Drosophila protein kinase N (Pkn) is a negative regulator of actin-myosin activity during oogenesis

Nurse cell dumping is an actin-myosin based process, where 15 nurse cells of a given egg chamber contract and transfer their cytoplasmic content through the ring canals into the growing oocyte. We isolated two mutant alleles of protein kinase N (pkn) and showed that Pkn negatively-regulates activation of the actin-myosin cytoskeleton during the onset of dumping. Using live-cell imaging analysis we observed that nurse cell dumping rates sharply increase during the onset of fast dumping. Such rate increase was severely impaired in pkn mutant nurse cells due to excessive nurse cell actin-myosin activity and/or loss of tissue integrity. Our work demonstrates that the transition between slow and fast dumping is a discrete event, with at least a five to six-fold dumping rate increase. We show that Pkn negatively regulates nurse cell actin-myosin activity. This is likely to be important for directional cytoplasmic flow. We propose Pim provides a negative feedback loop to help avoid excessive contractility after local activation of Rho GTPase. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.National Portuguese Funding through Grants FCT-Fundacao para Ciencia e Tecnologia [PTDC/SAU-BID/111796/2009, PTDC/BIA-BCM/111822/2009, PTDC/BBB-BQB/0712/2012, PEst-OE/EQB/LA0023/2013]; Fundacao para Ciencia e Tecnologia [SFRH/BD/37587/2007]info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Biodisponibilidade do cálcio do grão de amaranto antes e após extrusão

Calcium bioavailability of raw and extruded amaranth grains was assessed in a biological assay in rats. Rats were fed for 28 days on diets in which raw or extruded amaranth was the only calcium source, compared to a control diet with calcium carbonate. Calcium and phosphorous levels were determined in the rats' serum during the experimental period and in the bones at the end of the experiment. Amaranth extrusion increased its calcium bioavailability, assessed by tibia and femur weights and calcium and phosphorous content of the bones. Apparent calcium absorption index, the force needed to break the bones and bone densitometry of both extruded and raw amaranth were the same, though different from the control group. The results show that amaranth can be a complementary source of dietary calcium the bioavailability of which is favorably modified by the extrusion process.A biodisponibilidade do cálcio de amaranto antes e após extrusão foi avaliada em ensaio biológico. Ratos, alimentados por 28 dias com dietas em que amaranto, antes ou após extrusão, era a única fonte de cálcio da dieta, foram comparados com animais em dieta controle com teor próximo de cálcio, oferecido na forma de carbonato de cálcio. Cálcio e fósforo foram determinados no soro dos animais durante o período experimental e nos ossos, ao final do experimento. A extrusão do amaranto aumentou a biodisponibilidade do seu cálcio, quando avaliado pelo conteúdo de cálcio e fósforo da tíbia e fêmur dos animais, bem como pelo peso desses ossos. O índice aparente de absorção de cálcio, força para romper os ossos e densidade óssea foram iguais antes e após a extrusão do amaranto e diferentes do grupo controle. Os resultados mostram que o amaranto pode ser uma fonte complementar de cálcio e que sua biodisponibilidade aumenta com o processo de extrusão.(CAPES) Coordenação do Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - PICDT ProgramFAPES

Design da avaliação apreciativa das estratégias transformacionais em uma universidade

Neste ensaio defende-se a ideia de que para avaliar estratégias transformacionais em uma universidade pública é necessário adotar uma abordagem transformacional, a exemplo da Investigação Apreciativa (IA). Assim sendo, procurou-se desenvolver todo um arcabouço teórico-empírico voltado para a delimitação do design da avaliação apreciativa, segundo uma orientação fundamentalmente positiva e generativa. A proposta recai na avaliação dos processos organizacionais que funcionam bem e no delineamento do núcleo positivo da transformação social sustentável como enfatizado no PDI/UFRPE 2013-2020. A metodologia realça os pressupostos do modelo de 5-D (em inglês/português: 1-D Definition/Definição, 2-D Discovery/Descoberta, 3-D Dream/Sonho, 4-D Design/Planejamento e 5-D Destiny/Destino). Em termos empíricos, entre outros aspectos, propõe-se que a avaliação apreciava se concentre em três elementos básicos extraídos do próprio PDI/UFRPE 2013-2020, quais sejam: (a) valorização das melhores práticas acadêmicas (ensino, pesquisa, extensão, gestão institucional); (b) reconhecimento do papel e atuação de núcleos de excelência; (c) mapeamento dos pontos fortes encontrados nos ambientes multidisciplinares voltados para a resolução dos problemas

Thigh muscle strength and endurance in patients with COPD compared with healthy controls

SummaryThe aim of this study was to evaluate thigh muscle strength and endurance in patients with COPD compared with healthy controls. Forty-two patients (26 women; 16 men) with moderate to severe COPD and 53 (29 women; 24 men) age-matched healthy controls participated in the study. The subjects were tested for maximum voluntary contractions (MVC), endurance and fatigue of the thigh muscles on an isokinetic dynamometer (KinCom®). Endurance was expressed as the number of attained repetitions of knee extension and muscle fatigue as a fatigue index (FI).MVC in knee extension was 17% lower in female patients (P=0.017) but no difference was found in male patients (P=0.56) compared to controls. MVC in knee flexion was lower both in female (51%) (P<0.001) and male patients (40%) (P<0.001) compared to controls. Both female and male patients had significantly lower muscle endurance compared to controls. Female patients had a higher FI (22.5%) than female controls (10%) (P=0.001) while no difference was found regarding FI between male patients (15%) and male controls (10%) (P=0.103). The level of self-reported everyday physical activity did not differ between groups.The results showed impaired skeletal muscle function in COPD, except for MVC in knee extension in male patients. Female patients seemed to be more prone to decrease in thigh muscle function. More focus on improving muscle strength and muscle endurance should be considered when designing pulmonary rehabilitation programs. Patients with preserved level of physical activity can be included in exercise programs and gender-related differences should be taken into account

Vohwinkel syndrome : ichthyosiform variant in a family

Vohwinkel syndrome belongs to the group of hereditary palmoplantar keratoderma, having an autosomal dominant inheritance. In this report, the authors present a case of a four-year-old boy with diffuse scaling over his entire body and transgredient palmoplantar hyperkeratosis with some fissured areas. Family evaluation revealed that his mother and other family members were affected. Based on his clinical findings and on family history, the diagnosis of the ichthyotic Vohwinkel syndrome subtype, characterized by generalized ichthyosis and palmoplantar hyperkeratosis, was established

Nail psoriasis treated with pulsed dye laser

Nail changes are present in about 50% of psoriasis patients and tend to be refractory to conventional treatments. Pulsed dye laser has emerged as an alternative therapy. Our aim is to evaluate the efficacy of pulsed dye laser in nail psoriasis and the impact of treatment on quality of life. Fourteen patients were treated in monthly sessions for three months. The outcome assesment was made by the Nail Psoriasis Severity Index (NAPSI). The median improvement in the scores of the overall NAPSI, nail bed NAPSI, and nail matrix NAPSI were 44.2% (P = 0.002), 50% (P = 0.033) and 65.1% (P = 0.024), respectively

The importance of the relationship between company and incubator for biotechnology development

The biotechnology activities development demands an intense academic and scientific basis, a productive sector capable of transforming academic research in scientific products and services, and the creation of an institutional environment to promote the sector’s development. Moreover, many biotechnology companies establish formal partnerships with Universities (by technological incubator) to expand innovative capacity coming into the market. The importance of biotechnology for developing countries is perceived by its ability to promote national development based on knowledge and innovation. In Brazil, the government establishes technological incubators to accelerate the company consolidation. In this way, it is important to study the relationship between the actors involved. In this context, this article aims to analyze the relationship between a technological incubator and a biotech company. To do so, the qualitative approach was adopted to reach the objective. Interviews with incubator’s employees of a Brazilian University and biotechnology company’s managers were conducted. The results show that the company-incubator interaction promoted projects approval which were able to support new researches development and to purchase production equipment. Incubated companies have higher chances of survival in the market from the interaction with University, through the technological incubator. The relationship between the incubator and the biotech company is considered a fundamental condition for biotechnology activities development

A description of ICNIRP’S independent, best practice system of guidance on the protection of people and the environment from exposure to non-ionizing radiation

In this statement, the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) presents its structure, its activities, and general approach to providing guidance on NIR protection. The statement highlights ICNIRP’s independence and presents the principle and requirements of no commercial or other vested interests. ICNIRP’s funding arrangements and collaboration with other advisory bodies and radiation protection authorities are also described. The statement also presents the types of guidance documents that are produced by ICNIRP and the general approach in assessing scientific evidence

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COMPANY AND INCUBATOR FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT

The results show that the company-incubator interaction promoted projects approval which were able to support new researches development and to purchase production equipment. Incubated companies have higher chances of survival in the market from the interaction with University, through the technological incubator. The relationship between the incubator and the biotech company is considered a fundamental condition for biotechnology activities development

O superior interesse da criança na adoção: crianças “devolvidas”

A adoção é um ato supremo de amor, presente na história da humanidade desde os mais remotos tempos e prevista nos ordenamentos jurídicos de quase todos os países, onde um filho encontra uma família. Entretanto, por muito tempo a adoção pautou-se apenas no interesse dos adotantes, sem que a criança fosse propriamente considerada. Com o passar dos tempos, a maneira de olhar a criança mudou e esta passou a ser sujeito de direitos e cuidados especiais enquanto pessoa em desenvolvimento. Surge no cenário internacional a Doutrina da Proteção integral da Criança, que trará reflexos diretos na adoção. Contudo, apenas essa mudança de olhar não foi suficiente para afastar uma realidade extremamente triste que diz respeito as adoções revertidas, quando em alguns casos, o processo emocional entre o adotando e o adotado não se completa e há a “devolução da criança”, como se objeto fosse, após a conclusão do processo de adoção, o que ocasiona danos emocionais severos e muitas vezes insuperáveis a essa criança. Nova dor, perda, abandono. Impactos. O percentual de crianças ditas “devolvidas” varia de um país para o outro e o que se observa é que em países onde há uma maior preparação prévia e um acompanhamento multiprofissional após a conclusão da adoção é possível contornar muitos dos problemas que levam a esse rompimento e completar a transição então problemática para a construção de uma família. A psicologia assume uma interface do Direito e traz uma nova magnitude ao processo de adoção, uma faceta multidisciplinar, a fim de se evitar uma nova ruptura familiar a criança, elo mais frágil em toda adoção