Showing papers by "State University of Campinas published in 2003"

Near Infrared Spectroscopy: fundamentals, practical aspects and analytical applications

Abstract: This paper intends to review the basic theory of Near Infrared (NIR) Spectroscopy and its applications in the field of Analytical Science. It is addressed to the reader who does not have a profound knowledge of vibrational spectroscopy but wants to be introduced to the analytical potentialities of this fascinating technique and, at same time, be conscious of its limitations. Essential theory background, an outline of modern instrument design, practical aspects, and applications in a number of different fields are presented. This work does not intend to supply an intensive bibliography but refers to the most recent, significant and representative material found in the technical literature. Because this paper has been produced as consequence of the First Workshop on Near Infrared Spectroscopy, whose venue was Campinas - Brazil, as a pre-conference activity of the XI National Meeting on Analytical Chemistry (ENQA), it also depicts the state of the art of NIR spectroscopy in Brazil, pointing out the current achievements and the need to take the technology to a level consistent with this country's economical activities.

Microorganisms from canals of root-filled teeth with periapical lesions.

Abstract: PinheiroET,GomesBPFA,FerrazCCR,SousaELR,TeixeiraFB,Souza-FilhoFJ. Microorganismsfromcanalsofroot-filledteethwithperiapicallesions.InternationalEndodonticJour-nal,36,1^11,2003. AimTheobjectiveofthepresentstudywastoidentifythe microbial £orawithin root canals of teethwithfailedroot-canaltreatmentandtodeterminetheasso-ciationofthevariousspecieswithclinicalfeatures.MethodologySixtyroot-¢lledteethwithpersistingperiapicallesionswereselectedforthisstudy.Duringnonsurgical endodontic re-treatment, the root-¢llingmaterialwasremovedandthecanalsweresampled.Microbial sampling, isolationand species determina-tionwere performed usingadvanced microbiologicaltechniques for anaerobic species. The association ofmicrobiological ¢ndings with clinical features wasinvestigated.ResultsMicroorganisms were recovered from 51teeth.Inmostcases,oneortwostrainspercanalwerefound. Of the microbial species isolated,57.4% werefacultativeanaerobicspeciesand83.3%Gram-positivemicroorganisms.Enterococcus faecalis was the mostfrequentlyrecoveredbacterialspecies.Obligateanae-robesaccountedfor42.6%ofthespeciesandthemostfrequently isolated genera was Peptostreptococcus ,which was associated with clinical symptoms(P < 0.01).Signi¢cantassociationswerealsoobservedbetween:(a)painorhistoryofpainandpolymicrobialinfections or anaerobes (P < 0.05); (b) tenderness topercussion and Prevotella intermedia/P. nigrescens(P < 0.05); (c) sinusand Streptococcus spp.(P < 0.001)orActinomyces spp.(P < 0.01);(d)coronallyunsealedteethandStreptococcusspp.orCandidaspp.(bothwithP < 0.01).ConclusionThemicrobial£oraincanalsafterfail-ure of root-canal treatment were limited to a smallnumber of predominantly Gram-positive microbialspecies. Facultative anaerobes, especially E. faecalis ,were the most commonly isolated microorganisms,however,polymicrobial infectionsandobligate anae-robeswerefrequentlyfoundincanalsofsymptomaticroot-¢lledteeth.Keywords:endodontic failure, microbiology, root-canaltherapy.

Packing optimization for automated generation of complex system's initial configurations for molecular dynamics and docking.

Abstract: Molecular Dynamics is a powerful methodology for the comprehension at molecular level of many chemical and biochemical systems. The theories and techniques developed for structural and thermodynamic analyses are well established, and many software packages are available. However, designing starting configurations for dynamics can be cumbersome. Easily generated regular lattices can be used when simple liquids or mixtures are studied. However, for complex mixtures, polymer solutions or solid adsorbed liquids (for example) this approach is inefficient, and it turns out to be very hard to obtain an adequate coordinate file. In this article, the problem of obtaining an adequate initial configuration is treated as a "packing" problem and solved by an optimization procedure. The initial configuration is chosen in such a way that the minimum distance between atoms of different molecules is greater than a fixed tolerance. The optimization uses a well-known algorithm for box-constrained minimization. Applications are given for biomolecule solvation, many-component mixtures, and interfaces. This approach can reduce the work of designing starting configurations from days or weeks to few minutes or hours, in an automated fashion. Packing optimization is also shown to be a powerful methodology for space search in docking of small ligands to proteins. This is demonstrated by docking of the thyroid hormone to its nuclear receptor.

Artificial immune systems as a novel soft computing paradigm

Abstract: Artificial immune systems (AIS) can be defined as computational systems inspired by theoretical immunology, observed immune functions, principles and mechanisms in order to solve problems. Their development and application domains follow those of soft computing paradigms such as artificial neural networks (ANN), evolutionary algorithms (EA) and fuzzy systems (FS). Despite some isolated efforts, the field of AIS still lacks an adequate framework for design, interpretation and application. This paper proposes one such framework, discusses the suitability of AIS as a novel soft computing paradigm and reviews those works from the literature that integrate AIS with other approaches, focusing ANN, EA and FS. Similarities and differences between AIS and each of the other approaches are outlined. New trends on how to create hybrids of these paradigms and what could be the benefits of this hybridization are also presented.

Uncoupling protein-2 prevents neuronal death and diminishes brain dysfunction after stroke and brain trauma.

Abstract: Whereas uncoupling protein 1 (UCP-1) is clearly involved in thermogenesis, the role of UCP-2 is less clear. Using hybridization, cloning techniques and cDNA array analysis to identify inducible neuroprotective genes, we found that neuronal survival correlates with increased expression of Ucp2. In mice overexpressing human UCP-2, brain damage was diminished after experimental stroke and traumatic brain injury, and neurological recovery was enhanced. In cultured cortical neurons, UCP-2 reduced cell death and inhibited caspase-3 activation induced by oxygen and glucose deprivation. Mild mitochondrial uncoupling by 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) reduced neuronal death, and UCP-2 activity was enhanced by palmitic acid in isolated mitochondria. Also in isolated mitochondria, UCP-2 shifted the release of reactive oxygen species from the mitochondrial matrix to the extramitochondrial space. We propose that UCP-2 is an inducible protein that is neuroprotective by activating cellular redox signaling or by inducing mild mitochondrial uncoupling that prevents the release of apoptogenic proteins.

A Gentle Introduction to Memetic Algorithms

Abstract: The generic denomination of ‘Memetic Algorithms’ (MAs) is used to encompass a broad class of metaheuristics (i.e. general purpose methods aimed to guide an underlying heuristic). The method is based on a population of agents and proved to be of practical success in a variety of problem domains and in particular for the approximate solution of NP Optimization problems. Unlike traditional Evolutionary Computation (EC) methods, MAs are intrinsically concerned with exploiting all available knowledge about the problem under study. The incorporation of problem domain knowledge is not an optional mechanism, but a fundamental feature that characterizes MAs. This functioning philosophy is perfectly illustrated by the term “memetic”. Coined by R. Dawkins [52], the word ‘meme’ denotes an analogous to the gene in the context of cultural evolution [154]. In Dawkins’ words:

Possible Fulde-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov superconducting state in CeCoIn5.

Abstract: We report specific heat measurements of the heavy fermion superconductor ${\mathrm{C}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{C}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{I}\mathrm{n}}_{5}$ in the vicinity of the superconducting critical field ${H}_{c2}$, with magnetic fields in the [110], [100], and [001] directions, and at temperatures down to 50 mK. The superconducting phase transition changes from second to first order for fields above 10 T for $H\ensuremath{\parallel}[110]$ and $H\ensuremath{\parallel}[100]$. In the same range of magnetic fields, we observe a second specific heat anomaly within the superconducting state. We interpret this anomaly as a signature of a Fulde-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov (FFLO) inhomogeneous superconducting state. We obtain similar results for $H\ensuremath{\parallel}[001]$, with the FFLO state occupying a smaller part of the phase diagram.

Transcriptome analysis of the acoelomate human parasite Schistosoma mansoni

Abstract: Schistosoma mansoni is the primary causative agent of schistosomiasis, which affects 200 million individuals in 74 countries. We generated 163,000 expressed-sequence tags (ESTs) from normalized cDNA libraries from six selected developmental stages of the parasite, resulting in 31,000 assembled sequences and 92% sampling of an estimated 14,000 gene complement. By analyzing automated Gene Ontology assignments, we provide a detailed view of important S. mansoni biological systems, including characterization of metazoa-specific and eukarya-conserved genes. Phylogenetic analysis suggests an early divergence from other metazoa. The data set provides insights into the molecular mechanisms of tissue organization, development, signaling, sexual dimorphism, host interactions and immune evasion and identifies novel proteins to be investigated as vaccine candidates and potential drug targets.

Effectiveness of 2% chlorhexidine gel and calcium hydroxide against Enterococcus faecalis in bovine root dentine in vitro.

Abstract: AIM To evaluate the effectiveness of 2% chlorhexidine gluconate gel and calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) as intracanal medicaments against Enterococcus faecalis. METHODOLOGY One hundred and eighty dentine tubes prepared from intact freshly extracted bovine maxillary central incisors were infected in vitro for 7 days with E. faecalis. The specimens were divided into four groups, according to the intracanal medicament used, as follows: Group 1: 2% chlorhexidine gluconate gel; Group 2: calcium hydroxide in a viscous vehicle (polyethyleneglycol 400); Group 3: 2% chlorhexidine gluconate gel + calcium hydroxide and Group 4: Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) broth (control group). The medicaments were placed into the canal lumen and left there for experimental times of 1, 2, 7, 15 and 30 days. After each period, irrigation with sterile saline to remove the medicament was performed and the canals were dried with sterile paper points. Dentine chips were removed from the canals with sequential sterile round burs at low speed. The samples obtained with each bur were immediately collected in separate test tubes containing BHI broth. The tubes were incubated at 37 degrees C and daily observed for microbial growth, visualized by the medium turbidity. RESULTS Chlorhexidine gel alone completely inhibited the growth of E. faecalis after 1, 2, 7 and 15 days. Calcium hydroxide allowed microbial growth at all experimental times. The combination of chlorhexidine and Ca(OH)2 was effective after 1 and 2 days demonstrating 100% antibacterial action; however, its antibacterial activity reduced between 7 and 15 days. CONCLUSION Under the conditions of this study, it can be concluded that 2% chlorhexidine gel alone was more effective against E. faecalis than calcium hydroxide (P < 0.05). However, its antibacterial activity depended on how long it remained inside the root canal.

Effect of mechanical alloying on the morphology, microstructure and properties of aluminium matrix composite powders

Abstract: A composite powder with a fine homogeneous distribution of the reinforcement phase in the whole particle can be obtained by mechanical alloying. Aluminium PM6061 unreinforced, and matrix composite reinforced with Si 3 N 4 and AlN powder, are milled in a high-energy attritor mill and the powder properties are compared with those of the same composite composition mixed in a horizontal low-energy ball mill. The correlation observed between the apparent densities and the milling time, explained by the morphological and microstructural evolution of the powder particles during the high-energy milling process, is used to determine the steady state of the process. At short milling times, the apparent density decreases as the milling time is extended, due to the deformation dominant at this stage; at longer milling times, it starts to increase with increasing milling time due to the piling up of the flattened particles and fracture of the welded particles. When mechanical alloying reaches the steady state, the apparent density is stabilized. A simple model is proposed to illustrate the mechanical alloying of a ductile–brittle component system. The particle size distribution and the microhardness of the mechanically alloyed particles are determined.

Dramatic improvement in survival among adult Brazilian AIDS patients.

Abstract: Background: Since the last study of survival time among Brazilian AIDS patients, care has improved steadily, culminating in a controversial policy of universal free access to triple antiretroviral treatment since 1996. This large, national study examined how these changes have impacted survival. Methods: Using national data for cases diagnosed in 1995 and 1996, we randomly selected 3930 adult AIDS cases from 18 cities in seven states representing all regions of Brazil. Trained abstracters reviewed medical records, determining dates of diagnosis and death or last contact, exposure category, treatment, and demographics. After review, 2821 cases met the inclusion criteria and were available for Kaplan–Meier and proportional hazards analysis. Data from the earlier study were re-analyzed for comparison. Results: Median survival was 5 months for cases diagnosed in the 1980s, 18 months for those diagnosed in 1995, and 58 months for those diagnosed in 1996. Predictors of longer survival in univariate analysis included antiretroviral treatment, year of diagnosis, higher education, sexual exposure category, female sex, and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia prophylaxis. In multivariate analysis, the predictive value of most of these was attenuated or disappeared, leaving antiretroviral treatment as the main predictor of survival. Conclusions: Survival time has increased substantially for adult Brazilian AIDS patients. The timing of these gains and analysis of the predictors of survival both indicate antiretroviral treatment as the cause. These findings demonstrate that universal access to antiretroviral treatment in a developing country can produce benefits on the same scale as in richer countries.

Effect of etching and airborne particle abrasion on the microstructure of different dental ceramics.

Abstract: Statement of problem The ceramic composition and microstructure surface of all-ceramic restorations are important components of an effective bonding substrate. Both hydrofluoric acid etching and airborne aluminum oxide particle abrasion produce irregular surfaces necessary for micromechanical bonding. Although surface treatments of feldspathic and leucite porcelains have been studied previously, the high alumina-containing and lithium disilicate ceramics have not been fully investigated. Purpose The purpose of this study was to assess the surface topography of 6 different ceramics after treatment with either hydrofluoric acid etching or airborne aluminum oxide particle abrasion. Material and methods Five copings each of IPS Empress, IPS Empress 2 (0.8 mm thick), Cergogold (0.7 mm thick), In-Ceram Alumina, In-Ceram Zirconia, and Procera (0.8 mm thick) were fabricated following the manufacturer's instructions. Each coping was longitudinally sectioned into 4 equal parts by a diamond disk. The resulting sections were then randomly divided into 3 groups depending on subsequent surface treatments: Group 1, specimens without additional surface treatments, as received from the laboratory (control); Group 2, specimens treated by use of airborne particle abrasion with 50-μm aluminum oxide; and Group 3, specimens treated with 10% hydrofluoric acid etching (20 seconds for IPS Empress 2; 60 seconds for IPS Empress and Cergogold; and 2 minutes for In-Ceram Alumina, In-Ceram Zirconia, and Procera). Results Airborne particle abrasion changed the morphologic surface of IPS Empress, IPS Empress 2, and Cergogold ceramics. The surface topography of these ceramics exhibited shallow irregularities not evident in the control group. For Procera, the 50-μm aluminum oxide airborne particle abrasion produced a flattened surface. Airborne particle abrasion of In-Ceram Alumina and In-Ceram Zirconia did not change the morphologic characteristics and the same shallows pits found in the control group remained. For IPS Empress 2, 10% hydrofluoric acid etching produced elongated crystals scattered with shallow irregularities. For IPS Empress and Cergogold, the morphologic characteristic was honeycomb-like on the ceramic surface. The surface treatment of In-Ceram Alumina, In-Ceram Zirconia, and Procera did not change their superficial structure. Conclusion Hydrofluoric acid etching and airborne particle abrasion with 50-μm aluminum oxide increased the irregularities on the surface of IPS Empress, IPS Empress 2, and Cergogold ceramics. Similar treatment of In-Ceram Alumina, In-Ceram Zirconia, and Procera did not change their morphologic microstructure.

Molecular-dynamics simulations of carbon nanotubes as gigahertz oscillators.

Abstract: Recently, Zheng and Jiang [Phys Rev Lett 88, 045503 (2002)] have proposed that multiwalled carbon nanotubes could be the basis for a new generation of nano-oscillators in the several gigahertz range In this Letter, we present the first molecular dynamics simulation for these systems Different nanotube types were considered in order to verify the reliability of such devices as gigahertz oscillators Our results show that these nano-oscillators are dynamically stable when the radii difference values between inner and outer tubes are of $\ensuremath{\sim}34\text{ }\AA{}$ Frequencies as large as 38 GHz were observed, and the calculated force values are in good agreement with recent experimental investigations

Cross-cultural adaptation of the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire.

Abstract: Background: Reports in the literature have identified a need for internationally standardized and reliable measurements to analyse musculoskeletal symptoms. Screening of musculoskeletal disorders may serve as a diagnostic tool to evaluate the work environment. The Nordic general questionnaire is a standardized instrument used to analyse musculoskeletal symptoms in an ergonomic or occupational health context. Purpose: To translate and adapt a version of the Nordic general questionnaire into Brazilian Portuguese and evaluate its reliability. Method: The cross-cultural adaptation was performed according to internationally recommended methodology, using the following guidelines: translation; back-translation; committee review; and pretesting. First, the questionnaire was independently translated into Portuguese by two teachers and one doctor, and a consensus version was generated. Second, two other translators performed a back-translation independently from one another. This version was then submitted to a committee, consisting of six specialists in the area of knowledge of the instrument, to evaluate its equivalence to the original instrument. The final version was pretested on 20 subjects randomly selected in an outpatient clinic. Reliability was assessed by a test–retest procedure at 1-day intervals using the Kappa coefficient in a group of 40 subjects. The Kappa agreement values were calculated for each one of the four questions of the questionnaire. The agreement among the same observers was substantial, varying from 0.88 to 1, according to the Kappa values. Results: these demonstrated strong agreement of the instrument, suggesting that the Brazilian version of the ‘Standardized Nordic Questionnaire’ offers substantial reliability.

Targeting key alteration minerals in epithermal deposits in Patagonia, Argentina, using ASTER imagery and principal component analysis

Abstract: Principal component analysis (PCA) is an image processing technique that has been commonly applied to Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) data to locate hydrothermal alteration zones related to metallic deposits. With the advent of the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER), a 14-band multispectral sensor operating onboard the Earth Observation System (EOS)-Terra satellite, the availability of spectral information in the shortwave infrared (SWIR) portion of the electromagnetic spectrum has been greatly increased. This allows detailed spectral characterization of surface targets, particularly of those belonging to the groups of minerals with diagnostic spectral features in this wavelength range, including phyllosilicates (‘clay’ minerals), sulphates and carbonates, among others. In this study, PCA was applied to ASTER bands covering the SWIR with the objective of mapping the occurrence of mineral endmembers related to an epithermal gold prospect in Patagonia, Argentina. The results...

Aluminum-induced oxidative stress in maize.

Abstract: The relation between Al-toxicity and oxidative stress was studied for two inbred lines of maize (Zea mays L.), Cat100-6 (Al-tolerant) and S1587-17 (Al-sensitive). Peroxidase (PX), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were determined in root tips of both lines, exposed to different Al(3+) concentrations and times of exposure. No increases were observed in CAT activities in either line, although SOD and PX were found to be 1.7 and 2.0 times greater than initial levels, respectively, in sensitive maize treated with 36 microM of Al(3+) for 48 h. The results indicate that Al(3+) induces the dose- and time dependent formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and subsequent protein oxidation in S1587-17, although not in Cat100-6. After exposure to 36 microM of Al(3+) for 48 h, the formation of 20+/-2 nmol of carbonyls per mg of protein was observed in S1587-17. The onset of protein oxidation took place after the drop of the relative root growth observed in the sensitive line, indicating that oxidative stress is not the primary cause of root growth inhibition. The presence of Al(3+) did not induce lipid peroxidation in either lines, contrasting with the observations in other species. These results, in conjunction with the data presented in the literature, indicate that oxidative stress caused by Al may harm several components of the cell, depending on the plant species. Moreover, Al(3+) treatment and oxidative stress in the sensitive maize line induced cell death in root tip cells, an event revealed by the high chromatin fragmentation detected by TUNEL analysis.

Comparative analyses of the complete genome sequences of Pierce's disease and citrus variegated chlorosis strains of Xylella fastidiosa

Abstract: Xylella fastidiosa is a xylem-dwelling, insect-transmitted, gamma-proteobacterium that causes diseases in many plants, including grapevine, citrus, periwinkle, almond, oleander, and coffee. X. fastidiosa has an unusually broad host range, has an extensive geographical distribution throughout the American continent, and induces diverse disease phenotypes. Previous molecular analyses indicated three distinct groups of X. fastidiosa isolates that were expected to be genetically divergent. Here we report the genome sequence of X. fastidiosa (Temecula strain), isolated from a naturally infected grapevine with Pierce's disease (PD) in a wine-grape-growing region of California. Comparative analyses with a previously sequenced X. fastidiosa strain responsible for citrus variegated chlorosis (CVC) revealed that 98% of the PD X. fastidiosa Temecula genes are shared with the CVC X. fastidiosa strain 9a5c genes. Furthermore, the average amino acid identity of the open reading frames in the strains is 95.7%. Genomic differences are limited to phage-associated chromosomal rearrangements and deletions that also account for the strain-specific genes present in each genome. Genomic islands, one in each genome, were identified, and their presence in other X. fastidiosa strains was analyzed. We conclude that these two organisms have identical metabolic functions and are likely to use a common set of genes in plant colonization and pathogenesis, permitting convergence of functional genomic strategies.

Time elapsed from onset of symptoms to diagnosis of endometriosis in a cohort study of Brazilian women

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The study aim was to assess the time elapsed between onset of symptoms and diagnosis of endometriosis and to identify the factors associated with diagnostic delay in a group of Brazilian women. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study 200 women with surgically confirmed endometriosis were interviewed at an endometriosis outpatient clinic. RESULTS: The median (interquartile range) time elapsed from onset of symptoms until diagnosis of endometriosis was 7.0 (range 3.5 +/- 12.1) years. The younger the women at onset of symptoms the longer the period for diagnosis to be made: the median delay was 12.1 (range 8.0+/-17.2) years in women aged 30 years. The median time period between onset of symptoms and diagnosis was 4.0 (2.0+/-6.0) years for women whose main complaint was infertility but 7.4 (3.6+/-13.0) years for those with pelvic pain. CONCLUSIONS: The delay in diagnosis of endometriosis was considered to be long and especially so for young women with pelvic pain. More information relating to endometriosis should be offered to general physicians and gynaecologists in order to reduce the time taken to diagnose this condition. (authors)

The complete genome sequence of Chromobacterium violaceum reveals remarkable and exploitable bacterial adaptability

Abstract: Chromobacterium violaceum is one of millions of species of free-living microorganisms that populate the soil and water in the extant areas of tropical biodiversity around the world. Its complete genome sequence reveals (i) extensive alternative pathways for energy generation, (ii) ≈500 ORFs for transport-related proteins, (iii) complex and extensive systems for stress adaptation and motility, and (iv) widespread utilization of quorum sensing for control of inducible systems, all of which underpin the versatility and adaptability of the organism. The genome also contains extensive but incomplete arrays of ORFs coding for proteins associated with mammalian pathogenicity, possibly involved in the occasional but often fatal cases of human C. violaceum infection. There is, in addition, a series of previously unknown but important enzymes and secondary metabolites including paraquat-inducible proteins, drug and heavy-metal-resistance proteins, multiple chitinases, and proteins for the detoxification of xenobiotics that may have biotechnological applications.

Prevalence and Evolutionary Origins of the del(GJB6-D13S1830) Mutation in the DFNB1 Locus in Hearing-Impaired Subjects: a Multicenter Study

Abstract: Mutations in GJB2, the gene encoding connexin-26 at the DFNB1 locus on 13q12, are found in as many as 50% of subjects with autosomal recessive, nonsyndromic prelingual hearing impairment. However, genetic diagnosis is complicated by the fact that 10%–50% of affected subjects with GJB2 mutations carry only one mutant allele. Recently, a deletion truncating the GJB6 gene (encoding connexin-30), near GJB2 on 13q12, was shown to be the accompanying mutation in ∼50% of these deaf GJB2 heterozygotes in a cohort of Spanish patients, thus becoming second only to 35delG at GJB2 as the most frequent mutation causing prelingual hearing impairment in Spain. Here, we present data from a multicenter study in nine countries that shows that the deletion is present in most of the screened populations, with higher frequencies in France, Spain, and Israel, where the percentages of unexplained GJB2 heterozygotes fell to 16.0%–20.9% after screening for the del(GJB6-D13S1830) mutation. Our results also suggest that additional mutations remain to be identified, either in DFNB1 or in other unlinked genes involved in epistatic interactions with GJB2. Analysis of haplotypes associated with the deletion revealed a founder effect in Ashkenazi Jews and also suggested a common founder for countries in Western Europe. These results have important implications for the diagnosis and counseling of families with DFNB1 deafness.

Analysis and functional annotation of an expressed sequence tag collection for tropical crop sugarcane.

Abstract: To contribute to our understanding of the genome complexity of sugarcane, we undertook a large-scale expressed sequence tag (EST) program. More than 260,000 cDNA clones were partially sequenced from 26 standard cDNA libraries generated from different sugarcane tissues. After the processing of the sequences, 237,954 high-quality ESTs were identified. These ESTs were assembled into 43,141 putative transcripts. Of the assembled sequences, 35.6% presented no matches with existing sequences in public databases. A global analysis of the whole SUCEST data set indicated that 14,409 assembled sequences (33% of the total) contained at least one cDNA clone with a full-length insert. Annotation of the 43,141 assembled sequences associated almost 50% of the putative identified sugarcane genes with protein metabolism, cellular communication/signal transduction, bioenergetics, and stress responses. Inspection of the translated assembled sequences for conserved protein domains revealed 40,821 amino acid sequences with 1415 Pfam domains. Reassembling the consensus sequences of the 43,141 transcripts revealed a 22% redundancy in the first assembling. This indicated that possibly 33,620 unique genes had been identified and indicated that >90% of the sugarcane expressed genes were tagged.

Outcome predictors of 84 patients with hematologic malignancies and Fusarium infection.

Abstract: BACKGROUND Invasive infection by Fusarium sp. is associated with high mortality in patients with hematologic cancer. Yet to the authors' knowledge, little is known regarding predictors of adverse outcome. METHODS The authors conducted a retrospective review of the records of patients with hematologic carcinoma and invasive fusariosis who were treated at one institution in the U.S. and at 11 centers in Brazil. RESULTS The records of 84 patients were evaluated. Neutropenia was present in 83% and 33 patients had undergone stem cell transplantation. Only 18 patients (21%) were alive 90 days after the diagnosis of fusariosis. Multivariate predictors of poor outcome were persistent neutropenia (hazard ratio [HR] of 5.43; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 2.64–11.11) and use of corticosteroids (HR of 2.18; 95% CI, 1.98–3.96). The actuarial survival rate of patients without any of these factors was 67% compared with 30% for patients who recovered from neutropenia but were receiving corticosteroids and 4% for patients with persistent neutropenia only. None of the patients with both risk factors survived (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Measures to reduce the duration of neutropenia, as well as the judicious use of corticosteroids, may reduce the high mortality rate of fusariosis in patients with hematologic cancer. Cancer 2003;98:315–9. © 2003 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.11510

Avoided Antiferromagnetic Order and Quantum Critical Point in CeCoIn 5

Abstract: We measured the specific heat and resistivity of heavy fermion $\mathrm{C}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{C}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{I}{\mathrm{n}}_{\mathrm{5}}$ between the superconducting critical field ${H}_{c2}=5\text{ }\mathrm{T}$ and 9 T, with the field in the [001] direction, and at temperatures down to 50 mK. At 5 T the data show a non-Fermi liquid (NFL) behavior down to the lowest temperatures. At the field above 8 T the data exhibit a crossover from the Fermi liquid to a non-Fermi liquid behavior. We analyzed the scaling properties of the specific heat and compared both the resistivity and the specific heat with the predictions of a spin-fluctuation theory. Our analysis leads us to suggest that the NFL behavior is due to incipient antiferromagnetism (AFM) in $\mathrm{C}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{C}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{I}{\mathrm{n}}_{\mathrm{5}}$ with the quantum critical point in the vicinity of ${H}_{c2}$. Below ${H}_{c2}$ the AFM phase which competes with the paramagnetic ground state is superseded by the superconducting transition.

Optical tweezers for measuring red blood cell elasticity: application to the study of drug response in sickle cell disease.

Abstract: The deformability of erythrocytes is a critical determinant of blood flow in microcirculation. By capturing red blood cells (RBC) with optical tweezers and dragging them through a viscous fluid we were able to measure their overall elasticity. We measured, and compared, the RBC deformability of 15 homozygous patients (HbSS) including five patients taking hydroxyurea (HU) for at least 6 months (HbSS/HU), 10 subjects with sickle cell trait (HbAS) and 35 normal controls. Our results showed that the RBC deformability was significantly lower in haemoglobin S (HbS) subjects (HbSS and HbAS), except for HbSS/HU cells, whose deformability was similar to the normal controls. Our data showed that the laser optical tweezers technique is able to detect differences in HbS RBC from subjects taking HU, and to differentiate RBC from normal controls and HbAS, indicating that this is a very sensitive method and can be applied for detection of drug-response in sickle cell disease.

Prevalence study of signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders in university students

Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in university students from 19 to 25 years old, male and female, through the distribution of frequency of the data obtained from a questionnaire and physical examination. The results showed that 68% of the subjects exhibited some degree of TMD, and the women were the most affected. Signs and symptoms such as articular sounds, pain to palpation of the masticatory, cervical and scapular girdle musculature, subjective sensation of emotional stress, and postural and occlusal changes were more evident in the group with TMD, although they were also present in subjects classified as TMD-free. Limitations in the mandibular movements were not found. The association of the obtained data allowed identifying a high prevalence of signs and symptoms of TMD in the Brazilian university population.

An overview on non-ideal vibrations

Abstract: We analyze the dynamical coupling between energy sources and structural response that must not be ignored in real engineering problems, since real motors have limited output power.