945 research outputs found
The measurement of reflective function in adolescents with and without borderline traits
Reflective function refers to the capacity to reflect on the mind of self and others in the context of the attachment relationship. Reflective function (and its conceptual neighbor, mentalizing) has been shown to be an important correlate of a variety of disorders, including borderline personality disorder (BPD). The current study examined the construct validity of the Reflective Function Questionnaire for Youths (RFQY) in an inpatient sample of adolescents. Adequate internal consistency was established for the RFQY. Significant positive associations with an interview-based measure of reflective function and an experimental-based assessment of mentalization were found for the RFQY. Strong negative relations with BPD features were found and adolescent patients who scored above clinical cut-off for BPD symptoms demonstrated significantly poorer reflective function compared to patients without the disorder. These findings provide preliminary support for the notion that reflective function can be validly and reliably assessed in adolescent populations
The effect of atmospheric aerosol particles and clouds on net ecosystem exchange in the Amazon
Carbon cycling in the Amazon is closely linked to atmospheric processes and
climate in the region as a consequence of the strong coupling between the
atmosphere and biosphere. This work examines the effects of changes in net
radiation due to atmospheric aerosol particles and clouds on the net
ecosystem exchange (NEE) of CO<sub>2</sub> in the Amazon region. Some of the major
environmental factors affecting the photosynthetic activity of plants, such
as air temperature and relative humidity, were also examined. An algorithm
for clear-sky irradiance was developed and used to determine the relative
irradiance, <i>f</i>, which quantifies the percentage of solar radiation absorbed
and scattered due to atmospheric aerosol particles and clouds. Aerosol
optical depth (AOD) was calculated from irradiances measured with the MODIS
(Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) sensor, onboard the Terra and
Aqua satellites, and was validated with ground-based AOD measurements from
AERONET (Aerosol Robotic Network) sun photometers. Carbon fluxes were
measured using eddy covariance technique at the Large-Scale
Biosphere-Atmosphere Experiment in Amazonia (LBA) flux towers. Two sites were
studied: the Jaru Biological Reserve (RBJ), located in Rondonia, and the
Cuieiras Biological Reserve at the K34 LBA tower (located in a preserved
region in the central Amazon). Analysis was performed continuously from 1999
to 2009 at K34 and from 1999 to 2002 at RBJ, and includes wet, dry and
transition seasons. In the Jaru Biological Reserve, a 29% increase in
carbon uptake (NEE) was observed when the AOD ranged from 0.10 to 1.5 at
550 nm. In the Cuieiras Biological Reserve, the aerosol effect on NEE was
smaller, accounting for an approximate 20% increase in NEE. High aerosol
loading (AOD above 3 at 550 nm) or high cloud cover leads to reductions in
solar flux and strong decreases in photosynthesis up to the point where NEE
approaches zero. The observed increase in NEE is attributed to an enhancement
(~50%) in the diffuse fraction of photosynthetic active radiation
(PAR). The enhancement in diffuse PAR can be done through increases in
aerosols and/or clouds. In the present study, it was not possible to separate
these two components. Significant changes in air temperature and relative
humidity resulting from changes in solar radiation fluxes under high aerosol
loading were also observed at both sites. Considering the long-range
transport of aerosols in the Amazon, the observed changes in NEE for these
two sites may occur over large areas in the Amazon, significantly altering
the carbon balance in the largest rainforest in the world
Clarithromicin in adult-onset Still'disease a study of 6 cases
Adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) is a rare rheumatological condition characterized by an acute systemic involvement. There are no treatment guidelines. Glucocorticoids (GC), methotrexate (MTX), cyclosporin A and biologic agents have been successfully used, often in association. We treated six cases of AOSD with clarithromycin (CM) in combination with low-mild dose of GC and MTX. Four of them were not responsive to high-dose GC added to DMARDs, while two of them were treated with low-mild dose of GC added to CM from the beginning. CM, 500 mg b.i.d., was added to a mild-low dose of GC and to MTX. The dose of the drugs was reduced (and stopped where possible) following clinical and laboratory parameters. ACR criteria were used to assess clinical improvement. At 6 months 5 patients reached ACR 70% and could stop any therapy in 6-18 months; 1 continued chronic therapy with low-dose GC added to CM and MTX to maintain ACR 50%. CM can be a useful drug for the treatment of AOSD, even in patients not responsive to high-dose GC and DMARDs. No definitive conclusion can be drawn based on the present study
Subtle reproductive impairment through nitric oxide-mediated mechanisms in sea urchins from an area affected by harmful algal blooms
The health of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus, a key species in the Mediterranean Sea, is menaced by several pressures in coastal environments. Here, we aimed at assessing the reproductive ability of apparently healthy P. lividus population in a marine protected area affected by toxic blooms of Ostreospsis cf. ovata. Wide-ranging analyses were performed in animals collected prior to and during the bloom, as well as at several times thereafter, during the reproductive season. Adults showed a low fertilization rate, along with high nitric oxide (NO) levels in the gonads and the nitration of the major yolk protein toposome, which is an important player in sea urchin development. Serious developmental anomalies were observed in the progeny, which persist several months after the bloom. NO levels were high in the different developmental stages, which also showed variations in the transcription of several genes that were found to be directly or indirectly modulated by NO. These results highlight subtle but important reproductive flaws transmitted from the female gonads to the offspring with the NO involvement. Despite a recovery along time after the bloom, insidious damages can be envisaged in the local sea urchin population, with possible reverberation on the whole benthic system
Comparative study between wet and dry etching of silicon for microchannels fabrication
FAPESP - FUNDAĂĂO DE AMPARO Ă PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SĂO PAULOIn this work we present a comparative study of two processes for the fabrication of an array of microchannels for microfluidics applications, based on integrated-circuit technology process steps, such as lithography and dry etching. Two different methods were investigated in order to study the resulting microstructures: wet and dry deep etching of silicon substrate. The typical etching depth necessary to the target application is 50 mu m.1093015FAPESP - FUNDAĂĂO DE AMPARO Ă PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SĂO PAULOFAPESP - FUNDAĂĂO DE AMPARO Ă PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SĂO PAULO2016/09509-112. Conference on Advanced Fabrication Technologies for Micro/Nano Optics and Photonics3 a 5 de Fevereiro de 2019San Francisco, CA, Estados UnidosSPIE; Nanoscribe Gmb
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Long term measurements of aerosol optical properties at a primary forest site in Amazonia
A long term experiment was conducted in a primary forest area in Amazonia, with continuous in-situ measurements of aerosol optical properties between February 2008 and April 2011, comprising, to our knowledge, the longest database ever in the Amazon Basin. Two major classes of aerosol particles, with significantly different optical properties were identified: coarse mode predominant biogenic aerosols in the wet season (JanuaryâJune), naturally released by the forest metabolism, and fine mode dominated biomass burning aerosols in the dry season (JulyâDecember), transported from regional fires. Dry particle median scattering coefficients at the wavelength of 550 nm increased from 6.3 Mmâ1 to 22 Mmâ1, whereas absorption at 637 nm increased from 0.5 Mmâ1 to 2.8 Mmâ1 from wet to dry season. Most of the scattering in the dry season was attributed to the predominance of fine mode (PM2) particles (40â80% of PM10 mass), while the enhanced absorption coefficients are attributed to the presence of light absorbing aerosols from biomass burning. As both scattering and absorption increased in the dry season, the single scattering albedo (SSA) did not show a significant seasonal variability, in average 0.86 ± 0.08 at 637 nm for dry aerosols. Measured particle optical properties were used to estimate the aerosol forcing efficiency at the top of the atmosphere. Results indicate that in this primary forest site the radiative balance was dominated by the cloud cover, particularly in the wet season. Due to the high cloud fractions, the aerosol forcing efficiency absolute values were below â3.5 W mâ2 in 70% of the wet season days and in 46% of the dry season days. Besides the seasonal variation, the influence of out-of-Basin aerosol sources was observed occasionally. Periods of influence of the Manaus urban plume were detected, characterized by a consistent increase on particle scattering (factor 2.5) and absorption coefficients (factor 5). Episodes of biomass burning and mineral dust particles advected from Africa were observed between January and April, characterized by enhanced concentrations of crustal elements (Al, Si, Ti, Fe) and potassium in the fine mode. During these episodes, median particle absorption coefficients increased by a factor of 2, whereas median SSA values decreased by 7%, in comparison to wet season conditions
The inhibition of caspase-1- does not revert particulate matter (PM)-induced lung immunesuppression in mice
A Microbial-Based Biostimulant Enhances Sweet Pepper Performance by Metabolic Reprogramming of Phytohormone Profile and Secondary Metabolism
Microbial-based biostimulants can improve crop productivity by modulating cell metabolic pathways including hormonal balance. However, little is known about the microbial-mediated molecular changes causing yield increase. The present study elucidates the metabolomic modulation occurring in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) leaves at the vegetative and reproductive phenological stages, in response to microbial-based biostimulants. The arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi Rhizoglomus irregularis and Funneliformis mosseae, as well as Trichoderma koningii, were used in this work. The application of endophytic fungi significantly increased total fruit yield by 23.7% compared to that of untreated plants. Multivariate statistics indicated that the biostimulant treatment substantially altered the shape of the metabolic profile of pepper. Compared to the untreated control, the plants treated with microbial biostimulants presented with modified gibberellin, auxin, and cytokinin patterns. The biostimulant treatment also induced secondary metabolism and caused carotenoids, saponins, and phenolic compounds to accumulate in the plants. Differential metabolomic signatures indicated diverse and concerted biochemical responses in the plants following the colonization of their roots by beneficial microorganisms. The above findings demonstrated a clear link between microbial-mediated yield increase and a strong up-regulation of hormonal and secondary metabolic pathways associated with growth stimulation and crop defense to environmental stresses
cGMP-dependent protein kinase contributes to hydrogen sulfide-stimulated vasorelaxation.
A growing body of evidence suggests that hydrogen sulfide (HâS) is a signaling
molecule in mammalian cells. In the cardiovascular system, HâS enhances
vasodilation and angiogenesis. HâS-induced vasodilation is hypothesized to occur
through ATP-sensitive potassium channels (K(ATP)); however, we recently
demonstrated that it also increases cGMP levels in tissues. Herein, we studied
the involvement of cGMP-dependent protein kinase-I in HâS-induced vasorelaxation.
The effect of HâS on vessel tone was studied in phenylephrine-contracted aortic
rings with or without endothelium. cGMP levels were determined in cultured cells
or isolated vessel by enzyme immunoassay. Pretreatment of aortic rings with
sildenafil attenuated NaHS-induced relaxation, confirming previous findings that
HâS is a phosphodiesterase inhibitor. In addition, vascular tissue levels of cGMP
in cystathionine gamma lyase knockouts were lower than those in wild-type control
mice. Treatment of aortic rings with NaHS, a fast releasing HâS donor, enhanced
phosphorylation of vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein in a time-dependent
manner, suggesting that cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) is activated after
exposure to HâS. Incubation of aortic rings with a PKG-I inhibitor (DT-2)
attenuated NaHS-stimulated relaxation. Interestingly, vasodilatory responses to a
slowly releasing HâS donor (GYY 4137) were unaffected by DT-2, suggesting that
this donor dilates mouse aorta through PKG-independent pathways. Dilatory
responses to NaHS and L-cysteine (a substrate for HâS production) were reduced in
vessels of PKG-I knockout mice (PKG-Iâ»/â»). Moreover, glibenclamide inhibited
NaHS-induced vasorelaxation in vessels from wild-type animals, but not PKG-Iâ»/â»,
suggesting that there is a cross-talk between K(ATP) and PKG. Our results confirm
the role of cGMP in the vascular responses to NaHS and demonstrate that genetic
deletion of PKG-I attenuates NaHS and L-cysteine-stimulated vasodilation
Discovery and Preliminary Characterization of Translational Modulators that Impair the Binding of eIF6 to 60S Ribosomal Subunits
Eukaryotic initiation factor 6 (eIF6) is necessary for the nucleolar biogenesis of 60S ribosomes. However, most of eIF6 resides in the cytoplasm, where it acts as an initiation factor. eIF6 is necessary for maximal protein synthesis downstream of growth factor stimulation. eIF6 is an antiassociation factor that binds 60S subunits, in turn preventing premature 40S joining and thus the formation of inactive 80S subunits. It is widely thought that eIF6 antiassociation activity is critical for its function. Here, we exploited and improved our assay for eIF6 binding to ribosomes (iRIA) in order to screen for modulators of eIF6 binding to the 60S. Three compounds, eIFsixty-1 (clofazimine), eIFsixty-4, and eIFsixty-6 were identified and characterized. All three inhibit the binding of eIF6 to the 60S in the micromolar range. eIFsixty-4 robustly inhibits cell growth, whereas eIFsixty-1 and eIFsixty-6 might have dose- and cell-specific effects. Puromycin labeling shows that eIF6ixty-4 is a strong global translational inhibitor, whereas the other two are mild modulators. Polysome profiling and RT-qPCR show that all three inhibitors reduce the specific translation of well-known eIF6 targets. In contrast, none of them affect the nucleolar localization of eIF6. These data provide proof of principle that the generation of eIF6 translational modulators is feasible
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