Targeting nuclear factor-kappa B to overcome resistance to chemotherapy

Intrinsic or acquired resistance to chemotherapeutic agents is a common phenomenon and a major challenge in the treatment of cancer patients. Chemoresistance is defined by a complex network of factors including multi-drug resistance proteins, reduced cellular uptake of the drug, enhanced DNA repair, intracellular drug inactivation, and evasion of apoptosis. Pre-clinical models have demonstrated that many chemotherapy drugs, such as platinum-based agents, antracyclines, and taxanes, promote the activation of the NF-κB pathway. NF-κB is a key transcription factor, playing a role in the development and progression of cancer and chemoresistance through the activation of a multitude of mediators including anti-apoptotic genes. Consequently, NF-κB has emerged as a promising anti-cancer target. Here, we describe the role of NF-κB in cancer and in the development of resistance, particularly cisplatin. Additionally, the potential benefits and disadvantages of targeting NF-κB signaling by pharmacological intervention will be addressed.

Invasion impacts on biodiversity: responses of ant communities to infestation by cat’s claw creeper, Macfadyena unguis-cati (Bignoniaceae) in subtropical Australia

Ants are the dominant soil faunal group in many if not most terrestrial ecosystems, and play a key role in soil structure and function. This study documents the impacts of invasion by the exotic cat’s claw creeper vine, Macfadyena unguis-cati (L.) Gentry (Bignoniaceae) on surface-situated (epigaeic) and subterranean (hypogaeic) ant communities in subtropical SE Queensland Australia where it is a major environmental weed of riparian areas, rainforest communities and remnant natural vegetation, smothering standing vegetation and causing canopy collapse. Soil ants were sampled in infested and uninfested areas at eight sites spanning both riparian and non-riparian habitats in subtropical SE Queensland. Patterns of ant species composition and functional grouping in response to patch invasion status, landscape type and habitat stratum were investigated using ANOVA and non-metric multidimensional scaling ordination. The epigaeic and subterranean strata supported markedly different ant assemblages, and ant communities also differed between riparian and non-riparian habitats. However, M. unguis-cati invasion had a surprisingly limited impact. There was a tendency for ant abundance and species richness to be lower in infested patches, and overall species composition was different between infested and uninfested patches, but these differences were relatively small, and did not occur consistently across sites. There were changes in functional group composition that conformed to known functional group responses to environmental change, but these were similarly limited and inconsistent across sites. Our study has shown that ant communities are surprisingly resilient to invasion by M. unguis-cati, and serves as a warning against making assumptions about invasion impacts based on visual appearances.

International contact lens prescribing in 2015

We have been collecting data on worldwide contact lens prescribing habits for almost 20 years. Over this time period, we have amassed prospective information about 315,000 contact lens fits in 59 countries. This article marks our 15th report in Contact Lens Spectrum and features a breakdown of more than 23,000 contact lens fits in 34 markets. As in previous years, our international network of coordinators distributed survey forms to eyecare practitioners in their market who then recorded generic information about the first 10 patients fit with contact lenses after receipt. Information is gathered about patient age and gender; whether the contact lenses are prescribed as a new fit or a refit; contact lens material, design, and replacement frequency; number of intended days per week of use; wearing modality; and care system. Contact lens fits are weighted to reflect the number of fits undertaken by each eyecare practitioner. The study data were entered and processed at the University of Manchester and at the University of Waterloo.

Dancer Casablanca 1930

A seated figure dressed in pink against a background of vegetation. Titled in lower left corner.

Regulation of Growth by Drosophila FoxO Transcription Factor

Forkhead box class O (FoxO) transcription factors are members of the forkhead box transcription factor superfamily, with orthologues in various species such as human, worm and fly. FoxO proteins are key regulators of growth, metabolism, stress resistance and, consequently, life span. FoxOs integrate signals from different pathways, e.g. the growth controlling Insulin-TOR signaling pathway and the stress induced JNK and Hippo signaling pathways. FoxO proteins have evolved to guide the cellular response to varying energy and stress conditions by inducing the expression of genes involved in the regulation of growth and metabolism. This work has aimed to deepen the understanding of how FoxO executes its biological functions. A particular emphasis has been laid to its role in growth control. Specifically, evidence is presented indicating that FoxO restricts tissue growth in a situation when TOR signaling is high. This finding can have implications in a human condition called Tuberous sclerosis, manifested by multiple benign tumors. Further, it is shown that FoxO directly binds to the promoter and regulates the expression of a Drosophila Adenylate cyclase gene, ac76e, which in turn modulates the fly s development and growth systemically. These results strengthen FoxOs position among central size regulators as it is able to operate at the level of individual cells as well as in the whole organism. Finally, an attempt to reveal the regulatory network upstream of FoxO has been carried out. Several putative FoxO activity regulators were identified in an RNAi screen of Drosophila kinases and phosphatases. The results underscore that FoxO is regulated through an elaborate network, ensuring the correct execution of key cellular processes in metabolism and response to stress. Overall, the evidence provided in this study strengthens our view of FoxO as a key integrator of growth and stress signals.

Nota sullo status della gallina prataiola (Tetrax tetrax) nella Zona di Protezione Speciale Piana di Semestene, Bonorva, Macomer e Bortigali (Sardegna), 2007-2009

The little bustard Tetrax tetrax is a bird of agro-pastoral landscapes rapidly disappearing from most of Western Europe due to agricultural intensification. In Italy, the species is virtually extinct from the mainland but still occurs in Sardinia, where four Special Protection Areas (SPAs) have been designated in 2007 to protect the bustard and related habitat. In this note, we document a steep decline (between 50 and 87,5%) of the species during the last decade in one of those four SPAs, Plains of Semestene, Bonorva, Macomer and Bortigali. However, during summer 2009, a group of 17 individuals was found within the SPA, confirming that the species, although at low numbers (5-15 displaying males), still breeds successfully in the area. Potential limiting factors are also discussed. We urge to undertake conservation measures based on solid scientific evidence if the local population is to be saved from probable extinction in the near future.

Polarimetric Signatures in the Stratiform Region of a Mesoscale Convective System

Four polarimetric measurands were collected in the stratiform region of a mesoscale convective system. The four are the reflectivity factor, the differential reflectivity, the correlation coefficient between orthogonal copolar echoes, and the differential propagation constant. Most striking is a signature of large aggregates (about 10 mm in size) seen in the differential phase through the melting layer. Another significant feature is an abrupt notch in the correlation coefficient that occurs towards the bottom of the bright band. Aircraft observations and a one-dimensional cloud model are used to explain some polarimetric measurements and to infer the presence of aggregates, graupel, and supercooled cloud water in the stratiform region. These unique observations and model data provide inferences concerning the presence of graupel and the growth of large aggregates in the melting layer.

Letras, 1991-1992, nº 25-26 (número completo)

Contenido: Palabras del Señor Rector / Guillermo P. Blanco – Testimonio / Juan Roberto Courrèges – Historia de un fervor / Teresa Iris Giovacchini – Homenaje / Luis Martínez Cuitiño – Paul Claudel en una de sus “Odas” / Ángel J. Battistessa – Apertura de Nuevos Mundos: 1492-1969 (Documentos igualmente augurales) / Raúl H. Castagnino – Valor condicional de adjetivos con rasgos de predicativos / Hilda Albano de Vázquez – Buzzati, dos en uno / Daniel H. Capano – La estructura circular de “Adán Buenosayres” / Norma Carricaburo – Una constante poética en la producción dramática de Armando Discépolo: continuidad e innovación en el realismo / Jorge Adrián Dubatti – La Saya/Fuga de J. B. o la novela épico-lúdica de un juglar laborioso / Teresa Iris Giovacchini – Algunas notas sobre el didactismo del Libro de Buen Amor / Elsa C. González Bolia – La “Noche oscura”, de San Juan de la Cruz, poema en diálogo / Teresa Herraiz de Tresca – Bernal Díaz del Castillo y las comunicaciones hispano-aztecas / Ernesto Livacic Gazzano – Hacia una teoría borgeana de la recepción / Luis Martínez Cuitiño – El Árbol, el Bosque y John Fowles (A propósito de la reedición de “The tree”) / Rosa E. M. D. Penna – El orden primero recuperado: “Le livre de Christophe Colomb de Paul Claudel / Paulette Rachou – La Torre de Apolidón y el influjo del Libro de Marco Polo en el Amadís de Gaula / Aquilino Suárez Pallasá – Jorge Manrique en la tradición literaria del amor y de la muerte / Lía Noemí Uriarte Rebaudi – Reseñas bibliográficas

Evaluación agronómica de nueve híbridos de cebolla (Allium cepa (L.) Cif) en el valle de Sébaco, Matagalpa

Un estudio de nueve híbridos comerciales de cebolla ( Allium cepa L.), y un testigo comercial, se realizó en el Centro Experimental del Valle de Sébaco del INTA, en San Isidro con el objetivo de evaluar el comportamiento agronómico , rendimiento de bulbo, así como por categoría de los mismos. El diseño experimental fue un BCA con cuatro repeticiones. Los datos obtenidos se analizaron con ANDEVA y prueba de rangos múltiples de Tuckey (p =0.05). Número de h ojas en 9 híbridos fueron significativos: Arad, Neptune, Martin, Noam. Amazone y Appolo = 6 Hojas respectivamente, y Russel, Equanex y Galil con = 5 hojas respectivamente . Altura de plantas en híbridos fueron significativos: Noam, Equane x, Martin y Arad = 60 cm respectivamente ; Neptune, Amazon, Appolo y Russel entre 55 cm - 60 cm , y Galil = 55 cm respectivamente . Mancha Púrpura: no hubo diferencias significativa s . Mayores rendimientos híbridos bulbos amarillo Amazon y Ap polo, con promedi os > 60 y 38 Tm ha - 1 de bulbos comerciales respectivamente. Mayor adaptación: Amazon (60.8 Tm ha - 1 ). Equanex, Appolo y Martin tuvieron rendimientos supe riores a las 39.5, 38.4, 36.6 Tm ha - 1 respectivamente . Arad, Galil, y Russel tuvieron rendimiento menores a los 29.0, 24.9, y 22.5 T m ha - 1 respectivamente . Noam y Neptune fueron los híbridos que no se adaptaron a las condiciones del CEVAS – INTA. Categorías de bulbo: Pre - pack fue superior co n 58.6 Tm ha - 1 a Large medium 26.1 Tm ha - 1 .

Vigencia y sentido de las prácticas musicales tradicionales en la actualidad : el caso de la baguala y la vidalita andina en San Blas de Los Sauces, Provincia de La Rioja

Resumen: El propósito de este artículo es reflexionar críticamente desde una perspectiva intercultural acerca de la vigencia y el sentido de los géneros musicales tradicionales en la actualidad en la provincia de La Rioja. Centramos el estudio en los géneros más antiguos: la ‘baguala’ y la ‘vidalita andina’, en la localidad de San Blas de los Sauces. Para ello, analizamos los cambios y permanencias en las estructuras de ambas y el desarrollo de la dimensión discursiva, tomando como referencia principal la tesis doctoral de Isabel Aretz (1978). Los géneros son abordados como fenómenos estéticos situados en un contexto histórico y social. En dicho marco, se analizan sus modos de producción y recepción a partir de observaciones de corte etnográfico, así como de entrevistas a músicos, vidaleros, vecinos, funcionarios del Estado y referentes culturales.

La teoría aristotélica de la abstracción y su olvido moderno

Resumen: Este estudio analiza la teoría aristotélica de la abstracción, tratando de rescatar su sentido originario a partir de los textos del autor, así como los aportes de los aristotélicos medievales más relevantes, especialmente Tomás de Aquino. Y luego se pasa a describir algunos hitos fundamentales de la evolución posterior de dicha teoría en la historia de la Filosofía, como son: 1) La contraposición entre abstracción e intuición en Duns Escoto y Guillermo de Ockham. 2) el intuicionismo de Descartes 3) La reinterpretación empirista de la abstracción en J. Locke 4) La ausencia de la abstracción en el Espinoza, Leibniz y Kant, así como su sustitución por la “aufhebung” en Hegel. 5) La peculiar aproximación husserliana a la abstracción a partir de su método fenomenológico y 6) la relación de la teoría de la abstracción con el pensamiento de algunos autores contemporáneos como Zubiri, Polo y, especialmente, Heidegger.

Turismo em debate II

Traz o conteúdo das Audiências públicas realizadas pela Comissão de Turismo e Desporto destinadas a debater o planejamento dos aeroportos nacionais, a infraestrutura das empresas aéreas e a relação destas com o consumidor em conjunto com a política de concessões aeroportuárias para a iniciativa privada, bem como o estado da infraestrutura das malhas aérea e viária do país e a política de formação de pilotos civis e suas implicações quanto ao turismo e à política nacional de aviação.

Modelos de exploração do mercado de aeroportos no Brasil

Consultoria Legislativa - Área XIII - Desenvolvimento Urbano, Trânsito e Transportes.