Optimization of supply diversity for the self-assembly of simple objects in two and three dimensions

The field of algorithmic self-assembly is concerned with the design and analysis of self-assembly systems from a computational perspective, that is, from the perspective of mathematical problems whose study may give insight into the natural processes through which elementary objects self-assemble into more complex ones. One of the main problems of algorithmic self-assembly is the minimum tile set problem (MTSP), which asks for a collection of types of elementary objects (called tiles) to be found for the self-assembly of an object having a pre-established shape. Such a collection is to be as concise as possible, thus minimizing supply diversity, while satisfying a set of stringent constraints having to do with the termination and other properties of the self-assembly process from its tile types. We present a study of what we think is the first practical approach to MTSP. Our study starts with the introduction of an evolutionary heuristic to tackle MTSP and includes results from extensive experimentation with the heuristic on the self-assembly of simple objects in two and three dimensions. The heuristic we introduce combines classic elements from the field of evolutionary computation with a problem-specific variant of Pareto dominance into a multi-objective approach to MTSP.Comment: Minor typos correcte

Sj\uf6gren's syndrome: state of the art on clinical practice guidelines

Sj\uf6gren's syndrome (SS) is a complex autoimmune rheumatic disease that specifically targets salivary and lachrymal glands. As such, patients typically had ocular and oral dryness and salivary gland swelling. Moreover, skin, nasal and vaginal dryness are frequently present. In addition to dryness, musculoskeletal pain and fatigue are the hallmarks of this disease and constitute the classic symptom triad presented by the vast majority of patients. Up to 30% to 50 % of patients with SS may present systemic disease; moreover, there is an increased risk for the development of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that occurs in a minority of patients. The present work was developed in the framework of the European Reference Network (ERN) dedicated to Rare and Complex Connective Tissue and Musculoskeletal Diseases (ReCONNET). In line with its goals of aiming to improve early diagnosis, treatment and care of rare connective and musculoskeletal diseases, ERN-ReCONNET set to review the current state of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) in the rare and complex connective tissue diseases of interest of the network. Therefore, the present work was aimed at providing a state of the art of CPGs for SS

Sentimientos de adolescentes con Diabetes Mellitus delante del proceso de vivir con la enfermedad

Qualitative research conducted in a diabetes service in the countryside of the state of Ceará, Brazil, with 11 teenagers with diabetes mellitus. The study aimed to understand the experience of adolescents facing the process of living with diabetes. Data were collected in 2007 May and June, through semi-structured interviews. It was observed that the teenager faces difficulties since the moment of diagnosis, especially because their food habits and lifestyles need to change, triggering feelings like fear, insecurity and anger. Over time, they incorporate the necessary changes to treatment and care, and begin to see the disease as normal. One concludes that it is necessary to understand teenagers, their behaviors, fears and desires and support them in the different areas of this experience.Investigación cualitativa, llevada a cabo en un servicio de diabetes del interior del estado de Ceará, Brasil, con 11 adolescentes con diabetes mellitus. El objetivo fue comprender la experiencia del adolescente delante del proceso de vivir con diabetes. Los datos fueron recolectados entre mayo y junio de 2007 a través de entrevistas semi estructuradas. Se observó que el adolescente enfrenta dificultades desde el momento del diagnóstico, sobre todo en el plan alimentar y cambios en el estilo de vida, desencadenando sentimientos como miedo, inseguridad e ira. Con el tiempo, incorporan los cambios necesarios al tratamiento y atención, y llegan a ver la enfermedad como algo normal. En conclusión, que es necesario entender los adolescentes, sus comportamientos, miedos y deseos, y apoyarlos en las diferentes áreas de esta experiencia.Pesquisa de natureza qualitativa, realizada em um serviço de diabetes do interior do Ceará com 11 adolescentes portadores de diabetes mellitus. O estudo objetivou compreender a experiência do adolescente frente ao processo de viver com o diabetes. Os dados foram coletados nos meses de maio e junho de 2007 por meio de entrevista semiestruturada. Constatou-se que o adolescente enfrenta dificuldades desde o momento do diagnóstico, principalmente no plano alimentar e nas mudanças no estilo de vida, desencadeando sentimentos como medo, insegurança e revolta. Com o passar do tempo, incorporam as mudanças necessárias ao tratamento e cuidados; e passam a ver a doença de forma normal. Conclui-se que é necessário compreender os adolescentes, seus comportamentos, medos e anseios e apoiá-los nos diversos âmbitos dessa experiência.Secretaria Municipal de Saúde de Pio IX-PI Programa de Saúde da FamíliaUniversidade Federal do Ceará Faculdade de Farmácia Odontologia e Enfermagem Departamento de EnfermagemUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde ColetivaUNIFESP, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde ColetivaSciEL

Expression of FOXA1 and GATA-3 in breast cancer: the prognostic significance in hormone receptor-negative tumours

The expression of additional genes, other than oestrogen receptor (ER), may be important to the hormone-responsive phenotype of breast cancer. Microarray analyses have revealed that forkhead box A1 (FOXA1) and GATA binding protein 3 (GATA-3) are expressed in close association with ERalpha, both encoding for transcription factors with a potential involvement in the ERalpha-mediated action in breast cancer. The purpose of this study was to explore if the expression of FOXA1 and GATA-3 may provide an opportunity to stratify subsets of patients that could have better outcome, among the ERalpha-negative/poor prognosis breast cancer group.The present study was supported by a research grant (SFRH/BD/15316/ 2005 to AA) financed by the Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation (FCT). The authors thank Prof. Raquel Seruca ( coordinator from the Cancer Genetics group at IPATIMUP) for scientific assistance, Dr Jose Luis Costa (postdoctorate at IPATIMUP) for critically reading the manuscript before submission, and Dr Nuno Marcos ( PhD student at IPATIMUP) for artwork assistance

The map-1 Gene Family in Root-Knot Nematodes, Meloidogyne spp.: A Set of Taxonomically Restricted Genes Specific to Clonal Species

Taxonomically restricted genes (TRGs), i.e., genes that are restricted to a limited subset of phylogenetically related organisms, may be important in adaptation. In parasitic organisms, TRG-encoded proteins are possible determinants of the specificity of host-parasite interactions. In the root-knot nematode (RKN) Meloidogyne incognita, the map-1 gene family encodes expansin-like proteins that are secreted into plant tissues during parasitism, thought to act as effectors to promote successful root infection. MAP-1 proteins exhibit a modular architecture, with variable number and arrangement of 58 and 13-aa domains in their central part. Here, we address the evolutionary origins of this gene family using a combination of bioinformatics and molecular biology approaches. Map-1 genes were solely identified in one single member of the phylum Nematoda, i.e., the genus Meloidogyne, and not detected in any other nematode, thus indicating that the map-1 gene family is indeed a TRG family. A phylogenetic analysis of the distribution of map-1 genes in RKNs further showed that these genes are specifically present in species that reproduce by mitotic parthenogenesis, with the exception of M. floridensis, and could not be detected in RKNs reproducing by either meiotic parthenogenesis or amphimixis. These results highlight the divergence between mitotic and meiotic RKN species as a critical transition in the evolutionary history of these parasites. Analysis of the sequence conservation and organization of repeated domains in map-1 genes suggests that gene duplication(s) together with domain loss/duplication have contributed to the evolution of the map-1 family, and that some strong selection mechanism may be acting upon these genes to maintain their functional role(s) in the specificity of the plant-RKN interactions