Abstract The purpose of this study was to characterize, isolate and chemically modify tiger nut ( Cyperus sculentus L.) starch with octenyl succinic anhydride. The efficiency of the chemical modification was 0.04. Chemical composition, particle morphology (SEM), particle size, X-ray diffraction, infrared analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry and swelling and solubility power were determined for characterization of the native and modified starch. Both showed similar chemical composition and amylose and amylopectin contents, as well as absorption spectra in the infrared region without modification of the molecular structure and A-type crystalline pattern. The particles of both had an oval and spherical shape. The modified starch was more resistant to temperature and the gelatinization process occurred at 67.52 °C. These results suggest that tiger nut starch has a great industrial potential.

OBJETIVO: ASCT2 e LAT1 são transportadores de aminoácidos envolvidos no transporte de glutamina e desempenham um papel no crescimento tumoral. Estudos prévios mostraram uma associação de ASCT2 com proliferação celular através da maquinaria de tradução do mTOR; tem sido mostrado que o LAT1 é um marcador prognóstico devido à sua relação com invasão tumoral, invasão vascular microscópica e metástase. Este estudo analisou a expressão gênica de ASCT2 e LAT1 em astrocitomas de diferentes graus e sua correlação com desfecho clínico em pacientes com glioblastoma. METODO: Este é um estudo observacional com análise de expressão de RNAm de ASCT2 e LAT1 em 153 amostras de astrocitomas humanos, distribuídas em diferentes graus de malignidade segundo a OMS (23 astrocitomas de grau I ou astrocitoma pilocítico, 26 de astrocitoma de grau II ou astrocitoma de baixo grau, 18 de astrocitoma de grau III ou astrocitoma anaplásico, 86 de astrocitoma de grau IV ou glioblastoma (AGIV ou GBM); estes foram comparados com 22 amostras cerebrais não neoplásicas. RESULTADOS: Foi observada uma hiperexpressão de ambos os genes, particularmente nos astrocitomas malignos (GIII & GBM). Além disso, a hiperexpressão LAT1 impactou negativamente na sobrevida global em um grupo de pacientes com GBM. CONCLUSÃO: LAT1 é mais expresso em astrocitomas de grau maior. Isso leva a um pior prognóstico entre os pacientes com GBM e pode ser um potencial alvo terapêutico.

OBJECTIVE: ASCT2 and LAT1 are aminoacid transporters involved in glutamine transport and play a role in tumor growth. Previous studies have shown an association of ASCT2 to cell proliferation through the mechanistic Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) translational machinery; LAT1 has been shown as a prognostic marker due to its relation to tumor invasion, microscopic vascular invasion and metastasis. This study analyzed the gene expression of ASCT2 and LAT1 in astrocytomas of different grades and how this correlates to clinical outcome in glioblastoma patients. METHOD: This is an observational study with ASCT2 and LAT1 mRNA expression analysis in 153 samples of human astrocytomas, distributed in different World Health Organization (WHO) grades of malignancy (23 at grade I or pilocytic astrocytoma, 26 at grade II or low-grade astrocytoma, 18 at grade III or anaplastic astrocytoma, 86 at grade IV astrocytoma or glioblastoma (AGIV or GBM)); these were compared to 22 non-neoplastic brain samples. RESULTS: Significant hyperexpression of both genes was observed particularly in malignant astrocytomas (GIII & GBM). Moreover, LAT1 hyperexpression impacted negatively in the overall survival in a subset of GBM patients. CONCLUSION: LAT1 is more expressed in higher grade astrocytomas. It leads to a poorer prognosis among GBM patients and may be a potential therapeutical target.

Este estudo investiga empiricamente se variáveis macroeconômicas nacionais (produção industrial, inflação, taxa de juros real, risco de crédito doméstico e câmbio real) e internacionais (índice da bolsa de valores americana, a taxa de juros americana e o preço de petróleo) podem explicar o comportamento de longo e/ou de curto prazo do índice da Bolsa de Valores de São Paulo (Ibovespa) no período de 1995 a 2007, dados de frequência mensal. Aplicou-se metodologia econométrica de modelos de correção de erro resultando em evidências de relação de longo prazo positiva com o Ibovespa para a bolsa americana e o preço do petróleo e negativa para a taxa de juros americana e o risco de crédito. Do ponto de vista dinâmico, identificou-se o Ibovespa como única variável de ajuste para desvios da relação de longo prazo e precedência temporal significativa para a maior parte das variáveis, indicando a possibilidade de avaliação antecedente do comportamento futuro do indicador da bolsa brasileira.

This study investigates empirically if national macroeconomic variables (industrial production, inflation, real interest rate, domestic credit risk and real exchange rate) and international ones (index of the American stock exchange, the U.S. interest rate and the price of oil) can explain the behavior of long and/or short-term index of the São Paulo Stock Exchange (Bovespa) during the period of 1995 to 2007, with monthly data. An econometric methodology of error correction models was applied resulting in evidence of positive long-term relationship with the Bovespa index to the American stock market and price of oil and negative for the U.S interest rate and credit risk. From a dynamic point of view, the Bovespa index was identified as the only adjustment variable for deviations from long-term relationship and significant temporal precedence for most variables, indicating the possibility of previous assessment of the future behavior of the Brazilian stock index.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated four components of the Wnt signaling pathway in medulloblastomas. Medulloblastoma is the most common type of malignant pediatric brain tumor, and the Wnt signaling pathway has been shown to be activated in this type of tumor. METHODS: Sixty-one medulloblastoma cases were analyzed for β-catenin gene (CTNNB1) mutations, β-catenin protein expression via immunostaining and Wnt signaling pathway-related gene expression. All data were correlated with histological subtypes and patient clinical information. RESULTS: CTNNB1 sequencing analysis revealed that 11 out of 61 medulloblastomas harbored missense mutations in residues 32, 33, 34 and 37, which are located in exon 3. These mutations alter the glycogen synthase kinase-3β phosphorylation sites, which participate in β-catenin degradation. No significant differences were observed between mutation status and histological medulloblastoma type, patient age and overall or progression-free survival times. Nuclear β-catenin accumulation, which was observed in 27.9% of the cases, was not associated with the histological type, CTNNB1 mutation status or tumor cell dissemination. The relative expression levels of genes that code for proteins involved in the Wnt signaling pathway (CTNNB1, APC, AXIN1 and WNT1) were also analyzed, but no significant correlations were found. In addition, large-cell variant medulloblastomas presented lower relative CTNNB1 expression as compared to the other tumor variants. CONCLUSIONS: A small subset of medulloblastomas carry CTNNB1 mutations with consequent nuclear accumulation of β-catenin. The Wnt signaling pathway plays a role in classic, desmoplastic and extensive nodularity medulloblastoma variants but not in large-cell medulloblastomas.

Este trabalho testa a hipótese de eficiência relativa dos mercados futuro e à vista (spot) de açúcar, para dois horizontes de previsão, em contraposição à hipótese de arbitragem de commodities. Utiliza-se o modelo de não-arbitragem de Brenner e Kroner (1995) e aplica-se a metodologia de testes comparativos proposta por Kellard (2002), que usa a cointegração multivariada com restrição sobre o espaço de cointegração. A base de dados é formada a partir dos futuros do contrato número 11 negociado na Nybot (New York Board of Trade), dos preços no mercado à vista coletados pelo Cepea (Centro de Estudos Avançados em Economia Aplicada) e da taxa de juros doméstica, todas em bases diárias (mai/97 a dez/07). A correspondência da amostra é construída de acordo com os vencimentos dos contratos, considerando-se dois períodos de previsão: 28 e 56 dias. Em linhas gerais, as evidências empíricas encontradas suportam a adequação da metodologia de cointegração para análise de eficiência relativa nos mercados de açúcar, em contraposição à hipótese de arbitragem. Além disso, geram evidências fracas de ineficiência, resultados sujeitos à hipótese de estacionariedade do custo de carregamento, exceto pelo componente taxa de juros.

This study tests the relative efficiency hypothesis of future and spot sugar markets for two forecast horizons, as opposed to commodity arbitrage. It was used a no-arbitrage model of Brenner and Kroner (1995) and applied the methodology of comparative tests proposed by Kellard (2002), using multivariate cointegration methodology with restrictions on the cointegrated space. The database is formed by future prices of the number 11 contract traded on the Nybot (New York Board of Trade), domestic spot prices collected by Cepea (Center for Advanced Studies in Applied Economics) and the domestic interest rate, all on daily basis (May/97 to Dec/07). The matching sample is constructed by the futures contract maturity, considering two periods of forecast: 28 and 56 days. In general, the empirical evidences support the appropriateness of the cointegration methodology for analyzing the relative efficiency in the sugar markets, as opposed to arbitrage hypothesis, and generate weak evidence of inefficiency. Such results are subject to the assumption of stationarity of the cost of carry, except the interest rate component.

A doença de Pompe (DP) é uma miopatia originada do acúmulo lisossomal de glicogênio, devido à deficiência da enzima α-glicosidase ácida (GAA), sendo descritas formas de inicio precoce e tardio. Neste estudo analisamos retrospectivamente o perfil clinico e patológico de 3 irmãos portadores de doença de Pompe de inicio tardio. MÉTODO: O diagnóstico foi realizado mediante apresentação clinica de distrofia de cinturas associado a comprometimento respiratório, sendo confirmado por biópsia muscular e análise da atividade e genotipagem da GAA. RESULTADOS: Os exames clínicos e laboratoriais demonstram envolvimento muscular devido à deficiência da GAA, com uma mutação c.-32-3C>A em homozigose. CONCLUSÃO: Relatamos os aspectos clínicos e laboratoriais de 3 irmãos afetados por doença de Pompe de início tardio. Enfatizamos a importância de incluir esta patologia no diagnóstico diferencial das distrofias de cinturas, uma vez que para esta patologia específica existe a possibilidade terapêutica através de reposição enzimática.

Pompe's disease (PD) is a metabolic myopathy caused by the accumulation of lysosomal glycogen, secondary to acid α-glucosidase (GAA) enzyme deficiency. Childhood and late-onset forms are described, differing by the age of onset and symptoms. In this study were analyzed affected siblings with Pompe's disease (PD) and their distinct clinical and pathological presentations. METHOD: Diagnosis was performed by the clinical presentation of limb-girdle dystrophies and respiratory compromise. Confirmatory diagnoses were conducted by muscle biopsy, GAA activity measurement and by GAA gene genotyping. RESULTS: The findings suggested muscular involvement due to GAA deficiency. GAA genotyping showed they are homozygous for the c.-32-3C>A mutation. CONCLUSION: Herein we reported a family where three out of five siblings were diagnosed with late-onset PD, although it is a rare metabolic disease inherited in an autossomal recessive manner. We emphasize the importance of including this presentation within the differential diagnoses of the limb-girdle dystrophies once enzyme replacement therapy is available.

INTRODUCTION: Astrocytic gliomas are the most common intracranial central nervous system neoplasias, accounting for about 60% of all primary central nervous system tumors. Despite advances in the treatment of gliomas, no effective therapeutic approach is yet available; hence, the search for a more realistic model to generate more effective therapies is essential. OBJECTIVE: To develop an experimental malignant astrocytoma model with the characteristics of the human tumor. METHOD: Primary cells from subcutaneous xenograft tumors produced with malignant astrocytoma U87MG cells were inoculated intracerebrally by stereotaxis into immunosuppressed (athymic) Rowett rats. RESULTS: All four injected animals developed non-infiltrative tumors, although other glioblastoma characteristics, such as necrosis, pseudopalisading cells and intense mitotic activity, were observed. CONCLUSION: A malignant astrocytoma intracerebral xenograft model with poorly invasive behavior was achieved in athymic Rowett rats. Tumor invasiveness in an experimental animal model may depend on a combination of several factors, including the cell line used to induce tumor formation, the rat strains and the status of the animal's immune system.

O objetivo deste artigo é investigar as causas gerais dos diferenciais da taxa de juros real (rids) para um conjunto de países emergentes, para o período de janeiro de 1996 a agosto de 2007. Para tanto, duas metodologias são aplicadas. A primeira consiste em decompor a variância dos rids entre a paridade do poder de compra relativa e a paridade de juros a descoberto e mostra que os diferenciais de inflação são a fonte predominante da variabilidade dos rids; a segunda decompõe os rids e os diferenciais de juros nominais (nids) em choques nominais e reais. Sob certas condições de identificação, modelos autorregressivos bivariados são estimados com tratamento adequado para as quebras estruturais identificadas e as funções de resposta ao impulso e a decomposição da variância dos erros de previsão são obtidas, resultando em evidências favoráveis a que os choques reais são a causa mais provável dos rids.

The aim of this paper is to investigate the general causes of real interest rate differentials (rids) for a sample of emerging markets for the period of January 1996 to August 2007. To this end, two methods are applied. The first consists of breaking the variance of rids down into relative purchasing power pariety and uncovered interest rate parity and shows that inflation differentials are the main source of rids variation; while the second method breaks down the rids and nominal interest rate differentials (nids) into nominal and real shocks. Bivariate autoregressive models are estimated under particular identification conditions, having been adequately treated for the identified structural breaks. Impulse response functions and error variance decomposition result in real shocks as being the likely cause of rids.

OBJETIVO: Os dados são conflitantes em relação a risco de acidente cerebrovascular associado a polimorfismo do gene 5,10-metilenetetrahidrofolato redutase C677T, o qual predispõe a hiperhomocisteinemia. Um estudo de meta-análise sugere que o genotipo 5,10-metilenetetrahidrofolato redutase 677TT poderia ter uma pequena influência em determinar susceptibilidade a acidente cerebrovascular. MÉTODOS: Analisamos este polimorfismo em indivíduos brasileiros com acidente cerebrovascular isquêmico, baseando-se em um estudo de caso-controle. RESULTADOS: Comparamos os genótipos 5,10-metilenetetrahidrofolato redutase em grupos de indivíduos com acidente cerebrovascular isquêmico (n=127) e controle normal (n=126), e encontramos Odds Ratio de 1,97 (IC 95% 0,84 - 4,64) em uma análise multivariada, na qual os resultados foram ajustados a características clínicas basais dos indivíduos estudados. DISCUSSÃO: Nossos estudos indicam que o genótipo 5,10-metilenetetrahidrofolato redutase C677T não é um fator de risco para acidente cerebrovascular isquêmico entre indivíduos brasileiros.

PURPOSE: Data are conflicting concerning the risk for ischemic stroke associated with a common polymorphism in the gene encoding 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T, which predisposes carriers to hyperhomocysteinemia. A meta-analysis study suggested that the 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase 677TT genotype might have a small influence in determining susceptibility to ischemic stroke. METHODS: We analyzed the 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase 677TT genotype polymorphism in Brazilian subjects with ischemic stroke, using a case-control design. RESULTS: We compared 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase genotypes in groups of subjects presenting ischemic stroke (n = 127) and normal control (n = 126) and found an odds ratio of 1.97 (95% CI, 0.84-4.64) in a multivariate analysis in which results were adjusted to baseline clinical characteristics of study participants. CONCLUSION: We found that the homozygous 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T genotype was not a risk factor for ischemic stroke in these Brazilian subjects.

RESUMO O objetivo desse estudo é debater em favor de uma taxa de criação de valor como a variável mais relevante para a avaliação de investimentos, considerando aquela taxa como uma variável fundamental para a equalização das taxas de lucro no sistema capitalista. A taxa de criação de valor é o resultado da diferença entre a taxa de retorno sobre o capital investido e o custo médio ponderado de capital, isto é, o spread na metodologia do valor econômico adicionado, como mostramos nesse artigo.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study is to debate in favor of a value creation rate as the most relevant variable to evaluate an investment, considering that rate as a fundamental variable for the equalization of rates in the capitalist system. The value creation rate is the result of the difference between the return rate on capital invested and the weighted average cost of capital, i. e. the spread in the economic value added methodology, as we show in this paper.