Production of the baculovirus-expressed dengue virus glycoprotein NS1 can be improved dramatically with optimised regimes for fed-batch cultures and the addition of the insect moulting hormone, 20-Hydroxyecdysone

A perennial problem in recombinant protein expression is low yield of the product of interest. A strategy which has been shown to increase the production of baculovirus-expressed proteins is to utilise fed-batch cultures. One disadvantage of this approach is the time-consuming task of optimising the feeding strategy. Previously, a statistical optimisation routine was applied to develop a feeding strategy that increased the yield of beta-Galactosidase (beta-Gal) by 2.4-fold (Biotechnol. Bioeng, 59 (1998) 178). This involves the single addition of nutrient concentrates (amino acids, lipids. glucose and yeastolate ultrafiltrate) into Sf9 cell cultures grown in SF900II medium. In this study, it is demonstrated that this optimised fed-batch strategy developed for a high-yielding intracellular product beta-Gal could be applied successfully to a relatively low-yielding glycosylated and secreted product such as the dengue virus glycoprotein NS1. Optimised batch infections yielded 4 mug/ml of NS1 at a peak cell density of 4.2 x 10(6) cells/ml. In contrast. optimised fed-batch infections exhibited a 3-fold improvement in yield, with 12 mug ml of NS1 produced at a peak cell density of 11.3 x 10(6) cells/ml. No further improvements in yield were recorded when the feed volumes were doubled and the peak cell density was increased to 23 x 10(6) cells/ml, unless the cultures were stimulated by the addition of 4 mug/ml of 20-Hydroxyecdysone (an insect moulting hormone). In this case, the NS1 yield was increased to 20 mug/ml. which was nearly 5-fold higher than optimised batch cultures. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Health and demographic characteristics of respondents in an Australian national sexuality survey: comparison with population norms

Study objective: To assess the representativeness of survey participants by systematically comparing volunteers in a national health and sexuality survey with the Australian population in terms of self reported health status (including the SF-36) and a wide range of demographic characteristics. Design: A cross sectional sample of Australian residents were compared with demographic data from the 1996 Australian census and health data from the 1995 National Health Survey. Setting: The Australian population. Participants: A stratified random sample of adults aged 18-59 years drawn from the Australian electoral roll, a compulsory register of voters. Interviews were completed with 1784 people, representing 40% of those initially selected (58% of those for whom a valid telephone number could be located). Main results: Participants were of similar age and sex to the national population. Consistent with prior research, respondents had higher socioeconomic status, more education, were more likely to be employed, and less likely to be immigrants. The prevalence estimates, means, and variances of self reported mental and physical health measures (for example, SF-36 subscales, women's health indicators, current smoking status) were similar to population norms. Conclusions: These findings considerably strengthen inferences about the representativeness of data on health status from volunteer samples used in health and sexuality surveys.

Mineral uptake in tobacco leaf discs during different developmental stages of shoot organogenesis

Relationships between mineral uptake and tobacco shoot organogenesis were investigated during three morphogenic phases: phase 1, days 0-10, pre-meristem formation; phase 2, days 10-20, meristem initiation and formation; and phase 3, days 20-35, growth and differentiation of induced meristems into leafy shoots. The mineral content of both shoot-forming (SF) and non-shoot-forming (NSF) media was examined over the 35-day culture period. Both SF and NSF explants rapidly consumed iron during phase 1. Nitrate uptake in SF explants was high and independent of explant growth during phases 1 and 2, but greatest and strongly correlated with growth during phase 3. Phosphorus uptake was highest in SF explants during phases 2 and 3, and correlated with explant growth. Uptake of potassium, calcium and sulphur was strongly associated with explant growth during phase 3 whereas magnesium uptake was only poorly correlated with growth. Results from this study indicate that particular minerals may have an important role in regulating development as well as generally supporting growth.

Perceived stress as a predictor of the self-reported new diagnosis of symptomatic CHD in older women

This article describes one aspect of a prospective cohort study of 10,432 women aged between 70 and 75 years. After a 3-year period, 503 women self-reported a new diagnosis by a doctor of angina or myocardial infarction (symptomatic coronary heart disease [CHD]). Time one psychosocial variables (Duke Social Support Index, time pressure, Perceived Stress Scale, Mental Health Index, having a partner, educational attainment, and location of residence) were analyzed using univariate binary logistic regression for their ability to predict subsequent symptomatic CHD. Of these variables, the Duke Social Support Index, Perceived Stress Scale and the Mental Health Index were found to be significant predictors of symptomatic CHID diagnosis. Only the Perceived Stress Scale, however, proved to be a significant independent predictor. After controlling for time one nonpsychosocial variables, as well as the frequency of family doctor visits, perceived stress remained a significant predictor of the new diagnosis of symptomatic CHD in this cohort of older women over a 3-year period.

Part 1. Growth, carcass and meat quality parameters of male goats: effects of genotype and liveweight at slaughter

Male kids (110) from six goat genotypes, i.e. Boer x Angora (BA), Boer x Feral (1317), Boer x Saanen (BS), Feral x Feral (FF), Saanen x Angora (SA) and Saanen x Feral (SF) and two slaughter weight groups, i.e. Capretto and Chevon (liveweight at slaughter 14-22 and 30-35 kg, respectively) were compared for growth, carcass and meat quality characteristics. Due to their better growth rate, kids from BS and SF genotypes reached the required liveweight for slaughter earlier than kids from other Genotypes used in the study. Chevon kids had a significantly (P < 0.05) lower average daily gain (119 g per day) compared to Capretto kids (171 g per day). SA, SF and FF kids deposited more internal fat in comparison to kids from other genotypes. The dressing percentage of kids ranged from 51 to 54%, with significant differences between genotypes. BS and SF kids had longer carcasses. while BF kids had larger eye muscle area compared to other genotypes. Goat carcasses had a thin subcutaneous fat cover (1.6-2.2 mm). Genotype had a significant (P < 0.05) influence on cooking loss, pigment concentration and muscle colour parameters (CIE L*, a* and b* values). As denoted by the higher V and fibre optic probe values and lower subjective muscle score, the longissimus muscle colour was lighter for BS kids than other genotypes. Cooked meat from the BF kids had lower shear force values and better sensory scores compared to other genotypes. A significant (P < 0.05) decrease in muscle tenderness was observed from Capretto to Chevon carcasses, whereas cooked meat from these two slaughter weight groups was equally accepted (P > 0.05) by the panellists. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Part 2. Carcass composition and fatty acid profiles of adipose tissue of male goats: effects of genotype and liveweight at slaughter

The dissected carcass composition and fatty acid profiles of intermuscular fat from 110 male goat kids from six genotypes i.e. Boer x Angora (BA), Boer x Feral (BF), Boer x Saanen (BS), Feral x Feral (1717), Saanen x Angora (SA) and Saanen x Feral (SF) and two slaughter weight groups i.e. Capretto and Chevon (liveweight at slaughter 14-22 and 30-35 kg, respectively) were compared. Carcass tissue distribution for various genotypes was: muscle (63-66%), fat (10-13%) and bone (21-24%). Genotype significantly (P < 0.05) influenced the carcass composition; BA and FF carcasses had significantly higher muscle to bone ratio, while carcasses from BS kids were leaner compared to other genotypes. However, the two slaughter weight groups did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) in terms of carcass composition, when compared at the same carcass weight. In the present study, significant (P < 0.01) correlations were observed between percentage of muscle, fat and bone in most of the primal cuts and that in the carcass side. The main saturated fatty acids (SFAs) identified were palmitic (16:0) and stearic acid (18:0), while oleic acid (18: 1, omega9) was the main unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) in the intermuscular fat from goat kids. There were significant (P < 0.05) differences between genotypes in the proportions of individual fatty acids. Adipose tissue from BS kids had significantly higher UFAs (mainly oleic acid) and thus had a significantly lower melting point compared to other genotypes. There were significantly higher proportions of palmitic acid (35%) in the adipose tissue from Capretto kids compared to that from Chevon kids (22%). The concentration of UFAs increased in the adipose tissue from Capretto to Chevon carcasses. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Effects of physical activity on emotional well-being among older Australian women - Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses

Objective: To explore relationships between physical activity and mental health cross-sectionally and longitudinally in a large cohort of older Australian women. Method: Women in their 70s participating in the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health responded in 1996 (aged 70-75) and in 1999 (aged 73-78). Cross-sectional data were analyzed for 10,063 women and longitudinal data for 6472. Self-reports were used to categorize women into four categories of physical activity at each time point as well as to define four physical activity transition categories across the 3-year period. Outcome variables for the cross-sectional analyses were the mental health component score (MCS) and mental health subscales of the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form (SF-36). The longitudinal analyses focused on changes in these variables. Confounders included the physical health component scale (PCS) of the SF-36, marital status, body mass index (BMI) and life events. Adjustment for baseline scores was included for the longitudinal analyses. Results: Cross-sectionally, higher levels of physical activity were associated with higher scores on all dependent variables, both with and without adjustment for confounders. Longitudinally, the effects were weaker, but women who had made a transition from some physical activity to none generally showed more negative changes in emotional well-being than those who had always been sedentary, while those who maintained or adopted physical activity had better outcomes. Conclusion: Physical activity is associated with emotional well-being among a population cohort of older women both cross-sectionally and longitudinally, supporting the need for the promotion of appropriate physical activity in this age group. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.

Sistema integrado de informa????es previdenci??rias: SIPREV

No ano de 1998, a quest??o espec??fica da gest??o da previd??ncia dos servidores p??blicos da Uni??o, Estados e Munic??pios emergiu como fator cr??tico, em face ao aumento exponencial do d??ficit financeiro e atuarial e do impacto desse desequil??brio nas contas da Uni??o. Em raz??o disso, o Poder Executivo Federal patrocinou ampla reforma legislativa da mat??ria previdenci??ria p??blica, mediante aprova????o da Emenda Constitucional n?? 20/98 e da Lei 9.717/98, a chamada Lei Geral da Previd??ncia Social, calcada em preceitos que possam assegurar equil??brio financeiro e atuarial dos Regimes Pr??prios de Previd??ncia Social - RPPS. A situa????o, ??quela altura, da previd??ncia gerida por Estados e Munic??pios, apresentava-se preocupante, especialmente quanto aos aspectos estruturais, operacionais e t??cnicos, incluindo base de informa????es desatualizadas, dispersas e pulverizadas nos diversos ??rg??os de cada ente federado, bem como gestores e t??cnicos desqualificados para atender aos novos preceitos estabelecidos pela Reforma Previdenci??ria. Para concretizar a inten????o do legislador federal, a Uni??o, por interm??dio do MPAS, deveria orientar, supervisionar, acompanhar e apoiar a reforma e gest??o dos regimes pr??prios de previd??ncia social. Para tanto, inicia-se, ent??o, no ??mbito do pr??prio MPAS, o processo de concep????o institucional do SIPREV. O SIPREV possibilita in??meros benef??cios ?? sociedade, usu??rios, operadores e gestores previdenci??rios da Uni??o, Estados e Munic??pios, elencados a seguir: transpar??ncia das contas p??blicas, comprometimento dos segurados com a gest??o previdenci??ria, integra????o da Previd??ncia Social P??blica, dissemina????o de ferramentas especializadas de gest??o previdenci??ria, planejamento previdenci??rio, preven????o contra fraudes e informa????es hist??ricas

Texto para discuss??o 23: reforma administrativa e direito adquirido

A Constitui????o n??o se interpreta mediante a lei ordin??ria; a lei ?? que tem a sua interpreta????o condicionada pela Constitui????o. A garantia constitucional inscrita no art. 5o, XXXVI, por expressa determina????o constitucional, tem aplica????o imediata (art. 5o, ??1o, CF), independendo de preceito legal regulador. Se o conceito de direito adquirido constitu??sse mat??ria de car??ter ordin??rio, a garantia constitucional do direito adquirido estaria de modo indireto ?? disposi????o do legislador, subordinada aos seus humores, esvaziada enquanto norma de prote????o individual. Al??m disso, ter??amos de admitir o paradoxo de um limite ao legislador depender da atua????o do pr??prio legislador

Programa de interc??mbio

O Programa de Interc??mbio cria uma oportunidade para maior intera????o do CADE com a sociedade, pela promo????o de oportunidade de experi??ncia pr??tica na ??rea de defesa da concorr??ncia, para jovens em fase de forma????o universit??ria, com o aproveitamento, pelo CADE, da capacidade desses jovens, preparando-os para o trabalho na comunidade e no setor privado. O Programa est?? totalmente desvinculado de uma id??ia de "est??gio". As diversas institui????es de ensino universit??rio e entidades sem fins lucrativos, nacionais e internacionais, manifestam sua inten????o numa coopera????o t??cnica com o CADE, atrav??s de Conv??nios e Protocolos. A partir da assinatura do termo, podem enviar um determinado n??mero de estudantes, inclusive p??s-graduandos, durante seu per??odo de f??rias, com interesse em desenvolver trabalhos nas ??reas da defesa da concorr??ncia. O Programa pretende cumprir um papel educativo ao difundir a cultura da concorr??ncia e ao mesmo tempo ajudar a formar profissionais para atuar na defesa da concorr??ncia. Nesse sentido, tem tido um enorme sucesso, com quase nenhuma propaganda, pois o interesse dos alunos ?? demonstrado perante a institui????o, que procura o CADE para integrar o Programa. Os pedidos t??m chegado de norte a sul do Pa??s e, caso fosse alardeada a exist??ncia desse Programa, o CADE n??o teria condi????es de atender a t??o grande demanda (s??o, em m??dia, 20 estudantes por per??odo), pois ?? um ??rg??o com um quadro muito reduzido de pessoal e h?? a necessidade de um acompanhamento t??cnico junto a esses estudantes, que fazem um trabalho pr??tico de an??lise e aplica????o da legisla????o vigente nas mat??rias em tramita????o no Conselho

A moderniza????o do estado e a ger??ncia p??blica

O artigo analisa a problem??tica da moderniza????o do Estado vista como um processo de constitui????o de cidadania e de otimiza????o dos recursos p??blicos. Os autores focalizam, por um lado, o atendimento aos usu??rios, a qualidade dos servi??os e a transpar??ncia. Por outro lado, a incorpora????o de t??cnicas de gest??o avan??adas ?? considerada indispens??vel para o aumento da efic??cia e da efici??ncia no setor p??blico. Os principais problemas discutidos no artigo incluem: racionalidade do setor p??blico racionalidade das empresas privadas; incentivos e motiva????o dos servidores p??blicos; rigidez dos procedimentos administrativos; margem de decis??o dos gestores; sistemas de acesso a informa????o; import??ncia da gest??o de pessoal e da valoriza????o do trabalho no setor p??blico; papel dos gerentes na moderniza????o das institui????es p??blicas; cargos de carreira, cargos de confian??a; mecanismos de recrutamento e reten????o e sistemas de capacita????o dos servidores p??blicos. Os autores concluem que, devido ??s inova????es constantes em mat??ria de ger??ncia p??blica, n??o existe hoje um perfil gerencial definitivo como resposta ??s necessidades do Estado. Pelo contr??rio, o que se observa ?? uma crescente complexidade da gest??o p??blica que continuar?? oscilando entre a pol??tica e a tecnocracia, entre a maior flexibilidade e as exig??ncias de controle, entre a ado????o das t??cnicas de gest??o e a recupera????o da tradi????o administrativa e a cultura da fun????o p??blica.

10?? concurso inova????o na gest??o p??blica federal

O Concurso Inova????o na Gest??o P??blica Federal, promovido pela ENAP e pelo Minist??rio do Planejamento, Or??amento e Gest??o, chegou ?? sua d??cima edi????o neste ano. Um total de 49 experi??ncias concorreu ao pr??mio, que visa reconhecer e incentivar a gera????o e incorpora????o de novas pr??ticas e conhecimentos na administra????o p??blica federal. Em 2006, a experi??ncia Educa????o sanit??ria em agrot??xicos, sa??de humana e meio ambiente, do Minist??rio da Agricultura, Pecu??ria e Abastecimento, ficou em primeiro lugar. Em segundo, o projeto Mudan??a de paradigma na presta????o de servi??os, da Receita Federal. O Hospital de Cl??nicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA) obteve a terceira coloca????o, com o projeto Registro eletr??nico do atendimento ambulatorial: mais um passo na consolida????o do prontu??rio eletr??nico do paciente. A RSP relata a seguir um pouco dessas experi??ncias.

Uma conversa sobre lideran??a

Nada de mesas redondas, palestras em s??rie ou apresenta????es em power point. Formados em um c??rculo, 73 dirigentes de 16 pa??ses reuniram-se para discutir o tema ???Qual a lideran??a que eu preciso para favorecer o aprendizado, a inova????o e a coopera????o no servi??o p??blico????, no f??rum ???Aprender, inovar e cooperar: uma conversa entre pares???, organizado pela ENAP e pela Canada School of Public Service (CSPS).