Search

Notes that less than 1% of the new Prentice Hall American literature textbook, "The American Experience," is devoted to works by writers with Hispanic surnames. Offers two guidelines for the selection of literature outside the anthology: independent choice by students and teachers; and indigenous literature which arises from students' own culture and locale. (RS)

O estudo analisa a educação oferecida aos povos do campo, no curso de formação de educadores organizado pela Unioeste, campus de Francisco Beltrão-PR. O planejamento e a implementação do referido curso demandou muitos debates entre os professores em busca da clareza necessária para encaminhar questões polêmicas que acompanharam o processo de elaboração da proposta do curso: o currículo a ser adotado, as especificidades do campo e as peculiaridades da formação de educadores atuantes no Movimento dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem Terra. A pesquisa desenvolvida junto a seis professores da universidade e um dirigente do MST. Dentre os professores entrevistados, os ministrantes do curso deixaram clara a importância de formar educadores comprometidos com as lutas das mulheres e homens que vivem e trabalham no campo, garantindo essas especificidades sem perder de vista o caráter universalizante da formação docente, mas, respeitando as matrizes culturais, a formação da identidade, a manutenção dos valores, dos ideários e da terra. O estudo aponta ainda a necessidade de continuar pesquisando a temática da educação do campo, pois são muitas as dúvidas que ainda preocupam os educadores, tanto os da Unioeste que atuam nos movimentos sociais quanto os acadêmicos que são educadores atuantes nas escolas do campo, em busca do ensino superior. Palavras-chave: Educação do Campo. Formação de Educadores. MST.

Abstract Background Malignant canine mammary tumors represent 50% of all neoplasms in female dogs. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) are thought to be involved in tumor progression, and they are also associated with the reactive stroma, which provides structural and vascular support for tumor growth. Results MMP-2, MMP-9 and MT1-MMP were expressed at both the mRNA and protein levels in tumor samples. MMP-2 and MMP-9 immunohistochemical reactions were evident both in the epithelial tumor cells and in the stromal compartment to varying degrees; in particular, the intensity of the MMP-2 staining was stronger in the stromal fibroblasts close to epithelial tumor cells in simple carcinomas than in adenomas. These data were supported by gelatin-zymography; bands for the active form of MMP-2 were found in 94% of carcinoma samples, compared with 17% of benign tumor samples. The gene expression and immunohistochemical results for MT1-MMP were comparable to those for MMP-2. The immunoreactivity for MMP-13 and TIMP-2 was lower in carcinomas than in adenomas, confirming the mRNA data for MMP-13 and the other MMP inhibitors that were evaluated. The active form of MMP-9, but not the active form of MMP-2, was identified in the plasma of all of the tested dogs. Conclusions Our findings suggest that MMP-9, MMP-2 and MT1-MMP, which are synthesized by epithelial cancer cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts, play an important role in malignant canine mammary tumors. The reduction of MMP-13 and TIMP-2 could also be a significant step in malignant transformation. MMP-2 and MT1-MMP could be further evaluated as future biomarkers for predicting the progression and prognosis of canine mammary tumors.

Notes that although fiction writing is a somewhat problematic part of upper elementary/middle school writing, it is important for children to be able to compose good fiction. Suggests two methods to benefit young writers: (1) expose them to a wide range of good fiction, and (2) preserve their right to create personal fictions. (NH)

Discusses teaching junior high students Ann Sexton's poem about remembrances of childhood. Notes the strong personal connections students make with the action and feelings of the poem, and that the poem helps thirteen- and fourteen-year olds understand their own developmental transformations. Suggests related writing assignments based on multiple points of view. (JG)

Worldwide, there are an increasing number of transnational networks on climate actions driven by non-state actors. There is a wealthy literature analysing models of multilevel governance of climate change focusing mainly on the engagement of cities and local governments. To a lesser extent research has focused on the collaboration between regional administrations and local governments. Against this backdrop, we introduce the multilevel-governance model observed in the Covenant of Mayors (CoM) framework, named Covenant Territorial Coordinators (CTCs). The CoM initiative has more than 7600 signatories as of October 2017, covering 238 million inhabitants from European, Central Asian and South Mediterranean cities. The peculiarity of CoM compared to other transnational initiatives, is the engagement of small and medium cities (less than 10,000 inhabitants) in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, with almost 66 % of signatories, mainly small cities, supported by CTCs. In this article we present, analyse and discuss the role of regions and provinces acting as CTCs in supporting smaller local authorities for energy-climate planning, presenting examples of successful collaboration between different levels of government. Finally, we identify and discuss in which EU countries the multi-level governance model based on CTCs as observed in the Covenant is likely to be successful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence of poor self-rated sleep and to identify the population subgroups most susceptible to the problem. METHODS This is a cross-sectional, population-based study developed with data from the Health Survey conducted in the city of Campinas (ISACamp 2014/2015). Data from a sample of 1,998 individuals aged 20 years or older were analyzed. The self-rated quality of sleep was analyzed according to socio-demographic characteristics, morbidities, health behaviors and feeling of well-being. The association of sleep quality with different complaints and characteristics of sleep was also analyzed. Adjusted prevalence ratios were estimed using Poisson multiple regression model allowing for the sample weights. RESULTS Prevalence of poor self-rated sleep was 29.1% and showed to be significantly higher in women, in individuals aged from 40 to 50 years, migrants, without occupation, physically inactive in leisure context, with common mental disorder (PR = 1.59), with greater number of health problems (PR = 2.33), poor self-rated health (PR = 1.61), and life dissatisfaction. Poor sleep was strongly associated with reports of difficulty in initiating sleep (PR = 4.17), in maintaining sleep (PR = 4.40) and with never or almost never feeling well when waking up (PR = 4.52). CONCLUSIONS The results identify the population subgroups with poor quality of sleep that deserve greater attention. It also highlight the need to consider, in addition to the presence of comorbidities, mental health and the feeling of well-being in the care of patients with sleep problems and in the interventions planed for promoting healthy sleep.

Fifty years ago, in 1966, the Anglo-American Seminar on the Teaching of English, later known as the Dartmouth Conference, brought together English educators from three nations--the United States, England, and Canada--to discuss the future of the school subject of English. The Dartmouth Conference is now considered to be a watershed moment in the teaching of English. In this article, three English educators, from three generations, reflect on the meaning and significance of the Dartmouth Conference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Feline intestinal mast cell tumours (FIMCTs) are rare and reportedly characterised by poor differentiation, aggressive biological behaviour and lack of reliable therapeutic aids. KIT proto-oncogene-activating mutations have never been investigated in these tumours. This study describes the main clinicopathological and microscopic features observed in 17 FIMCTs. Methods Tumour degree of differentiation, proliferative activity, Kit protein expression and KIT mutations were evaluated and correlated with survival to assess their prognostic relevance. Results Ten tumours were located in the small intestine, two in the ileocaecocolic junction, and five in the large intestine. Survival times ranged from 3–538 days. Fifteen tumours were evaluated histologically, and there were six well-differentiated, six moderately differentiated and three poorly differentiated FIMCTs. The last showed a medium-to-large deposition of collagen tissue (P <0.001), and significantly higher mitotic and Ki67 indexes compared with more differentiated tumours (P = 0.011). On survival analysis, tumour degree of differentiation (P <0.001) and a mitotic index >2 (P = 0.022) were significantly associated with decreased survival times. Twelve cases showed Kit protein immunoexpression. The Kit pattern was membranous in five cases (33.3%), focal paranuclear in five (33.3%) and diffuse cytoplasmic in two (13.3%). Cytoplasmic Kit patterns were associated with a lesser differentiation (P = 0.015). Mutation analysis was successfully performed on 12 primary tumours and four lymph node metastases; however, no encoding mutation was detected. Conclusions and relevance Contrary to reports in the literature, FIMCTs seem to have an extremely variable biological behaviour. We propose a classification based on tumour degree of differentiation and proliferative activity. These findings need to be confirmed in larger series, and exploration of further genomic regions of KIT is warranted to clarify its role in the development and progression of these neoplasms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses various reports within the issue including English education and curriculum development, central significance for English teachers in England and the purpose of English in schools.

The realization of national climate change commitments, as agreed through international negotiations, requires local action. However, data is still insufficient to make accurate statements about the scale of urban emissions (UNHABITAT, 2011). The need of comparable emission inventories at city level, including smaller cities, is widely recognized to develop evidence-based policies accounting for the relation between emissions and institutional, socio-economic and demographic characteristics at city level. This paper presents a collection of harmonized greenhouse gases (GHG) emission inventories (the "CoM sample 2013") at municipal level directly computed by the cities and towns that participate in the EU Covenant of Mayors initiative. This is the mainstream European movement of local and regional authorities who voluntarily commit to reduce GHG emissions by 20% or more by 2020. The "CoM sample 2013" (http://edgar.jrc.ec.europa.eu/com/data/index.php? SECURE=123, doi:10.2904/EDGARcom2013) has been carefully checked to ensure its internal consistency and its congruity with respect to internationally accepted guide values for emission factors. Overall, it provides valuable data for the analysis of the heterogeneity of final energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions of cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria is the property of Thieme Medical Publishing Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Summary: Degradation of the extracellular matrix and angiogenesis are associated with tumour invasion and metastasis in human and canine neoplasia. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) and vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) are key mediators of these respective processes. Mast cell tumour (MCT) is the most common malignant cutaneous tumour in dogs. MCTs are always considered potentially malignant, but their true metastatic potential is unknown. In the present study, samples from seven grade 1, 22 grade 2 and six grade 3 MCTs were subjected to quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry (IHC) to evaluate MMP-2, MMP-9, membrane-type 1 MMP (MT1-MMP), TIMP-2 and VEGF-A mRNA and protein expression. Gelatin zymography (GZ) was also performed to evaluate MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity. MMP-9 and VEGF-A mRNA increased with histological grade, while TIMP-2 decreased with increasing grade. Gene expression data obtained for MMP-9, VEGF-A and TIMP-2 were confirmed by IHC for evaluation of the respective proteins. In contrast, MMP-2 and MT1-MMP had variable, but similar, expression for both mRNA and protein. Despite the high variability observed, there was correlation between MMP-2 and MT1-MMP mRNA expression (r =+0.91, P <0.0001). The MMP-2:TIMP-2 and MMP-9:TIMP-1 mRNA ratios showed an imbalance between MMPs and their specific inhibitors in MCTs, which increased with the histological grade. Finally, the activities of both latent and active forms of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were evaluated by GZ and there were significant increases in their activities with increasing histological grade and immunohistochemical expression. This study demonstrates that MMP-9, TIMP-2 and VEGF-A expression is related to histological grade and suggests that these markers are possible indicators of malignancy and targets for therapeutic strategies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background and Aim: Few studies have specifically addressed interobserver agreement in describing lesions identified during capsule endoscopy. The aim of our study is to evaluate interobserver agreement in the description of capsule endoscopy findings. Materials and methods: Consecutive short segments of capsule endoscopy were prospectively observed by 8 investigators. Seventy-five videos were prepared by an external investigator (gold standard). The description of the findings was reported by the investigators using the same validated and standardized capsule endoscopy structured terminology. The agreement was assessed using Cohen''s kappa statistic. Results: As concerns the ability to detect a lesion, the agreement with the gold standard was moderate (kappa 0.48), as well as the agreement relating to the final diagnosis (κ 0.45). The best agreement was observed in identifying the presence of active bleeding (κ 0.72), whereas the poorest agreement concerned the lesion size (κ 0.32). The agreement with the GS was significantly better in endoscopists with higher case/volume of capsule endoscopy per year. Diagnostic concordance was better in the presence of angiectasia than in the presence of polyps or ulcers/erosions. Conclusions: Correct lesion identification and diagnosis seem more likely to occur in presence of angiectasia, and for readers with more experience in capsule endoscopy reading. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background and study aims: Following endoscopic sphincterotomy, 90% of bile duct stones can be removed with a Dormia basket or balloon catheter. The removal can fail in patients with large stones, intrahepatic stones, bile duct strictures or a difficult anatomy. The aim of this retrospective study is to investigate the efficacy and safety of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in fragmenting and allowing the extraction of bile duct stones that could not be cleared by routine endoscopic means including mechanical lithotripsy. Patients and methods: From 1989 to January 2005, we treated with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy 376 patients (133 males and 243 females, median age 71.4 years) with bile duct stones that were not removable following endoscopic sphincterotomy, using the extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy Lithostar Plus machine built by Siemens Co. of Erlangen, Germany. Stone targeting was performed fluoroscopically following injection of contrast via nasobiliary drain or T-tube in 362 patients and by ultrasonography in eight patients. Residual fragments were cleared at endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatograhy. Two hundred and ten of the 370 patients treated (56.7%) showed only 1 stone, 57 (15.4%) showed 2, 45 (12.1%) showed 3, 58 (15.6%) showed more than 3 stones. The median diameter of the stones was 21mm (range 7–80mm). Results: Complete stone clearance was achieved in 334 of the 376 patients who underwent the extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy procedure (90.2%). Six patients (1.5%) dropped out of treatment during their first sessions, mainly because of intolerance. Each patient averaged 3.7 treatments (1–12), at an average rate of 3470 shocks per session (1500–5400), at an average energy level of 3.4mJ (1–7). Complications were recorded in 34 patients (9.1%); 22 patients experienced symptomatic cardiac arrhythmia, 4 haemobilia, 2 cholangitis, 3 haematuria, 3 dyspnoea; no deaths were associated with the procedure. Conclusions: Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is a safe and effective therapy in those patients in whom endoscopic techniques have failed with a clearing rate of 90.2% of refractory bile duct stones with a low rate of complications. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Changes in sleep quality and quantity occur in adolescence and can lead to the compensatory behavior of daytime napping. Analyze factors related to napping in adolescents. A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted with 1022 adolescents who participated in the 2014–2015 Health Survey of the city of Campinas, state of São Paulo, Brazil. Napping was the dependent variable. Sociodemographic characteristics, living habits, health-related behaviors, feelings of loneliness, satisfaction with life and nocturnal sleep habits were the independent variables. Data analysis was performed using Rao-Scott chi-square test, unpaired Student's t -test and Poisson regression analysis; p < 0.05 was considered significant. The software STATA was used for analysis. Mean participant age was 14.6 years (SD: 2.7; range: 10 to 19 years). Males accounted for 50.9% of the sample and 55.7% had white skin color. A total of 40.5% reported napping. Napping was more common in females (p = 0.006), the 14-to-17-year-old age group (p = 0.002), those who took medications in the previous 15 days (p = 0.001), those who were insufficiently active (p = 0.036), those who reported little or no satisfaction with life (p = 0.008) and those who woke up in bad mood (p = 0.004). Adolescents who napped also reported shorter sleep during the week (p < 0.001) and a perceived greater need for sleep (p < 0.001). The prevalence of napping among the adolescents was independently associated with shorter average sleep, a perceived greater need for sleep than that obtained and waking up in a bad mood. • The occurrence of napping may be a sign of sleep deprivation in adolescents. • Napping was frequent in our sample and was associated with sleep deficit on weekdays. • There is a pressing need for encouraging adolescents to have proper sleep duration. • Results can help the planning of measures to promote adolescents' sleep quality and public policies aimed at this issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]