Malic enzyme levels are increased by the activation of NADPH-consuming pathways: detoxification processes

AbstractThe administration to rats of either t-butyl hydroperoxide or phénobarbital, compounds that are metabolized through detoxification processes, produces an increase in specific activity of the NADPH-consuming enzymes, glutathione reductase and NADPH-cytochrome c reductase. These compounds also produce a very significant increase in the specific activity of malic enzyme. Immunoprecipitation with a specific antibody for malic enzyme indicates that specific activity changes are the result of corresponding changes in the amounts of enzyme protein present. The administration of 1,3-bis(chloroethyl(-1-nitrosourea (a glutathione reductase inhibitor) together with t-butyl hydroperoxide abolishes any stimulation of malic enzyme activity. These results indicate that an increase in NADPH consumption induces the synthesis of malic enzyme. Alternatively, a protection of enzyme degradation cannot be rigorously excluded

Learning and policy search in stochastic dynamical systems with Bayesian neural networks

We present an algorithm for policy search in stochastic dynamical systems using model-based reinforcement learning. The system dynamics are described with Bayesian neural networks (BNNs) that include stochastic input variables. These input variables allow us to capture complex statistical patterns in the transition dynamics (e.g. multi-modality and heteroskedasticity), which are usually missed by alternative modeling approaches. After learning the dynamics, our BNNs are then fed into an algorithm that performs random roll-outs and uses stochastic optimization for policy learning. We train our BNNs by minimizing a-divergences with a = 0.5, which usually produces better results than other techniques such as variational Bayes. We illustrate the performance of our method by solving a challenging problem where model-based approaches usually fail and by obtaining promising results in real-world scenarios including the control of a gas turbine and an industrial benchmark

Similarity laws in low speed switched reluctance machines design

Trabalho apresentado no 52nd International Universities' Power Engineering Conference, 28-31 agosto de 2017, Heraklion, Creta, GréciaThis paper presents a set of similarity laws appropriate for low speed switched reluctance machines design. Design methodologies of switched reluctance machines for low speed applications are generally oriented towards the choice of suitable combinations of stator and rotor poles in regular topologies. The proposed similarity laws provide an easy-to-use and robust methodology to compare different magnetic topologies, regular or non-regular, and have the capability to incorporate thermal and magnetic saturation phenomena by introducing constraints. With the assistance of finite-element analysis the issues surrounding the design of low speed SR multimachines topologies are discussed, leading into consideration of modular non-regular topologies. Using similarity laws, the modular topology is compared with a regular switched reluctance machine. The comparison results point out the reduction of copper losses of the modular topology over the regular topology. This paper extends previous discussions of switched machine design into a more general context.N/

Germinação de sementes e vigor de mudas de BRS Manicoré (Elaeis oleifera x E. guineensis).

Dissertação (Mestrado em Agronomia Tropical) - Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus. Orientadora: Dra. Sara de Almeida Rios; coorientador: Dr. Wanderlei Antônio Alves de Lima

Urinary Biomarkers for Kidney Disease in ATTR Amyloidosis

Aim: The detection and prognosis of nephropathy in transthyretin amyloidosis depends on albuminuria and renal function. Knowing that urinary levels of alpha-1 microglobulin and beta-2 microglobulin reflect tubular dysfunction while urinary alpha-2 macroglobulin implies glomerular damage, we decide investigate the diagnostic value of these markers in the patients with transthyretin amyloidosis. Methods: Serum and urinary samples collected from 30 patients and 11 asymptomatic carriers were tested for alpha-1 microglobulin, beta-2 microglobulin, alpha-2 macroglobulin, albumin, creatinine and cystatin C. Results: Pathological urinary alpha-1 microglobulin was detected in 17 patients, beta-2 microglobulin in 6 and alpha-2 macroglobulin in 5; 5 patients had albuminuria (mg/g creatinine) 30-300 and in 20 patients values >300 were present. Asymptomatic carriers did not present pathological excretion of these biomarkers and albuminuria was >30 in 1 individual. The excretion rates of alpha-1 microglobulin and beta-2 microglobulin were positively correlated with albuminuria (P<0.001), serum creatinine (P<0.05) and cystatin C (P<0.001). Urinary alpha-2 macroglobulin was almost exclusively found in the presence of albuminuria, although their levels do not correlate. Conclusion: Urinary biomarkers emerge as a potential approach to detect renal disease but unexpectedly, urinary alpha-2 macroglobulin was not a marker of the severity of albuminuria

Breve reflexão sobre o processo de seriação de candidatos da Polícia de Segurança Pública às missões de Gestão Civil de Crises da União Europeia

Este trabalho constitui um contributo na análise do processo de seriação de candidatos da Polícia de Segurança Pública (PSP) à incorporação nas missões de Gestão Civil de Crises da União Europeia (GCCUE). Para o efeito, analisamos a representatividade atual da PSP em missões desta natureza, partindo da pergunta de investigação sobre a existência de um adequado processo de seriação de candidatos da PSP à integração destas Missões. Tendo em consideração a premissa de partida propusemo-nos apurar se a PSP deverá promover uma melhor estratégia na nomeação de candidatos às missões de GCCUE, apostando em candidaturas com potencial para o recrutamento às posições pretendidas, face às exigências funcionais para o desempenho de cargos nestas missões. Para melhor compreensão do estado da arte procedemos a uma análise estatística ao número de polícias que se encontram em missões de GCCUE comparativamente com o número de candidatos que não foram selecionados, estabelecendo uma correlação entre o processo de nomeação da PSP e o processo de recrutamento da União Europeia (UE). Da presente investigação notamos uma baixa participação da PSP nestas missões, motivo pelo qual recomendamos a implementação de um método de seleção baseado em critérios de competências técnico-profissionais ajustadas às posições a concurso.This work constitutes a contribution in the analysis of the proposal process of candidates of the Public Security Police (PSP) to the incorporation of the Civilian Crises Management Missions of the European Union (GCCUE). To that effect, we analyze the current representation of PSP in missions of this nature, starting from the investigation question about the existence of an adequate appointment process of candidates of PSP to integrate these Missions. Regarding the initial premise, we propose that the PSP should promote a better strategy for the nomination of candidates for GCCUE missions by betting on applicants with potential for recruitment to the desired positions, given the functional requirements for holding positions in these missions. To better understand the state of art we proceed to a statistical analysis of the number of police officers who are on GCCUE missions compared to the number of candidates who were not selected, establishing a correlation between the PSP appointment process and the recruitment process of the European Union (EU). From the present investigation we noticed a low participation of the PSP in these kinds of missions, reason why we recommend the implementation of a selection method based on technical-professional competences criteria adjusted to the positions to the competition.N/

Effects of the measurement power on states discrimination and dynamics in a circuit-QED experiment

We explore the effects of driving a cavity at a large photon number in a circuit-QED experiment where the ``matter-like'' part corresponds to an unique Andreev level in a superconducting weak link. The three many-body states of the weak link, corresponding to the occupation of the Andreev level by 0, 1 or 2 quasiparticles, lead to different cavity frequency shifts. We show how the non-linearity inherited by the cavity from its coupling to the weak link affects the state discrimination and the photon number calibration. Both effects require treating the evolution of the driven system beyond the dispersive limit. In addition, we observe how transition rates between the circuit states (quantum and parity jumps) are affected by the microwave power, and compare the measurements with a theory accounting for the ``dressing'' of the Andreev states by the cavity.Comment: Reintroduced 2 sentences that had been accidentally deleted in the introduction. Corrected a few typo

Familial ATTR amyloidosis: microalbuminuria as a predictor of symptomatic disease and clinical nephropathy

Familial ATTR amyloidosis: microalbuminuria as a predictor of symptomatic disease and clinical nephropathy. Lobato L, Beirão I, Silva M, Bravo F, Silvestre F, Guimarães S, Sousa A, Noël LH, Sequeiros J. SourceDepartment of Nephrology and Centro de Estudos de Paramiloidose, Hospital Geral de Santo António and Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, Porto, Portugal. [email protected] Abstract BACKGROUND: Portuguese type familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) is a neuropathic amyloidosis caused by a mutant transthyretin (TTR). Varying degrees of renal involvement have been reported. Our aim was to assess the value of microalbuminuria (MA) for predicting clinical neurological disease and overt nephropathy in TTR-related amyloidosis. METHODS: All subjects had the TTR Val30Met mutation, and were recruited between 1993 and 1999. We have prospectively evaluated 22 asymptomatic gene carriers (7 male, 15 female; mean age 41.6+/-9.6 years) and 32 patients with neuropathy (14 male, 18 female; 36.8+/-8.8 years, on average, 33.0+/-9.3 years at the onset of neuropathy). We measured urinary albumin excretion every year, if asymptomatic, or every 6 months if already affected. Kidney biopsies were performed in patients with normal urinary albumin excretion, MA, and overt nephropathy, respectively. RESULTS: In asymptomatic carriers, persistent MA was detected in eight (36%) subjects. The presence of MA in asymptomatic gene carriers, compared with those having normal urinary albumin excretion, conferred a 4.8-fold risk of developing neuropathy, usually within the subsequent 3 years. Once neurological signs appeared, nephropathy, manifested as MA, progressed to overt nephropathy in one-half of subjects. In patients with neuropathy, 24 (75%) had MA during follow-up: evolution towards clinical renal disease occurred in 14 (58%) and renal failure occurred in five (21%), always after a course of MA. Proteinuria or renal failure without prior persistent MA were never observed in the present patient cohort. Histopathological evaluation did not reveal glomerular lesions other than amyloid deposits to explain abnormal urinary albumin excretion. The amount of mesangial and vascular-pole amyloid deposits was correlated with the degree of albuminuria. CONCLUSIONS: Microalbuminuria represents the first stage of clinical TTR amyloid nephropathy and is premonitory of neuropathy. Its presence identifies a subgroup of patients who are more prone to develop overt nephropathy. Screening of MA may be important to assess disease onset and to recommend liver transplantation in individuals at risk