Documentation, profile descriptions and analytical results of loes profiles from Bavaria, southern Germany

This study investigates the landscape evolution and soil development in the loess area near Regensburg between approximately 6000-2000 yr BP (radiocarbon years), Eastern Bavaria. The focus is on the question how man and climate influenced landscape evolution and what their relative significance was. The theoretical background concerning the factors that controlled prehistoric soil erosion in Middle Europe is summarized with respect to rainfall intensity and distribution, pedogenesis, Pleistocene relief, and prehistoric farming. Colluvial deposits , flood loams, and soils were studied at ten different and representative sites that served as archives of their respective palaeoenvironments. Geomorphological, sedimentological, and pedological methods were applied. According to the findings presented here, there was a high asynchronity of landscape evolution in the investigation area, which was due to prehistoric land-use patterns. Prehistoric land use and settlement caused highly difIerenciated phases of morphodynamic activity and stability in time and space. These are documented at the single catenas ofeach site. In general, Pleistocene relief was substantially lowered. At the same time smaller landforms such as dells and minor asymmetric valleys filled up and strongly transformed. However, there were short phases at many sites, forming short lived linear erosion features ('Runsen'), resulting from exceptional rainfalls. These forms are results of single events without showing regional trends. Generally, the onset of the sedimentation of colluvial deposits took place much earlier (usually 3500 yr BP (radiocarbon) and younger) than the formation of flood loams. Thus, the deposition of flood loams in the Kleine Laaber river valley started mainly as a consequence of iron age farming only at around 2500 yr BP (radiocarbon). A cascade system explains the different ages of colluvial deposits and flood loams: as a result of prehistoric land use, dells and other minor Pleistocene landforms were filled with colluvial sediments. After the filling of these primary sediment traps , eroded material was transported into flood plains, thus forming flood loams. But at the moment we cannot quantify the extent ofprehistoric soil erosion in the investigation area. The three factors that controlled the prehistoric Iandscapc evolution in the Ioess area near Regensburg are as follows: 1. The transformation from a natural to a prehistoric cultural landscape was the most important factor: A landscape with stable relief was changed into a highly morphodynamic one with soil erosion as the dominant process of this change. 2. The sediment traps of the pre-anthropogenic relief determined where the material originated from soil erosion was deposited: either sedimentation took place on the slopes or the filled sediment traps of the slopes rendered flood loam formation possible. Climatic influence of any importance can only be documented as the result of land use in connection with singular and/or statistic events of heavy rainfalls. Without human impact, no significant change in the Holocene landscape would have been possible.

Immunohistochemistry detection of putative miR-200c and miR-203 targets in breast cancer patients

Part of this thesis will be published in the following: Gomes, B.C., Santos, B. 2015. Methods for studying microRNAs expression and their targets in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) breast cancer tissues. In Methods in Molecular Biology: Cancer Drug Resistance (Rueff, J. & Rodrigues, A.S. eds), Springer Protocols.

Indirect immunofluorescence(IgG and IgM) tests for toxoplasmosis on 203 persons, with no symptomatology suggesting the disease, located in the city of Rio de Janeiro. Serological follow up one to two years later.

Clinical and serological follow up examinations were performed on 203 persons, from three to twenty years of age, from the otolaryngology department of a hospital in the city of Rio de Janeiro, with no symptomatology suggesting toxoplasmosis, but suffering from chronic tonsillitis. According to results obtained during the first indirect immunofluorescence tests, the patients were divided into following groups: Group I (non-reactive IgG and IgM), 98 persons (48.3%); Group II (1:16 ≤ IgG ≤ 1:256 and non-reactive IgM), 74 persons (36.5%); Group III (IgM ≥ 1:1024 and non-reactive IgM), 18 persons (8.8%), and Group IV (IgG and IgM reactive), 13 persons (6.4%). One to two years later, 131 (64.5%) of the 203 persons were reexamined by a second indirect immunofluorescence test. In the case of 66 persons (Group I) whose serum was non-reactive in the IgG and IgM classes during the first indirect immunofluorescence test, serum conversion was observed in aproximately 21.2%. in 65 individuals (49.6%), (Groups II, III and IV),with reactive serum in the IgG classes during the first indirect immunofluorescence test, the second reaction showed an increase in titres in 20% of the cases, a decrease in 67.7% of the cases, or no alterations in 12.3 of the cases. In the IgM class, all 131 sera were non-reactive at 116 dilution the second immunofluorescence test, including the 13 cases that had previously been reactive in the immunoglobulin class, Symptomatology suggesting toxoplasmosis was only observed in one case during the second testing, this patient's principal physical sign being hypertrophied lymph nodes. during this period, the Toxoplasma antibodies showed titres of IgG 1:32000 and non-reactive IgM, whilst one year previously, during the first test, these titres were IgG 1:1024 and IgM 1:64. Differences in the age, sex and skin coloring of patients were not statistically significant as regards alterations in the indirect immunofluorescence test titres.

Information on Project Funding (PDF 203 KB)

2005 - 2006

Genetic variability of hepatitis A virus strain HAF-203 isolated in Brazil and expression of the VP1 gene in Escherichia coli

The hepatitis A virus (HAV) HAF-203 strain was isolated from an acute case of HAV infection. The primary isolation of HAF-203 in Brazil and its adaptation to the FRhK-4 cell lineage allowed the production of large amounts of viral particles enabling molecular characterization of the first HAV isolate in Brazil. The aim of our study was to determine the nucleotide sequence of the HAF-203 strain genome, compare it to other HAV genomes and highlight its genetic variability. The complete nucleotide sequence of the HAF-203 strain (7472 nucleotides) was compared to those obtained earlier by others for other HAV isolates. These analyses revealed 19 HAF-specific nucleotide sequence differences with 10 amino acid substitutions. Most of the non-conservative changes were located at VP1, 2C, and 3D genes, but the 3B region was the most variable. The availability of HAF-203 complementary DNA was useful for the production of the recombinant VP1 protein, which is a major determinant of viral infectivity. This recombinant protein was shown by enzyme-linked immunoassay and blotting, to be immunogenic and resemble the native protein, therefore suggesting its value as a reagent for incorporation into diagnostic tests.

Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass After Failed Vertical Banded Gastroplasty: a Multicenter Experience with 203 Patients.

BACKGROUND: Vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG) has long been the main restrictive procedure for morbid obesity but has many long-term complications for which conversion to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) is often considered the best option. METHODS: This series regroups patients operated on by three different surgeons in four different centers. All data were collected prospectively, then pooled and analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Out of 2,522 RYGBP performed between 1998 and 2010, 538 were reoperations, including 203 laparoscopic RYGBP after VBG. There were 175 women and 28 men. The mean BMI before VBG was 43.2 ± 6.3, and the mean BMI before reoperation was 37.4 ± 8.3. Most patients had more than one indication for reoperation and/or had regained significant weight. There was no conversion to open surgery. A total of 24 patients (11.8 %) developed complications, including nine (4.5 %) who required reoperation and one death. With a follow-up of 88.9 % after 8 years, the mean BMI after 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 years was 29.1, 28.8, 28.7, 29.9, and 28.8, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of this experience, the largest with laparoscopic reoperative RYGBP after failed VBG, we conclude that this procedure can safely be performed in experienced hands, with weight loss results similar to those observed after primary RYGBP. In patients with too difficult an anatomy below the cardia, dividing the esophagus just above the esophago-gastric junction and performing an esophagojejunostomy may be a safe alternative to converting to a Scopinaro-type BPD, obviating the additional long-term risks associated with malabsorption.

Friday Facts, February 28, 2014, Vol. 203

Bureau of Nutrition and Health Promotion part of the Iowa Department of Public Health produces of weekly newsletter about the Iowa WIC Program for the State of Iowa citizen.

Transverse Joint Sealing with Various Sealants, Progress Report, HR-203, 1979

The objective of this research was to evaluate the performance of portland cement concrete pavement contraction joints utilizing a variety of sealants and joint preparations and to identify an effective sealant system. The variables evaluated were: (1) sealant material; (2) joint preparation; (3) size of saw cut (sealant reservoir); and (4) the use of backing material. This progress report contains project results to date.

Transverse Joint Sealing with Various Sealants, HR-203, 1983

Iowa's first portland cement concrete pavement was constructed in 1904 in the City of LeMars. A portion of that pavement served traffic until 1974 at which time it was resurfaced. The first rural Iowa pee pavement (16' wide, 6" to 7" thick) was constructed under the direction of the Iowa State Highway Commission in 1913. Some of Iowa's early pavements had transverse joints at 25-foot spacings. At that time, joint spacings across the nation ranged from 24 to 100 ft. There have been many changes in joint design over the years with some pavements being constructed without transverse joints. Joint spacing on Iowa primary pavements has generally remained around 20 feet with this spacing having been adopted as an Iowa standard in 1954. Until 1978 it was common to specify a 40-foot joint spacing on secondary pavements. The performance of the pavements with joint spacings greater than 20 feet, and in some cases no contraction joints, generated a 1955 research project on joint spacing. This project was 16 miles long containing sections without contraction joints and sections with joints sawed at intervals of 20, 50 and 80 feet. Approximately half of the sawed joints were left unsealed. The results of this research supported the 20-foot spacing, but were inconclusive regarding the benefits of sealing. One of the desired characteristics of joint sealing material is that it should act as a moisture barrier and prevent the intrusion of surface water. It was generally accepted from past experience that the hot poured type joint seals did not provide this effective moisture barrier.