Spectral characteristics of waves and particles in the model of cyclotron wave-particle interactions near plasmapause

International audienceFurther analysis of energetic electron precipitation at the evening sector of magnetosphere is performed. In the framework of the quantitative model of cyclotron wave-particle interactions developed in the previous Pasmanik et al. paper, the case of finite spread over energies of initial energetic electron distribution is studied. The solution for distribution function of energetic electron is found. The energetic spectrum of trapped and precipitating electrons and whistler wave spectrum are analysed

Presentes e conflitos de interesses: uma área cinza?

Gifts are a regular practice within the relationships established by business world stakeholders with the professionals that may be instrumental in promoting their sales. Consequently, gifts are a potential source of conflicts of interest. This article is the result of a bibliographic study of papers addressing gifts, published in scientific journals which was carried out with the aim of identifying what kinds of professions address the issue and in what ways, in order to reach conclusions that may enhance reflection and contribute to professional training. The research was carried out using the SciELO, PsychNet, IEEE, and Proquest databases and yielded 59 publications that span the period between 1998 and 2015. Results show a remarkable concentration in health-related professions, mainly in their relationships with the pharmaceutical industry. Nevertheless, an emerging presence is being observed in other professional fields. Starting from a philosophical conceptualization of the gift as a present, the results suggest that it is not this conception of gift but rather the exchange rationality that is reflected in these practices, thus becoming an ethically gray, i.e., uncertain area, that cannot be disregarded when it comes to training in professional ethics.Los regalos son una práctica habitual en las relaciones que establecen los actores del mundo empresarial con aquellos profesionales que pueden potencialmente promover sus ventas. Por ello, constituyen fuente de eventuales conflictos de interés. Este artículo es el resultado de un estudio bibliográfico de artículos publicados en revistas científicas acerca de los obsequios con el propósito de identificar en qué tipos de profesiones el tema es tratado y de qué maneras, para arribar a conclusiones que enriquezcan la reflexión y contribuyan en la formación profesional. La pesquisa se efectuó a través de las bases SciELO, PsychNet, IEEE y Proquest, dando como resultado 59 publicaciones que abarcan el período comprendido entre 1998 y 2015 y que muestran una notoria concentración en las carreras de la salud, principalmente en sus relaciones con la industria farmacéutica. A pesar de ello, se aprecia una presencia emergente en carreras de otros campos profesionales. Partiendo de una conceptualización filosófica del regalo en cuanto don, los resultados inducen a concluir que no es esta concepción de regalo la que se expresa en estas prácticas sino la racionalidad del intercambio, constituyéndose en una zona éticamente gris, es decir, incierta, que resulta insoslayable en la formación en ética profesional.A troca de presentes é uma prática regular dentro das relações estabelecidas no mundo de negócios, o que pode ser um instrumento na promoção de vendas. Consequentemente, os presentes são uma fonte potencial de conflitos de interesses. Este artigo é o resultado de um estudo bibliográfico de trabalhos que abordam presentes, publicados em revistas científicas, que foi realizado com o objetivo de identificar quais os tipos de profissões que abordam essa questão e de que maneira, a fim de chegar a conclusões que possam reforçar a reflexão e contribuir para a formação profissional. A pesquisa foi realizada usando os bancos de dados da SciELO, PsychNet, IEEE e Proquest e foram encontradas 59 publicações que abrangem o período entre 1998 e 2015. Os resultados mostram uma notável concentração nas profissões relacionadas com a área da saúde, principalmente relacionadas com a indústria farmacêutica. No entanto, uma presença emergente está sendo observada em outros campos profissionais. A partir de uma conceituação filosófica do presente como um regalo, os resultados sugerem que não é essa concepção de presente, mas sim o intercâmbio de racionalidade que é refletida nestas práticas, tornando-se um ponto de vista ético cinza, ou seja, uma área incerta, que não pode ser ignorado no âmbito do ensino da ética profissional

Simultaneous observations of quasi-periodic ELF/VLF wave emissions and electron precipitation by DEMETER satellite: A case study

International audience[1] We present results of case studies of quasi-periodic (QP) ELF/VLF hiss emissions detected onboard the DEMETER satellite. Three events with simultaneous periodic modulation in VLF wave intensity and energetic electron precipitation are found. In each event we observe exact coincidence of one or two busts of VLF wave intensity with energetic electron precipitation peaks. To our knowledge, such observations made onboard satellites have not been reported earlier. All events are observed at fairly quiet geomagnetic conditions (Kp < 3). The dynamic spectrum of the VLF waves in these QP events was characterized by a regular frequency increase in each burst, and the repetition period was less than or about 20 s. These features allow us to suggest that the observed events belong to the QP2-class, i.e., events which are not associated with geomagnetic pulsations. We also analyze energetic electron data from NOAA-17 spacecraft which has helio-synchronous circular orbit similar to DEMETER spacecraft and measured in the same region of the magnetosphere within 30 min for the analyzed events. NOAA-17 data confirm that the QP emissions were detected by DEMETER in the region of isotropization of energetic electrons, which is typically associated with the development of the cyclotron instability. Modulation of electron flux with a period close to the QP emission period is observed in two events. Based on the observed correlation between bursts of wave intensity and energetic particle flux, we estimate the location and spatial extent of the source region for QP emissions. Citation: Hayosh, M., D. L. Pasmanik, A. G. Demekhov, O. Santolik, M. Parrot, and E. E. Titova (2013), Simultaneous observations of quasi-periodic ELF/VLF wave emissions and electron precipitation by DEMETER satellite: A case study

A promessa de confidencialidade: novas luzes para a investigação científica e prática profissional em saúde mental

In this paper the concept of confidentiality is revisited in the light of the challenges arising from technological and communications advances and their applications in clinical practice and scientific research. The analysis is based on the presentation of philosophical background as well as the distinction and precision regarding related concepts: intimacy, privacy, anonymity, and professional secret. A counterpoint between privacy rights of patients and participants of scientific research and professional secrecy and confidentiality as professional duty is done. Also new challenges to privacy are developed in professional practice and scientific research in mental health, like the protection of confidentiality of the electronic clinical file. The authors conclude emphasizing the need to include the subject in the ethical and legal reflection in research and professional education.En este trabajo se revisita el concepto de confidencialidad, a la luz de nuevos desafíos que surgen de los avances tecnológicos y de comunicaciones, y sus aplicaciones en la práctica profesional clínica y la investigación científica. Se fundamenta el análisis en la presentación de antecedentes filosóficos, así como también la distinción y precisión respecto de conceptos relacionados: intimidad, privacidad, anonimato, secreto profesional. Se hace un contrapunto entre privacidad, como derecho de los pacientes y participantes de la investigación científica, y confidencialidad y secreto profesional, como deber profesional. Se examinan nuevos retos a la confidencialidad en la práctica profesional y en la investigación científica en salud mental, como por ejemplo la protección de la información en la ficha clínica electrónica. Se concluye enfatizando la incorporación del tema en la reflexión ético-legal en la investigación y formación profesional.Neste trabalho foi revisitado o conceito de confidencialidade, à luz dos novos desafios decorrentes de avanços tecnológicos na comunicação e suas aplicações na prática profissional clínica e na investigação científica. A análise foi fundamentada na apresentação dos antecedentes filosóficos, bem como também, na distinção e na precisão a respeito de conceitos relacionados: intimidade, privacidade, anonimato e sigilo profissional. Faz-se um contraponto entre a privacidade como um direito dos pacientes e de participantes de pesquisa científica e a confidencialidade e sigilo profissional, como um dever profissional. Desenvolve-se novos desafios à confidencialidade na prática profissional e na pesquisa científica em saúde mental, por exemplo, a proteção das informações em fichas clínicas electrônicas. Conclui-se enfatizando a importância da incorporação do tema na reflexão ética-legal na pesquisa e na formação profissional

Downregulation of Mir-31, Mir-155, and Mir-564 in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Cells

BACKGROUND/AIMS: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding regulatory RNAs that control gene expression and play an important role in cancer development and progression. However, little is known about the role of miRNAs in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Our objective is to decipher a miRNA expression signature associated with CML and to determine potential target genes and signaling pathways affected by these signature miRNAs. RESULTS: Using miRNA microarrays and miRNA real-time PCR we characterized the miRNAs expression profile of CML cell lines and patients in reference to non-CML cell lines and healthy blood. Of all miRNAs tested, miR-31, miR-155, and miR-564 were down-regulated in CML cells. Down-regulation of these miRNAs was dependent on BCR-ABL activity. We next analyzed predicted targets and affected pathways of the deregulated miRNAs. As expected, in K562 cells, the expression of several of these targets was inverted to that of the miRNA putatively regulating them. Reassuringly, the analysis identified CML as the main disease associated with these miRNAs. MAPK, ErbB, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were the main molecular pathways related with these expression patterns. Utilizing Venn diagrams we found appreciable overlap between the CML-related miRNAs and the signaling pathways-related miRNAs. CONCLUSIONS: The miRNAs identified in this study might offer a pivotal role in CML. Nevertheless, while these data point to a central disease, the precise molecular pathway/s targeted by these miRNAs is variable implying a high level of complexity of miRNA target selection and regulation. These deregulated miRNAs highlight new candidate gene targets allowing for a better understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying the development of CML, and propose possible new avenues for therapeutic treatment

Drosophila melanogaster Mutated in its GBA1b Ortholog Recapitulates Neuronopathic Gaucher Disease

Gaucher disease (GD) results from mutations in the GBA1 gene, which encodes lysosomal glucocerebrosidase (GCase). The large number of mutations known to date in the gene lead to a heterogeneous disorder, which is divided into a non-neuronopathic, type 1 GD, and two neurological, type 2 and type 3, forms. We studied the two fly GBA1 orthologs, GBA1a and GBA1b. Each contains a Minos element insertion, which truncates its coding sequence. In the GBA1a(m/m) flies, which express a mutant protein, missing 33 C-terminal amino acids, there was no decrease in GCase activity or substrate accumulation. However, GBA1b(m/m) mutant flies presented a significant decrease in GCase activity with concomitant substrate accumulation, which included C14:1 glucosylceramide and C14:0 glucosylsphingosine. GBA1b(m/m) mutant flies showed activation of the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) and presented inflammation and neuroinflammation that culminated in development of a neuronopathic disease. Treatment with ambroxol did not rescue GCase activity or reduce substrate accumulation; however, it ameliorated UPR, inflammation and neuroinflammation, and increased life span. Our results highlight the resemblance between the phenotype of the GBA1b(m/m) mutant fly and neuronopathic GD and underlie its relevance in further GD studies as well as a model to test possible therapeutic modalities

Drosophila melanogaster Mutated in its GBA1b Ortholog Recapitulates Neuronopathic Gaucher Disease

Gaucher disease (GD) results from mutations in the GBA1 gene, which encodes lysosomal glucocerebrosidase (GCase). The large number of mutations known to date in the gene lead to a heterogeneous disorder, which is divided into a non-neuronopathic, type 1 GD, and two neurological, type 2 and type 3, forms. We studied the two fly GBA1 orthologs, GBA1a and GBA1b. Each contains a Minos element insertion, which truncates its coding sequence. In the GBA1a(m/m) flies, which express a mutant protein, missing 33 C-terminal amino acids, there was no decrease in GCase activity or substrate accumulation. However, GBA1b(m/m) mutant flies presented a significant decrease in GCase activity with concomitant substrate accumulation, which included C14:1 glucosylceramide and C14:0 glucosylsphingosine. GBA1b(m/m) mutant flies showed activation of the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) and presented inflammation and neuroinflammation that culminated in development of a neuronopathic disease. Treatment with ambroxol did not rescue GCase activity or reduce substrate accumulation; however, it ameliorated UPR, inflammation and neuroinflammation, and increased life span. Our results highlight the resemblance between the phenotype of the GBA1b(m/m) mutant fly and neuronopathic GD and underlie its relevance in further GD studies as well as a model to test possible therapeutic modalities

Inter-Tumor Heterogeneity-Melanomas Respond Differently to GM-CSF-Mediated Activation.

Granulocyte-monocyte colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is used as an adjuvant in various clinical and preclinical studies with contradictory results. These were attributed to opposing effects of GM-CSF on the immune or myeloid systems of the treated patients or to lack of optimal dosing regimens. The results of the present study point to inter-tumor heterogeneity as a possible mechanism accounting for the contrasting responses to GM-CSF incorporating therapies. Employing xenograft models of human melanomas in nude mice developed in our lab, we detected differential functional responses of melanomas from different patients to GM-CSF both in vitro as well as in vivo. Whereas cells of one melanoma acquired pro metastatic features following exposure to GM-CSF, cells from another melanoma either did not respond or became less malignant. We propose that inter-melanoma heterogeneity as manifested by differential responses of melanoma cells (and perhaps also of other tumor) to GM-CSF may be developed into a predictive marker providing a tool to segregate melanoma patients who will benefit from GM-CSF therapy from those who will not