Multiple adenosine 3',5'-cyclic [corrected] monophosphate response element DNA-binding proteins generated by gene diversification and alternative exon splicing.

The protein sequence deduced from the open reading frame of a human placental cDNA encoding a cAMP-responsive enhancer (CRE)-binding protein (CREB-327) has structural features characteristic of several other transcriptional transactivator proteins including jun, fos, C/EBP, myc, and CRE-BP1. Results of Southwestern analysis of nuclear extracts from several different cell lines show that there are multiple CRE-binding proteins, which vary in size in cell lines derived from different tissues and animal species. To examine the molecular diversity of CREB-327 and related proteins at the nucleic acid level, we used labeled cDNAs from human placenta that encode two different CRE-binding proteins (CREB-327 and CRE-BP1) to probe Northern and Southern blots. Both probes hybridized to multiple fragments on Southern blots of genomic DNA from various species. Alternatively, when a human placental c-jun probe was hybridized to the same blot, a single fragment was detected in most cases, consistent with the intronless nature of the human c-jun gene. The CREB-327 probe hybridized to multiple mRNAs, derived from human placenta, ranging in size from 2-9 kilobases. In contrast, the CRE-BP1 probe identified a single 4-kilobase mRNA. Sequence analyses of several overlapping human genomic cosmid clones containing CREB-327 sequences in conjunction with polymerase chain reaction indicates that the CREB-327/341 cDNAs are composed of at least eight or nine exons, and analyses of human placental cDNAs provide direct evidence for at least one alternatively spliced exon. Analyses of mouse/hamster-human hybridoma DNAs by Southern blotting and polymerase chain reaction localizes the CREB-327/341 gene to human chromosome 2. The results indicate that there is a dichotomy of CREB-like proteins, those that are related by overall structure and DNA-binding specificity as well as those that are related by close similarities of primary sequences.

Development and experimental validation of a finite element model of total ankle replacement.

Total ankle replacement remains a less satisfactory solution compared to other joint replacements. The goal of this study was to develop and validate a finite element model of total ankle replacement, for future testing of hypotheses related to clinical issues. To validate the finite element model, an experimental setup was specifically developed and applied on 8 cadaveric tibias. A non-cemented press fit tibial component of a mobile bearing prosthesis was inserted into the tibias. Two extreme anterior and posterior positions of the mobile bearing insert were considered, as well as a centered one. An axial force of 2kN was applied for each insert position. Strains were measured on the bone surface using digital image correlation. Tibias were CT scanned before implantation, after implantation, and after mechanical tests and removal of the prosthesis. The finite element model replicated the experimental setup. The first CT was used to build the geometry and evaluate the mechanical properties of the tibias. The second CT was used to set the implant position. The third CT was used to assess the bone-implant interface conditions. The coefficient of determination (R-squared) between the measured and predicted strains was 0.91. Predicted bone strains were maximal around the implant keel, especially at the anterior and posterior ends. The finite element model presented here is validated for future tests using more physiological loading conditions.

Insights into shallow magmatic processes in large silicic magma bodies: the trace element record in the Fish Canyon magma body, Colorado

Highly evolved rhyolite glass plus near-solidus mineral assemblages in voluminous, dacitic, crystal-rich ignimbrites provide an opportunity to evaluate the late magmatic evolution of granodiorite batholiths. This study reports laser-ablation ICP-MS analyses of trace element concentrations in feldspars, hornblende, biotite, titanite, zircon, magnetite, and interstitial glass of the crystal-rich Fish Canyon Tuff. The high-silica rhyolite glass is characterized by relatively high concentrations of feldspar-compatible elements (e.g., 100 ppm Sr and 500 ppm Ba) and low concentrations of Y (< 7 ppm) and HREE (&SIM; 1 ppm Yb), hence high LREE/HREE (Ce/Yb > 40) compared to many well-studied high-silica rhyolite glasses and whole-rock compositions. Most minerals record some trace element heterogeneities, with, in particular, one large hornblende phenocryst showing four- to six-fold core-to-rim increases in Sr and Ba coupled with a decrease in Sc. The depletions of Y and HREE in the Fish Canyon glass relative to the whole-rock composition (concentrations in glass &SIM; 30% of those in whole rocks) reflect late crystallization of phases wherein these elements were compatible. As garnet is not stable at the low-P conditions at which the Fish Canyon magma crystallized, we show that a combination of modally abundant hornblende (&SIM; 4%) + titanite (&SIM; 0.5-1%) and the highly polymerized nature of the rhyolitic liquid led to Y and HREE depletions in melt. Relatively high Sr and Ba contents in glass and rimward Sr and Ba increases in euhedral, concentrically zoned hornblende suggest partial feldspar dissolution and a late release of these elements to the melt as hornblende was crystallizing, in agreement with textural evidence for feldspar (and quartz) resorption. Both observations are consistent with thermal rejuvenation of the magma body prior to eruption, during which the proportion of melt increased via feldspar and quartz dissolution, even as hydrous and accessory phases were crystallizing. Sr/Y in Fish Canyon glass (13-18) is lower than the typical ``adakitic'' value (> 40), confirming that high Sr/Y is a reliable indicator of high-pressure magma generation and/or differentiation wherein garnet is implicated.

El Bosc, element clau d'un paisatge i d'una comunitat

Aquest treball és un resum de la Memòria de Llicenciatura El Bosc, element clau d’un paisatge i d’una comunitat. La seva percepció per part dels pagesos de l’Alta Garrotxa. Assaig metodològic, llegida el 18 de desembre de 1981 a la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

The S. pombe cdc15 gene is a key element in the reorganization of F-actin at mitosis.

The S. pombe cdc15 gene is essential for cell division. cdc15ts mutants do not form a septum, but growth and nuclear division continue, leading to formation of multinucleate cells. The earliest step in septum formation and cytokinesis, rearrangement of actin to the center of the cell, is associated with appearance of hypophosphorylated cdc15p and formation of a cdc15p ring, which colocalizes with actin. Loss of cdc15p function impairs formation of the actin ring. The abundance of cdc15 mRNA varies through the cell division cycle, peaking in early mitosis before septation. Expression of cdc15 in G2-arrested cells induces actin rearrangement to the center of the cell. These data implicate cdc15p as a key element in mediating the cytoskeletal rearrangements required for cytokinesis.

Reforç d’un element estructural mitjançant l’adhesió de làmines de compòsits reforçats amb fibres (FRP)

Aquest treball final de carrera és un estudi del reforç d’un element estructural de formigó per mitjà de fibres FRP. Podem assimilar-lo a una guia pràctica per tal que un enginyer ambconeixements de construcció, pugui reforçar un membre que ha sofert danys produïts peraguantar càrregues, oscil·lacions, etc.per les que no havia estat dissenyat. El projecte conté teoria del FRP per tal de conèixer el material que utilitzarem pel nostre reforç, les normatives i prenormatives que s’utilitzen per fer el disseny, i un exemple pràctic de càlcul del reforç d’una biga sotmesa a flexió i el confinament d’un pilar, que són les dues opcions més utilitzades per reforçar amb FRP. El reforç d’estructures de formigó és el camp de la construcció on més ràpidament i amb major èxit s’estan aplicant els reforços amb FRP, degut a les propietats tant avantatjoses que presenten, entre altres, resistència a la corrosió i lleugeresa, que es tradueix en estalvi de transport i posada en obra

Coxiella burnetii, the agent of Q fever in Brazil: its hidden role in seronegative arthritis and the importance of molecular diagnosis based on the repetitive element IS1111 associated with the transposase gene

Coxiella burnetii is the agent of Q fever , an emergent worldwide zoonosis of wide clinical spectrum. Although C. burnetii infection is typically associated with acute infection, atypical pneumonia and flu-like symptoms, endocarditis, osteoarticular manifestations and severe disease are possible, especially when the patient has a suppressed immune system; however, these severe complications are typically neglected. This study reports the sequencing of the repetitive element IS1111 of the transposase gene of C. burnetii from blood and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples from a patient with severe pneumonia following methotrexate therapy, resulting in the molecular diagnosis of Q fever in a patient who had been diagnosed with active seronegative polyarthritis two years earlier. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the first documented case of the isolation of C. burnetii DNA from a BAL sample.

Major, minor, trace element, Sm-Nd and Sr isotope compositions of mafic rocks from the earliest oceanic crust of the Alpine Tethys

Recent isotopic and biochronologic dating has demonstrated that the Gets nappe contains remnants of the oldest part of the oceanic crust of the Alpine Tethys. The ophiolites are associated with deep sea sediments, platform carbonates and continental crustal elements suggesting a transitional environment between continental and oceanic crust. Therefore, the ophiolites from the Gets nappe provide the opportunity to assess the nature of mantle source and the magma evolution during the final rifting stage of the European lithosphere. Trace clement analyses of mafic rocks can he divided into two sets: (1) P, Zr and Y contents are consistent with those of mid-ocean ridge basalts and REE patterns have a P-MORB affinity. (2) P,Zr Ti and Y contents are compatible with within-plate basalts and are characterized by REE spectra similar to that of T-MORB. Both have Nd isotopic compositions similar to those of synrift magma of the Red Sea and to the Rhine Graben. The model ages are in agreement with an LREE-enriched subcontinental mantle source derived from depleted mantle 800 to 900 Ma ago. Minor, trace element and Sm-Nd compositions suggest that these rocks are basaltic relies of an earliest stage of oceanic spreading i.e. an embryonic ocean. Comparison between REE patterns, Nd and Sr isotope compositions, isotopic and biochronologic ages from different Alpine Tethys ophiolites shows that samples with enriched LREE are from the older ophiolitic suites and are relies of the embryonic ocean floor. Later phases of ocean spreading are characterized by basalts that are depleted in LREE.

Nanopartícul·les core-shell estabilitzades en polímer amb propietats calítiques i bactericides medioambientalment segure

Aquest projecte de doctorat és un treball interdisciplinari adreçat a l’obtenció de nous nanocompòsits (NCs) funcionals sintetitzats a partir de materials polimèrics bescanviadors d’ions que són modificats amb nanopartícules metàl•liques (NPMs) de diferent composició. Els materials desenvolupats s’avaluen en funció de dues possibles aplicacions: 1) com a catalitzadors de reaccions orgàniques d’interès actual (NCs basats en pal•ladi) i, 2) la seva dedicació a aplicacions bactericides en el tractament d’aigües domèstiques o industrials (NCs basats en plata). El desenvolupament de nanomaterials és de gran interès a l’actualitat donades les seves especials propietats, l’aprofitament de les quals és la força impulsora per a la fabricació de nous NCs. Les nanopartícules metàl•liques estabilitzades en polímer (Polymer Stabilized Metal Nanoparticles, PSNPM) s’han preparat mitjançant la tècnica in-situ de síntesi intermatricial (Inter-matrix synthesis, IMS) que consisteix en la càrrega seqüencial dels grups funcionals de les matrius polimèriques amb ions metàl•lics, i la seva posterior reducció química dins de la matriu polimèrica de bescanvi iònic. L’estabilització en matrius polimèriques evita l’agregació entre elles (self-aggreagtion), un dels principals problemes coneguts de les NPs. Pel desenvolupament d’aquesta metodologia, s’han emprat diferents tipus de matrius polimèriques de bescanvi iònic: membrana Sulfonated PolyEtherEtherKetone, SPEEK, així com fibres sintètiques basades en polypropilè amb diferents tipus de grups funcionals, que ens permeten el seu ús com a filtres en la desinfecció de solucions aquoses o com a material catalitzador. Durant el projecte s’ha anat avançant en l’optimització del material nanocomposite final per a les aplicacions d’interès, en quant activitat i funcionalitat de les nanopartícules i estabilitat del nanocomposite. Així, s’ha optimitzat la síntesi de NPs estabilitzades en resines de bescanvi iònic, realitzant un screening de diferents tipus de resines i la seva avaluació en aplicacions industrials d’interès.

Lutz's spontaneous sedimentation technique and the paleoparasitological analysis of sambaqui (shell mound) sediments

Parasite findings in sambaquis (shell mounds) are scarce. Although the 121 shell mound samples were previously analysed in our laboratory, we only recently obtained the first positive results. In the sambaqui of Guapi, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, paleoparasitological analysis was performed on sediment samples collected from various archaeological layers, including the superficial layer as a control. Eggs of Acanthocephala, Ascaridoidea and Heterakoidea were found in the archaeological layers. We applied various techniques and concluded that Lutz's spontaneous sedimentation technique is effective for concentrating parasite eggs in sambaqui soil for microscopic analysis.

Comparison of a modified shell vial culture procedure with conventional mouse inoculation for rabies virus isolation

Rabies is a neurotropic disease that is often lethal. The early diagnosis of rabies infection is important and requires methods that allow for the isolation of the virus from animals and humans. The present study compared a modified shell vial (MSV) procedure using 24-well tissue culture plates with the mouse inoculation test (MIT), which is considered the gold standard for rabies virus isolation. Thirty brain samples (25 positive and 5 negative by the fluorescent antibody test) obtained from different animal species at the National Institute of Hygiene Rafael Rangel in Caracas, Venezuela, were studied by the MIT and MSV assays. Nine samples (36%) were positive at 24 h, 10 (40%) were positive at 48 h and six (24%) were positive at 72 h by the MSV assay. With the MIT assay, 76% were positive at six days post inoculation and 12% were positive at 12 and 18 days post inoculation. One sample that was negative according to the MSV assay was positive with MIT on the 12th day. The MSV procedure exhibited a sensitivity of 96.2%, a specificity of 100%, a positive predictive value of 100% and a negative predictive value 80%. This procedure allowed for rapid rabies virus detection. MIT can be employed as an alternative method in laboratories without tissue culture facilities.

Càlcul, disseny i fabricació d'una carrosseria autoportant en material compòsit per al vehicle de baix consum Àliga

El projecte és l’inici de la creació d’un nou prototip per a poder competir la temporada 2008 a la cursa de vehicles de baix consum Shell Eco-Marathon. El principal objectiu és aconseguir un xassís que redueixi, en la mesura del possible, el pes del prototip a la vegada que asseguri una millor rigidesa i millori l’ergonomia de tot el conjunt. Es dissenyarà tota la part estructural de la carrosseria, que serà sotmesa a càlcul mitjançant la tècnica dels elements finits i posteriorment es realitzarà una guia de producció per tal de guiar els membres de l’equip que en realitzin la producció