the problem. Finally, our techniques can be used to analyze the performance of the well-known class of trunk-reservation policies.
The Robustness of the Effects of Consumers' Participation in Market Research: The Case of Service Quality Evaluations
Authors: Ofir Chezy , Simonson Itamar , Yoon Song-Oh
Published: October 2009

The authors propose that participation in market research can determine consumers' experiences with and evaluations of marketing services/products. Building on and extending a prior finding that expectation to evaluate a service (or product) leads to more negative evaluations, this research investigates the robustness, process, and consequences of asking consumers to form evaluations of services/products. The results of several field studies (conducted in Israel, Korea, and the United States) show that (1) the effect of expecting to evaluate on the service provider's performance evaluation is enduring and lasts beyond the immediate aftermath of the service encounter; (2) the effect of study participation on the perception of marketers reflects true perceptual change rather than “made-up” perceptions—it requires supporting evidence and is eliminated if cognitive load interferes in the production of that evidence; and (3) the robust bias produced by expecting to evaluate cannot be eliminated by causing participants to consider the task effect on their evaluations or the impact of their feedback on the evaluated marketers. The authors discuss the broader implications of this research for understanding the impact of participation in market research on consumers' experiences and inputs.
When Customer Love Turns into Lasting Hate: The Effects of Relationship Strength and Time on Customer Revenge and Avoidance
Authors: Grégoire Yany , Tripp Thomas M. , Legoux Renaud
Published: October 2009

This article explores the effects of time and relationship strength on the evolution of customer revenge and avoidance in online public complaining contexts. First, the authors examine whether online complainers hold a grudge—in terms of revenge and avoidance desires—over time. They find that time affects the two desires differently: Although revenge decreases over time, avoidance increases over time, indicating that customers indeed hold a grudge. Second, the authors examine the moderation effect of a strong relationship on how customers hold this grudge. They find that firms' best customers have the longest unfavorable reactions (i.e., a longitudinal love-becomes-hate effect). Specifically, over time, the revenge of strong-relationship customers decreases more slowly and their avoidance increases more rapidly than that of weak-relationship customers. Third, the authors explore a solution to attenuate this damaging effect—namely, the firm offering an apology and compensation after the online complaint. Overall, they find that strong-relationship customers are more amenable to any level of recovery attempt. The authors test the first two issues with a longitudinal survey and the third issue with a follow-up experiment.
The Impact of Customer Relationship Management Implementation on Cost and Profit Efficiencies: Evidence from the U.S. Commercial Banking Industry
Authors: Krasnikov Alexander , Jayachandran Satish , Kumar V.
Published: October 2009

The impact of customer relationship management (CRM) implementation on firm performance is an issue of considerable debate. This study examines the impact of CRM implementation on two metrics of firm performance—operational (cost) efficiency and the ability of firms to generate profits (profit efficiency)—using a large sample of U.S. commercial banks. The authors use stochastic frontier analysis to estimate cost and profit efficiencies and employ hierarchical linear modeling to assess the effect of CRM implementation on cost and profit efficiencies. They find that CRM implementation is associated with a decline in cost efficiency but an increase in profit efficiency. A firm-level factor, CRM commitment, reduces the negative effect of CRM implementation on cost efficiency. The authors also find that two adoption-related factors, time of adoption and time since adoption, influence the relationship between CRM implementation and cost and profit efficiencies. Early adopters benefit less from CRM implementation than late adopters. However, time since adoption improves the performance of firms that implement CRM. By demonstrating the different ways CRM implementation influences cost and profit measures, the study provides valuable insights to CRM researchers and managers.
Mortality of patients admitted to hospital with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction, before and after the opening of primary percutaneous coronary intervention unit in Szombathely
Authors: Nagy Lajos , Novák Judit , Csonka Dénes
Published: October 2009

Az akut szívizominfarktus kezelési stratégiája alapvetően megváltozott az elmúlt időszakban. Továbbra is vita tárgya a két reperfúziós stratégia, a primer percutan coronariaintervenció és a fibrinolízis összehasonlítása. Ha primer percutan coronariaintervenció elérhető, akkor ez a választandó kezelési stratégia ST-szegment-elevációval járó myocardialis infarctusban.
Cél:
Jelen cikkben a Szombathely városból ST-szegment-elevációval járó akut szívinfarktussal kórházba került betegek 3 hónapos halálozását vizsgáltuk.
Módszer:
Két időszakot hasonlítottunk össze, 2005-öt, amikor nem volt helyben percutan coronariaintervencióra alkalmas szívkatéteres laboratórium és 2008-at, amikor helyben rendelkezésre állt a primer percutan coronariaintervenció.
Eredmények:
A 12 órás ischaemiás időszaknál rövidebb betegcsoportban a 3 hónapos halálozás 2008-ban lényegesen alacsonyabb volt a 2005-ös évhez képest (3,6% versus 15,6%). Elsősorban a fibrinolízissel kezelt betegcsoport magas, három hónapos mortalitása volt felelős a különbségért. Ugyancsak fontos, hogy 2008-ban csökkent a 12 órán túli betegek aránya 2005-höz képest.
Következtetés:
A szívkatéteres labor létrehozása kedvező hatással volt Szombathely város ST-elevációs infarktusos betegeinek kórlefolyására.
Growth and Layer Characterization of SrTiO3 by Atomic Layer Deposition using Sr(tBu3Cp)2 and Ti(OMe)4
Authors: Popovici Mihaela , Van Elshocht Sven , Menou Nicolas , Swerts Johan , Pierreux Dieter , Delabie Annelies , Opsomer Karl , Brijs Bert , Faelens Gerrit , Franquet Alexis , Conard Thierry , Maes Jan , Wouters Dirk , Kittl Jorge
Published: October 2009

Strontium titanate (STO) thin films (45-67 % Sr) were deposited by atomic layer deposition using Sr(tBu3Cp)2/Ti(OMe)4/H2O as precursors. The Sr content of the layers is well controlled by the precursor pulse ratio, as indicated by Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS). The amount of Sr and Ti deposited depends on the Sr:Ti pulse ratio and indicates the enhancement of the Ti precursor reactivity in the presence of Sr-OH. STO compositions that are closer to stoichiometric SrTiO3 result in denser films with correspondingly higher index of refraction. The increase (decrease) of the Sr content over (below) 50 % leads to an expansion (contraction) of the lattice parameter corresponding to cubic SrTiO3 with a perovskite structure. The dielectric constant (extracted from film thickness series) and leakage current strongly depends both on the Sr content and the crystalline state of the films.
Adesão medicamentosa e não medicamentosa de pacientes com doença arterial coronariana
Authors: Lunelli Rosana Pinheiro , Portal Vera Lúcia , Esmério Francieli Gianchini , Moraes Maria Antonieta , Souza Emiliane Nogueira de
Published: October 2009

OBJETIVOS: Verificar a adesão à terapêutica farmacológica e não farmacológica de pacientes atendidos por uma equipe multidisciplinar, em um ambulatório de prevenção secundária da doença arterial coronariana, bem como identificar fatores que possam interferir na adesão. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal que avaliou a adesão farmacológica através do teste de Morisky e a não farmacológica, através das modificações no estilo de vida em pacientes após primeiro infarto. RESULTADOS: Dos 92 pacientes avaliados, 64,1% eram homens e a média de idade foi de 56,4±10,9 anos. Adesão à terapêutica farmacológica foi verificada em 56,5% e adesão à não farmacológica, em 40,2% dos pacientes. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados demonstraram pacientes com baixa aderência à terapêutica de prevenção secundária da doença arterial coronariana.
Capacidade funcional dos pacientes com diabetes mellitus e pé ulcerado
Authors: Salomé Geraldo Magela , Blanes Leila , Ferreira Lydia Masako
Published: October 2009

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a capacidade funcional de pessoas com diabetes mellitus e pé ulcerado. MÉTODOS: Estudo analítico, transversal e comparativo, realizado em hospital público do município de São Paulo, sendo os dados coletados no período de 2 de junho a 30 julho de 2008. Foram selecionados para compor o Grupo de Estudo, 20 pacientes com diabetes mellitus e pé ulcerado; para o Grupo Controle 20 pessoas com diagnóstico médico de diabetes mellitus, sem úlcera no pé. O instrumento utilizado foi Health Assessment Questionnaire-20. RESULTADOS: O grupo estudo diferiu do grupo controle, quanto ao escores HAQ-20, bem como em relação aos componentes 1,2,3,5,6,7 e 8. Também apresentaram diferença estatística significante (P<0,05) na redução da aptidão física e da capacidade funcional em relação ao grupo controle. Relacionada aos dados sócio demográficos e clínicos, não houve diferença significante entre os grupos. CONCLUSÃO: Os pacientes portadores de diabetes mellitus com pé ulcerado apresentaram alterações da capacidade funcional.
Terminologia de referência em enfermagem: a Norma ISO 18104
Authors: Marin Heimar de Fátima
Published: October 2009

O presente artigo descreve a Norma ISO 18104, publicada em 2003, pelo comitê técnico TC 215 da ISO. Esta norma contempla o modelo de terminologia de referência para diagnóstico e ações de enfermagem. A terminologia de referência representa um instrumento para facilitar o mapeamento entre as diversas terminologias existentes, facilitando a integração dos sistemas de informação e prontuários eletrônicos.
Tensão e extração de água em mesa de tensão e coluna de areia, em dois solos com elevada densidade
Authors: Gubiani Paulo Ivonir , Albuquerque Jackson Adriano , Reinert Dalvan José , Reichert José Miguel
Published: October 2009

A determinação da umidade do solo submetido a uma dada tensão segue o pressuposto que o potencial mátrico da água do solo esteja em equilíbrio com a tensão aplicada. A verificação do tempo para a tensão da água do solo atingir o equilíbrio com a tensão de 6kPa foi efetuada em um Argissolo Vermelho Distrófico típico e um Latossolo Vermelho Distrófico típico. No Argissolo, o equilíbrio entre a tensão aplicada e o potencial mátrico da água do solo, para a maioria das amostras, foi verificado entre 72 e 96h, enquanto no Latossolo não houve equilíbrio no período de 168h. A tensão nas amostras não teve correlação significativa com a densidade do solo e não atingiu a tensão aplicada na mesa de tensão e na coluna de areia. No entanto, mais de 97% da água passível de ser removida dos dois solos foi extraída até 48h, o que sugere que esse tempo é suficiente para a estimativa da umidade na tensão de 6kPa, independentemente do teor de argila do solo.
Aspectos relacionados à presença de fungos toxigênicos em uvas e ocratoxina A em vinhos
Authors: Welke Juliane Elisa , Hoeltz Michele , Noll Isa Beatriz
Published: October 2009

A colonização dos Aspergillus da secção Nigri nas uvas durante o cultivo é a principal fonte de ocratoxina A (OTA) nos vinhos. A. carbonarius e A. niger são os principais produtores desta micotoxina em uvas e são fungos oportunistas que, se desenvolvem, principalmente, nas bagas danificadas durante seu amadurecimento. A produção de OTA em uvas é influenciada pelas condições climáticas e áreas geográficas, bem como pela variedade de uva, pelo sistema de cultivo e pelos danos causados nas uvas por insetos, infecção fúngica ou excesso de irrigação e chuva. As medidas para o controle de fungos toxigênicos devem considerar esses pontos críticos de controle. A OTA presente nas uvas é transferida para o vinho durante o processo de vinificação, sendo que um aumento na concentração de OTA ocorre após a maceração das uvas. Durante o envelhecimento do vinho, observa-se que a toxina permanece estável, pois a mesma concentração de OTA é encontrada no vinho após um ano de armazenamento. Boas práticas de produção, como, por exemplo, a seleção e separação dos cachos de uva com desenvolvimento fúngico visível auxilia, consideravelmente, na redução dos níveis de contaminação por fungos produtores de OTA, bem como dos níveis dessa micotoxina nos vinhos.
Successful Field Application of Novel, Nonsilicone Antifoam Chemistries for High-Foaming Heavy-Oil Storage Tanks in Northern Alberta
Authors: Wylde Jonathan J.
Published: October 2009

Substantial foam formation was being experienced by two operators in several heavy-oil leases in northern Alberta. This 10 to 12°API crude had a large foaming potential and a unique foam-formation mechanism. Crude oil passed from the wellhead through a short flowline to a pair of hydrostatically balanced and heated storage tanks. The storage tanks heated the crude oil from approximately 50 to 85°C. In doing so, it caused gas breakout and degassing, which resulted in the formation of a thick, persistent foam in the top of the tanks. The foam would enter the transportation trucks and end up at the local battery and create carry-over and separation problems in the process systems.

Silicone antifoam products were not acceptable because of their poor environmental profile and the influence these large molecules had at the refinery where the crude oil was shipped for (predominantly) asphalt manufacture.

A wide range of chemistries was tested including phosphate-based products, ethoxylated and propoxylated esters, polyethylene glycol esters and oleates, alcohols, fatty alcohols, and ethoxylated and propoxylated alcohols. One of the major challenges detailed in this paper is that all products had to be freeze protected to −40°C. This was significant because many antifreeze chemicals affect the efficacy of antifoam chemicals.

This paper details evolution of testing leading to the field application of this combined defoamer/antifoam chemistry. Initial laboratory screening is included, which describes a laboratory test method designed to mimic the foam-formation environment in the field more accurately. The paper also illustrates the field-trial evaluation, as well as the case histories of full field implementation of the highest-efficacy products.
Parental Origin and Cell Stage Errors in X-Chromosome Polysomy 49, XXXXY
Authors: Guzel A , Demirhan O , Pazarbasi A , Yuksel B
Published: October 2009

Parental Origin and Cell Stage Errors in X-Chromosome Polysomy 49, XXXXY

Polysomy 49, XXXXY is a rare sex chromosome aneuploidy syndrome characterized by mental retardation, severe speech impairment, craniofacial abnormalities, multiple skeletal defects and genital abnormalities. We describe a patient with 49, XXXXY syndrome who had many characteristics of Fraccaro syndrome; language impairment, mongoloid slant, epicanthal folds, cryptorchidism, umbilical hernia and dysmyelinization in his brain. A GTG-banding technique was used for karyotype analysis of peripheral blood cell cultures. The parental origin of polysomy X was identified by using quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR) with seven short tandem repeat (STR) markers specific for the X/Y-chromosome which revealed that all the X-chromosomes were of maternal origin. This report provides evidence for successive non disjunctions in maternal meiosis I and II.
Forensic Value of Ten Short Tandem Repeat Loci in Turkey Compared to Other Ethnic Groups
Authors: Ozkorkmaz A , Baransel Isir A , Pehlivan S , Özkorkmaz E
Published: October 2009

Forensic Value of Ten Short Tandem Repeat Loci in Turkey Compared to Other Ethnic Groups

Allele frequencies of the 10 short tandem repeats (STRs) loci (D16S539, D2S1338, D3S1358, vWA, D18S51, D21S11, D8S1179, D19S433, FGA, THO1) included in the AmpFISTR SGM Plus kit, were obtained from biological samples from 100 unrelated individual residing in different part of Turkey. The χ2 test showed that all these loci agreed with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, The results were compared with the previously published data from Turkish and other ethnic groups. Suggest that these loci with their high heterozygosity and combined power of discrimination (PD) values are useful for forensic identifications.
Transformation of Graduate Education in Applied Anthropology in the U.S.: Learning and Teaching Policy Studies
Authors: Feldman Kerry D. , Henry Lisa
Published: October 2009

When engaged in doctoral research (1972) on urban squatter settlements in the Philippines, Feldman’s approach was guided by the pedagogy of Paulo Freire (2005[orig.1970]), which gratefully steered his behaviour away from the typical ‘Ugly American’ abroad in the world at the time (during the Vietnam War). Feldman became aware of the notions of ‘teacher-student’ and of ‘student-teacher’ primarily through his discussions with two Filipino doctors, Jess and Trini de la Paz (a husband and wife team), who organised a health education and training programme for volunteer participants from 12 squatter settlements in Davao City on the southern island of Mindanao. They invited him to serve as a social science consultant for their project. They explained that their approach to health education and training was grounded in, and would always adhere to, Freire’s insistence that oppressed people should be viewed as teachers for anyone engaging in their instruction or assistance, requiring that their teachers also become their students in understanding or assisting their lives.
Engaging students in applied research: experiences from collaborative research and learning in Brazil and Paraguay
Authors: Vásquez-León Marcela , Burke Brian , Radonic Lucero
Published: October 2009

A critical interest of applied anthropology is to educate students to be theoretically grounded and capable of assuming a level of social responsibility that extends beyond academia. In this paper, we reflect on the issue of student preparation for work in the policy arena by focusing on the experiences of a five-year applied research project that examines agricultural cooperatives as situated agents of change and grassroots development. The project has completed three field seasons in Brazil and Paraguay in which student researchers, including anthropology graduate students from the University of Arizona and in-country undergraduate students from partner universities, have been an integral part. The paper focuses on strategies developed in the research process that enhance student learning. Community Based Research, learning to work through research teams, and creating community-university partnerships constitute the bases of a project that emphasises student learning in the process of doing research and forming collaborations.
On the Symmetry of a Zig-Zag and an Armchair Polyhex Carbon Nanotorus
Authors: Yavari Morteza , Ashrafi Ali Reza
Published: October 2009

A Euclidean graph associated with a molecule is defined by a weighted graph with adjacency matrix M = [dij], where for i≠j, dij is the Euclidean distance between the nuclei i and j. In this matrix dii can be taken as zero if all the nuclei are equivalent. Otherwise, one may introduce different weights for distinct nuclei. The aim of this paper is to compute the automorphism group of the Euclidean graph of a carbon nanotorus. We prove that this group is a semidirect product of a dihedral group by a group of order 2.
Generic revision of Notodasus Fauchald, 1972 (Polychaeta: Capitellidae) with descriptions of four new species from the coasts of Mexico
Authors: García-Garza María Elena , Hernández-Valdez Victor Daniel , De León-González Jesús Angel
Published: October 2009

The capitellid genus Notodasus Fauchald, 1972 is emended and its previously known species are redescribed. Since the original descriptions of N. magnus Fauchald, 1972, N. dexterae Fauchald, 1973, and N. arenicola Hartmann-Schröder, 1992 omitted important morphological details and were either incomplete or misleading, these species are redescribed based upon examination of type materials. Four new species are described from tropical localities in Mexico: Notodasus harrisae n. sp., N. hartmanae n. sp., N. kristiani n. sp. and N. salazari n. sp. Standardised descriptions are provided for all species including the methyl green staining pattern, the epithelial texture and the shape of hooded hooks. A key for all described species is provided.
Inter-annual and inter-specific differences in the drift of fish eggs and yolksac larvae in the North Sea: A biophysical modeling approach
Authors: Peck Myron A. , Kühn Wilfried , Hinrichsen Hans-Harald , Pohlmann Thomas
Published: October 2009

We employed 3-D biophysical modeling and dispersion kernel analysis to explore inter-annual and inter-specific differences in the drift trajectories of eggs and yolksac larvae of plaice (Pleuronectes platessa), Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua), sprat (Sprattus sprattus) and horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus) in the North Sea. In this region, these four species exhibit peak spawning during the boreal winter, late winter/early spring, late spring/early summer, and mid-summer respectively, but utilize the same spawning locations (our simulations included Dogger Bank, Southern Bight and the German Bight). Inter-annual differences in the temperature history, and an increase in the area of dispersion and final distribution at the end of the yolksac phase were more pronounced (and related to the North Atlantic Oscillation) for winter- and early spring-spawners compared to late spring/summer spawners. The progeny of the latter experienced the largest (up to 10-fold) inter-annual differences in drift distances, although absolute drift distances were modest (~2 to 30 km) when compared to those of the former (~ 20 to 130 km). Our results highlight the complex interplay that exists between the specific life history strategies of the different species and the impacts of the variability in (climate-driven) physical factors during the earliest life stages of marine fish.
Temporal and along-shelf distribution of the larval fish assemblage at Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
Authors: Moyano Marta , Hernández-León Santiago
Published: October 2009

Temporal and spatial variations of the larval fish community off the island of Gran Canaria (Canary Islands) were studied in weekly surveys from October 2005 to June 2006. A total of 156 taxa, belonging to 51 families and 15 orders, were identified. Myctophidae was by far the most abundant family (30%), followed by Sparidae (11%), Clupeidae (9%) and Gonostomatidae (7%). As expected for an oceanic island, neritic and oceanic taxa contributed in similar proportions. Leeward and windward retention areas were found for total egg and neritic larval abundance. However, seasonality showed a stronger influence on the annual larval assemblage than sampling site, as the latter was not significant on a long time scale. Results suggest that there are two seasonal larval assemblages corresponding to the two main characteristic periods of the water column in these waters: mixing (winter) and stratification (summer). In addition, a significant relationship was recorded between lunar illumination and small mesozooplankton biomass, suggesting that this relationship may be extended to certain neritic families. The most abundant neritic larvae (Sparidae) showed this lunar pattern, which partially supports a recent hypothesis about the effect of lunar illumination on larval fish survival and development in subtropical waters.
Immature Dendritic Cell-Derived Exosomes Rescue Septic Animals Via Milk Fat Globule Epidermal Growth Factor VIII
Authors: Miksa Michael , Wu Rongqian , Dong Weifeng , Komura Hidefumi , Amin Dhruv , Ji Youxin , Wang Zhimin , Wang Haichao , Ravikumar Thanjavur S. , Tracey Kevin J. , Wang Ping
Published: October 2009

Sepsis, a highly lethal systemic inflammatory syndrome, is associated with increases of proinflammatory cytokines (e.g., TNF-α, HMGB1) and the accumulation of apoptotic cells that have the potential to be detrimental. Depending on the timing and tissue, prevention of apoptosis in sepsis is beneficial; however, thwarting the development of secondary necrosis through the active removal of apoptotic cells by phagocytosis may offer a novel anti-sepsis therapy. Immature dendritic cells (IDCs) release exosomes that contain milk fat globule EGF factor VIII (MFGE8), a protein required to opsonize apoptotic cells for phagocytosis. In an experimental sepsis model using cecal ligation and puncture, we found that MFGE8 levels decreased in the spleen and blood, which was associated with impaired apoptotic cell clearance. Administration of IDC-derived exosomes promoted phagocytosis of apoptotic cells and significantly reduced mortality. Treatment with recombinant MFGE8 was equally protective, whereas MFGE8-deficient mice suffered from increased mortality. IDC exosomes also attenuated the release of proinflammatory cytokines in septic rats. Liberation of HMGB1, a nuclear protein that contributes to inflammation upon release from unengulfed apoptotic cells, was prevented by MFGE8-mediated phagocytosis in vitro. We conclude that IDC-derived exosomes attenuate the acute systemic inflammatory response in sepsis by enhancing apoptotic cell clearance via MFGE8.
Deficiency of Type I IFN Receptor in Lupus-Prone New Zealand Mixed 2328 Mice Decreases Dendritic Cell Numbers and Activation and Protects from Disease
Authors: Agrawal Hemant , Jacob Noam , Carreras Esther , Bajana Sandra , Putterman Chaim , Turner Sean , Neas Barbara , Mathian Alexis , Koss Michael N. , Stohl William , Kovats Susan , Jacob Chaim O.
Published: October 2009

Type I IFNs are potent regulators of innate and adaptive immunity and are implicated in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus. Here we report that clinical and pathological lupus nephritis and serum anti-nuclear Ab levels are greatly attenuated in New Zealand Mixed (NZM) 2328 mice deficient in type I IFN receptors (IFNAR). To determine whether the inflammatory environment in NZM 2328 mice leads to IFNAR-regulated changes in dendritic cells (DC), the number, activation, and function of DC subsets were compared in 2- and 5-mo-old (clinically healthy) female NZM and NZM-IFNAR−/− mice. Numbers of activated CD40high plasmacytoid DC (pDC) were significantly increased in renal lymph nodes of 2-mo-old NZM but not NZM-IFNAR−/− mice, suggesting an early IFNAR-dependent expansion and activation of pDC at disease sites. Relative to NZM spleens, NZM-IFNAR−/− spleens in 5-mo-old mice were significantly decreased in size and contained reduced numbers of conventional DC subsets, but not pDC. Splenic and renal lymph node NZM-IFNAR−/− DC analyzed directly ex vivo expressed significantly less CD40, CD86, and PDL1 than did NZM DC. Upon activation with synthetic TLR9 ligands in vitro, splenic NZM-IFNAR−/− DC produced less IL-12p40/70 and TNF-α than did NZM DC. The limited IFNAR−/− DC response to endogenous activating stimuli correlated with reduced numbers of splenic activated memory CD4+ T cells and CD19+ B cells in older mice. Thus, IFNAR signaling significantly increases DC numbers, acquisition of Ag presentation competence, and proinflammatory function before onset of clinically apparent lupus disease.
Microglial Activation by Citrobacter koseri Is Mediated by TLR4- and MyD88-Dependent Pathways
Authors: Liu Shuliang , Kielian Tammy
Published: October 2009

Citrobacter koseri is a Gram-negative bacterium that can cause a highly aggressive form of neonatal meningitis, which often progresses to establish multifocal brain abscesses. Despite its tropism for the brain parenchyma, microglial responses to C. koseri have not yet been examined. Microglia use TLRs to recognize invading pathogens and elicit proinflammatory mediator expression important for infection containment. In this study, we investigated the importance of the LPS receptor TLR4 and MyD88, an adaptor molecule involved in the activation of the majority of TLRs in addition to the IL-1 and IL-18 receptors, for their roles in regulating microglial activation in response to C. koseri. Proinflammatory mediator release was significantly reduced in TLR4 mutant and MyD88 knockout microglia compared with wild-type cells following exposure to either live or heat-killed C. koseri, indicating a critical role for both TLR4- and MyD88-dependent pathways in microglial responses to this pathogen. However, residual proinflammatory mediator expression was still observed in TLR4 mutant and MyD88 KO microglia following C. koseri exposure, indicating a contribution of TLR4- and MyD88-independent pathway(s) for maximal pathogen recognition. Interestingly, C. koseri was capable of surviving intracellularly in both primary microglia and macrophages, suggesting that these cells may serve as a reservoir for the pathogen during CNS infections. These results demonstrate that microglia respond to C. koseri with the robust expression of proinflammatory molecules, which is dictated, in part, by TLR4- and MyD88-dependent signals.
The Adaptor Protein p62/SQSTM1 Targets Invading Bacteria to the Autophagy Pathway
Authors: Zheng Yiyu T. , Shahnazari Shahab , Brech Andreas , Lamark Trond , Johansen Terje , Brumell John H.
Published: October 2009

Autophagy, a cellular degradative pathway, plays a key role in protecting the cytosol from bacterial colonization, but the mechanisms of bacterial recognition by this pathway are unclear. Autophagy is also known to degrade cargo tagged by ubiquitinated proteins, including aggregates of misfolded proteins, and peroxisomes. Autophagy of ubiquitinated cargo requires p62 (also known as SQSTM1), an adaptor protein with multiple protein-protein interaction domains, including a ubiquitin-associated (UBA) domain for ubiquitinated cargo binding and an LC3 interaction region (LIR) for binding the autophagy protein LC3. Previous studies demonstrated that the intracellular bacterial pathogen Salmonella typhimurium is targeted by autophagy during infection of host cells. Here we show that p62 is recruited to S. typhimurium targeted by autophagy, and that the recruitment of p62 is associated with ubiquitinated proteins localized to the bacteria. Expression of p62 is required for efficient autophagy of bacteria, as well as restriction of their intracellular replication. Our studies demonstrate that the surveillance of misfolded proteins and bacteria occurs via a conserved pathway, and they reveal a novel function for p62 in innate immunity.