The Determinants of Location Choice: Single-Plant Versus Multi-Plant Firms

In this paper, we intend to evaluate the importance of geographical and technological variables for firms' decision about location. For that purpose, we make use of micro-level data for the Portuguese manufacturing sector and focus on the location choices made by new starting plants during 1992-2000 within 275 municipalities. Our main hypothesis is that location determinants affect unevenly single-plant and multi-plant firms. We then considered the entire manufacturing sector and also a partition according to the number of plants. The set of explanatory variables includes variables that are traditionally stressed by urban and regional theory, such as production costs (land, labour and capital costs), demand variables and agglomeration economies as well as technological variables, such as R&D expenditures The model is based on the random utility maximization framework and proceeds through a Poisson model and a Negative Binomial regression. When considering the total manufacturing sector, our results confirm the relevance of agglomeration economies (particularly, urbanization economies) and cost factors (labour and land costs) for firms' location choice. On the contrary, the hypothesis concerning the negative influence of capital costs on location choice is not confirmed in our study. Our research also evidences that the regional market is more significant for the location choice of new single plant firms, while the local market is more relevant for new multi-plant firms. Also, market accessibility is only relevant for the location choices made by new single-plant firms. We then concluded that new multi-plant firms are particularly sensitive to urbanization economies, land costs and local market, while new single-plant firms are more responsive to labour costs and agglomeration economies

The P2X7 Receptor is an Important Regulator of Extracellular ATP Levels

Controlled ATP release has been demonstrated from many neuronal and non-neuronal cell types. Once released, extracellular ATP acts on cells in a paracrine manner via purinergic receptors. Considerable evidence now suggests that extracellular nucleotides, signaling via P2 receptors, play important roles in bone homeostasis modulating both osteoblast and osteoclast function. In this study, we demonstrate that mouse osteoclasts and their precursors constitutively release ATP into their extracellular environment. Levels were highest at day 2 (precursor cells), possibly reflecting the high number of red blood cells and accessory cells present. Mature osteoclasts constitutively released ATP in the range 0.05–0.5 pmol/ml/cell. Both osteoclasts and osteoblasts express mRNA and protein for the P2X7 receptor. We found that in osteoclasts, expression levels are fourfold higher in mature cells relative to precursors, whilst in osteoblasts expression remains relatively constant during differentiation. Selective antagonists (0.1–100 μM AZ10606120, A438079, and KN-62) were used to determine whether this release was mediated via P2X7 receptors. AZ10606120, A438079, and KN-62, at 0.1–10 μM, decreased ATP release by mature osteoclasts by up to 70, 60, and 80%, respectively. No differences in cell viability were observed. ATP release also occurs via vesicular exocytosis; inhibitors of this process (1–100 μM NEM or brefeldin A) had no effect on ATP release from osteoclasts. P2X7 receptor antagonists (0.1–10 μM) also decreased ATP release from primary rat osteoblasts by up to 80%. These data show that ATP release via the P2X7 receptor contributes to extracellular ATP levels in osteoclast and osteoblast cultures, suggesting an important additional role for this receptor in autocrine/paracrine purinergic signaling in bone

Understanding Depressive Symptoms after Bariatric Surgery: the Role of Weight, Eating and Body Image

Introduction: Depressive symptoms have been reported as prevalent after bariatric surgery. This study aims to analyze the role of weight, eating behaviors and body image in depressive symptomatology in bariatric surgery patients assessed post-operatively.Material and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study including 52 bariatric surgery patients assessed post-operatively with a follow-up time ranging from 22 to 132 months. Psychological assessment included a clinical interview (Eating Disorder Examination) to assess eating disorders psychopathology, and three self-report measures: Outcome Questionnaire 45 - general distress; Beck Depression Inventory - depressive symptoms; and Body Shape Questionnaire - body image.Results: Our data show that depressive symptoms after surgery are associated with loss of control over eating, increased concerns with body image, and body mass index regain. Multiple linear regressions was tested including these variables and showed that body mass index regain after surgery, loss of control over eating and concerns with body image significantly explained 50% of the variance of post-operative depressive symptoms, being the concern with body image the most significant variable: greater dissatisfaction with body image was associated with more depressive symptoms.Discussion: The results of this study showed that a subgroup of patients presents a significant weight gain after bariatric surgery, which is associated with episodes of loss of control over eating, concerns with body image and depressive symptoms.Conclusion: These results stress the relevance of body image concerns after surgery and the importance of clinically addressing these issues to optimize psychological functioning after bariatric surgery.Introdução: A sintomatologia depressiva tem-se revelado prevalente após a cirurgia bariátrica. Este estudo teve como objetivo com- preender o papel do peso, alimentação e imagem corporal na sintomatologia depressiva após realização da cirurgia bariátrica. Material e Métodos: Segue um design transversal e possui uma amostra pós-cirúrgica de 52 indivíduos, com um tempo de follow-up entre os 22 e os 132 meses. A avaliação foi realizada através de duas entrevistas clínicas semiestruturadas, incluindo a perturbação de comportamento alimentar (Eating Disorder Examination), e de três instrumentos de autorrelato: Outcome Questionnaire 45 - compro- metimento psicológico geral, Beck Depression Inventory - sintomatologia depressiva e Body Shape Questionnaire - imagem corporal. Resultados: Os resultados mostram que a sintomatologia depressiva está associada à ingestão alimentar compulsiva, à preocupação com a imagem corporal e à percentagem do índice de massa corporal ganho. Segundo os resultados da análise de regressão linear múltipla que incluiu estas variáveis, a percentagem de índice de massa corporal ganho após cirurgia, a ingestão alimentar compulsiva e a preocupação com a imagem corporal são os factores que explicam 50% da variância da sintomatologia depressiva após a cirurgia, sendo a preocupação com a imagem corporal mais significativo, na medida em que uma maior insatisfação com a imagem corporal está associada a mais sintomas depressivos. Discussão: Os resultados deste estudo mostraram que um subgrupo de doentes apresenta um aumento de peso significativo após a cirurgia bariátrica que está associado a episódios de ingestão alimentar compulsiva, a preocupações com a imagem corporal e a sintomatologia depressiva. Conclusão: Estes resultados enfatizam a importância de considerar estas preocupações com a imagem corporal na avaliação psi- cológica da pessoa que fez cirurgia bariátrica de modo a otimizar o seu funcionamento psíquico e adesão ao tratamentoFundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, Portugal através do projeto (PTDC/MHC-PCL/4974/2012) e bolsa (SFRH/ BPD/78896/2011) concedidos a Eva Conceição, e do pro- jeto (PTDC/PSI-PCL/099981/2008) concedido a Paulo Ma- chadoinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Morphological patterns of circumpulpal dentin affected by radiation-related caries

The aim of this work was to evaluate the microscopic characteristics through polarized light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and the mineral content of circumpulpal dentin of irradiated (IT) and non-irradiated teeth (NIT), with deep caries that reached the root canal. A total of 25 IT were analyzed macroscopically, and radiographed. 5 NIT were used as controls. Two 100-?m-thick sections, per specimen, were evaluated in a polarized light microscopy and a scanning electron microscope. Demographics and clinical data were collected. The results did not demonstrate distinct morphology of the IT compared with NIT. Mineral content values by weight percentage of Ca and P were also similar, corresponding to 66.65% and 33.21% in the IT and 66.60% and 33.29% in the NIT. The Ca/P ratio did not show statistical differences between groups being respectively 2.74 and 2.72, in the IT and NIT (p> 0.05). Radiotherapy does not change morphology and mineral content of circumpulpal dentin in IT

Extracellular ATP released by osteoblasts is a key local inhibitor of bone mineralisation

Previous studies have shown that exogenous ATP (>1µM) prevents bone formation in vitro by blocking mineralisation of the collagenous matrix. This effect is thought to be mediated via both P2 receptor-dependent pathways and a receptor-independent mechanism (hydrolysis of ATP to produce the mineralisation inhibitor pyrophosphate, PPi). Osteoblasts are also known to release ATP constitutively. To determine whether this endogenous ATP might exert significant biological effects, bone-forming primary rat osteoblasts were cultured with 0.5-2.5U/ml apyrase (which sequentially hydrolyses ATP to ADP to AMP + 2Pi). Addition of 0.5U/ml apyrase to osteoblast culture medium degraded extracellular ATP to <1% of control levels within 2 minutes; continuous exposure to apyrase maintained this inhibition for up to 14 days. Apyrase treatment for the first 72 hours of culture caused small decreases (≤25%) in osteoblast number, suggesting a role for endogenous ATP in stimulating cell proliferation. Continuous apyrase treatment for 14 days (≥0.5U/ml) increased mineralisation of bone nodules by up to 3-fold. Increases in bone mineralisation were also seen when osteoblasts were cultured with the ATP release inhibitors, NEM and brefeldin A, as well as with P2X1 and P2X7 receptor antagonists. Apyrase decreased alkaline phosphatase (TNAP) activity by up to 60%, whilst increasing the activity of the PPi-generating ecto-nucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterases (NPPs) up to 2.7-fold. Both collagen production and adipocyte formation were unaffected. These data suggest that nucleotides released by osteoblasts in bone could act locally, via multiple mechanisms, to limit mineralisation

Allopurinol and oxypurinol promote osteoblast differentiation and increase bone formation

AbstractAllopurinol and its active metabolite, oxypurinol are widely used in the treatment of gout and hyperuricemia. They inhibit xanthine oxidase (XO) an enzyme in the purine degradation pathway that converts xanthine to uric acid. This investigation examined the effect of allopurinol and oxypurinol on bone formation, cell number and viability, gene expression and enzyme activity in differentiating and mature, bone-forming osteoblasts. Although mRNA expression remained relatively constant, XO activity decreased over time with mature osteoblasts displaying reduced levels of uric acid (20% decrease). Treatment with allopurinol and oxypurinol (0.1–1µM) reduced XO activity by up to 30%. At these concentrations, allopurinol and oxypurinol increased bone formation by osteoblasts ~4-fold and ~3-fold, respectively. Cell number and viability were unaffected. Both drugs increased tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP) activity up to 65%. Osteocalcin and TNAP mRNA expression was increased, 5-fold and 2-fold, respectively. Expression of NPP1, the enzyme responsible for generating the mineralisation inhibitor, pyrophosphate, was decreased 5-fold. Col1α1 mRNA expression and soluble collagen levels were unchanged. Osteoclast formation and resorptive activity were not affected by treatment with allopurinol or oxypurinol. Our data suggest that inhibition of XO activity promotes osteoblast differentiation, leading to increased bone formation in vitro

Efeito de um programa de apoio às necessidades psicológicas básicas sobre os comportamentos pró e anti-socias na educação física escolar

Los comportamientos antissociales se tornaron recurrentes en el ambiente escolar y se manifestaron por medio de agresiones físicas, verbales y simbólicas. El objetivo de este estudio fue verificar el efecto de una intervención, fundamentada en la atención de las necesidades psicológicas básicas (NPB), en los comportamientos pro y antisociales en clases de Educación Física escolar. En este estudio participaron 45 alumnos y 2 profesores de educación Física (PEF) divididos en Grupo Control (GC) y Grupo Intervención (GI). Los alumnos respondieron el Cuestionario de Actitudes en el Deporte (QAE-23) y una entrevista semiestructurada en los momentos pre y post intervención. La intervención consistió en una orientación semanal con el PEF del GI durante 10 semanas, con el objetivo de realizar adaptaciones en la clase a fin de llevar al cumplimiento de las NPB. Para verificar la diferencia entre los grupos, en relación a las respuestas del QAE-23, en los momentos pre y post, se utilizó la prueba T de Student y se adoptó un nivel de significancia del 5%. En el análisis cualitativo, las entrevistas fueron grabadas, transcritas y posteriormente clasificadas y analizadas. Mediante el análisis de los relatos obtenidos por la entrevista fue posible observar percepción de la atención de las NPB y reducción de comportamientos antisociales. Sin embargo, no se observó diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre los grupos para las respuestas del QAE-2. Se concluye, por medio de los relatos obtenidos en la entrevista, que la intervención pautada en el cumplimiento de las NPB posibilitó un efecto positivo en relación a la reducción de los comportamientos antisociales, sin embargo, los datos cuantitativos sugieren que la duración del estudio puede haber sido un factor limitante de mayor efecto en relación a la ausencia de internalización de los comportamientos.Comportamentos antissociais tornaram-se recorrentes no ambiente escolar e se manifestado por meio de agressões físicas, verbais e simbólicas. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar o efeito de uma intervenção, fundamentada no atendimento das necessidades psicológicas básicas (NPB), nos comportamentos pró e antissociais em aulas de Educação Física escolar. Participaram deste estudo 45 alunos e 2 professores de educação Física (PEF) divididos em Grupo Controle (GC) e Grupo Intervenção (GI). Os alunos responderam o Questionário de Atitudes no Esporte (QAE-23) e uma entrevista semiestruturada nos momentos pré e pós intervenção. A intervenção consistiu em uma orientação semanal com o PEF do GI durante 10 semanas, com objetivo de realizar adaptações na aula a fim de levar ao cumprimento das NPB. Para verificar diferença entre os grupos, em relação às respostas do QAE-23, nos momentos pré e pós, foi utilizado o teste T de Student e adotado nível de significância 5%. Na análise qualitativa, as entrevistas foram gravadas, transcritas e, posteriormente, categorizadas e analisadas. Mediante análise dos relatos obtidos pela entrevista foi possível observar percepção do atendimento das NPB e redução de comportamentos antissociais. Contudo, não foi observada diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os grupos para as respostas do QAE-2. Conclui-se, por meio dos relatos obtidos na entrevista, que a intervenção pautada no cumprimento das NPB possibilitou um efeito positivo em relação à redução dos comportamentos antissociais, porém, os dados quantitativos sugerem que a duração do estudo pode ter sido um fator limitante de maior efeito em relação à ausência internalização dos comportamentos

Optimisation of the differing conditions required for bone formation in vitro by primary osteoblasts from mice and rats

The in vitro culture of calvarial osteoblasts from neonatal rodents remains an important method for studying the regulation of bone formation. The widespread use of transgenic mice has created a particular need for a reliable, simple method that allows the differentiation and bone‑forming activity of murine osteoblasts to be studied. In the present study, we established such a method and identified key differences in optimal culture conditions between mouse and rat osteoblasts. Cells isolated from neonatal rodent calvariae by collagenase digestion were cultured for 14‑28 days before staining for tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP) and bone mineralisation (alizarin red). The reliable differentiation of mouse osteoblasts, resulting in abundant TNAP expression and the formation of mineralised ‘trabecular‑shaped’ bone nodules, occurred only following culture in α minimum essential medium (αMEM) and took 21‑28 days. Dexamethasone (10 nM) inhibited bone mineralisation in the mouse osteoblasts. By contrast, TNAP expression and bone formation by rat osteoblasts were observed following culture in both αMEM and Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) after approximately 14 days (although ~3‑fold more effectively in αMEM) and was strongly dependent on dexamethasone. Both the mouse and rat osteoblasts required ascorbate (50 µg/ml) for osteogenic differentiation and β‑glycerophosphate (2 mM) for mineralisation. The rat and mouse osteoblasts showed similar sensitivity to the well‑established inhibitors of mineralisation, inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP; 1‑100 µM). The high efficiency of osteogenic differentiation observed following culture in αMEM, compared with culture in DMEM possibly reflects the richer formulation of the former. These findings offer a reliable technique for inducing mouse osteoblasts to form bone in vitro and a more effective method for culturing bone‑forming rat osteoblasts