Foreign Direct Investment spillovers : What can we learn from portuguese data?

This paper investigates the impact of foreign direct investment on the productivity performance of domestic firms in Portugal. The data comprise nine manufacturing sectors for the period 1992-95. Relatively to previous studies, model specification is improved by taking into consideration several aspects: the influence of the “technological gap” on spill-overs diffusion and the choice of its most appropriate interval; sectoral variation in the coefficients of the spill-overs effect; identification of constant, idiosyncratic sectoral factors by means of a fixed effects model; and the search for inter-sectoral positive spillover effects. The relationship between domestic firms productivity and the foreign presence does take place in a positive way, only if a proper technology differential between the foreign and domestic producers exists and the sectoral characteristics are favourable. In broad terms, spillovers diffusion is associated to modern industries in which the foreign owned establishments have a clear, but not too sharp, edge on the domestic ones. Besides, other specific sectoral influences can be pertinent; agglomerative location factors being one example.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Uso da fish em mucosa oral para investigação de mosaicismo com linhagem 45,x: estudo com homens saudáveis e pacientes com distúrbios da diferenciação do sexo

FAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOObjective: To verify whether fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) of cells from the buccal epithelium could be employed to detect cryptomosaicism with a 45,X lineage in 46,XY patients. Subjects and methods: Samples of nineteen 46,XY healthy young men and five patients with disorders of sex development (DSD), four 45,X/46,XY and one 46,XY were used. FISH analysis with X and Y specific probes on interphase nuclei from blood lymphocytes and buccal epithelium were analyzed to investigate the proportion of nuclei containing only the signal of the X chromosome. Results: The frequency of nuclei containing only the X signal in the two tissues of healthy men did not differ (p = 0.69). In all patients with DSD this frequency was significantly higher, and there was no difference between the two tissues (p = 0.38), either. Conclusions: Investigation of mosaicism with a 45,X cell line in patients with 46,XY DSD or sterility can be done by FISH directly using cells from the buccal epithelium. © ABE&M todos os direitos reservados.To verify whether fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) of cells from the buccal epithelium could be employed to detect cryptomosaicism with a 45,X lineage in 46,XY patients. Subjects and methods: Samples of nineteen 46,XY healthy young men and five patients with disorders of sex development (DSD), four 45,X/46,XY and one 46,XY were used. FISH analysis with X and Y specific probes on interphase nuclei from blood lymphocytes and buccal epithelium were analyzed to investigate the proportion of nuclei containing only the signal of the X chromosome. Results: The frequency of nuclei containing only the X signal in the two tissues of healthy men did not differ (p = 0.69). In all patients with DSD this frequency was significantly higher, and there was no difference between the two tissues (p = 0.38), either. Conclusions: Investigation of mosaicism with a 45,X cell line in patients with 46,XY DSD or sterility can be done by FISH directly using cells from the buccal epithelium584328334FAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOFAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO2011/50189-7Verificar se a hibridização in situ por fluorescência (FISH) em células de mucosa oral poderia ser empregada para detectar criptomosaicismo com linhagem 45,X em pacientes 46,XY. Sujeitos e métodos: Amostra de 19 jovens saudáveis 46,XY e cinco pacientes com distúrbios da diferenciação do sexo (DDS), quatro 45,X/46,XY e um 46,XY. FISH com sondas específicas para X e Y em núcleos interfásicos de linfócitos e mucosa oral para investigar aproporção de núcleos contendo apenas o sinal do cromossomo X. Resultados: A frequência de núcleos contendo apenas o sinal do X nos dois tecidos dos homens saudáveis não diferiu (p =0,69). Em todos os pacientes com DDS essa frequência foi significativamente maior, e tambémnão houve diferença entre os dois tecidos (p = 0,38). Conclusões: A investigação de mosaicismo com linhagem 45,X em pacientes com DDS 46,XY ou esterilidade pode ser feita por FISHdiretamente em células de mucosa ora

HEMATOLOGICAL STANDARDS, HORMONAL INDEXES AND GONADAL MORPHOLOGY OF ROADSIDE HAWKS (RUPORNIS MAGNIROSTRIS)

Efforts to conserve birds of prey have been increasing over the past three decades, highlighting breeding programs in captivity and zoos, scientific research, environmental education, rehabilitation and reintroduction. In order to generate subsidies for such actions, blood samples and gonads were collected from 24 roadside hawks to determine the hematological and hormonal indexes and gonadal morphology. Routine techniques for hematological, histological and chemiluminescence analyses were used to determine hematology, gonadal morphology and hormone levels, respectively. Hematological values of PCV, erythrocytes and lymphocytes differed between the birds recently-arrived in captivity and the birds with at least one year of captivity, a difference associated to the higher level of stress of the newly arrived animals due to the recent exposure to captivity conditions. T3 was significantly different between females and males, and T3 and T4 were higher in animals during feather moulting. The gonadal morphology was similar to that of other birds, however, persistence of the right ovary was observed in 66% of the cases, and other characteristics indicative of a seasonal reproductive cycle in the Brazilian Northeast. The data collected serve as subsidies for the clinical care of this species, besides providing a better understanding of the reproduction of birds of prey, and assisting in the preservation

The Novel P.e89k Mutation In The Sry Gene Inhibits Dna Binding And Causes The 46,xy Disorder Of Sex Development.

Male sex determination in humans is controlled by the SRY gene, which encodes a transcriptional regulator containing a conserved high mobility group box domain (HMG-box) required for DNA binding. Mutations in the SRY HMG-box affect protein function, causing sex reversal phenotypes. In the present study, we describe a 19-year-old female presenting 46,XY karyotype with hypogonadism and primary amenorrhea that led to the diagnosis of 46,XY complete gonadal dysgenesis. The novel p.E89K missense mutation in the SRY HMG-box was identified as a de novo mutation. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed that p.E89K almost completely abolished SRY DNA-binding activity, suggesting that it is the cause of SRY function impairment. In addition, we report the occurrence of the p.G95R mutation in a 46,XY female with complete gonadal dysgenesis. According to the three-dimensional structure of the human SRY HMG-box, the substitution of the conserved glutamic acid residue by the basic lysine at position 89 introduces an extra positive charge adjacent to and between the positively charged residues R86 and K92, important for stabilizing the HMG-box helix 2 with DNA. Thus, we propose that an electrostatic repulsion caused by the proximity of these positive charges could destabilize the tip of helix 2, abrogating DNA interaction.44361-

Spontaneous Puberty In Girls With Early Diagnosis Of Turner Syndrome [puberdade Espontânea Em Meninas Com Diagnóstico Precoce De Síndrome De Turner]

Objective: To verify if the frequency of spontaneous pubertal development among girls with Turner syndrome (TS) diagnosed in infancy and childhood is greater than that of patients diagnosed later. Subjects and methods: Thirty three girls aged 13 years diagnosed at the same service. Results: Sixteen of 32 informative patients had signs of spontaneous puberty, a frequency greater than that of patients diagnosed later. In six patients, there was no progression of puberty; menarche occurred in six, and one became pregnant, but the fetus was a stillborn. Spontaneous puberty was absent in all cases with 45,X karyotype. Conclusions: The greater prevalence of spontaneous puberty in girls whose diagnosis was not based on pubertal delay suggests that, among those diagnosed later, there is a bias towards patients with hypogonadism. © ABE&M todos os direitos reservados.569653657Bondy, C.A., Turner syndrome study group. Care of girls and women with Turner syndrome: A guideline of the Turner Syndrome Study Group (2007) J Clin Endocrinol Metab., 92 (1), pp. 10-25Reynaud, K., Cortvrindt, R., Verlinde, F., de Schepper, J., Bourgain, C., Smitz, J., Number of ovarian follicles in human fetuses with the 45, X karyotype (2004) Fertil Steril., 81 (4), pp. 1112-1119Conte, F.A., Grumbach, M.M., Kaplan, S.L., A diphasic pattern of gonadotropin secretion in patients with the syndrome of gonadal dysgenesis (1975) J Clin Endocrinol Metab., 40 (4), pp. 670-674Ropelato, M.G., Escobar, M.E., Gottlieb, S., Bergada, C., Gonadotropin secretion in prepubertal normal and agonadal children evaluated by ultrasensitive time-resolved immunofluorometric assays (1997) Horm Res., 48 (4), pp. 164-172Chrysis, D., Spiliotis, B.E., Stene, M., Cacciari, E., Davenport, M.L., Gonadotropin secretion in girls with Turner syndrome measured by an ultrasensitive immunochemiluminometric assay (2006) Horm Res., 65 (5), pp. 261-266Turner, H.H., A syndrome of infantilism, congenital webbed neck and cubitus valgus (1938) Endocrinology, 23, pp. 566-574Lippe, B., Westra, S.J., Boechat, M.I., Ovarian function in Turner syndrome: Recognizing the spectrum (1993) Basic and clinical approach to Turner syndrome, pp. 117-122. , In: Hibi I, Takano K, editors, Amsterdam, NL: Elsevier Science PublishersPrice, D.A., Albertsson-Wikland, K., Demography, auxology and response to recombinant human growth hormone treatment in girls with Turner's syndrome in the Kabi Pharmacia International growth study (1993) Acta Paediatr., 82 (s391), pp. 69-74Lippe, B., Turner syndrome (1996) Pediatric Endocrinology, pp. 387-422. , In: Sperling MA, editor, Philadelphia, USA: WB SaundersPasquino, A.M., Passeri, F., Pucarelli, I., Segni, M., Municchi, G., Italian's Study Group for Turner's syndrome. Spontaneous pubertal development in Turner's syndrome (1997) J Clin Endocrinol Metab., 82 (6), pp. 1810-1813Hjerrild, B.E., Mortensen, K.H., Gravholt, C.H., Turner syndrome and clinical treatment (2008) Br Med Bull., 86, pp. 77-93Hadnott, T.N., Gould, H.N., Gharib, A.M., Bondy, C.A., Outcomes of spontaneous and assisted pregnancies in Turner syndrome: The U.S. National Institutes of Health experience (2011) Fertil Steril., 95 (7), pp. 2251-2256Carvalho, A.B., Guerra Jr., G., Baptista, M.T.M., Marques-de-Faria, A.P., Lemos-Marini, S.H., Maciel-Guerra, A.T., Turner syndrome: A pediatric diagnosis frequently made by non-pediatricians (2010) J Pediatr (Rio J), 86 (2), pp. 121-125Sutton, E.J., McInerney-Leo, A., Bondy, C.A., Gollust, S.E., King, D., Biesecker, B., Turner syndrome: Four challenges across the lifespan (2005) Am J Med Genet A., 139 A (2), pp. 57-66Hagen, C.P., Main, K.M., Kjaergaard, S., Juul, A., FSH, LH, inhibin B and estradiol levels in Turner syndrome depend on age and karyotype: Longitudinal study of 70 Turner girls with or without spontaneous puberty (2010) Hum Reprod., 25 (12), pp. 3134-3141Fechner, P.Y., Davenport, M.L., Qualy, R.L., Ross, J.L., Gunther, D.F., Eugster, E.A., Differences in follicle-stimulating hormone secretion between 45, X monosomy Turner syndrome and 45, X/46, XX mosaicism are evident at an early age (2006) J Clin Endocrinol Metab., 91 (12), pp. 4896-4902Hook, E.B., Exclusion of chromosome mosaicism: Tables of 90 percent, 95 percent and 99 percent confidence limits and comments on use (1977) Am J Hum Genet., 29, pp. 94-97Massa, G., Verlinde, F., de Schepper, J., Thomas, M., Bourguignon, J.P., Craen, M., Trends in age at diagnosis of Turner syndrome (2005) Arch Dis Child, 90 (3), pp. 267-268Hagen, C.P., Aksglaede, L., Sørensen, K., Main, K.M., Boas, M., Cleemann, L., Serum levels of anti-Müllerian hormone as a marker of ovarian function in 926 healthy females from birth to adulthood and in 172 Turner syndrome patients (2012) J Clin Endocrinol Metab., 95 (11), pp. 5003-501

Comparison Of Bone Quantity By Ultrasound Measurements Of Phalanges Between White And Black Children Living In Paraná,brazil, With Europeans

The objective of this study was to determine bone quantity by ultrasound measurements of the proximal fnger phalanges (AD-SoS = amplitude-dependent speed of sound) of healthy Brazilian schoolchildren living in Paraná, Brazil, and to compare these values with European populations. The sample was composed of 1356 Brazilian schoolchildren of both genders (660 males, 696 females), aged 6 to 11 years, divided into white (840) and black (516) groups and compared to age- and gender-matched Europeans. AD-SoS of the schoolchildren increased significantly with age for both genders. Significantly higher AD-SoS values were observed for the white children (1916 ± 58) compared to their black counterparts (1898 ± 72) and for the female gender (1920 ± 61) compared to the male gender (1898 ± 66). Overall, the AD-SoS outcomes for females were similar to those of European studies. However, the AD-SoS of the Brazilian schoolchildren of both genders and skin colors was lower than that reported for children in Poland. AD-SoS outcomes for Brazilian schoolboys were similar to those obtained in Italian studies and were lower than those of the Spanish children. In conclusion, Brazilian schoolchildren of both genders and skin colors showed lower bone quantities than Polish children and Spanish males, and levels similar to Italian children and Spanish females.4310976981Mora, S., Gilsanz, V., Establishment of peak bone mass (2003) En-docrinol Metab Clin North Am, 32, pp. 39-63Silva, C.C., Goldberg, T.B., Teixeira, A.S., Dalmas, J.C., Bone mineralization among male adolescents: Critical years for bone mass gain (2004) J Pediatr, 80, pp. 461-467Habicht, J.P., Martorell, R., Yarbrough, C., Malina, R.M., Klein, R.E., Height and weight standards for preschool children. How relevant are ethnic differences in growth potential? (1974) Lancet, 1, pp. 611-614WHO Working Group (1986) Bull World Health Organ, 64, pp. 929-941. , Use and interpretation of anthropometric indicators of nutri-tional statusCauley, J.A., Lui, L.Y., Stone, K.L., Hillier, T.A., Zmuda, J.M., Hochberg, M., Longitudinal study of changes in hip bone mineral density in Caucasian and African-American women (2005) J Am Geriatr Soc, 53, pp. 183-189Neuner, J.M., Zhang, X., Sparapani, R., Laud, P.W., Nattinger, A.B., Racial and socioeconomic disparities in bone density testing before and after hip fracture (2007) J Gen Intern Med, 22, pp. 1239-1245Leder, B.Z., Araujo, A.B., Travison, T.G., McKinlay, J.B., Racial and ethnic differences in bone turnover markers in men (2007) J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 92, pp. 3453-3457Travison, T.G., Araujo, A.B., Esche, G.R., McKinlay, J.B., The relationship between body composition and bone mineral content: Threshold effects in a racially and ethnically diverse group of men (2008) Osteoporos Int, 19, pp. 29-38Travison, T.G., Beck, T.J., Esche, G.R., Araujo, A.B., McKinlay, J.B., Age trends in proximal femur geometry in men: Variation by race and ethnicity (2008) Osteoporos Int, 19, pp. 277-287Hill, D.D., Cauley, J.A., Sheu, Y., Bunker, C.H., Patrick, A.L., Baker, C.E., Correlates of bone mineral density in men of African ancestry: The Tobago bone health study (2008) Osteoporos Int, 19, pp. 227-234INEP (Instituto Nacional de Estudos e Pesquisas Edu-cacionais Anísio Teixeira) Mostre Sua Raça, , http://inep.gov.br/imprensa/noticias/censo/escolar/news05_05.htm, declare sua cor, Accessed July 26, 2010Ribeiro, R.R., Guerra-Junior, G., de Barros-Filho, A., Bone mass in schoolchildren in Brazil: The effect of racial miscegenation, pubertal stage, and socioeconomic differences (2009) J Bone Miner Metab, 27, pp. 494-501Baroncelli, G.I., Federico, G., Bertelloni, S., de Terlizzi, F., Cadossi, R., Saggese, G., Bone quality assessment by quantitative ultrasound of proximal phalanxes of the hand in healthy subjects aged 3-21 years (2001) Pediatr Res, 49, pp. 713-718Gimeno, B.J., Azcona San Julián, C., Sierrasesúmaga Ariznabarreta, L., Bone mineral density determination by os-teosonography in healthy children and adolescents: Normal values (2001) An Esp Pediatr, 54, pp. 540-546Vignolo, M., Brignone, A., Mascagni, A., Ravera, G., Biasotti, B., Aicardi, G., Infuence of age, sex, and growth variables on phalangeal quantitative ultrasound measures: A study in healthy children and adolescents (2003) Calcif Tissue Int, 72, pp. 681-688Vignolo, M., Parodi, A., Mascagni, A., Torrisi, C., de Terlizzi, F., Aicardi, G., Longitudinal assessment of bone quality by quantitative ultrasonography in children and adolescents (2006) Ultrasound Med Biol, 32, pp. 1003-1010Halaba, Z.P., Quantitative ultrasound measurements at hand phalanges in children and adolescents: A longitudinal study (2008) Ultrasound Med Biol, 34, pp. 1547-1553Pena, S.D.J., Bortolini, M.C., Pode a genética defnir quem deve se benefciar das cotas universitárias e demais ações afr- mativas? (2004) Estud Av, 18, pp. 31-50Pena, S.D.J., Bastos-Rodrigues, L., Pimenta, J.R., Bydlowski, S.P., DNA tests probe the genomic ancestry of Brazilians (2009) Braz J Med Biol Res, 42, pp. 870-876Telles, E., (2003) Racismo À Brasileira: Uma Nova Perspectiva Soci-ológica, , Rio De Janeiro: Relume Dumará, Fundação FordOliveira, F., Ser negro no Brasil: Alcances e limites (2004) Estud Av, 18, pp. 57-60Gilsanz, V., Skaggs, D.L., Kovanlikaya, A., Sayre, J., Loro, M.L., Kaufman, F., Differential effect of race on the axial and appendicular skeletons of children (1998) J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 83, pp. 1420-1427Nelson, D.A., Simpson, P.M., Johnson, C.C., Barondess, D.A., Kleerekoper, M., The accumulation of whole body skeletal mass in third- and fourth-grade children: Effects of age, gender, ethnicity, and body composition (1997) Bone, 20, pp. 73-78Bell, N.H., Shary, J., Stevens, J., Garza, M., Gordon, L., Edwards, J., Demonstration that bone mass is greater in black than in white children (1991) J Bone Miner Res, 6, pp. 719-723Rupich, R.C., Specker, B.L., Lieuw, A.F., Ho, M., Gender and race differences in bone mass during infancy (1996) Calcif Tissue Int, 58, pp. 395-397Abrams, S.A., O'Brien, K.O., Liang, L.K., Stuff, J.E., Differences in calcium absorption and kinetics between black and white girls aged 5-16 years (1995) J Bone Miner Res, 10, pp. 829-833Bryant, R.J., Wastney, M.E., Martin, B.R., Wood, O., McCabe, G.P., Morshidi, M., Racial differences in bone turnover and calcium metabolism in adolescent females (2003) J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 88, pp. 1043-1047Jaime, P.C., Latorre, M.R., Florindo, A.A., Tanaka, T., Zerbini, C.A., Dietary intake of Brazilian black and white men and its relationship to the bone mineral density of the femoral neck (2006) São Paulo Med J, 124, pp. 267-270Bhattoa, H.P., Bettembuk, P., Ganacharya, S., Balogh, A., Prevalence and seasonal variation of hypovitaminosis D and its relationship to bone metabolism in community dwelling postmenopausal Hungarian women (2004) Osteoporos Int, 15, pp. 447-451Wuster, C., Albanese, C., de Aloysio, D., Duboeuf, F., Gambac-Ciani, M., Gonnelli, S., Phalangeal osteosonogrammetry study: Age-related changes, diagnostic sensitivity, and discrimination power (2000) J Bone Miner Res, 15, pp. 1603-1614. , The Phalangeal Osteosonogrammetry Study Grou

Elemental composition of algae-based supplements by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence

The aim of this study is to evaluate the elemental composition of fifteen algae-based supplements commonly sold in the Portuguese market, by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence. Despite the fact that the majority of Kelp samples were a good source of iodine, the levels observed might well contribute to an excess in the human body, which can cause dysfunction of the thyroid gland. Furthermore, the presence of lead in Sea spaghetti, Arame, Hijiki and Wakame caused a considerable risk to public health vis a vis possible ingestion of a high daily dose. Regarding arsenic, great variability was observed in all the samples with concentrations equal to or above 60 μg/g in the case of Arame, KelpJ and Hijiki. Although algae mainly accumulate organic arsenic, some also contain high levels of its inorganic form, as is commonly pointed out for Hijiki. Thus, regular ingestion of these supplements must also take into account the mentioned facts. There is no doubt that these supplements are also good sources of other nutrients, but the lack of accurate regulations and control should alert consumers to avoid indiscriminate use of these types of productsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio