The stellar content of giant H II regions in NGC 7714

This is an electronic version of an article published in The Astrophysical Journal. García-Vargas, M.L., González-Delgado, R.M., Pérez, E., Alloin, D., Díaz, A. and E. Terlevich. The stellar content of giant H II regions in NGC 7714. The Astrophysical Journal 478 (1997): 112-12

Manejo de resíduo vegetal de plantas de cobertura de inverno sobre plantas invasoras e soja, sob condições controladas, em casa de vegetação

In order to meet the great need to increase agricultural yield associated with the research of healthy products, which do not cause problems for the environment, this study aims to investigate the influence of mass quantity on black oats, radish and hairy deer in the emergence and development of B. pilosa, S. rhombifolia and G. max. It was carried out in the greenhouse with 10, 20, 30, 40 or 50 g of the studied weights. The weed and soybean seeds were sown and evaluated for 10 days to record their emergence. For the initial development of plants, five seedlings were transplanted, which evaluation occurred after 30 days. In general, increasing the amount of weight also increased the percentage inhibition of the weeds studied, but did not negatively influence the soybean. ESI (Emergence Speed Index) and ES (emergence speed) were negatively affected by the increase in weight, with the exception of soy ES. Weed mass was negatively influenced by cover crops, but did not cause problems for soybeans. Thus, the greatest amount of mass in relation to the winter cover crops studied was lower, being the infestation of these weeds without significant problems for the soybean. Finally, species may be recommended for further field studies as cover crops in large areas in the no-tillage system.Visando suprir a crescente necessidade de incremento na produção agrícola, associada á busca por produtos saudáveis e que não agridam ao ambiente, este trabalho teve por objetivo verificar a influência da quantidade de massa de aveia preta, nabo forrageiro e ervilhaca peluda sobre emergência, índice de velocidade de emergência (IVE), velocidade de emergência (VE), massa fresca e seca de parte aérea e raiz de picão preto, guanxuma e soja. O experimento foi desenvolvido em casa de vegetação, em vasos contendo aproximadamente 1 kg de solo, sobre os quais foram depositadas 10, 20, 30, 40 ou 50 g (equivalentes a 17; 33; 50; 66 e 83 kg ha-1) das massas estudadas. Para avaliação da emergência, as sementes das espécies invasoras e soja foram semeadas e avaliadas durante 10 dias, com contagem diária. Para desenvolvimento inicial de planta, foram transplantadas cinco plântulas para cada vaso, com avaliação após 30 dias. De modo geral, o aumento na quantidade de massa aumentou a porcentagem de inibição de guanxuma e picão preto, mas não influenciou negativamente a soja. O IVE e VE das espécies foram afetados negativamente com o aumento da quantidade das massas, exceto para VE de soja. As massas das invasoras foi influenciada negativamente pelas plantas de cobertura, sem entretanto, prejudicar a soja. Assim, quanto maior a quantidade de massa das espécies de cobertura de inverno utilizadas, menor será a infestação dessas invasoras, sem prejuízos significativos á soja. Por fim, as espécies podem ser recomendadas para maiores estudos em campo como culturas de cobertura em grandes áreas no sistema de plantio direto.Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale

Anti-tumor therapy with macroencapsulated endostatin producer cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Theracyte is a polytetrafluoroethylene membrane macroencapsulation system designed to induce neovascularization at the tissue interface, protecting the cells from host's immune rejection, thereby circumventing the problem of limited half-life and variation in circulating levels. Endostatin is a potent inhibitor of angiogenesis and tumor growth. Continuous delivery of endostatin improves the efficacy and potency of the antitumoral therapy. The purpose of this study was to determine whether recombinant fibroblasts expressing endostatin encapsulated in Theracyte immunoisolation devices can be used for delivery of this therapeutic protein for treatment of mice bearing B16F10 melanoma and Ehrlich tumors.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Mice were inoculated subcutaneously with melanoma (B16F10 cells) or Ehrlich tumor cells at the foot pads. Treatment began when tumor thickness had reached 0.5 mm, by subcutaneous implantation of 10⁷recombinant encapsulated or non-encapsulated endostatin producer cells. Similar melanoma growth inhibition was obtained for mice treated with encapsulated or non-encapsulated endostatin-expressing cells. The treatment of mice bearing melanoma tumor with encapsulated endostatin-expressing cells was decreased by 50.0%, whereas a decrease of 56.7% in tumor thickness was obtained for mice treated with non-encapsulated cells. Treatment of Ehrlich tumor-bearing mice with non-encapsulated endostatin-expressing cells reduced tumor thickness by 52.4%, whereas lower tumor growth inhibition was obtained for mice treated with encapsulated endostatin-expressing cells: 24.2%. Encapsulated endostatin-secreting fibroblasts failed to survive until the end of the treatment. However, endostatin release from the devices to the surrounding tissues was confirmed by immunostaining. Decrease in vascular structures, functional vessels and extension of the vascular area were observed in melanoma microenvironments.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study indicates that immunoisolation devices containing endostatin-expressing cells are effective for the inhibition of the growth of melanoma and Ehrlich tumors.</p> <p>Macroencapsulation of engineered cells is therefore a reliable platform for the refinement of innovative therapeutic strategies against tumors.</p

Desenvolvimento, caracterização e validação clínica de um novo ensaio sensível para a dosagem da tiroglobulina sérica

OBJECTIVE: In the last decade, data published stressed the role of highly-sensitive thyroglobulin (Tg) assays in the follow-up of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) patients. The present study describes a new, highly-sensitive Tg assay, compares it with an available commercial assay, and validates it in the follow-up of DTC patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The immunofluorometric high-sensitivity Tg assay is based on monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies produced at our laboratories. It was validated in 100 samples of 87 patients with DTC submitted to total thyroidectomy, 87% of whom also received radioiodine. For correlation, all samples were also tested using a commercial Tg assay (Beckman Access) with functional sensitivity (FS) of 0.1 ng/mL. RESULTS: The new method showed FS of 0.3 ng/mL. The correlation between the two methods was good (r = 0.74; p < 0.0001). The diagnostic sensitivity was 88.9%, and it was increased to 100% when combined with neck US. CONCLUSION: This new, high-sensitivity Tg assay presented a good correlation with Beckman Access assay and with the clinical outcome of the patients. The continuous availability of a validated assay is an additional advantage for long term follow-up of DTC patients. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2012;56(9):658-65OBJETIVO: Na última década, estudos mostraram a importância dos ensaios de tiroglobulina (Tg) com melhor sensibilidade funcional no seguimento dos pacientes com carcinoma diferenciado de tiroide (CDT). Neste estudo, descrevemos o desenvolvimento de um novo ensaio de Tg de alta sensibilidade, que foi validado no seguimento de pacientes com CDT e correlacionado com um ensaio comercialmente disponível. SUJEITOS E MÉTODOS: O ensaio imunofluorométrico de Tg baseia-se em anticorpos, um monoclonal e um policlonal desenvolvidos em nosso laboratório. Avaliamos 100 amostras de soro de 87 pacientes com CDT submetidos à tiroidectomia total, sendo que 87% deles também receberam 131I. A Tg foi dosada também em ensaio comercial (Beckman Access). RESULTADOS: A correlação entre os dois métodos foi de 0,74 (p < 0,0001). O novo ensaio mostrou uma sensibilidade funcional de 0,3 ng/mL. A sensibilidade diagnóstica foi de 88,9%, que aumentou para 100% quando associada ao ultrassom cervical (US). CONCLUSÃO: O novo método de dosagem de Tg mostra boa correlação com o ensaio comercial Beckman Access e com a evolução clínica dos pacientes. O novo ensaio será fundamental no seguimento dos nossos pacientes com CDT. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2012;56(9):658-65Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de Medicina Departamento de MedicinaUNIFESP, EPM, Depto. de MedicinaSciEL

Clinical utility of F-18-FDG PET/CT in the follow-up of a large cohort of patients with high-risk differentiated thyroid carcinoma

Objective: To evaluate the clinical utility of F-18-FDG PET/CT in patients with high-risk DTC. Subjects and methods: Single-center retrospective study with 74 patients with high-risk differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), classified in 4 groups. Group 1: patients with positive sTg or TgAb, subdivided in Group 1A: negative RxWBS and no foci of metastases identified at conventional image (n = 9)Group 1B: RxWBS not compatible with suspicious foci at conventional image or not proportional to sTg level (n = 13)Group 2: patients with histological findings of aggressive DTC variants (n = 21) and Group 3: patients with positive RxWBS (n = 31). Results: F-18-FDG PET/CT identified undifferentiated lesions and helped restage the disease in groups 1B and 2. The scan helped guide clinical judgment in 9/13 (69%) patients of group 1B, 10/21 (48%) patients of group 2 and 2/31 (6%) patients of group 3. There was no clinical benefit associated with group 1A. F-18-FDG PET/CT was associated with progressive disease. Conclusion: F-18-FDG PET/CT is a useful tool in the follow-up of patients with high-risk DTC, mainly in the group of RxWBS not compatible with suspicious foci at conventional image or not proportional to sTg level and in those with aggressive DTC variants. Additionally, this study showed that F-18-FDG PET/CT was associated with progression and helped display undifferentiated lesions guiding clinical assessments regarding surgeries or expectant treatments.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Ministério da Saúde (MS)Univ Fed São Paulo EPM Unifesp, Escola Paulista Med, Ctr Doencas Tireoide, São Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed São Paulo EPM Unifesp, Escola Paulista Med, Lab Endocrinol Mol & Translac, Dept Med,Div Endocrinol, São Paulo, SP, BrazilHIAE, Dept Imagem, São Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed São Paulo EPM Unifesp, Escola Paulista Med, Ctr Doencas Tireoide, São Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed São Paulo EPM Unifesp, Escola Paulista Med, Lab Endocrinol Mol & Translac, Dept Med,Div Endocrinol, São Paulo, SP, BrazilFAPESP: 2006/60402-1MS: 25000.168513/2008-11Web of Scienc

Differential brain and spinal cord cytokine and BDNF levels in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis are modulated by prior and regular exercise

The interactions between a prior program of regular exercise and the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE)-mediated responses were evaluated. in the exercised EAE mice, although there was no effect on infiltrated cells, the cytokine and derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels were altered, and the clinical score was attenuated. Although, the cytokine levels were decreased in the brain and increased in the spinal cord, BDNF was elevated in both compartments with a tendency of lesser demyelization volume in the spinal cord of the exercised EAE group compared with the unexercised. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)NIHUniv Fed Minas Gerais, Inst Ciencias Biol, Dept Fisiol & Biofis, Nucleo Neurociencias, BR-31270901 Belo Horizonte, MG, BrazilMinist Educ Brazil, CAPES Fdn, Programa Pos Grad Ciencias Biol Fisiol Farmacol, BR-70040020 Brasilia, DF, BrazilUniv Fed Minas Gerais, Inst Ciencias Biol, Dept Patol, BR-31270901 Belo Horizonte, MG, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Biofis, BR-04023062 São Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Minas Gerais, Inst Ciencias Biol, Dept Bioquim & Imunol, Lab Venenos & Toxinas Anim, BR-31270901 Belo Horizonte, MG, BrazilUniv Miami, Miller Sch Med, Miami Project Cure Paralysis, Miami, FL 33136 USALa Trobe Univ, Dept Biochem, Bundoora, Vic 3086, AustraliaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Biofis, BR-04023062 São Paulo, BrazilCAPES: BEX 0020/12-5NIH: NS051709NIH: NS065479FAPEMIG: CBB-APQ-01459-10FAPEMIG: PPM-00200-12Web of Scienc

Manejo de resíduo vegetal de plantas de cobertura de inverno sobre plantas invasoras e soja, sob condições controladas, em casa de vegetação

In order to meet the great need to increase agricultural yield associated with the research of healthy products, which do not cause problems for the environment, this study aims to investigate the influence of mass quantity on black oats, radish and hairy deer in the emergence and development of B. pilosa, S. rhombifolia and G. max. It was carried out in the greenhouse with 10, 20, 30, 40 or 50 g of the studied weights. The weed and soybean seeds were sown and evaluated for 10 days to record their emergence. For the initial development of plants, five seedlings were transplanted, which evaluation occurred after 30 days. In general, increasing the amount of weight also increased the percentage inhibition of the weeds studied, but did not negatively influence the soybean. ESI (Emergence Speed Index) and ES (emergence speed) were negatively affected by the increase in weight, with the exception of soy ES. Weed mass was negatively influenced by cover crops, but did not cause problems for soybeans. Thus, the greatest amount of mass in relation to the winter cover crops studied was lower, being the infestation of these weeds without significant problems for the soybean. Finally, species may be recommended for further field studies as cover crops in large areas in the no-tillage system.Visando suprir a crescente necessidade de incremento na produção agrícola, associada á busca por produtos saudáveis e que não agridam ao ambiente, este trabalho teve por objetivo verificar a influência da quantidade de massa de aveia preta, nabo forrageiro e ervilhaca peluda sobre emergência, índice de velocidade de emergência (IVE), velocidade de emergência (VE), massa fresca e seca de parte aérea e raiz de picão preto, guanxuma e soja. O experimento foi desenvolvido em casa de vegetação, em vasos contendo aproximadamente 1 kg de solo, sobre os quais foram depositadas 10, 20, 30, 40 ou 50 g (equivalentes a 17; 33; 50; 66 e 83 kg ha-1) das massas estudadas. Para avaliação da emergência, as sementes das espécies invasoras e soja foram semeadas e avaliadas durante 10 dias, com contagem diária. Para desenvolvimento inicial de planta, foram transplantadas cinco plântulas para cada vaso, com avaliação após 30 dias. De modo geral, o aumento na quantidade de massa aumentou a porcentagem de inibição de guanxuma e picão preto, mas não influenciou negativamente a soja. O IVE e VE das espécies foram afetados negativamente com o aumento da quantidade das massas, exceto para VE de soja. As massas das invasoras foi influenciada negativamente pelas plantas de cobertura, sem entretanto, prejudicar a soja. Assim, quanto maior a quantidade de massa das espécies de cobertura de inverno utilizadas, menor será a infestação dessas invasoras, sem prejuízos significativos á soja. Por fim, as espécies podem ser recomendadas para maiores estudos em campo como culturas de cobertura em grandes áreas no sistema de plantio direto.Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale

Identifying seasonal distribution patterns of fin whales across the Scotia Sea and the Antarctic Peninsula region using a novel approach combining habitat suitability models and ensemble learning methods

Following their near extirpation by industrial whaling of the 20th century, the population status of Southern Hemisphere fin whales (SHFW) remains unknown. Systematic surveys estimating fin whale abundance in the Southern Ocean are not yet available. Records of fin whale sightings have been collected by a variety of organisations over the past few decades, incorporating both opportunistic data and dedicated survey data. Together, these isolated data sets represent a potentially valuable source of information on the seasonality, distribution and abundance of SHFW. We compiled records across 40 years from the Antarctic Peninsula and Scotia Sea from multiple sources and used a novel approach combining ensemble learning and a maximum entropy model to estimate abundance and distribution of SHFW in this region. Our results show a seasonal distribution pattern with pronounced centres of distribution from January-March along the West Antarctic Peninsula. Our new approach allowed us to estimate abundance of SHFW for discrete areas from a mixed data set of mainly opportunistic presence only data.publishedVersio

Identifying seasonal distribution patterns of fin whales across the Scotia Sea and the Antarctic Peninsula region using a novel approach combining habitat suitability models and ensemble learning methods

Following their near extirpation by industrial whaling of the 20th century, the population status of Southern Hemisphere fin whales (SHFW) remains unknown. Systematic surveys estimating fin whale abundance in the Southern Ocean are not yet available. Records of fin whale sightings have been collected by a variety of organisations over the past few decades, incorporating both opportunistic data and dedicated survey data. Together, these isolated data sets represent a potentially valuable source of information on the seasonality, distribution and abundance of SHFW. We compiled records across 40 years from the Antarctic Peninsula and Scotia Sea from multiple sources and used a novel approach combining ensemble learning and a maximum entropy model to estimate abundance and distribution of SHFW in this region. Our results show a seasonal distribution pattern with pronounced centres of distribution from January-March along the West Antarctic Peninsula. Our new approach allowed us to estimate abundance of SHFW for discrete areas from a mixed data set of mainly opportunistic presence only data