bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bortezomib plus dexamethasone versus reduced-dose bortezomib, thalidomide plus dexamethasone as induction treatment before autologous stem cell transplantation in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma
Authors: Moreau Philippe , Avet-Loiseau Herve , Facon Thierry , Attal Michel , Tiab Mourad , Hulin Cyrille , Doyen Chantal , Garderet Laurent , Randriamalala Edouard , Araujo Carla , Lepeu Gérard , Marit Gerald , Caillot Denis , Escoffre Martine , Lioure Bruno , Benboubker Lotfi , Pégourié Brigitte , Kolb Brigitte , Stoppa Anne Marie , Fuzibet Jean-Gabriel , Decaux Olivier , Dib Mamoun , Berthou Christian , Chaleteix Carine , Sebban Catherine , Traullé Catherine , Fontan Jean , Wetterwald Marc , Lenain Pascal , Mathiot Claire , Harousseau Jean-Luc
Published: August 2011

The Intergroupe Francophone du Myelome conducted a randomized trial to compare bortezomib-dexamethasone (VD) as induction before high-dose therapy (HDT) and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) to a combination consisting of reduced doses of bortezomib and thalidomide plus dexamethasone (vtD) in patients with multiple myeloma. Overall, a total of 199 patients were centrally randomly assigned to receive VD or vtD. After 4 cycles, the complete response (CR) rate was the same in both groups (13% in the vtD arm, 12% in the VD arm, P = .74). However, the CR plus very good partial response (VGPR) rate was significantly higher in the vtD arm (49% vs 36%, P = .05). After ASCT, the CR plus VGPR rate was significantly higher in the vtD arm (74% vs 58%, P = .02). The reduced doses of bortezomib and thalidomide translated into a reduced incidence of peripheral neuropathy (PN): grade ≥ 2 PN were reported in 34% in the VD arm versus 14% in the vtD arm (P = .001). vtD, including reduced doses of bortezomib and thalidomide, yields higher VGPR rates compared with VD and can be considered a new effective triplet combination before HDT/ASCT. This study was registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00910897 and EudraCT as #2007-005204-40.
Early detection and intervention using neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) may improve renal outcome of acute contrast media induced nephropathy: A randomized controlled trial in patients undergoing intra-arterial angiography (ANTI-CIN Study)
Authors: Schilcher Gernot , Ribitsch Werner , Otto Ronald , Portugaller Rupert H , Quehenberger Franz , Truschnig-Wilders Martini , Zweiker Robert , Stiegler Philipp , Brodmann Marianne , Weinhandl Klemens , Horina Joerg H
Published: August 2011

Background

Patients with pre-existing impaired renal function are prone to develop acute contrast media induced nephropathy (CIN). Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), a new biomarker predictive for acute kidney injury (AKI), has been shown to be useful for earlier diagnosis of CIN; however, urinary NGAL values may be markedly increased in chronic renal failure at baseline. Results from those studies suggested that urinary NGAL values may not be helpful for the clinician. An intravenous volume load is a widely accepted prophylactic measure and possibly a reasonable intervention to prevent deterioration of renal function. The aim of our study is to evaluate NGAL as an early predictor of CIN and to investigate the clinical benefit of early post-procedural i.v. hydration.

Methods/Design

The study will follow a prospective, open-label, randomized controlled design. Patients requiring intra-arterial contrast media (CM) application will be included and receive standardized, weight-based, intravenous hydration before investigation. Subjects with markedly increased urinary NGAL values after CM application will be randomized into one of two study groups. Group A will receive 3-4 ml/kg BW/h 0.9% saline intravenously for 6 hours. Group B will undergo only standard treatment consisting of unrestricted oral fluid intake. The primary outcome measure will be CIN defined by an increase greater than 25% of baseline serum creatinine. Secondary outcomes will include urinary NGAL values, cystatin C values, contrast media associated changes in cardiac parameters such as NT-pro-BNP/troponin T, changes in urinary cytology, need for renal replacement treatment, length of stay in hospital and death.

We assume that 20% of the included patients will show a definite rise in urinary NGAL. Prospective statistical power calculations indicate that the study will have 80% statistical power to detect a clinically significant decrease of CIN of 40% in the treatment arm if 1200 patients are recruited into the study.

Discussion

A volume expansion strategy showing a benefit from earlier intervention for patients with markedly elevated urinary NGAL values, indicating a CIN, might arise from data from this study.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01292317
Atomic resolution structure of EhpR: phenazine resistance in Enterobacter agglomerans Eh1087 follows principles of bleomycin/mitomycin C resistance in other bacteria
Authors: Yu Shen , Vit Allegra , Devenish Sean , Mahanty H Khris , Itzen Aymelt , Goody Roger S , Blankenfeldt Wulf
Published: August 2011

Background

The phenazines are redox-active secondary metabolites that a large number of bacterial strains produce and excrete into the environment. They possess antibiotic activity owing to the fact that they can reduce molecular oxygen to toxic reactive oxygen species. In order to take advantage of this activity, phenazine producers need to protect themselves against phenazine toxicity. Whereas it is believed that phenazine-producing pseudomonads possess highly active superoxide dismutases and catalases, it has recently been found that the plant-colonizing bacterium Enterobacter agglomerans expresses a small gene ehpR to render itself resistant towards D-alanyl-griseoluteic acid, the phenazine antibiotic produced by this strain.

Results

To understand the resistance mechanism installed by EhpR we have determined its crystal structure in the apo form at 2.15 Å resolution and in complex with griseoluteic acid at 1.01 Å, respectively. While EhpR shares a common fold with glyoxalase-I/bleomycin resistance proteins, the ligand binding site does not contain residues that some related proteins employ to chemically alter their substrates. Binding of the antibiotic is mediated by π-stacking interactions of the aromatic moiety with the side chains of aromatic amino acids and by a few polar interactions. The dissociation constant KD between EhpR and griseoluteic acid was quantified as 244 ± 45 μM by microscale thermophoresis measurements.

Conclusions

The data accumulated here suggest that EhpR confers resistance by binding D-alanyl-griseoluteic acid and acting as a chaperone involved in exporting the antibiotic rather than by altering it chemically. It is tempting to speculate that EhpR acts in concert with EhpJ, a transport protein of the major facilitator superfamily that is also encoded in the phenazine biosynthesis operon of E. agglomerans. The low affinity of EhpR for griseoluteic acid may be required for its physiological function.
Frequency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in malaria patients from six African countries enrolled in two randomized anti-malarial clinical trials
Authors: Carter Nick , Pamba Allan , Duparc Stephan , Waitumbi John N
Published: August 2011

Background

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is common in populations living in malaria endemic areas. G6PD genotype and phenotype were determined for malaria patients enrolled in the chlorproguanil-dapsone-artesunate (CDA) phase III clinical trial programme.

Methods

Study participants, aged > 1 year, with microscopically confirmed uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria, and haemoglobin ≥ 70 g/L or haematocrit ≥ 25%, were recruited into two clinical trials conducted in six African countries (Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, Mali). G6PD genotype of the three most common African forms, G6PD*B, G6PD*A (A376G), and G6PD*A- (G202A, A542T, G680T and T968C), were determined and used for frequency estimation. G6PD phenotype was assessed qualitatively using the NADPH fluorescence test. Exploratory analyses investigated the effect of G6PD status on baseline haemoglobin concentration, temperature, asexual parasitaemia and anti-malarial efficacy after treatment with CDA 2/2.5/4 mg/kg or chlorproguanil-dapsone 2/2.5 mg/kg (both given once daily for three days) or six-dose artemether-lumefantrine.

Results

Of 2264 malaria patients enrolled, 2045 had G6PD genotype available and comprised the primary analysis population (1018 males, 1027 females). G6PD deficiency prevalence was 9.0% (184/2045; 7.2% [N = 147] male hemizygous plus 1.8% [N = 37] female homozygous), 13.3% (273/2045) of patients were heterozygous females, 77.7% (1588/2045) were G6PD normal. All deficient G6PD*A- genotypes were A376G/G202A. G6PD phenotype was available for 64.5% (1319/2045) of patients: 10.2% (134/1319) were G6PD deficient, 9.6% (127/1319) intermediate, and 80.2% (1058/1319) normal. Phenotype test specificity in detecting hemizygous males was 70.7% (70/99) and 48.0% (12/25) for homozygous females. Logistic regression found no significant effect of G6PD genotype on adjusted mean baseline haemoglobin (p = 0.154), adjusted mean baseline temperature (p = 0.9617), or adjusted log mean baseline parasitaemia (p = 0.365). There was no effect of G6PD genotype (p = 0.490) or phenotype (p = 0.391) on the rate of malaria recrudescence, or reinfection (p = 0.134 and p = 0.354, respectively).

Conclusions

G6PD deficiency is common in African patients with malaria and until a reliable and simple G6PD test is available, the use of 8-aminoquinolines will remain problematic. G6PD status did not impact baseline haemoglobin, parasitaemia or temperature or the outcomes of anti-malarial therapy.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT00344006 and NCT00371735.
Layer-dependent nanoscale electrical properties of graphene studied by conductive scanning probe microscopy
Authors: Zhao Shihua , Lv Yi , Yang Xinju
Published: August 2011

The nanoscale electrical properties of single-layer graphene (SLG), bilayer graphene (BLG) and multilayer graphene (MLG) are studied by scanning capacitance microscopy (SCM) and electrostatic force microscopy (EFM). The quantum capacitance of graphene deduced from SCM results is found to increase with the layer number (n) at the sample bias of 0 V but decreases with n at -3 V. Furthermore, the quantum capacitance increases very rapidly with the gate voltage for SLG, but this increase is much slowed down when n becomes greater. On the other hand, the magnitude of the EFM phase shift with respect to the SiO2 substrate increases with n at the sample bias of +2 V but decreases with n at -2 V. The difference in both quantum capacitance and EFM phase shift is significant between SLG and BLG but becomes much weaker between MLGs with a different n. The layer-dependent quantum capacitance behaviors of graphene could be attributed to their layer-dependent electronic structure as well as the layer-varied dependence on gate voltage, while the layer-dependent EFM phase shift is caused by not only the layer-dependent surface potential but also the layer-dependent capacitance derivation.
Spatial and temporal point tracking in real hyperspectral images
Authors: Aminov Benjamin , Nichtern Ofir , Rotman Stanley R
Published: August 2011

In this article, we consider the problem of tracking a point target moving against a background of sky and clouds. The proposed solution consists of three stages: the first stage transforms the hyperspectral cubes into a two-dimensional (2D) temporal sequence using known point target detection acquisition methods; the second stage involves the temporal separation of the 2D sequence into sub-sequences and the usage of a variance filter (VF) to detect the presence of targets using the temporal profile of each pixel in its group, while suppressing clutter-specific influences. This stage creates a new sequence containing a target with a seemingly faster velocity; the third stage applies the Dynamic Programming Algorithm (DPA) that tracks moving targets with low SNR at around pixel velocity. The system is tested on both synthetic and real data.
Analysing GCN4 translational control in yeast by stochastic chemical kinetics modelling and simulation
Authors: You Tao , Stansfield Ian , Romano M Carmen , Brown Alistair JP , Coghill George M
Published: August 2011

Background

The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae responds to amino acid starvation by inducing the transcription factor Gcn4. This is mainly mediated via a translational control mechanism dependent upon the translation initiation eIF2·GTP·Met-tRNAi
Met ternary complex, and the four short upstream open reading frames (uORFs) in its 5' mRNA leader. These uORFs act to attenuate GCN4 mRNA translation under normal conditions. During amino acid starvation, levels of ternary complex are reduced. This overcomes the GCN4 translation attenuation effect via a scanning/reinitiation control mechanism dependent upon uORF spacing.

Results

Using published experimental data, we have developed and validated a probabilistic formulation of GCN4 translation using the Chemical Master Equation (Model 1). Model 1 explains GCN4 translation's nonlinear dependency upon uORF placements, and predicts that an as yet unidentified factor, which was proposed to regulate GCN4 translation under some conditions, only has pronounced effects upon GCN4 translation when intercistronic distances are unnaturally short. A simpler Model 2 that does not include this unidentified factor could well represent the regulation of a natural GCN4 mRNA. Using parameter values optimised for this algebraic Model 2, we performed stochastic simulations by Gillespie algorithm to investigate the distribution of ribosomes in different sections of GCN4 mRNA under distinct conditions. Our simulations demonstrated that ribosomal loading in the 5'-untranslated region is mainly determined by the ratio between the rates of 5'-initiation and ribosome scanning, but was not significantly affected by rate of ternary complex binding. Importantly, the translation rate for codons starved of cognate tRNAs is predicted to be the most significant contributor to the changes in ribosomal loading in the coding region under repressing and derepressing conditions.

Conclusions

Our integrated probabilistic Models 1 and 2 explained GCN4 translation and helped to elucidate the role of a yet unidentified factor. The ensuing stochastic simulations evaluated different factors that may impact on the translation of GCN4 mRNA, and integrated translation status with ribosomal density.
Utility of a simplified ultrasound assessment to assess interstitial pulmonary fibrosis in connective tissue disorders - preliminary results
Authors: Gutierrez Marwin , Salaffi Fausto , Carotti Marina , Tardella Marika , Pineda Carlos , Bertolazzi Chiara , Bichisecchi Elisabetta , Filippucci Emilio , Grassi Walter
Published: August 2011

Introduction

Interstitial pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a frequent manifestation in patients with connective tissue disorders (CTD). Recently the ultrasound (US) criterion validity for its assessment has been proposed; however, the US scoring systems adopted include the study of several lung intercostal spaces (LIS), which could be time-consuming in daily clinical practice. The aim of this study was to investigate the utility of a simplified US B-lines scoring system compared with both the US comprehensive assessment and the high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings of IPF in CTD patients.

Methods

Thirty-six patients with a diagnosis of CTD were enrolled. Each patient underwent chest HRCT and lung US by an experienced radiologist and rheumatologist, respectively. Both comprehensive and simplified US B-lines assessments were scanned. The comprehensive US assessment was performed at 50 LIS level, whereas the simplified US assessment included bilaterally 14 LIS; for the anterior chest: the second LIS along the para-sternal lines, the fourth LIS along the mid-clavear, anterior axillary and mid-axillary lines; for the posterior chest: the eighth LIS along the paravertebral, sub-scapular and posterior axillary lines.

For criterion validity, HRCT was considered the gold standard. Feasibility, inter and intra-observer reliability was also investigated.

Results

A highly significant correlation between comprehensive and simplified US assessment was found (P = 0.0001). A significant correlation was also found between the simplified US assessment and HRCT findings (P = 0.0006). Kappa values for the inter-observer simplified US assessment were in a range from 0.769 to 0.885, whereas the concordance correlation coefficient values for the intra-observer were from 0.856 to 0.955. There was a relevant difference in time spent on comprehensive (mean 23.3 ± SD 4.5 minutes) with respect to the simplified US assessment (mean 8.6 ± SD 1.4) (P < 0.00001).

Conclusions

Our results provide a new working hypothesis in favor of the utility of a simplified US B-lines assessment as an adjunct method to assess IPF in patients with CTD.
Conformational changes of the chaperone SecB upon binding to a model substrate – bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI)
Authors: Haimann Michaela M. , Akdogan Yasar , Philipp Reinhard , Varadarajan Raghavan , Hinderberger Dariush , Trommer Wolfgang E.
Published: August 2011

SecB is a homotetrameric cytosolic chaperone that forms part of the protein translocation machinery in E. coli. Due to SecB, nascent polypeptides are maintained in an unfolded translocation-competent state devoid of tertiary structure and thus are guided to the translocon. In vitro SecB rapidly binds to a variety of ligands in a non-native state. We have previously investigated the bound state conformation of the model substrate bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI) as well as the conformation of SecB itself by using proximity relationships based on site-directed spin labeling and pyrene fluorescence methods. It was shown that SecB undergoes a conformational change during the process of substrate binding. Here, we generated SecB mutants containing but a single cysteine per subunit or an exposed highly reactive new cysteine after removal of the nearby intrinsic cysteines. Quantitative spin labeling was achieved with the methanethiosulfonate spin label (MTS) at positions C97 or E90C, respectively. Highfield (W-band) electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements revealed that with BPTI present the spin labels are exposed to a more polar/hydrophilic environment. Nanoscale distance measurements with double electron-electron resonance (DEER) were in excellent agreement with distances obtained by molecular modeling. Binding of BPTI also led to a slight change in distances between labels at C97 but not at E90C. While the shorter distance in the tetramer increased, the larger diagonal distance decreased. These findings can be explained by a widening of the tetrameric structure upon substrate binding much like the opening of two pairs of scissors.
mRNA expression levels of the biological factors uPAR, uPAR-del4/5, and rab31, displaying prognostic value in breast cancer, are not clinically relevant in advanced ovarian cancer
Authors: Kotzsch Matthias , Dorn Julia , Doetzer Kristina , Schmalfeldt Barbara , Krol Janna , Baretton Gustavo , Kiechle Marion , Schmitt Manfred , Magdolen Viktor
Published: August 2011

High tumor tissue mRNA expression of the tumor biological factors uPAR, uPAR-del4/5, or rab31 is associated with shorter distant metastasis-free and overall survival in breast cancer patients. To evaluate whether these factors are also clinically relevant in ovarian cancer, we quantified the respective mRNA levels in primary tumor tissue of advanced ovarian cancer patients (n=103) and evaluated their association with clinicopathological parameters and patients’ prognosis. mRNA expression levels of all three markers did not show any significant association with overall or progression-free survival, demonstrating that these factors have no prognostic value in advanced ovarian cancer.
Iron-catalyzed oxidation of Trp residues in low-density lipoprotein
Authors: Chen Hsin-Hung , Chen Ching-Yi , Chow Lu-Ping , Chen Chu-Huang , Lee Yuan-Teh , Smith Charles V. , Yang Chao-Yuh
Published: August 2011

The mechanisms of oxidation of low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) are not well defined, but epidemiological and experimental studies suggest that iron-catalyzed processes may contribute to atherogenesis. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that iron-catalyzed oxidations of LDLs in vitro produce diagnostic biomarkers of oxidation of the apolipoprotein that could be applied to studies in vivo. LDLs were oxidized in the presence of Fe2+, EDTA, and ascorbic acid for up to 40 h. Following delipidation and trypsin digestion, the peptides were separated by HPLC, with four peaks detected at 365 nm, whereas none were observed in peptides from unoxidized LDLs. The peptides were identified by MALDI-QTOF mass spectrometry as IVQILP(W+4) EQNEQVK, IYSL(W+4)EHSTK, FEGLQE(W+4)EGK, and YH(W+4)EHTGLTLR, with (W+4) rather than the W residues of the unoxidized protein. The mass gains (+4 increase in m/z in tryptophan, W) and absorbance at 365 nm indicate kynurenines, which were trypsin-releasable peptides that are on the surface of LDL particles. All four peptides thus characterized share the sequence of WE. The preferential oxidation of W residues in WE sequences suggest contributions from the C-proximate glutamate residues in chelation of the iron species, thereby influencing site selectivities of oxidation. These kynurenine-containing peptides might serve as biomarkers of iron-mediated oxidations in vivo.
Evolvability, epigenetics and transposable elements
Authors: Fablet Marie , Vieira Cristina
Published: August 2011

Evolvability can be defined as the capacity of an individual to evolve and thus to capture adaptive mutations. Transposable elements (TE) are an important source of mutations in organisms. Their capacity to transpose within a genome, sometimes at a high rate, and their copy number regulation are environment-sensitive, as are the epigenetic pathways that mediate TE regulation in a genome. In this review we revisit the way we see evolvability with regard to transposable elements and epigenetics.
Zur Problematik der virusdiagnostischen Qualitätskontrolle/Laboratory diagnosis of viral principles and problems
Authors: Doerr Hans W.
Published: August 2011

Die Labordiagnose einer Infektionskrankheit beruht auf dem Nachweis des Infektionserregers oder der spezifischen Immunreaktion unter Berücksichtigung der klinischen Plausibilität. Biologische Testverfahren wie der Zellkulturversuch erbringen nur näherungsweise ein quantitatives Ergebnis und sind mit einer relativ großen Streuung behaftet. Das gilt auch für Antikörperassays, soweit sie über ein biologisches Testsignal abgelesen werden (CPE, Agglutination, Komplementverbrauch). Moderne serologische und molekularbiologische Untersuchungsmethoden der Virologie werden i. d. R. über ein physikochemisches Testssignal abgelesen und quantitativ ausgewertet. Dadurch gelingt die nationale und internationale Standardisierung, die sich in Ringversuchen gut überprüfen lässt. Aus biologischen Gründen ist meist eine log. Ergebnisberechnung angezeigt, was für „signifikante“ Unterschiede in Verlaufsuntersuchungen zu berücksichtigen ist: Da sowohl Infektion als auch Immunreaktion dynamische Prozesse darstellen, können Normalwerte in der virologischen Labordiagnostik nur restriktiv definiert werden. Ihre Ergebnisse sind mehr oder minder individuell interpretationsbedürftig.
DART: Deutsche Antibiotika-Resistenzstrategie. Bericht zu Vorgeschichte und Sachstand/DART: the German strategy to fight antimicrobial resistance. Report on history and current state
Authors: Wiegel Bernhard
Published: August 2011

Der vorliegende Bericht zeigt die aus zehn Zielen – Stärkung der Surveillance-Systeme zur Antibiotika-Resistenz und zum Antibiotika-Verbrauch, Systematische Rückkopplung von Daten zur Antibiotika-Resistenz und zum Antibiotika-Verbrauch, Förderung der Anwendung von Leitlinien, Sicherstellung der Diagnostik, Förderung der Aus-, Weiter- und Fortbildung von medizinischen Berufsgruppen, Apothekerinnen und Apothekern sowie Naturwissenschaftlerinnen und Naturwissenschaftlern, Nationale Zusammenarbeit, Internationale Zusammenarbeit, Förderung von Evaluierungsmaßnahmen in der Humanmedizin, Förderung des Wissenstransfers im Bereich Antibiotika-Resistenz sowie Vernetzung und Stärkung der Wissenschaft im Bereich Antibiotika-Resistenz – bestehende Deutsche Antibiotika-Resistenzstrategie auf. Die beabsichtigten gesetzlichen Vorhaben und offene Fragen zur nachhaltigen Sicherung guter Laborpraxis werden angesprochen.
Approach to develop a screw configuration for compounding solid fillers on a twin screw extruder using the example of polyethylene-layered silicate masterbatches
Authors: Michaeli Walter , Elas Athanassios , Puch Florian
Published: August 2011

The high potential of layered silicate improving material properties of plastics has been discussed in a significant number of publications. However, homogeneously dispersing it with twin screw extruders is demanding. Available information on optimum screw configuration is contradictory. In this investigation, we develop a practical method for individually designing and optimising extruder sections. This method is applied for designing extruder sections for compounding masterbatches of high-density polyethylene and layered silicate. We found out that for best dispersion, dispersing sections should only be partially filled with melt. Thus, only right-handed kneading elements should be applied.
Polymerization of N-methyl B-methyl amino borazine
Authors: Moutaabbid Hicham , Moutaabbid Mohammed
Published: August 2011

A large quantity of high-quality poly[N-methyl B-methyl amino borazine] was synthesized via a solventless method from the monomer 1,3,5-trimethyl-2,4,6-tri(methyl amino)borazine. The thermal polymerization profile was investigated with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), size exclusion chromatography (SEC), gas chromatography, and mass spectrometry. A polymerization mechanism involving the condensation reaction of two –N(H)CH3 groups releasing methylamine was proposed and compared with the literature. As a result of cross-linking via the amino­methyl moiety, the cured polymer exhibited a molecular weight Mn of 790 g mol-1, glass transition temperature of 64°C, high cross-link density, and thermal stability with a decomposition temperature of 165°C. Functionalized poly[N-methyl B-methyl amino borazine] with chemical stability was fully characterized by 1H, 13C, 11B nuclear magnetic resonance, FTIR, DSC, and SEC analyses. Ultraviolet absorption spectra evidenced changes in the structure of the aforementioned oligomers.
Ellipse und Textverstehen
Authors: Hennig Mathilde
Published: August 2011

Elliptical structures can be seen as a challenge for grammar theory, grammatical research of individual languages and psycholinguistics. Whereas research on elliptical structures in grammar theory and psycholinguistics is mainly restricted to coordination ellipsis, grammatical research on ellipsis in German covers a much wider range of elliptical structures both in written texts and spoken language. The article argues for a broadening of the psycholinguistic understanding of ellipsis by taking into account different types of text ellipsis revealed by research in German linguistics and by correlating different types of elliptical structures with sub-processes of the understanding of texts (coherence, inference). It shows that the shift of attention to a wider range of types of elliptical structures also leads to new hypotheses of understanding elliptical structures. As the article only offers a first approach to the integration of text understanding and grammatical classification of elliptical structures, it cannot provide an elaborate set of methods for proving the hypotheses. It therefore closes with an appeal to a more extensive collaboration of different linguistic disciplines.
Paleoproterozoic (~1.88Ga) felsic volcanism of the Iricoumé Group in the Pitinga Mining District area, Amazonian Craton, Brazil: insights in ancient volcanic processes from field and petrologic data
Authors: Pierosan Ronaldo , Lima Evandro F. , Nardi Lauro V.S. , Campos Cristina P. de , Bastos Neto Artur C. , Ferron José M.T.M. , Prado Maurício
Published: August 2011

The Iricoumé Group correspond to the most expressive Paleoproterozoic volcanism in the Guyana Shield, Amazonian craton. The volcanics are coeval with Mapuera granitoids, and belong to the Uatumã magmatism. They have U-Pb ages around 1880 Ma, and geochemical signatures of α-type magmas. Iricoumé volcanics consist of porphyritic trachyte to rhyolite, associated to crystal-rich ignimbrites and co-ignimbritic fall tuffs and surges. The amount and morphology of phenocrysts can be useful to distinguish lava (flow and dome) from hypabyssal units. The morphology of ignimbrite crystals allows the distinction between effusive units and ignimbrite, when pyroclasts are obliterated. Co-ignimbritic tuffs are massive, and some show stratifications that suggest deposition by current traction flow. Zircon and apatite saturation temperatures vary from 799°C to 980°C, are in agreement with most temperatures of α-type melts and can be interpreted as minimum liquidus temperature. The viscosities estimation for rhyolitic and trachytic compositions yield values close to experimentally determined melts, and show a typical exponential decay with water addition. The emplacement of Iricoumé volcanics and part of Mapuera granitoids was controlled by ring-faults in an intracratonic environment. A genesis related to the caldera complex setting can be assumed for the Iricoumé-Mapuera volcano-plutonic association in the Pitinga Mining District.
A família cuidando do ser humano com câncer e sentido a experiência
Authors: Bielemann Valquíria de Lourdes Machado
Published: August 2011

A proposta deste estudo é compreender as formas de cuidados desenvolvidas pela família de um ser humano acometido de câncer, para poder ajudá-lo e apoiá-lo nesta hora de difícil enfrentamento, como também, identificar os sentimentos apresentados pelo grupo familiar nesta trajetória de doença, para poder compreender esta vivência. É uma abordagem qualitativa guiada pelo referencial teórico do Interacionismo Simbólico. Foi possível perceber, que para cuidar do ser humano doente a família desenvolve várias formas de apoio e ajuda, assim, cria novas formas de funcionar. Cuidando, apresenta seus próprios sentimentos, sendo uma maneira de interpretar a situação
Opinião de estudantes de enfermagem sobre doença mental e assistência na área
Authors: Furegato Antonia Regina Ferreira , Osinaga Vera Lúcia Mendiondo
Published: August 2011

Os autores objetivam investigar o conhecimento acerca da doença mental e seus tratamentos entre estudantes de enfermagem que estarão ingressando no mercado de trabalho. Neste estudo descritivo foi aplicada uma Escala de Medida de Opinião (EMO) do tipo Likert, com 56 afirmativas, relativas ao tema. As respostas dos 38 alunos que aceitaram participar foram analisadas e agrupadas em 4 categorias: - O doente, a família e o atendimento, - Políticas e assistência em psiquiatria, - Concepções sobre a doença e o doente mental - Cuidados de enfermagem e tratamentos. Os resultados mostram que nem todas as doenças ou problemas sociais devem ser tratadas pela instituição psiquiátrica pois existem outras alternativas. Apontam a importância da participação da família e o preparo profissional para melhorar a qualidade da assistência.
Saberes e práticas dos adolescentes na prevenção das doenças sexualmente transmissíveis
Authors: Martini Jussara Gue , Bandeira Adriana da Silva
Published: August 2011

Este estudo tem como objetivo avaliar o conhecimento que os adolescentes possuem em relação à prevenção e à transmissão das DST's, HIV/AIDS. Foi realizado em uma escola básica no município de Canoas - RS. Participaram do estudo 121 alunos, com idades entre 12 e 19 anos. A iniciação sexual dos estudantes ocorreu em média dos 12-16 anos, 22,3% deles. O conhecimento que os jovens possuem em relação à transmissão das DST's fica evidenciado quando 79,9% dos entrevistados assinalaram que estas são transmitidas através do contato sexual sem o uso do preservativo. No entanto os mitos e os esteriótipos também estão muito presentes, pois 16,3% dos adolescentes responderam que é possível que a contaminação ocorra usando o banheiro, piscinas ou sauna.
A utilização da técnica de videogravação em investigação de enfermagem em saúde da criança
Authors: Mello Débora Falleiros de , Figueiredo Glória Lúcia Alves , Nascimento Lucila Castanheira
Published: August 2011

O presente estudo tem por objetivo descrever o percurso metodológico realizado em uma pesquisa sobre o atendimento de enfermagem no acompanhamento do crescimento e desenvolvimento da criança em Unidade Básica de Saúde, focalizando a técnica de videogravação. O estudo discute aspectos da fase exploratória, coleta de dados empíricos, registro e unidade de observação, ressaltando a utilização da videogravação, suas vantagens e dificuldades.
Humanização e trabalho na enfermagem
Authors: Collet Neusa , Rozendo Célia Alves
Published: August 2011

Neste ensaio temos como objetivo refletir sobre o tema da 63ª Semana Brasileira de Enfermagem: "humanização e trabalho: razão e sentido na enfermagem". Discutimos a relação humanização/trabalho na enfermagem diferenciando os aspectos relacionados à humanização do trabalho de enfermagem daqueles do trabalho humanizado da enfermagem. Os desafios do processo de humanização da assistência e das relações de trabalho implicam em superação da relevância dada à competência técnico-científica em detrimento da humanização; superação dos padrões rotineiros, arraigados, cristalizados de produzir atos em saúde; superação dos modelos convencionais de gestão; superação dos corporativismos das diferentes categorias profissionais em prol da interdependência e complementaridade nas ações em saúde; construção da utopia da humanização como um processo coletivo possível de ser alcançado e implementado.
Identity and the concept of the West: the case of Brazil and India
Authors: Stuenkel Oliver
Published: August 2011

This study aims to provide insights about how Brazil and India view and relate to the concept of the West, and how this affects their identity and foreign policy. Both countries' notions about the West are the subject of lively domestic discussion both in academia and the media, reflecting the struggle these countries find themselves in to define their identity as they rise. I argue that the concept of the West serves, in both Brazil and India, as a crucial concept to articulate their own identity-by a complex combination of criticizing, distancing itself from, or attempting to emulate the West.
A carreira de professor estadual no Brasil: os casos de São Paulo e Rio Grande do Sul
Authors: Barbosa Filho Fernando de Holanda , pessôa Samuel de abreu
Published: August 2011

O presente artigo, com base nas folhas de pagamentos dos professores das redes públicas estaduais do Rio Grande do Sul (RS) e de São Paulo (SP), mostra que a remuneração dos professores das redes públicas destes estados não está relacionada com o desempenho dos professores, sendo o tempo de serviço o fator determinante na evolução da remuneração. O salário relativo médio de um professor da rede dos estados do Rio Grande do Sul e de São Paulo, como fração do PIB, é superior ao encontrado em outros países que são considerados exemplos de bom desempenho escolar. Ou seja, não há evidência de que o salário nestas redes esteja fora da nor-ma tomando como comparação os países da OECD. O artigo mostra, ainda, que o salário médio pago aos professores da ativa é inferior ao benefício médio concedido aos inativos e que estes apresentam um elevado custo na folha de pagamentos dos estados, superior aos 50% no Rio Grande do Sul e 35% em São Paulo. Mais, as regras para aposentadoria dos professores no Brasil são extremamente generosas quando comparadas com outros países do mundo. O artigo finaliza documentando a forte compressão salarial existente no magistério em comparação ao observado no mercado de trabalho gaúcho e paulista para os profissionais com curso superior.
Privatizar ou não? Eis a questão: um estudo empírico sobre a rentabilidade das empresas de economia mista e empresas privadas listadas na Bovespa no período de 1995 a 2007
Authors: Nossa Silvania Neris , Gonzaga Rosimeire Pimentel , Nossa Valcemiro , Ribeiro Filho José Francisco , Teixeira Aridelmo José Campanharo
Published: August 2011

O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar se a rentabilidade das empresas de economia mista é diferente da rentabilidade das empresas privadas, levando-se em consideração o tamanho das empresas e o custo da dívida. Foram analisadas as empresas listadas na Bovespa, compreendendo o período de 1995 a 2007. Os dados foram coletados no software Economática. Assim, procurou-se responder à seguinte questão: as empresas brasileiras de economia mista têm desempenho similar ao das empresas privadas? Para o teste da hipótese empregou-se regressão com dados em painel utilizado como proxy: para a rentabilidade, o Lair (lucro antes do imposto de renda); para o tamanho, o log de ativo; e, para o custo de captação de recursos, o custo da dívida (Kd). No que se refere à diferenciação de rentabilidade entre empresas de economia mista e empresas de economia privada, os resultados encontrados corroboram os achados de estudos anteriores. Observou-se neste estudo que tanto o tamanho quanto o custo da dívida estão relacionados à rentabilidade das empresas, mas o fato de a empresa brasileira ser de economia mista ou privada não interfere em sua rentabilidade.
Governança corporativa e gestão socialmente responsável em empresas estatais
Authors: Miranda Rubens Augusto de , Amaral Hudson Fernandes
Published: August 2011

A globalização, entre outros eventos, trouxe para o setor produtivo de domínio público a necessidade de alguns ajustes e de reestruturação para poder continuar justificando a atuação do Estado na economia. Assim, nos últimos anos passou-se a considerar que a atuação das empresas estatais deve ser pautada na responsabilidade para com seus proprietários, os governos e os demais interessados, e a governança corporativa deve ser um instrumento para a consecução de tal objetivo. No trabalho, entendeu-se que as políticas sociais das estatais, quando bem administradas, podem fazer parte de uma estratégia eficiente de geração de valor, no âmbito das teorias de stakeholders. Portanto, objetivou-se investigar como a realização de boas práticas de governança corporativa nas empresas estatais pode contribuir para que o braço social da corporação melhore o desempenho financeiro em vez de se restringir a ações de interesses partidários. Concluiu-se que tais empresas devem considerar as estratégias associadas à ideia de responsabilidade social corporativa sob algumas restrições.
A unidade dos contrários: fordismo e pós-fordismo
Authors: Tenório Fernando G.
Published: August 2011

Alguém que "nessa altura do campeonato", início de século XXI, escreve sobre taylorismo, fordismo e quejandos ou tem nostalgia do passado ou não tem atualizado seus conhecimentos. Melhor, é um antiquado, um matusalênico que pensa que o sistema ainda é de base mecânica quando a eficiência era contabilizada através do cronômetro, de movimentos previamente estabelecidos sobre um processo que corria por meio de roldanas e outros mecânicos meios. No entanto, não é esta impressão que propomos no presente artigo. Aqui o que objetivamos é resgatar conceitos que o modismo da contemporaneidade flexível não permite que sejam percebidos, escondendo indicadores da permanência de um fazer fordista travestido, muitas vezes, de moderno, atual. A tese proposta é que o pós-fordismo contém o fordismo. Ou seja, o fordismo não é substituído pelo pós-fordismo, visto que este último contém, de acordo com a unidade dos contrários, lei da dialética, elementos fordistas, substâncias que serão representadas por meio de um continuum. Assim, a aparente situação antitética não ocorre uma vez que o pós-fordismo compreende seu oposto, o fordismo.
Oviposición diaria de Aedes aegypti en Orán, Salta, Argentina
Authors: Estallo Elizabet Lilia , Ludueña-Almeida Francisco , Scavuzzo Carlos Marcelo , Zaidenberg Mario , Introini María Virginia , Almirón Walter Ricardo
Published: August 2011

El objetivo del estudio fue determinar los horarios de máxima actividad de oviposición de Aedes aegypti en la ciudad de Orán (noroeste argentino). Se realizaron muestreos quincenales entre noviembre de 2006 y febrero de 2007 (primavera-verano). La ciudad fue dividida en tres zonas (norte, centro, sur), donde fueron seleccionadas al azar las viviendas para colocar dos ovitrampas en el exterior de las mismas. Las ovitrampas fueron reemplazadas cada cuatro horas, desde la mañana (8h) hasta el atardecer (20h). Se registró la mayor cantidad de huevos entre las 16 y 20 h (81%). Estos datos aportan al conocimiento del vector y, por lo tanto, de la posibilidad de control, pudiendo realizarse las fumigaciones en la franja horaria con mayor actividad de oviposición.
A SARIMA forecasting model to predict the number of cases of dengue in Campinas, State of São Paulo, Brazil
Authors: Martinez Edson Zangiacomi , Silva Elisângela Aparecida Soares da , Fabbro Amaury Lelis Dal
Published: August 2011

INTRODUCTION: Forecasting dengue cases in a population by using time-series models can provide useful information that can be used to facilitate the planning of public health interventions. The objective of this article was to develop a forecasting model for dengue incidence in Campinas, southeast Brazil, considering the Box-Jenkins modeling approach. METHODS: The forecasting model for dengue incidence was performed with R software using the seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA) model. We fitted a model based on the reported monthly incidence of dengue from 1998 to 2008, and we validated the model using the data collected between January and December of 2009. RESULTS: SARIMA (2,1,2) (1,1,1)12 was the model with the best fit for data. This model indicated that the number of dengue cases in a given month can be estimated by the number of dengue cases occurring one, two and twelve months prior. The predicted values for 2009 are relatively close to the observed values. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this article indicate that SARIMA models are useful tools for monitoring dengue incidence. We also observe that the SARIMA model is capable of representing with relative precision the number of cases in a next year.
Presença de mosquitos (Diptera: Culicidae) em piscinões na zona leste de São Paulo
Authors: Silvério Edna de Cássia , Urbinatti Paulo Roberto
Published: August 2011

INTRODUÇÃO: Alterações no ambiente vêm contribuindo com mudanças climáticas, como o aumento do volume de chuvas, que acarreta as inundações. Medidas estão sendo tomadas no enfrentamento das inundações, como a implantação dos reservatórios de contenção de cheias (piscinões). Neste trabalho, foi avaliada a fauna de culicídeos, de importância epidemiológica, nos piscinões Caguaçu e Inhumas. MÉTODOS: Foram realizadas coletas mensais nos piscinões Caguaçu e Inhumas, situados na região leste de São Paulo, de março de 2006 a fevereiro de 2007, empregando-se os métodos de concha entomológica e aspirador. Para análise dos dados, foram realizadas análises estatísticas descritivas e a regressão linear simples. RESULTADOS: Foram coletados 8.917 culicídeos, destacando-se Culex (Culex) quinquefasciatus, que representou 98,9% dos espécimes no Inhumas e 95,2% no Caguaçu. No Caguaçu, a maior frequência de imaturos foi observada no vertedouro (61%) e no Inhumas na canaleta (42,6%). A precipitação prediz 87% da abundância numérica de larvas de terceiro e de quarto estágio no Caguaçu e 60% do número de pupas coletadas. No Inhumas, a precipitação explicou 36% da abundância numérica de larvas e 18% do número de pupas. CONCLUSÕES: Culex quinquefasciatus, vetor de agentes da filariose, arboviroses e fator de incômodo à população, foi a espécie mais frequente nos dois ambientes. Medidas de controle da espécie nos piscinões estudados se fazem necessárias tendo em vista seu potencial epidemiológico.
Giardia duodenalis: genotypic comparison between a human and a canine isolates
Authors: Gomes Karina Braga , Fernandes Ana Paula , Menezes Aline , Amorim Júnior Ronaldo , Silva Edward Félix , Rocha Miriam Oliveira
Published: August 2011

INTRODUCTION: Evidence suggests that giardiasis is a zoonotic disease. The present work aimed to evaluate the genetic identity of Giardia duodenalis isolated from human and dog fecal samples from Belo Horizonte. METHODS: Human and dog fecal samples were cultured for isolation of G. duodenalis. To determine the genotype of the isolates, primers that amplify a specific region in rRNA of the protozoan were used. RESULTS: Two G. duodenalis isolates were obtained, which belong to the subgroup A genotype. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the transmission of giardiasis follows a zoonotic pattern.
Human herpesvirus 6: report of emerging pathogen in five patients with HIV/AIDS and review of the literature
Authors: Corti Marcelo , Villafañe Maria Florencia , Trione Norberto , Mamanna Lilia , Bouzas Belén
Published: August 2011

The reactivation of human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) in patients with AIDS can result in an acute and severe diffuse meningoencephalitis. We describe the epidemiological, clinical and outcome findings of five patients with diagnosis of HIV/AIDS and central nervous system involvement (CNS) due to HHV-6. Fever was present in all the patients. Meningeal compromise, seizures and encephalitis were present in some of the patients. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens was positive for HHV-6 in all the patients. HHV-6 should be included among opportunistic and emerging pathogens that involve the CNS in patients with AIDS.
Evaluation of Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi strains isolated from dogs originating from two visceral leishmaniasis-endemic areas in Brazil using multilocus enzyme electrophoresis
Authors: Coutinho Carlos Eduardo Ribeiro , Santos Dilvani Oliveira , Baptista Cibele , Figueiredo Fabiano Borges , Madeira Maria de Fatima
Published: August 2011

INTRODUCTION: Domestic dogs are the most important reservoir in the peridomestic transmission cycle of Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi. The genetic variability of subpopulations of this parasite circulating in dogs has not been thoroughly analyzed in Brazil, even though this knowledge has important implications in the clinical-epidemiological context. METHODS: The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the phenotypic variability of 153 L. chagasi strains isolated from dogs originating from the municipalities of Rio de Janeiro (n = 57) and Belo Horizonte (n = 96), where the disease is endemic. Strains isolated only from intact skin were selected and analyzed by multilocus enzyme electrophoresis using nine enzyme systems (6PG, GPI, NH1 and NH2, G6P, PGM, MDH, ME, and IDHNADP). RESULTS: The electrophoretic profile was identical for all isolates analyzed and was the same as that of the L. chagasi reference strain (MHOM/BR/74/PP75). Phenetic analysis showed a similarity index of one for all strains, with the isolates sharing 100% of the characteristics analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate that the L. chagasi populations circulating in dogs from Rio de Janeiro and Belo Horizonte belong to a single zymodeme.