The tetranuclear copper active site of nitrous oxide reductase: the CuZ center

J Biol Inorg Chem (2011) 16:183���194 DOI 10.1007/s00775-011-0753-3

The Oncological and Functional Risks of the Organ Preservation Experimental Treatment Approach

We increasingly face conservative surgery for rectal cancer and even the so called ���wait and see��� approach, as far as 10���20% patients can reach a complete pathological response at the time of surgery. But what can we say to our patients about risks? Standard surgery with mesorectal excision gives a <2% local recurrence with a post operative death rate of 2���8% (may reach 30% at 6 months in those over 85), but low AR has some deterioration in bowel function and in low cancer a permanent stoma may be required. Also a long-term impact on urinary and sexual function is possible. Distant metastasis rate seem to be identical in the standard and conservative approach. It is difficult to evaluate conservative approach because a not clear standardization of surgery for low rectal cancer. Rullier et al tried to clarify, and they found identical results for recurrence (5���9%), disease free survival (70%) at 5y for coloanal anastomosis and intersphinteric resection. Other series have found local recurrence higher than with standard approach and functional results may be worse and, in some situations, salvage therapy is compromised or has more complications. In this context, functional outcomes are very important but most studies are incomplete in measuring bowel function in the context of conservative approach. In 2005 Temple et al made a survey of 122/184 patient after sphinter preserving surgery and found a 96.9% of incomplete evacuation, 94.4% clustering, 93.2% food affecting frequency, 91.8% gas incontinence and proposed a systematic evaluation with a specific questionnaire. In which concerns ���Wait and see��� approach for complete clinical responders, it was first advocated by Habr Gama for tumors up to 7cm, with a low locoregional failure of 4.6%, 5y overall survival 96%, 72% for disease free survival; one fifth of patients failed in the first year; a Dutch trial had identical results but others had worse recurrence rates; in other series 25% of patients could not be salvaged even with APR; 30% have subsequent metastatic disease what seems equal for ���wait and see��� and operated patients. In a recent review Glynne Jones considers that all the evaluated ���wait and see��� studies are heterogeneous in staging, inclusion criteria, design and follow up after chemoradiation and that there is the suggestion that patients who progress while under observation fare worse than those resected. He proposes long-term observational studies with more uniform inclusion criteria. We are now facing a moment where we may be more aggressive in early cancer and neoadjuvant treatment to be more conservative in the subsequent treatment but we need a better stratification of patients, better evaluation of results and more clear prognostic markers.

Atheroembolic Renal Disease As a Cause of Allograft Primary Non-Function

Atheroembolic renal disease, also referred to as cholesterol crystal embolization, is a rare cause of renal failure, secondary to occlusion of renal arteries, renal arterioles and glomerular capillaries with cholesterol crystals, originating from atheromatous plaques of the aorta and other major arteries. This disease can occur very rarely in kidney allografts in an early or a late clinical form. Renal biopsy seems to be a reliable diagnostic test and cholesterol clefts are the pathognomonic finding. However, the renal biopsy has some limitations as the typical lesion is focal and can be easily missed in a biopsy fragment. The clinical course of these patients varies from complete recovery of the renal function to permanent graft loss. Statins, acetylsalicyclic acid, and corticosteroids have been used to improve the prognosis. We report a case of primary allograft dysfunction caused by an early and massive atheroembolic renal disease. Distinctive histology is presented in several consecutive biopsies. We evaluated all the cases of our Unit and briefly reviewed the literature. Atheroembolic renal disease is a rare cause of allograft primary non -function but may become more prevalent as acceptance of aged donors and recipients for transplantation has become more frequent.

The optimum size of the portuguese public hospital

A Work Project, presented as part of the requirements for the Award of a Masters Degree in Economics from the NOVA ��� School of Business and Economics

Study and characterization of the ZnPc:C60/MoOx interface in organic solar cells by means of photoelectron spectroscopy

Dissertation to obtain the academic degree of Master in materials engineering submitted to the Faculty of science and engineering of Universidade Nova de Lisboa

Development of population-specific function assessment intrument in Lebanon

RESUMO: Contexto: O funcionamento tem sido reconhecido como um dos principais indicadores de resultados para avaliar se as pessoas beneficiam das interven����es destinadas a melhorar a sua sa��de mental. O funcionamento refere-se �� forma como um indiv��duo consegue responder ��s suas tarefas e solicita����es, dos seus familiares e da sua comunidade, de acordo com os requisitos do local e a cultura em que vive (eg, tarefa de cozinhar e limpar para as mulheres em algumas culturas ). O funcionamento �� altamente dependente da cultura - por isso, tem sido recomendado o desenvolvimento de medidas de funcionamento espec��ficas de cada cultura. Desenvolver localmente os instrumentos de medida evita problemas de adequa����o, associados com a adapta����o de instrumentos ocidentais. Embora os instrumentos criados desta forma sejam espec��ficos de um meio cultural, eles s��o simultaneamente "transculturais", no sentido em que cada um se refere ��s tarefas mais importantes para a popula����o local . Esta abordagem mostrou-se ��til para investigadores e ag��ncias de ajuda (eg, ONGs) que trabalham em pa��ses n��o-ocidentais . Este estudo descreve o trabalho da ag��ncia International Medical Corps (IMC) na cria����o e valida����o de um question��rio de funcionamento espec��fico nas dimens��es cultura e g��nero, no L��bano, destinado a avaliar eventuais melhorias em pessoas que receberam interven����es de para problemas de sa��de mental, a n��vel dos cuidados prim��rios de sa��de. M��todo: O instrumento foi desenvolvido usando um m��todo que �� uma alternativa �� abordagem existente de adapta����o de instrumentos ocidentais a outras culturas e situa����es; esta abordagem �� r��pida e exequ��vel, tendo j�� demonstrado ser ��til no desenvolvimento de instrumentos v��lidos e fidedignos. Inicialmente, foi solicitado que as pessoas identificassem, de uma lista livre, as tarefas mais importantes para cuidar de si pr��prias, da sua fam��lia e da sua comunidade; as tarefas identificadas foram posteriormente usadas como base para um instrumento de avalia����o de funcionamento culturalmente v��lido. A partir daqui, foram desenvolvidos question��rios espec��ficos da comunidade em quest��o, posteriormente testados no terreno nas vertentes da validade (de conte��do, facial e de constructo) e da fiabilidade (teste-reste e inter-entrevistadores). Resultados. O estudo resultou na cria����o e valida����o de um question��rio de funcionamento espec��fico de cultura e g��nero capaz de medir efectivamente a capacidade de execu����o de tarefas importantes do quotidiano,como parte da avalia����o de resultados levada a cabo por profissionais da CSP previamente treinados na identifica����o, suporte e encaminhamento de pessoas com problemas de sa��de mental no L��bano. Conclus��o. Neste trabalho descreve-se o desenvolvimento de um question��rio de funcionamento espec��fico de cultura e g��nero, orientado para a avalia����o de resultados, num contexto mais lato de um sistema abrangente de avalia����o e monitoriza����o de um servi��o comunit��rio. --------------ABSTRACT: Background. Functioning has been recognized as one of the most important key outcomes to assess whether people benefit from interventions aimed to improve their mental health. Functioning refers to how well na individual can complete the tasks and demands for themselves, their family, and their community which are required by them depending on the setting and the culture they live in (e.g. task of cooking and cleaning for women in some cultures). Functioning is highly dependent on culture. Therefore, it has been recommended to develop culture-specific measures of function. Developing instruments locally avoids the problems of limited local relevance and appropriateness associate with adapting western instruments. Although each instrument created in this way is culturally bound, they are ���cross cultural��� in the sense that each refers to the tasks most important to local people. This approach proves useful for both researchers and aid agencies working in non-western countries. This study describes International Medical Corps��� (IMC) work in Lebanon to create and validate a culture and gender specific functioning questionnaire to assess improvements in people who received treatment interventions for mental health problems at the primary health care (PHC) level. Method. The measure was developed using a method that is an alternative to the existing approach of adapting western function instruments to other cultures and situations; an approach which has been demonstrated as rapid, feasible and which can yield valid and reliable instruments. Function was assessed by first asking local people what tasks are important to care for themselves, their family and their community using free listing, then using these tasks as the basis for a culturally valid function assessment instrument. Community specific function questionnaires based on these tasks were then created, and field-tested for validity using content, face and construct validity methods, and also field tested for reliability using inter-rater and test retest reliability methods. Results. The study resulted in the creation and validation of a culture and gender specific functioning questionnaire that would effectively measure the ability to do tasks important to daily existence, as part of assessing client level outcomes where PHC providers were trained in the identification, management and referral of people with mental health problems in Lebanon. Conclusion. The paper describes a successful pilot for developing culture and gender specific functioning questionnaires that evaluate client level outcomes as part of a more comprehensive system for monitoring and evaluation of community based case management supports and services.

Diving into the depth of primary motor cortex: a high-resolution investigation of the motor system using 7Tesla fMRI

Disserta����o para a obten����o do Grau de Mestre em Engenharia Biom��dica

Genetic and functional analysis of the bacillus subtilis BSP1 gam cluster

Mannans (linear mannan, glucomannan, galactomannan and galactoglucomannan) are the major constituents of the hemicellulose fraction in softwoods and show great importance as a renewable resource for fuel or feedstock applications. As complex polysaccharides, mannans can only be degraded through a synergistic action of different mannan-degrading enzymes, mannanases. Microbial mannanases are mainly extracellular enzymes that can act in wide range of pH and temperature, contributing to pulp and paper, pharmaceutical, food and feed, oil and textile successful industrial applications. Knowing and controlling these microbial mannan-degrading enzymes are essential to take advantage of their great biotechnological potential. The genome of the laboratory 168 strain of Bacillus subtilis carries genes gmuA-G dedicated to the degradation and utilization of glucomannan, including an extracellular ���-mannanase. Recently, the genome sequence of an undomesticated strain of B. subtilis, BSP1, was determined. In BSP1, the gmuA-G operon is maintained, interestingly, however, a second cluster of genes was found (gam cluster), which comprise a second putative extracellular ��-mannanase, and most likely specify a system for the degradation and utilization of a different mannan polymer, galactoglucomannan. The genetic organization and function of the gam cluster, and whether its presence in BSP1 strain results in new hemicellulolytic capabilities, compared to those of the laboratory strain, was address in this work. In silico and in vivo mRNA analyses performed in this study revealed that the gam cluster, comprising nine genes, is organized and expressed in at least six different transcriptional units. Furthermore, cloning, expression, and production of Bbsp2923 in Escherichia coli was achieved and preliminary characterization shows that the enzyme is indeed a ��-mannanase. Finally, the high hemicellulolytic capacity of the undomesticated B. subtilis BSP1, demonstrated in this work by qualitative analyses, suggests potential to be used in the food and feed industries.

Determination of the most suitable oil pipeline route using GIS least cost path analysis

The Keystone XL has a big role for transforming Canadian oil to the USA. The function of the pipeline is decreasing the dependency of the American oil industry on other countries and it will help to limit external debt. The proposed pipeline seeks the most suitable route which cannot damage agricultural and natural water recourses such as the Ogallala Aquifer. Using the Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques, the suggested path in this study got extremely high correct results that will help in the future to use the least cost analysis for similar studies. The route analysis contains different weighted overlay surfaces, each, was influenced by various criteria (slope, geology, population and land use). The resulted least cost path routes for each weighted overlay surface were compared with the original proposed pipeline and each displayed surface was more effective than the proposed Keystone XL pipeline.

Why aren't brand names regognized as intangible assets in the financial Statements? A study of the subjectivity of brand valuation

The goal of this paper is to determine and to quantify how subjective brand valuation is. To do so, we review the different valuation methods and apply the Hirose model to a sample of 20 US companies from the technology sector. Even if the results vary in function of the rankings we choose as a comparison, we may identify the trend that brands are usually overvalued in those rankings. It explains why internally generated goodwill (which includes brand names) is not recognized as an intangible asset in the financial statements.

Age related changes in the elastic fiber system of the interfoveolar ligament

In order to evaluate age related changes of the elastic fiber system in the interfoveolar ligament, we studied the deep inguinal ring from 33 male cadavers aged from stillborn to 76 years. Selective and alternated staining methods for elastic fibers were performed to differentiate oxytalan, elaunin, and mature elastic fibers. We confirmed quantitative changes of the elastic fiber system with aging. There was a significant and progressive reduction of the oxytalan fibers (responsible for tissue resistance) and a significant increment in the mature elastic and elaunin fibers (responsible for tissue elasticity). Furthermore, there were structural changes in the thickness, shortness and curling of these mature elastic fibers. These changes induced loss of the elastic fiber function and loss of the interfoveolar ligament compliance. These factors predispose individuals to the development of indirect inguinal hernias that frequently emerge in adults and aged individuals, especially above the fifth decade.

Persistent asthma in adults: comparison of high resolution computed tomography of the lungs after one year of follow-up

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to evaluate the role of high resolution computed tomography of the torax in detecting abnormalities in chronic asthmatic patients and to determine the behavior of these lesions after at least one year. METHOD: Fourteen persistent asthmatic patients with a mean forced expiratory volume in 1-second that was 63% of predicted and a mean forced expiratory volume in 1-second /forced vital capacity of 60% had two high resolution computed tomographys separated by an interval of at least one year. RESULTS: All 14 patients had abnormalities on both scans. The most common abnormality was bronchial wall thickening, which was present in all patients on both computed tomographys. Bronchiectasis was suggested on the first computed tomography in 5 of the 14 (36%) patients, but on follow-up, the bronchial dilatation had disappeared in 2 and diminished in a third. Only one patient had any emphysematous changes; a minimal persistent area of paraseptal emphysema was present on both scans. In 3 patients, a "mosaic" appearance was observed on the first scan, and this persisted on the follow-up computed tomography. Two patients had persistent areas of mucoid impaction. In a third patient, mucus plugging was detected only on the second computed tomography. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that there are many abnormalities on the high resolution computed tomography of patients with persistent asthma. Changes suggestive of bronchiectasis, namely bronchial dilatation, frequently resolve spontaneously. Therefore, the diagnosis of bronchiectasis by high resolution computed tomography in asthmatic patients must be made with caution, since bronchial dilatation can be reversible or can represent false dilatation. Nonsmoking chronic asthmatic subjects in this study had no evidence of centrilobular or panacinar emphysema.

The role of the intelligence service in preventing and combating transnational terrorism

Outrora dominado por amea��as provenientes de Estados-na����o, o cen��rio global actual, dominado por uma r��pida mudan��a de poderes que nos apresenta uma interac����o complexa entre m��ltiplos actores, onde inimigos desconhecidos, anteriormente bem identificados, �� actualmente controlado por grupos terroristas bem preparados e bem organizados. Hezbollah �� reconhecido como um dos grupos terroristas mais capazes, com uma extensa rede fora do L��bano dedicada a tr��fico de droga, armas e seres humanos, tal como o branqueamento de capitais para financiar o terrorismo, representando um grande foco de instabilidade �� seguran��a. Como instrumento de Estado, os servi��os de informa����es det��m a capacidade de estar na linha da frente na preven����o e combate ao terrorismo. Todavia, para compreender este fen��meno �� necess��rio analisar os actores desta amea��a. �� luz desta conjuntura, esta disserta����o est�� dividida em tr��s cap��tulos principais que visam responder ��s seguintes quest��es fundamentais: O que �� o terrorismo? Como opera um grupo terrorista transnacional? Ser�� que os servi��os de informa����es t��m as ferramentas necess��rias para prevenir e combater estas amea��as?

Objects that move: Japanese Namban screens in the realm of the senses

This paper identifies and critiques the value of stillness as a necessary condition for the display and appreciation of art objects like the 16th century Japanese Namban screens, whose history and function is characterised by forms of movement. Drawing on multi-sited fieldwork in museum galleries that display these screens in Japan, Portugal and North America I will detail how the art-historical interpretation of the physical passage of these objects and their value as cultural heritage is based upon the fixed point perspectivism of networks and a visualist paradigm. Museum focused processes of conservation and display can be understood as extending this paradigm. By means of environmental controls, directed towards the location of perceptible meaning in what is available to vision and the necessary attenuation of the other senses the material movements of the object and movements of constituent materials in the object are stilled. The argument is for a sensory approach to museums and the objects within them, which in this case takes account of the material movements of the screens by engaging the senses through the ���touch of sound��� as well as vision.

The Role of the Fbox Protein CG6758 in Xbp1s Induced Retinal Degeneration in Drosophila

The Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) is a signaling pathway that is activated by an accumulation of unfolded or misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) that causes ER stress. The activation of the UPR aims to restore ER homeostasis by attenuation of ER client protein translation, increased transcription of ER chaperones and ER associated degradation (ERAD) factors. If ER stress is too long or too strong, cells may die. The main signaling branch of the UPR is mediated by the ER transmembrane protein IRE1 and the transcription factor Xbp1. The active, spliced form of Xbp1 (Xbp1spliced) acts as a transcription factor with protective function against toxic protein aggregation. However, overexpression of Xbp1spliced in the developing Drosophila eye causes degeneration of the eye (���glossy��� eye phenotype).(...)