bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Functionally associated targets in mantle cell lymphoma as defined by DNA microarrays and RNA interference
Authors: Ortega-Paino Eva , Fransson Johan , Ek Sara , Borrebaeck Carl A. K.
Published: November 2007

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a non-Hodgkin lymphoma with poor prognosis. Its hallmark is the translocation t(11:14)q (13;32), leading to overexpression of cyclin D1, a positive regulator of the cell cycle. As cyclin D1 up-regulation is not sufficient for inducing malignant transformation, we combined DNA microarray and RNA interference (RNAi) approaches to identify novel deregulated genes involved in the progression of MCL. DNA microarray analysis identified 46 genes specifically up-regulated in MCL compared with normal B cells; 20 of these were chosen for further studies based on their cellular functions, such as growth and proliferation. The Granta 519 cell line was selected as an MCL in vitro model, to set up the RNAi protocol. To confirm the functionality of overexpression of the 20 disease-associated genes, they were knocked down using small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). In particular, knockdown of 3 genes, encoding the hepatoma-derived growth factor related protein 3 (HDGFRP3), the frizzled homolog 2 (FZD2), and the dual specificity phosphatase 5 (DUSP5), induced proliferative arrest in Granta 519 MCL cells. These genes emerged as functionally associated in MCL, in relation to growth and survival, and interfering with their function would increase insight into lymphoma growth regulation, potentially leading to novel clinical intervention modalities.
NK-cell activation and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity induced by rituximab-coated target cells is inhibited by the C3b component of complement
Authors: Wang Siao-Yi , Racila Emilian , Taylor Ronald P. , Weiner George J.
Published: November 2007

Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and complement fixation both appear to play a role in mediating antitumor effects of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), including rituximab. We evaluated the relationship between rituximab-induced complement fixation, natural killer (NK)–cell activation, and NK cell–mediated ADCC. Down-modulation of NK- cell CD16 and NK-cell activation induced by rituximab-coated target cells was blocked by human serum but not heat-inactivated serum. This inhibition was also observed in the absence of viable target cells. C1q and C3 in the serum were required for these inhibitory effects, while C5 was not. An antibody that stabilizes C3b on the target cell surface enhanced the inhibition of NK-cell activation induced by rituximab-coated target cells. Binding of NK cells to rituximab-coated plates through CD16 was inhibited by the fixation of complement. C5-depleted serum blocked NK cell–mediated ADCC. These data suggest that C3b deposition induced by rituximab-coated target cells inhibits the interaction between the rituximab Fc and NK-cell CD16, thereby limiting the ability of rituximab-coated target cells to induce NK activation and ADCC. Further studies are needed to define in more detail the impact of complement fixation on ADCC, and whether mAbs that fail to fix complement will be more effective at mediating ADCC.
Chromatin modifications induced by PML-RARα repress critical targets in leukemogenesis as analyzed by ChIP-Chip
Authors: Hoemme Claudia , Peerzada Abdul , Behre Gerhard , Wang Yipeng , McClelland Michael , Nieselt Kay , Zschunke Matthias , Disselhoff Christine , Agrawal Shuchi , Isken Fabienne , Tidow Nicola , Berdel Wolfgang E. , Serve Hubert , Müller-Tidow Carsten
Published: November 2007

The translocation t(15;17) generates the chimeric PML-RARα transcription factor that is the initiating event of acute promyelocytic leukemia. A global view of PML-RARα transcriptional functions was obtained by genome-wide binding and chromatin modification analyses combined with genome-wide expression data. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)–chip experiments identified 372 direct genomic PML-RARα targets. A subset of these was confirmed in primary acute promyelocytic leukemia. Direct PML-RARα targets include regulators of global transcriptional programs as well as critical regulatory genes for basic cellular functions such as cell-cycle control and apoptosis. PML-RARα binding universally led to HDAC1 recruitment, loss of histone H3 acetylation, increased tri-methylation of histone H3 lysine 9, and unexpectedly increased trimethylation of histone H3 lysine 4. The binding of PML-RARα to target promoters and the resulting histone modifications resulted in mRNA repression of functionally relevant genes. Taken together, our results reveal that the transcription factor PML-RARα regulates key cancer-related genes and pathways by inducing a repressed chromatin formation on its direct genomic target genes.
Genomic resources for Myzus persicae: EST sequencing, SNP identification, and microarray design
Authors: Ramsey John S , Wilson Alex CC , de Vos Martin , Sun Qi , Tamborindeguy Cecilia , Winfield Agnese , Malloch Gaynor , Smith Dawn M , Fenton Brian , Gray Stewart M , Jander Georg
Published: November 2007

Background

The green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer), is a world-wide insect pest capable of infesting more than 40 plant families, including many crop species. However, despite the significant damage inflicted by M. persicae in agricultural systems through direct feeding damage and by its ability to transmit plant viruses, limited genomic information is available for this species.

Results

Sequencing of 16 M. persicae cDNA libraries generated 26,669 expressed sequence tags (ESTs). Aphids for library construction were raised on Arabidopsis thaliana, Nicotiana benthamiana, Brassica oleracea, B. napus, and Physalis floridana (with and without Potato leafroll virus infection). The M. persicae cDNA libraries include ones made from sexual and asexual whole aphids, guts, heads, and salivary glands. In silico comparison of cDNA libraries identified aphid genes with tissue-specific expression patterns, and gene expression that is induced by feeding on Nicotiana benthamiana. Furthermore, 2423 genes that are novel to science and potentially aphid-specific were identified. Comparison of cDNA data from three aphid lineages identified single nucleotide polymorphisms that can be used as genetic markers and, in some cases, may represent functional differences in the protein products. In particular, non-conservative amino acid substitutions in a highly expressed gut protease may be of adaptive significance for M. persicae feeding on different host plants. The Agilent eArray platform was used to design an M. persicae oligonucleotide microarray representing over 10,000 unique genes.

Conclusion

New genomic resources have been developed for M. persicae, an agriculturally important insect pest. These include previously unknown sequence data, a collection of expressed genes, molecular markers, and a DNA microarray that can be used to study aphid gene expression. These resources will help elucidate the adaptations that allow M. persicae to develop compatible interactions with its host plants, complementing ongoing work illuminating plant molecular responses to phloem-feeding insects.
The prognostic value of the suPARnostic®ELISA in HIV-1 infected individuals is not affected by uPAR promoter polymorphisms
Authors: Schneider Uffe V , Nielsen Rikke L , Pedersen Court , Eugen-Olsen Jesper
Published: November 2007

Background

High blood levels of soluble urokinase Plasminogen Activator Receptor (suPAR) are associated with poor outcomes in human immunodeficiency-1 (HIV-1) infected individuals. Research on the clinical value of suPAR in HIV-1 infection led to the development of the suPARnostic® assay for commercial use in 2006. The aim of this study was to: 1) Evaluate the prognostic value of the new suPARnostic® assay and 2) Determine whether polymorphisms in the active promoter of uPAR influences survival and/or suPAR values in HIV-1 patients who are antiretroviral therapy (ART) naive.

Methods

DNA samples were collected retrospectively from 145 Danes infected with HIV-1 with known seroconversion times. In addition, plasma was collected retrospectively from 81 of these participants for use in the suPAR analysis. Survival was analysed using Kaplan Meier analysis.

Results

Survival was strongly correlated to suPAR levels (p < 0.001). Levels at or above 6 ng/ml were associated with death in 13 of 27 patients within a two-years period; whereas only one of 54 patients with suPAR levels below 6 ng/ml died during this period. We identified two common uPAR promoter polymorphisms: a G to A transition at -118 and an A to G transition at -465 comparative to the transcription start site. These promoter transitions influenced neither suPAR levels nor patient survival.

Conclusion

Plasma suPAR levels, as measured by the suPARnostic® assay, were strongly predictive of survival in ART-naïve HIV-1 infected patients. Furthermore, plasma suPAR levels were not influenced by uPAR promoter polymorphisms.
The Struggle for Housing Land: A case of confused interests
Authors: Rydin Yvonne
Published: November 2007

The issue of housing land has always been central to town and country planning and since the introduction of comprehensive land-use planning, allocating land for residential development has been a major planning function for local authorities. Furthermore, this allocation process has frequently become the focus for overt political struggles between different groups at local fora, such as public local inquiries into planning applications and examinations in public of structure plans. Less well documented though are the political struggles at the national level over this planning issue.

Yet over the past few years central government policy on housing land allocation has taken an important new direction. With the election of a Conservative government in 1979, the planning system has come under renewed scrutiny. The result has been a series of Department of the Environment circulars, other policy statements and environmental planning initiatives. Associated with this has been an active political debate. The recent press coverage of the draft green belt circular (eg The Sunday Times 9th October 1983 and The Guardian 5th and 12th August 1983) is a more public example of the continuing stream of articles on this subject in trade, professional and other pressure group journals.
Rationality and Policy-Making in Higher Education: The Case of the National Advisory Body
Authors: Jones Alan
Published: November 2007

There is now a substantial literature on the concept of rational decisionmaking and a number of studies concerned with the application of rationality to particular cases and areas. The basis of the rational model of policy-making is that it involves the selection of alternatives which lead to the achievement of previously designated goals, and that the process is characterised by search and evaluation. H. A. Simon’s classic work (Simon, 1957) focused attention on the goal-oriented nature of organisational behaviour, while Allison, approaching the concept from the analysis of foreign policy, chose the rational as one of his three models, drawing attention to a lengthy tradition, based on national interests, upon which such an approach rests (Allison, 1971). Others have developed the study of ‘policy science’ based on ‘a main effort to reassert the role of intellectualism and rationalism in guiding human destiny’ (Dror, 1971), or have offered advice on a range of techniques or strategies which might improve the objective rationality of public policy (Wildavsky, 1966; Garrett, 1972). Heclo, in a seminal review article, categorised a programmatic approach which seeks to ‘identify policy with a set of programme choices, among which is sought the most efficient means of employing scarce resources’ (Heclo, 1972).
Urban Housing Rehabilitation: An Encouraging British Example
Authors: Maclennan Duncan
Published: November 2007

The rehabilitation of Britain’s older housing became an increasingly important activity throughout the 1960s and 1970s. The British rehabilitation programme, broadly defined, now contains a range of activities and instruments, including improvement and repair grants for private sector use, environmental improvement grants, direct local authority investment, and housing association programmes. By 1983 this broad set of activities had come to comprise more than a third of public spending on housing capital formation, indeed almost 50% in Scotland. Whilst public spending on housing capital has quartered since 1976, the budget of the Housing Corporation increased in the 1970s and has been only marginally reduced in 1983 and 1984. Grant aid to rehabilitation, via local authorities, boomed from 1982 to 1984 but now appears set to reduce progressively over the next four years.

At the present time local authorities in Britain, and the various sub-national offices of central government, are interested in the extent to which housing programmes may contribute to neighbourhood, urban and indeed national economic development. However perusal of the available academic literature will do little to convince government to sustain or expand rehabilitation programmes, and the improvement grant programme is now being reduced and restructured.
The Local State and Local Economic Policy: Why the Fuss?
Authors: Duncan S. S. , Goodwin M.
Published: November 2007

In the last decade, and especially since the accession of a radical right wing government to power in 1979, local government and the ‘local state’ has re-emerged as an important area of debate and public interest in Britain. This is not just a matter of academic journals, professional politicians and the inside pages of ‘serious newspapers'. Local government has become front page and even TV news material. Right-wing popular papers sell copy through sensationalist headlines about ‘Red Ken’ (the Greater London Council leader), the dangers of ‘municipal marxism’ and ‘socialism on the rates’. This is mirrored, and also exaggerated by the more earnest and less manipulative reports in the left wing press on local socialism, decentralisation, popular planning, and the scope for local economic regeneration. Even those shadowy local state institutions outside the orbit of officially public electoral policies, like police authorities, water boards and health authorities, now share some of this interest. Above all, there is a clear, continuing and at times rather dramatic crisis in relations between central and local government. Furthermore, this is a crisis which often cuts across party lines or becomes identified with internal party conflicts—localist v. centralist, left v. right, Thatcherite v. the wets, monetarist v. patrician.
Housing and Planning Policy in Northern Ireland: Problems of Implementation in a Divided Community
Authors: Singleton Dale
Published: November 2007

‘One has always to remember that facts well enough known to every Belfast street urchin have to be translated into learned jargon for university professors abroad’ (Stewart 1977, p. 141).

Many of the unusual features of housing and planning policy in Northern Ireland spring from the nature of the ‘Northern Ireland problem’ itself. The ‘war’ in the Province is principally about a conflict of nationalities and the challenge it poses to the legitimacy of the Northern Ireland state. One of the elements of the ‘war’ is the battle for space or territory at both a ‘micro’ level within the state and at the spatial level of the whole of Northern Ireland. Although conflict is inherent in virtually all instances where change occurs in the ‘built environment’, in Northern Ireland the ‘sectarian’ dimension increases the complexity of change and the intensity of conflict. For example, in Britain if a proposal is made to site public sector housing in close proximity to owner-occupied property, protests from existing owneroccupiers can usually be anticipated on the grounds that the new development will lead to a fall in the value of their property and/or will increase crime in the area.
Asian Politics and Housing Renewal
Authors: Stoker Gerry , Brindley Tim
Published: November 2007

This article focuses on an incident, a series of events in the political life of an English city. The case in question deals with a proposal to demolish over 50 houses in the Grand Union Housing Action Area in Leicester, in 1983. The demolition plan represented a desire on the part of officers and councillors of the City Council to increase the rate of replacement of the housing stock and to break away from a policy which relied almost exclusively on improvement and repair. The plan met considerable resistance from local residents, who were predominantly Asian owner-occupiers. It split the local Labour party and was eventually abandoned.

Having described the case the paper seeks to extract from it a number of general political relationships and policy considerations. The technique of using a study of the actions of individuals and groups within a particular situation to exhibit the nature of the broader social or political structure has been widely and successfully used in social anthropology (Gluckman, 1940; Epstein, 1967). While obviously limited by its particular focus, it provides a convenient and interesting way of raising important issues and opening up areas of debate.
The Costs of Residential Child Care: Explaining Variations in the Public Sector
Authors: Knapp Martin , Smith Jillian
Published: November 2007

The long-awaited report of the House of Commons Social Services Committee (1984), Children in Care, drew attention to two very durable features of policy-making in the personal social services: the influence of costs on both policy and practice, and the dearth of reliable cost data. For example, much of the discussion during the Committee’s examination of witnesses from the Department of Health and Social Security (DHSS) focused on the relative costs of residential and boarding out placements, the escalating costs of care, the cost effectiveness of intermediate treatment as an alternative to custody and the sources of cost variations between different homes, local authorities and sectors. In each case the available cost information was sadly lacking. There have been other developments which have served to emphasise the pressing importance of costs in the social care area. The Social Work Service of the DHSS is being gradually transformed into an inspectorate with a particular interest in differences in provision and practice between authorities. At the same time, the newly established Audit Commission has drawn on a series of special studies to prepare its ‘Value for Money’ guidelines.
Bus Deregulation and Game Theory
Authors: Evans Andrew , Holder Andrew
Published: November 2007

This article uses game theory to explore the situation of bus operators when there is competition on stage-carriage, or local, bus services, as is proposed in the recent British White Paper ‘Buses’ (Department of Transport, 1984), and as exists in the Hereford area at the time of writing. The Hereford area is one of three so-called ‘trial areas’ set up under the Transport Act 1980 where the provision of bus services is unregulated, although operators still have to meet the usual safety requirements.

Our model is very simple and could be developed further. Nevertheless it provides some insights into the position of operators under competition, and an interpretation of some of their actions. It also suggests one rationale for regulation. Regulation can be seen as a device to avoid the worst possible outcome for the public that might arise under competition at the cost of giving up the best possible outcome.

Game theory is concerned with the logic of decision-making in situations where outcomes depend on the decisions of two or more autonomous agents, and each agent therefore has only partial control of the outcomes.
Resources and Innovation in Health Care
Authors: Haywood Stuart , Ranadé Wendy
Published: November 2007

The paper discusses the impact of financial retrenchment on health care management, focussing on the experience of the National Health Service (NHS). It begins with a description of the changing financial climate from the mid 1970s onwards. This provides the context for an examination of the usefulness of recent British work on budgetary behaviour in public authorities, in particular, whether there has been a move towards a ‘rational’ model of budgeting. The paper focusses on budgetary policies rather than processes of review and decision making. The NHS experience supports the view that limited and predictable changes in financial circumstances are conducive to more rational-technocratic budgetary policies.
Automated Autofluorescence Background Subtraction Algorithm for Biomedical Raman Spectroscopy
Authors: Zhao Jianhua , Lui Harvey , McLean David I. , Zeng Haishan
Published: November 2007

A significant advantage of Raman spectroscopy as a noninvasive optical technique is its ability to detect subtle molecular or biochemical signatures within tissue. One of the major challenges for biomedical Raman spectroscopy is the removal of intrinsic autofluorescence background signals, which are usually a few orders of magnitude stronger than those arising from Raman scattering. A number of methods have been proposed for fluorescence background removal including excitation wavelength shifting, Fourier transformation, time gating, and simple or modified polynomial fitting. The single polynomial and the modified multi-polynomial fitting methods are relatively simple and effective, and thus are widely used in biological applications. However, their performance in real-time in vivo applications and low signal-to-noise ratio environments is sub-optimal. An improved automated algorithm for fluorescence removal has been developed based on modified multi-polynomial fitting, but with the addition of (1) a peak-removal procedure during the first iteration, and (2) a statistical method to account for signal noise effects. Experimental results demonstrate that this approach improves the automated rejection of the fluorescence background during real-time Raman spectroscopy and for in vivo measurements characterized by low signal-to-noise ratios.
Screening Using Serum Percentage of Carbohydrate-Deficient Transferrin for Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation in Children with Suspected Metabolic Disease
Authors: Pérez-Cerdá Celia , Quelhas Dulce , Vega Ana I , Ecay Jesús , Vilarinho Laura , Ugarte Magdalena
Published: November 2007

Background: Diagnoses of congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG) are based on clinical suspicion and analysis of transferrin (Tf) isoforms. Here we present our experience of CDG screening in children with a suspected metabolic disease by determination of serum percentage of carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (%CDT) in tandem with isoelectric focusing (IEF) analysis of Tf and α1-antitrypsin (α1-AT).

Methods: We performed approximately 8000 serum %CDT determinations using %CDT turbidimetric immunoassay (TIA). In selected samples, IEF analysis of Tf and α1-AT was carried out on an agarose gel (pH 4–8) using an electrophoresis unit. The isoforms were detected by Western blotting and visualized by color development. We performed neuraminidase digestion of serum to detect polymorphic variants of Tf.

Results: We established a cutoff value for serum %CDT of 2.5% in our pediatric population. Sixty-five patients showed consistently high values of serum %CDT. In accordance with Tf and α1-AT IEF profiles, enzyme assays, and mutation analysis, we made the following diagnoses: 23 CDG-Ia, 1 CDG-Ib, and 1 conserved oligomeric Golgi 1 (COG-1) deficiency. In addition, we identified 13 CDG-Ix non Ia, non-Ib; 3 CDG-Ix; and 9 CDG-IIx cases, albeit requiring further characterization; 9 patients with a secondary cause of hypoglycosylation and 6 with a polymorphic Tf variant were also detected.

Conclusion: The combined use of CDT immunoassay with IEF of Tf and α1-AT is a useful 1st-line screening tool for identifying CDG patients with an N-glycosylation defect. Additional molecular investigations must of course be carried out to determine the specific genetic disease.
Perfil socioeconômico e nutricional de pacientes com doença inflamatória intestinal internados em um hospital universitário
Authors: Salviano Flávia Nunes , Burgos Maria Goretti Pessoa de Araújo , Santos Eduila Couto
Published: November 2007

RACIONAL: Doenças inflamatórias intestinais incluem distúrbios inflamatórios crônicos e recidivantes, representados pela retocolite ulcerativa e doença de Crohn, comumente associadas à desnutrição. OBJETIVO: Caracterizar o perfil nutricional e socioeconômico dos pacientes internados no Hospital das Clínicas de Pernambuco, Recife, PE. MÉTODOS: Estudo do tipo transversal realizado na clínica de gastroenterologia, previamente aprovado pela comissão de ética para estudos em humanos. Os métodos incluíram dados da história clínica, condições socioeconômicas e avaliação nutricional. A análise estatística (teste t de Student para variáveis iguais e desiguais) foi efetuada. RESULTADOS: A amostra de 24 pacientes de ambos os sexos, idade média de 43,83 ± 16,13 anos, a maioria casados, procedentes de Recife, com baixa renda, residindo com seus familiares em casa própria. Verificou-se maior prevalência de retocolite ulcerativa (62,5%), com tempo de diagnóstico superior a 5 anos, sintomas de dor abdominal, diarréia muco-sangüinolenta com 6-9 evacuações/dia, sendo o cólon distal a porção mais acometida. A osteoporose esteve presente em 26,7% dos casos. O estado nutricional avaliado através do índice de massa corpórea e percentual de perda de peso foi 41,7% e 70,8%, respectivamente, classificados como desnutridos, associados ou não à alta prevalência de anemia, hipoalbuminemia e hipocalcemia. Correlação entre sexos evidenciou nos homens maiores valores na prega tricipital e circunferência do braço. CONCLUSÕES: Apesar das limitações do estudo, os dados sugerem informações relevantes tanto da ocorrência destas doenças na região nordeste do país, quanto sua associação freqüente com importantes deficiências nutricionais.
Análise das impressões digitais de DNA e de fatores de virulência de linhagens de Helicobacter pylori
Authors: Godoy Anita P. O. , Miranda Maíra C. B. , Paulino Luciana C. , Mendonça Sergio , Ribeiro Marcelo Lima , Pedrazzoli Jr. José
Published: November 2007

RACIONAL: Helicobacter pylori é hoje aceito como o principal agente etiológico de gastrite em seres humanos e fator de risco para úlcera péptica e câncer gástrico. A evolução da infecção está relacionada a diversos fatores, inclusive bacterianos, como presença do gene cagA e o genótipo vacA s1m1, associados ao desenvolvimento de úlcera e adenocarcinoma gástrico. A técnica de RAPD ("random amplified polimorphic") tem sido amplamente utilizada para obtenção de impressões digitais de DNA para examinar a similaridade entre linhagens. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a presença de cagA e alelos do vacA em amostras de H. pylori e associar os achados com a doença apresentada e também investigar possível clonicidade entre os fatores de virulência e as doenças com a impressão digital de DNA gerada pelo RAPD-PCR. MÉTODOS: Foram incluídas 112 amostras provenientes de pacientes com diferentes laudos endoscópicos: gastrite (n = 41), esofagite de refluxo (n = 14), úlcera gástrica (n = 19) e úlcera duodenal (n = 38). A análise dos fatores de virulência da bactéria foi feita por PCR e as impressões digitais de DNA foram estabelecidas pelo método de RAPD-PCR. RESULTADOS: Os resultados obtidos indicam que houve uma associação significativa entre úlcera duodenal e o mosaico vacA s1m1. Analisando-se os padrões de bandas geradas pelo RAPD-PCR, sete diferentes dendogramas foram construídos e não foi possível detectar associação significativa entre os agrupamentos, sugerindo que as amostras não possuem perfil clonal. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados reforçam a importância do gene vacA como um marcador de virulência do H. pylori. O RAPD da impressão digital de DNA realizado foi incapaz de associar o padrão de bandas com as enfermidades e os genótipos de vacA e cagA.
Relationship between serum concetrations of type III procollagen, hyluronic acid and histopathological findings in the liver of HCV-positive blood donors
Authors: Camacho Vera Regina Rodrigues , Silveira Themis Reverbel da , Oliveira Jarbas Rodrigues de , Barros Sérgio Gabriel Silva de , Cerski Carlos Thadeu Schmidt
Published: November 2007

BACKGROUND: Serologic markers have been proposed for monitoring hepatic fibrosis in chronic liver disease. Among fibrosis markers, type III procollagen (PIIIP) and hyaluronic acid have been studied in these patients. AIM: To evaluate the association between these serum markers with histological findings. METHODS: A prospective cross-sectional study was carried out with HCV-positive blood donors. The studied population included men and women whose age ranged from 18 to 60 years, with elevated liver function tests [ALT levels > 1.5 times the normal value and alterations of two or more of the following: any changes in the levels of ALT, aspartate aminotransferase, conjugated bilirrubin, gammaglobulin, gammaglutamyltranspeptidase, albumin, platelet count; alkaline phosphatase levels >1.5 times the normal value, or prothrombin time below 70% and above 60%]. Fourty-nine patients were submitted to liver biopsy, blood analysis of PIIIP, hyaluronic acid, besides liver function tests. RESULTS: Liver function tests were not associated with tissular fibrosis, as assessed by ALT (>1.5 times above normal, fibrosis risk=18.8%; <1.5 times, 11.8%). Elevated PIIIP was correlated with 66.7% chance of fibrosis, whereas normal levels, 9.3%. Hyaluronic acid, when elevated, gave a chance of 33.3% of fibrosis; when normal, 12.5%. CONCLUSION: There was no association between liver function tests, hyaluronic acid and fibrosis. However, PIIIP was related with liver fibrosis. Maybe, this marker should be useful to assess fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C.
Infections after liver transplantation in adults: data from a university hospital in southern Brazil (1996-2000)
Authors: Souza Mônica Vinhas de , Barth Afonso Luis , Álvares-da-Silva Mário Reis , Machado Adão Rogério Leal
Published: November 2007

BACKGROUND: Infections after liver transplantations are the most important cause of morbi-mortality. In this study, we assessed the main characteristics of these infections in a southern Brazilian university hospital. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort with 55 patients who underwent orthotopic liver transplantation between 1996 and 2000 in the "Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre", Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil, to characterize the infections that occurred in the group. RESULTS: One or more infections (average 2.10) were diagnosed in 47 patients, especially during the first month after transplantation. The most common were bacteremia, intra-abdominal infections and pneumonia, predominantly with bacteria, especially Staphylococcus sp (and particularly S. aureus) and E. coli. The mortality rate attributed to infections was high: 17 cases of all deaths (total 27 deaths). Significant risk factors for infections included reoperation, diabetes, biliary stenosis and higher Child-Pugh scores. CONCLUSION: Infections remain a severe threat in liver transplant patients, and special efforts should be made to prevent and manage them correctly.
Esofagectomia laparocópica transhiatal: resultados imediatos
Authors: Tinoco Renam Catharina , Tinoco Augusto Cláudio , El-Kadre Luciana Janene , Rios Rodrigo Amaral , Sueth Daniela Mendonça , Pena Felipe Montes
Published: November 2007

RACIONAL: A esofagectomia laparoscópica transhiatal para doença benigna ou maligna do esôfago é cirurgia complexa, associada a altas taxas de morbimortalidade. Nas últimas décadas ganhou aceitação para o tratamento do câncer de esôfago e algumas doenças benignas por evitar toracotomia, diminuindo, assim as complicações associadas a essa abordagem. OBJETIVO: Realizar análise retrospectiva em pacientes com câncer de esôfago submetidos a esofagectomia laparoscópica transhiatal, demonstrando as complicações per e pós-operatórias, resultados imediatos e acompanhamento dos pacientes. MÉTODOS: De novembro 1993 a junho 2005, 72 pacientes foram submetidos a esofagectomia laparoscópica transhiatal. Destes, havia 64 casos de neoplasia maligna de esôfago. Houve predomínio do sexo masculino (81%), com média de idade de 56,5 anos. O tempo abdominal foi realizado por laparoscopia e a parte cervical de modo convencional, sendo o estômago tubulizado levado até o pescoço para anastomose pelo mediastino posterior. RESULTADOS: A esofagectomia transhiatal por via laparoscópica em casos de neoplasia esofagiana foi iniciada em 64 pacientes. O índice de conversão foi de quatro casos. A duração média da operação foi de 153 minutos. A incidência de fístula cervical foi de 14,06%. CONCLUSÃO: A esofagectomia laparoscópica transhiatal é opção segura em centros com experiência. A morbidade é menor, com recuperação mais rápida e retorno às atividades habituais precoce. Certamente esta via de acesso deve ser considerada no tratamento das afecções do esôfago.
Gastroesophageal reflux in cirrhotic patients with esophageal varices without endoscopic treatment
Authors: Schechter Rosana Bihari , Lemme Eponina Maria Oliveira , Coelho Henrique Sérgio Moraes
Published: November 2007

BACKGROUND: Portal hypertension in patients with liver cirrhosis causes manifestations such as esophageal varices, ascites and edema. Some studies have been conducted about the role of esophageal varices in the development of esophageal motor disorders and abnormal gastroesophageal reflux in these patients. Ascites could be a factor promoting gastroesophageal reflux and it has been questioned whether reflux would favor the rupture of varices. However there are a few studies using ambulatory esophageal pH recording in the evaluation of these patients. AIMS: Evaluate gastroesophageal reflux by pH recording in cirrhotic patients with esophageal varices and possible predictors. METHODS: Fifty one patients (28 men, 23 women, mean age of 54 years) with liver cirrhosis, diagnosed by clinical, laboratorial, image and histological findings were prospectively evaluated. All patients had esophageal varices confirmed by endoscopy and were submitted to a questionnaire about typical gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms (heartburn and or acid regurgitation). pH recording was performed with the probe placed 5 cm above the superior lower esophageal sphincter limit, as determined by manometry. Abnormal reflux (% total time with pH < 4 >4.5%) was related to the size of varices, congestive gastropathy, ascites, severity of cirrhosis and typical gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms. RESULTS: The caliber of the varices was considered to be small in 30 patients (59%), medium in 17 (33%) and large in 4 (8%), 21 (41%) congestive gastropathy. Ascites was observed in 17 (33%), 32 patients (63%) were classified as Child-Pugh A, 17 (33%) Child-Pugh B and 2 (4%) Child-Pugh C. Twenty seven patients (53%) presented with typical gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms. Abnormal reflux at pH recording was found in 19 patients (37%). One of them presented with erosive esophagitis at endoscopy. There was no relation between ascites, variceal size, congestive gastropathy and Child-Pugh score and abnormal reflux. There was a correlation between typical gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms and abnormal reflux. CONCLUSION: Abnormal gastroesophageal reflux was found in 37% of the patients with hepatic cirrhosis and esophageal varices. Only typical gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms predicted these findings.
Efeitos de fitorreguladores no crescimento e na floração de plantas de gerânio
Authors: Nucci Tânia Aparecida de , Fahl Joel Irineu , Carelli Maria Luiza Carvalho , Matthes Luiz Antônio Ferraz
Published: November 2007

Com a finalidade de verificar a eficiência de fitorreguladores no controle da altura de gerânio (Pelargonium hortorum Bailey) e no comprimento do ráquis de sua inflorescência, instalaram-se dois ensaios na região de Cotia, SP, ambos plantados em vasos em casa de vegetação. Num deles, foram pulverizados clormequate e daminozide, nas doses de 1.000, 2.000 e 4.000 ppm por planta, e paclobutrazol nas doses de 15, 30 e 60 ppm. No segundo ensaio, foram pulverizados clormequate a 2.000ppm, por duas vezes e, em aplicação única, daminozide a 4.000 ppm e paclobutrazol nas doses de 5, 10 e 15 ppm. Clormequate e daminozide, de modo geral, não foram eficientes na redução do porte das plantas nem do comprimento do ráquis da inflorescência. Paclobutrazol, em todas as doses superiores a 5ppm, provocou redução significativa tanto na altura das plantas como no comprimento do ráquis da inflorescência, destacando-se as concentrações de 10 e 15 ppm como as mais adequadas para obtenção de plantas com conformação ideal para envasamento.
O pessegueiro no sistema de pomar compacto: IV. Intensidade e época de raleio dos frutos dos cultivares Tropical e Aurora-1
Authors: Barbosa Wilson , Campo-Dall'orto Fernando Antonio , Ojima Mário , Martins Fernando Picarelli , Igue Toshio
Published: November 2007

A intensidade e a época do raleio dos frutos do pessegueiro podem influenciar diretamente a qualidade do produto, razão pela qual foram pesquisadas em um pomar compacto (4.167 plantas por hectare), sob poda drástica anual de renovação da copa. O experimento foi executado na Estação Experimental de Jundiaí (23°08'S e 46°55'W), do Instituto Agronômico (IAC), sob clima do tipo Cwa, mesotérmico úmido, também denominado de tropical de altitude, com cerca de 80 horas anuais de frio abaixo de 7°C. Utílizaram-se os cultivares Tropical, de maturação bem precoce (fins de setembro), e Aurora-1, de maturação precoce (meados de outubro). Efetuou-se o raleio com 30, 40 e 50 dias pós-antese (DPA), deixando-se 30, 60 e 90 frutos por planta. Os melhores resultados, reunindo fatores qualitativos e quantitativos, foram obtidos no raleio aos 30 DPA, mantendo-se 60 frutos por planta. Neste tratamento, o 'Tropical' apresentou frutos com peso médio de 60,9 gramas, o que equivale à produção de 3,654kg/planta (15,2t/ha); com o 'Aurora-1', o peso médio dos frutos foi de 72,0 gramas, correspondendo à produção de 4,320kg/planta (18,0t/ha). Aqualidade final do produto diminuiu à medida que se atrasou a época do raleio e, principalmente, quando se manteve maior quantidade de frutos por planta. O 'Tropical' adaptou-se melhor ao sistema de pomar compacto: floresceu no 9° mês e seus frutos amadureceram no 12ª mês após a poda drástica da copa.
Herbicidas de aplicação em pós-emergência em amendoim: I: controle de plantas daninhas e persistência no solo
Authors: Cruz Luciano Souza Paes , Novo Maria Do Carmo de Salvo Soares , Pereira José Carlos Vila Nova Alves , Nagai Violeta
Published: November 2007

No ano agrícola 1987/88, foi realizado um experimento de campo na Estação Experimental de Ribeirão Preto, do Instituto Agronômico, em latossolo roxo, textura argilosa, com a finalidade de pesquisar a ação dos herbicidas aplicados em pós-emergência no controle de plantas daninhas e sua persistência em solo, na cultura de amendoim (Arachis hypogaea L). O experimento foi em parcelas subdivididas com as parcelas distribuídas em blocos ao acaso com quatro repetições. Nas parcelas, estudaram-se os tratamentos referentes à presença e à ausência de inoculação, sendo o inoculante preparado com a mistura de estirpes de Bradyrhizobium sp. (SMS-319, SMS-400 e SMS-561); nas subparcelas, os herbicidas fomesafen (250g/ha), lactofen (192g/ha), fluazifop-p-butil (187g/ha), haioxifop-metil (240g/ha) e a mistura de fomesafen com fluazifop-p-butil (250 + 187g/ha), além de uma testemunha sem herbicida. Nas entrelinhas das subparcelas, tomaram-se ao acaso cinco pontos paraformar uma amostrado solo composta para análise de persistência dos produtos. As principais plantas daninhas presentes no experimento foram as gramíneas Cenchrus echinatus L. e Eleusine indica (L.) Gaerth, e as dicotiledôneas Alternanthera fícoidea(L.) R. Br. e Sidaspp. Aos 20 dias da aplicação dos herbicidas, as gramíneas foram 100% controladas pelos graminicidas fluazifop-p-butil e haioxifop-metil. Fomesafen e lactofen controlaram eficientemente A. fícoidea e, regularmente, Sida spp. A mistura de fomesafen com fluazifop-p-butil não apresentou vantagens em relação aos herbicidas isolados. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que não houve influenciada inoculação no controle de plantas daninhas e que os herbicidas não foram tóxicos às plantas de amendoim. Os herbicidas fluazifop-p-butil e haioxifop-metil, aos 28 dias, não mais causavam fitotoxicidade na planta-teste, mostrando uma persistência no solo inferior a esse período. Aos 28 dias, no tratamento não inoculado, fomesafen e lactofen ainda persistiam. Nenhum dos herbicidas persistiu a períodos superiores a 56 dias.
Efeito da adubação com superfosfato simples em características agronômicas e propriedades tecnológicas da fibra das variedades de algodoeiro IAC 13-1, IAC 16 e IAC 17
Authors: Sabino Nelson Paulieri , Silva Nelson Machado da , Kondo Julio Isao
Published: November 2007

Utilizando-se dados de ensaio de longa duração, instalado com as variedades IAC 13-1, IAC 16 e IAC 17 em latossolo roxo de baixa fertilidade, avaliou-se o efeito de sucessivas aplicações de superfosfato simples sobre características agronômicas e propriedades tecnológicas da fibra do algodoeiro. O esquema adotado foi de parcelas subdivididas, sendo os tratamentos das parcelas distribuídos em blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições. As parcelas foram ocupadas pelas doses anuais de 0, 225, 450 e 675kg/ha de superfosfato simples e as subparcelas, pelas variedades. A gleba experimental recebeu calagem antes do primeiro plantio e adubações anuais de nitrogênio e potássio nas doses fixas de 50 e 75kg/ha de N e K(2)0 respectivamente. As variedades IAC 13-1, IAC 16 e IAC 17 reagiram de maneira semelhante à aplicação de superfosfato simples, para todas as características estudadas. No entanto, as duas primeiras demonstraram maior aproveitamento do adubo, refletindo em acréscimos significativos no comprimento da fibra, o que não ocorreu com a IAC 17.0 uso do superfosfato simples concorreu para aumentar a tenacidade da fibra, o peso de cem sementes e o peso de um capulho, independentemente da variedade utilizada, enquanto a uniformidade de comprimento, o índice Micronaire e a porcentagem de fibras não foram beneficiados pelo adubo.
Tolerância a alumínio e eficiência a fósforo em milho e arroz: características independentes
Authors: Furlani Pedro Roberto , Furlani Angela Maria Cangiani
Published: November 2007

Oito experimentos foram realizados em solução nutritiva, em casa de vegetação localizada no Centro Experimental do Instituto Agronômico de Campinas, em 1982-86, com o objetivo de avaliar cem linhagens de arroz e quarenta de milho quanto à eficiência e utilização de fósforo na ausência de Al, e quanto à tolerância a Al em baixo P. Verificou-se, através de coeficiente de correlação (r), se a tolerância a Al se relacionava com a eficiência a P, avaliadas por parâmetros confiáveis previamente estabelecidos. As linhagens de arroz e milho foram agrupadas em nove classes cujos limites foram determinados pelo intervalo de confiança da média do índice de eficiência a P e da média do índice de tolerância a Al. As linhagens de arroz de sequeiro mostraram-se superiores quanto à tolerância a Al, e as de arroz irrigado, quanto à eficiência a P. Dez linhagens de arroz de sequeiro e cinco de arroz irrigado foram selecionadas como eficientes a P e tolerantes a Al. As linhagens de milho tenderam a uma inversão nos índices de avaliação das duas características, sendo três selecionadas como altamente tolerantes a Al, mas intermediárias quanto à eficiência a P. Para o material genético de arroz e milho, os coeficientes de correlação (r) entre os respectivos índices indicaram que as referidas características são independentes nas plantas.
Morfologia dos estômatos em folíolos de amendoim, cultivares tatu e SO-909
Authors: Veiga Renato Ferraz de Arruda , Corso Graci Mirian , Curl Paulo Roberto
Published: November 2007

Procurando conhecer a variabilidade dos estômatos ocorrentes nos folíolos do amendoim (Arachis hypogaea L.), cultivares Tatu e SO-909, estudaram-se os tipos de estômatos, o índice estomático e dimensões, com os germoplasmas SO-53 ('Tatu') e SO-909 (PI-259747), obtidos do Banco Ativo de Germoplasma do Instituto Agronômico (IAC). Nas seções paradérmicas dos folíolos, observaram-se quatro tipos básicos de estômatos: anomocítico, anisocítico, diacítico e laterocíclico, além de estômatos geminados. Os laterocíclicos apresentaram-se com maior freqüência. Os diacíticos não são citados na literatura consultada sobre o gênero Arachis. A largura dos estômatos e o índice estomático mostraram diferenças entre os genótipos.
Palmito de cana-de-açúcar: nova opção alimentar
Authors: Azzini Anisio , Zimback Leo , Carvalho Cassia R.L. , Costa Antonio Alberto
Published: November 2007

No presente estudo, realizado no Centro Experimental de Campinas (IAC), em 1991, procedeu-se à extração e à caracterização do palmito de cana como alimento humano, determinando-se algumas de suas propriedades químicas. O material genético utilizado foi o clone IAC 70-32, proveniente da Estação Experimental de Piracicaba (SP), do Instituto Agronômico (IAC). O palmito de cana é um subproduto da cultura da cana, com teor de proteína (2,10%) semelhante ao do palmito (Euterpe edulis) (2,18%), podendo ser utilizado como alimento humano. Considerando seu peso médio (8,29 g) e o número de colmos de cana por hectare (60.000), pode-se obter uma produção de palmito de cana da ordem de 483 kg/ha.
Avaliação de progênies dos cafés Catuaí Amarelo e Catuaí Vermelho na região de Pindorama (SP)
Authors: Martins Antonio Lucio Mello , Pedroso Paulo Afonso Claudino , Fazuoli Luiz Carlos , Gonçalves Wallace
Published: November 2007

Objetivou-se, com o presente estudo, avaliar o comportamento de quatro progênies do cultivar Catuaí Amarelo e três do Catuaí Vermelho de Coffea arabica em relação aos cultivares Caturra Amarelo e Mundo Novo da mesma espécie, na Estação Experimental do Instituto Agronômico, em Pindorama. Analisaram-se a produção total e as produções acumuladas a cada dois anos e os valores de rendimento (relação café cereja/beneficiado), a peneira média, a porcentagem de frutos desprovidos de sementes (porcentagem de chochos), o tipo das sementes e o peso de cem sementes tipo chato (grãos normais). Os resultados da produção total em um período de dezoito anos consecutivos indicaram que a progênie de Catuaí Amarelo CH 2077-2-5-62 se revelou a mais produtiva, superando inclusive o padrão Mundo Novo. A linhagem de Caturra Amarelo (LC 476) apresentou as mais baixas produções. Analisando-se as produções acumuladas a cada dois anos e a total, verificou-se a possibilidade de uma avaliação precoce nesse material. As características de frutos e sementes analisadas forneceram valores considerados normais para um café de bom padrão, possibilitando a recomendação do plantio dos cultivares Catuaí Amarelo e Catuaí Vermelho na região nordeste do Estado de São Paulo.
Melhoramento genético da cana-de-açúcar: VI. Ensaios de clones provenientes de hibridações realizadas em 1974, 1977, 1978 e 1979, avaliados na Região de Piracicaba (SP)
Authors: Camargo Antonio Pereira de , Bovi Virginio , Alvarez Raphael , Godoy Junior Gentil , Pommer Celso Valdevino , Landell Marcos Guimarães de Andrade , Zimback Léo , Igue Toshio , Silva Maria Teresa B. Ramos da
Published: November 2007

Testou-se uma série de clones obtidos de cruzamentos realizados em 1974, 1977, 1978 e 1979 no Instituto Agronômico, em dois locais na região de Piracicaba (SP). Os clones foram comparados com as testemunhas 'SP70-1143', 'IAC64-257', 'NA56-79' e 'CB41-76', em ensaios em blocos ao acaso, avaliando-se os caracteres agroindustriais na média de três cortes. Foram escolhidos para cultivo, na região, o IAC78-23, por sua elevada produção de cana e açúcar, indicado para meio e fim de safra, e o IAC79-1011, como material precoce, de produção média e alto teor de açúcar. Para colheita em meio de safra em solos férteis, foram escolhidos os seguintes clones de produção média e alto teor de açúcar. IAC77-186, IAC78-54, IAC78-90 e IAC79-1159.