Scotin, a novel p53-inducible proapoptotic protein located in the ER and the nuclear membrane

p53 is a transcription factor that induces growth arrest or apoptosis in response to cellular stress. To identify new p53-inducible proapoptotic genes, we compared, by differential display, the expression of genes in spleen or thymus of normal and p53 nullizygote mice after γ-irradiation of whole animals. We report the identification and characterization of human and mouse Scotin homologues, a novel gene directly transactivated by p53. The Scotin protein is localized to the ER and the nuclear membrane. Scotin can induce apoptosis in a caspase-dependent manner. Inhibition of endogenous Scotin expression increases resistance to p53-dependent apoptosis induced by DNA damage, suggesting that Scotin plays a role in p53-dependent apoptosis. The discovery of Scotin brings to light a role of the ER in p53-dependent apoptosis

Clinical, histological and prognostic features of a novel nail-bed lesion of cats: 41 cases

There is a distinct subset of lesions arising on the digits of cats, located at or close to the nail-bed epithelium, which are typically composed of proliferative fibroblast-like cells, multinucleate giant cells and areas of osseous metaplasia, but currently there is no published literature detailing the clinical or histological features of these lesions. This study identified 41 such cases from two large commercial diagnostic laboratories and assessed various histological and clinical features; 22 cases had additional follow-up data available

Short-time behavior of a classical ferromagnet with double-exchange interaction

We investigate the critical dynamics of a classical ferromagnet on the simple cubic lattice with double-exchange interaction. Estimates for the dynamic critical exponents $z$ and $\theta$ are obtained using short-time Monte Carlo simulations. We also estimate the static critical exponents $\nu$ and $\beta$ studying the behavior of the samples at an early time. Our results are in good agreement with available estimates and support the assertion that this model and the classical Heisenberg model belong to the same universality class

Optical and Near Infrared Study of the Cepheus E outflow, a very low excitation object

We present images and spectra of the Cepheus E (Cep E) region at both optical and infrared wavelengths. Only the brightest region of the southern lobe of the Cep E outflow reveals optical emission, suggesting that the extinction close to the outflow source plays an important r\^ole in the observed difference between the optical and IR morphologies. Cep E is a unique object since it provides a link between the spectroscopic properties of the optical Herbig-Haro (HH) objects and those of deeply embedded outflows.Comment: Accepted Astron. J., 8 files: paper, tables plus 6 figure

System and market failures: the unavailability of magnesium sulphate for the treatment of eclampsia and pre-eclampsia in Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

Low cost and effective drugs, such as magnesium sulphate, need to be included in initiatives to improve access to essential medicines in Afric

Identificação, caracterização e inserção no mercado de produtos orgânicos na região da Barreira do Andirá.

A pesquisa objetivou caracterizar as principais cadeias de produtos orgânicos da agricultura familiar e sua inserção no mercado. Foi realizada na comunidade Barreira do Andirá, município de Barreirinha - AM e poderá vir a subsidiar propostas de desenvolvimento local sustentável. Como ferramenta de pesquisa utilizou-se o método estudo de caso. Identificando-se duas importantes cadeias produtivas: a da mandioca e a do guaraná e, a importância da organização social para alcançar o desenvolvimento rural com base na agroecologia

Validation of a compact microwave imaging system for bone fracture detection

This work presents a systematic evaluation of the effectiveness of an air-operated microwave imaging (MWI) system for detection of arbitrarily oriented thin fractures in superficial bones, like the tibia. This includes the proposal of a new compact, portable setup where a single Vivaldi antenna performs a semi-cylindrical scan of the limb. The antenna is operated in monostatic radar mode, near the skin but without contact, thus ensuring hygiene and patient comfort during the exam. The image is reconstructed using a wave-migration algorithm in the frequency domain combined with an adaptative algorithm based on singular value decomposition to remove the skin artifact, dealing with non-uniform bone profile and tissue cover. The study investigates the system resolution, the robustness of the method to the uncertainty of the permittivity and thickness of the involved tested tissues, as well as the robustness to involuntary patient movement. The experimental validation was performed for the first time on an integral ex-vivo animal leg, with all tissues present, including skin and fur. It confirmed both the effectiveness of the method, and the feasibility of the setup.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Feasibility of bone fracture detection using microwave imaging

This paper studies the feasibility of Microwave Imaging (MWI) for detection of fractures in superficial bones like the tibia, using a simple and practical setup. First-responders could use it for fast preliminary diagnosis in emergency locations, where X-Rays are not available. It may prove valuable also for cases where X-ray are not recommended, e.g., length pregnant women or children. The method is inspired on the synthetic aperture radar technique. A single Vivaldi antenna is used to linearly scan the bone in the 8.3-11.1 GHz frequency range and collect the scattered fields. The system is operated in air, without the need for impractical impedance-matching immersion liquids. The image is reconstructed using a Kirchhoff migration algorithm. A Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) strategy is used to remove skin and background artifacts. To test this technique, a set of full-wave simulations and experiments were conducted on a multilayer phantom and on an ex-vivo animal bone. Results show that the system can detect and locate bone transverse fractures as small as 1 mm width and 13 mm deep, even when the bone is wrapped by 2 mm thick skin.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio