Collaborative International Research in Clinical and Longitudinal Experience Study in NMOSD

Objective To develop a resource of systematically collected, longitudinal clinical data and biospecimens for assisting in the investigation into neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) epidemiology, pathogenesis, and treatment. Methods To illustrate its research-enabling purpose, epidemiologic patterns and disease phenotypes were assessed among enrolled subjects, including age at disease onset, annualized relapse rate (ARR), and time between the first and second attacks. Results As of December 2017, the Collaborative International Research in Clinical and Longitudinal Experience Study (CIRCLES) had enrolled more than 1,000 participants, of whom 77.5% of the NMOSD cases and 71.7% of the controls continue in active follow-up. Consanguineous relatives of patients with NMOSD represented 43.6% of the control cohort. Of the 599 active cases with complete data, 84% were female, and 76% were anti-AQP4 seropositive. The majority were white/Caucasian (52.6%), whereas blacks/African Americans accounted for 23.5%, Hispanics/ Latinos 12.4%, and Asians accounted for 9.0%. The median age at disease onset was 38.4 years, with a median ARR of 0.5. Seropositive cases were older at disease onset, more likely to be black/African American or Hispanic/Latino, and more likely to be female. Conclusions Collectively, the CIRCLES experience to date demonstrates this study to be a useful and readily accessible resource to facilitate accelerating solutions for patients with NMOSD

Peat-forming plants in the Maastrichtian coals of the Eastern Pyrenees

The Lower Maastrichtian of Fumanya and neighbouring localities of the Vallcebre syncline (Eastern Pyrenees, Catalonia) provide the first taphonomic evidence for the hypothesis that cheirolepidiacean conifers were significant precursors of Maastrichtian Pyrenean coal. Most Frenelopsis-rich lignite beds do not bear rootlet marks, suggesting that the original peat was detrital. Sedimentological and taphonomic evidence indicates deposition in the margins of a lagoon after the transport of the cheirolepidiacean remains by flotation. The same parautochtonous assemblage includes complete impressions Sabalites longirhachis leaves and large impressions of logs attributed to the same palm trees. Other parautochthonous or allochthonous plant megaremains include extremely rare cycadalean and monocot leaves and abundant minute angiosperm seeds. Rootlet marks associated with thin lignite beds occur at the top of some charophyte limestones. The charophyte association, dominated by in situ accumulation of Peckichara and Microchara gyrogonites, suggests that these limestones were deposited in shallow, freshwater lakes and that the corresponding peat mires were limnic rather than paralic in nature. The botanical affinity of plant remains associated with these root-bearing lignites is uncertain. Palynological analysis showed abundant bisaccates, with less abundant fern spores and freshwater algal oospores. Locally, the abundant rootlet marks were associated with large brush-like rooting structures attributed to Sabalites longirhachis palms. Our results show that, at the beginning of the Maasrichtian, cheirolepidiacean conifers were still significant peat-producing plants, although, unlike analogous Lower Cretaceous ones, they shared this role with rare angiosperms, such as palms

Optical response of (InGa)(AsSb)/GaAs quantum dots embedded in a GaP matrix

The optical response of (InGa)(AsSb)/GaAs quantum dots (QDs) grown on GaP (001) substrates is studied by means of excitation and temperature-dependent photoluminescence (PL), and it is related to their complex electronic structure. Such QDs exhibit concurrently direct and indirect transitions, which allows the swapping of Γ and L quantum confined states in energy, depending on details of their stoichiometry. Based on realistic data on QD structure and composition, derived from high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) measurements, simulations by means of k ⋅ p theory are performed. The theoretical prediction of both momentum direct and indirect type-I optical transitions are confirmed by the experiments presented here. Additional investigations by a combination of Raman and photoreflectance spectroscopy show modifications of the hydrostatic strain in the QD layer, depending on the sequential addition of QDs and capping layer. A variation of the excitation density across four orders of magnitude reveals a 50-meV energy blueshift of the QD emission. Our findings suggest that the assignment of the type of transition, based solely by the observation of a blueshift with increased pumping, is insufficient. We propose therefore a more consistent approach based on the analysis of the character of the blueshift evolution with optical pumping, which employs a numerical model based on a semi-self-consistent configuration interaction method

Synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation of octyltrimethylammonium tetrathiotungstate

Octyltrimethylammonium tetrathiotungstate salt (ATT-C8) was synthesized and its ability to chelate copper was evaluated. The biological and toxic aspects were evaluated by in vitro and in vivo assays, using bovine aorta endothelial cells (BAEC) and zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos. The obtained results suggest that ATT-C8 has better biocompatibility, showing a significantly lower lethal concentration 50 (LC50) value in comparison to ammonium tetrathiotungstate (ATT). Zebrafish embryos assay results indicate that both tetrathiotungstate salts at the studied concentrations increase the hatching time. Even more, an in vivo assay showed that synthesized materials behave as copper antagonists and have the ability to inhibit its toxicological effects. Also, both materials were found to be active for the in vitro 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. The characterization of the materials was carried out using the following spectroscopic techniques: Ultraviolet–Visible (UV–Vis), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NRM).The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support provided by the UABC-UNAM SENERCONACYT 117373 project. Authors thank David Navas Fernandez for excellent technical support in these experiments, as well as Dr. Raúl Romero Rivera for his valuable comments. The scientific work developed by MAM’s group is supported by grants PID2019-105010RB-I00 (Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities), and UMA18- FEDERJA-220 (Andalusian Government and FEDER) and funds from group BIO 267 (Andalusian Government), as well as funds from ‘‘Plan Propio de Investigación y Transferencia’’ (U. Málaga)

Design Of A Minicomputer Separator Of Urban Solid Waste (RSU)

In Mexico, the society in general lacks the habit and ethics of properly disposing garbage or in taking care of the environment. This paper focuses on analyzing and disposing garbage in an automated way. The present study also seeks to create and promote care for the planet. The minicomputer (GreenScanProcess) is an automated system whose process is based on an algorithm that stands out for its functionality. GreenScanProcess has sensors that allow the analysis and scanning of garbage. It also measures the weight and humidity of the garbage. The minicomputer also examines the garbage to know its composition. Likewise, GreenScanProcess takes the garbage to the container according to the garbage. The benefits obtained when conducting the research were: environmental, economic, technological, and educational

Assessment of interactions between 205 breast cancer susceptibility loci and 13 established risk factors in relation to breast cancer risk, in the Breast Cancer Association Consortium.

BACKGROUND: Previous gene-environment interaction studies of breast cancer risk have provided sparse evidence of interactions. Using the largest available dataset to date, we performed a comprehensive assessment of potential effect modification of 205 common susceptibility variants by 13 established breast cancer risk factors, including replication of previously reported interactions. METHODS: Analyses were performed using 28 176 cases and 32 209 controls genotyped with iCOGS array and 44 109 cases and 48 145 controls genotyped using OncoArray from the Breast Cancer Association Consortium (BCAC). Gene-environment interactions were assessed using unconditional logistic regression and likelihood ratio tests for breast cancer risk overall and by estrogen-receptor (ER) status. Bayesian false discovery probability was used to assess the noteworthiness of the meta-analysed array-specific interactions. RESULTS: Noteworthy evidence of interaction at ≤1% prior probability was observed for three single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-risk factor pairs. SNP rs4442975 was associated with a greater reduction of risk of ER-positive breast cancer [odds ratio (OR)int = 0.85 (0.78-0.93), Pint = 2.8 x 10-4] and overall breast cancer [ORint = 0.85 (0.78-0.92), Pint = 7.4 x 10-5) in current users of estrogen-progesterone therapy compared with non-users. This finding was supported by replication using OncoArray data of the previously reported interaction between rs13387042 (r2 = 0.93 with rs4442975) and current estrogen-progesterone therapy for overall disease (Pint = 0.004). The two other interactions suggested stronger associations between SNP rs6596100 and ER-negative breast cancer with increasing parity and younger age at first birth. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, our study does not suggest strong effect modification of common breast cancer susceptibility variants by established risk factors

Programa de Atención al Ictus en Aragón (PAIA). Estrategia del cambio y resultados en el periodo 2009-2014

Introducción En 2008, Aragón tenía tasas de morbimortalidad y discapacidad por ictus superiores a las del conjunto de España. Se estableció la necesidad de desarrollar un Programa de Atención al Ictus (PAIA). Material y métodos Damos a conocer la dinámica de planificación, implantación, evaluación y mejora que se ha desarrollado entre los años 2009-2014 y sus resultados a 5 años. Resultados Se ha mejorado en la estructura, en los procesos y en los resultados, con mejoría en los indicadores clave de la asistencia (audit 2008-2010-2012) y otros: tasa ictus 2013: 2, 07 (2008: 2, 36); 78% ictus atendidos en áreas/unidades en 2014 (30%, 2008); tasa fibrinólisis 8, 3% en 2014 (4, 4%, 2010); fibrinólisis hospitales secundarios (30% total); fibrinólisis con teleictus 9%; descenso de la mortalidad por ictus, 38%; años de vida prematura perdidos 67, 7 (2013)/144 (2008); capacitación de enfermería, desarrollo de la neurosonología, trabajo en red, con protocolos y buenas prácticas compartidos entre sectores sanitarios, etc. Conclusiones La gestión por procesos y equipos multidisciplinares desplegados en una distribución territorial integral, con protocolos y referencias establecidas y una dinámica de evaluación y mejora continua, ha demostrado ser una herramienta potente para garantizar la calidad y la equidad. El PAIA, por su dinámica de mejora sostenida y la implicación de los clínicos, es un buen ejemplo de gestión clínica y trabajo en red. Introduction: In 2008, stroke mortality, morbidity, and disability rates in Aragon were higher than the average in Spain. These data underscored the need to develop a stroke care programme (PAIA). Material and methods: We present the dynamics of planning, implementation, evaluation, and improvement developed between 2009 and 2014 as well as the results of the PAIA after that 5-year period. Results: Structure, processes, and outcomes have improved with reference to the key indicators of healthcare (audit: 2008, 2010, 2012) among others: stroke rate in 2013 was 2.07 (2.36 in 2008); 78% of strokes were managed in stroke units in 2014 (30% in 2008); rate of fibrinolysis was 8.3% in 2014 (4.4% in 2010); fibrinolysis was administered in secondary hospitals (30% of the total); fibrinolysis was administered by Telestroke in 9%; stroke mortality decreased (38%); 67.7 years of potential life lost (YPLL) in 2013 (144 in 2008); nurse training; development of neurosonology; networking; sharing protocols and best practices between health sectors, etc. Conclusions: Integrated process management and multidisciplinary teams distributed and deployed over an entire territory with established protocols, references, evaluations, and continuous development, have been proven powerful tools to ensure both quality and equality. The PAIA is a good example of clinical governance and networking due to its dynamic and sustained improvement and cooperation between clinicians