A mechanism for localized lignin deposition in the endodermis.

The precise localization of extracellular matrix and cell wall components is of critical importance for multicellular organisms. Lignin is a major cell wall modification that often forms intricate subcellular patterns that are central to cellular function. Yet the mechanisms of lignin polymerization and the subcellular precision of its formation remain enigmatic. Here, we show that the Casparian strip, a lignin-based, paracellular diffusion barrier in plants, forms as a precise, median ring by the concerted action of a specific, localized NADPH oxidase, brought into proximity of localized peroxidases through the action of Casparian strip domain proteins (CASPs). Our findings in Arabidopsis provide a simple mechanistic model of how plant cells regulate lignin formation with subcellular precision. We speculate that scaffolding of NADPH oxidases to the downstream targets of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) that they produce might be a widespread mechanism to ensure specificity and subcellular precision of ROS action within the extracellular matrix.

Iowa Department of Transportation Major Items - Preliminary Quantity Report, January 16, 2013; With Addendums

Weekly letting report.

Muscle protein waste in tumor-bearing rats is effectively antagonized by a beta 2-adrenergic agonist (clenbuterol). Role of the ATP-ubiquitin-dependent proteolytic pathway.

Tissue protein hypercatabolism (TPH) is a most important feature in cancer cachexia, particularly with regard to the skeletal muscle. The rat ascites hepatoma Yoshida AH-130 is a very suitable model system for studying the mechanisms involved in the processes that lead to tissue depletion, since it induces in the host a rapid and progressive muscle waste mainly due to TPH (Tessitore, L., G. Bonelli, and F. M. Baccino. 1987. Biochem. J. 241:153-159). Detectable plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha associated with marked perturbations in the hormonal homeostasis have been shown to concur in forcing metabolism into a catabolic setting (Tessitore, L., P. Costelli, and F. M. Baccino. 1993. Br. J. Cancer. 67:15-23). The present study was directed to investigate if beta 2-adrenergic agonists, which are known to favor skeletal muscle hypertrophy, could effectively antagonize the enhanced muscle protein breakdown in this cancer cachexia model. One such agent, i.e., clenbuterol, indeed largely prevented skeletal muscle waste in AH-130-bearing rats by restoring protein degradative rates close to control values. This normalization of protein breakdown rates was achieved through a decrease of the hyperactivation of the ATP-ubiquitin-dependent proteolytic pathway, as previously demonstrated in our laboratory (Llovera, M., C. García-Martínez, N. Agell, M. Marzábal, F. J. López-Soriano, and J. M. Argilés. 1994. FEBS (Fed. Eur. Biochem. Soc.) Lett. 338:311-318). By contrast, the drug did not exert any measurable effect on various parenchymal organs, nor did it modify the plasma level of corticosterone and insulin, which were increased and decreased, respectively, in the tumor hosts. The present data give new insights into the mechanisms by which clenbuterol exerts its preventive effect on muscle protein waste and seem to warrant the implementation of experimental protocols involving the use of clenbuterol or alike drugs in the treatment of pathological states involving TPH, particularly in skeletal muscle and heart, such as in the present model of cancer cachexia.

Les proches des personnes souffrant d'une démence

Les syndromes démentiels évoluent sur plusieurs années et touchent la personne dans sa globalité, altérant ses fonctions cognitives, son comportement et ses capacités relationnelles. Le patient perd peu à peu son indépendance. Les proches vont alors jouer un rôle essentiel auprès de lui et devront s'adapter à l'évolution de ses besoins, assumant progressivement surveillance, guidance et aide concrète. L'inestimable contribution des familles et les difficultés liées à l'exercice de ce rôle sont encore trop peu reconnues. De nombreuses études décrivent les conséquences négatives de l'aide naturelle. Toutefois les données sont moins riches quant aux déterminants de ces conséquences. Les proches ont souvent besoin d'information, de conseil et de soutien psychologique. Les programmes psychoéducatifs sont une des possibilités d'aide auprès de l'entourage de patients déments. [Auteurs]

Delay in diagnosis of eosinophilic esophagitis increases risk for stricture formation in a time-dependent manner.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Development of strictures is a major concern for patients with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). At diagnosis, EoE can present with an inflammatory phenotype (characterized by whitish exudates, furrows, and edema), a stricturing phenotype (characterized by rings and stenosis), or a combination of these. Little is known about progression of stricture formation; we evaluated stricture development over time in the absence of treatment and investigated risk factors for stricture formation. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study using the Swiss EoE Database, collecting data on 200 patients with symptomatic EoE (153 men; mean age at diagnosis, 39 ± 15 years old). Stricture severity was graded based on the degree of difficulty associated with passing of the standard adult endoscope. RESULTS: The median delay in diagnosis of EoE was 6 years (interquartile range, 2-12 years). With increasing duration of delay in diagnosis, the prevalence of fibrotic features of EoE, based on endoscopy, increased from 46.5% (diagnostic delay, 0-2 years) to 87.5% (diagnostic delay, >20 years; P = .020). Similarly, the prevalence of esophageal strictures increased with duration of diagnostic delay, from 17.2% (diagnostic delay, 0-2 years) to 70.8% (diagnostic delay, >20 years; P < .001). Diagnostic delay was the only risk factor for strictures at the time of EoE diagnosis (odds ratio = 1.08; 95% confidence interval: 1.040-1.122; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of esophageal strictures correlates with the duration of untreated disease. These findings indicate the need to minimize delay in diagnosis of EoE.

Neural differentiation and therapeutic potential of adipose tissue derived stem cells.

Neural tissue has historically been regarded as having poor regenerative capacity but recent advances in the growing fields of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine have opened new hopes for the treatment of nerve injuries and neurodegenerative disorders. Adipose tissue has been shown to contain a large quantity of adult stem cells (ASC). These cells can be easily harvested with low associated morbidity and because of their potential to differentiate into multiple cell types, their use has been suggested for a wide variety of therapeutic applications. In this review we examine the evidence indicating that ASC can stimulate nerve regeneration by both undergoing neural differentiation and through the release of a range of growth factors. We also discuss some of the issues that need to be addressed before ASC can be developed as an effective cellular therapy for the treatment of neural tissue disorders.

[Voyage en Italie : 1825-1830]. , Fontaine sur la place de S. Spirito ; fontaine adossée à la prison : [deux vues perspectives, un petit plan] : [dessin] / h. L. [Henri Labrouste]

Référence bibliographique : Weigert, 153

O planejamento educacional na pós-graduação em educação no Brasil

Levantamento das informações fornecidas pelos programas de pós-graduação em educação no período 2000-2009, disponíveis no portal da Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, revela a progressiva substituição dos estudos sobre planejamento educacional por estudos sobre gestão e avaliação. Confronta-se esse "esvaziamento" com a "fertilidade" dos anos 1970/1980, analisando fontes utilizadas e conteúdos trabalhados nos mestrados em educação da PUC-Rio e da Fundação Getulio Vargas. Nas considerações fi nais, afi rma-se que esse "esvaziamento" foi simultâneo à desagregação do sistema de planejamento brasileiro, ocorrida nos anos de 1990, e sugere retomar aqueles estudos, a partir das últimas Conferências Nacionais de Educação e das dificuldades de aprovação pelo Congresso Nacional dos planos nacionais de educação por elas propostos.

Abordagens de planejamento educacional em Cadernos de Pesquisa (1972-1986)

Estudo documental dos artigos publicados no periódico Cadernos de Pesquisa sobre planejamento educacional. Foram analisados 35 trabalhos publicados na seção Planejamento Educacional, no período compreendido entre 1972 e 1986. Buscou-se analisar os textos dentro de uma perspectiva histórica sobre o desenvolvimento do planejamento educacional na América Latina. Procedeu-se com a análise documental, definindo-se dois níveis de análise, um em relação aos elementos textuais dos artigos e outro sobre o conteúdo veiculado. No primeiro nível de análise foram identificados textos de caráter analítico, sínteses de metodologias e experiências e guias de orientação. Em relação ao segundo nível de análise, observaram-se as seguintes categorias: a primeira compreendendo o planejamento educacional subordinado ao sistema econômico; a segunda, artigos que abordam temas e reflexões sobre o planejamento educacional; e a terceira categoria, trabalhos que fazem crítica ao planejamento educacional.

Planificación educativa y complejidad: gestión de las reformas educativas

Como parte de la actividad humana interesada en influir en los procesos de cambio social la planificación en general, y también la planificación educativa, han registrado una serie de etapas. En este artículo se presenta una refl exión enmarcada en las actividades de planificación educativa en América Latina, particularmente referida al reto actual que enfrenta en relación con su capacidad de transformarse en una herramienta útil para gestionar los procesos de reforma educativa en la región.