Uncovering the expression patterns of chimeric transcripts using surveys of affymetrix GeneChips.

BACKGROUND: A chimeric transcript is a single RNA sequence which results from the transcription of two adjacent genes. Recent studies estimate that at least 4% of tandem human gene pairs may form chimeric transcripts. Affymetrix GeneChip data are used to study the expression patterns of tens of thousands of genes and the probe sequences used in these microarrays can potentially map to exotic RNA sequences such as chimeras. RESULTS: We have studied human chimeras and investigated their expression patterns using large surveys of Affymetrix microarray data obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus. We show that for six probe sets, a unique probe mapping to a transcript produced by one of the adjacent genes can be used to identify the expression patterns of readthrough transcripts. Furthermore, unique probes mapping to an intergenic exon present only in the MASK-BP3 chimera can be used directly to study the expression levels of this transcript. CONCLUSIONS: We have attempted to implement a new method for identifying tandem chimerism. In this analysis unambiguous probes are needed to measure run-off transcription and probes that map to intergenic exons are particularly valuable for identifying the expression of chimeras

Analysis of vancomycin use and associated risk factors in a university teaching hospital: a prospective cohort study

Background: Vancomycin use is considered inappropriate in most hospitals. A particular concern is the recent emergence of S. aureus with decreased susceptibility to vancomycin, making it important to reduce overall exposure to vancomycin to minimize the incidence of VRE ( vancomycin- resistant enterococci). the aim of this work was to analyze the use of vancomycin and the risk factors associated with inappropriate treatment.Methods: A prospective survey was conducted on all patients receiving vancomycin between 1(st) March 2002 and 30(th) September 2002 in a university- school hospital. Appropriateness of vancomycin use was assessed, according to the criteria established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC), at two time points: first, at the beginning of therapy, and second, continuing after 72 hours.Results: A total of 557 patients received vancomycin. Three hundred seventy- four ( 67.1%) were under 60 years old, 374 ( 67.1%) had prolonged stays (> two weeks) in hospital, and 455 ( 81.7%) were in the intensive care unit ( ICU). Two hundred sixty- three patients ( 47.2%) had some invasive device. in 324 ( 58.2%) patients the duration of vancomycin treatment was up to two weeks. Vancomycin was inappropriately used in 65.7% during the first 24 hours and in 67% at the 72 hours point according to CDC criteria [ 4]. the inappropriateness of vancomycin use during the first 24 hours was related to: patients aged less than 60 ( OR 1.7; CI 95% 1.1 - 2.5), non- ICU patients ( OR 1.5; CI 95% 1.0 - 2.4) and patients without neutropenia ( OR 7.5; CI 95% 2.4 - 22.7). At 72 hours, the inappropriateness of vancomycin use was related to: patients aged less than 60 ( OR 1.5; CI 95% 1.0 - 2.3), non- ICU patients ( OR 1.7; CI 95% 1.1 - 2.7) and patients without neutropenia ( OR 8.0; CI 95% 2.6 - 24.3).Conclusion: Vancomycin was abused. Patients aged less than 60, non- ICU patients and those who did not present neutropenia were the principal groups at risk of inappropriate use.Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Infect Dis, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Infect Dis, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Um comparativo entre uma carteira de investimento teórica e os investimentos praticados por um grupo de investidores

The objective of this study is to compare the investments made by a group of investors with a theoretical investment portfolio in terms of performance. Through a descriptive research and quantitative approach, the study was carried out through a survey, whose research instrument was an electronic questionnaire. The sample is composed of 119 entrepreneurs from a Municipality of the State of Santa Catarina and to analyze the data was used the technique of descriptive analysis. Savings stands out as the most representative investment, with 82% of the investments practiced which indicates a predominance of the conservative profile, thus creating the theoretical investment portfolio, composed of 4 investments, where they are compared with the Interbank Deposit Certificate (CDI). The monitoring of the portfolio for the purpose of comparison with savings takes into account a period of 24 months. The return on the investment portfolio is defined by a weighted average of the investment income. In comparison, it is possible to observe the evolution of the yields in the period of 24 months, and the theoretical portfolio developed is above the CDI surpassing the 32% of profitability, however the savings in turn has 15.06% of profitability, thus making feasible the theoretical investment portfolio. O estudo objetiva comparar em termos de desempenho os investimentos praticados por um grupo de investidores, com uma carteira de investimentos teórica. Por meio de uma pesquisa descritiva e abordagem quantitativa, o estudo foi realizado mediante uma survey, cujo instrumento de pesquisa foi um questionário eletrônico. A amostra foi composta por 119 empresários de um Município do Estado de Santa Catarina, e para analisar os dados utilizou-se a técnica de análise descritiva. A poupança destaca-se como o investimento mais representativo, com 82% dos investimentos praticados, o que indica predominância do perfil conservador, dessa forma criada a carteira de investimentos teórica, composta por quatro investimentos, em que são comparados com o indexador Certificado de Depósito Interbancário (CDI). O acompanhamento da carteira com a finalidade de comparação com a poupança leva em consideração um período de 24 meses. A rentabilidade da carteira de investimentos é definida por uma média ponderada entre os rendimentos dos investimentos. No comparativo é possível observar a evolução das rentabilidades no período de 24 meses, sendo que a carteira teórica desenvolvida fica acima do CDI, ultrapassando os 32% de rentabilidade, no entanto, a poupança, por sua vez, tem 15,06% de rentabilidade, viabilizando, desse modo, a carteira de investimento teórica

Relação da química com o cotidiano na visão de alunos de ensino médio envolvidos em um projeto do pibi

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Transcript levels of ten caste-related genes in adult diploid males of Melipona quadrifasciata (Hymenoptera, Apidae) - A comparison with haploid males, queens and workers

In Hymenoptera, homozygosity at the sex locus results in the production of diploid males. In social species, these pose a double burden by having low fitness and drawing resources normally spent for increasing the work force of a colony. Yet, diploid males are of academic interest as they can elucidate effects of ploidy (normal males are haploid, whereas the female castes, the queens and workers, are diploid) on morphology and life history. Herein we investigated expression levels of ten caste-related genes in the stingless bee Melipona quadrifasciata, comparing newly emerged and 5-day-old diploid males with haploid males, queens and workers. In diploid males, transcript levels for dunce and paramyosin were increased during the first five days of adult life, while those for diacylglycerol kinase and the transcriptional co-repressor groucho diminished. Two general trends were apparent, (i) gene expression patterns in diploid males were overall more similar to haploid ones and workers than to queens, and (ii) in queens and workers, more genes were up-regulated after emergence until day five, whereas in diploid and especially so in haploid males more genes were down-regulated. This difference between the sexes may be related to longevity, which is much longer in females than in males