Genotypic differences in the growth of bananas (Musa spp.) infected with migratory endoparasitic nematodes. 1. Roots

The effects of nematodes on root morphology and the association of root characteristics with resistance to nematodes of seven banana varieties were investigated in two experiments. Banana plants were grown in controlled conditions within polytunnels and harvested on three occasions for the measurement of root morpholopy, and biomass. Varieties differed in their resistance to nematodes, from resistant (Yg Km5, FHIA 17, FHIA 03) and partly resistant (FHIA 01, FHIA 25) to not resistant ((FHIA 23, Williams). Nematodes reduced the root dry weight of FHIA 01, FHIA 17 and FHIA 23 at some harvests. Primary root number was on average 9.5% lower in nematode-infected plants than controls, with no differences among the varieties. Thus, there was no simple association between the resistance of these varieties and their tolerance to nematodes. Varieties differed in root morphology. Root dry weight was greatest for resistant varieties Yg Km5 and FHIA 03, and least for non-resistant varieties FHIA 23 and Williams. Thus, resistance to nematodes was associated with varieties with greater root mass and more and larger primary roots.

Regulation of platelet biology by platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1.

Platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1), an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif containing receptor, plays diverse and apparently contradictory roles in regulating the response of platelets to stimuli; inhibiting platelet response to immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif and G protein-coupled receptor signalling following stimulation with collagen, adenosine diphosphate, and thrombin, as well as enhancing integrin outside-in signalling. These dual, and opposing, roles suggest an important and complex role for PECAM-1 in orchestrating platelet response to vascular damage. Indeed, during thrombus formation, the influence of PECAM-1 on the multiple signalling pathways combines leading to a relatively large inhibitory effect on thrombus formation.

Subfornical organ mediates pressor effect of angiotensin: Influence of nitric oxide synthase inhibitors, AT(1) and AT(2) angiotensin antagonist's receptors

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

(1-x)PMN-xPT ceramics prepared by conventional and modified columbite route: Effect on electrical properties

This study aims to demonstrate how the chemical homogeneity of B cations affects the microstructure and electrical responses of (1-x) PMN-xPT ceramics. Two methodologies were employed to synthesize three different compositions, with x assuming the values 0.10, 0.28, and 0.35. If compared to conventional method, the Ti-modified columbite route, which is characterized by higher B cation homogeneity, leads to PMN-PT powders and ceramics with lower content of PNT pyrochlore phase and, for 0.65PMN-0.35PT composition, minor amount of tetragonal phase is found. Conclusively, PMN-PT ceramics obtained by modified route favors B cations homogeneity, enhancing the dielectric, ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties.

Effects of swimming training on bone mass and the GH/IGF-1 axis in diabetic rats

The aim of this study was to examine the influence of moderate swimming training on the GH/IGF-1 growth axis and tibial mass in diabetic rats. Male Wistar rats were allocated to one of four groups: sedentary control (SC), trained control (TC), sedentary diabetic (SD) and trained diabetic (TD). Diabetes was induced with alloxan (35 mg/kg b.w.). The training program consisted of a 1 h swimming session/day with a load corresponding to 5% of the b.w., five days/week for six weeks. At the end of the training period, the rats were sacrificed and blood was collected for quantification of the serum glucose, insulin, GH, and IGF-1 concentrations. Samples of skeletal muscle were used to quantify the IGF-1 pepticle content. The tibias were collected to determine their total area, length and bone mineral content. The results were analyzed by ANOVA with P < 0.05 indicating significance. Diabetes decreased the serum levels of GH and IGF-1, as well as the tibial length, total area and bone mineral content in the SD group (P < 0.05). Physical training increased the serum IGF-1 level in the TC and TD groups when compared to the sedentary groups (SC and SD), and the tibial length, total area and bone mineral content were higher in the TD group than in the SD group (P < 0.05). Exercise did not alter the level of IGF-1 in gastrocnemius muscle in nondiabetic rats, but the muscle IGF-1 content was higher in the TD group than in the SD group. These results indicate that swimming training stimulates bone mass and the GH/IGF-1 axis in diabetic rats. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Concerning CP violation in 331 models

We consider the implementation of CP violation in the context of 331 models. In particular we treat a model where only three scaler triplets are needed in order to give all fermions a mass while keeping neutrino massless. In this case all CP violation is provided by the scalar sector.

Prevenção de incapacidades físicas causadas pela hanseníase na 1ª região de saúde, Ji-Paraná, Rondônia

A hanseníase, doença endêmica no Brasil, de caráter crônico, que afeta principalmente o tegumento cutâneo e os nervos periféricos. Também pode afetar a bucofaringe. Este trabalho objetivou realizar estudo sobre a Prevenção de Incapacidades (PI) em Hanseníase, na Primeira Região de Saúde de Rondônia, no Programa para Eliminação e Controle da Hanseníase com sede no município de Ji-Paraná, que envolve o atendimento sistemático aos portadores de Hanseníase de 16 municípios circunvizinhos. Utilizou-se como instrumento de coleta um levantamento de dados nos mapas de controle e relatórios da 1ª Região de Saúde de todos os indivíduos atendidos no programa no período de 2000 e 2001, considerando-se faixa etária, sexo, forma clínica e grau de incapacidade. Foram estudados 331 indivíduos, na faixa etária de 10 a 84 anos de ambos os sexos. Numa etapa posterior, foi analisado o cruzamento dos dados acima mencionados com outros estudos feitos a respeito do assunto. Baseado nos resultados encontrados e discutidos, ficou evidenciada a importância do diagnóstico precoce, do tratamento imediato pelo uso da poliquimioterapia e da prevenção de incapacidades como meio de estacionar ou regredir lesões advindas do acometimento dos nervos periféricos e pele, encontrados em algumas formas da hanseníase, principalmente, na Tuberculóide e Dimorfa, que são as de maior freqüência na área estudada.

Avaliação da resistência nasal total e do espaço livre bucofaringeano e nasofaringeano em pacientes com má oclusão de classe II divisão 1ª de Angle, submetidos ao tratamento ortopédico com bionator de Balters

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Minimal change disease associated with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus

A 19-year-old female with type 1 diabetes for four years, and a 73-year-old female with type 2 diabetes for twenty years developed sudden-onset nephrotic syndrome. Examination by light microscopy, immunofluorescence, and electron microscopy (in one case) identified minimal change disease (MCD) in both cases. There was a potential causative drug (meloxicam) for the 73-year-old patient. Both patients were treated with prednisone and responded with complete remission. The patient with type 1 diabetes showed complete remission without relapse, and the patient with type 2 diabetes had two relapses; complete remission was sustained after associated treatment with cyclophosphamide and prednisone. Both patients had two years of follow-up evaluation after remission. We discuss the outcomes of both patients and emphasize the role of kidney biopsy in diabetic patients with an atypical proteinuric clinical course, because patients with MCD clearly respond to corticotherapy alone or in conjunction with other immunosuppressive agents. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2012;56(5):331-5

Heterozygous deletion of the PU.1 locus in human AML

The transcription factor PU.1 is essential for myeloid development. Targeted disruption of an upstream regulatory element (URE) decreases PU.1 expression by 80% and leads to acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in mice. Here, we sequenced the URE sequences of PU.1 in 120 AML patients. Four polymorphisms (single nucleotide polymorphisms [SNPs]) in the URE were observed, with homozygosity in all SNPs in 37 patients. Among them, we compared samples at diagnosis and remission, and one patient with cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia M2 was identified with heterozygosity in 3 of the SNPs in the URE at remission. Loss of heterozygosity was further found in this patient at 2 polymorphic sites in the 5' promoter region and in 2 intronic sites flanking exon 4, thus suggesting loss of heterozygosity covering at least 40 kb of the PU.1 locus. Consistently, PU.1 expression in this patient was markedly reduced. Our study suggests that heterozygous deletion of the PU.1 locus can be associated with human AML.

Prognosis of patients with HIV-1 infection starting antiretroviral therapy in sub-Saharan Africa: a collaborative analysis of scale-up programmes

Background Prognostic models have been developed for patients infected with HIV-1 who start combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) in high-income countries, but not for patients in sub-Saharan Africa. We developed two prognostic models to estimate the probability of death in patients starting ART in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods We analysed data for adult patients who started ART in four scale-up programmes in Côte d'Ivoire, South Africa, and Malawi from 2004 to 2007. Patients lost to follow-up in the first year were excluded. We used Weibull survival models to construct two prognostic models: one with CD4 cell count, clinical stage, bodyweight, age, and sex (CD4 count model); and one that replaced CD4 cell count with total lymphocyte count and severity of anaemia (total lymphocyte and haemoglobin model), because CD4 cell count is not routinely measured in many African ART programmes. Death from all causes in the first year of ART was the primary outcome. Findings 912 (8·2%) of 11 153 patients died in the first year of ART. 822 patients were lost to follow-up and not included in the main analysis; 10 331 patients were analysed. Mortality was strongly associated with high baseline CD4 cell count (≥200 cells per μL vs <25; adjusted hazard ratio 0·21, 95% CI 0·17–0·27), WHO clinical stage (stages III–IV vs I–II; 3·45, 2·43–4·90), bodyweight (≥60 kg vs <45 kg; 0·23, 0·18–0·30), and anaemia status (none vs severe: 0·27, 0·20–0·36). Other independent risk factors for mortality were low total lymphocyte count, advanced age, and male sex. Probability of death at 1 year ranged from 0·9% (95% CI 0·6–1·4) to 52·5% (43·8–61·7) with the CD4 model, and from 0·9% (0·5–1·4) to 59·6% (48·2–71·4) with the total lymphocyte and haemoglobin model. Both models accurately predict early mortality in patients starting ART in sub-Saharan Africa compared with observed data. Interpretation Prognostic models should be used to counsel patients, plan health services, and predict outcomes for patients with HIV-1 infection in sub-Saharan Africa.

Ms.Ff.F.Stoltze 3. 331 - Brief von Friedrich Stoltze an Jacob Daltroff

Friedrich Stoltze II: Rose vom Grab

Na 1 Nachlass Max Horkheimer, 634 - Aufsätze für die "Zeitschrift für Sozialforschung" und "Studies in Philosophy and Social Science" (p. IX 9.1-4-IX 10.1-7)

"Montaigne oder die Funktion der Skepsis" (GS 4, S.236-194), veröffentlicht in: Zeitschrift für Sozialforschung VII, 1938, S.1-54, englische Fassung des Aufsatzes, Typoskript, 69 Blatt; Exzerpte: Montaigne im Urteil der Nachwelt, Typoskripte, 29 Blatt; handschriftliche Stichworte zu Montaigne, 10 Blatt; 2 Zeitungsausschnitte; Leihscheine der Columbia University Library für Bücher über Montaigne; "Die Juden und Europa" (GS 4, S.308-331), veröffentlicht in: Studies in Philosophy and Social Science VIII, 1939, S. 115-137, a) Typoskript mit eigenhändigen Korrekturen, 31 Blatt, b) Typoskript mit eigenhändigen und handschriftlichen Korrekturen, 32 Blatt, c) Typoskript mit handschriftlichen Korrekturen, 27 Blatt, d) Typoskript mit handschriftlichen Korrekturen, Teilstücke, 16 Blatt, e) Typoskript mit eigenhändigen und handschriftlichen Korrekturen, 20 Blatt, f) überholte Formulierungen, Typoskript mit handschriftlichen Korrekturen, 10 Blatt; Bemerkungen zum Verhältnis von Liberalismus und Antisemitismus, a) Typoskript, 4 Blatt, b) Typoskript mit eigenhändigen Korrekturen, 9 Blatt (als Nachbemerkung zu: Ernst Engelberg: Exzerpt zu W. Frank und W. Grau), Typoskript, 1 Blatt; Exzerpte zu: Alvin Johnson, Honoré de Balzac, Guy de Maupassant, Paul Mahn, Marcel Proust, Anatole France, Marcel le Goff, Emile Zola, Typoskripte, 58 Blatt; Otto Kirchheimer: "Produktionswandel und Konzentrationstendenzen im Bankgewerbe", Typoskript, 2 Blatt; eigenhändige Adressennotiz, 1 Blatt; Otto Kirchheimer: "Reprivatisierungstendenzen des Faschismus", Typoskript mit eigenhändiger Ergänzung, 12 Blatt; Zeitungsausschnitte zur wirtschaftlichen Entwicklung, 1938, 8 Blatt;