bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha (TNF-α) Enhances Functional Thermal and Chemical Responses of TRP Cation Channels in Human Synoviocytes
Authors: Kochukov Mikhail Y , McNearney Terry A , Yin Huaizhi , Zhang Liping , Ma Fei , Ponomareva Larissa , Abshire Sarah , Westlund Karin N
Published: August 2009

Background

We have shown functional expression of several TRP channels on human synovial cells, proposing significance in known calcium dependent proliferative and secretory responses in joint inflammation. The present study further characterizes synoviocyte TRP expression and activation responses to thermal and osmotic stimuli after pre-treatment with proinflammatory mediator tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α, EC50 1.3221 × 10−10g/L).

Results

Fluorescent imaging of Fura-2 loaded human SW982 synoviocytes reveals immediate and delayed cytosolic calcium oscillations elicited by (1) TRPV1 agonists capsaicin and resiniferatoxin (20 – 40% of cells), (2) moderate and noxious temperature change, and (3) osmotic stress TRPV4 activation (11.5% of cells). TNF-alpha pre-treatment (1 ng/ml, 8 – 16 hr) significantly increases (doubles) capsaicin responsive cell numbers and [Ca2+]i spike frequency, as well as enhances average amplitude of temperature induced [Ca2+]i responses. With TNF-alpha pre-treatment for 8, 12, and 16 hr, activation with 36 or 45 degree bath solution induces bimodal [Ca2+]i increase (temperature controlled chamber). Initial temperature induced rapid transient spikes and subsequent slower rise reflect TRPV1 and TRPV4 channel activation, respectively. Only after prolonged TNF-alpha exposure (12 and 16 hr) is recruitment of synoviocytes observed with sensitized TRPV4 responses to hypoosmolarity (3–4 fold increase). TNF-alpha increases TRPV1 (8 hr peak) and TRPV4 (12 hr peak) immunostaining, mRNA and protein expression, with a TRPV1 shift to membrane fractions.

Conclusion

TNF-α provides differentially enhanced synoviocyte TRPV1 and TRPV4 expression and [Ca2+]i response dependent on the TRP stimulus and time after exposure. Augmented relevance of TRPV1 and TRPV4 as inflammatory conditions persist would provide calcium mediated cell signaling required for pathophysiological responses of synoviocytes in inflammatory pain states.
Altered RNA splicing contributes to skeletal muscle pathology in Kennedy disease knock-in mice
Authors: Yu Zhigang , Wang Adrienne M. , Robins Diane M. , Lieberman Andrew P.
Published: August 2009

Here, we used a mouse model of Kennedy disease, a degenerative disorder caused by an expanded CAG repeat in the androgen receptor (AR) gene, to explore pathways leading to cellular dysfunction. We demonstrate that male mice containing a targeted Ar allele with 113 CAG repeats (AR113Q mice) exhibit hormone- and glutamine length-dependent missplicing of Clcn1 RNA in skeletal muscle. Changes in RNA splicing are associated with increased expression of the RNA-binding protein CUGBP1. Furthermore, we show that skeletal muscle denervation in the absence of a repeat expansion leads to increased CUGBP1 expression. However, this induction of CUGBP1 is not sufficient to alter Clcn1 RNA splicing, indicating that changes mediated by both denervation and AR113Q toxicity contribute to altered RNA processing. To test this notion directly, we exogenously expressed the AR in vitro and observed hormone-dependent changes in the splicing of pre-mRNAs from a human cardiac troponin T minigene. These effects were notably similar to changes mediated by RNA with expanded CUG tracts, but not CAG tracts, highlighting unanticipated similarities between CAG and CUG repeat diseases. The expanded glutamine AR also altered hormone-dependent splicing of a calcitonin/calcitonin gene-related peptide minigene, suggesting that toxicity of the mutant protein additionally affects RNA processing pathways that are distinct from those regulated by CUGBP1. Our studies demonstrate the occurrence of hormone-dependent alterations in RNA splicing in Kennedy disease models, and they indicate that these changes are mediated by both the cell-autonomous effects of the expanded glutamine AR protein and by alterations in skeletal muscle that are secondary to denervation.
Sequential signaling in plasma-membrane domains during macropinosome formation in macrophages
Authors: Yoshida Sei , Hoppe Adam D. , Araki Nobukazu , Swanson Joel A.
Published: August 2009

Macropinosomes are large endocytic vesicles that form in ruffling regions of plasma membrane. To analyze signal organization relative to ruffle closure into circular ruffles and cup closure into macropinosomes, this study used quantitative microscopy to measure 3′ phosphoinositides and small-GTPase activities in a representative subset of forming macropinosomes. Macropinocytosis was stimulated by the addition of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) to macrophages expressing fluorescent reporter proteins. Ratiometric and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) microscopy determined that Rac1 activity and phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-trisphosphate [PtdIns(3,4,5)P3] levels increased transiently, peaking 26-30 seconds after ruffle closure. Three-dimensional reconstruction of cells labeled with the fluorescent dye FM4-64 showed that PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 was restricted to open, circular cups in the plasma membrane. Quantitative fluorescence microscopic methods determined the timing of cup closure, which followed 40-100 seconds after Rac1 and PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 deactivation and coincided with accumulation of phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate and Rab5a. Thus, ruffle closure creates a circular domain of plasma membrane that localizes the activation and deactivation of Rac1 and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), followed by recruitment of Rab5a and the contractile activities of cup closure.
Quality engineering of a traction alternator by robust design
Authors: Acharya U H , Gijo E V , Antony J
Published: August 2009

Robust design is an engineering methodology for improving productivity during research and development so that high-quality products can be developed and produced quickly and at low cost. A large electrical company was developing traction alternators for a diesel electrical engine. Customer requirement was to obtain very high efficiency which, in turn, was influenced by several design parameters. The usual approach of the ‘design—build—test’ cycle was considered time-consuming and costly; it used to take anywhere from 4 months to 1 year before finalizing the product design parameters as it involved physical assembly and also testing. Instead, the authors used Taguchi's parameter design approach. This approach took about 8 weeks to arrive at optimum design parameter values; clearly demonstrating the cutting edge of this methodology over the traditional design—build—test approach. The prototype built and tested accordingly gave satisfactory overall performance, meeting and even exceeding customer requirements.
Optimization of electrodischarge machining parameters on ZrO2 ceramic using the Taguchi method
Authors: Chen Y-F , Lin Y-J , Lin Y-C , Chen S-L , Hsu L-R
Published: August 2009

The purpose of the present investigation was to optimize the electrodischarge machining (EDM) parameters for machining ZrO2 ceramic. During the EDM process, the surface of the electrically non-conductive ceramic was covered with adhesive conductive copper and aluminium foils to attain the threshold of electrical conductivity for the EDM process. The machining characteristics associated with the EDM process such as material removal rate (MRR), electrode wear rate (EWR), and surface roughness (SR) were explored through the experimental study according to an L18 orthogonal array based on the Taguchi experimental design method. Analysis of variance was conducted to examine the significant machining parameters affecting the machining characteristics. The experimental results show that peak current and pulse duration significantly affected MRR and SR, and the adhesive conductive material was the significant parameter correlated with EWR. In addition, the optimal combination levels of machining parameters were also determined from the response graph of signal-to-noise ratios for each level of machining parameters. The aim of the study was to establish a feasible process and optimize the parameter levels for processing electrically non-conductive ceramics through EDM. A practical and convenient process for shaping electrically non-conductive ceramics was developed in the present work with the features of high efficiency, high precision, and excellent surface integrity.
Study of a small-scale standing-wave thermoacoustic engine
Authors: Jung S , Matveev K I
Published: August 2009

This article reports experimental and modelling results obtained with a small-scale standing-wave thermoacoustic engine. Reticulated vitreous carbon is used as the stack material and atmospheric air as the working fluid. The engine is tested with resonators of variable lengths in the range 57–124 mm. The engine starts generating sound at temperature differences of 200–300 °C between the hot and cold parts of the system. The acoustic pressure amplitudes up to 2 kPa are measured inside the resonator in the excited regimes. A simplified energy-balance theory adequately predicts a trend in the temperature difference for the sound onset, while underestimating actual values. Model estimations show that the stack-generated acoustic power reaches 100 mW at the stack-based efficiencies of several per cent.
Slip flow heat transfer in a semi-infinite microchannel with axial conduction
Authors: Satapathy A K
Published: August 2009

This article deals with an analytical solution of slip-flow heat transfer for laminar and two-dimensional gaseous flow in a semi-infinite microchannel. To account for the slip-flow characteristics of microscale heat transfer, temperature jump conditions at the wall have been considered while the fluid velocity is assumed to be constant. Analytical expressions for fully developed Nusselt numbers have been derived in terms of the Knudsen number and Peclet number for both isothermal and isoflux wall conditions.
An experimental and numerical study of the fracture behaviour of tubular specimens in a pin-loading-tension set-up
Authors: Samal M K , Sanyal G , Chakravartty J K
Published: August 2009

Evaluation of a valid crack tip loading parameter using standard ASTM practice may not be feasible in many situations, e.g. in thin tubular specimens with diametrically opposite axial through-wall cracks (loaded in opening mode) that are obtained from zircaloy fuel pins of nuclear reactors. Recently, a pin-loading-tension (PLT) experimental set-up has evolved for this purpose. However, the required geometry functions (which should be obtained from a three-dimensional (3D) finite-element (FE) analysis procedure) for evaluation of the stress intensity factor (SIF) for such a set-up is not available in the literature. In this work, a detailed 3D FE analysis of the PLT set-up has been carried out where both the pin and the mandrel have been modelled. Analysis has been carried out for the full loading path (i.e. for applied displacements beyond the limit load of the specimen) in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the model and the results have been compared with those of the experiment. In addition, the SIFs (and geometry functions) of the PLT set-up (with different initial crack lengths) have been evaluated from the FE results using extrapolation techniques and were compared with the results from two different analytical techniques.
The characteristics of a microring resonator in optical waveguide displacement sensors
Authors: Ji Z , Yan Y Y , Wang B H , Jiang G Q , Yan S B , Zhang W D
Published: August 2009

Pumping a single-mode, tunable, external-cavity laser to excite the whispering gallery modes (WGM) of microring resonators (MRRs) allows the observation of a series of equidistant, wide free spectrum ranges (FSR). A frequency shift of an FSR can be used to feedback external changes, making MRRs very promising for high-sensitivity sensing. Furthermore, sensor performance is intimately related to the resonance condition and resonator quality factor, Q. In this paper, a novel displacement sensor composed of a microring resonator and a waveguide is presented. Materials selection is discussed. The two most important influencing factors, the optimized resonance condition and Q, are demonstrated especially. Based on mathematical analysis and finite-difference time-domain simulation, the optimized resonance is obtained when the radius and coupling distance are around 20μ and 0.2μ, respectively, with the FSR of the transmission spectrum about 13.6nm. Correspondingly, the ultimate Q is approximately 102 in the preliminary experiment.
Competing risks and opportunistic informative maintenance
Authors: Bedford T , Alkali B M
Published: August 2009

The present paper makes a link between the literature on competing risks and that of opportunistic maintenance. Three models for competing risk involving censoring through opportunistic maintenance are discussed. One is an existing opportunistic maintenance model, one is a new opportunistic variant on an existing competing risk model, and the third is a new model that captures the notion of opportunistic informative maintenance. These models show that even though opportunities may occur according to a process that is independent of the failure process, the appropriate competing risk models may still involve dependencies. This work was motivated by observation of practices in a coal-fired power plant consisting of four generating units, which is briefly described. Through simulation examples it is shown how these competing risk models can be used to support decision making about maintenance rules, and the identifiability issues associated with the models are discussed. Competing risk theory addresses statistical estimation problems which are a common concern in much of the maintenance literature, and focuses attention on non-age-related information available to maintainers.
Structure–activity relationships in human RNA 3′-phosphate cyclase
Authors: Tanaka Naoko , Shuman Stewart
Published: August 2009

RNA 3′-phosphate cyclase (Rtc) enzymes are a widely distributed family that catalyze the synthesis of RNA 2′,3′ cyclic phosphate ends via an ATP-dependent pathway comprising three nucleotidyl transfer steps: reaction of Rtc with ATP to form a covalent Rtc-(histidinyl-N)-AMP intermediate and release PPi; transfer of AMP from Rtc1 to an RNA 3′-phosphate to form an RNA(3′)pp(5′)A intermediate; and attack by the terminal nucleoside O2′ on the 3′-phosphate to form an RNA 2′,3′ cyclic phosphate product and release AMP. Here we used the crystal structure of Escherichia coli RtcA to guide a mutational analysis of the human RNA cyclase Rtc1. An alanine scan defined seven conserved residues as essential for the Rtc1 RNA cyclization and autoadenylylation reactions. Structure–activity relationships were clarified by conservative substitutions. Our results are consistent with a mechanism of adenylate transfer in which attack of the Rtc1 His320 nucleophile on the ATP α phosphorus is facilitated by proper orientation of the PPi leaving group via contacts to Arg21, Arg40, and Arg43. We invoke roles for Tyr294 in binding the adenine base and Glu14 in binding the divalent cation cofactor. We find that Rtc1 forms a stable binary complex with a 3′-phosphate terminated RNA, but not with an otherwise identical 3′-OH terminated RNA. Mutation of His320 had little impact on RNA 3′-phosphate binding, signifying that covalent adenylylation of Rtc1 is not a prerequisite for end recognition.
Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery
Authors: Arulampalam T , Paterson-Brown S , Morris AJ , Parker MC
Published: August 2009

Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) has generated healthy and vigorous debate about the introduction of an entirely novel method of surgical therapy. Although there are many reasons for scepticism, there is undoubted interest in this field from both the medical profession and general public. Those Associations currently involved in laparoscopic and endoscopic surgery wish to safeguard patients and the reputation of the profession by issuing clear guidance and support for those wishing to undertake NOTES. The purpose of this document is to review the current status of both NOTES and hybrid NOTES, while at the same time identifying obstacles in both clinical research and training. Furthermore, it aims to provide a consensus statement on behalf of the main UK specialty associations involved in this field of surgery. The primary aim of this consensus statement is to provide a framework within which to develop, safely and effectively, what must still be considered an experimental technique.
Photochemistry of anthocyanins and their biological role in plant tissues
Authors: Quina Frank H. , Moreira Paulo F. , Vautier-Giongo Carolina , Rettori Daniel , Rodrigues Rita F. , Freitas Adilson A. , Silva Palmira F. , Maçanita António L.
Published: August 2009

Anthocyanins, the major red, purple, and blue pigments of plants, absorb visible as well as UV radiation and are effective antioxidants and scavengers of active oxygen species. In plant leaves, one of the functional roles proposed for anthocyanins is protection of the photosynthetic apparatus from the effects of excess incident visible or UV-B radiation and photooxidative stress. In essence, a photoprotective role requires that the excited singlet states of both complexed and uncomplexed anthocyanins deactivate back to the ground state so quickly that intersystem crossing, photoreaction, and diffusion-controlled quenching processes cannot compete. Studies of the photochemical properties of synthetic analogs of anthocyanins and of several naturally occurring anthocyanins show that this is indeed the case, uncomplexed anthocyanins decaying back to the ground state via fast (subnanosecond) excited-state proton transfer (ESPT) and anthocyanin-copigment complexes by fast (subpicosecond) charge-transfer-mediated internal conversion.
When the Children Are Asleep: Carousel in 1957
Authors: Lovensheimer Jim
Published: August 2009

Rodgers and Hammerstein'sCarouseltells the story of Billy Bigelow and Julie Jordan's troubled marriage, which ends tragically when Billy dies in a botched robbery attempt. The musical opened in 1945, near the end of World War II, and it expressed the loss that many women and families experienced during the war; it also comforted these families with a message that love transcends death and reassured them that You'll Never Walk Alone. It was a timely and powerful statement. In 1957, however, when the musical received its second New York revival, the secondary plot concerning the upwardly mobile Enoch Snow and his wife Carrie, who is Julie's best friend, had far more cultural resonance than it did twelve years earlier. This essay contextualizes the romance of Snow and Carrie within mid-century American middle-class culture and examines the changes in postwar American life that are reflected, and even reinforced, by these two characters.
Ten Minutes and Fifty (Two) Years Ago: the three TV versions of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella
Authors: Wood Graham
Published: August 2009

This article complements existing discussions of the three versions of Rodgers and Hammerstein's TV musicalCinderellaby highlighting three specific aspects: (1) the time period and location of the narrative in the context of other musicals by Rodgers and Hammerstein (and by Rodgers and Hart), (2) the song Ten Minutes Ago and its musical, visual, and dramatic elements as presented in each version, and (3) the cultural politics of the different versions, from the colour-blind casting of the Disney version to more subtle narrative moments in the original 1957 version, and how they reflect very different periods in American life.
Haunted characters: Harold and Marian: directing The Music Man
Authors: Staniunas John
Published: August 2009

It is odd to think of Meredith Willson's valentine to small-town Midwest America, The Music Man, as a haunted house, but in fact, it is one of the best examples of how theatre, and specifically musical theatre, is haunted by the enduring presence of past performances. The ghosts
of Robert Preston as the original Harold Hill and, to a lesser degree, Shirley Jones (in the film of The Music Man) and Barbara Cook as Broadway's original Marian the Librarian, haunt every production of the musical since it was first performed.
Candide and the tradition of American operetta
Authors: Everett William A
Published: August 2009

Leonard Bernstein's Candide, billed as a comic operetta, includes many allusions to the American operetta style of the 1920s as exemplified in the work of Sigmund Romberg and Rudolf Friml. The genre was experiencing renewed popularity in the 1950s through studio recordings, films,
radio and television broadcasts and live performances. Audiences would have recognized many features in Candide as operetta tropes, both musical and textual: musical in terms of vocal types and styles, and the textual in terms of socio-political references.
Local recognition of the line graph of an anisotropic vector space
Authors: Altmann Kristina , Gramlich Ralf
Published: August 2009

Let n ≥ 7 and let V be an (n + 2)-dimensional vector space endowed with an anisotropic sesquilinear form. In this article we characterise the graph whose vertices are the two-dimensional subspaces of V and in which two vertices are adjacent if and only if the corresponding two-dimensional spaces are perpendicular with respect to the sesquilinear form.
Symmetric CNS Trinomials
Authors: Brunotte Horst
Published: August 2009

Background material onα-shift radix systems andα-CNS polynomials is collected. Symmetric CNS trinomials of the shapeXd+bX+c(d> 2) are characterized, thereby extending known results on quadratic symmetric CNS polynomials.
On the β-Expansion of an Algebraic Number in an Algebraic Base β
Authors: Bugeaud Yann
Published: August 2009

Let α in (0, 1] and β > 1 be algebraic numbers. We study the asymptotic behaviour of the function that counts the number of digit changes in the β-expansion of α.
A Planar Integral Self-Affine Tile with Cantor Set Intersections with Its Neighbors
Authors: Duan Shu-Juan , Liu Dan , Tang Tai-Man
Published: August 2009

We give an example of a planar self-affine tile that intersects some of its neighbors in the tiling it generates in Cantor sets. The reasoning also shows that it has nontrivial fundamental group. The technique used is to obtain information from a good approximation of the tile, namely, an estimation of its convex hull.
Factor Complexity of Infinite Words Associated with Non-Simple Parry Numbers
Authors: Klouda Karel , Pelantová Edita
Published: August 2009

The factor complexity of the infinite word u

β
canonically associated with a non-simple Parry number β is studied. Our approach is based on the notion of special factors introduced by Berstel and Cassaigne. At first, we give a handy method for determining infinite left special branches; this method is applicable to a broad class of infinite words which are fixed points of a primitive substitution. In the second part of the article, we focus on infinite words u

β
only. To complete the description of their special factors, we define and study (a, b)-maximal left special factors. This enables us to characterize non-simple Parry numbers β for which the word u

β
has affine complexity.
Christoffel Words and Markoff Triples
Authors: Reutenauer Christophe
Published: August 2009

We construct a bijection between Markoff triples and Christoffel words.
Tone Deafness: A New Disconnection Syndrome?
Authors: Loui Psyche , Alsop David , Schlaug Gottfried
Published: August 2009

Communicating with one's environment requires efficient neural interaction between action and perception. Neural substrates of sound perception and production are connected by the arcuate fasciculus (AF). Although AF is known to be involved in language, its roles in non-linguistic functions are unexplored. Here, we show that tone-deaf people, with impaired sound perception and production, have reduced AF connectivity. Diffusion tensor tractography and psychophysics were assessed in tone-deaf individuals and matched controls. Abnormally reduced AF connectivity was observed in the tone deaf. Furthermore, we observed relationships between AF and auditory–motor behavior: superior and inferior AF branches predict psychophysically assessed pitch discrimination and sound production perception abilities, respectively. This neural abnormality suggests that tone deafness leads to a reduction in connectivity resulting in pitch-related impairments. Results support a dual-stream anatomy of sound production and perception implicated in vocal communications. By identifying white matter differences and their psychophysical correlates, results contribute to our understanding of how neural connectivity subserves behavior.
Voluntary Nicotine Consumption TriggersIn VivoPotentiation of Cortical Excitatory Drives to Midbrain Dopaminergic Neurons
Authors: Caillé Stéphanie , Guillem Karine , Cador Martine , Manzoni Olivier , Georges François
Published: August 2009

Active response to either natural or pharmacological reward causes synaptic modifications to excitatory synapses on dopamine (DA) neurons of the ventral tegmental area (VTA). Here, we examine these modifications using nicotine, the main addictive component of tobacco, which is a potent regulator of VTA DA neurons. Using anin vivoelectrophysiological technique, we investigated the role of key components of the limbic circuit, the infralimbic cortex (ILCx) and the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), in operant behaviors related to nicotine reward. Our results indicated that nicotine self-administration in rats, but not passive delivery, triggers hyperactivity of VTA DA neurons. The data suggest that potentiation of the ILCx-BNST excitatory pathway is involved in these modifications in VTA DA neurons. Thus, recruitment of these specific excitatory inputs to VTA DA neurons may be a neural correlate for the learned association between active responding and the reward experience.
Definition of an optimal strategy to evaluate and follow-up adrenal incidentalomas: time for further research
Authors: Terzolo Massimo , Reimondo Giuseppe , Angeli Alberto
Published: August 2009

Clinical endocrinologists have to deal frequently with adrenal incidentalomas in their practice. However, no comprehensive guidelines have been published by professional societies to guide assessment and management of adrenal incidentalomas and current recommendations are mainly based on the NIH state-of-the-science statement or expert opinions. An accompanying paper in this issue of the journal provides a critical revision of the relevant literature on this clinically important topic. The provocative conclusion of the authors is that current recommendations are burdened by high costs, little clinical benefit and also risk of inducing cancer. This paper has the merit to outline the limits of proposed protocols and to stimulate fruitful discussion; however, many aspects represent the personal view of the authors rather than evidence-based assumptions. The purpose of the present comment is to provide a more balanced view addressing the arguments that are condivisible and those that are based on inconsistent data. To add further to the argument of discussion, we also outline a clinically-oriented strategy for follow-up. In conclusion, the need for further research appears evident to define more efficient guidelines.
CD9 regulates transcription factor GCM1 and ERVWE1 expression through the cAMP/protein kinase A signaling pathway
Authors: Muroi Yoshikage , Sakurai Toshihiro , Hanashi Akira , Kubota Kentaro , Nagaoka Kentaro , Imakawa Kazuhiko
Published: August 2009

ERVWE1 (SYNCYTIN-1), a membrane protein originating from the envelope gene of human endogenous retrovirus-W (HERV-W), mediates the fusion of mononucleated cytotrophoblasts into multinucleated syncytiotrophoblast. Though ERVWE1 has been characterized since its discovery, regulatory mechanisms associated with ERVWE1 expression have not been firmly established. We hypothesized that membrane protein CD9, involved in cell–cell fusion of fertilization and myogenesis, could be involved in the regulation ofERVWE1gene expression. In this study, regulatory mechanisms of ERVWE1 expression were studied using human choriocarcinoma BeWo cells. Forskolin is an activator of adenylate cyclase, which increased CD9 and ERVWE1 expression. The increase in CD9 expression was inhibited by a protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor, Rp-cAMPS. These results indicate that CD9 expression is regulated by the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway. Overexpression ofCD9increased expression levels of ERVWE1 as well as GCM1 (hGCMa), which is a transcription factor known to activateERVWE1gene transcription. However, high ERVWE1 expression induced byCD9overexpression did not result in the increase in chorionic gonadotropin, beta polypeptide production. Moreover,CD9-induced increase inERVWE1andGCM1expressions were inhibited by Rp-cAMPS. These results suggest that CD9 increases GCM1 expression via the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway, resulting in the increase in ERVWE1 expression.
Paradigm shift in higher education
Authors: Csóka Mária
Published: August 2009

A XX. század utolsó negyedében végbemenő gyors változások ráébresztették a pedagógiával foglalkozó szakembereket arra, hogy iskolarendszerünk lassan vagy egyáltalán nem követte a gazdasági változásokat, sem képzési kínálatában, sem az oktatás tartalmában, de még kevésbé módszereiben. Fel kellett ismernünk, hogy ennek a konzervatív rendszernek a fenntartása nem ésszerű, az oktatás a globalizációs verseny legfontosabb területévé vált, és a kulcs a XXI. századhoz a tanulás. Éppen ezért vált az oktatásügy új irányvonalává az oktatás térbeli és időbeli kiterjesztése, azaz az élethosszig tartó tanulás (LLL: lifelong learning). Az oktatás iránt megnövekedett a társadalmi igény, megváltoztak a gazdaság, a munkaadók elvárásai is: a tudás a versenyképesség alapjává vált. Ebben a folyamatban kiemelt szerep jut az egyetemeknek, amelyek a graduális képzésen túl, az expanzió révén megnövekedett diplomás felnőtt tömegek továbbképzésének helyszínévé is váltak. Ezekre válaszul Európa számos országában reformfolyamatok indultak meg a ’90-es években. E reformtörekvéseknek szabott közös irányt az 1999. június 19-én aláírt Bolognai Nyilatkozat, amely célul tűzte ki, hogy aláírói 2010-re egységes európai felsőoktatási térséget hoznak létre, és összehangolják, összehasonlíthatóvá teszik felsőoktatási rendszereiket. A kitűzött célok eléréséhez azonban önmagában nem elegendő az adminisztratív változtatás, a formai megújulást követnie kell egyfajta tartalmi innovációnak is, amely a főiskolai képzés megújulását jelenti. Az utóbbi évek során a magyar főiskolák és egyetemek kidolgozták az új struktúrának megfelelő oktatási programjaikat, 2006. szeptember 1-jétől már csak az új oktatási programok indultak. A szerző a képzési rendszer átalakításának legfontosabb területeit határozza meg, amelyek a következők: a képzési „filozófia” és paradigma újrafogalmazása, a képzési szerkezet makroszintű (ismeret, tudás, készség), mezzoszintű (elmélet
vs.
gyakorlat, illetve tudás
vs.
alkalmazás) és mikroszintű (bázistudás
vs.
up-to-date tudás) reformja. A képzési szerkezet technológiai-logisztikai (passzív
vs.
aktív tudás), valamint a képzés módszertani, technikai reformja. A szerző rendszerezi az átalakítás feladatait is, amelyben a bolognai rendszer képzési követelményeinek, a tanulás kimenetelvárásainak rendszerszemléletű áttekintését, a szükséglet és kínálat viszonyának elemzését, a főiskola képzési szerkezetének átalakítását, a fókuszpontok kialakítását tartja a legfontosabbnak.
Improvement in glycemic control, cardiovascular risk factors and anthropometric data in type 2 diabetic patients after the switch from biphasic human insulin to biphasic premix analog insulin aspart
Authors: Gerő László , Gyimesi András , Hidvégi Tibor , Jánosi István
Published: August 2009

A nagyszámú 2-es típusú diabeteses beteg bevonásával végzett, hosszú távú vizsgálatok eredményei egyértelműen bizonyították, hogy a tartósan jó anyagcserehelyzettel megelőzhetők a késői (micro- és macrovascularis) szövődmények. Jelen felmérésben a szerzők beavatkozással nem járó, úgynevezett obszervációs vizsgálat során Magyarország 50 cukorbeteg-szakellátó helyén 2007–2008-ban humán premix készítményről analóg premix inzulinra [bifázisos aszpart inzulin (BIAsp) – NovoMix® 30] átállított betegek adatait elemzik retrospektív módon. Az analízisbe bevont 2898 beteg átlagéletkora 66,20 ± 10,10 év, a diagnózistól eltelt idő az esetek 43%-ában több mint 10 év volt. A NovoMix® 30-kezelés hatodik hónapjának végén a HbA
1c
jelentős, statisztikailag szignifikáns javulását észlelték: a kiinduláskor mért 9,10 ± 1,44%-os szint 7,62 ± 1,00%-ra csökkent (
p
< 0,001). A lipidprofil is előnyösen változott (bár a célértéket az esetek többségében nem sikerült elérni). A szisztolés és diasztolés vérnyomás átlaga alacsonyabb lett, a testsúly 84,2 ± 14,9 kg-ról 82,6 ± 13,9 kg-ra (
p
< 0,01) csökkent. Mindez a kiinduláshoz képest alacsonyabb napi inzulinadag (49,0 ± 17,4 IE
versus
48,4 ± 17,6 IE,
p
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-szintben és a célértéket elérők szignifikánsan magasabb számában, másrészt a ritkábban előforduló hypoglykaemiás reakciókban nyilvánult meg. Az egyéb cardiovascularis tényezők szignifikáns javulása szintén fontos eredmény, de ennek magyarázata egyelőre hiányzik, és kontrollált, prospektív tanulmányok elvégzését igényli.
Diarrhea, from the gastroenterologist’s point of view
Authors: Bajor Judit , Beró Tamás
Published: August 2009

A gasztroenterológiai szakrendelésen jelentkező betegek gyakori problémája a széklet állagának, mennyiségének, gyakoriságának, minőségének a megváltozása. Hasmenésről akkor beszélünk, ha a székletszám több mint napi 3, a széklet tömege több mint napi 200 g, víztartalma több mint 75–85%. A hasmenés jelentősen megkeseríti a beteg életét, rontja az életminőségét és – főként – súlyos organikus betegség jele lehet. Lefolyás alapján akut és krónikus, patomechanizmus alapján exsudativ (gyulladásos), ozmotikus, diszmotilitástípusú és szekretoros hasmenéseket különítünk el. Az akut hasmenések általában infekt eredetűek, és bár időnként súlyos állapottal járnak, néhány nap, illetve néhány hét alatt meggyógyulnak. Négy hét után is fennálló hasmenés esetén krónikus hasmenésről beszélünk, ez esetben gasztroenterológiai kivizsgálás indokolt. A primer gasztroenterológiai okokon kívül endokrin, autoimmun, allergiás kórképek, posztoperatív állapotok, gyógyszerek szerepére is gondolni kell. A diagnosztikában a hasmenés jellege, a társuló tünetek alapján elvégzett laboratóriumi és eszközös vizsgálatok vannak segítségünkre, hogy a szerteágazó kórképek között differenciálni tudjunk. Összefoglalónkban elsősorban tünetorientált megközelítéssel szeretnénk segíteni a gyakorló orvos munkáját.
Uma agenda brasileira para os estudos em aprendizagem organizacional
Authors: Antonello Claudia Simone , Godoy Arilda Schmidt
Published: August 2009

O presente artigo apresenta os resultados mais significativos obtidos em um estudo que teve como principal objetivo explorar os discursos formadores do campo de conhecimento da Aprendizagem Organizacional e que utilizou a metodologia denominada metatriangulação. A seleção das fontes de pesquisa procurou assegurar a cobertura dos periódicos nacionais e dos anais de congresso mais expressivos e consolidados, na área de conhecimento de administração, que abordaram este tema, no período de 2001-2005. A análise dos resultados permitiu delinear uma agenda para os estudos em Aprendizagem Organizacional no Brasil.
Programas de desenvolvimento comportamental: influências sobre os objetivos estratégicos
Authors: El-Kouba Amir , Roglio Karina De Déa , Del Corso Jansen Maia , Silva Wesley Vieira da
Published: August 2009

A pesquisa analisa a relação entre programas de desenvolvimento comportamental aplicados à área comercial e a efetivação dos objetivos estratégicos da organização. A pesquisa teórica fundamenta-se em referenciais da gestão estratégica de pessoas, treinamento e desenvolvimento e avaliação dos resultados de programas de treinamento e desenvolvimento. A pesquisa é baseada em estudo de caso realizado na Rede Independência de Comunicação (RIC). O tratamento dos dados envolveu técnicas estatísticas de análise de regressão linear simples e estatística univariada. Os resultados mostram que os investimentos em programas de desenvolvimento comportamental e os objetivos estratégicos da organização têm relação positiva e significante.
"Administração é ciência ou arte?" O que podemos aprender com este mal-entendido?
Authors: Mattos Pedro Lincoln C. L. de
Published: August 2009

Nas classes e palestras de introdução à administração, desperta sempre a curiosidade do auditório lançar a pergunta: "O que vocês acham: Administração é ciência ou arte?" Estamos diante de um dictum interessante e estimulante à discussão. O artigo tem dois objetivos: desvendar a ambiguidade da pergunta - talvez uma das razões de sua sobrevivência - e, a partir dela, examinar a adequação de discutir-se "cientificidade" em nosso saber, questão importante para os rumos da academia nessa área. Para o primeiro objetivo, mais modesto, nos valeremos de análise pragmática e semântica da linguagem, para o segundo, que concentra a maior parte do texto, das teorias sobre a natureza da ciência e a pretendida distinção entre ciência e não ciência. Surgem, então, evidências de que o dictum encerra um mal-entendido.
Impacto da síndrome pré-menstrual no estado de humor de atletas
Authors: Vieira Lenamar Fiorese , Gaion Patrícia Aparecida
Published: August 2009

INTRODUÇÃO: Têm sido relatadas alterações negativas no estado de humor em algumas mulheres durante o ciclo menstrual, sobretudo naquelas que apresentam síndrome pré-menstrual (SPM). No entanto, existe uma lacuna na literatura a respeito das alterações no estado de humor durante o ciclo menstrual em atletas com SPM. OBJETIVO: Investigar o impacto da SPM no estado de humor de atletas ao longo do ciclo menstrual. MÉTODOS: Fizeram parte da amostra 57 atletas de diferentes esportes, de uma cidade do noroeste do Paraná. Utilizou-se um diário de sintomas, baseado nos critérios do American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologist (ACOG), 2000, e o questionário Profile of Mood States (POMS). As atletas utilizaram o diário e responderam ao questionário ao longo de dois ciclos menstruais. Para análise dos dados foram usados os testes de Shapiro Wilk, de Friedman, de Wilcoxon e o teste U de Mann-Whitney, adotando-se P < 0,05. RESULTADOS: Verificou-se que apenas atletas com SPM apresentaram aumento na alteração total de humor da última semana para o último dia, sendo a diferença significativa no primeiro ciclo menstrual (p = 0,019). CONCLUSÃO: A presença de SPM pode afetar o estado de humor de atletas, gerando alterações negativas no período pré-menstrual, especialmente no último dia antes da menstruação.
Terapia medicamentosa na depressão pós-acidente vascular encefálico
Authors: Ribeiro Daniel Silva , Cerqueira Filho Edilberto Amorim de , Losapio Mirella Fiuza , Sena Eduardo Pondé de
Published: August 2009

OBJETIVO: Este estudo visa realizar uma revisão de literatura sobre a terapia farmacológica na depressão pós-AVE. MÉTODO: Foi feita uma revisão nos bancos de dados MedLine e SciELO, utilizando-se como descritores primários "stroke", "depression" e "treatment", incluindo artigos publicados entre 1996 e 2008. RESULTADOS: Treze artigos foram selecionados. Foram encontrados dez artigos que apresentaram terapias farmacológicas eficazes no tratamento da depressão pós-AVE e três em que as terapias farmacológicas utilizadas não trouxeram benefício para a depressão dos grupos em estudo. CONCLUSÃO: O manejo farmacológico da DPAVE pode ser realizado de maneira profilática ou terapêutica. Em ambas as modalidades, os inibidores de recaptação seletiva são as medicações mais adequadas, destacando-se a fluoxetina e, em pacientes adequadamente selecionados, a reboxetina e o citalopram. A nortriptilina, antidepressivo tricíclico, é uma alternativa com relativa eficácia na conduta da DPAVE.
Megacarióticos e neoplasias experimentais: 4. Estudo do pulmão, fígado supra-renais e gânglios linfáticos
Authors: Kastner M. R. Q. de
Published: August 2009

Foi feita uma avaliação da presença de megacariócitos no pulmão, fígado, supra-reanais e gânglios linfáticos de animais portadores do Sarcoma 180. Concluímos que: 1. O número de megacariócitos encontrados no pulmão, estaria estreitamente correlacionado com o número de megacariócitos formados na medula. 2. Em determinadas circuntâncias (neste caso neoplasias) o número de megacariócitos no pulmão, aumenta como conseqüência de uma ativa megacariocitopoiese medular. 3. Os megacariócitos encontrados no pulmão dêstes animais apresentam núcleos extraordianàriamente polimorfos e às vêzes picnóticos. 4. Nos animais portadores de neoplasia (Sarcoma 180) encontram-se megacariócitos no fígado.
Vorgaenge im Oozytenkern von Nasutitermes sp
Authors: Barth Rudolf
Published: August 2009

Es werden die Vorgaenge in den generativen Kernen des Ovariums der Termite Nasutitermes sp. beginneng mit den juengsten OOgonien im Germarium bis zum reifen, nicht befruchteten Ei im Eileiter untersucht, wobei di Art Syntermes dirus zum Vergleich herngezogen wird. Es ergeben sich als Hauptresultate: 1. Germarium und Endfaden sind durch eine bindegewebige Scheidewand von einander getrennt, so dass die zentrale Kernreihe des letzteren nichts mit der Oogoniengeneration des Germariums gemeinsam hat. 2. Das Wachstum der Oogonien, Oozyten, Kernen und Nukleolen geht aus den Kurven der graphischen Darstellung der Figur 32 hervor. In den Oogonienkernen laufen die typischen Chromatinveraenderungen einer meiotischen Teilung bis zum Tetradenstadium ab. Waehrend dessen erleidet der Nukleolus nur geringfuegige Veraenderungen, bleibt waehrend der ganzen Prophasenvorgaenge erhalten und waechst, waehrend sich die Tetraden wieder aufloesen, etwa im gleichen Verhaeltnis wie der Kern (Tabelle 2). 4. Der Oozytenkern wird nicht am Ende der Dotterbildung aufgeloest und spaeter wieder in perpher Lage neu gebildet, wie von anderen Autoren mitgeteilt; er ist in jedem Stadium bis zum gereiften Ei im Ovidukt als solcher zu bobachten. 5. Es wird vermutet, dass die vorsvnaptischen Vorgaenge de Nukleolus und sein Weiterbestehen in Synapsis und Postsynapsis die zu erwartende Bildung einer meiotishchen Spindel unterbindet.
Efeitos da esplenectomia nas relações tumor-hospedeiro
Authors: Kerr I. Ballini
Published: August 2009

Foi estudada a evolução do sarcoma de Yoshida em ratos esplenectomizados. A remoção do baço favoreceu o desenvolvimento do tumor, indicando que êste órgão perticipa de um mecanismo de defesa antitumoral. Os dados demonstraram também, que o tempo trancorrido entre a esplenectomia e o transplante da neoplasia, é um fator importante na observação do processo. Foram tecidas considerações a respeito dos resultados.
Phlebotominae brasileiros: II - Psychodopygus wellcomei, nova espécie antropófila de flebótomo do grupo squamiventris, do Sul do Estado do Pará, Brasil (Diptera, Psychodidae)
Authors: Fraiha Habib , Shaw Jeffrey J. , Lainson Ralph
Published: August 2009

Os autores descrevem os adultos de uma nova espécie de flebótomo do gênero Psychodopygus, grupo squamiventris, que ocorre no sul do Estado do Pará, Brasil, baseando-se em 7 exemplares machos e 8 fêmeas, coletados com isca humana ou animal. Os machos têm genitália complexa, bem característica, distinguindo-se fàcilmente das epécies afins. As fêmeas são muito semelhantes às das demais espécies do grupo, separando-se, porém, pelo aspecto dos dutos individuais inteiramente esclerotinizados, pelo número de dentes verticais do cibário, de 12 a 20, e plo comprimento do terceiro segmento antenal: 265 a 332μ. Ratificam o parecer de Martins et al. sôbre a identidade de "L. squamiventris" do Amapá, segundo Forattini, com P. maripaensis, e mostram o que lhes parece ser o aspecto natural da genitália do macho dessa espécie. Acreditam na importância da nova espécie na transmissão de Leishmaniose tegumentar para o homem, salientando ainda os hábitos diuturnos das fêmeas.
Lisotipia Vi e classificação bioquímica de amostras de Salmonella typhi isoladas no Estado da Guanabara
Authors: Hofer Ernesto , Vicente Maria Marfisa Aguiar
Published: August 2009

Na presente investigação, os autores estudaram a distribuição dos lisótipos Ví, tipos fermentativos e tetrationato-redutase, em 110 amostras de Salmonella typhi, isoladas no período de 1966-1970, no Estado da Guanabara. Para estabelecer uma melhor configuração epidemiológica dos resultados, fez-se a divisão do Estado em seis regiões, respectivamente as zonas Sul, Centro, Norte, da E. F. Central, da E. F. Leopoldina e rural. Obteve-se no cômputo geral, a prevalência dos lisótipos A (59,09%), E 1a (19,09%), T (7,27%) e amostras Vi negativas (4,55%). Verificou-se ainda, que cerca de 70,90% das culturas foram classificadas no tipo fermentativo II, segundo esquema de Kristensen e 95,42% das amostras revelaram-se positivas na prova de detecção da tetrationato-redutase.
Poliomyelitis: epidemiological aspects in Rio de Janeiro (Guanabara State) and adjacent areas in the period from 1961 to 1970
Authors: Schatzmayr Hermann G. , Homma Akira , Costa Eduardo de Azeredo , Frias Luiz Armando de M. , Meilman Itamara
Published: August 2009

Based on the available data from the Hospital responsible for the care of paralitic poliomyelitis cases in Rio de Janeiro City (Guanabara State) and adjacent areas, and the laboratory studies carried out on these patients, the authors analize epidemiological aspects of poliomyelitis in a period of ten years (1961 to 1970). Paralitic poliomyelitis remains a public health problem, with a typical incidence in the less than 4 year age group. All three poliovirus types have been prevalent for at least one period of time during the last ten years. Trivalent oral vaccine has been used since 1961 but the vaccination levels achieved were not enough to a permanent control of the disease. A definite seasonal distribution of cases could not be observed with the available data. Active mass campaign vaccinations with previous motivation of all segments of the population, specially the low-income groups instead of passive waiting of children in Vaccination Centers seems to be the best aproach to control poliomyelitis in this area.
Strongylopsalis mathurinii (Dermaptera) e Alphitobius piceus (Coleoptera) novos hospedeiros intermediários para Hymenolepis diminuta (Rudolphi, 1819)
Authors: Rego A. Arandas
Published: August 2009

O autor descreve o ciclo biológico de hymenolepis diminuta (Rud., 1819) em dois novos hospedeiros intermediários: Strongylopsalis mathurinii (Dermaptera) e Alphitobius piceus (Coleoptera). O desenvolvimento larvar é similar em ambos os hospedeiros, embora algumas diferenças em detalhes tenham sido observadas, tais como os tempos de evolução e as dimensões dos cisticercóides; os cisticercóides obtidos dos dermápteros têm maiores dimensões relativas e o tempo de evolução pode ser de apenas 9 dias. O autor sugere que Strongylopsalis mathurinii, inseto freqüentemente encontrado na ração prensada dos roedores é um excelente hospedeiro intermediário, ideal para trabalhos experimentais com Hymenolepis diminuta.
Sinopse das espécies de Menticirrhus Gill, 1861 (Osteichthyes, Sciaenidae) do Atlântico Ocidental
Authors: Jardim Leda F. A.
Published: August 2009

Discute-se a nomenclatura e a taxonomia das espécies de Menticirrhus Gill, 1861 (Sciaenidae) do Atlântico Ocidental. As formas mencionadas na literatura foram reexaminadas para serem atribuídas às duas espécies achadas nas costas do Brasil, M. americanus (L.) e M. littoralis (Holbrook). Referências a M. littoralis são frequentemente feitas, na literatura de autores sul-americanos, sob o nome de M. martinicensis Cuvier.