Early Scottish Monasteries and Prehistory: A Preliminary Dialogue

Reflecting oil the diversity of monastic attributes found in the east and west of Britain, the author proposes that prehistoric ritual practice was influential on monastic form. An argument is advanced that this was not based solely oil inspiration Front the landscape, nor oil conservative tradition, but oil the intellectual reconciliation of Christian and non-Christian ideas, with disparate results that account. for the differences in monumentality. Among more general matters tentatively credited with a prehistoric root are the cult of relics, the tonsure and the date of Easter

Analyse von Stoffwechselprozessen mit der Fermentationskalorimetrie

Biologische Aktivität ist mit der Freisetzung von Wärmeenergie verbunden. Die Wärmeproduktion ist dabei proportional zur gesamten Stoffwechselaktivität. Da Wärme kontinuierlich entsteht, eignet sie sich zur Nutzung als On-Iine-Signal. Kalorimetrische Methoden werden in den Biowissenschaften bereits seit Jahrzehnten verwendet. Fermentationskalorimetrie ist eine neu entwickelte Meßtechnik, die insbesondere für die kalorimetrische Vermessung biotechnisch relevanter Fermentationen im Labormaßstab gedacht ist

Exit, voice and the decay of the welfare state provision of hospital care

The consequences for public sector medical care of the introduction of medical insurance into New Zealand are traced. The analysis is based on a simple choice model describing consumer decisions and their consequences; it is elaborated by data drawn from government records, survey interviews with insured and uninsured groups and mail questionnaire responses from politicians. It is argued that the ultimate consequence of the introduction of medical insurance is the destruction of welfare state arrangements for the provision of medical care. The thesis concludes with the formulation of a proposal likely to prevent this

Inhibition of AP-1 signaling by JDP2 overexpression protects cardiomyocytes against hypertrophy and apoptosis induction

AimsExpression and activity of the transcription factor AP-1 are enhanced during cardiac remodelling and heart failure progression. In order to test if AP-1 inhibition may limit processes contributing to cardiac remodelling, ventricular cardiomyocytes of mice with cardiac overexpression of the AP-1 inhibitor JDP2 were analysed under stimulation of hypertrophy, apoptosis, or contractile function.Methods and resultsThree models of JDP2 overexpressing mice were analysed: JDP2 was overexpressed either life-long, for 7 weeks, or 1 week. Then cardiomyocytes were isolated and stimulated with β-adrenoceptor agonist isoprenaline (ISO, 50 nM). This enhanced cross-sectional area and the rate of protein synthesis in WT but not in JDP2 overexpressing cardiomyocytes. To induce apoptosis, cardiomyocytes were stimulated with 3 ng/mL TGFβ1. Again, JDP2 overexpression prevented apoptosis induction compared with WT cells. Determination of contractile function under electrical stimulation at 2 Hz revealed enhancement of cell shortening, and contraction and relaxation velocities under increasing ISO concentrations (0.3-30 nM) in WT cells. This inotropic effect was abrogated in JDP2 overexpression cells. Responsiveness to increased extracellular calcium concentrations was also impaired in JDP2 overexpressing cardiomyocytes. Simultaneously, a reduction of SERCA expression was found in JDP2 mice.ConclusionA central role of AP-1 in the induction of hypertrophy and apoptosis in cardiomyocytes is demonstrated. Besides these protective effects of AP-1 inhibition on factors of cardiac remodelling, AP-1-inhibition impairs contractile function. Therefore, AP-1 acts as a double-edged sword that mediates mal-adaptive cardiac remodelling, but is required for maintaining a proper contractile function of cardiomyocytes. © 2013 Published on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved. © The Author 2013

Fisioterapia na UTI neonatal: as razões médicas utilizadas para prescrição de fisioterapia

Aim: To investigate the criteria by which doctors in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit prescribe physiotherapy to patients in their care. Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted together with the medical intensive care unit of Hospital Santa Cruz through the application of a structured questionnaire. Results: 8 physicians participated in the study, 06 female and 2 with professional expertise in intensive care. Clinical experience and evidence in the literature were the criteria used for prescribing physiotherapy and respiratory changes the main reason for prescription, followed by motor stimulation. Conclusions: The criteria for prescribing physiotherapy consolidate both in clinical practice and the evidence in the literature, persisting specific clear criteria in neonatal intensive care.Objetivo: Investigar os critérios pelos quais os médicos plantonistas de uma Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal prescrevem a fisioterapia aos pacientes sob seus cuidados. Métodos: Estudo transversal, realizado junto aos médicos da unidade de terapia intensiva do Hospital Santa Cruz através da aplicação de um questionário estruturado. Resultados: 8 médicos participaram do estudo, sendo 06 do sexo feminino e 2 com especialização profissional em intensivismo. A experiência clínica e a evidência na literatura foram os critérios utilizados para a prescrição de fisioterapia, sendo as alterações respiratórias soberanas quanto aos principais motivos para prescrição médica, seguida de estimulação motora. Conclusões: Os critérios utilizados para a prescrição de fisioterapia se consolidam tanto na prática clínica quanto nas evidências na literatura, persistindo critérios claros específicos em terapia intensiva neonatal

Avaliação dos níveis de monóxido de carbono em funcionários de um hospital geral

Backgrounds and Objective: Exposure to carbon monoxide (CO) can be harmful to human health and the first effects of intoxication may go unnoticed. Our objective was to evaluate the functional capacity and respiratory muscle strength of staff of a general hospital opposite the inhalation of carbon monoxide. Methods: cross-sectional study with a convenience sample. It was used as evaluation tools: clinical research roadmap; the MicroCO for analysis of CO concentration, CO cutoff for non-smokers among 1- 6ppm, light smokers 7-10ppm, moderate smokers 11-20ppm and heavy smokers >20ppm; the manometer to determine the respiratory muscle strength (MIP and MEP); Six minute walk test (6MWT) to evaluate functional capacity. Statistical analysis was performed hair Pearson correlation test to verify the association of variables. Results:The study included 14 volunteer subjects (08 men), mean age 35.14±8,76years, working in maintenance (n=5); laundry (n=6); kitchen (n=1); engineering (n=2) of the hospital. For active smokers only 03 subjects were above the cutoff (CO>6ppm) then being considered active smokers. The MIP (99.50±27.37% predicted) and MEP (105.64±21,39% predicted) are within normal parameters. The functional capacity of smokers (6MWT=71% of predicted), with high CO (17ppm), underperformed the baseline when compared with nonsmokers (CO=0,9ppm; 6MWT=92, 6% predicted). Moderate and negative correlation was observed between 6MWT and CO (r=-0.577, p=0.031). Conclusion: adult staff of a general hospital with preserved respiratory muscle strength and higher levels of CO exhaled have worse functional performance in the 6MWT. KEYWORDS:Muscle Strength. Carbon Monoxide.Occupational Health.Public Health.Justificativa e Objetivos: A exposição ao monóxido de carbono (CO) pode ser prejudicial para a saúde humana e os primeiros efeitos da intoxicação podem passar despercebidos. Nosso objetivo foi avaliar acapacidade funcional e força muscular respiratória de funcionários de um hospital geral frente à inalação de monóxido de carbono. Métodos: estudo de delineamento transversal, com amostragem de conveniência. Utilizou-se como instrumentos de avaliação: roteiro de investigação clínica; MicroCO para análise da concentração CO, com ponto de corte de CO para não fumantes entre 1-6ppm, fumantes leves7-10ppm, fumantes moderados 11-20ppm e fumantes pesados valores ˃20ppm; Manovacuometria para determinar a força muscular respiratória (PImáx e PEmáx);Teste de Caminhada de Seis minutos (TC6m) para avaliar a capacidade funcional. A análise estatística foi realizada pelo teste de correlação de Pearson para verificar a associação das variáveis. Resultados: Participaram do estudo 14 sujeitos voluntários (8 homens), idade média de 35,14±8,76anos, atuantes na manutenção (n=5); lavanderia (n=6); cozinha (n=1); engenharia (n=2) do hospital. Para tabagismo ativo apenas 3 sujeitos ficaram acima do ponto de corte (CO>6ppm), sendo considerados fumantes ativos. A PImáx(99,50±27,37%predito) e PEmáx(105,64±21,39%predito) encontram-se dentro dos parâmetros de normalidade. A capacidade funcional dos indivíduos fumantes (TC6m=71%predito), com alto nível CO (17ppm), ficou aquém do valor basal quando comparados com os indivíduos não fumantes (CO=0,9ppm; TC6m=92,6%predito). Correlação moderada e inversa foi observada entre TC6m e CO (r=-0,577, p=0,031). Conclusão: Funcionários adultos de um hospital geral,com força muscular respiratória preservada e maiores níveis de CO exalados apresentam pior desempenho funcional no TC6m. DESCRITORES: Força muscular. Monóxido de Carbono. Saúde do Trabalhador. Saúde Pública

Frequência de sonolência diurna e apneia obstrutiva do sono em pacientes submetidos à cirurgia cardíaca participantes de um Programa de Reabilitação Cardiorrespiratória

As doenças cardiovasculares compreendem a principal causa de morte no mundo. Estudos recentes apontam a correlação entre os distúrbios do sono e as cardiopatias. A Apneia Obstrutiva do Sono (AOS) e a Sonolência Diurna Excessiva (SDE) estão entre os distúrbios mais prevalentes entre os cardiopatas. Neste sentido, objetivou-se avaliar a probabilidade de AOS e SDE em cardiopatas inseridos na Reabilitação Cardíaca do Hospital Santa Cruz do Sul, RS. Trata-se de um estudo de casos que avaliou pacientes cardiopatas, nas condições pré e pós-cirurgia cardíaca através do questionário de Berlim que avalia a probabilidade AOS e a Escala de Sonolência de Epworth que avalia a probabilidade de SDE. Amostra composta por 06 cardiopatas, sendo 04 do sexo masculino, com idade média 61,6±10 anos, Índice de Massa Corporal 27,6±3,3 Kg/m2. Observou-se alta probabilidade de AOS (66,7%) e frequência elevada de SDE (50%) pré-operatória. No pós-operatório houve diminuição da frequência de SDE (33,3%) e nenhum indivíduo apresentou alta probabilidade de AOS. Desta forma, concluiu-se que os pacientes estudados apresentaram elevada frequência de AOS e SDE na condição pré-operatória com melhora destes distúrbios no pós-operatório de cirurgia cardíaca

Probing the Informational and Regulatory Plasticity of a Transcription Factor DNA–Binding Domain

Transcription factors have two functional constraints on their evolution: (1) their binding sites must have enough information to be distinguishable from all other sequences in the genome, and (2) they must bind these sites with an affinity that appropriately modulates the rate of transcription. Since both are determined by the biophysical properties of the DNA–binding domain, selection on one will ultimately affect the other. We were interested in understanding how plastic the informational and regulatory properties of a transcription factor are and how transcription factors evolve to balance these constraints. To study this, we developed an in vivo selection system in Escherichia coli to identify variants of the helix-turn-helix transcription factor MarA that bind different sets of binding sites with varying degrees of degeneracy. Unlike previous in vitro methods used to identify novel DNA binders and to probe the plasticity of the binding domain, our selections were done within the context of the initiation complex, selecting for both specific binding within the genome and for a physiologically significant strength of interaction to maintain function of the factor. Using MITOMI, quantitative PCR, and a binding site fitness assay, we characterized the binding, function, and fitness of some of these variants. We observed that a large range of binding preferences, information contents, and activities could be accessed with a few mutations, suggesting that transcriptional regulatory networks are highly adaptable and expandable

One-carbon metabolites, B vitamins and associations with systemic inflammation and angiogenesis biomarkers among colorectal cancer patients:results from the ColoCare Study

B-vitamins involved in one-carbon metabolism have been implicated in the development of inflammation- A nd angiogenesis-related chronic diseases, such as colorectal cancer. Yet, the role of one-carbon metabolism in inflammation and angiogenesis among colorectal cancer patients remains unclear.The objective of this study was to investigate associations of components of one-carbon metabolism with inflammation and angiogenesis biomarkers among newly diagnosed colorectal cancer patients (n=238) in the prospective ColoCare Study, Heidelberg.We cross-sectionally analyzed associations between 12 B-vitamins and one-carbon metabolites and 10 inflammation and angiogenesis biomarkers from pre-surgery serum samples using multivariable linear regression models. We further explored associations among novel biomarkers in these pathways with Spearman partial correlation analyses. We hypothesized that pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP) is inversely associated with inflammatory biomarkers.We observed that PLP was inversely associated with CRP (r=-0.33, plinearlinear=0.003), IL-6 (r=-0.39, plinear linear=0.02) and TNFα (r=-0.12, plinear=0.045). Similar findings were observed for 5-methyl-tetrahydrofolate and CRP (r=-0.14), SAA (r=-0.14) and TNFα (r=-0.15) among colorectal cancer patients. Folate catabolite apABG was positively correlated with IL-6 (r= 0.27, plinearlinear<0.0001), indicating higher folate utilization during inflammation.Our data support the hypothesis of inverse associations between PLP and inflammatory biomarkers among colorectal cancer patients. A better understanding of the role and inter-relation of PLP and other one-carbon metabolites with inflammatory processes among colorectal carcinogenesis and prognosis could identify targets for future dietary guidance for colorectal cancer patients.</p

Efeitos da Pressão Positiva Expiratória sobre a capacidade de exercício em sujeitos acometidos por Doença Pulmonar Obstrutiva Crônica

A Doença Pulmonar Obstrutiva Crônica (DPOC) leva a repercussões cardíacas e intolerância ao exercício. A pressão positiva expiratória nas vias aéreas (EPAP) aumenta a saturação de oxigênio (SpO2) e reduz o trabalho respiratório. O objetivo foi avaliar o EPAP na tolerância ao exercício em pacientes com DPOC. Estudo cruzado randomizado, avaliou-se 19 pacientes com DPOC através do teste de caminhada de seis minutos (TC6m): sem EPAP (G1) e com EPAP (G2). Variáveis analisadas no repouso, durante o TC6m e recuperação pós teste: SpO2, frequência respiratória (FR), frequência cardíaca (FC), BORG-esforço (BORG-e), BORG-dispneia (BORG-d), pressão arterial sistólica e diastólica e duplo produto (DP). Utilizou-se análise de variância para estimar a diferença dentro dos grupos e teste t de Student para a diferença entre os grupos. Dentro e em ambos os grupos: durante o TC6m verificou-se aumento da FC, do BORG-d, do DP e redução da SpO2 que se recuperou pós teste. Somente G2 recuperou a FC pós teste. Diferenças significativas foram observadas entre os grupos: no repouso para a SpO2 e FR; na recuperação pós TC6m para a FR. O EPAP de 5cmH2O, causa efeito positivo na SpO2 e FR de repouso e proporciona atenuada melhora na recuperação da FC e SpO2 pós TC6m