Histidine kinase two-component response regulators Ssk1, Skn7 and Rim15 differentially control growth, developmental and volatile organic compounds emissions as stress responses in Trichoderma atroviride

The Skn7, Ssk1 and Rim15 proteins are response regulators involved in osmotic, oxidative and nutritional stress in fungi. In order to verify the involvement of these genes in Trichoderma atroviride IMI206040’s growth, conidiation, direct antagonism against plant pathogens (Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum), production of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with fungistatic effect, and interaction with plants (growth promotion), single mutants were generated, and the phenotypic patterns were analysed in comparison to the wild-type (wt) strain. The mutants were submitted to osmotic, oxidative, membrane and cell wall stress conditions in vitro. The Δskn7 and Δrim15 mutants did not show either significant differences at morphological level, or marked decreases in mycelial growth and conidiation in relation to wt, whereas Δssk1 had altered phenotypes in most conditions tested. The plant-growth promotion of Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings induced by VOCs was not quantitatively modified by any of the mutants in relation to the wt strain, although possible differences in secondary root hairs was noticed for Δrim15. The fungistatic activity was significantly altered for Δssk1 and Δrim15. Overall, the Δssk1 strain showed remarkable morphological differences, with decrease in mycelial growth and conidiation, being also affected in the antagonistic capacity against plant pathogens. The impacts demonstrated by the deletion of ssk1 suggest this gene has a relevant participation in the signalling response to different stresses in T. atroviride and in the interactive metabolism with phytopathogens and plants. On the other hand, unlike other fungal models, Skn7 did not appear to have a critical participation in the above-mentioned processes; Rim15 seemed to confirm its involvement in modulating cellular responses to nutritional status, although with a possible cross-talk with other cellular processes. Our results suggest that Ssk1 likely plays a key regulatory role, not only in basic metabolisms of T. atroviride, but also in biocontrol-related characteristics

Brazilian adolescents' knowledge and beliefs about abortion methods: A school-based internet inquiry

Background: Internet surveys that draw from traditionally generated samples provide the unique conditions to engage adolescents in exploration of sensitive health topics.Methods: We examined awareness of unwanted pregnancy, abortion behaviour, methods, and attitudes toward specific legal indications for abortion via a school-based internet survey among 378 adolescents aged 12-21 years in three Rio de Janeiro public schools.Results: Forty-five percent knew peers who had undergone an abortion. Most students (66.0%) did not disclose abortion method knowledge. However, girls (aOR 4.2, 95% CI 2.4-7.2), those who had experienced their sexual debut (aOR1.76, 95% CI 1.1-3.0), and those attending a prestigious magnet school (aOR 2.7 95% CI 1.4-6.3) were more likely to report methods. Most abortion methods (79.3%) reported were ineffective, obsolete, and/or unsafe. Herbs (e.g. marijuana tea), over-the-counter medications, surgical procedures, foreign objects and blunt trauma were reported. Most techniques (85.2%) were perceived to be dangerous, including methods recommended by the World Health Organization. A majority (61.4%) supported Brazil's existing law permitting abortion in the case of rape. There was no association between gender, age, sexual debut, parental education or socioeconomic status and attitudes toward legal abortion. However, students at the magnet school supported twice as many legal indications (2.7, SE.27) suggesting a likely role of peers and/or educators in shaping abortion views.Conclusions: Abortion knowledge and attitudes are not driven simply by age, religion or class, but rather a complex interplay that includes both social spaces and gender. Prevention of abortion morbidity and mortality among adolescents requires comprehensive sexuality and reproductive health education that includes factual distinctions between safe and unsafe abortion methods

Global patient outcomes after elective surgery: prospective cohort study in 27 low-, middle- and high-income countries.

BACKGROUND: As global initiatives increase patient access to surgical treatments, there remains a need to understand the adverse effects of surgery and define appropriate levels of perioperative care. METHODS: We designed a prospective international 7-day cohort study of outcomes following elective adult inpatient surgery in 27 countries. The primary outcome was in-hospital complications. Secondary outcomes were death following a complication (failure to rescue) and death in hospital. Process measures were admission to critical care immediately after surgery or to treat a complication and duration of hospital stay. A single definition of critical care was used for all countries. RESULTS: A total of 474 hospitals in 19 high-, 7 middle- and 1 low-income country were included in the primary analysis. Data included 44 814 patients with a median hospital stay of 4 (range 2-7) days. A total of 7508 patients (16.8%) developed one or more postoperative complication and 207 died (0.5%). The overall mortality among patients who developed complications was 2.8%. Mortality following complications ranged from 2.4% for pulmonary embolism to 43.9% for cardiac arrest. A total of 4360 (9.7%) patients were admitted to a critical care unit as routine immediately after surgery, of whom 2198 (50.4%) developed a complication, with 105 (2.4%) deaths. A total of 1233 patients (16.4%) were admitted to a critical care unit to treat complications, with 119 (9.7%) deaths. Despite lower baseline risk, outcomes were similar in low- and middle-income compared with high-income countries. CONCLUSIONS: Poor patient outcomes are common after inpatient surgery. Global initiatives to increase access to surgical treatments should also address the need for safe perioperative care. STUDY REGISTRATION: ISRCTN5181700

Efecto de la adición de Gd₂O₃ sobre las propiedades magnéticas de hexaferritas de estroncio

The hexaferrites (AFe12O19, A = Ba, Sr) have been used since years ago. Because of their low cost these materials continue in the market and they have not been substituted for other powerful magnets. The partial substitution of metallic elements or the use of additives in small proportions have been widely used for industrial processes in order to improve magnetic properties or the sintering process. Efforts had been made to determinate the effect of an important number of diamagnetic or paramagnetic cations on the microstructure and magnetic properties of the hexagonal ferrites. Previous studies have reported a remarkable increase in the coercitive field of the hexaferrites of barium with the substitution partial of that by La, Lu, Sm, Nd and Gd. In the present research a structural and magnetic study of sintered permanent magnets with the general formula Sr1-XGdX/2NaX/2Fe12O19 (0.00≤ X ≤0.10) was made. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, vibrating sample magnetometry, scanning electron microscopy and elemental analysis (EDAX). The dependency of the densification, the medium grain size, the cells parameters and the magnetic properties with the gadolinium oxide content is discussed.<br><br>Las hexaferritas (AFe12O19, A = Ba, Sr) se vienen utilizando desde hace varios años; debido a su bajo costo dominan el mercado y no han sido sustituidas por imanes permanentes más potentes. La sustitución parcial de los elementos metálicos o la utilización de aditivos en pequeña proporción ha sido ampliamente utilizada en la industria con el objeto de mejorar las propiedades magnéticas o facilitar el proceso de sinterización. Se han dedicado esfuerzos importantes para determinar el efecto de un número importante de iones diamagnéticos y paramagnéticos sobre la microestructura y las propiedades magnéticas de las ferritas hexagonales. Trabajos previos reportaron un aumento notable del campo coercitivo en hexaferritas de bario con substitución parcial de este elemento por La, Lu, Sm, Nd y Gd. En este trabajo se realiza un estudio estructural y magnético de imanes permanentes sinterizados con la fórmula general Sr(1-x)Gd x/2Na x/2Fe12O19 (0.00≤ X ≤0.10). Las muestras fueron caracterizadas por difracción de rayos X, magnetometría vibracional, microscopía electrónica de barrido y análisis elemental (EDAX). Se discute la dependencia de la densificación, el tamaño de grano medio, los parámetros de celda y las propiedades magnéticas con el contenido de óxido de gadolinio