A robust two-way semi-linear model for normalization of cDNA microarray data

BACKGROUND: Normalization is a basic step in microarray data analysis. A proper normalization procedure ensures that the intensity ratios provide meaningful measures of relative expression values. METHODS: We propose a robust semiparametric method in a two-way semi-linear model (TW-SLM) for normalization of cDNA microarray data. This method does not make the usual assumptions underlying some of the existing methods. For example, it does not assume that: (i) the percentage of differentially expressed genes is small; or (ii) the numbers of up- and down-regulated genes are about the same, as required in the LOWESS normalization method. We conduct simulation studies to evaluate the proposed method and use a real data set from a specially designed microarray experiment to compare the performance of the proposed method with that of the LOWESS normalization approach. RESULTS: The simulation results show that the proposed method performs better than the LOWESS normalization method in terms of mean square errors for estimated gene effects. The results of analysis of the real data set also show that the proposed method yields more consistent results between the direct and the indirect comparisons and also can detect more differentially expressed genes than the LOWESS method. CONCLUSIONS: Our simulation studies and the real data example indicate that the proposed robust TW-SLM method works at least as well as the LOWESS method and works better when the underlying assumptions for the LOWESS method are not satisfied. Therefore, it is a powerful alternative to the existing normalization methods

BTECH: A Platform to Integrate Genomic, Transcriptomic and Epigenomic Alterations in Brain Tumors

The identification of molecular signatures predictive of clinical behavior and outcome in brain tumors has been the focus of many studies in the recent years. Despite the wealth of data that are available in the public domain on alterations in the genome, epigenome and transcriptome of brain tumors, the underlying molecular mechanisms leading to tumor initiation and progression remain largely unknown. Unfortunately, most of these data are scattered in multiple databases and supplementary materials of publications, thus making their retrieval, evaluation, comparison and visualization a rather arduous task. Here we report the development and implementation of an open access database (BTECH), a community resource for the deposition of a wide range of molecular data derived from brain tumor studies. This comprehensive database integrates multiple datasets, including transcript profiles, epigenomic CpG methylation data, DNA copy number alterations and structural chromosomal rearrangements, tumor-associated gene lists, SNPs, genomic features concerning Alu repeats and general genomic annotations. A genome browser has also been developed that allows for the simultaneous visualization of the different datasets and the various annotated features. Besides enabling an integrative view of diverse datasets through the genome browser, we also provide links to the original references for users to have a more accurate understanding of each specific dataset. This integrated platform will facilitate uncovering interactions among genetic and epigenetic factors associated with brain tumor development. BTECH is freely available at http://cmbteg.childrensmemorial.org/. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s12021-010-9091-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Feromônio sexual sintético do minador-dos-citros em pomares brasileiros de citros

The objective of this work was to determine the best conditions of use of the synthetic sex pheromone of Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton for monitoring this species in citrus groves in northeastern Brazil. Pheromone doses (0.0, 0.1, 1, 10 and 100 µg) and longevity (1, 15, 29, 43 and 57-day-old lures) and trap height (0.5, 1.5 and 2.5 m), color (green, red, and white) and model influence on P. citrella males capture were evaluated. The doses of 10 and 100 µg of the synthetic sex pheromone – a 3:1 blend of (Z,Z,E)-7,11,13-hexadecatrienal and (Z,Z)-7,11-hexadecadienal –  attracted the greatest number of P. citrella males. Traps baited with these two both dosages continued to capture P. citrella males at a comparable rate for over eight weeks in citrus groves. Although there was no significant decrease in activity of both dosages until 57 days of exposure to the environment, the higher dose, as time passed, attracted significantly more P. citrella males than the lower dose. There were no significant differences in male capture in traps with synthetic sex pheromone placed at 1.5 and 2.5 m height, wich had the better results. Trap color and model did not affect male capture.O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar as melhores condições de uso do feromônio sexual sintético de Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton para o monitoramento dessa espécie em pomares de citros no Nordeste do Brasil. Foram avaliados: doses (0,0, 0,1, 1, 10 e 100 µg), duração (1, 15, 29, 43 e 57 dias de exposição do feromônio sexual sintético), altura de instalação (0,5, 1,5 e 2,5 m), cor (verde, vermelha e branca) e modelo de armadilha na captura de machos de P. citrella. As doses de 10 e 100 µg do feromônio sintético – proporção de 3:1 da mistura de Z,Z,E-7,11,13-hexadecatrienal e (Z,Z)-7,11-hexadecadienal – atraíram o maior número de machos de P. citrella. Armadilhas contendo a mistura feromonal nessas duas doses capturaram machos de P. citrella por mais de oito semanas em pomares de citros. Embora nenhuma das duas doses tenha sofrido decréscimo na atividade por até 57 dias de exposição ao ambiente, com o passar do tempo a maior dose atraiu significativamente mais machos de P. citrella que a menor dose. Não houve diferença significativa na captura de machos nas armadilhas com o feromônio sexual instaladas a 1,5 e 2,5 m de altura, as quais apresentaram os melhores resultados. O modelo e a cor das armadilhas não afetaram a captura dos machos

Profile of milk consumers and determinants of A2A2 milk consumption in the Tocantins State

Atualmente, a indústria láctea diversifica produtos com propriedades organolépticas, dietéticas, funcionais e nutricionais em função de demandas do consumidor e do bem-estar. Assim, objetivou-se estudar o perfil dos consumidores, incluindo dados de consumo de leite, conhecimento e familiaridade com o leite A2A2 no estado do Tocantins. Foi realizado uma pesquisa qualitativa, através de questionário, com 389 pessoas distribuídas em 34 municípios no Tocantins. Em relação ao consumo de lácteos, 21,31% apresentam algum tipo de desconforto ao consumirem, e, 46,27% possuem um consumo semanal de um a dois litros, 28,28% entre dois a quatro litros e 25,45% com consumo superior a quatro litros, sendo o leite o principal produto lácteo consumido por 59,13% dos entrevistados. Dos entrevistados, 76,10% tem pouca ou nenhuma atenção às informações do rótulo contra 23,90% que possuem muita atenção, e 40,63% e 59,64% detinham ou não algum conhecimento sobre leite A2A2, respectivamente. Foi observado que 42,93% e 30,59% estariam dispostos a pagar mais de 10% ou mais de 50%, respectivamente, e 24,94% revelaram não pagar nenhum acréscimo sobre o valor para o leite A2A2. No entanto, a capacidade de consumo está diretamente ligada ao nível de conhecimento e familiaridade sobre leite A2A2, ou seja, pagar um valor adicional baixo demonstrou relação com consumidores que possuem conhecimento sobre, mas conhecem pouco esse produto, enquanto que pagar valores adicionais maiores esteve relacionado com entrevistados que ouviram falar e conhecem sobre o produto.The dairy industry diversifies products with organoleptic, dietary, functional, and nutritional properties according to consumer demands and welfare. This study aimed to examine the profile of consumers, data on milk consumption, knowledge, and familiarity with A2A2 milk in the Tocantins State, Brazil. A qualitative survey was carried out through a questionnaire applied to 389 people, distributed in 34 municipalities. Regarding the consumption of dairy products, 21.31% of participants described having some type of discomfort when consuming them. Among participants, 46.27% consumed one to two liters, 28.28% two to four liters, and 25.45% more than four liters per week. Milk was the main dairy product consumed, according to 59.13% of participants. Of all respondents, 76.10% pay little or no attention to the information on the label, versus 23.90% who did not. Regarding A2A2 milk, 40.36% possessed some knowledge about it, while 59.64% did not. 42.93% and 30.59% of participants stated they would be willing to pay over 10% or 50% more, respectively, whereas 24.94% would not pay any additional amount on the price of A2A2 milk. Willingness to pay a low additional amount was related to consumers who heard of, but knew little about this product, whereas the likelihood of paying higher additional amounts was associated with respondents who heard and know about the product

Profile of milk consumers and determinants of A2A2 milk consumption in the Tocantins State

The dairy industry diversifies products with organoleptic, dietary, functional, and nutritional properties according to consumer demands and welfare. This study aimed to examine the profile of consumers, data on milk consumption, knowledge, and familiarity with A2A2 milk in the Tocantins State, Brazil. A qualitative survey was carried out through a questionnaire applied to 389 people, distributed in 34 municipalities. Regarding the consumption of dairy products, 21.31% of participants described having some type of discomfort when consuming them. Among participants, 46.27% consumed one to two liters, 28.28% two to four liters, and 25.45% more than four liters per week. Milk was the main dairy product consumed, according to 59.13% of participants. Of all respondents, 76.10% pay little or no attention to the information on the label, versus 23.90% who did not. Regarding A2A2 milk, 40.36% possessed some knowledge about it, while 59.64% did not. 42.93% and 30.59% of participants stated they would be willing to pay over 10% or 50% more, respectively, whereas 24.94% would not pay any additional amount on the price of A2A2 milk. Willingness to pay a low additional amount was related to consumers who heard of, but knew little about this product, whereas the likelihood of paying higher additional amounts was associated with respondents who heard and know about the product

Systems medicine and integrated care to combat chronic noncommunicable diseases

We propose an innovative, integrated, cost-effective health system to combat major non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including cardiovascular, chronic respiratory, metabolic, rheumatologic and neurologic disorders and cancers, which together are the predominant health problem of the 21st century. This proposed holistic strategy involves comprehensive patient-centered integrated care and multi-scale, multi-modal and multi-level systems approaches to tackle NCDs as a common group of diseases. Rather than studying each disease individually, it will take into account their intertwined gene-environment, socio-economic interactions and co-morbidities that lead to individual-specific complex phenotypes. It will implement a road map for predictive, preventive, personalized and participatory (P4) medicine based on a robust and extensive knowledge management infrastructure that contains individual patient information. It will be supported by strategic partnerships involving all stakeholders, including general practitioners associated with patient-centered care. This systems medicine strategy, which will take a holistic approach to disease, is designed to allow the results to be used globally, taking into account the needs and specificities of local economies and health systems

Trajetórias da Educomunicação nas Políticas Públicas e a Formação de seus Profissionais

Esta obra é composta com os trabalhos apresentados no primeiro subtema, TRAJETÓRIA – Educação para a Comunicação como Política pública, nas perspectivas da Educomunicação e da Mídia-Educação, do II Congresso Internacional de Comunicação e Educação. Os artigos pretendem propiciar trocas de informações e produzir reflexões com os leitores sobre os caminhos percorridos, e ainda a percorrer, tendo como meta a expansão e a legitimação das práticas educomunicativas e/ou mídia-educativas como política pública para o atendimento à formação de crianças, adolescentes, jovens e adultos, no Brasil e no mundo

Educomunicação e suas áreas de intervenção: Novos paradigmas para o diálogo intercultural

oai:omp.abpeducom.org.br:publicationFormat/1O material aqui divulgado representa, em essência, a contribuição do VII Encontro Brasileiro de Educomunicação ao V Global MIL Week, da UNESCO, ocorrido na ECA/USP, entre 3 e 5 de novembro de 2016. Estamos diante de um conjunto de 104 papers executivos, com uma média de entre 7 e 10 páginas, cada um. Com este rico e abundante material, chegamos ao sétimo e-book publicado pela ABPEducom, em seus seis primeiros anos de existência. A especificidade desta obra é a de trazer as “Áreas de Intervenção” do campo da Educomunicação, colocando-as a serviço de uma meta essencial ao agir educomunicativo: o diálogo intercultural, trabalhado na linha do tema geral do evento internacional: Media and Information Literacy: New Paradigms for Intercultural Dialogue