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The renin‐angiotensin system (RAS) is an endocrine system composed of two main axes: the classical and the counterregulatory, very often displaying opposing effects. The classical axis, primarily mediated by angiotensin receptors type 1 (AT1R), is linked to obesity‐associated metabolic effects. On the other hand, the counterregulatory axis appears to exert antiobesity effects through the activation of two receptors, the G protein‐coupled receptor (MasR) and Mas‐related receptor type D (MrgD). The local RAS in adipose organ has prompted extensive research into white adipose tissue and brown adipose tissue (BAT), with a key role in regulating the cellular and metabolic plasticity of these tissues. The MasR activation favors the brown plasticity signature in the adipose organ by improve the thermogenesis, adipogenesis, and lipolysis, decrease the inflammatory state, and overall energy homeostasis. The MrgD metabolic effects are related to the maintenance of BAT functionality, but the signaling remains unexplored. This review provides a summary of RAS counterregulatory actions triggered by Mas and MrgD receptors on adipose tissue plasticity. Focus on the effects related to the morphology and function of adipose tissue, especially from animal studies, will be given targeting new avenues for treatment of obesity‐associated metabolic effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity over‐activates the classical arm of the renin‐angiotensin system (RAS), impairing skeletal muscle remodeling. We aimed to compare the effect of exercise training and enalapril, an angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor, on RAS modulation in the skeletal muscle of obese animals. Thus, we divided C57BL/6 mice into two groups: standard chow (SC) and high‐fat (HF) diet for 16 weeks. At the eighth week, the HF‐fed animals were divided into four subgroups—sedentary (HF), treated with enalapril (HF‐E), exercise training protocol (HF‐T), and combined interventions (HF‐ET). After 8 weeks of treatment, we evaluated body mass and index (BMI), body composition, exercise capacity, muscle morphology, and skeletal muscle molecular markers. All interventions resulted in lower BMI and attenuation of overactivation in the classical arm, while favoring the B2R in the bradykinin receptors profile. This was associated with reduced apoptosis markers in obese skeletal muscles. The HF‐T group showed an increase in muscle mass and expression of biosynthesis markers and a reduction in expression of degradation markers and muscle fiber atrophy due to obesity. These findings suggest that the combination intervention did not have a synergistic effect against obesity‐induced muscle remodeling. Additionally, the use of enalapril impaired muscle's physiological adaptations to exercise training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contribution of Eucalyptus globulus plantations to timber production for pulp, paper and energy production may be hampered by climate change. It is expected that Eucalyptus productivity may be affected through drought stress and changes to both pathogen distribution/pathogenicity and host–pathogen interactions. The impact of the fungal pathogen Neofusicoccum kwambonambiense on E. globulus, causing cankers and dieback, is well known but the impact of drought on disease development is still understudied. Our aim was to study the effect of drought on N. kwambonambiense infection by inoculating E. globulus plants under well‐watered conditions or with water limitation. Non‐infected plants for both water regimes were also analysed. Morphophysiological, biochemical and hormonal parameters were assessed 65 days post‐inoculation. Inoculation under conditions of water stress decreased water potential and photosynthetic efficiency and increased abscisic acid, jasmonic acid and lipid peroxidation. Water‐stressed infected plants also showed higher fungal colonization and external lesion length in comparison with well‐watered inoculated plants. Our results indicate that drought increased E. globulus predisposition to N. kwambonambiense infection and may also have promoted a change in the lifestyle of the fungus. Identifying host–pathogen interaction responses under different stress conditions is necessary to provide knowledge for decision‐making in the management of forest systems in general and of Eucalyptus production in particular. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between vitamin D status and hypertriglyceridemic‐waist (HTW) phenotype and cardiometabolic markers in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) living in regions with high solar incidence (10° south). Methods: An observational, cross‐sectional study, with 122 individuals with T2DM, of both sexes, aged between 19 and 59 years, residing in Sergipe/Brazil. Measurements included serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D), glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, LDL‐c, HDL‐c, triacylglycerols, blood pressure, body mass index, %body fat, and waist circumference. Participants were classified by the presence or absence of the HTW phenotype, according to increased waist circumference and triacylglycerols concentrations. Logistic and linear regression models were applied to verify the association among the concentration of 25(OH)D, HTW phenotype, and lipid profile variables. Results: Triacylglycerols concentrations (p =.013) and %body fat (p =.011) were higher in women with serum 25(OH)D insufficient/deficient than in those with adequate 25(OH)D levels. Individuals with serum 25(OH)D insufficiency/deficiency were 2.595 times more likely to present the HTW phenotype than those with adequate 25(OH)D levels (p =.021). Additionally, a negative association was observed between the concentration of 25(OH)D and total cholesterol (Beta = −0.204, p =.049). Conclusion: Insufficiency/deficiency of serum 25(OH)D in individuals with T2DM increases the chances of developing the HTW phenotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the attachment theory, the establishment of emotional bonds with significant figures is an important process in human development throughout life. The quality of the relationships between adolescents and their caregivers in residential care (RC) may act as a protective factor for internal reorganisation and the development of emotional regulation skills. The present study aims to analyse the effect of insecure attachment orientation and the quality of relationships developed with caregivers in RC settings and adolescent emotion regulation. It also aims to assess the mediating role of emotion regulation in the association between attachment and the quality of the relationship with caregivers. The sample consisted of 249 adolescents, aged between 12 and 18 years old, living in RC facilities in Porto (Portugal). The results suggest that perceived insecurity of attachment to significant figures has a negative effect on emotional regulation and on the quality of the relationship with caregivers. We also found a negative mediating effect of the differentiating emotions dimension on the association between attachment and the quality of the relationship with caregivers. It is relevant to highlight the importance of close affective relationships in developing adolescents' ability to regulate their emotions and particularly the impact of caregivers and their work in residential care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work was a complete thermodynamic study on the partitioning of Remazol Yellow l, Remazol Brilliant Blue, and Remazol Red dyes in isopropyl alcohol + sodium phosphate + water aqueous two‐phase systems at different temperatures. The free energy change of transfer, enthalpy change of transfer, and entropy change of transfer were evaluated. The effects of the structure of the dye, tie line length, and temperature on the partitioning were studied. The results indicate that these aqueous two‐phase systems have high capacity to extract the dyes from aqueous matrices to the organic phase of these systems and are an interesting alternative to effluent treatment process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A mathematical model is proposed to describe and simulate microalgae growth from emissions in an outdoor airlift photobioreactor. To this end, the influences of the concentration of total nitrogen, total phosphorus, CO2 present in the exhaust gases, temperature, and light intensity were considered in biomass production. The model was tested under different experimental conditions with biomass concentrations ranging from 2 g L−1 to 4.5 g L−1. Furthermore, the accuracy of the airlift photobioreactor simulations was greater than 90 %. Thus, the developed model was able to satisfactorily describe the experimental data, so that it can be applied in other microalgae systems for optimizing biomass production, both on laboratory and pilot scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The C–S cross‐coupling reaction is a very efficient and powerful tool for constructing C–S bonds. Despite the well‐reported C–S cross‐coupling protocols using aryl halides, this reaction using sp2‐hybridized nonaromatic halides is still challenging. Herein, we report light‐assisted C–S cross‐coupling between thiols and 5‐chlorobenzofurazan under blue LED irradiation. We used a new nickel catalyst to synthesize 11 unpublished compounds. Furthermore, we assessed the mechanism and the influence of light irradiation on this reaction and proposed a plausible mechanism that is mediated by the excited state of the nickel catalyst promoted by irradiation with blue light and the C–S coupling product formed. Notably, C–S cross‐coupling under light irradiation was performed for the first time using a nickel catalyst in the absence of an external photocatalyst. We demonstrated that because nickel has a low energy barrier for oxidative addition, this protocol proceeded efficiently using chlorine as a leaving group, and the excited state of the nickel catalyst promoted reductive elimination with a lower energy barrier. It is important to mention that the procedure was tolerated by many functional groups within the thiol, affording a greater than 99% yield after reacting for 6 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Although peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) is one of the most important measures in clinical practice, the high cost and time consumption have led to the search for simpler devices and the development of the estimating cardiopulmonary fitness (eCPF) equation. Since the lungs are one of the sites most affected by rheumatoid arthritis (RA), this study aimed to create a predictive equation for VO2peak obtained by simple sampling technology in women with RA‐associated interstitial lung disease (RA‐ILD). Methods: This cross‐sectional study evaluated 47 women with RA‐ILD. The participants underwent the following evaluations: computed tomography (CT); evaluation of disease activity through the Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI); measurement of physical function using the Health Assessment Questionnaire disability index (HAQ‐DI); pulmonary function testing, including spirometry, diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DlCO), nitrogen single‐breath washout (N2SBW) test, and impulse oscillometry; and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) using FitMate™. Results: VO2peak was correlated with age (r = −0.550, p < 0.0001), rheumatoid factor (r = −0.443, p = 0.002), anti‐cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (r = −0.410, p = 0.004), CDAI (r = −0.462, p = 0.001), HAD‐DI (r = −0.486, p = 0.0005), forced vital capacity (r = 0.491, p = 0.0004), DlCO (r = 0.621, p < 0.0001), phase III slope of N2SBW (r = −0.647, p < 0.0001), resonance frequency (Fres, r = −0.717, p < 0.0001), integrated low‐frequency reactance (r = −0.535, p = 0.0001), and the inhomogeneity of respiratory system resistance between 4 and 20 Hz (r = −0.631, p < 0.0001). In the CT examination, patients with extensive ILD had significantly lower VO2peak than patients with limited ILD (p < 0.0001). In the stepwise forward regression analysis, Fres, DlCO and age explained 61% of the VO2peak variability. Conclusions: As assessed by CPET, women with RA‐ILD show reduced cardiopulmonary fitness, which can be explained at least in part by the presence of small airway disease, deterioration of pulmonary gas exchange, and advanced age. These associations of pulmonary variables with eCPF may be clinically important and support the use of the eCPF equation to improve patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Systemic bacteria such as Xylella fastidiosa can be vertically transmitted by using diseased propagative material during nursery tree production. We tested the hypothesis that X. fastidiosa is not transmitted by symptomless olive tree sprouts. In addition, we investigated the distribution of bacteria in olive plants (different parts of canopy and root system) with initial leaf scorch symptoms and with symptoms spread throughout the canopy. In both studies, the presence of bacteria was tested by quantitative real‐time PCR (qPCR). For the first hypothesis, sprouts from a symptomless olive tree were rooted and checked for X. fastidiosa infection 32 months later. A total of 57.7% (41 of 71) of rooted seedlings were positive for X. fastidiosa (Ct from 24.25 to 31.82) but only one plant had scorched leaves. Regarding the distribution of the bacteria in the diseased plants, results based on qPCR showed that X. fastidiosa was systemically distributed through the olive plant canopy (30% to 77% of sampled tissues, with Ct values from 19.56 to 31.59). Samples from trees showing symptoms of olive quick decline syndrome (OQDS), taken 3 m above the lateral branch with symptoms, were positive for the presence of X. fastidiosa, as was the root system. The results demonstrate that vegetative material from olive plants used for rooting must be carefully selected for the absence of X. fastidiosa. Also, based on the qPCR‐positive results, pruning may have a limited effect on eliminating the bacteria from diseased plants, even from the ones showing few OQDS symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Physiotherapists have an ethical, professional, and regulatory responsibility for safety in all aspects of patient care. Notwithstanding, the adverse events issue has been inadequately addressed in the rehabilitation research field. Objectives: To determine the frequency and characterize the adverse events that occur during or in between physiotherapy sessions for parkinsonian syndromes. Methods: An exploratory clinical study was conducted. Physiotherapists were asked to actively report the adverse events that occurred during or between sessions for parkinsonian syndromes. Results: A total of 100 patients were enrolled in the study, which resulted in 1845 sessions. The most common adverse events reported were falls, pain/discomfort, and hypotension, with a total of 128 adverse events reported. Conclusions: During the physiotherapy sessions, adverse events do occur. Future research should clarify the relationship between AE occurrence and the type of intervention as well as causality and risk‐minimization strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This letter reports the results of a pragmatic feasibility study that evaluates the feasibility and safety of telerehabilitation physiotherapy sessions in patients with movement disorders. Telerehabilitation physiotherapy sessions have created opportunities for enhanced care, better self-management options for movement disorder patients, and overall improved healthcare. Keywords: movement disorders; telerehabilitation; physiotherapy EN movement disorders telerehabilitation physiotherapy 1144 1147 4 10/05/21 20211001 NES 211001 Several movement disorder patients were forced to stay in self-quarantine due to the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, interrupting their physiotherapy treatment.1,2 To overcome the negative effects of this sudden stop, video call systems started being used to perform physiotherapy sessions remotely (telerehabilitation). [Extracted from the article]

Background: Neural tube (NT) closure is a complex developmental process that takes place in the early stages of embryogenesis and that is a key step in neurulation. In mammals, the process by which the neural plate generates the NT requires organized cell movements and tissue folding, and it terminates with the fusion of the apposed ends of the neural folds. Results: Here we describe how almost identical cellular and molecular machinery is used to fuse the spinal neural folds as that involved in the repair of epithelial injury in the same area of the embryo. For both natural and wound activated closure of caudal neural tissue, hyaluronic acid and platelet‐derived growth factor signaling appear to be crucial for the final fusion step. Conclusions: There seems to be no general wound healing machinery for all tissues but rather, a tissue‐specific epithelial fusion machinery that embryos activate when necessary after abnormal epithelial opening. Key Findings: As demonstrated during NT closure, the surface ectoderm also drives the healing process in the caudal neural tube.For both natural and wound closure of caudal neural tissue, signalling of hyaluronic acid and PDGF appears to be crucial for the final step of fusion.The repair of a wound in a developing tissue appears to use the machinery that is currently active in that tissue to perform an activity similar to that required during healing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated whether regulation of the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) by enalapril and/or aerobic exercise training (AET) causes browning of the subcutaneous white adipose tissue (sWAT). C57BL/6 mice were fed either a standard chow or a high‐fat (HF) diet for 16 weeks. At Week 8, HF‐fed animals were divided into sedentary (HF), enalapril (HF‐E), AET (HF‐T), and enalapril plus AET (HF‐ET) groups. Subsequently, sWAT was extracted for morphometry, determination of RAS expression, and biomarkers of WAT browning. The HF group displayed adipocyte hypertrophy and induction of the classical RAS axis. Conversely, all interventions reduced adiposity and induced the counterregulatory RAS axis. However, only AET raised plasma irisin, increased peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐γ coactivator‐1α, and uncoupling protein‐1 levels, and the expression of PR‐domain containing 16 in sWAT. Therefore, we concluded that AET‐induced sWAT browning was independent of the counterregulatory axis shifting of RAS in HF diet‐induced obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Trends of paediatric emergency visits (ED) for dental conditions have been broadly discussed; however, little has been published in the Canadian context. Aim: To describe the utilization of ED for dental conditions among children and to investigate demographic characteristics influencing its use. Design: A comprehensive review of records of all children aged 1‐17 years who attended the ED service of a paediatric hospital in Montreal, Canada, for dental conditions over a 10‐year period (2004‐2013) was completed. Information on the child's principal dental diagnosis, sociodemographic data, and source of referral was obtained. Results: A total of 10 905 paediatric ED visits were seen during the study period. Among the children, 54.7% were male and the majority was younger than 6 years old. Dental caries constituted the most common reason for ED presentation comprising close to 43% of total visits for a dental complaint. Females, teenagers, and self‐referred children were more likely to experience ED visits due to non‐traumatic dental conditions. Conclusions: The utilization of ED for dental conditions has increased among pre‐school children in the last decade and was mostly due to caries‐related dental problems. Effective preventive strategies are needed to improve the oral health condition of children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteopontin (OPN), a senescence‐associated secretory phenotype factor, is increased in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Cellular senescence has been associated with age‐dependent hepatosteatosis. Thus, we investigated the role of OPN in the age‐related hepatosteatosis. For this, human serum samples, animal models of aging, and cell lines in which senescence was induced were used. Metabolic fluxes, lipid, and protein concentration were determined. Among individuals with a normal liver, we observed a positive correlation between serum OPN levels and increasing age. This correlation with age, however, was absent in patients with NAFLD. In wild‐type (WT) mice, serum and liver OPN were increased at 10 months old (m) along with liver p53 levels and remained elevated at 20m. Markers of liver senescence increased in association with synthesis and concentration of triglycerides (TG) in 10m OPN‐deficient (KO) hepatocytes when compared to WT hepatocytes. These changes in senescence and lipid metabolism in 10m OPN‐KO mice liver were associated with the decrease of 78 kDa glucose‐regulated protein (GRP78), induction of ER stress, and the increase in fatty acid synthase and CD36 levels. OPN deficiency in senescent cells also diminished GRP78, the accumulation of intracellular TG, and the increase in CD36 levels. In 20m mice, OPN loss led to increased liver fibrosis. Finally, we showed that OPN expression in vitro and in vivo was regulated by p53. In conclusion, OPN deficiency leads to earlier cellular senescence, ER stress, and TG accumulation during aging. The p53‐OPN axis is required to inhibit the onset of age‐related hepatosteatosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functionalization of 2,1,3‐benzothiadiazole (BTD) with thiols at C‐5 position remains low explored. Moreover, the arylthiol‐substitutions at this position are also unexplored and can not be found by a SN2 or SN1 reaction. In this sense, herein we present a new palladium‐catalyzed methodology for a wide variety of unpublished 5‐arylsulfanyl‐benzo‐2,1,3‐thiadiazole derivatives synthesis with moderate to high yields using a low catalytic loading of Pd(L‐Pro)2 as low‐coast, and efficient catalyst in low reaction time. Besides, we concluded that the pKa of thiol species has an important role in this catalysis, mainly in the CMD like catalytic cyclo process, which strongly interferes in the reaction yields. Furthermore, arylsulfanyl‐benzo‐2,1,3‐thiadiazoles derivatives have been assessed (in vitro) as potential acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple and convenient route for the synthesis of thia‐Michael products was established using pyrazol‐5(4H)‐one with various thiophenols in the presence of [Zn(L‐Pro)2],an efficient catalyst under mild reaction conditions. The salient features of this methodology are good yields, eco‐friendly catalyst, low catalyst loading and faster reaction times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aims of this study were to investigate dental students' attitudes toward people living in poverty and the extent to which their perceptions were associated with their willingness to treat those patients in their future practice. All 910 dental students enrolled in three Brazilian public universities in 2010 were invited to take part in a cross-sectional survey. A total of 766 students (83.7% response rate) completed the self-administered questionnaire on their perceptions of and attitudes about poverty and their intention to provide dental care to poor people. The responding students showed slightly positive attitudes about people living in poverty; however, a high percentage (35%) reported thinking they were different from the rest of the population. Nevertheless, most of these students expressed willingness to provide care to underserved populations in their future practice; this willingness was found to be associated with their beliefs about poverty (OR 1.65; 95% CI=1.41-1.94). Overall, the study found that these dental students had altruistic views toward people living in poverty. However, they seemed to lack a deep understanding of poverty that may prevent them from acting on their good intentions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A simple, efficient and green methodology for the C−S cross‐coupling reaction using Pd(L‐Pro)2 as a heterogeneous catalyst was developed involving aryl iodides, thiols, green‐solvent and a low catalytic loading of palladium prolinate. In addition, the catalyst turned out to be recyclable and the products were obtained in good to excellent yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Sialorrhea is a common manifestation of several neurological disorders. The use of intraglandular onabotulinum toxin A (OBTXA) injection has been recognized to effectively treat sialorrhea. As OBTXA injection reduces salivary flow rate and alters salivary quality, its use may have a detrimental effect on oral health. Aim. To examine the effect of OBTXA injection on caries experience and salivary pH of neurologically impaired children with sialorrhea. Design. Twenty-five children receiving OBTXA treatment and 25 control children were enrolled in the study. Whole saliva was collected to determine salivary pH. All participants underwent an interview on their dietary habits. Dental clinical examinations were carried out to evaluate caries experience and oral hygiene level. Results. Overall, mean salivary pH value was significantly lower in the OBTXA group (6.92 ± 0.77) compared with the control group (7.36 ± 0.70). Caries activity was significantly higher in the OBTXA group (P = 0.01). The regression analyses showed a significant association between OBTXA treatment and salivary pH value (P = 0.03). Results from the logistic regression show that dental caries was significantly associated with OBTXA treatment (OR = 1.73, CI = 1.14-27.3). Conclusions. The study showed an intricate relationship between OBTXA treatment and oral findings. Hence, special dental care should be given to children receiving OBTXA treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Patient satisfaction is an important goal in complete denture therapy, and many factors influence this parameter. This study aimed to evaluate expectations before and satisfaction after therapy with complete dentures. As a secondary objective, other variables that may interfere with patient satisfaction were also evaluated. Material and Methods A representative sample of 99 patients assigned visual analog scale (VAS) scores to their expectations before and satisfaction after therapy regarding chewing, esthetics, comfort, and phonetics. Demographic data and answers to a questionnaire concerning the dentists' conduct were recorded. Multiple linear regression was used to evaluate the association among studied variables and patients' expectation and satisfaction with their dentures. Results The average VAS scores were high for both expectations and satisfaction, and satisfaction exceeded expectations. Patients' expectations about esthetics and comfort were associated with age and self-reported time of using complete dentures. Patient satisfaction regarding chewing was associated with the number of postdelivery adjustments. Also, patient satisfaction regarding esthetics was associated with gender and esthetic expectations. In regard to phonetic satisfaction, associations were verified among self-reported time of using complete dentures, comfort and phonetics expectations, and dentists' explanations. Comfort satisfaction was associated only with educational level. Conclusions Patient satisfaction regarding complete dentures exceeded expectations and an expressive majority of positive evaluations of the dentists was noticed. Many patient-related variables seemed to influence their evaluations of their dentures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Location-routing is a branch of locational analysis that takes into account distribution aspects. This paper proposes a taxonomy, with two levels, for location-routing problems. The first level focuses on the structural characteristics of the problems. The second level branches into the different algorithmic approaches and objective perspectives. An introduction to the previously defined problems is presented, categorising the papers in the literature (a total of 149 references) according to the proposed classification. Moreover, an overview of the most significant aspects of the different solution methods and main objectives, with special emphasis on multi-objective approaches, is provided. Some data providing a better insight into the publication progress are also included. Finally, several promising research directions are identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigating career motivations and intentions of dental students provides a better understanding of their role in society and contributes to the debate on dental education and practices. This study describes the profile, career choice motivations, and career intentions of Brazilian dental students and evaluates factors related to these choices. A cross-sectional study was carried out among dental students from three Brazilian public universities (N=915), with a response rate of 83.7 percent. Students (N=766) responded to a self-administered questionnaire about sociodemographic factors, reasons for choosing dentistry as a career, and future career intentions. Job conception was found to be the main reason for choosing dentistry as a profession. Most students intended to become specialists and work in both the public and private sectors simultaneously. Female students (OR 2.23, 95 percent CI=1.62-3.08), low-income students (OR 1.86, 95 percent CI=1.10-3.13), and students beginning their program (OR 1.87, 95 percent CI= 1.22-2.85) were more likely to work in the public and private sectors simultaneously than other types of students. This study suggests that choice of career and career plans are influenced by factors related to the students' characteristics and their conception of the profession. The opportunity to combine private and public dental practice may be viewed as a way to achieve income and job security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronary CT angiography is widely used in clinical practice for the assessment of coronary artery disease. Several studies have shown that the same exam can also be used to assess left ventricle (LV) function. Even though coronary CT angiography provides data concerning multiple cardiac phases, along the cardiac cycle, LV function is usually evaluated using just the end-systolic and end-diastolic phases. This unused wealth of data, mostly due to its complexity and the lack of proper tools, has still to be explored to assess if further insight is possible regarding regional LV functional analysis. Furthermore, different parameters can be computed to characterize LV function and though some are well known by clinicians others still need to be tested concerning their value in clinical scenarios. Based on these premises, we present several parameters characterizing global and regional LV function, computed for several cardiac phases over one cardiac cycle. The data provided by the computed parameters is shown using a set of visualizations allowing synchronized visual exploration of the different data. The main purpose is to provide means for clinicians to explore the data and gather insight over their meaning and their correlation with each other and with diagnosis outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fission yeast Cdc42 regulates polarized growth and is involved in For3 formin activation and actin cable assembly. We show here that a thermosensitive strain carrying the cdc42L160S allele has membrane traffic defects independent of the actin cable defects. This strain has decreased acid phosphatase (AP) secretion, intracellular accumulation of vesicles and fragmentation of vacuoles. In addition, the exocyst is not localized to the tips of these cells. Overproduction of the scaffold protein Pob1 suppressed cdc42L160S thermosensitive growth and restored exocyst localization and AP secretion. The GTPase Rho3 also suppressed cdc42L160S thermosensitivity, restored exocyst localization and AP secretion. However, Rho3 did not restore the actin cables in these cells as Pob1 does. Similarly, overexpression of psy1+, coding a syntaxin (t-SNARE) homolog, or of ypt2+, coding an SEC4 homolog in fission yeast, rescued growth at high temperature but did not restore actin cables, nor the exocyst-polarized localization. cdc42L160S cells also have defects in vacuole formation that were rescued by Pob1, Rho3 and Psy1. All together, we propose that Cdc42 and the scaffold Pob1 are required for membrane trafficking and fusion, contributing to polarized secretion, endosome recycling, vacuole formation and growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schizosaccharomyces pombe Rho2 GTPase regulates α-D-glucan synthesis and acts upstream of Pck2 to activate the MAP kinase pathway for cell integrity. However, little is known about its regulation. Here we describe Rga2 as a Rho2 GTPase-activating protein (GAP) that regulates cell morphology. rga2+ gene is not essential for growth but its deletion causes longer and thinner cells whereas rga2+ overexpression causes shorter and broader cells. rga2+ overexpression also causes abnormal accumulation of Calcofluor-stained material and cell lysis, suggesting that it also participates in cell wall integrity. Rga2 localizes to growth tips and septum region. The N-terminal region of the protein is required for its correct localization whereas the PH domain is necessary exclusively for Rga2 localization to the division area. Also, Rga2 localization depends on polarity markers and on actin polymerization. Rga2 interacts with Rho2 and possesses in vitro and in vivo GAP activity for this GTPase. Accordingly, rga2Δ cells contain more α-D-glucan and therefore partially suppress the thermosensitivity of mok1–664 cells, which have a defective α-D-glucan synthase. Additionally, genetic interactions and biochemical analysis suggest that Rga2 regulates Rho2–Pck2 interaction and might participate in the regulation of the MAPK cell integrity pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]