On Hierarchy and Equivalence of Relativistic Equations for Massive Fields

A non-canonical correspondence of the complete sets of solutions to the Dirac and Klein-Gordon free equations in Minkowski space-time is established. This allows for a novel viewpoint on the relationship of relativistic equations for different spins and on the origin of spinor transformations. In particular, starting from a solution to the Dirac equation, one obtains a chain of other solutions to both Dirac and Klein-Gordon equations. A comparison with the massless case is performed, and examples of non-trivial singular solutions are presented. A generalization to Riemannian space-time and inclusion of interactions are briefly discussed.Comment: 7 pages, twocolumn. Problem of construction the hierarchy of solutions in the massive case reformulate

The contribution of Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine for the knowledge of infection by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Saúde Global e Doenças TropicaisRESUMO Ao longo dos últimos 25 anos, o Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT) tem contribuído de forma significativa para o conhecimento da patogénese da infeção pelo vírus da imunodeficiência humana (VIH). Os estudos realizados abrangem vários aspetos da infeção como a caraterização da história evolutiva e diversidade genética doVIH em Portugal, e em alguns países de África; as alterações na dinâmica de transmissão da epidemia do VIH particularmente em populações de maior risco, a análise das mutações virais que conferem resistência aos antirretrovirais (INI e aos PI); caraterização da resposta humoral não neutralizante e neutralizante e o desenvolvimento de vacinas para a infeçãoVIH. ABSTRACT Over the past 25 years, the Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (IHMT) has contributed significantly to the knowledge of the pathogenesis of infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The studies cover various aspects of infection such as the characterization of the evolutionary history and genetic diversity of HIV in Portugal, and in some countries of Africa; changes in HIV transmission dynamics particularly in most-at-risk populations, analysis of viral mutations that confer resistance to antiretroviral drugs (INI and IP); characterization of the neutralizing and non-neutralizing immune response and development of vaccines for HIV infection.publishersversionpublishe

Role of Symmetry Breaking in Observing Strong Molecule-Cavity Coupling Using Dielectric Microspheres

This is the final version. Available from the American Chemical Society via the DOI in this record. The emergence of dielectric open optical cavities has opened a new research avenue in nanophotonics. In particular, dielectric microspheres support a rich set of cavity modes with varying spectral characteristics, making them an ideal platform to study molecule-cavity interactions. The symmetry of the structure plays a critical role in the outcoupling of these modes and, hence, the perceived molecule-cavity coupling strength. Here, we experimentally and theoretically study molecule-cavity coupling mediated by the Mie scattering modes of a dielectric microsphere placed on a glass substrate and excited with far-field illumination, from which we collect scattering signatures both in the air and glass sides. Glass-side collection reveals clear signatures of strong molecule-cavity coupling (coupling strength 2g = 74 meV), in contrast to the air-side scattering signal. Rigorous electromagnetic modeling allows us to understand molecule-cavity coupling and unravel the role played by the spatial mode profile in the observed coupling strength.European Research Council (ERC)European Research Council (ERC)Spanish MICINNSpanish MICINNCatalan CERCA ProgramFundaciós Cellex and Mir-Pui

Prognostic value of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin in acute heart failure

Background: The identification of patients at risk for worse outcome is still a challenge. We hypothesized that cystatin C, a marker of renal function, and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), a marker of acute renal injury, would have a role in the prognostic stratification of these patients. Methods: We prospectively evaluated 121 patients admitted for acute HF. Serum NGAL and cystatin C levels were measured on the first morning after admission. The outcome measures used were the occurrence of death from all causes, and the combined endpoint defined as the first occurrence of either death or hospital admission. Patients were followed for up to 3 months. Results: The variables associated with a higher occurrence of death in a univariate approach were older age and higher levels of BNP, cystatin C and NGAL, and those associated with the occurrence of the combined endpoint were older age, Diabetes mellitus, lower GFR, type 1 cardio-renal syndrome, BNP, cystatin C and NGAL. BNP and NGAL remained independent predictors of the occurrence of both all-cause death and the combined endpoint. NGAL levels in the 75th percentile (> 167.5 ng/mL) were associated with a 2.7-fold increase in the risk of death and a 2.9-fold increase in the risk of the first occurrence of either death or hospitalization. Conclusions: Serum NGAL, a marker of acute renal injury, is an independent predictor of worse short term prognosis in patients with acute HF. This suggests a role of renal damage, apart from renal function, in the prognosis of these patients

Be He@lthy - Be Mobile (A handbook on how to implement mAgeing)

The Be He@lthy, Be Mobile initiative is a global partnership led by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), representing the United Nations agencies for health and information and communications technologies (ICTs). The initiative supports the scale up of mobile health technology (mHealth) within national health systems to help combat noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and support healthy ageing. Mobile health, or mHealth, is defined as "medical and public health practice supported by mobile devices, such as mobile phones, patient monitoring devices, personal digital assistants, and other wireless devices” (1). The Be Healthy, Be Mobile initiative uses basic technologies common in most mobile phones. The BHBM initiative has overseen the development and implementation of several mHealth programmes, including mTobaccoCessation (2), mDiabetes, and mCervicalCancer. The mHealth programme-specific handbooks act as aids to policy-makers and implementers of national or large-scale mHealth programs. See Annex 1 for further information on the Be He@lthy, Be Mobile initiative. mHealth for Ageing, or mAgeing is a new programme under the initiative, the central objective of which is to assist older persons (a person whose age has passed the median life expectancy at birth) in maintaining functional ability and living as independently and healthily as possible through evidence-based self-management and self-care interventions. This handbook provides guidance for national programmes and organizations responsible for the care of older persons to develop, implement, monitor, and evaluate an mAgeing programme. The text messaging communication provided uses evidence-based behaviour change techniques to help older persons prevent and manage early declines in intrinsic capacity and functional ability. The mAgeing programme is based on WHO’s Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE): Guidelines on community-level interventions to manage declines in intrinsic capacity (3) which include interventions to prevent declines in intrinsic capacity and functional abilities in older people, namely: mobility loss, malnutrition, visual impairment and hearing loss; as well as cognitive impairments and depressive symptoms. The messages are designed to encourage participation in activities, and to prevent, reduce, or even partly reverse, significant losses in capacity. The content of the mAgeing programme will complement routine care offered by health care professionals by supporting self-care and self-management. All content in this handbook is based on the WHO ICOPE Guidelines and other relevant WHO recommendations. The ICOPE Guideline recommendations were reached by the consensus of a guideline development group, convened by WHO, which based its decisions on a summary of systematic reviews of the best quality evidence most relevant to community-level care for older people, as well as the most up-to-date research on the effectiveness of mHealth

A new thiocyanoacetamide (2-cyano-2-p-nitrophenyl-N-benzylthioamide) reduces doxorubicin-induced in vitro toxicity in Sertoli cells by decreasing apoptosis and autophagy

Despite conflicting data on doxorubicin (DOX) reproductive toxicity, its chemotherapeutic potential sustains its use to treat different types of cancer. This work was designed to study the protective effect of a newly synthesized thiocyanoacetamide (TA), in comparison with selenium (Se), against doxorubicin-induced in vitro toxicity in rat Sertoli cells (SCs). DOX was administered alone or in combination with Se or TA. The possible protective role of increased concentrations of TA (0.25, 0.5 and 1 mM) or Se (12, 25 and 50 mu M) on SCs was tested against 1 mu M of DOX. From this screening, only the least toxic doses of TA and Se were used for further analysis. DOX cytotoxicity, as well as its impact on SCs viability, mitochondria) membrane potential (Delta Psi(m)), oxidative stress biomarkers, apoptosis and autophagy were assessed. Our results showed that DOX exerted its cytotoxic effect through a significant increase in cell death. DOX-mediated cell death was not related to autophagy nor to an overproduction of reactive oxygen species. It was rather due to apoptosis, as shown by the increased number of apoptotic cells and increased activity of caspase-3, or due to necrosis, as shown by the increase in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) extracellular activity. Still, Bax and Bcl-2 protein expression levels, as well as Delta Psi(m) were not altered by the different treatments. Some individual doses of Se or TA induced a significant toxicity in SCs, however, when combined with DOX, there was a decrease in cell death, LDH extracellular activity, number of apoptotic cells and caspase-3 activity. Overall, our results indicate that DOX-mediated apoptosis in cultured SCs can possibly be averted through its association with specific doses of Se or TA. Nevertheless, TA showed a higher efficiency than Se in reducing DOX-induced toxicity in SCs by decreasing not only apoptosis, but also necrosis and autophagy. (C) 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Intravenous glutamine decreases lung and distal organ injury in an experimental model of abdominal sepsis

Introduction The protective effect of glutamine, as a pharmacological agent against lung injury, has been reported in experimental sepsis; however, its efficacy at improving oxygenation and lung mechanics, attenuating diaphragm and distal organ injury has to be better elucidated. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that a single early intravenous dose of glutamine was associated not only with the improvement of lung morpho-function, but also the reduction of the inflammatory process and epithelial cell apoptosis in kidney, liver, and intestine villi. Methods Seventy-two Wistar rats were randomly assigned into four groups. Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture surgery (CLP), while a sham operated group was used as control (C). One hour after surgery, C and CLP groups were further randomized into subgroups receiving intravenous saline (1 ml, SAL) or glutamine (0.75 g/kg, Gln). At 48 hours, animals were anesthetized, and the following parameters were measured: arterial oxygenation, pulmonary mechanics, and diaphragm, lung, kidney, liver, and small intestine villi histology. At 18 and 48 hours, Cytokine-Induced Neutrophil Chemoattractant (CINC)-1, interleukin (IL)-6 and 10 were quantified in bronchoalveolar and peritoneal lavage fluids (BALF and PLF, respectively). Results CLP induced: a) deterioration of lung mechanics and gas exchange; b) ultrastructural changes of lung parenchyma and diaphragm; and c) lung and distal organ epithelial cell apoptosis. Glutamine improved survival rate, oxygenation and lung mechanics, minimized pulmonary and diaphragmatic changes, attenuating lung and distal organ epithelial cell apoptosis. Glutamine increased IL-10 in peritoneal lavage fluid at 18 hours and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid at 48 hours, but decreased CINC-1 and IL-6 in BALF and PLF only at 18 hours. Conclusions In an experimental model of abdominal sepsis, a single intravenous dose of glutamine administered after sepsis induction may modulate the inflammatory process reducing not only the risk of lung injury, but also distal organ impairment. These results suggest that intravenous glutamine may be a potentially beneficial therapy for abdominal sepsis.Centres of Excellence Program (PRONEX-FAPERJ)Brazilian Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq)Carlos Chagas FilhoRio de Janeiro State Research Supporting Foundation (FAPERJ)Sao Paulo State Research Supporting Foundation (FAPESP

Contribution of microscopy for understanding the mechanism of action against trypanosomatids

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) has proved to be a useful tool to study the ultrastructural alterations and the target organelles of new antitrypanosomatid drugs. Thus, it has been observed that sesquiterpene lactones induce diverse ultrastructural alterations in both T. cruzi and Leishmania spp., such as cytoplasmic vacuolization, appearance of multilamellar structures, condensation of nuclear DNA, and, in some cases, an important accumulation of lipid vacuoles. This accumulation could be related to apoptotic events. Some of the sesquiterpene lactones (e.g., psilostachyin) have also been demonstrated to cause an intense mitochondrial swelling accompanied by a visible kinetoplast deformation as well as the appearance of multivesicular bodies. This mitochondrial swelling could be related to the generation of oxidative stress and associated to alterations in the ergosterol metabolism. The appearance of multilamellar structures and multiple kinetoplasts and flagella induced by the sesquiterpene lactone psilostachyin C indicates that this compound would act at the parasite cell cycle level, in an intermediate stage between kinetoplast segregation and nuclear division. In turn, the diterpene lactone icetexane has proved to induce the external membrane budding on T. cruzi together with an apparent disorganization of the pericellar cytoskeleton. Thus, ultrastructural TEM studies allow elucidating the possible mechanisms and the subsequent identification of molecular targets for the action of natural compounds on trypanosomatids.Fil: Lozano, Esteban Sebastián. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; ArgentinaFil: Spina Zapata, Renata María. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos; ArgentinaFil: Barrera, Patricia Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos; ArgentinaFil: Tonn, Carlos Eugenio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto de Investigaciones en Tecnología Química. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Instituto de Investigaciones en Tecnología Química; ArgentinaFil: Sosa Escudero, Miguel Angel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos; Argentin

Dynamical Boson Stars

The idea of stable, localized bundles of energy has strong appeal as a model for particles. In the 1950s John Wheeler envisioned such bundles as smooth configurations of electromagnetic energy that he called {\em geons}, but none were found. Instead, particle-like solutions were found in the late 1960s with the addition of a scalar field, and these were given the name {\em boson stars}. Since then, boson stars find use in a wide variety of models as sources of dark matter, as black hole mimickers, in simple models of binary systems, and as a tool in finding black holes in higher dimensions with only a single killing vector. We discuss important varieties of boson stars, their dynamic properties, and some of their uses, concentrating on recent efforts.Comment: 79 pages, 25 figures, invited review for Living Reviews in Relativity; major revision in 201

Quantitative monitoring of an activated sludge reactor using on-line UV-visible and near infrared spectroscopy

The performance of an activated sludge reactor can be significantly enhanced through use of continuous and real-time process-state monitoring, which avoids the need to sample for off-line analysis and to use chemicals. Despite the complexity associated with wastewater treatment systems, spectroscopic methods coupled with chemometric tools have been shown to be powerful tools for bioprocess monitoring and control. Once implemented and optimized, these methods are fast, nondestructive, user friendly, and most importantly, they can be implemented in situ, permitting rapid inference of the process state at any moment. In this work, UV-visible and NIR spectroscopy were used to monitor an activated sludge reactor using in situ immersion probes connected to the respective analyzers by optical fibers. During the monitoring period, disturbances to the biological system were induced to test the ability of each spectroscopic method to detect the changes in the system. Calibration models based on partial least squares (PLS) regression were developed for three key process parameters, namely chemical oxygen demand (COD), nitrate concentration (N-NO3−), and total suspended solids (TSS). For NIR, the best results were achieved for TSS, with a relative error of 14.1% and a correlation coefficient of 0.91. The UV-visible technique gave similar results for the three parameters: an error of ~25% and correlation coefficients of ~0.82 for COD and TSS and 0.87 for N-NO3−. The results obtained demonstrate that both techniques are suitable for consideration as alternative methods for monitoring and controlling wastewater treatment processes, presenting clear advantages when compared with the reference methods for wastewater treatment process qualification.Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) - PPCDT/AMB/60141/2004, bolsa de doutoramento SFRH/BD/32614/200