Search

Introduction: Impaired Quality of Life (QoL) in Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) has been demonstrated in adults, but research in children has yielded variable results. We investigated the impact of CAH on QoL of children and adolescents alongside clinical health outcomes (biometric and biochemical profiles). Method: We collected data from 14 tertiary UK centres to explore current health status of 8-18 year olds with CAH. QoL was assessed by using three different questionnaires; strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ), Paediatric Quality of life (PedsQL) and Self-image profile (SIP), the former two completed by both patients and their parents. Height, weight and blood pressure were converted to age and sex adjusted z-scores. Serum markers included 17OH-progesterone (17OHP), androstenedione (D4), testosterone (T) and 11-ketotestosterone (11KT). Statistical Analysis: Statistical analysis comprised of principal component analysis (PCA) followed by multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), and post hoc regression. Results: Of the 107 CAH patients included in the study, median age 12.4 years (IQR 10.0-15.1), 55% were female and 104 completed at least 1 questionnaire. Adequate data for PCA was available from 73/107. Three Principal Components (PCs) with observed eigenvalues > 1 explained 71% of the total variance in the observed variables. PC1 reflected ‘disease control’ comprising 17OHP, D4, T and 11KT. PC2 reflected ‘biometrics’ comprising age, and height and weight z-score. PC3 reflected ‘blood pressure’, comprising systolic and diastolic z-score. PC1 correlated with outcomes in the parent and patient SDQ as well as parent PedsQL. PC2 and PC3 did not correlate with QoL. Regression analysis revealed higher scores (indicating lower QoL) in the SDQ domain of emotional problems and PedsQL domain of emotional health in patients where biomarkers suggested good control or overtreatment. Post hoc regression analysis revealed a rise in Androstenedione of 10nmol/L equated to an improved SDQ emotional problems score of 0.5 points and an improved PedsQL emotional health score of 3 points. Conclusion: The study found an interrelation between QoL and biomarkers of disease control in CAH. There were more emotional problems with higher levels of androgen suppression. Biochemical control within normal ranges did not predict emotional problems. However, unexpectedly, patients with very high levels of androgens were highlighted as reporting fewer problems with their emotional QoL. Further research into QoL in CAH and optimal levels of biochemical control will further understanding.

Introduction: The association between congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and increased morbidity and mortality in adult life has been well established, however, limited knowledge exists regarding the onset of co-morbidities during childhood. Objective: To establish the health status of children and young persons (CYP) with CAH in the United Kingdom. Methods: This cross-sectional multi-center study involved 14 tertiary endocrine units across the United Kingdom. We recruited 107 patients aged 8-18 years with 21-hydroxylase deficiency and 83 matched controls. We collected and analyzed demographic, clinical, and metabolic data, as well as psychological questionnaires (Strengths and Difficulties [SDQ], Paediatric Quality of Life [PedsQL]and Self-Image Profile [SIP]). Results: The majority of patients (62.2%) were diagnosed within the first month of life, most commonly presenting with ambiguous genitalia (32.7%) or salt losing crisis (25.2%). After diagnosis, 37.3% of patients required admission for adrenal crisis, 11.2% presenting three or more episodes. Of the female patients, 57.6% had undergone urogenital examination under anesthesia and 35.5% had genital surgery. Most CAH patients received glucocorticoid (GC) replacement therapy with hydrocortisone (HC) (94.3%) and the rest with prednisolone, with a mean for relative GC doses of 13.3 (±3.7) mg/m2 per day HC-equivalent. 76.6% of patients received treatment with fludrocortisone, with a mean dose of 105.0 (±50.2) µg/m2 per day. Comparing height-Standard Deviation Score (SDS), patients under 12 years were taller (p=0.011) and patients aged 12-18 years shorter (p=0.031) than controls. Bone age was advanced in patients, with a mean difference from the chronological age of 1.9 (±2.2) years. CAH patients were more frequently overweight (26.4%) or obese (22.6%) compared to controls (10.8% and 10.8% respectively, p

Main text The key comparison CCQM-K151 protein quantification: Purity-assessed recombinant protein contents in buffer solution using Insulin analogue was coordinated by Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS) under the auspices of the Protein Analysis Working Group (PAWG) of the Consultative Committee for Amount of Substance: Metrology in Chemistry and Biology (CCQM) CCQM. Nine National Metrology Institutes and Designated Institutes participated. Participants were required to assign the mass fraction of human insulin analogue (Ins) present as the main component in the comparison sample for CCQM-K151. This study provided the means for assessing measurement capabilities for determination of purity-evaluated recombinant proteins up to 10 kDa containing up to 3 disulfide cross-links in an aqueous calibration solution using amino acid based ID-LC-MS. Sample purity was confirmed by coordinating lab. Nine results were submitted. All results applied the LC-MS/MS method and isotope dilution mass spectrometry (ID-MS) method for quantification of Ins by amino acid analysis through acid hydrolysis. Among nine results, the Key Comparison Reference Value (KCRV) was assigned with six results. The assigned KCRV was the arithmetic mean of the six results, of 3440 mg/kg with a combined standard uncertainty of 13.5 mg/kg, the k-factor for the estimation of the expanded uncertainty of the KCRVs was chosen as k=2.57. Three participants, reported lower values than the other six, requested another set of test materials for additional experiments to investigate source of discrepancy in their results, and therefore were excluded from KCRV estimation in CCQM-K151. Three participants progressed substantial experiments with further investigation into their negative-biased factor, and actively proved their measurement capability. The degree of equivalence (with the KCRV) and its uncertainty was calculated for each result. Six of the participants were able to demonstrate the ability to quantitatively determine purity-assessed recombinant protein in buffer solution. To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/. The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCQM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).

In this study we used nitroglycerin (NTG)-induced migraine attacks as a translational human disease model. Static and dynamic functional connectivity (FC) analyses were applied to study the associated functional brain changes. A spontaneous migraine-like attack was induced in five episodic migraine (EM) patients using a NTG challenge. Four task-free functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans were acquired over the study: baseline, prodromal, full-blown, and recovery. Seed-based correlation analysis (SCA) was applied to fMRI data to assess static FC changes between the thalamus and the rest of the brain. Wavelet coherence analysis (WCA) was applied to test time-varying phase-coherence changes between the thalamus and salience networks (SNs). SCA results showed significantly FC changes between the right thalamus and areas involved in the pain circuits (insula, pons, cerebellum) during the prodromal phase, reaching its maximal alteration during the full-blown phase. WCA showed instead a loss of synchronisation between thalami and SN, mainly occurring during the prodrome and full-blown phases. These findings further support the idea that a temporal change in thalamic function occurs over the experimentally induced phases of NTG-induced headache in migraine patients. Correlation of FC changes with true clinical phases in spontaneous migraine would validate the utility of this model.

This review presents up-to-date information about current research on nicarbazin, one of the most used anticoccidials in poultry production. The focus is to elucidate regulation concerning nicarbazin, limits for its residues in food, how maximum residue limits in different countries are calculated regarding edible chicken tissues and the possible implications in human health. Analytical methods to extract and quantify this residue, expressed as dinitrocarbanilide (DNC) are presented and discussed, including qualitative screening and quantitative/confirmatory analytical methods. Monitoring results and occurrence of DNC residues in chicken meat are discussed. Additionally, the causes of eventual chicken meat contamination and possible solutions to reduce or eliminate DNC residue in tissues are also presented. The paper concludes with perspectives, the current state of DNC residue analysis and suggestions for future research, especially considering the gap in the study of residue recycling effect due to continuous chicken litter use. Made available in DSpace on 2018-05-10T01:04:53Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 final8576.pdf: 262262 bytes, checksum: 45787dade5f99e77258507467a4f9c3b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-09-22

Under the auspices of the Protein Analysis Working Group (PAWG) of the Comité Consultatif pour la Quantité de Matière (CCQM) a key comparison, CCQM-K115.b, was coordinated by the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM) and the Chinese National Institute of Metrology (NIM). Seven Metrology Institutes or Designated Institutes and the BIPM participated. Participants were required to assign the mass fraction of oxytocin (OXT) present as the main component in the comparison sample for CCQM-K115.b. The comparison samples were prepared from synthetic OXT purchased from a commercial supplier and used as provided without further treatment or purification. OXT was selected to be representative of the performance of a laboratory's measurement capability for the purity assignment of chemically synthesized peptides of known sequence, with one cross-link and up to 5 kDa. It was anticipated to provide an analytical measurement challenge representative for the value-assignment of compounds of broadly similar structural characteristics. The majority of participants used amino acid analysis (PICAA) or quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance (PICqNMR) spectroscopy with a correction for structurally-related peptide impurities approach as the amount of material that has been provided to each participant (25 mg) is insufficient to perform a full mass balance based characterization of the material by a participating laboratory. The coordinators, both the BIPM and the NIM, were the laboratories to use the mass balance approach as they had more material available. It was decided to propose KCRVs for both the OXT mass fraction and the mass fraction of the peptide related impurities as indispensable contributor regardless of the use of PICAA, PICqNMR or mass balance to determine the OXT purity. This allowed participants to demonstrate the efficacy of their implementation of the approaches used to determine the OXT mass fraction. In particular, it allows participants to demonstrate the efficacy of their implementation of peptide related impurity identification and quantification. More detailed studies on the identification/quantification of peptide related impurities and the hydrolysis efficiency revealed that the integrity of the impurity profile of the related peptide impurities obtained by the participant is crucial for the impact on accuracy of the OXT mass fraction assignment. The assessment of the mass fraction of peptide impurities is based on the assumption that only the Largest Consistent Subset (LCS) of results is taken for the calculation of the KCRVPepImp by use of the weighted mean. The KCRVPepImp of 31.6 mg/g is associated with a small corresponding expanded uncertainty of ±1.4 mg/g (k =2) providing a more realistic basis of evaluation for the capabilities of the participants to identify/quantify peptide related impurities. Inspection of the degree of equivalence plots for the mass fraction of peptide impurities and additional information obtained from the peptide related impurity profile indicates that in many cases the major related peptide impurities have been identified and quantified. The approach selected to obtain a KCRVOXT for the mass fraction of OXT is based on random-effects meta-analysis (DerSimonian-Laird (DSL) variance-weighted mean). The DSLmean takes into account the uncertainties of the results while introducing sufficient excess variance to allow for their observed dispersion resulting in a larger expanded uncertainty U(KCRVOXT). The KCRVOXT for CCQM-K115.b is 787.2 mg/g with a corresponding expanded uncertainty of the KCRVOXT of ±12.9 mg/g. All OXT mass fraction results except the result of NMIM are in agreement with the KCRVOXT. It should be pointed out that the mass balance approaches show smaller uncertainties than PICAA or PICqNMR approaches. Mass balance approaches seem to produce slightly higher OXT mass fractions while PICAA approaches deliver slightly lower OXT mass fractions. Main text To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/. The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCQM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).

BACKGROUND: beam radiotherapy (IBRT) is increasingly used for the treatment of head/neck cancers in order to spare radiosensitive structures. The occurrence of brain radiation necrosis (RN) following this modality has been reported in small case series, although its long-term outcome has not been clarified yet. The aim of this study is to define the clinical and radiological course of brain RN after IBRT, with a focus on neuropsychological (NPS) deficits and epilepsy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients were prospectively identified from 07/2014 to 10/2017 during their follow-up at CNAO Foundation. Inclusion criteria were: 1) history of IBRT for a head/neck cancer; 2) age ≥18 years at the time of IBRT; 3) new MRI alterations compatible with brain RN. Enrolled patients underwent multimodal evaluations (including neurological examination, contrast brain MRI, EEG,and NPS testing), at the time of RN detection, after three months and then every six months. RESULTS: A total of 22 patients were identified. All of them had received IBRT for intracranial extraparenchymal tumors. Median age at the time of IBRT was 49 years (range 29–64). IBRT consisted of protons in 9 cases and of carbon ions in 13 cases. Median total dose was 68.8 Gy[RBE] (range 14–76.8). Six patients had been previously irradiated. Median time from the end of IBRT to RN identification was 16 months (range 3–37). In 86% of cases, RN was identified during scheduled MRI scans. RN was located in the temporal lobes in 21 cases (95%). At the time of RN detection, 71% of the patients tested had NPS deficits. Six patients developed seizures (27%). Patients were followed for a median of 23 months (range 4–41). Sixteen patients (73%) needed corticosteroid therapy and 9 (41%) were started on antiepileptic drugs. At last follow-up, 35% of patients still had multidomain NPS deficits. Within the first six months of follow-up, 74% of patients had the appearance of new enhancing lesions o enlargement of previously described lesions on MRI, though in most cases RN was reduced at last radiological follow-up. CONCLUSION: The incidence of RN peaks during the second year after IBRT. Although in most cases RN was identified during scheduled MRI scans, cognitive deficits and symptomatic epilepsy were detected in a large proportion of patients. Long-term outcome is not predictable, as some patients tend to improve over time, while others develop new symptoms. Corticosteroids and antiepileptic drugs are needed in most patients to control symptoms.

Submitted by Angela Maria de Oliveira (amolivei@uepg.br) on 2018-11-14T19:55:13Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 811 bytes, checksum: e39d27027a6cc9cb039ad269a5db8e34 (MD5) Carolina Bacila.pdf: 1778129 bytes, checksum: 989392097051d1a2e9d03cf9eaeabcc0 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2018-11-14T19:55:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 811 bytes, checksum: e39d27027a6cc9cb039ad269a5db8e34 (MD5) Carolina Bacila.pdf: 1778129 bytes, checksum: 989392097051d1a2e9d03cf9eaeabcc0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-07-31 A disfunção temporomandibular (DTM) é responsável por alterações no aparelho mastigatório e é uma das principais causas de dor orofacial. Sua etiologia é um tratamento multifatorial e interdisciplinar. A craniotomia pterional é responsável pela atrofia do músculo temporal e disfunção da articulação temporomandibular em pacientes submetidos a essa abordagem neurocirúrgica. Objetivo: Avaliar qual o impacto na qualidade de vida de pacientes com disfunção temporomandibular secundária a craniotomias frontotemporoesfenoidais (pterionais e minipterionais) e se há associação entre o grau da atrofia do músculo temporal e disfunção da articulação temporomandibular mensurada pelo RDC/TMD em craniotomias frontotemporoesfenoidais (pterionais e minipterionais) e tomografia de crânio com aquisição volumétrica. Métodos: Foram avaliados 47 pacientes por meio do questionário e avaliação clínica de acordo com RDC / TMD, tomografia de crânio com aquisição volumétrica para avaliar o grau de atrofia do músculo temporal e questionário de qualidade de vida WHOQOL-BREF. Foram avaliadas cinco variáveis clínicas: grau de dor crônica, grau de depressao, sintomas fisicos não específicos, grau de atrofia e amplitude da abertura da boca. Resultados:observou-se como principal queixa dos pacientes dor e desconforto. O grau de atrofia avaliado foi de 22%. Metade dos indivíduos nao apresentaram depressão. Mais da metade dos indivíduos apresentaram sintomas físicos não específicos em grau severo. Conclusão: não houve correlação signiticativa entre grau de atrofia temporal com nenhuma variável estudada, apesar de haver impacto negativo na qualidade de vida dos pacientes. Houve correlação significativa entre o grau de dor crônica com amplitude da boca e entre grau de dor crônica com o grau de depressão. Temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) is responsible for changes in the masticatory apparatus and is one of the main causes of orofacial pain. Its etiology is a multifactorial and interdisciplinary treatment. The pterional craniotomy is responsible for temporal muscle atrophy and temporomandibular joint dysfunction in patients submitted to this neurosurgical approach. Objective: To evaluate the impact on the quality of life of patients with temporomandibular dysfunction secondary to frontotemporesphenoidal craniotomies (pterionals and minipterionals) and whether there is an association between the degree of temporal muscle atrophy and temporomandibular joint dysfunction measured by RDC / TMD in frontotemporoesfenoidal craniotomies ( pterionic and minipterional) and skull tomography with volumetric acquisition. Methods: A total of 47 patients were evaluated by means of a questionnaire and clinical evaluation according to CDR / TMD, skull tomography with volumetric acquisition to assess the degree of temporal muscle atrophy and WHOQOL-BREF quality of life questionnaire. Five clinical variables were evaluated: degree of chronic pain, degree of depression, non-specific physical symptoms, degree of atrophy and amplitude of mouth opening. Results: the main complaint of the patients was pain and discomfort. The degree of atrophy evaluated was 22%. Half of the subjects did not present with depression. More than half of the individuals presented non-specific physical symptoms to a severe degree. Conclusion: there was no significant correlation between the degree of temporal atrophy with any variable studied, although there was a negative impact on patients' quality of life. There was a significant correlation between the degree of chronic pain with mouth amplitude and between the degree of chronic pain and the degree of depression.

Nicarbazin is one of the major anticoccidials used in broiler feeds. The compound 4,4'-dinitrocarbanilide (DNC) is the marker residue of concern left from nicarbazin in chicken meat. The effect of thermal processing on DNC content accumulated in chicken breast was assessed, and samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Five conventional cooking methods were evaluated: boiling, grilling, microwaving, frying, and roasting. To ensure DNC in meat, broilers were fed nicarbazin without withdrawal period. All heating methods surpassed the 70 °C end point core temperature in chicken breast. Maximum DNC degradation was reached at 10 min for boiling, at 30 min for grilling, and at 2 min for microwaving, and no further reduction was observed for longer thermal processing time. Boiling was more efficient in reducing DNC (69%). Grilling, microwaving, and frying achieved on average 55% of degradation. The outcomes reported herein may be considered in decision-making regarding further review of maximum residue limits.

Common postictal MRI findings include transient cortical T2 hyperintensity, restricted diffusion, and gyral and/or adjacent leptomeningeal contrast enhancement. In certain uncommon pathological conditions, other signal abnormalities can be present, suggesting a different underlying pathogenic mechanism. We report the case of a 66-year-old man, recently diagnosed with diabetes mellitus type 2, presenting with new-onset visual and auditory hallucinations, "absence" seizures, and repeated peaks of hyperglycaemia without hyperketonaemia or increased serum osmolarity. EEG confirmed epileptic discharges in the right temporal region and MRI showed vast subcortical T2 hypointensity in the right temporal lobe, without any cortical hyperintensity, restricted diffusion, or contrast enhancement. Subcortical signal abnormality and EEG discharges resolved after a month of follow-up, with a small juxtacortical gliotic focus as a sequela. Peaks in hyperglycaemia have been reported to be responsible for T2 hypointense subcortical abnormalities through a proconvulsant mechanism linked to increased ketone body concentrations. Hyperosmolarity and hyperketonaemia were not evident in this case, however, transient accumulation of free radicals that alter the intercellular space can be considered the presumable cause of this finding. In summary, it is important to consider any unusual findings on postictal MRI in order to avoid errors in interpretation.

A presente tese tem por objeto o conflito na Palestina/Israel, mais especificamente as políticas da ocupação israelense na Faixa de Gaza e Cisjordânia e a vulnerabilidade palestina, desde 1967 até os dias de hoje. A situação é analisada a partir da contextualização do conflito no mundo contemporâneo e na região e da contraposição entre bibliografia específica e geral com relatórios de direitos humanos e humanitários. Averígua-se em que medida essa documentação referenda ou fragiliza diferentes interpretações do conflito e da ocupação, bem como quais outras leituras são sugeridas por sua análise. É a permanência do impasse que mantém o tema sempre atual, justificando seu estudo. Constata-se a manutenção de um padrão peculiar de violações sistemáticas dos direitos humanos e humanitários dos palestinos pelo Estado e parte da população israelense, que os mantêm expostos à violência soberana, sendo adequados também para a compreensão dessa situação o conceito de terrorismo estatal e as categorias agambeanas de homo sacer e campo. This thesis deals with the conflict in Palestine/Israel, more specifically the policies of the Israeli occupation in the Gaza Strip and West Bank and the Palestinian vulnerability, from 1967 to the present day. To analyze the conflict and the occupation they are contextualized in the contemporary world and in the region and the specific and general bibliography are compared to human and humanitarian rights reports. One checks to what extent this documentation endorses or undermines different interpretations of the conflict and Israeli occupation, as well as what other readings are suggested by their analysis. It is the permanence of the impasse that keeps the theme always current, justifying its study. Is verified the maintenance of a peculiar pattern of systematic violations of the human and humanitarian rights of the Palestinians by the State and part of the Israeli population, which keeps them exposed to sovereign violence, and the pertinence of the concept of state terrorism and of the agambean categories of homo sacer and camp to understand this situation.

In this experiment, a Problem-based learning methodology (PBL) is used to teach physics to engineering students. The efficiency of PBL is measured and compared to traditional teaching methods. Our experiment shows no major differences in terms of knowledge acquisition, conceptualization and physical reasoning. On the other hand, PBL shows an influence on cross-knowledge acquisition. Implementing PBL with large groups of students has faced many challenges. PBL is a highly destabilizing and demanding method for students. To make them accept the method and the effort, PBL method has been adapted with closer guidance from tutors. A preparatory program has also been set up. The experiment also shows that the lecturers’ acceptance and understanding are key success factors. It is a long process for experienced lecturers to move from a teacher-centered teaching method to a student-centered pedagogy. Lecturers need strong support and guidance from PBL experts but also from the faculty itself. More complex timetables have been designed to manage large groups of students with limited staff. The constraint is to maintain the same number of teaching hours as for traditional teaching. If difficulties have appeared throughout this experiment, benefits have been noticed over time. Students develop problem solving methodologies as well as communication and organizational skills. These benefits have been noticed by companies and students’ acceptance has improved over time.

Baseado em bibliografia especializada sobre a modernidade e os dois temas especificos, o artigo apresenta, apos uma discussao teorica sobre o colonialismo e a representacao do colonizado, paralelos entre as perspectivas dos estabelecidos sobre os nativos e seus territorios no Parana e na Palestina em pleno seculo XX. Valendo-se dos conceitos de terra nullius, da imagem do colono civilizador e do nativo atrasado e da alegoria de fazer o deserto florescer, bem como de suas aplicacoes em ambos os espacos, e apontada a ausencia oficial dos autoctones dos discursos e analises no “Parana Novo” e no seio do movimento sionista, o que legitimou desapropriacoes em massa e a negacao de direitos. Delineiam-se ao final algumas diferencas entre ambos os casos. Sao observacoes gerais sobre dois capitulos da historia do colonialismo e orientalismo, que ajudam o publico brasileiro a compreender uma realidade tao distante, mas que guarda semelhancas incomodas com a nossa.

Actualmente Europa está atravesando una de las mayores crisis de los refugiados desde la Segunda Guerra mundial. Muchas personas huyen del Medio Oriente y de África para cruzar nuestras fronteras, en busca de protección contra la guerra y la destrucción de sus propios países. Más de un millón de migrantes y refugiados cruzaron hacia Europa e 2015 y más de 135 mil personas en lo que va de 2016. Los conflictos en Siria, Irak y Afganistán provocan que muchos de los solicitantes de asilo pongan en peligro su vida y la de sus hijos y familia para llegar a Europa en busca de un entorno pacífico y respetuoso para poder vivir. Muchos de ellos perecen al cruzar la frontera marítima de la UE, en las costas griegas, italianas o españolas. Las barreras, muros y vallas que han sido construidas recientemente han demostrado ser ineficaces y tienen el único efecto de desviar los flujos de una ruta a otra, y que caigan en las manos de las redes de traficantes de personas. Grecia es uno de los países que más afectada se ha visto por esta situación y miles de migrantes siguen llegando a las Islas Griegas cada día. Es necesario que los Estados miembros y la propia UE demuestren solidaridad y cooperación con terceros Estados de origen y tránsito de los flujos migratorios con vistas a poner fin a esta situación.

The religious tourism phenomenon arouses the interest of many researchers and practitioners, but few concentrated on the non- religious motivation of religious travelers. Using a questionnaire based on the model, more than 1600 Orthodox people from Romania who visited a monastery in the last two years were asked to evaluate the non-religious purpose of their visits. The analytical results showed that visitors are mainly motivated by a self-actualization need, namely their desire to become better persons. The paper offers a basis for a new and alternative approach of religious travel and a better understanding of the target market of this special form of tourism gradually on the rise.

The main purpose of the paper is to identify actions that Romanian female students consuming luxury have been taken and would be willing to take in order to obtain the desired luxury products, deepening the “compromise†dimension. Although not based on previous studies, as is the only one of its kind in the luxury domain, the study took into account the “sugar daddy†and the “extreme saving†phenomena, mentioned in few books and considered to exist among young female luxury consumers. The research is based on primary data collection, where a questionnaire-the data gathering tool-was applied among female students under 30 years, resulting 273 luxury consumers. The results that were obtained using the statistical program SPSS 19, showed that a small percent of the respondents mentioned that have made compromises to have luxury goods and services, like telling lies, engaging in relationships or have been financially supported by someone. The lack of past compromises for the other consumers is mainly due to the inconsistency between compromises and their moral and ethical standards, respectively to the low importance(desire) given to luxury. However, some of those who mentioned the previous reasons believe that in future there is a certain probability to make some compromises for luxury, especially for luxury cars, homes or clothing. In addition, many of those who have made compromises in the past are also willing to make in the future. But, in order to obtain luxury products, most consumers are willing to save or to get a job, seeing savings as a form of compromise. The authors contribution is given by the originality and uniqueness of the subject discussed, as there are no similar studies in the luxury domain both in Romania and at international level. Although the study has as a limit the use of a sample from a single city, we believe that the research is significant for the luxury sector, contributing on the one hand to outlining of the general profile of Romanian luxury consumer by identifying aspects related to consumer behavior, and secondly by identifying a new segment of Romanian luxury consumers, without high income but willing to take various actions in order to have luxury products.

Due to frequent changes in the luxury sector but mostly to its specificity, the answers to two of the most important questions are still controversial: “who is the luxury consumer?”and “how he/she consumes? “. Conducting a study among young female luxury consumers, the main purpose of the paper was to identify the existence of significant differences in luxury products and services consumption. The TwoStep cluster analysis indicated a five cluster solution based on the categories of luxury consumed and the differences were significant as the segments vary from segments of consumers who have only luxury cosmetics/perfumes to segments of consumers who engage in consumption of almost all types of luxury. Unexpected luxury consumers were discovered, with family precarious financial situation that doesn’t stop them to desire and consume luxury – they may engage in trading-up or down actions, consume accessible luxury or even take part to the “sugar daddy” phenomenon. The study is unique by approach and brings significant contribution both to luxury literature and for the luxury business domain.

The paper focuses on the analysis of the relationship between state aid to R&D and economic growth, measured by GDP level, providing empirical evidence of a correlation between these variables. Using a methodology which combines the regression technique and Granger causality, we found that GDP represents a significant causal determinant of state aid, while the correlation the variables considered is positive and statistically significant, suggesting that, in spite of disparities between Member States, government support through state aid to R&D has evolved from maintaining undistorted competition to the possibility to act as an incentive for the economic growth in the EU.

In this paper there are outlined the investigation results of a technical accident that took place recently on a natural gas transmission pipeline, due to the damage of one of the pipes, caused by a third party interference. In order to determine the failure conditions of the pipeline that experienced this technical accident, the authors used more assessment procedures for defects like dent-gouge combinations, generated by third party damages upon this pipeline. The results of the research performed led to the selection and assigning of the measures that have to be taken in order to keep at an allowable level the risk for such events to occur on natural gas transmission pipelines.

Economic education in Romania has gone through many changes in recent years, in order to modernize and adapt to the requirements of the economy based on knowledge. But, regardless of the stage, students' satisfaction is a key criterion for assessing the relevance and the accomplishment of the mission of universities in society. The highest satisfaction should be a constant concern for managers of higher education institutions. In order to achieve this goal, it is very important to periodically determine which are the most significant factors for students, how satisfied are they and which is the performance of the higher education for these attributes. The knowledge transfer process and the degree to which we can speak of a modern university tailored to the needs of the business environment and focused on increasing the relevance of the educational process for the labour market can be appreciated taking into consideration the content of the educational activities. The objective of this research is to identify relationships between the importance, satisfaction and performance of the instructional process in the process of improvement of the university management and the creation of better university programs. Our analysis was based on an empirical research conducted in a major Romanian faculty in the field: Faculty of Economics and Business Administration of Cluj-Napoca. The research was carried out by means of the survey method using quota sampling. Findings have revealed a significant positive contribution of the assessed factors to the increase of the quality of educational process. Also the factors that characterize the instructional process are correlated. The results revealed students' concern to acquire practical knowledge. There is also a significant difference between students\' expectations and students' satisfaction regarding the quality of the content of teaching activity. Unfortunately, in case of all factors the performance of institution was negative associated with a number of negative effects.

The Romanian destinations with religious significance are faced with a constant and continuous flow of visitors, many of whom are pilgrims, but these places have also become destinations for mass tourism. The purpose of this paper is to determine the market’s dimensions regarding the travellers whose destinations are Romanian religious settlements, and also some capacity indicators for this particular market. The study is the result of a questionnaire based research applied to over 1500 subjects. The results have shown a high degree of expansion for this type of travel but a low degree of market concentration.

Brown spiders have world-wide distribution and are the cause of health problems known as loxoscelism. Necrotic cutaneous lesions surrounding the bites and less intense systemic signs like renal failure, DIC, and hemolysis were observed. We studied molecular mechanism by which recombinant toxin, biochemically characterized as phospholipase-D, causes direct hemolysis (complement independent). Human erythrocytes treated with toxin showed direct hemolysis in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner, as well as morphological changes in cell size and shape. Erythrocytes from human, rabbit, and sheep were more susceptible than those from horse. Hemolysis was not dependent on ABO group or Rhesus system. Confocal and FACS analyses using antibodies or GFP-phospholipase-D protein showed direct toxin binding to erythrocytes membrane. Moreover, toxin-treated erythrocytes reacted with annexin-V and showed alterations in their lipid raft profile. Divalent ion chelators significantly inhibited hemolysis evoked by phospholipase-D, which has magnesium at the catalytic domain. Chelators were more effective than PMSF (serine-protease inhibitor) that had no effect on hemolysis. By site-directed mutation at catalytic domain (histidine 12 by alanine), hemolysis and morphologic changes of erythrocytes (but not the toxin's ability of membrane binding) were inhibited, supporting that catalytic activity is involved in hemolysis and cellular alterations but not toxin cell binding. The results provide evidence that L. intermedia venom phospholipase-D triggers direct human blood cell hemolysis in a catalytic-dependent manner.

BIOCHEMICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL BEHAVIOR OF ANTARCTIC ORGANISMS. The aim of the present paper was to carry on a report on the scientific contribution of the project “Biochemical and physiological behavior of Antarctic organisms” towards the Brazilian Antarctic Program, a project that established in 1983-1984 the biological research laboratories at the Brazilian Antarctic Station Commander Ferraz, King George Island, South Shetlands. It is given a brief report on the Project and its researchers, as well as on the elaboration of projects for the assembly of special instruments for the measurement of biological parameters from Antarctic organisms. It is also given an information on the researches carried out or being carried out whose results have being informed in National and International Meetings and Symposia, in formal publications as well as in Master Degrees and Doctors Thesis.

The aim of this work was to develop and evaluate an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and made a serological screening for specific antibodies to BoHV-4. Bovine serum samples were collected from different Brazilian states and evaluated for the presence of antibodies for BoHV-4 and BoHV-1. The serological results obtained showed that the indirect ELISA assay could be applied for the detection of specific antibodies for BoHV-4. The ELISA test allowed concluding that BoHV-4 is present in bovines in every Brazilian state from which serum samples were collected. The ELISA assay here standardized proved to be useful for the epidemiological studies and showed a positivity range from 1.8 to 66% in Brazil.

O genocídio perpetrado pelo nazismo ocupa um lugar destacado na história do século XX como paradigma da barbárie. Nessa condição, tornou-se também um expediente discursivo muito utilizado para legitimar ou estigmatizar (“nazificar”) certos agentes e causas. O presente trabalho historiciza e explora representações concorrentes das atrocidades nazistas, analisando como se constitui em capital simbólico mobilizado para justificar ou condenar as ações do Estado israelense que, por sua vez, busca se afirmar como porta-voz de todas as vítimas do holocausto. O artigo apresenta os primeiros usos dessa memória e os principais críticos de sua manipulação discursiva. Na sequência o enfoque recai sobre uma dimensão pouco explorada da questão: as evocações do nazismo para condenar a ocupação e certas ações israelenses, dos anos 1940 até 2014. Ao final, esse uso específico é contraposto à bibliografia especializada sobre modernidade, holocausto e barbárie.

Loxosceles spiders are responsible for serious human envenomations worldwide. The collection of symptoms found in victims after accidents is called loxoscelism and is characterized by two clinical conditions: cutaneous loxoscelism and systemic loxocelism. The only specific treatment is serum therapy, in which an antiserum produced with Loxosceles venom is administered to the victims after spider accidents. Our aim was to improve our knowledge, regarding the immunological relationship among toxins from the most epidemiologic important species in Brazil (Loxosceles intermedia, Loxosceles gaucho and Loxosceles laeta). Immunoassays using spider venoms and L. intermedia recombinant toxins were performed and their cross-reactivity assessed. The biological conservation of the main Loxosceles toxins (Phospholipases-D, Astacin-like metalloproteases, Hyaluronidase, ICK-insecticide peptide and TCTP-histamine releasing factor) were investigated. An in silico analysis of the putative epitopes was performed and is discussed on the basis of the experimental results. Our data is an immunological investigation in light of biological conservation throughout the Loxosceles genus. The results bring out new insights on brown spider venom toxins for study, diagnosis and treatment of loxoscelism and putative biotechnological applications concerning immune conserved features in the toxins.

Brown spider (Loxosceles genus) venom can induce dermonecrotic lesions at the bite site and systemic manifestations including fever, vomiting, convulsions, disseminated intravascular coagulation, hemolytic anemia and acute renal failure. The venom is composed of a mixture of proteins with several molecules biochemically and biologically well characterized. The mechanism by which the venom induces renal damage is unknown. By using mice exposed to Loxosceles intermedia recombinant dermonecrotic toxin (LiRecDT), we showed direct induction of renal injuries. Microscopic analysis of renal biopsies from dermonecrotic toxin-treated mice showed histological alterations including glomerular edema and tubular necrosis. Hyalinization of tubules with deposition of proteinaceous material in the tubule lumen, tubule epithelial cell vacuoles, tubular edema and epithelial cell lysis was also observed. Leukocytic infiltration was neither observed in the glomerulus nor the tubules. Renal vessels showed no sign of inflammatory response. Additionally, biochemical analyses showed such toxin-induced changes in renal function as urine alkalinization, hematuria and azotemia with elevation of blood urea nitrogen levels. Immunofluorescence with dermonecrotic toxin antibodies and confocal microscopy analysis showed deposition and direct binding of this toxin to renal intrinsic structures. By immunoblotting with a hyperimmune dermonecrotic toxin antiserum on renal lysates from toxin-treated mice, we detected a positive signal at the region of 33-35 kDa, which strengthens the idea that renal failure is directly induced by dermonecrotic toxin. Immunofluorescence reaction with dermonecrotic toxin antibodies revealed deposition and binding of this toxin directly in MDCK epithelial cells in culture. Similarly, dermonecrotic toxin treatment caused morphological alterations of MDCK cells including cytoplasmic vacuoles, blebs, evoked impaired spreading and detached cells from each other and from culture substratum. In addition, dermonecrotic toxin treatment of MDCK cells changed their viability evaluated by XTT and Neutral-Red Uptake methodologies. The present results point to brown spider dermonecrotic toxin cytotoxicity upon renal structures in vivo and renal cells in vitro and provide experimental evidence that this brown spider toxin is directly involved in nephrotoxicity evoked during Loxosceles spider venom accidents.