Sprouty1 and Sprouty2 gene function in mouse lung development

Almost ten years after the political closing of the neoliberal cycle that framed educational reforms in Latin America in the 90s, this paper assesses their success in three countries – Argentina, Brazil and Chile. The analysis is supported by the theoretical framework developed by Martin Carnoy in his text ‘Are educational reforms working in Latin America? New perspectives’ (2002) and spin-off texts, as an alternative model to classical analysis of educational reforms and quality assurance of its various educational systems. As regards methodology, several indicators, weighted by Carnoy for consideration of success of Latin American reforms, will be used to analyze educational systems of Argentina, Brazil and Chile: (a) expansion of system access, (b) performance of the most disadvantaged intake and (c) improvement of factors associated to educational achievement. Data focus, mainly, on secondary school education since it is at this stage that the greatest difficulty is encountered. Primary education coverage is practically universal and diminishes rapidly when secondary education is considered.  In its analysis, this study compares not only the impact of reforms within and across the countries mentioned above but also on Carnoy’s proposal for analysis and traditional models of reform assessment (basically, through the study of changes in effectiveness –learning results- and internal efficiency of systems – repeat students and drop-outs). Finally, this paper raises questions about the true capacity for improvement that reform processes have had for the population of those countries –specially for Argentina- not just in educational terms but also with respect to its democratization and, considering the Conference theme: decrease in vulnerability, injustice and inequity.A casi diez años del cierre político del ciclo neoliberal que enmarcó las reformas educativas en América Latina de los años ’90, este trabajo evalúa su éxito en tres países latinoamericanos –Argentina, Brasil y Chile-. El análisis se apoya en el planteo teórico-conceptual desarrollado por Martin Carnoy en su texto “¿Están funcionando las reformas educativas en Latinoamérica? Nuevas perspectivas” y en otros derivados de aquél, como modelo alternativo a los análisis clásicos de las reformas educativas y de evaluación la calidad de sus sistemas educativos. Metodológicamente, se utilizarán diversos indicadores, ponderados por Carnoy para la consideración del éxito de las reformas latinoamericanas: (a) la expansión del acceso al sistema, (b) el desempeño de los sectores más desfavorecidos y (c) el mejoramiento de factores asociados a logros educativos. Los datos se centran, principalmente, en el nivel de educación secundaria, el nivel en donde se presenta la mayor dificultad. La cobertura del nivel primario es prácticamente total y disminuye, rápidamente, cuando se considera el nivel medio. Analíticamente, el estudio compara el impacto de las reformas en los países mencionados, y entre la propuesta de análisis de Carnoy y los modelos tradicionales de evaluación de reformas. Finalmente, interroga acerca de la verdadera capacidad de mejoramiento que los procesos de reforma han tenido para la población de esos países -especialmente para Argentina- no sólo en términos educativos sino también respecto de su democratización y, en función de la temática de la Conferencia: la disminución de la vulnerabilidad, injusticia e inequidad social.Há quase 10 anos do fechamento político do ciclo neoliberal, que teve como marco as reformas educacionais dos anos 90. Este trabalho avalia seu êxito em três países latino americanos - Argentina, Brasil e Chile. Esta análise se fundamenta no plano teórico conceitual desenvolvido por Martin Carnoy em seu texto: "Estão Funcionando as reformas educacionais na América Latina? Novas Perspectivas", e outros derivados que, como modelo alternativo para uma análise clássica das reformas educacionais e avaliação da qualidade do Sistema Educacional.Metodologiamente, se utilizaram diversos indicadores, poderados por Carnoy para a consideração do êxito das reformas latino americanas: (a) A expansão do acesso ao Sistema, (b) O desempenho dos setores mais desfavorecidos e (c) O melhoramento de fatores associados a realizações educacionais. Os dados se concentram, principalmente, no nível da educação secundária, o nível onde se apresenta a maior dificuldade. A Cobertura do nível primário é praticamente total e reduz, rapidamente, quando se considera o nível médio. Analiticamente, o estudo compara o impacto das reformas nos países mencionados, entre a proposta de análise de Carnoy e dos modelos tradicionais de avaliação das reformas. Finalmente, questiona acerca da verdadeira capacidade de melhorias que os processos da reforma tiveram para a população destes países, especialmente para Argentina, não só em termos educacionais como também a respeito de sua democratização, e em função da temática da conferência: A redução da vulnerabilidade, injustiça e desigualdade social

Dust formation in winds of long-period variables. V. The influence of micro-physical dust properties in carbon stars

We present self-consistent dynamical models for dust-driven winds of carbon-rich AGB stars. The models are based on the coupled system of frequency-dependent radiation hydrodynamics and time-dependent dust formation. We investigate in detail how the wind properties of the models are influenced by the micro-physical properties of the dust grains that are required by the description of grain formation. The choice of dust parameters is significant for the derived outflow velocity, the degree of condensation and the resulting mass loss rates of the models. In the transition region between models with and without mass loss the choice ofmicro-physical parameters turns out to be very significant for whether a particular set of stellar parameters will give rise to a dust-driven mass loss or not. We also calculate near-infrared colors to test how the dust parameters influence the observable properties of the models, however, at this point we do not attempt to fit particular stars.Comment: 13 pages, 8 figures, A&A in pres

Similarity to peroxisomal-membrane protein family reveals that Sinorhizobium and Brucella BacA affect lipid-A fatty acids

Sinorhizobium meliloti, a legume symbiont, and Brucella abortus, a phylogenetically related mammalian pathogen, both require the bacterial-encoded BacA protein to establish chronic intracellular infections in their respective hosts. We found that the bacterial BacA proteins share sequence similarity with a family of eukaryotic peroxisomal-membrane proteins, including the human adrenoleukodystrophy protein, required for the efficient transport of verylong- chain fatty acids out of the cytoplasm. This insight, along with the increased sensitivity of BacA-deficient mutants to detergents and cell envelope-disrupting agents, led us to discover that BacA affects the very-long-chain fatty acid (27-OHC28:0 and 29-OHC30:0) content of both Sinorhizobium and Brucella lipid A. We discuss models for how BacA function affects the lipid-A fatty-acid content and why this activity could be important for the establishment of chronic intracellular infections. Originally published Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Vol. 101, No. 14, Apr 200

Hubble Space Telescope Astrometry of the Procyon System

The nearby star Procyon is a visual binary containing the F5 IV-V subgiant Procyon A, orbited in a 40.84 yr period by the faint DQZ white dwarf Procyon B. Using images obtained over two decades with the Hubble Space Telescope, and historical measurements back to the 19th century, we have determined precise orbital elements. Combined with measurements of the parallax and the motion of the A component, these elements yield dynamical masses of 1.478 +/- 0.012 Msun and 0.592 +/- 0.006 Msun for A and B, respectively. The mass of Procyon A agrees well with theoretical predictions based on asteroseismology and its temperature and luminosity. Use of a standard core-overshoot model agrees best for a surprisingly high amount of core overshoot. Under these modeling assumptions, Procyon A's age is ~2.7 Gyr. Procyon B's location in the H-R diagram is in excellent agreement with theoretical cooling tracks for white dwarfs of its dynamical mass. Its position in the mass-radius plane is also consistent with theory, assuming a carbon-oxygen core and a helium-dominated atmosphere. Its progenitor's mass was 1.9-2.2 Msun, depending on its amount of core overshoot. Several astrophysical puzzles remain. In the progenitor system, the stars at periastron were separated by only ~5 AU, which might have led to tidal interactions and even mass transfer; yet there is no direct evidence that these have occurred. Moreover the orbital eccentricity has remained high (~0.40). The mass of Procyon B is somewhat lower than anticipated from the initial-to-final-mass relation seen in open clusters. The presence of heavy elements in its atmosphere requires ongoing accretion, but the place of origin is uncertain.Comment: Accepted by Astrophysical Journa

Renal Association Clinical Practice Guideline on Haemodialysis

© The Author(s) 2019. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated.This guideline is written primarily for doctors and nurses working in dialysis units and related areas of medicine in the UK, and is an update of a previous version written in 2009. It aims to provide guidance on how to look after patients and how to run dialysis units, and provides standards which units should in general aim to achieve. We would not advise patients to interpret the guideline as a rulebook, but perhaps to answer the question: "what does good quality haemodialysis look like?"The guideline is split into sections: each begins with a few statements which are graded by strength (1 is a firm recommendation, 2 is more like a sensible suggestion), and the type of research available to back up the statement, ranging from A (good quality trials so we are pretty sure this is right) to D (more like the opinion of experts than known for sure). After the statements there is a short summary explaining why we think this, often including a discussion of some of the most helpful research. There is then a list of the most important medical articles so that you can read further if you want to - most of this is freely available online, at least in summary form.A few notes on the individual sections: 1. This section is about how much dialysis a patient should have. The effectiveness of dialysis varies between patients because of differences in body size and age etc., so different people need different amounts, and this section gives guidance on what defines "enough" dialysis and how to make sure each person is getting that. Quite a bit of this section is very technical, for example, the term "eKt/V" is often used: this is a calculation based on blood tests before and after dialysis, which measures the effectiveness of a single dialysis session in a particular patient. 2. This section deals with "non-standard" dialysis, which basically means anything other than 3 times per week. For example, a few people need 4 or more sessions per week to keep healthy, and some people are fine with only 2 sessions per week - this is usually people who are older, or those who have only just started dialysis. Special considerations for children and pregnant patients are also covered here. 3. This section deals with membranes (the type of "filter" used in the dialysis machine) and "HDF" (haemodiafiltration) which is a more complex kind of dialysis which some doctors think is better. Studies are still being done, but at the moment we think it's as good as but not better than regular dialysis. 4. This section deals with fluid removal during dialysis sessions: how to remove enough fluid without causing cramps and low blood pressure. Amongst other recommendations we advise close collaboration with patients over this. 5. This section deals with dialysate, which is the fluid used to "pull" toxins out of the blood (it is sometimes called the "bath"). The level of things like potassium in the dialysate is important, otherwise too much or too little may be removed. There is a section on dialysate buffer (bicarbonate) and also a section on phosphate, which occasionally needs to be added into the dialysate. 6. This section is about anticoagulation (blood thinning) which is needed to stop the circuit from clotting, but sometimes causes side effects. 7. This section is about certain safety aspects of dialysis, not seeking to replace well-established local protocols, but focussing on just a few where we thought some national-level guidance would be useful. 8. This section draws together a few aspects of dialysis which don't easily fit elsewhere, and which impact on how dialysis feels to patients, rather than the medical outcome, though of course these are linked. This is where home haemodialysis and exercise are covered. There is an appendix at the end which covers a few aspects in more detail, especially the mathematical ideas. Several aspects of dialysis are not included in this guideline since they are covered elsewhere, often because they are aspects which affect non-dialysis patients too. This includes: anaemia, calcium and bone health, high blood pressure, nutrition, infection control, vascular access, transplant planning, and when dialysis should be started.Peer reviewe

Premenopausal endogenous oestrogen levels and breast cancer risk: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Many of the established risk factors for breast cancer implicate circulating hormone levels in the aetiology of the disease. Increased levels of postmenopausal endogenous oestradiol (E2) have been found to increase the risk of breast cancer, but no such association has been confirmed in premenopausal women. We carried out a meta-analysis to summarise the available evidence in women before the menopause. METHODS: We identified seven prospective studies of premenopausal endogenous E2 and breast cancer risk, including 693 breast cancer cases. From each study we extracted odds ratios of breast cancer between quantiles of endogenous E2, or for unit or s.d. increases in (log transformed) E2, or (where odds ratios were unavailable) summary statistics for the distributions of E2 in breast cancer cases and unaffected controls. Estimates for a doubling of endogenous E2 were obtained from these extracted estimates, and random-effect meta-analysis was used to obtain a pooled estimate across the studies. RESULTS: Overall, we found weak evidence of a positive association between circulating E2 levels and the risk of breast cancer, with a doubling of E2 associated with an odds ratio of 1.10 (95% CI: 0.96, 1.27). CONCLUSION: Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis of a positive association between premenopausal endogenous E2 and breast cancer risk

Plasma neuropeptide Y: a biomarker for symptom severity in chronic fatigue syndrome

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a complex, multi-symptom illness with a multisystem pathogenesis involving alterations in the nervous, endocrine and immune systems.</p> <p>Abnormalities in stress responses have been identified as potential triggers or mediators of CFS symptoms. This study focused on the stress mediator neuropeptide Y (NPY). We hypothesized that NPY would be a useful biomarker for CFS.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The CFS patients (n = 93) were from the Chronic Fatigue and Related Disorders Clinic at the University of Miami and met the 1994 case definition of Fukuda and colleagues. Healthy sedentary controls (n = 100)) were from NIH or VA funded studies. Another fatiguing, multi-symptom illness, Gulf War Illness (GWI), was also compared to CFS. We measured NPY in plasma using a radioimmunoassay (RIA). Psychometric measures, available for a subset of CFS patients included: Perceived Stress Scale, Profile of Mood States, ATQ Positive & Negative Self-Talk Scores, the COPE, the Beck Depression Inventory, Fatigue Symptom Inventory, Cognitive Capacity Screening Examination, Medical Outcomes Survey Short Form-36, and the Quality of Life Scale.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Plasma NPY was elevated in CFS subjects, compared to controls (p = .000) and to GWI cases (p = .000). Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analyses indicated that the predictive ability of plasma NPY to distinguish CFS patients from healthy controls and from GWI was significantly better than chance alone. In 42 patients with CFS, plasma NPY had significant correlations (<0.05) with perceived stress, depression, anger/hostility, confusion, negative thoughts, positive thoughts, general health, and cognitive status. In each case the correlation (+ or -) was in the anticipated direction.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study is the first in the CFS literature to report that plasma NPY is elevated compared to healthy controls and to a fatigued comparison group, GWI patients. The significant correlations of NPY with stress, negative mood, general health, depression and cognitive function strongly suggest that this peptide be considered as a biomarker to distinguish subsets of CFS.</p