Telomerase activation in colorectal carcinogenesis.

Telomerase activity has been detected in germ cells as well as in the developing embryo. Activity is no longer detectable in most somatic cells of the neonate, although low levels of activity persist in regenerative tissues. Telomerase has been found to be reactivated or up-regulated in the majority of cancers. The colorectal adenoma-carcinoma sequence is one of the best-characterized models of multistep tumourigenesis and is thus suitable for determining at which stage telomerase is activated. Telomerase activity was examined by telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) assay in 96 cases of colorectal tissues, including 50 carcinomas, 31 adenomas, and 15 normal colonic tissues. For each case, histological diagnosis and telomerase activity were determined on consecutive frozen sections. In order to reduce the chance of a false-negative TRAP assay due to RNA degradation, the integrity of rRNA in the tissues was verified in each case. Twenty-five carcinomas, 30 adenomas, and all of the 15 normal colorectal mucosal samples showed no or only partial rRNA degradation and only in these cases was the TRAP assay interpreted. None of the normal tissues exhibited telomerase activity. In contrast, all of the 25 cancers and 47 per cent (14/30) of the adenomas were positive. In adenomas, telomerase activation was highly significantly related to the grade of dysplasia (p< 0.0001). All adenomas which contained high-grade dysplasia revealed telomerase activity, whereas telomerase activity was detectable in only 20 per cent (4/20) of cases with exclusively low-grade dysplasia. These results indicate that telomerase activation, which may be an obligatory step in colorectal carcinogenesis, occurs in the progression from low-grade to high-grade dysplasia in adenomas. Furthermore, in the adenoma-carcinoma sequence, telomerase activation seems to occur later than K- ras mutation but earlier than p53 mutation.

Operational benefits and challenges of the use of fingerprint statistical models: a field study

Research projects aimed at proposing fingerprint statistical models based on the likelihood ratio framework have shown that low quality finger impressions left on crime scenes may have significant evidential value. These impressions are currently either not recovered, considered to be of no value when first analyzed by fingerprint examiners, or lead to inconclusive results when compared to control prints. There are growing concerns within the fingerprint community that recovering and examining these low quality impressions will result in a significant increase of the workload of fingerprint units and ultimately of the number of backlogged cases. This study was designed to measure the number of impressions currently not recovered or not considered for examination, and to assess the usefulness of these impressions in terms of the number of additional detections that would result from their examination.

Resposta de híbridos de milho irrigado à densidade de plantas em três épocas de semeadura

A determinação da densidade ótima de semeadura do milho, além de ser influenciada pelas características dos híbridos, pelo nível de fertilidade do solo e pela disponibilidade hídrica, pode também variar de acordo com a época da semeadura, uma vez que ela afeta o crescimento e desenvolvimento da planta. Com o objetivo de determinar a densidade ótima de planta em híbridos de milho com elevado potencial de rendimento de grãos, em três épocas de semeadura, com relação a rendimento de grãos, componentes do rendimento e outras características agronômicas, foram feitos quatro experimentos na região fisiográfica da Depressão Central do Rio Grande do Sul, município de Eldorado do Sul, com suplementação hídrica por aspersão. Os tratamentos constaram de quatro híbridos (Pioneer 3063, Pioneer 3207, XL 212 e Cargill 901), quatro densidades de plantas (50, 70, 90 e 110.000 pl/ha) e de três épocas de semeadura (agosto, outubro e dezembro). Não há resposta à densidade de plantas dos híbridos de milho testados nas épocas de semeadura de agosto e dezembro. O aumento na densidade de plantas somente foi vantajosa na semeadura de outubro, quando se obtiveram maiores rendimentos de grãos na densidade de 70.000 pl/ha, independentemente do híbrido avaliado, nas duas estações de crescimento.

Field Demonstration and Laboratory Evaluation of Foamed Asphalts - Muscatine County, HR-233, 1985

In view of the energy, environmental, and economic advantages of the foamed asphalt process using local aggregates in cold mixes and the promising results from Research Project HR-212, a 4.2-mile section of county road in Muscatine County was built with foamed asphalt and local aggregates during August-September 1983. Extensive laboratory evaluation was carried out on five plant mixes representing foamed mixes used in the nine test sections, a laboratory prepared foamed mix, and a laboratory prepared hot mix similar to Plant Mix 1. The foamed mixes were compacted, cured under 15 curing conditions and tested for bulk specific gravity, Marshall stability at 77° F and at 140° F, cured moisture content, resilient modulus and effects of moisture damage due to freeze-thaw cycles, water soaking, and vacuum saturation. In addition, four sets of 83 core samples were taken at 1 to 15 months and tested for moisture content, specific gravity, Marshall stability, and resilient modulus. In summary, the test road has performed satisfactorily for almost two years. The few early construction problems encountered were to be expected for experimental projects dealing with new materials and technologies. Overall results to date are encouraging and foamed asphalt mixes have proved to have the potential as a viable base material in areas where marginal aggregates are available. It is hoped and expected that performance evaluation of the test sections will be continued and that more foamed asphalt trial projects will be constructed and monitored so that experiences and findings from this project can be verified and mix design criteria can be gradually established. For future foamed asphalt projects it is recommended that anti-stripping additives, such as hydrated lime, be added in view of the potential moisture susceptibility of foamed mixes observed in the laboratory evaluation.

Épocas de semeadura de triticale em Capão Bonito, SP

O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar o rendimento de grãos, o peso hectolítrico e o peso de mil sementes de dez genótipos de triticale e dois genótipos de trigo, em três épocas de semeadura. O experimento foi instalado na Estação Experimental de Capão Bonito, região sudoeste do Estado de São Paulo, no qüinqüênio 1991-95. Estudou-se a disponibilidade hídrica do solo, mediante balanços hídricos decendiais, considerando 100 mm como capacidade de retenção de água no solo. Os resultados indicaram a primeira época como a melhor para os parâmetros estudados, e a terceira época não deve ser recomendada. Com relação ao rendimento de grãos, destacaram-se, nas três épocas, os genótipos IAC 2 e BGL"S"/CIN"S"//MUS"S". Os genótipos IAC 3, Hare 212, Ardilla"S" e ICT 8803 apresentaram-se produtivos na segunda e terceira épocas, e o genótipo MERINOS"S"/JLO"S"/3/BGL"S"/CIN"S"//MUS"S", somente na terceira época. O melhor genótipo, independentemente de época, foi o IAC 2. O rendimento de grãos está associado positivamente com o peso de mil sementes. A ocorrência dos agentes causais de manchas foliares foi mais intensa no genótipo de trigo IAC 24 do que nos genótipos de triticales, excetuando-se o CEP 15.

Liver, gastrointestinal and cardiac toxicity in intermediate hepatocellular carcinoma treated with PRECISION TACE with drug-eluting beads: Results from the PRECISION V randomized trial : B-240

Purpose: To evaluate the toxicity focussing on hepatic, gastrointestinal and cardiac parameters following PRECISION TACE with DC Bead? versus conventional transarterial chemoembolization (cTACE) in the treatment of intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods and Materials: This prospective, randomized, multicentre study was conducted under best practice trial management and authorized by local institutional review boards. Informed consent was obtained. 212 patients (185 men/27 women; mean: 67 years) were randomized to be treated with DC Beads? or cTACE. The majority of both groups presented in a more advanced stage. Safety was measured by rate of adverse events (South West Oncology Group criteria) and changes in laboratory parameters. Cardiotoxicity was assessed by means of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in MRI or echocardiography. The results of the two groups were compared using the chi-square test and Student`s t-test. Results: Mean maximum alanine transaminase increase in the DC Bead group was 50% in the cTACE group (p < 0.001) and 59% for aspartate transaminase (p < 0.001). For bilirubin, mean increase was 5.30±15.13 vs. 13.53±73.89 µmol/L. Concerning gastrointestinal disorders, 120 adverse events (AEs) occurred in 57/93 (61.3%) patients in the DC Bead group vs. 114 in 49/108 (45.4%) in cTACE. Concerning hepatobiliary disorders, serious AEs occurred in 8/93 (8.6%) vs. 11/108 (10.2%) patients. LVEF showed an increase in the DC Bead group by +2.7±10.1 percentage points and a small decrease by -1.5±7.6 in the cTACE group, p=0.018. Conclusion: PRECISION TACE is safe, even in more advanced HCC patients. Serious liver and cardiac toxicity were significantly lower in the DC Bead group.

Thin Bonded Overlay Evaluation, Construction Report, HR-559, 1999

In recent years, ultra-thin whitetopping (UTW) has evolved as a viable rehabilitation technique for deteriorated asphalt cement concrete (ACC) pavement. Numerous UTW projects have been constructed and tested, enabling researchers to identify key elements contributing to their successful performance. These elements include foundation support, the interface bonding condition, portland cement concrete (PCC) overlay thickness, synthetic fiber reinforcement usage, joint spacing, and joint sealing. The interface bonding condition is the most important of these elements. It enables the pavement to act as a composite structure, thus reducing tensile stresses and allowing an ultra-thin PCC overlay to perform as intended. Although the main factors affecting UTW performance have been identified in previous research, neither the impact that external variables have on the elements nor the element interaction have been thoroughly investigated. The objective of this research was to investigate the interface bonding condition between an ultra-thin PCC overlay and an ACC base over time, considering the previously mentioned variables. Laboratory testing and full scale field testing were planned to accomplish the research objective. Laboratory testing involved monitoring interface strains in fabricated PCC/ACC composite test beams subjected to either static or dynamic flexural loading. Variables investigated included ACC surface preparation, PCC thickness, and synthetic fiber reinforcement usage. Field testing involved monitoring PCC/ACC interface stains and temperatures, falling weight deflectometer (FWD) deflection responses, direct shear strengths, and distresses on a 7.2 mile Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) UTW project (HR-559). The project was located on Iowa Highway 21 between Iowa Highway 212 and U.S. Highway 6 in Iowa County, near Belle Plaine, Iowa. Variables investigated included ACC surface preparation, PCC thickness, synthetic fiber reinforcement usage, joint spacing, and joint sealing. This report documents the planning, equipment selection, and construction of the project built in 1994.

The Interplay of Mastery and Performance Goals in Social Comparison: A Multiple-Goal Perspective.

Régner, Escribe, and Dupeyrat (2007) recently demonstrated that not only performance-approach and performance-avoidance goals (respectively, the desire to outperform others and not to be outperformed by others) but also mastery goals (the desire to acquire knowledge) were related to social comparison orientation (SCO, the tendency to search for social comparison information). In the present article, the possibility of a link between mastery goals and social comparison that depends on the level of performance-approach goals-a possibility supported by a multiple-goal perspective-was tested by examining the interaction effect between mastery and performance-approach goals. This is an important endeavor, as educational settings are rarely free from performance-approach goals, even when mastery goals are promoted. In Study 1, we tested self-set achievement goals (mastery, performance-approach, and performance-avoidance goals) as predictors of SCO; the interaction between mastery goals and performance-approach goals indicated that the higher the performance-approach goal endorsement, the stronger the link between mastery goals and SCO. In Study 2, we manipulated goal conditions; mastery goals predicted interest in social comparison in the performance-approach goal condition only. Results are discussed in terms of the importance of multiple-goal pursuit in academic settings. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2009 APA, all rights reserved)

Iowa Ultra Thin Whitetopping at Two Years of Age, HR-559, 1996

An 11.6 km research project was constructed in 1994 on a portion of Iowa Highway 21 in Iowa County, from U.S. 6 to Iowa Highway 212. This research is intended to evaluate the effect of four primary variables on long term performances of the PCC concrete overlay, commonly called whitetopping. The variables are thickness (50 mm, 100 mm, 150 mm, and 200 mm), joint spacing (0.6 m squares, 1.2 m squares, 1.8 m squares, and 4.6 m spacing), fiber use (concrete with and without polypropolene fibers) and surface preparation (patch only, scarifying the surface, and cold-in-place recycling). After two years, only two sections exhibit a small amount of debonding and distress cracking. Both sections are 50 mm thick. Within each of these two sections, only 2% of the area is affected. Two other 50 mm thick sections have a small number of cracks but no debonding has been found. No adverse effects of these cracks are evident. Three asphalt overlay sections were also constructed. In each asphalt section, transverse cracks have recently been found. At two years of age, the research sections are performing very well. An insignificant number of cracks and no distressed areas have been found in any research sections thicker than 50 mm.

Development and selection of Valpha l4i NKT cells.

Valpha14 invariant natural killer T (Valpha14i NKT) cells are a unique lineage of mouse T cells that share properties with both NK cells and memory T cells. Valpha14i NKT cells recognize CDld-associated glycolipids via a semi-invariant T cell receptor (TCR) composed of an invariant Valpha14-Jalpha 18 chain paired preferentially with a restricted set of TCRbeta chains. During development in the thymus, rare CD4+ CD8+ (DP) cortical thymocytes that successfully rearrange the semi-invariant TCR are directed to the Valpha14i NKT cell lineage via interactions with CD d-associated endogenous glycolipids expressed by other DP thymocytes. As they mature, Valphal4i NKT lineage cells upregulate activation markers such as CD44 and subsequently express NK-related molecules such as NKI.1 and members of the Ly-49 inhibitory receptor family. The developmental program of Valpha l4i NKT cells is critically regulated by a number of signaling cues that have little or no effect on conventional T cell development, such as the Fyn/SAP/SLAM pathway, NFkappaB and T-bet transcription factors, and the cytokine IL-15. The unique developmental requirements of Valphal4i NKT cells may represent a paradigm for other unconventional T cell subsets that are positively selected by agonist ligands expressed on hematopoietic cells.

Ultrathin Portland Cement Concrete Overlay Extended Evaluation, Construction Report, TR-432, 2000

In recent years, ultra-thin whitetopping (UTW) has evolved as a viable rehabilitation technique for deteriorated asphalt cement concrete (ACC) pavement. Numerous UTW projects have been constructed and tested, enabling researchers to identify key elements contributing to their successful performance. These elements include foundation support, interface bonding condition, portland cement concrete (PCC) overlay thickness, synthetic fiber reinforcement usage, joint spacing, and joint sealing. The interface bonding condition is the most important of these elements. It enables the pavement to act as a composite structure, thus reducing tensile stresses and allowing an ultra-thin PCC overlay to perform as intended. The Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) UTW project (HR-559) initiated UTW in Iowa. The project is located on Iowa Highway 21 between Iowa Highway 212 and U.S. Highway 6 in Iowa County, near Belle Plaine, Iowa. The objective of this research was to investigate the interface bonding condition between an ultra-thin PCC overlay and an ACC base over time, considering the previously mentioned variables. This research lasted for five years, at which time it was extended an additional five years. The new phase of the project was initiated by removing cracked panels existing in the 2-inch thick PCC sections and replacing them with three inches of PCC. The project extension (TR 432) will provide an increased understanding of slab bonding conditions over a longer period, as well as knowledge regarding the behavior of the newly rehabilitated areas. In order to accomplish the goals of the project extension, Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) testing will continue to be conducted. Laboratory testing, field strain gage implementation, and coring will no longer be conducted. This report documents the planning and construction of the rehabilitation of HR 559 and the beginning of TR 432 during August of 1999.

Crescimento e desenvolvimento de milho: acúmulo de massa seca do grão

O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar o efeito de diferentes épocas de plantio na taxa e na duração do período de enchimento dos grãos, e de que modo esses fatores determinam o peso final dos grãos de híbridos do milho (Zea mays L.). Três experimentos foram instalados no campo, nos anos de 1994-1995 a 1996-1997, com os híbridos comerciais C-901, XL-560 e XL-678, em 1994/95, e os híbridos C-901, XL-212 e XL-370, nos outros anos. Os tratamentos consistiram em diferentes datas de plantio de setembro a dezembro, em 1994/95, e de agosto a dezembro, em 1995/96 e 1996/97. A taxa efetiva do enchimento dos grãos foi diretamente dependente da temperatura média do ar, tendo sido maior nos plantios mais precoces, e resultando em grãos mais pesados do que os obtidos em plantios mais tardios. Nos plantios mais tardios, a menor temperatura do ar durante o período efetivo do enchimento dos grãos propiciou menor taxa de enchimento dos grãos, tornando-os mais leves. Conclui-se que o principal fator limitante do rendimento de grãos nesses plantios é a fonte produtora de fotoassimilados, e não a capacidade dos grãos em acumulá-los.

Etude clinique et analyse de liaison au locus 3q28 de deux familles suisses avec atrophie optique dominante de Kjer (OPA1) [Clinical study and genetic 3q28 locus linkage in 2 Swiss families with Kjer dominant optic atrophy (OPA1)]

METHODS: We examined 20 patients from 2 unrelated Swiss families to describe their clinical phenotype. In addition, a linkage analysis was performed in an attempt to confirm the reported genetic homogeneity of this condition as well as to refine its genomic localization. RESULTS: Two point analysis provided a cumulative LOD-score of 3.03 with marker D3S 2305. The absence of recombination precluded further refinement of the disease interval. CONCLUSIONS: Our data confirm the genetic homogeneity and the extreme variability of expression, occasionally mimicking low tension glaucoma.