藏成药安神丸脂溶性提取物对大鼠脂质代谢及抗氧化功能的影响

目的 观察藏成药安神丸饱和脂及不饱和脂提取物对大鼠脂质代谢及抗氧化功能的影响。方法 测定连续ig给药4周、8周及给药8周又停药4周后大鼠血清中丙二醛（MDA）、还原型谷胱甘肽（GSH）及高密谋脂蛋白（HDL）的含量。结果 安神丸的脂溶性提取物可明显增加较大龄鼠血清中的GSH和HDL含量。结论 安神丸脂溶性提取物可改善较大龄鼠脂质代谢功能，提高其抗氧化能力。

祁连山海北高寒草甸地区植物生长期的光合有效辐射特征

分析了祁连山海北高寒草甸地区1998年植物生长期内光合有效辐射（PAR）的日、季节变化特征。结果表明：PAR日变化与太阳总辐射（E_g）日变化趋势一致，表现为单峰型变化过程，日总量最大可达11.7MJ·m~(-2)左右。植物生长期内的4月下旬～9月中旬季节变化较为复杂，雨季来临之前的4～6月较高，其它时间较低，旬平均最高在5月达85.23MJ·cm~(-2)。PAR在E_g中所占的比例（η）晴天状况下日平均在0.36～0.41之间，阴天稍高，植物生长期内η的旬平均在0.32～0.43之间。分析还表明，PAR与E_g日总量具有很好的正相关关系，从而可依E_g的变化量来估算PAR。同时计算表明，海北高寒草甸地区植物群落对PAR的光能利用率为0.58%左右。

Phylogeography of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau endemic Juniperus przewalskii (Cupressaceae) inferred from chloroplast DNA sequence variation

The vegetation of the northeast Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau is dominated by alpine meadow and desert-steppe with sparse forests scattered within it. To obtain a better understanding of the phylogeography of one constituent species of the forests in this region, we examined chloroplast trnT-trnF and trnS-trnG sequence variation within Juniperus przewalskii, a key endemic tree species. Sequence data were obtained from 392 trees in 20 populations covering the entire distribution range of the species. Six cpDNA haplotypes were identified. Significant population subdivision was detected (G(ST) = 0.772, N-ST = 0.834), suggesting low levels of recurrent gene flow among populations and significant phylogeographic structure (N-ST > G(ST), P < 0.05). Eight of the nine disjunct populations surveyed on the high-elevation northeast plateau were fixed for a single haplotype (A), while the remaining, more westerly population, contained the same haplotype at high frequency together with two low frequency haplotypes (C and F). In contrast, most populations that occurred at lower altitudes at the plateau edge were fixed or nearly fixed for one of two haplotypes, A or E. However, two plateau edge populations had haplotype compositions different from the rest. In one, four haplotypes (A, B, D and E) were present at approximately equivalent frequencies, which might reflect a larger refugium in the area of this population during the last glacial period. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the most widely distributed haplotype A is not ancestral to other haplotypes. The contrasting phylogeographic structures of the haplotype-rich plateau edge area and the almost haplotype-uniform plateau platform region indicate that the plateau platform was recolonized by J. przewalskii during the most recent postglacial period. This is supported by the findings of a nested clade analysis, which inferred that postglacial range expansion from the plateau edge followed by recent fragmentation is largely responsible for the present-day spatial distribution of cpDNA haplotypes within the species.

Justified Generalization: Acquiring Procedures from Examples

This thesis describes an implemented system called NODDY for acquiring procedures from examples presented by a teacher. Acquiring procedures form examples involves several different generalization tasks. Generalization is an underconstrained task, and the main issue of machine learning is how to deal with this underconstraint. The thesis presents two principles for constraining generalization on which NODDY is based. The first principle is to exploit domain based constraints. NODDY demonstrated how such constraints can be used both to reduce the space of possible generalizations to manageable size, and how to generate negative examples out of positive examples to further constrain the generalization. The second principle is to avoid spurious generalizations by requiring justification before adopting a generalization. NODDY demonstrates several different ways of justifying a generalization and proposes a way of ordering and searching a space of candidate generalizations based on how much evidence would be required to justify each generalization. Acquiring procedures also involves three types of constructive generalizations: inferring loops (a kind of group), inferring complex relations and state variables, and inferring predicates. NODDY demonstrates three constructive generalization methods for these kinds of generalization.

Desempenho de genótipos de girassol no cerrado do leste Maranhense, ano agrícola 2013/2014.

RESUMO: No ano agrícola 2013/2014, foram conduzidos três ensaios de avaliação de genótipos de girassol, sendo dois no município de Mata Roma e um em Magalhães de Almeida, com o objetivo de identificar materiais promissores para produção de grãos e óleo. O espaçamento utilizado foi de 0,70 m entre linhas com plantas distanciadas de 0,30 m. A adubação de fundação constou de 200 kg ha-1 da fórmula 05-30-15 + micronutrientes e cobertura aos 30 dias após semeadura, usando-se 30 kg ha-1 de N e 30 kg ha-1 de K2O. Em Mata Roma, a produtividade de grãos no ensaio final 01 variou de 1.866 kg ha-1 a 2.567 kg ha-1, obtida nos genótipos Embrapa 122 e BRS G34, respectivamente, ficando a média geral do ensaio em 2.095 kg ha-1. No ensaio final 02 a produtividade de grãos variou de 1.705 kg ha-1 a 2.036 kg ha -1 para os genótipos Helio 250 e MG 360, REspectivamente, com média geral de 1.834 kg ha-1. Em Magalhães de Almeida a produtividade de grãos obtida no ensaio final constou de 1.600 kg ha-1 no genótipo Helio 251, 2.110 kg ha-1 no CF 101 e média Geral do ensaio de 1.908 kg ha -1. Os maiores teores de óleo obtidos nos três ensaios foram 40,1%, 40,6%, 40,9% e 41,4%, respectivamente, nos genótipos CF 101, Paraíso 20, BRS G41 e MG 360. ABSTRACT: In the agricultural year 2013/2014, three sunflowers genotypes tests were conducted in the state of Maranhão: two in the county of Mata Roma and one in Magalhães de Almeida, in order to identify promising materials for the production of grain and oil. The spacing used was 0.70 m between rows with plants spaced of 0.30 m. The foundation of fertilization consisted of 200 kg ha-1 formula 05-30-15 + micro-nutrient and coverage on 30 days after sowing, using 30 kg ha-1 of N and 30 kg ha-1 of K2O. In Mata Roma, grain yield in the final test 01 ranged from 1,866 kg ha-1 to 2,567 kg ha-1, obtained at Embrapa 122 and BRS G34 genotypes, respectively, getting the overall average of the test in 2,095 kg ha-1. In the final test 02, the grain yield ranged from 1,705 kg ha-1 to 2,036 kg ha-1 for Helio 250 and MG 360 genotypes, respectively, with overall average of 1,834 kg ha-1. In Magalhães de Almeida the grain yield obtained in the final test consisted of 1,600 kg ha-1 in the genotype Helio 251, 2,110 kg ha-1 in the CF 101 and overall average test of 1,908 kg ha-1. The highest oil content obtained in the three tests were 40.1%, 40.6%, 40.9% and 41.4%, respectively, in the 101 CF genotypes, Heaven 20, BRS G41 and MG 360.

Toward a comprehensive care of HIV patients: Finding a strategy to detect depression in a Spanish HIV cohort

Depression is a common but frequently undiagnosed feature in individuals with HIV infection. To find a strategy to detect depression in a non-specialized clinical setting, the overall performance of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the depression identification questions proposed by the European AIDS Clinical Society (EACS) guidelines were assessed in a descriptive cross-sectional study of 113 patients with HIV infection. The clinician asked the two screening questions that were proposed under the EACS guidelines and requested patients to complete the HADS. A psychiatrist or psychologist administered semi-structured clinical interviews to yield psychiatric diagnoses of depression (gold standard). A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis for the HADS-Depression (HADS-D) subscale indicated that the best sensitivity and specificity were obtained between the cut-off points of 5 and 8, and the ROC curve for the HADS-Total (HADS-T) indicated that the best cut-off points were between 12 and 14. There were no statistically significant differences in the correlations of the EACS (considering positive responses to one [A] or both questions [B]), the HADS-D ≥ 8 or the HADS-T ≥ 12 with the gold standard. The study concludes that both approaches (the two EACS questions and the HADS-D subscale) are appropriate depression-screening methods in HIV population. We believe that using the EACS-B and the HADS-D subscale in a two-step approach allows for rapid, assumable and accurate clinical diagnosis in non-psychiatric hospital settings.

DC/DC converter 3D assembly for autonomous sensor nodes

This paper reports on the design and the manufacturing of an integrated DCDC converter, which respects the specificity of sensor node network: compactness, high efficiency in acquisition and transmission modes, and compatibility with miniature Lithium batteries. A novel integrated circuit (ASIC) has been designed and manufactured to provide regulated Voltage to the sensor node from miniaturized, thin film Lithium batteries. Then, a 3D integration technique has been used to integrate this ASIC in a 3 layers stack with high efficiency passives components, mixing the wafer level technologies from two different research institutions. Electrical results have demonstrated the feasibility of this integrated system and experiments have shown significant improvements in the case of oscillations in regulated voltage. However, stability of this output voltage toward the input voltage has still to be improved.

Targeting the EP1 receptor reduces Fas ligand expression and increases the antitumor immune response in an in vivo model of colon cancer

Despite studies demonstrating that inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)-derived prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) has significant chemotherapeutic benefits in vitro and in vivo, inhibition of COX enzymes is associated with serious gastrointestinal and cardiovascular side effects, limiting the clinical utility of these drugs. PGE2 signals through four different receptors (EP1–EP4) and targeting individual receptor(s) may avoid these side effects, while retaining significant anticancer benefits. Here, we show that targeted inhibition of the EP1 receptor in the tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment resulted in the significant inhibition of tumor growth in vivo. Both dietary administration and direct injection of the EP1 receptor-specific antagonist, ONO-8713, effectively reduced the growth of established CT26 tumors in BALB/c mice, with suppression of the EP1 receptor in the tumor cells alone less effective in reducing tumor growth. This antitumor effect was associated with reduced Fas ligand expression and attenuated tumor-induced immune suppression. In particular, tumor infiltration by CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells was decreased, whereas the cytotoxic activity of isolated splenocytes against CT26 cells was increased. F4/80+ macrophage infiltration was also decreased; however, there was no change in macrophage phenotype. These findings suggest that the EP1 receptor represents a potential target for the treatment of colon cancer.

Reliability of antitransglutaminase antibodies as predictors of gluten-free diet compliance in adult celiac disease.

OBJECTIVE: Strict lifelong compliance to a gluten-free diet (GFD) minimizes the long-term risk of mortality, especially from lymphoma, in adult celiac disease (CD). Although serum IgA antitransglutaminase (IgA-tTG-ab), like antiendomysium (IgA-EMA) antibodies, are sensitive and specific screening tests for untreated CD, their reliability as predictors of strict compliance to and dietary transgressions from a GFD is not precisely known. We aimed to address this question in consecutively treated adult celiacs. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, 95 non-IgA deficient adult (median age: 41 yr) celiacs on a GFD for at least 1 yr (median: 6 yr) were subjected to 1) a dietician-administered inquiry to pinpoint and quantify the number and levels of transgressions (classified as moderate or large, using as a cutoff value the median gluten amount ingested in the overall noncompliant patients of the series) over the previous 2 months, 2) a search for IgA-tTG-ab and -EMA, and 3) perendoscopic duodenal biopsies. The ability of both antibodies to discriminate celiacs with and without detected transgressions was described using receiver operating characteristic curves and quantified as to sensitivity and specificity, according to the level of transgressions. RESULTS: Forty (42%) patients strictly adhered to a GFD, 55 (58%) had committed transgressions, classified as moderate (< or = 18 g of gluten/2 months; median number 6) in 27 and large (>18 g; median number 69) in 28. IgA-tTG-ab and -EMA specificity (proportion of correct recognition of strictly compliant celiacs) was 0.97 and 0.98, respectively, and sensitivity (proportion of correct recognition of overall, moderate, and large levels of transgressions) was 0.52, 0.31, and 0.77, and 0.62, 0.37, and 0.86, respectively. IgA-tTG-ab and -EMA titers were correlated (p < 0.001) to transgression levels (r = 0.560 and R = 0.631, respectively) and one to another (p < 0.001) in the whole patient population (r = 0.834, N = 84) as in the noncompliant (r = 0.915, N = 48) group. Specificity and sensitivity of IgA-tTG-ab and IgA-EMA for recognition of total villous atrophy in patients under a GFD were 0.90 and 0.91, and 0.60 and 0.73, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In adult CD patients on a GFD, IgA-tTG-ab are poor predictors of dietary transgressions. Their negativity is a falsely secure marker of strict diet compliance.

Contemporary results of focal therapy for prostate cancer using cryoablation.

The concept of focal therapy is rapidly evolving and gaining popularity from both physician and patient perspectives. We review the rationale, candidate selection, and results of the first clinical studies of focal cryoablation for selected patients with low volume and low- to low-moderate-risk features of prostate cancer as an alternative to whole-gland treatment. In spite of improved understanding of the tumor biology of early stage disease, we currently have limited tools to select appropriate patients with low- to low-moderate risk unifocal or unilateral prostate cancer who may be amenable to focal therapy. From a technical point, a number of ablative treatment options for focal therapy are available, with cryoablation having the most clinical experience. Recently, several reports have been published from single and multi-institutional studies that discuss focal therapy as a reasonable balance between cancer control and quality-of-life outcomes. Retrospective pathologic data from large prostatectomy series, however, do not clearly reveal valid and reproducible criteria to select appropriate candidates for focal cryoablation because of the complexity of tumorigenesis in early stage disease. At this time, a more feasible option remains hemiablation of the prostate with reasonable certainty about the absence of clinically significant cancer lesion(s) on the contralateral side of the prostate based on three-dimensional transperineal prostate biopsy mapping studies. Minimally invasive, parenchyma-preserving cryoablation can be considered as a potential feasible option in the treatment armamentarium of early stage, localized prostate cancer in appropriately selected candidates. There is a need to further test this technique in randomized, multicenter clinical trials.

A case-control study of airways obstruction among construction workers.

BACKGROUND: While smoking is the major cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), occupational exposures to vapors, gases, dusts, and fumes (VGDF) increase COPD risk. This case-control study estimated the risk of COPD attributable to occupational exposures among construction workers. METHODS: The study population included 834 cases and 1243 controls participating in a national medical screening program for older construction workers between 1997 and 2013. Qualitative exposure indices were developed based on lifetime work and exposure histories. RESULTS: Approximately 18% (95% CI = 2-24%) of COPD risk can be attributed to construction-related exposures, which are additive to the risk contributed by smoking. A measure of all VGDF exposures combined was a strong predictor of COPD risk. CONCLUSIONS: Construction workers are at increased risk of COPD as a result of broad and complex effects of many exposures acting independently or interactively. Control methods should be implemented to prevent worker exposures, and smoking cessation should be promoted.

Mi escuela virtual de Educación Matemática

esde el año 2004 la Licenciatura en Matemáticas, consecuente con el principio de pertinencia de la Investigación en la Universidad de Cundinamarca, emprendió acciones inmediatas orientadas a generar procesos de innovación modernizadora en la formación de docentes investigadores en Educación Matemática que contribuyeran con la construcción gradual de bases sólidas para la línea de investigación del programa10, eje articulador del proyecto curricular.