WNT5A Mutations in Patients With Autosomal Dominant Robinow Syndrome

Robinow syndrome is a skeletal dysplasia with both autosomal dominant and autosomal recessive inheritance patterns. It is characterized by short stature, limb shortening, genital hypoplasia, and craniofacial abnormalities. The etiology of dominant Robinow syndrome is unknown; however, the phenotypically more severe autosomal recessive form of Robinow syndrome has been associated with mutations in the orphan tyrosine kinase receptor, ROR2, which has recently been identified as a putative WNT5A receptor. Here, we show that two different missense mutations in WNT5A, which result in amino acid substitutions of highly conserved cysteines, are associated with autosomal dominant Robinow syndrome. One mutation has been found in all living affected members of the original family described by Meinhard Robinow and another in a second unrelated patient. These missense mutations result in decreased WNT5A activity in functional assays of zebrafish and Xenopus development. This work suggests that a WNT5A/ROR2 signal transduction pathway is important in human craniofacial and skeletal development and that proper formation and growth of these structures is sensitive to variations in WNT5A function. Developmental Dynamics 239:327-337, 2010. (C) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Prolonged Physical Training Decreases mRNA Levels of Glucocorticoid Receptor and Inflammatory Genes

Background/Aims: Prolonged physical exercise induces adaptive alterations in the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, increasing cortisol metabolism, and reducing cortisol synthesis and glucocorticoid sensitivity. The mechanisms responsible for this relative glucocorticoid resistance remain unknown but may involve expression of genes encoding glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and/or inflammatory molecules of nuclear factor kappa B1 (NFkB1) signaling pathway and cytokines. This study aimed to determine the impact of prolonged physical training on the expression of genes involved in glucocorticoid action and inflammatory response. Methods: Normal sedentary male cadets of the Brazilian Air Force Academy were submitted to 6 weeks of standardized physical training. Eighteen of 29 initially selected cadets were able to fully complete the training program. Fasting glucose, insulin and cortisol levels, cytokine concentration and the expression of genes encoding GR, NFkB1, inhibitor of NFkB1 and IkB kinase A were determined before and after the training period. Results: Prolonged physical exercise reduced the basal cortisol levels and the percent cortisol reduction after dexamethasone. These findings were associated with a significant reduction in the mRNA levels of GR (6.3%), NFkB1 (63%), inhibitor of NFkB1 (25%) and IkB kinase A (46%) with concomitant reduction in cytokine concentrations (ELISA). Conclusions: Prolonged physical training decreases the glucocorticoid sensitivity and the mRNA levels of the GR gene combined with decreased mRNA of genes related to the NFkB pathway. Copyright (C) 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel

Endurance training induces depot-specific changes in IL-10/TNF-alpha ratio in rat adipose tissue

White adipose tissue (WAT) is the source of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and recently, it has been recognized as an important source of interleukin 10 (IL-10). Acute physical exercise is known to induce an anti-inflammatory cytokine profile, however, the effect of chronic physical exercise on the production of IL-10 by WAT has never been examined. We assessed IL-10 and TNF-alpha concentration in WAT of rats engaged in endurance training. Animals were randomly assigned to either a sedentary control group (S, n = 7) or an endurance trained group (T, n = 8). Trained rats ran on a treadmill 5 days/wk for 8 wk (55-65% VO(2max). Detection of IL-10 and TNF-alpha protein and mRNA expression, as well as the gene expression of PPAR-gamma, and immunocytochemistry to detect mononuclear phagocytes were carried out. A reduction in absolute retroperitoneal adipose tissue (RPAT) weight in T (44%; p < 0.01), when compared with S was observed. IL-10 concentration was increased (1.5-fold, p < 0.05), to a higher extent than that of TNF-alpha (66%. p < 0.05) in the mesenteric adipose tissue (MEAT) of the trained group, while no change related to training was observed in RPAT. In MEAT, IL-10/TNF-alpha ratio was increased in T, when compared with S (30%; p < 0.05). PPAR-gamma gene expression was increased in T (1.1-fold; p < 0.01), when compared with S in the same adipose depot. No monocyte infiltration was found. In conclusion, exercise training induced increased IL-10 expression in the mesenteric depot, resulting in a modified IL-10/TNF-alpha ratio. We also conclude that WAT presents a depot-specific response to endurance training regarding the studied aspects. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Improving continence services for older people from the service-providers’ perspective : a qualitative interview study

Objective: To examine in depth the views and experiences of continence service leads in England on key service and continence management characteristics in order to identify and to improve our understanding of barriers to a good-quality service and potential facilitators to develop and to improve services for older people with urinary incontinence (UI). Design: Qualitative semistructured interviews using a purposive sample recruited across 16 continence services. Setting: 3 acute and 13 primary care National Health Service Trusts in England. Participants: 16 continence service leads in England actively treating and managing older people with UI. Results: In terms of barriers to a good-quality service, participants highlighted a failure on the part of commissioners, managers and other health professionals in recognising the problem of UI and in acknowledging the importance of continence for older people and prevalent negative attitudes towards continence and older people. Patient assessment and continence promotion regardless of age, rather than pad provision, were identified as important steps for a good-quality service for older people with UI. More rapid and appropriate patient referral pathways, investment in service capacity, for example, more trained staff and strengthened interservice collaborations and a higher profile within medical and nurse training were specified as being important facilitators for delivering an equitable and highquality continence service. There is a need, however, to consider the accounts given by our participants as perhaps serving the interests of their professional group within the context of interprofessional work. Conclusions: Our data point to important barriers and facilitators of a good-quality service for older people with UI, from the perspective of continence service leads. Further research should address the views of other stakeholders, and explore options for the empirical evaluation of the effectiveness of identified service facilitators.

Implementation of Video Monitoring In Aluminium Industry

The aim was to evaluate results and experiences from development of new technology, a training program and implementation of strategies for the use of a video exposure monitoring method, PIMEX. Starting point of this study is an increased incidence of asthma among workers in the aluminium industry. Exposure peaks of fumes are supposed to play an important role. PIMEX makes it possible to link used work practice, use of control technology, and so forth to peaks. Nine companies participated in the project, which was divided into three parts, development of PIMEX technology, production of training material, and training in use of equipment and related strategies. The use of the video exposure monitoring method PIMEX offers prerequisites supporting workers participation in safety activities. The experiences from the project reveal the importance of good timing of primary training, technology development, technical support, and follow up training. In spite of a delay of delivery of the new technology, representatives from the participating companies declared that the experiences showed that PIMEX gave an important contribution for effective control of hazards in the companies. Eight out of nine smelters used the PIMEX method as a part of a strategy for control of workers exposure to fumes in potrooms. Possibilities to conduct effective control measures were identified. This article describes experiences from implementation of a, for this branch, new method supporting workers participation for workplace improvements.

Degree projects improving co-operation between the teacher education program and schools : - Swedish experiences

In 1977, when teacher education inSwedenwas incorporated into the university system, the main reason was to transform it into an academic tradition. Now, nearly 30 years later, there is still tension between the academic and the vocational tradition; they show up as different and separated elements in a program that is meant to prepare students for a career as a teacher and for a possible future career as a researcher in this field. This tension gives rise to a risk of allowing parallel “tracks” to develop and of isolating the degree thesis work from other courses. On the teacher-training program in which we are involved, close co-operation with partner-schools, where the practical part of the program takes place, has been established. Here, the students´ degree theses are an important factor in making this co-operation work on a concrete level. Accordingly, the purpose of the degree thesis is both to reflect problems in schools and contribute to better teaching in the individual school, but also to offer relevant educational subject matter to the students, which may be adapted as an element in the university’s research environments. From these points of view, the degree thesis is an important part of teacher education and rather more than just a single course. The degree thesis should be an element that gives the students an opportunity to show that they have reached central goals in the teacher education program. It should also be an integral part in the development of critical and scholarly thinking, deepening pedagogical and didactic knowledge and giving the students an opportunity to apply research methods. We will here use two minor case studies: one that compares teacher education programs in five Swedish universities and one minor study at one of those universities, in order to elaborate on the questions: - What purpose has a degree thesis and what role does it play in teacher education? - What criteria are relevant to assessing a degree thesis and what qualities do the degree theses have? - Is it possible to assess a degree thesis fairly and what happens to students who do not pass? - How could the degree thesis be used to improve the contact between the teacher education program and its partner schools in order to contribute to the development of the individual school?

Medical students’ knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions on contraceptive use and counselling : a cross-sectional survey in Maharashtra, India

Objectives. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitudes and perceptionstowards contraceptive use and counselling among medical students in Maharashtra, India. Setting. Considerable global maternal mortality and morbidity could be avoided through theuse of effective contraception. In India, contraception services are frequently unavailable or there are obstacles to obtaining modern, reversible contraceptives. Participants. A cross-sectional descriptive study using a self-administered questionnaire was conducted among 1996 medical students in their fifth year of study at 27 medical colleges in the state of Maharashtra, India. Descriptive and analytical statistics interpreted the survey instrument and significant results were presented with 95% CI. Results. Respondents expressed a desire to provide contraceptive services. A few studentshad experienced training in abortion care. There were misconceptions about moderncontraceptive methods and the impact of sex education. Attitudes towards contraceptionwere mainly positive, premarital counselling was supported and the influence of traditional values and negative provider attitudes on services was recognised. Gender, area of upbringing and type of medical college did not change the results. Conclusions. Despite mostly positive attitudes towards modern contraceptives, sex education and family planning counselling, medical students in Maharashtra have misconceptions about modern methods of contraception. Preservice and in-service training in contraceptive counselling should be implemented in order to increase women's access to evidence-based maternal healthcare services.

Identification and estimation of interventions using changes in inequality measures

This paper presents semiparametric estimators of changes in inequality measures of a dependent variable distribution taking into account the possible changes on the distributions of covariates. When we do not impose parametric assumptions on the conditional distribution of the dependent variable given covariates, this problem becomes equivalent to estimation of distributional impacts of interventions (treatment) when selection to the program is based on observable characteristics. The distributional impacts of a treatment will be calculated as differences in inequality measures of the potential outcomes of receiving and not receiving the treatment. These differences are called here Inequality Treatment Effects (ITE). The estimation procedure involves a first non-parametric step in which the probability of receiving treatment given covariates, the propensity-score, is estimated. Using the inverse probability weighting method to estimate parameters of the marginal distribution of potential outcomes, in the second step weighted sample versions of inequality measures are computed. Root-N consistency, asymptotic normality and semiparametric efficiency are shown for the semiparametric estimators proposed. A Monte Carlo exercise is performed to investigate the behavior in finite samples of the estimator derived in the paper. We also apply our method to the evaluation of a job training program.

A contribuição do Programa Gaúcho de Qualidade e Produtividade para a gestão do conhecimento em empresas de serviços contábeis

A sobrevivência de uma empresa no cenário atual, de incertezas e mudanças contínuas, depende cada vez mais de sua capacidade de gerenciar seu recurso mais importante: o conhecimento. Uma empresa que investe permanentemente na qualificação e aprendizagem de seus empregados está preparada para enfrentar os desafios da concorrência cada vez maior. Neste sentido, a gestão empresarial voltada para o aumento dos níveis de qualidade produtividade, assim como para a gestão do conhecimento, é fundamental para toda empresa, independente de seu setor, tamanho ou localização. A partir deste contexto, o objetivo deste trabalho é identificar a contribuição do Programa Gaúcho de Qualidade e Produtividade (PGQP) na gestão do conhecimento em empresas de serviços contábeis no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul (RS). O PGQP é um programa de qualificação voltado para o aprimoramento de produtos e serviços das empresas do RS, objetivando o beneficio ao consumidor final. Este programa está estruturado com base nos Fundamentos e Critérios para a Excelência em Gestão elaborados pela Fundação Nacional da Qualidade, os quais, entre outros aspectos, identificam os processos relacionados às informações e conhecimentos como importantes para um sistema eficaz de gestão empresarial. O setor das empresas de serviços contábeis no Estado possui um Comitê específico para trabalhar em parceira com o PGQP. auxiliando as empresas a implementarem o Programa. Assim, para a realização da pesquisa foram selecionadas dez empresas que aderiram ao PGQP e outras 11 que não implementaram. Para os gestores destas empresas, foi aplicado um questionário contendo questões fechadas e abertas, relacionadas às práticas de gestão do conhecimento realizadas na empresa, e também a percepção e comprometimento dos empregados em relação às mesmas. Nas questões fechadas, utilizou-se uma escala de frequência, para medir a realização de práticas relacionadas aos elementos construtivos da gestão do conhecimento do modelo de Probst, Raub e Romhardt (2002), que são: identificação, aquisição, desenvolvimento, compartilhamento e distribuição, utilização e retenção do conhecimento. Estes elementos são apresentados no Referencial Teórico, juntamente com a discussão sobre os conceitos de conhecimento, sua geração e gestão. Os resultados encontrados permitem concluir que a implementação do PGQP contribui positivamente para a gestão do conhecimento, uma vez que no grupo de empresas que aderiram ao Programa, as médias de frequência das práticas de gestão do conhecimento foram superiores as do outro grupo. Além disto, as respostas às questões abertas também permitiram inferir conclusões da mesma natureza.

A formação / ação multiplicadora da prática infantil: um estudo das práticas formativas do PIDEPE RN.

This study examined the training of teachers in service developed by the Integrated Program for the Development of Early Childhood Education in Rio Grande do Norte - PIDEPE / RN - UFRN, whose central focus of action is the action of the multiplying practice within Natal. The methodology used is a reflection on the training strategies of the practice of early childhood education in order to build a knowledge that can be generalized to other formative experiences of teachers. The instruments used for data collection were the desk research and literature from the perspective of qualitative research. The study focused on the instrument were related to the structure and organization of the stage and the process of action multiplying of the infantile practice. We concluded that the process of training needs to be carefully reviewed. It is necessary to rethink the definition of objectives, criteria and tools for continuous evaluation that they wish to maintain and / or setting up on stage. Look not only for the formative role of education but also indicators of professionalization of teaching.

Segurança da informação no correio eletrônico com base na ISO/IEC 17799 :um estudo de caso em uma instituição superior com foco no treinamento

The electronic mail service is one of the most Internet services that grow in the corporate environment. This evolution is bringing several problems for the organizations, especially to information that circulates inside of the corporate net. The lack of correct orientation to the people, about the usage and the security importance of these resources, is leaving breaches and causing misusage and overuse of service, for example. In recent literature, it starts to coming out several ideas, which has helped to rganizations how to plain and how to implement the information security system to the electronic mail in computer environment. However, these ideas are still not placed in practice in many companies, public or private. This dissertation tries to demonstrate the results of a research that has like goal, identify the importance that user training has over the information security policy, through a case study inside of private superior education institute in this state. Besides, this work had by basic orientation the ISO/IEC 17799, which talk about People Security. This study was developed over a proposed model to this research, which looked for offer conditions to guide the institution studied, how to plan better a information security policy to the electronic mail. Also, this research has an exploratory and descreptive nature and your type, qualitative. Firstly, it was applied na questionary to the information technology manager, as better way to get some general data and to deepen the contact which still then, it was being kept through e-mail. Thereupon this first contact, eleven interviews were done with the same manager, beside one interview with twenty-four users, among employees e students. After that to collect and transcript the interviews, were review with the manager all informations given, to correct any mistakes and to update that informations, to then, start the data analyze. The research suggests that the institution has a pro attitude about the information security policy and the electronic mail usage. However, it was clear that answers have their perception about information security under a very inexperient way, derived of a planning lack in relation to training program capable to solve the problem

Orange juice improved lipid profile and blood lactate of overweight middle-aged women subjected to aerobic training

Objective This study investigated how consumption of orange juice associated with aerobic training affected serum lipids and physical characteristics of overweight middle-aged womenMethods The experimental group consisted of 13 women who consumed 500 mL/d of orange juice and did 1 h aerobic training 3 times a week for 3 months The control group consisted of another 13 women who did the same aerobic training program but did not consume orange juiceResults At the end of the experiment the control group lost an average of 15% of fat mass (P < 0 05) and 25% of weight (P < 0 05) whereas the experimental group lost 11% of fat mass and 1 2% of weight (P < 0 05) Consumption of orange juice by the experimental group was associated with Increased dietary intake of vitamin C and folate by 126% and 61% respectively Serum LDL-C decreased 15% (P < 0 05) and HDL-C increased 18% (P < 0 05) in the experimental group but no significant change was observed in the control group Both groups improved the anaerobic threshold by 20% (P < 0 05) but blood lactate concentration decreased 27% in the experimental group compared to the 17% control group suggesting that experimental group has less muscle fatigue and better response to trainingConclusions The consumption of 500 mL/d of orange juice associated with aerobic training in overweight women decreased cardiovascular disease risk by reducing LDL-C levels and increasing HDL-C levels This association also decreased blood lactate concentration and increased anaerobic threshold showing some improvement in the physical performance (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Narrativas de professores em formação sobre a didatização de podcasts para o ensino de inglês na floresta

Considering the following conditions: (1) the fluency demands of students in an undergraduate program in Languages and Literatures/English in the Amazon region; (2) the listening and speaking needs of pre-service teachers of English as a Foreign Language (EFL); (3) my continuing education as a professor of EFL and my academic literacy as a teacher-researcher and pre-service-teacher trainer, this study, which is based on Narrative Inquiry, reports on a teacher experience of working didactically with oral genres through podcasting an activity that emerged with the advent of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Through this process, I engage with some theorists who promote teaching as a process that is driven by a concept of language as social practice. Subsequently, I make use of the notions of context of culture and context of situation, derived from Systemic Functional Linguistics, as well as the concept of genre and register derived from the perspective of this theory. Based on these principles and beliefs, the Amazon region constitutes the register (situation) of the genres used in this study. These principles also provide, opportunities for building learning strategies appropriate to this local context, and also to teach listening and speaking skills from a task-based approach. During the experience, based on the reflective teacher-education model, the participants produced narratives about the process, which I then analyzed according to Ely, Vinz, Downing and Anzul (2001), who propose possibilities of composing meanings in Narrative Inquiry. Based on this perspective, I discuss the following topics, which were highly emphasized in the participants narratives: the lack of didactic activities using oral genres; the relevance of context within teacher education; and collaborative work as a strategy to overcome gaps in digital literacy, language fluency and teaching skills. The meanings I thereby compose point to a paradigm shift in English language teaching within this context. I also argue for a pedagogical practice that is engaged with historical and socio-cultural issues, and with the development of language skills, also one that promotes the implementation of ICTs at the very start of teacher training programs, adopting teaching and learning strategies that correspond to the demands of fluency in this particular context, and deficiencies imposed by geographical isolation

Low-intensity Treadmill Exercise-related Changes in the Rat Stellate Ganglion Neurons

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Negative chronotropic response to adenosine receptor stimulation in rat right atria after run training

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the potency and maximal responses (E-max) to the adenosine receptor agonists N-6-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA), N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA) and N-6-(3-iodobenzyl)-5'-N-methylcarbaxamidoadenosine (IB-MECA) in right atria from trained rats. We also investigated the interaction between the training bradycardia and the sensitivity of the chronotropic response mediated by adenosine receptor stimulation.2. Animals were submitted to run training for 60 min, 5 days a week, over a period of 8 weeks. Mean blood pressure and heart rate were measured in conscious animals. Right atria were isolated and concentration-response curves to CPA, NECA and IB-MECA were obtained.3. A reduction in heart rate was found in trained rats, indicating that the training programme was successful in inducing physical conditioning. The three adenosine receptor agonists induced a concentration-dependent negative chronotropic response. The rank order of potency and E-max for the three adenosine receptor agonists was CPA>NECA>IB-MECA.4. Dynamic exercise for 8 weeks did not alter the E a, for CPA, NECA and IB-MECA. Similarly, the potencies of CPA and NECA were not affected by run training, whereas the potency of IB-MECA was reduced (6.10+/-0.09 vs 5.66+/-0.10 for sedentary and trained groups, respectively).5. In conclusion, run training for 8 weeks induced a desensitization of the chronotropic response to IB-MECA without changing the potency of CPA and NECA. These findings exclude the participation of adenosine receptors in the training bradycardia.