The impact of an interventional counselling procedure in families with a BRCA1/2 gene mutation : efficacy and safety

Background: Predictive genetic testing has high impact on cancer prevention for BRCA carriers and passing this information in BRCA families is important. Mostly, this is proband-mediated but this path is defective and denies relatives lifesaving information. Objective: To assess the efficacy/safety of an intervention, in which relatives are actively informed. Design: Sequential prospective study in new BRCA families. The proband informed relatives about predictive testing (phase I). After 6 months, a letter was sent to adult relatives who had not been reached (phase II). Then a phone call was made to obtain a final notion of their wishes. All subjects received psychometric testing (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, STAI), an interview and routine counselling. Results: Twenty families were included. Twenty-four of the relatives could not be reached, 59 were 'decliners', 47 participated by the proband and 42 by the letter. Predictive testing was performed in 98 % of the participants of which 30 were mutation carriers. The intervention is psychologically safe: the 95 % CI for the estimated mean difference in STAI DY1 between phase II/I subjects (mean difference -1.07, 95 % CI -4.4 to 2.35, p = 0.53) shows that the mean STAI DY1 score (measured at first consult) for phase II is no more than 2.35 units higher than for phase I, which is not relevant. Conclusions: A protocol directly informing relatives nearly doubles the number of relatives tested and is psychologically safe. This should lead to a change in counselling guidelines in families with a strong germline predisposition for cancer

Stimulation of hCG protein and mRNA in first trimester villous cytotrophoblast cells in vitro by glycodelin A

Aim: Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is produced by fetal trophoblast cells and secreted into maternal circulation mainly in the first trimester of pregnancy. Another glycoprotein, glycodelin A, is one of the main products of the maternal decidua during this period. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of glycodelin A on hCG release by isolated cytotrophoblast cells in vitro. Methods: Cytotrophoblast cells were prepared from human first trimester placenta and incubated with varying concentrations of glycodelin A. Supernatants were assayed for hCG protein concentrations, and quantification of beta hCG mRNA was carried out by RT-PCR. Expression of hCG was analysed in stimulated trophoblast cells and in unstimulated controls by immunocytochemistry. Results: Glycodelin A induces a dose-dependent increase of hCG production. An increase of hCG expression was measured at 100 and 200 mu g/mL glycodelin-A treatment in trophoblast cell culture by TaqMan assay on mRNA level. We found a moderate staining of hCG in control trophoblast cells, whereas a strong hCG staining was seen in glycodelin A-treated trophoblast cells. Conclusions: HCG is a marker for the differentiation process of trophoblast cells. Our results suggest that glycodelin A secreted by the decidualized endometrium is involved in the regulation of hormones produced by the trophoblast

Avaliação e analise dos custos da ma qualidade na industria de paineis de fibras

Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro Tecnologico, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia de Produção, 1997.Determinação dos custos da má qualidade (CMQ), em uma indústria de painéis de partículas, a análise através de ferramentas de controle de qualidade e, finalmente, a proposição de uma metodologia que permita a aplicação de um sistema de tomada destes custos de maneira clara e de simples aplicação. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que os custos da má qualidade representam em média de 58 % do volume de negócios da empresa estudada. Estes custos da má qualidade foram originados principalmente pelas anomalia5 }nternas, as quais representaram cerca de 81% do total dos CMQ. As ferramentas de controle de qualidade na análise dos resultados obtidos, como gráficos de Ishikawa, Pareto, CEP e planejamento de experimentos. Além destas ferramentas foi utilizada a norma ISO 9002 como guia referencial de análise da postura da empresa em relação à qualidade. Espera-se que com a metodologia de avaliação dos custos da má qualidade, possa-se contribuir para o aprimoramento dos sistemas de gerenciamento de qualidade e, consequentemente, a redução dos seus custos globais. Este trabalho foi direcionado para o setor florestal, mas o seu princípio pode ser adaptado aos diversos processos produtivos

L’équité au cœur des politiques climatiques : l’exemple des négociations relatives au climat et de la recherche de solutions à la crise énergétique

L’article débat de la question de l’équité dans la lutte contre les changements climatiques. Il établit un parallèle entre le développement pris au niveau international de la négociation entre Etats d’une part, et la pauvreté au niveau d’une collectivité d’autre part. Dans les deux cas, il s’agit à la fois d’un principe moral essentiel, mais aussi d’une condition centrale des consensus et donc de la réussite des politiques face au défi climatique. La question de l’équité renvoie aussi très vite au changement nécessaire des modes de vie vers plus de sobriété.The article debates Equity Issues in the Climate Change debate is debated. A parallel is set between the development issues at the international level of negotiations between States, and poverty alleviation at the local community level. In both cases, the discussions stem from an essential moral principle, but also as a requisite for consensus and thus a condition of success of climate change policies to combat Climate Change. The issue of equity brings also forward the necessary modification of consumption patterns, into more frugal modes

UTILIZAÇÃO DA SERRAGEM NA PRODUÇÃO DE COMPÓSITOS PLÁSTICO-MADEIRA

Esta pesquisa utilizou materiais reciclados para a produção de compósitos plástico-madeira ou WPC (wood-plastic composites). A madeira utilizada na forma de pó e a serragem foram misturadas ao polietileno de baixa densidade - PEBD reciclado em uma extrusora monorrosca de 75 mm de diâmetro. Foram testadas formulações com 10%, 20%, 40% e 50% (em peso) de madeira. O teor de umidade inicial da madeira foi de 5,16% para o pó e 7,32% para a serragem. O conjunto de temperaturas da extrusora variou de 135ºC a 150ºC. Os resultados mostraram que a produção dos compósitos foi possível para as formulações com até 20% de madeira. USE OF SAWDUST IN WOOD-PLASTIC COMPOSITES PRODUCTION Abstract This research aimed the use of recycled materials to produce WPC (wood-plastic composites). The wood was used as sawdust and wood flour and the plastic material used was the low density polyethylene LDPE recycled. The 75 mm single screw extruder was used in the composites production. Formulations with 10%, 20% 40% and 50% (in weight) of wood was tested. The wood humidity content was 5,16% for powder and 7,32% for sawdust. The extruder temperatures ranged from 135ºC to 150ºC. The results showed that the composite production was possible for the formulations up to 20% wood content

Original Encounter with Antigen Determines Antigen-Presenting Cell Imprinting of the Quality of the Immune Response in Mice

BACKGROUND:Obtaining a certain multi-functionality of cellular immunity for the control of infectious diseases is a burning question in immunology and in vaccine design. Early events, including antigen shuttling to secondary lymphoid organs and recruitment of innate immune cells for adaptive immune response, determine host responsiveness to antigens. However, the sequence of these events and their impact on the quality of the immune response remain to be elucidated. Here, we chose to study Modified Vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) which is now replacing live Smallpox vaccines and is proposed as an attenuated vector for vaccination strategies against infectious diseases. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:We analyzed in vivo mechanisms triggered following intradermal (i.d.) and intramuscular (i.m.) Modified Vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) administration. We demonstrated significant differences in the antigen shuttling to lymphoid organs by macrophages (MPhis), myeloid dendritic cells (DCs), and neutrophils (PMNs). MVA i.d. administration resulted in better antigen distribution and more sustained antigen-presenting cells (APCs) recruitment into draining lymph nodes than with i.m. administration. These APCs, which comprise both DCs and MPhis, were differentially involved in T cell priming and shaped remarkably the quality of cytokine-producing virus-specific T cells according to the entry route of MVA. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE:This study improves our understanding of the mechanisms of antigen delivery and their consequences on the quality of immune responses and provides new insights for vaccine development