647 research outputs found
Universals in ontological investigations
No full textUniversals appear to be as central in today's computational-based ontology as they were in medieval ontological investigations. As the author of a recent work on the history of universals (Pinzani, 2018), I was asked for a commentary on Augusto’s article “Bridging Mainstream and Formal Ontology” (Augusto, 2021), which aims at showing that medieval ontological investigations can be relevant for contemporary ontology engineering. In this commentary, I begin by saying something about my way of reading 12th-century logical literature and then offer some modest considerations on the general theme addressed in Augusto's article
Il De Generibus et Speciebus e la teoria della collectio
No full textThe De Generibus (attributed to Gauslenus ) can be divided into three
parts: the first is about the notion of whole, the second deals with
contemporary theories on universals, the third contains the presentation
of the collectio theory and the solution of the problem of universals. The
author considers universals like ‘humanity’ as collections composed of
single essences built from particular generic essences and particular
differential properties (rationality, mortality, being two-footed). One can
say that Gauslenus is a philosopher who does not believe in abstract and
universal entities, and imagines that these entities be multiplicities of
individual essences
Poder, paixão e corrupção no Estado
No full textDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro de Filosofia e Ciências Humanas. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Filosofia.O objetivo dessa pesquisa é esclarecer três questões fundamentais da teoria política de Maquiavel e Montesquieu, a saber, o poder, a paixão e a corrupção. Estes três elementos estão necessariamente presentes e entrelaçados na política. Ademais, buscar-se-à relacionar ou confrontar a teoria política desses dois pensadores. Para desenvolver e contemplar tais objetivos organizamos a pesquisa em cinco capítulos, além da introdução que aborda sucintamente o problema teórico que almejamos tratar na dissertação e também das referências, que indica as fontes teóricas para a construção de nossa argumentação no texto. No primeiro capítulo, 'Sobre Maquiavel & Montesquieu', fazemos uma breve apresentação de alguns pontos importantes da vida e teoria de Maquiavel e Montesquieu. No segundo capítulo, 'Sobre o poder', discutimos nosso primeiro tema teórico, o poder. Analisamos primeiro separadamente o conceito 'poder' em Maquiavel e Montesquieu e depois relacionamos, confrontamos as idéias conflitantes ou não dos pensadores. No terceiro capítulo, 'Sobre as paixões', esteve em pauta as paixões, as quais são inerentes à política tanto em Maquiavel quanto em Montesquieu. No quarto capítulo, 'Sobre a corrupção', temos a corrupção tematizada, discutida e também exemplificada através de Roma, pelos nossos pensadores. E no quinto e último capítulo, temos as 'Considerações conclusivas'. Embora nos capítulos anteriores nós tenhamos feito algumas considerações e comparações, concentramos as congruências e divergências entre Maquiavel e Montesquieu neste quinto capítulo. Também deixamos para este capítulo nossas conclusões a partir da leitura destes estimulantes e importantes pensadores, Maquiavel e Montesquieu. The present research aims at clarifying three major issues of Machiavelli's and Montesquieu's political theory, namely power, passion, and corruption. These three elements are necessarily present and intertwined in politics. In addition, it will try to relate and compare to each other the political theory of these two thinkers. In order to develop and attain such goals, we organize the text in five chapters, plus the introduction that addresses briefly the theoretical problem we want to treat in the dissertation as well as the references, which indicates the theoretical sources for the construction of our arguments in the text. In the first chapter, 'About Machiavelli & Montesquieu', we offer a brief presentation of some important points of the life and theory of Machiavelli and Montesquieu. In the second chapter, 'About power', our first theoretical topic, i.e. power is discussed. We first analyze separately the concept of power in Machiavelli and Montesquieu and then compare the ideas of both thinkers, be they conflicting or not. The third chapter, 'About passions', is about the passions, which are inherent to politics according both to Machiavelli and Montesquieu. In the fourth chapter, 'About corruption', we concentrate on corruption, which our authors discuss through the example of Rome. And in the fifth and last chapter, we offer our "conclusive considerations". Even if we have made some considerations and comparisons already in previous chapters, in the fifth chapter the focus will be on congruencies and differences between Machiavelli and Montesquieu, as well on our conclusions about our reading of these exciting and important thinkers, Machiavelli and Montesquieu
Gene amplification for c-erbB-2, c-myc, epidermal growth factor receptor, int-2, and N-myc measured by quantitative PCR with a multiple competitor template.
No full textWe recently proposed a quantitative PCR procedure for the absolute measurement of c-erbB-2 oncogene amplification, based on the simultaneous polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the target gene and of a competitor DNA molecule acting as internal standard. To increase the number of assayable oncogenes and the accuracy of the quantitative comparison of gene amplification degree within the same tumor, we have now constructed a single synthetic competitor for int-2, c-myc, N-myc epidermal growth factor receptor, and c-erbB-2 genes, and for the reference gene beta-globin. This competitor was constructed by a two-step recombinant PCR procedure and inserted as a 297-bp sequence in a plasmid. The order of primer insertion was designed to obtain competitors of comparable sizes to those of the respective genomic targets, but still easily recognizable from the latter ones by gel electrophoresis. The clone competitor was tested to evaluate the linearity range for each assay. The present application of quantitative PCR based on a multiple competitor represents the first approach for the achievement of a single reagent for the evaluation of a panel of genes potentially amplified in human tumors
Detection of c-erbB-2 amplification in transitional cell bladder carcinoma using competitive PCR technique.
No full textWe used competitive PCR to verify retrospectively the prognostic significance of c-erbB-2 oncogene amplification in transitional cell bladder carcinomas as a predictive index of patient survival with a maximum follow-up of nine years, and to investigate the variations of c-erbB-2 amplification during bladder carcinoma recurrence and/or progression from superficial to more invasive states.Oncogene amplification was determined by an accurate and sensitive procedure based on competitive PCR. Measurements were performed in DNA extracted from fresh cancers or from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor samples.The overall mean incidence of c-erbB-2 oncogene amplification was 26\% (24/92), with a significant relationship with tumor grade (p < 0.0001). We did not find any statistical difference in survival probability between subjects with (20\%) or without (30\%) oncogene amplification. During tumor progression we observed a limited increase of tumors carrying oncogene amplification (2 of 20) whereas the mean degree of amplification was not affected.c-erbB-2 amplification seems to be a genetic event related to the degree of bladder tumor differentiation. However the presence and/or the degree of this genetic alteration do not seem predictive of tumor progression, recurrence and survival probability, at least in patients with advanced transitional cell bladder carcinoma. These data seem to indicate that the amplification of c-erbB-2 in bladder carcinoma could be considered as an epiphenomenon, present in a subset of tumors but apparently not related to the clinical outcome
Comparison of clinical effects, trough and peak levels between branded and generic formulation of Cyclosporine in stable psoriatic patients.
No full textAbstract
BACKGROUND:
Cyclosporine A (CyA) is a drug for moderate-to-severe psoriasis. Recently, a generic formulation has been approved as bioequivalent to the branded one. The guidelines for the bioequivalence for critical-dose drugs with a narrow therapeutic range, such as CyA, are questionable. Therefore, it is important to assess the clinical outcome and the pharmacokinetics of different formulations in various patient groups. The current literature lacks of this information in dermatology. The primary objective of this prospective study is to investigate the clinical equivalence (in terms of maintenance of clinical effect) between the generic formulation of CyA and its branded one in patients with psoriasis. A secondary objective is to analyze their trough (C0) and peak levels (C2).
METHODS:
Twenty patients with stable psoriasis under treatment with the branded CyA were monitored in terms of clinical efficacy (Psoriasis Area Severity Index- PASI), safety (laboratory values), and their pharmacokinetics utilizing trough (C0) and peak plasma concentration (C2). The same patients were subsequently shifted to the generic formulation for comparison.
RESULTS:
In our sample the efficacy of the two formulations was equal in most cases (p=0.863). A non-significant difference between the C0 and C2 of the branded CyA compared to the generic one emerged (respectively p=0.738 and p=0.695).
CONCLUSIONS:
The branded and the generic formulations of CyA seem to be not only bioequivalent, but also comparable in terms of clinical efficacy in patients with psoriasis. However, larger samples are required to confirm these findings
Parry-Romberg syndrome: A case with a possible association with lyme disease
No full textParry-Romberg syndrome is an acquired slowly progressive disease characterized by an atrophy mostly involving half of the face. The pathogenesis of this disfiguring condition is still controversial. The relationship between Parry-Romberg syndrome and Lyme disease needs to be considered in depth. A 16-year-old woman from Albania presented with linear depressions of the right side of the face, clinically compatible with Parry-Romberg syndrome. She had a positive history of Lyme disease. Borrelia infection was confirmed by the positivity of PCR and the presence of IgM antibodies. The patient received intravenous penicillin and metronidazole for 14 days. After treatment and during a 2-year follow-up, the clinical disease progression was halted and the serological and microbiological tests for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato were negative. We cannot exclude a coincidence, however, of the bacteriological and serological evidence. Moreover, the interruption of the disease progression after the antibiotic therapy is difficult to ignore without claiming that this association is at least suggestive
O reconhecimento em Hegel
No full textDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro de Filosofia e Ciências Humanas. Programa de Pós-Graduação em FilosofiaA presente dissertação é uma análise do conceito de reconhecimento na filosofia hegeliana, essencialmente nas duas obras do jovem Hegel, o Sistema da eticidade (1802-1803) e a Realphilosophie (1805-1806) e na obra da maturidade, Princípios da Filosofia do direito (1821). Contrariando uma leitura inicialmente feita pelo filósofo contemporâneo Axel Honneth em seu livro Luta por Reconhecimento (1996), que aponta a Fenomenologia do Espírito como a última obra em que Hegel teria tratado do tema do reconhecimento, defendo que este conceito permanece na Filosofia do direito, através das três esferas do espírito objetivo, isto é, o direito abstrato, a moralidade e a eticidade. Para tanto apresento o tema do reconhecimento nas obras do período de juventude retirando elementos necessários a compreensão de sua presença no movimento da última obra hegeliana da maturidade.The following essay is an analysis of the concept of recognition in Hegel's philosophy, focused on Hegel's two early works, the System of ethicity (1802-1803) and the Realphilosophie (1805-1806), as well as on his later work, Principles of the philosophy of Right (1821). It aims at countering an initial reading by Axel Honneth in his Struggle for Recognition (1996), who point to the Phenomenology of the Spirit as being the last work in which Hegel supposedly tackled the theme of recognition. It makes the point that, on the contrary, the concept of recognition is still present in the Philosophy of Right, through the three spheres of the objective spirit, that is, abstract right, morality and ethicity. Therefore, I introduce the theme of recognition in the works from the time of Hegel's youth, sorting out the elements necessary to an understanding of its presence in the last work from Hegel's mature period
Measuring c-erbB-2 oncogene amplification in fresh and paraffin-embedded tumors by competitive polymerase chain reaction.
No full textWe present an original application of competitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for measuring oncogene amplification in DNA from human tumors by simultaneous PCR amplification of genomic DNA with fixed amounts of an internal standard (competitor DNA). Competitors share the same sequence as the target genes but contain an additional 15- to 20-base-pair insert, which allows resolution of the amplified products after polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and ethidium bromide staining. The gene copy number is derived from the ratio between the intensities of the bands corresponding to the amplified products. Using this procedure, we measured c-erbB-2 amplification in breast and bladder carcinomas in both fresh tumor tissues and paraffin-embedded tissue samples and assessed the precision, sensitivity, and accuracy of the assay. Competitive PCR is a simple, reliable, and accurate method for the evaluation of c-erbB-2 amplification and is potentially suitable for use in the clinical laboratory
O contrato social de Thomas Hobbes: alcances e limites
No full textTese (doutorado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro de Filosofia e Ciências Humanas. Programa de Pós-Graduação em FilosofiaO problema em questão diz respeito ao contrato que funda e legitima o Estado em Thomas Hobbes. Tendo como escopo questionar a possibilidade e/ou impossibilidade de nulidade do contrato social e assim verificar as implicações disto para o conceito de soberania hobbesiana. A leitura que impera na tradição de estudiosos da obra política de Hobbes, em especial do Leviathan, é a de um Estado no qual a soberania é absoluta e irrevogável. A interpretação do contrato firmado entre e, somente, entre os homens, deixando, portanto, o soberano de fora, ofereceria legitimidade a este para agir de forma absoluta e obrigaria ao súdito a obedecer de forma irrestrita. A hipótese que se busca sustentar remete à possibilidade de rompimento, desobediência e mais centralmente da nulidade contratual a partir do vício e/ou desrespeito de determinadas cláusulas fundamentais do contrato, visto se oporem às condições de validade do contrato social. Se isso puder ser sustentado desse modo, isto é, se Hobbes compartilhar mesmo de uma teoria forte da nulidade contratual e pela razão, como declinado acima, que achamos ser a correta, então, tal formulação implicaria em sua teoria uma reconsideração do conceito de soberania e obediência, haja vista o estabelecimento de certos vínculos fortes que condicionam as possibilidades de exigência, autoridade e poder da soberania. Portanto, concentra-se em encontrar uma explicação e/ou teorização da nulidade do contrato social e da sua consequência para a teoria da soberania e obediência hobbesiana
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