Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (4th edition)1.

In 2008, we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, this topic has received increasing attention, and many scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Thus, it is important to formulate on a regular basis updated guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Despite numerous reviews, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to evaluate autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. Here, we present a set of guidelines for investigators to select and interpret methods to examine autophagy and related processes, and for reviewers to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of reports that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a dogmatic set of rules, because the appropriateness of any assay largely depends on the question being asked and the system being used. Moreover, no individual assay is perfect for every situation, calling for the use of multiple techniques to properly monitor autophagy in each experimental setting. Finally, several core components of the autophagy machinery have been implicated in distinct autophagic processes (canonical and noncanonical autophagy), implying that genetic approaches to block autophagy should rely on targeting two or more autophagy-related genes that ideally participate in distinct steps of the pathway. Along similar lines, because multiple proteins involved in autophagy also regulate other cellular pathways including apoptosis, not all of them can be used as a specific marker for bona fide autophagic responses. Here, we critically discuss current methods of assessing autophagy and the information they can, or cannot, provide. Our ultimate goal is to encourage intellectual and technical innovation in the field

Aluminoxane-epoxi-siloxane hybrids waveguides

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Boehmite-GPTS (GKS-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane) hybrids (BGS) have been prepared by the sol-gel methodology. Spectroscopic properties and structural features have been evaluated from the initial sols to xerogels as a function of composition. Eu3+-containing BGS samples were also prepared, and the Eu3+D0 state emission quantum efficiency was observed to depend on the boehmite-siloxane interactions. Boehmite-siloxane heterocondensation was inferred from vibrational spectroscopy and C-13, Si-29, and Al-27 nuclear magnetic resonance results, Unreacted epoxi groups could be identified in the final material being an important characteristic for the future applications. Good optical quality and mechanical properties lead to the preparation of thin films deposited on glass substrates by dip and spin-coating. Refractive index could be tuned by the relative boehmite and GPTS content. Waveguide properties have also been studied by m-lines spectroscopy and guided modes together with attenuation measurements suggest potential application of the prepared films in integrated optics. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.35442-4447954799Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES

Microstructural and electrical properties of PbTIO3 screen-printed thick films

In this article we will study the structural and electrical properties of PbTiO3 (PTO) screen-printed thick films. These properties can change with synthetic routes employed for synthesis of PTO. The ceramic powder has been synthesized by mechanical alloying and solid state route. This material crystallizes in the tetragonal system, with space group P4mm and unit cell dimensions a = b = 3.904, c = 4.152 angstrom, and Z = 1. From our results, it was observed that PTO obtained by mechanical alloying provides smaller crystallite size. The Rietveld refinement showed that the samples synthesized by mechanical alloying and solid state route crystallize in the tetragonal system but with different cell parameters. The Raman shifts of these films agree with modes from literature. However, some displacements happen, because the morphology and structural characteristics of the thick films are different, compared to single crystal and thin film. The photomicrographs of the PTO thick films showed that the choice of synthetic routes obtained samples with different microstructures.191097398

Assistência a crianças desnutridas: análise de dados do Sistema de Informação Hospitalar do Sistema Único de Saúde do Brasil Care for malnourished children: an analysis of Brazilian National Health Service Hospital Information System data

OBJETIVOS: caracterizar aspectos da assistência aos desnutridos menores de cinco anos, internados durante o ano de 2004 em hospitais conveniados ao Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). MÉTODOS: foram analisadas as informações geográficas, demográficas, de diagnóstico e resultado da assistência, das internações hospitalares disponíveis no Sistema de Informação Hospitalar do Sistema Único de Saúde. RESULTADOS: a taxa mais alta de internação por desnutrição foi encontrada na região Nordeste. Do total de internações por desnutrição no Brasil, 36,2% foram registradas como não especificadas. A taxa de mortalidade hospitalar por desnutrição para o Brasil apresentou-se baixa, porém, mostrou-se moderada para crianças menores de seis meses e alta quando desnutrição grave foi registrada no campo de diagnóstico secundário. Para 102 municípios brasileiros a taxa de mortalidade hospitalar por desnutrição também foi alta. Merece atenção o fato de que 11,4% das crianças faleceram nas primeiras 24 horas de hospitalização, e a complementação do tratamento ambulatorial foi indicada em 3,7% das Autorizações de Internação Hospitalar. CONCLUSÕES: mostram-se necessárias a valorização pelos profissionais de saúde da avaliação do estado nutricional e seu correto registro como causa de internação, bem como, a integração e a hierarquização dos diferentes níveis de atenção à criança desnutrida.<br>OBJECTIVES: to characterize features of care provided for malnourished children aged under five years admitted to hospitals affiliated to the Brazilian National Health Service in 2004. METHODS: geographical, demographic data and information relating to diagnosis, results of care and admission to hospital available on the Brazilian National Health Service's Hospital Information System were analyzed. RESULTS: the highest rate for admission to hospital for malnutrition was found in the Northeast region. Of all admissions to hospital for malnutrition in Brazil as a whole, 36.2% were registered as non-specific. The hospital mortality rate for malnutrition in Brazil was low, but moderate for children aged under six months and high when severe malnutrition was registered in the secondary diagnosis field. The hospital mortality rate for malnutrition was also high in 102 Brazilian municipalities. It is worth noting that 11.4% of children died within the first 24 hours following admission to hospital and the complementary outpatient treatment was recommended in 3.7% of Hospital Admissions Authorizations. CONCLUSIONS: the study revealed the importance of health workers recognizing the value of the nutritional status evaluation and correctly registering this as the cause of admission to hospital, and also integrating and ordering the various levels of care for malnourished children