Search for Planetary Candidates within the OGLE Stars

We propose a method to distinguish between planetary and stellar companions to stars which present a periodic decrease in brightness, interpreted as a transit. Light curves from a total of 177 stars from the OGLE project were fitted by the model which simulates planetary transits using an opaque disk in front of an image of the Sun. The simulation results yield the orbital radius in units of stellar radii, the orbital inclination angle, and the ratio of the planet to the star radii. Combining Kepler's third law with a mass-radius relation for main sequence stars, it was possible to estimate values for the masses and radii of both the primary and secondary objects. This model was successfully tested with the confirmed planets orbiting the stars HD 209458, TrES-1, OGLE-TR-10, 56, 111, 113, and 132. The method consists of selecting as planetary candidates only those objects with primary densities between 0.7 and 2.3 solar densities (F, G, and K stars) and secondaries with radius less than 1.5 Jupiter radius. The method is not able to distinguish between a planet and a dwarf star with mass less than 0.1 $M_\odot$, such as OGLE-TR-122. We propose a selection of 28 planetary candidates (OGLE-TR-49, 51, 55, 63, 71, 76, 90, 97, 100, 109, 114, 127, 130, 131, 134, 138, 140, 146, 151, 155, 159, 164, 165, 169, 170, 171, 172, and 174) for high resolution spectroscopy follow up.Comment: 4 figures, 2 table

Proyectos finales integradores : una alternativa para enseñar y aprender activamente

Este número de Reflexiones Pedagógicas busca presentar los proyectos finales integradores (PFI) como una opción de enseñanza y aprendizaje activo. Se explica qué son los PFI, así como las ventajas que se obtienen al hacer uso de estos en una o más asignaturas. Por otro lado, se relatan las experiencias que el programa de Ingeniería Biomédica ha encontrado en la implementación de PFI en algunas de sus asignaturas. Por último, se exponen algunos retos y desafíos inherentes a la implementación de esta alternativa pedagógica. Esperamos que lo compartido en este número sea de utilidad para continuar en la ruta del aprendizaje activo y significativo, el cual implica retos tanto para los docentes como para los estudiantes. Luego de lo vivido como equipo de profesores, consideramos que esta experiencia es altamente transferible a otros campos de conocimiento. Los resultados son gratificantes, así lo hemos evidenciado en cada momento con los estudiantes

Inflammation and Immune Evasion Coexist in Treponema Pallidum-infected Skin

Syphilis is a systemic, multistage, sexually transmitted infection caused by the highly invasive spirochetal bacterium, Treponema pallidum, subspecies pallidum. In the United States, the annual rate of primary and secondary syphilis (SS) between 2002 and 2016 has increased from 2.1 to 8.7 cases per 100,000.1 Gestational and congenital syphilis cases have also increased in the last few years. There is no evidence of a change in T pallidum susceptibility to penicillin as an explanation for the significant increase in the number of syphilis cases in the United States. It is more likely that changes in risk-taking behavior in the general population are responsible for this change. Although syphilis is easily treatable with penicillin, if left untreated up to one-third of syphilitic patients will go on to have the typical complications associated with tertiary syphilis. It is therefore critically important for clinicians to be well versed in the classic and not so classic dermatologic manifestations of the disease

Refractory Angina Cell Therapy (ReACT) Involving Autologous Bone Marrow Cells in Patients Without Left Ventricular Dysfunction: A Possible Role for Monocytes

Autologous bone marrow mononuclear cell (BMMC) transplantation has emerged as a potential therapeutic option for refractory angina patients. Previous studies have shown conflicting myocardium reperfusion results. the present study evaluated safety and efficacy of CellPraxis Refractory Angina Cell Therapy Protocol (ReACT). in which a specific BMMC formulation was administered as the sole therapy for these patients. the phase I/IIa noncontrolled, open label. clinical trial, involved eight patients with refractory angina and viable ischemic myocardium, without left ventricular dysfunction and who were not suitable for conventional myocardial revascularization. ReACT is a surgical procedure involving a single series of multiple injections (40-90 injections, 0.2 ml each) into ischemic areas of the left ventricle. Primary endpoints were Canadian Cardiovascular Society Angina Classification (CCSAC) improvement at 18 months follow-up and myocardium ischemic area reduction (assessed by scintigraphic analysis) at 12 months follow-up, in correlation with a specific BMMC formulation. Almost all patients presented progressive improvement in angina classification beginning 3 months (p = 0.008) postprocedure which was sustained at 18 months follow-up (p = 0.004), as well as objective myocardium ischemic area reduction at 12 months (decrease of 84.4%, p < 0.004). A positive correlation was found between monocyte concentration and CCSAC improvement (r = -0.759, p < 0.05). Improvement in CCSAC, followed by correlated reduction in scintigraphic myocardium ischemic area, strongly suggests neoangiogenesis as the main stem cell action mechanism. the significant correlation between number of monocytes and improvement strongly supports a cell-related effect of ReACT. ReACT appeared safe and effective.Cryopraxis Crobiologia Ltda.Cellpraxis BiogenhariaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Paulista Sch Med, Dept Surg, Div Cardiovasc Surg, São Paulo, BrazilCryopraxis Criobiol Ltda, Rio de Janeiro, BrazilCellpraxis Bioengn, Rio de Janeiro, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Paulista Sch Med, Div Hematol, São Paulo, BrazilUniv São Paulo, Coll Med, Inst Heart, São Paulo, BrazilUniv S Florida, Coll Med, Dept Neurosurg & Brain Repair, Ctr Excellence Aging & Brain Repair, Tampa, FL USAUniv S Florida, Off Res & Innovat, Tampa, FL USAUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Paulista Sch Med, Dept Surg, Div Cardiovasc Surg, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Paulista Sch Med, Div Hematol, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Polyembryony in Maize: A Complex, Elusive, and Potentially Agronomical Useful Trait

Polyembryony (PE) is a rare phenomenon in cultivated plant species. Since nineteenth century, several reports have been published on PE in maize. Reports of multiple seedlings developing at embryonic level in laboratory and studies under greenhouse and field conditions have demonstrated the presence of PE in cultivated maize (Zea mays L.). Nevertheless, there is a lack of knowledge about this phenomenon; diverse genetic mechanisms controlling PE in maize have been proposed: Mendelian inheritance of a single gene, interaction between two genes and multiple genes are some of the proposed mechanisms. On the other hand, the presence of two or more embryos per seed confers higher nutrimental quality because these grains have more crude fat and lysine than normal maize kernels. As mentioned above, there is a necessity for more studies about PE maize in order to establish the genetic mechanism responsible for this phenomenon; on the other hand, previous studies showed that PE has potential to generate specialized maize varieties with yield potential and grain quality

Application of an evidence-based, out-patient treatment strategy for COVID-19: Multidisciplinary medical practice principles to prevent severe disease☆

The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated individuals, families, and institutions throughout the world. Despite the breakneck speed of vaccine development, the human population remains at risk of further devastation. The decision to not become vaccinated, the protracted rollout of available vaccine, vaccine failure, mutational forms of the SARS virus, which may exhibit mounting resistance to our molecular strike at only one form of the viral family, and the rapid ability of the virus(es) to hitch a ride on our global transportation systems, means that we are will likely continue to confront an invisible, yet devastating foe. The enemy targets one of our human physiology’s most important and vulnerable life-preserving body tissues, our broncho-alveolar gas exchange apparatus. Notwithstanding the fear and the fury of this microbe\u27s potential to raise existential questions across the entire spectrum of human endeavor, the application of an early treatment intervention initiative may represent a crucial tool in our defensive strategy. This strategy is driven by evidence-based medical practice principles, those not likely to become antiquated, given the molecular diversity and mutational evolution of this very clever “world traveler

Intensity modulated radiotherapy for localized prostate cancer: rigid compliance to dose-volume constraints as a warranty of acceptable toxicity?

BACKGROUND: To report the toxicity after intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for patients with localized prostate cancer, as a sole treatment or after radical prostatectomy. METHODS: Between August 2001 and December 2003, 132 patients with prostate cancer were treated with IMRT and 125 were evaluable to acute and late toxicity analysis, after a minimum follow-up time of one year. Clinical and treatment data, including normal tissue dose-volume histogram (DVH) constraints, were reviewed. Gastro-intestinal (GI) and genito-urinary (GU) signs and symptoms were evaluated according to the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) toxicity scales. Median prescribed dose was 76 Gy. Median follow-up time was of 26.1 months. RESULTS: From the 125 patients, 73 (58.4%) presented acute Grade 1 or Grade 2 GI and 97 (77.2%) presented acute Grade 1 or Grade 2 GU toxicity. Grade 3 GI acute toxicity occurred in only 2 patients (1.6%) and Grade 3 GU acute toxicity in only 3 patients (2.4%). Regarding Grade 1 and 2 late toxicity, 26 patients (20.8%) and 21 patients (16.8%) presented GI and GU toxicity, respectively. Grade 2 GI late toxicity occurred in 6 patients (4.8%) and Grade 2 GU late toxicity in 4 patients (3.2%). None patient presented any Grade 3 or higher late toxicity. Non-conformity to DVH constraints occurred in only 11.2% of treatment plans. On univariate analysis, no significant risk factor was identified for Grade 2 GI late toxicity, but mean dose delivered to the PTV was associated to higher Grade 2 GU late toxicity (p = 0.042). CONCLUSION: IMRT is a well tolerable technique for routine treatment of localized prostate cancer, with short and medium-term acceptable toxicity profiles. According to the data presented here, rigid compliance to DHV constraints might prevent higher incidences of normal tissue complication

Enhancing quality for clients: The balanced counseling strategy

A central focus of high-quality family-planning care is the interaction between clients and the providers who serve them. In the ideal client-provider interaction, the provider treats all clients respectfully, responds to their reproductive needs and intentions, helps in the selection of the most appropriate family planning method, and offers sufficient information to use the method safely and effectively. To improve the quality of the client-provider interaction, Population Council staff developed a “Balanced Counseling Strategy,” a type of algorithm or decision tree, to be used in combination with several job aids, or visual memory aids. The Balanced Counseling Strategy structures the client-provider interaction to focus on the client’s needs and support the client’s choice of an appropriate method, and leads to improvements in the client-provider interaction when providers use the strategy along with job aids. This brief describes the Balanced Counseling Strategy as an ongoing approach to improving quality of care. It outlines the origin and rationale for developing the strategy and details its subsequent adaptation for use in other contexts

Urinary incontinence related to perineal muscle strength in the first trimester of pregnancy: cross-sectional study

Objective To analyze pelvic floor muscle strength (PFMS), urinary continence and quality of life related to urinary incontinence (UI) of women in the first trimester of pregnancy. Method Cross-sectional study with a sample of 500 women who started prenatal care in a complementary healthcare facility in Guarulhos, state of São Paulo, from 2012 and 2013. Pelvic floor muscle strength was evaluated through perineometry. The pregnant women who presented UI answered the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF). Results It was found that maternal age (OR=1.06; CI95% 1.02-1.11) and prior UI (OR=15.12; 95%CI 8.19-27.92) are the variables that, in tandem, best explain the occurrence of UI at the beginning of pregnancy. The mean score on the ICIQ-SF was 8.2 (SD=3.9), considered a moderate impact on quality of life. Conclusion Older pregnant women with prior UI are more likely to have UI in the first trimester of pregnancy.
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Genome mining of endophytic streptomyces wadayamensis reveals high antibiotic production capability

The actinobacteria Streptomyces wadayamensis A23, an endophitic strain, was recently sequenced and previous work showed qualitatively that the strain inhibits the growth of some pathogens. Herein we report the genome analysis of S. wadayamensis which reveals several antibiotic biosynthetic pathways. Using mass spectrometry, we were able to identify desferoxamines, several antimycins and candicidin, as predicted. Additionally, it was possible to confirm that the biosynthetic machinery of the strain when compared to identified known metabolites is far underestimated. As suggested by biochemical qualitative tests, genome encoded information reveals that the strain A23 has high capability to produce antibiotics.The actinobacteria Streptomyces wadayamensis A23, an endophitic strain, was recently sequenced and previous work showed qualitatively that the strain inhibits the growth of some pathogens. Herein we report the genome analysis of S. wadayamensis which reve27814651475FAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO2014/12727-5; 2010/51677-2; 2013/12598-8; 2015/01013-4162191/2015-4; 130933/2015-5We gratefully acknowledge FAPESP (project grant 2014/12727-5 to L. G. O. and 2010/51677-2 to M. N. E.), PETROBRAS (grant 4712-0), and the University of Campinas. C. F. F. A. and B. S. P. acknowledges CNPq (studentships 162191/2015-4 and 130933/2015-5). A