Melanoma in adolescents: A case-control study of risk factors in Queensland, Australia

The incidence of melanoma increases markedly in the second decade of life but almost nothing is known of the causes of melanoma in this age group. We report on the first population-based case-control study of risk factors for melanoma in adolescents (15-19 years). Data were collected through personal interviews with cases, controls and parents. A single examiner conducted full-body nevus counts and blood samples were collected from cases for analysis of the CDKN2A melanoma predisposition gene. A total of 201 (80%) of the 250 adolescents with melanoma diagnosed between 1987 and 1994 and registered with the Queensland Cancer Registry and 205 (79%) of 258 age-, gender- and location-matched controls who were contacted agreed to participate. The strongest risk factor associated with melanoma in adolescents in a multivariate model was the presence of more than 100 nevi 2 mm or more in diameter (odds ratio [OR] = 46.5, 95% confidence interval [Cl] = 11.4-190.8). Other risk factors were red hair (OR = 5.4, 95%Cl = 1.0-28.4); blue eyes (OR = 4.5, 95%Cl = 1.5- 13.6); inability to tan after prolonged sun exposure (OR = 4.7, 95%Cl = 0.9-24.6); heavy facial freckling (OR = 3.2, 95% Cl = 0.9-12.3); and family history of melanoma (OR = 4.0, 95%Cl = 0.8-18.9). Only 2 of 147 cases tested had germline variants or mutations in CDKN2A. There was no association with sunscreen use overall, however, never/rare use of sunscreen at home under the age of 5 years was associated with increased risk (OR = 2.2, 95%Cl = 0.7-7.1). There was no difference between cases and controls in cumulative sun exposure in this high-exposure environment. Factors indicating genetic susceptibility to melanoma, in particular, the propensity to develop nevi and freckles, red hair, blue eyes, inability to tan and a family history of the disease are the primary determinants of melanoma among adolescents in this high solar radiation environment. Lack of association with reported sun exposure is consistent with the high genetic susceptibility in this group. (C) 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A3, a novel RNA trafficking response element-binding protein

The cis-acting response element, A2RE, which is sufficient for cytoplasmic mRNA trafficking in oligodendrocytes, binds a small group of rat brain proteins. Predominant among these is heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) A2, a trans-acting factor for cytoplasmic trafficking of RNAs bearing A2RE-like sequences. We have now identified the other A2RE-binding proteins as hnRNP A1/A1(B), hnRNP B1, and four isoforms of hnRNP A3. The rat and human hnRNP A3 cDNAs have been sequenced, revealing the existence of alternatively spliced mRNAs. In Western blotting, 38-, 39-, 41 -, and 41.5-kDa components were all recognized by antibodies against a peptide in the glycine-rich region of hnRNP A3, but only the 41- and 41.5-kDa bands bound antibodies to a 15-residue N-terminal peptide encoded by an alternatively spliced part of exon 1. The identities of these four proteins were verified by Edman sequencing and mass spectral analysis of tryptic fragments generated from electrophoretically separated bands. Sequence-specific binding of bacterially expressed hnRNP A3 to A2RE has been demonstrated by biosensor and UV cross-linking electrophoretic mobility shift assays. Mutational analysis and confocal microscopy data support the hypothesis that the hnRNP A3 isoforms have a role in cytoplasmic trafficking of RNA.

Global trade in GM food and the cartagena protocol on biosafety: Consequences for China

The UN Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety adopted in Montreal, 29 January, 2000 and opened for signature in Nairobi, 15-26 May, 2000 will exert a profound effect on international trade in genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and their products. In this paper, the potential effects of various articles of the Protocol on international trade in GMOs are analyzed. Based on the present status of imports of GMOs and domestic research and development of biotechnology in China, likely trends in imports of foreign GM food and related products after China accedes to WTO is explored. Also, China's potential countermeasures to control and regulate imports of GMOs in line with implementation of the Protocol are discussed. China, in recent times, has increased its food and agricultural imports substantially from USA and Canada. China imported soybean 10.42 mill. tons in 2000 and about 15 mill tons in 2001, of which majority are from USA where GM soybean accounts for 60%. The plantation of US Monsanto's transgenic Bt cotton was increased to more than 1 million ha in China in 2001. Though China has paid great attention to develop biotechnology, it appears to have little scope to export GMOs and GM products. So China may consider a range of administrative measures to implement the Cartagena Protocol and to regulate its import of GMOs and GM agricultural products. Consequently, the Regulation on Safety of Agri-GMOs was issued on June, 2001 and followed three detailed rules issued in Jan. of 2002, with a priority to limit foreign GMOs importing by safety certification and labeling system. These were outlined taking into account policies adopted in Western countries such as green barriers to international trade.

The DMSO reductase family of microbial molybdenum enzymes; Molecular properties and role in the dissimilatory reduction of toxic elements

The dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) reductase family of molybdenum enzymes is a large and diverse group that is found in bacteria and archaea. These enzymes are characterised by a bis(molybdopterin guanine dinucleotide)Mo form of the molybdenum cofactor, and they are particularly important in anaerobic respiration including the dissimilatory reduction of certain toxic oxoanions. The structural and phylogenetic relationship between the proteins of this family is discussed. High-resolution crystal structures of enzymes of the DMSO reductase family have revealed a high degree of similarity in tertiary structure. However, there is considerable variation in the structure of the molybdenum active site and it seems likely that these subtle but important differences lead to the great diversity of function seen in this family of enzymes. This diversity of catalytic capability is associated with several distinct pathways of electron transport.

A review of the flower characteristics of Geraldton waxflower and factors influencing their abscission from harvested stems

Geraldton waxflower (Chamelaucium uncinatum Schauer) is Australia's most economically important cut-flower export. Its small, attractive flowers make it particularly suitable as a filler in floral arrangements. However, postharvest bud and flower abscission is a major problem during transport, handling and marketing. Abscission may be caused by wound-induced endogenous ethylene production brought about by flower tissue infection with fungal pathogens such as Botrytis cinerea. Botany and postharvest characteristics are discussed in relation to flower abscission and how resultant postharvest losses may be minimised.

Streptococcus pyogenes prtFII, but not sfbI, sfbII or fbp54, is represented more frequently among invasive-disease isolates of tropical Australia

Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus) strains may express several distinct fibronectin-binding proteins (FBPs) which are considered as major streptococcal adhesins. Of the FBPs, SfbI was shown in vitro to promote internalization of the bacterium into host cells and has been implicated in persistence. In the tropical Northern Territory, where group A streptococcal infection is common, multiple genotypes of the organism were found among isolates from invasive disease cases and no dominant strains were observed. To determine whether any FBPs is associated with invasive disease propensity of S. pyogenes, we have screened streptococcal isolates from bacteraemic and necrotizing fasciitis patients and isolates from uncomplicated infections for genetic endowment of 4 FBPs. No difference was observed in the distribution of sfbII, fbp54 and sfbI between the blood isolates' and isolates from uncomplicated infection. We conclude that the presence of sfbI does not appear to promote invasive diseases, despite its association with persistence. We also show a higher proportion of group A streptococcus strains isolated from invasive disease cases possess prtFII when compared to strains isolated from non-invasive disease cases. We suggest that S. pyogenes may recruit different FBPs for different purposes.

NAD-glycohydrolase production and speA and speC distribution in group A streptococcus (GAS) isolates do not correlate with severe GAS diseases in the Australian population

Streptococcus pyogenes isolates from a tropical region and a subtropical region of Australia with high and low incidences of severe streptococcal diseases, respectively, were analyzed for speA, speB, and speC gene distributions and NAD-glycohydrolase expression. No direct correlation of these characteristics with a propensity to cause invasive diseases was observed.

Synthesis and structural analysis of the N-terminal domain of the thyroid hormone-binding protein transthyretin

Transthyretin (TTR) is a 55 kDa protein responsible for the transport of thyroid hormones and retinol in human serum. Misfolded forms of the protein are implicated in the amyloid diseases familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy and senile systemic amyloidosis. Its folding properties and stabilization by ligands are of current interest due to their importance in understanding and combating these diseases. To assist in such studies we developed a method for the solid phase synthesis of the monomeric unit of a TTR analogue and its folding to form a functional 55 kDa tetramer. The monomeric unit of the protein was chemically synthesized in three parts, comprising amino acid residues 151, 5499 and 102127, and ligated using chemoselective thioether ligation chemistry. The synthetic protein was folded and assembled to a tetrameric structure in the presence of the TTRs native ligand, thyroxine, as shown by gel filtration chromatography, native gel electrophoresis, TTR antibody recognition and thyroid hormone binding. In the current study the solution structure of the first of these fragment peptides, TTR(151) is examined to determine its intrinsic propensity to form beta-sheet structure, potentially involved in amyloid fibril formation by TTR. Despite the presence of extensive beta-structure in the native form of the protein, the Nterminal fragment adopts an essentially random coil conformation in solution.

Kinetic parameters associated with self-heating of New Zealand coals under adiabatic conditions

Adiabatic self-heating tests were carried out on five New Zealand coal samples ranging in rank from lignite to high-volatile bituminous. Kinetic parameters of oxidation were obtained front the self-heating curves assuming Arrhenius behaviour. The activation energy E (kJ mol(-1)) and the pre-exponential factor A (s(-1)) were determined in the temperature range of 70-140 degreesC. The activation energy exhibited a definite rank relationship with a minimum E of 55 kJ mol(-1) occurring at a Suggate rank of similar to6.2 corresponding to subbituminous C. Either side of this rank there was a noticeable increase in the activation energy indicating lower reactivity of the coal. A similar rank trend was also observed in the R-70 self-heating rate index values that were taken from the initial portion of the self-heating curve front 40 to 70 degreesC. From these results it is clear that the adiabatic method is capable of providing reliable kinetic parameters of coal oxidation.

The Wilms' Tumour Suppressor Protein, WT1, Undergoes CRM1-independent Nucleocytoplasmic Shuttling

The Wilms' tumour suppressor gene (WT1) encodes a zinc finger-containing nuclear protein essential for kidney and urogenital development. Initially considered a transcription factor, there is mounting evidence that WT1 has a role in post-transcriptional processing. Using the interspecies heterokaryon assay, we have demonstrated that WT1 can undergo nucleocytoplasmic shuttling. We have also mapped the region responsible for nuclear export to residues 182-324. Our data add further complexity to the role of WT1 in trancriptional and post-transcriptional regulation. (C) 2003 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of the Federation of European Biochemical Societies.

14-3-3 acts as an intramolecular bridge to regulate cdc25B localization and activity

One of the major regulators of mitosis in somatic cells is cdc25B. cdc25B is tightly regulated at multiple levels. The final activation step involves the regulated binding of 14-3-3 proteins. Previous studies have demonstrated that Ser-323 is a primary 14-3-3 binding site in cdc25B, which influences its activity and cellular localization. 14-3-3 binding to this site appeared to interact with the N-terminal domain of cdc25B to regulate its activity. The presence of consensus 14-3-3 binding sites in the N-terminal domain suggested that the interaction is through direct binding of the 14-3-3 dimer to sites in the N-terminal domain. We have identified Ser-151 and Ser-230 in the N-terminal domain as functional 14-3-3 binding sites utilized by cdc25B in vivo. These low affinity sites cooperate to bind the 14-3-3 dimer bound to the high affinity Ser-323 site, thus forming an intramolecular bridge that constrains cdc25B structure to prevent access of the catalytic site. Loss of 14-3-3 binding to either N-terminal site relaxes cdc25B structure sufficiently to permit access to the catalytic site, and the nuclear export sequence located in the N-terminal domain. Mutation of the Ser-323 site was functionally equivalent to the mutation of all three sites, resulting in the complete loss of 14-3-3 binding, increased access of the catalytic site, and access to nuclear localization sequence.

A crise financeira de 2008 e seus impactos na economia brasileira: uma análise sob a perspectiva de Minsky

Diante do colapso financeiro de 2008, este trabalho retoma a teoria econômica proposta por Hyman P. Minsky com o objetivo de esclarecer as circunstâncias que propiciaram uma crise financeira tão profunda. A estrutura analítica de Minsky é marcada pela Hipótese da Instabilidade Financeira, a qual aponta para fatores endógenos ao próprio sistema capitalista como o principal causador de instabilidades financeiras. Este processo, caracterizado principalmente por um avanço desfavorável no nível de endividamento dos agentes, constrói um ciclo de estágios que pode se desenvolver para uma crise financeira ou um colapso sistêmico, definidos como “Momento Minsky” e “Colapso Minsky”. Este cenário descrito por Minsky, também analisado à luz de teorias mais recentes como as de Gary A. Dymski e Alessandro Vercelli, é conhecido por “ciclo minskyano”. Ao adotar estes preceitos da análise teórica de Minsky, é possível visualizar como o processo de desregulamentação e fragilização financeira dos Estados Unidos nas décadas de 1980 e 1990 proveram condições para a crise do subprime e, posteriormente, o colapso financeiro de 2008. De maneira similar, é possível observar que a análise teórica de Minsky também é aplicável à crise que afeta a economia brasileira no final de 2008. A fragilização financeira que se inicia no Brasil poucos anos antes da crise, acentuada no setor exportador de commodities, cria a condição para o “momento Minsky brasileiro”, demonstrando que apesar das falhas da análise teórica de Minsky, que supõe uma economia fechada com características da economia estadunidense, é possível visualizar uma relação de causa e efeito da recente crise financeira com a teoria minskyana.

Hedge accounting no mercado acionário brasileiro : efeitos na qualidade da informação contábil e disclosure

Este trabalho investiga, no mercado acionário brasileiro, o efeito da contabilidade de hedge na qualidade das informações contábeis divulgadas, no disclosure dos instrumentos financeiros derivativos e na assimetria de informação. Para medir a qualidade da informação contábil, foram utilizadas as métricas de relevância da informação contábil e informatividade dos lucros contábeis. Para a execução deste trabalho, foi constituída uma amostra geral com empresas brasileiras, não financeiras, listadas na Bolsa de Valores de São Paulo, compreendendo as 150 empresas com maior valor de mercado em 01/01/2014. A partir da amostra geral, foram constituídas amostras para a aplicação dos modelos de value relevance, informativeness, disclosure e assimetria de informação. A amostra para relevância contou com 758 observações firmas-anos, para o período de 2008 a 2013. A amostra para informatividade contou com 701 observações firmas-anos, para o período de 2008 a 2013. A amostra para disclosure contou com 100 observações firmas-anos, para o período de 2011 a 2012. A amostra para assimetria de informação contou com 100 observações firmas-anos, para o período de 2011 a 2012. Para as análises dos dados, utilizou-se regressões com errospadrão robustos com abordagem POLS e Efeitos Fixos, aplicadas sobre dados em painel. Complementarmente, para as análises do efeito do hedge accounting sobre o disclosure e assimetria de informação, foi aplicado o método de Propensity Score Matching. As evidências encontradas para a influência da contabilidade de hedge na relevância da informação contábil apontaram uma relação positiva e significante na interação com o LL. Na análise da informatividade dos lucros contábeis, a pesquisa evidenciou uma relação negativa e estatisticamente significante do lucro quando interagido com a variável dummy de hedge accounting. Quanto às evidências encontradas para a influência do hedge accounting sobre o disclosure dos derivativos, verificou-se uma relação positiva e estatisticamente significante da dummy de hedge accounting com o indicador de evidenciação dos derivativos. Em relação às evidências para a assimetria de informação, embora os coeficientes se mostrassem no sentido esperado, os mesmos não foram estatisticamente significativos. Adicionalmente, incorporamse às análises econométricas uma análise descritiva, na amostra geral, da utilização do hedge accounting no Brasil, para o ano de 2013. Dentre as 150 empresas da amostra, 49 empresas utilizaram hedge accounting, onde 41 empresas adotam apenas 1 tipo de hedge. O hedge de fluxo de caixa é o tipo de hedge mais adotado pelas empresas, sendo utilizado por 42 companhias.

STRATEGIES FOR SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE IN RECESSIONS: PRO OR COUNTER-CYCLICAL?

Recessions are recurring events in which most firms suffer severe impacts while others are less affected or may even prosper. Strategic management has made little progress in understanding such performance differences. In a scenario of decreased demand, intensified competition, and higher uncertainty, most firms try to survive by pro-cyclically cutting costs and investments. But firms could take advantage of undervalued resources in the market to counter-cyclically invest in new business opportunities to overtake competitors. We survey Brazilian firms in various industries about the 2008-2009 recession and analyze data using PLS-SEM. We find that while most firms pro-cyclically reduce costs and investments in recessions, a counter-cyclical strategy of investing in opportunities created by changes in the market enables superior performance. Most successful are firms with a propensity to recognize opportunities, an entrepreneurial orientation to invest, and the flexibility to efficiently implement investments.

Psicopatia e traços da personalidade em estudantes universitários

RESUMO: No presente estudo é investigada a existência de relações entre a psicopatia e os traços de personalidade em estudantes universitários. Este estudo tem como objectivo o estabelecimento de correlações entre os traços psicopáticos e as dimensões da personalidade decorrentes do Modelo dos Cinco Factores em estudantes universitários. A amostra é constituída por 400 estudantes universitários, provenientes de várias universidades da zona de Lisboa, de vários cursos universitários e de ambos os sexos, de forma aleatória. As idades dos sujeitos constituintes da amostra estão compreendidas entre os 17 e os 46 anos de idade (M = 24,26 e DP = 4,435). Por forma a atingir o objectivo proposto para este estudo, recorreu-se à aplicação de um questionário sócio-demográfico e de três medidas de avaliação, nomeadamente: a Escala PDS (Paulhus Deception Scale) de Delroy L. Paulhus, Ph.D. (1998), a Escala LSRP (Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale) de Levenson, Kiehl e Fitzpatrick (1995) e o Inventário NEO-PI-R (Inventário de Personalidade NEO Revisto) de Costa e McCrae (1992), sendo que existe a aferição desta medida de avaliação para a população portuguesa dos autores Lima e Simões (1997). De acordo com os resultados obtidos, podemos constatar que existem associações significativas entre as dimensões da Personalidade e as dimensões da Psicopatia. Verificou-se que os indivíduos que possuem índices elevados de Neuroticismo e baixos indíces de Extroversão e Abertura à Experiência possuem uma maior propensão para apresentarem características psicopáticas. Por outro lado, também se constatou que os indivíduos que possuem baixos índices de Amabilidade e Conscienciosidade apresentam também uma maior probabilidade de possuírem características psicopáticas. ABSTRACT: In the present study, it is investigated the existence of relationships between psychopathy and personality traits in university students. The goal of this study is the establishment of correlations between psychopathic traits and the personality dimensions, recurring from the five factor model in university students. The sample is composed by 400 university students, from various universities in the Lisbon area, from different courses and from both genders, randomly picked. The ages of the subjects in the sample are in between 17 and 46 years old (M = 24,26 and SD = 4,435). By means of reaching the goal proposed for this study, there were applied a socio-demographic questionnaire and three evaluation measures, namely the PDS Scale (Paulhus Deception Scale) from Delroy L. Paulhus, Ph.D. (1998), the LSRP Scale (Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale) from Levenson, Kiehl e Fitzpatrick (1995) and the NEO-PI-R Inventory (Revised NEO Personality Inventory) from de Costa e McCrae (1992), as there is an admeasurement from this measure for the portuguese population from authors Lima e Simões (1997). Considering the obtained results, we can state that there exist significant associations between the Personality dimensions and the Psychopathy dimensions. It was verified that the individuals that possess high indexes of Neuroticism and low indexes of Extroversion and Openness, have a higher propensity to present psychopathic characteristics. On the other hand, it was also found that the individuals that possess low indexes of Lovability and Consciousness also present a higher probability of having psychopathic characteristics.