Validação da Escala de Resiliência de Wagnild & Young para a população portuguesa

O presente estudo visa a validação da escala psicométrica de resiliência desenvolvida por Wagnild & Young para a população portuguesa a partir da validação preliminar desenvolvida por Vara e Sani (2006). A escala a validar é composta por 25 afirmações que requerem o posicionamento do inquirido entre 7 pontos da escala de Likert. A validação psicométrica do questionário de resiliência de Wagnild & Young desenvolveu-se a partir da Análise Fatorial Exploratória onde foram identificadas as dimensões mais significativas que a escala apresenta através do estudo da confiabilidade e da Análise Fatorial Confirmatória. Utilizando uma amostra de 313 inquiridos, analisou-se a confiabilidade da escala e a validação do construto obteve-se a partir da análise fatorial, utilizando o coeficiente Alpha de Cronbach para avaliação da consistência interna da escala. Determinaram-se como fatores: satisfação com a vida (F1), planificação-disciplina (F2) e independência (F3) e verificou-se uma correlação média positiva entre os 3 fatores. A análise fatorial confirmatória apresentou valores ótimos de índice de ajuste Comparativo (.988) e da Raíz da Média dos Quadrados dos Erros de Aproximação (.025), pelo que concluímos que estamos perante um ótimo ajuste ao modelo. Globalmente, os valores dos principais indicadores globais de ajustamento do modelo resultantes da análise fatorial confirmatória expressam a sua qualidade. Como valores de consistência interna dos três fatores recorreu-se ao coeficiente de Alpha de Cronbach obtendo-se os valores ótimos de .798 (escala geral), .747 no fator 1 «satisfação com a vida», .712 no fator 2 «planificação – disciplina» e .632 no fator 3 «independência».The present study aims to validate the psychometric scale resilience developed by Wagnild & Young for the Portuguese population from the preliminary validation developed by Vara and Sani (2006). The scale consists of 25 validate assertions that require the placement of respondent between 7 points Likert scale. Psychometric validation of the resiliency Wagnild & Young questionnaire was developed from the exploratory factor analysis where the most significant dimensions that scale features through the study of reliability and confirmatory factor analysis were identified. Using a sample of 313 respondents, we analyzed the scale reliability and construct validation was obtained from the factor analysis, using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for internal consistency of the scale. Were determined as factors: satisfaction with life (F1),planning discipline (F2) and independence (F3) and there was a positive correlation between the average three factors. Confirmatory factor analysis showed excellent index values Comparative (.988) adjustment and the Root Mean Squares of Errors of Approximation (.025), so we conclude that this is an optimal fit to the model. Overall, the values of the key indicators of overall fit of the model resulting from the confirmatory factor analysis to express its quality. As internal consistency of the three factors we used the coefficient of Cronbach Alpha obtaining the optimal values of .798 (overall scale), .747 on Factor 1 “satisfaction with life”,.712 on factor 2 “planning - discipline “and .632 in factor 3 ‘independence’.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Allele-Specific Impairment of GJB2 Expression by GJB6 Deletion del(GJB6-D13S1854)

Mutations in the GJB2 gene, which encodes connexin 26, are a frequent cause of congenital non-syndromic sensorineural hearing loss. Two large deletions, del(GJB6-D13S1830) and del(GJB6-D13S1854), which truncate GJB6 (connexin 30), cause hearing loss in individuals homozygous, or compound heterozygous for these deletions or one such deletion and a mutation in GJB2. Recently, we have demonstrated that the del(GJB6-D13S1830) deletion contributes to hearing loss due to an allele-specific lack of GJB2 mRNA expression and not as a result of digenic inheritance, as was postulated earlier. In the current study we investigated the smaller del(GJB6-D13S1854) deletion, which disrupts the expression of GJB2 at the transcriptional level in a manner similar to the more common del(GJB6-D13S1830) deletion. Interestingly, in the presence of this deletion, GJB2 expression remains minimally but reproducibly present. The relative allele-specific expression of GJB2 was assessed by reverse-transcriptase PCR and restriction digestions in three probands who were compound heterozygous for a GJB2 mutation and del(GJB6-D13S1854). Each individual carried a different sequence variant in GJB2. All three individuals expressed the mutated GJB2 allele in trans with del(GJB6-D13S1854), but expression of the GJB2 allele in cis with the deletion was almost absent. Our study clearly corroborates the hypothesis that the del(GJB6-D13S1854), similar to the larger and more common del(GJB6-D13S1830), removes (a) putative cis-regulatory element(s) upstream of GJB6 and narrows down the region of location

Genetic potential of S1 lines derived from native maize populations of Tamaulipas, Mexico

This study is designed to evaluate and select the best S1 maize top cross lines to continue their process of inbreeding. Nineteen top crosses samples were examined from three contrasting environments (two places from Tamaulipas and one place from the Central High Valleys of Mexico) during 2008. These S1 lines were derived from native populations of four ecological zones of Tamaulipas; one tester from the High Valleys was used. Some top crosses had high yield as well as favorable agronomic traits, though these varied between environments. Some had better performance in Northern Tamaulipas, mainly the tropical groups 1 and 2 that are from hot and dry climates. In the High Valleys these groups had lower yields compared with the top crosses groups 3 and 4. Group 1, the top cross of I-C3001-2915-2 with high yield in the Central and Northern Tamaulipas environments (2.4 and 5.8 t ha-1, respectively) was outstanding. In the High Valleys, the top crosses from group 3 (from the Tamaulipas Huasteca, a hot, and humid climate zone) had yields of 7.4 to 8.5 t ha-1 and from group 4, the top cross of IV-C4031-2939-5(C) yielded 8.8 t ha-1. The S1 lines being evaluated show potential for those top crosses with better grain yield and earliness, indicating good combining ability. It has been suggested that the S1 lines are better to continue the inbreeding process, planning test crosses and field assessments in the environments where they had better performance

Maximising embryo production in endangered sheep breeds: in vitro procedures that complement in vivo techniques

This study investigated the use of previously superovulated ovaries as a source of oocytes, assessing the competence of them for in vitro embryo production. Two superovulatory treatments were performed: equine Chorionic Gonadotrophin (eCG) plus porcine Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (pFSH) in a single dose or the conventional protocol of six decreasing doses of pFSH. Thirty donor ewes of the endangered Ojalada breed were given either the simplified (group S; n=15) or the decreasing-dose (group D; n=15) treatments three times at intervals of ≥50 days. Ovaries were recovered on day 7 after the oestrus following the third treatment, just after embryo flushing, and the oocytes were collected to assess in vitro maturation, fertilisation and development to the blastocyst stage. The two superovulatory treatments did not differ in the mean number of oocytes selected for maturation (7.1±1.2 and 8.5±1.5 per ewe in the D and S groups, respectively). The oocytes recovered from ewes in Group D (87.5%) had a significantly (p<0.05) higher maturation rate than did those recovered from ewes in group S (75%), but no differences were found in fertilisation rate (94% and 94.6% in the D and S groups, respectively); both groups did not differ in their blastocyst rates and the total number of cells in in vitro-produced blastocysts. In the two experimental groups, 1.7 (D) and 1.8 (S) in vitro-produced blastocysts were generated per ewe, which indicate that it is feasible to combine in vivo and in vitro techniques to maximise embryo production in endangered sheep breeds.EEA ChubutFil: Forcada, Fernando. Universidad de Zaragoza. Instituto de Investigación de Ciencias Ambientales de Aragón. Grupo de Biología y Fisiología de la Reproducción; EspañaFil: Buffoni, Andres. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Chubut; ArgentinaFil: Abecia, José Alfonso. Universidad de Zaragoza. Instituto de Investigación de Ciencias Ambientales de Aragón. Grupo de Biología y Fisiología de la Reproducción; EspañaFil: Asenjo, B. Universidad de Valladolid. Escuela Universitaria de Ingenierías Agrarias de Soria; EspañaFil: Palacin, José Ignacio. Universidad de Zaragoza. Instituto de Investigación de Ciencias Ambientales de Aragón. Grupo de Biología y Fisiología de la Reproducción; EspañaFil: Vázquez, M.I. Universidad de Zaragoza. Instituto de Investigación de Ciencias Ambientales de Aragón. Grupo de Biología y Fisiología de la Reproducción; EspañaFil: Rodriguez Castillo, José del Carmen. Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla. Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia; MéxicoFil: Sanchez Prieto, L. Universidad de Zaragoza. Instituto de Investigación de Ciencias Ambientales de Aragón. Grupo de Biología y Fisiología de la Reproducción; EspañaFil: Casao, A. Universidad de Zaragoza. Instituto de Investigación de Ciencias Ambientales de Aragón. Grupo de Biología y Fisiología de la Reproducción; Españ

Inhibitory effect of green coffee bean extract on fat accumulation and body weight gain in mice

BACKGROUND: An epidemiological study conducted in Italy indicated that coffee has the greatest antioxidant capacity among the commonly consumed beverages. Green coffee bean is rich in chlorogenic acid and its related compounds. The effect of green coffee bean extract (GCBE) on fat accumulation and body weight in mice was assessed with the objective of investigating the effect of GCBE on mild obesity. METHODS: Male ddy mice were fed a standard diet containing GCBE and its principal constituents, namely, caffeine and chlorogenic acid, for 14 days. Further, hepatic triglyceride (TG) level was also investigated after consecutive administration (13 days) of GCBE and its constituents. To examine the effect of GCBE and its constituents on fat absorption, serum TG changes were evaluated in olive oil-loaded mice. In addition, to investigate the effect on hepatic TG metabolism, carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT) activity in mice was evaluated after consecutive ingestion (6 days) of GCBE and its constituents (caffeine, chlorogenic acid, neochlorogenic acid and feruloylquinic acid mixture). RESULTS: It was found that 0.5% and 1% GCBE reduced visceral fat content and body weight. Caffeine and chlorogenic acid showed a tendency to reduce visceral fat and body weight. Oral administration of GCBE (100 and 200 mg/kg· day) for 13 days showed a tendency to reduce hepatic TG in mice. In the same model, chlorogenic acid (60 mg/kg· day) reduced hepatic TG level. In mice loaded with olive oil (5 mL/kg), GCBE (200 and 400 mg/kg) and caffeine (20 and 40 mg/kg) reduced serum TG level. GCBE (1%), neochlorogenic acid (0.028% and 0.055%) and feruloylquinic acid mixture (0.081%) significantly enhanced hepatic CPT activity in mice. However, neither caffeine nor chlorogenic acid alone was found to enhance CPT activity. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that GCBE is possibly effective against weight gain and fat accumulation by inhibition of fat absorption and activation of fat metabolism in the liver. Caffeine was found to be a suppressor of fat absorption, while chlorogenic acid was found to be partially involved in the suppressive effect of GCBE that resulted in the reduction of hepatic TG level. Phenolic compounds such as neochlorogenic acid and feruloylquinic acid mixture, except chlorogenic acid, can enhance hepatic CPT activity

Highlights from the Pierre Auger Observatory

The Pierre Auger Observatory is the world's largest cosmic ray observatory. Our current exposure reaches nearly 40,000 km$^2$ str and provides us with an unprecedented quality data set. The performance and stability of the detectors and their enhancements are described. Data analyses have led to a number of major breakthroughs. Among these we discuss the energy spectrum and the searches for large-scale anisotropies. We present analyses of our X$_{max}$ data and show how it can be interpreted in terms of mass composition. We also describe some new analyses that extract mass sensitive parameters from the 100% duty cycle SD data. A coherent interpretation of all these recent results opens new directions. The consequences regarding the cosmic ray composition and the properties of UHECR sources are briefly discussed.Comment: 9 pages, 12 figures, talk given at the 33rd International Cosmic Ray Conference, Rio de Janeiro 201

The Pierre Auger Observatory III: Other Astrophysical Observations

Astrophysical observations of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays with the Pierre Auger ObservatoryComment: Contributions to the 32nd International Cosmic Ray Conference, Beijing, China, August 201

Epigenetic Transcriptional Regulation of the Growth Arrest-Specific gene 1 (Gas1) in Hepatic Cell Proliferation at Mononucleosomal Resolution

BACKGROUND: Gas1 (growth arrest-specific 1) gene is known to inhibit cell proliferation in a variety of models, but its possible implication in regulating quiescence in adult tissues has not been examined to date. The knowledge of how Gas1 is regulated in quiescence may contribute to understand the deregulation occurring in neoplastic diseases. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Gas1 expression has been studied in quiescent murine liver and during the naturally synchronized cell proliferation after partial hepatectomy. Chromatin immunoprecipitation at nucleosomal resolution (Nuc-ChIP) has been used to carry out the study preserving the in vivo conditions. Transcription has been assessed at real time by quantifying the presence of RNA polymerase II in coding regions (RNApol-ChIP). It has been found that Gas1 is expressed not only in quiescent liver but also at the cell cycle G(1)/S transition. The latter expression peak had not been previously reported. Two nucleosomes, flanking a nucleosome-free region, are positioned close to the transcription start site. Both nucleosomes slide in going from the active to the inactive state and vice versa. Nuc-ChIP analysis of the acquisition of histone epigenetic marks show distinctive features in both active states: H3K9ac and H3K4me2 are characteristic of transcription in G(0) and H4R3me2 in G(1)/S transition. Sequential-ChIP analysis revealed that the "repressing" mark H3K9me2 colocalize with several "activating" marks at nucleosome N-1 when Gas1 is actively transcribed suggesting a greater plasticity of epigenetic marks than proposed until now. The recruitment of chromatin-remodeling or modifying complexes also displayed distinct characteristics in quiescence and the G(1)/S transition. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The finding that Gas1 is transcribed at the G(1)/S transition suggests that the gene may exert a novel function during cell proliferation. Transcription of this gene is modulated by specific "activating" and "repressing" epigenetic marks, and by chromatin remodeling and histone modifying complexes recruitment, at specific nucleosomes in Gas1 promoter

Azimuthal asymmetry in the risetime of the surface detector signals of the Pierre Auger Observatory

The azimuthal asymmetry in the risetime of signals in Auger surface detector stations is a source of information on shower development. The azimuthal asymmetry is due to a combination of the longitudinal evolution of the shower and geometrical effects related to the angles of incidence of the particles into the detectors. The magnitude of the effect depends upon the zenith angle and state of development of the shower and thus provides a novel observable, $(\sec \theta)_\mathrm{max}$, sensitive to the mass composition of cosmic rays above $3 \times 10^{18}$ eV. By comparing measurements with predictions from shower simulations, we find for both of our adopted models of hadronic physics (QGSJETII-04 and EPOS-LHC) an indication that the mean cosmic-ray mass increases slowly with energy, as has been inferred from other studies. However, the mass estimates are dependent on the shower model and on the range of distance from the shower core selected. Thus the method has uncovered further deficiencies in our understanding of shower modelling that must be resolved before the mass composition can be inferred from $(\sec \theta)_\mathrm{max}$.Comment: Replaced with published version. Added journal reference and DO