Assessing the spatio-temporal spread of COVID-19 via compartmental models with diffusion in Italy, USA, and Brazil

The outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020 has led to a surge in interest in the mathematical modeling of infectious diseases. Such models are usually defined as compartmental models, in which the population under study is divided into compartments based on qualitative characteristics, with different assumptions about the nature and rate of transfer across compartments. Though most commonly formulated as ordinary differential equation (ODE) models, in which the compartments depend only on time, recent works have also focused on partial differential equation (PDE) models, incorporating the variation of an epidemic in space. Such research on PDE models within a Susceptible, Infected, Exposed, Recovered, and Deceased (SEIRD) framework has led to promising results in reproducing COVID-19 contagion dynamics. In this paper, we assess the robustness of this modeling framework by considering different geometries over more extended periods than in other similar studies. We first validate our code by reproducing previously shown results for Lombardy, Italy. We then focus on the U.S. state of Georgia and on the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro, one of the most impacted areas in the world. Our results show good agreement with real-world epidemiological data in both time and space for all regions across major areas and across three different continents, suggesting that the modeling approach is both valid and robust.Comment: 23 pages, 19 figure

Eggplant fruit (Solanum melongena l.) and bio-residues as a source of nutrients, bioactive compounds, and food colorants, using innovative food technologies

Consumers are very concerned with following a healthy diet, along with some precautions that may influence environmental impact. Solanum melongena L. is one of the most consumed vegetables due to its excellent nutritional value and antioxidant action. Associated with its high consumption, considerable amounts of agro†food wastes are produced. This work targets the valorization of this matrix, through the use of its bio†residues to study the obtention of coloring pigments, applying innovative technologies. Its nutritional value, chemical composition, and bioactive potential were evaluated, and the ultrasound†assisted extraction to obtain coloring pigments of high industrial interest was optimized. Considering the results, low contents of fat and carbohydrates and energy value were evident, as well as the presence of compounds of interest (free sugars, organic acids, unsaturated fatty acids, and phenolic acids). In addition, the antioxidant and antimicrobial potential was detected. Response surface methodology was performed to optimize the extraction of natural pigments, showing a concentration of 11.9 mg/g of anthocyanins/g of extract, applying optimal conditions of time, solvent, and solid/liquid ratio of 0.5 min, 68.2% (v/v) and 5 g/L, respectively. S. melongena proved to be a good source of bioactive compounds and natural pigments, which can generate great interest in the food industry.The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under Program PT2020 for financial support to CIMO (UID/AGR/00690/2020); this work was also funded by ERDF through the Regional Operational Program North 2020, within the scope of project “Mobilizador” Norte-01-0247-FEDER024479: ValorNatural®. The authors are also grateful to Interreg España-Portugal for financial support through the project 0377_Iberphenol_6_E and TRANSCoLAB 0612_TRANS_CO_LAB_2_P; to Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Republic of Serbia. The authors are grateful to the national funding by FCT, P.I., through the institutional scientific employment program-contract for L. Barros and R. Calhelha’s contract; C. Pereira’s contract though the celebration of program-contract foreseen in No. 4, 5, and 6 of article 23 of Decree-Law No. 57/2016, of 29 August, amended by Law No. 57/2017, of 19 July.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Caloric Restriction Is More Efficient than Physical Exercise to Protect from Cisplatin Nephrotoxicity via PPAR-Alpha Activation

The antineoplastic drug cisplatin promotes renal injury, which limits its use. Protocols that reduce renal cisplatin toxicity will allow higher doses to be used in cisplatin treatment. Here, we compare physical exercise and caloric restriction (CR) as protocols to reduce cisplatin renal injury in mice. Male C57BL/6 were divided into four groups: Control, cisplatin, exercise + cisplatin, and 30% CR + cisplatin. Animals were injected with a single dose of cisplatin (20 mg/kg i.p.) and sacrificed 96 h after injection. Quantitative real time PCR, histological analyses, immunohistochemistry, and biochemical measurements were performed to investigate renal injury, necrosis, apoptosis, and inflammatory mechanisms. Both protocols protected against cisplatin renal injury, but CR was more effective in reducing uraemia and renal necrosis. The CR + Cisplatin group exhibited reduced serum IL-1 beta and INF-alpha levels. No differences were noted in the renal mRNA expression of cytokines. Both interventions reduced apoptosis, but only the CR + Cisplatin group decreased TNFR2 protein expression. PPAR-ci was activated in mice after CR. An antagonist of PPAR-alpha blocked the protective effect of CR. Both interventions attenuated the nephrotoxicity caused by cisplatin injection, but CR + Cisplatin showed a better response by modulating TNFR2. Moreover, part of the CR benefit depends on PPAR-alpha activation.FAPESP (Fundacao de Apoio a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo)CAPES/DAADUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Biofis, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Med, Disciplina Nefrol, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Sao Paulo, Inst Ciencias Biomed, Dept Immunol, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Sao Paulo, Dept Clin Med, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Pelotas, Escola Nutr, Dept Nutr, Pelotas, BrazilMax Delbruck Ctr Mol Med, Berlin, GermanyUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Biofis, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Med, Disciplina Nefrol, Sao Paulo, BrazilFAPESP: 2013/06207-6FAPESP: 2015/20082-7CAPES/DAAD: 427/15Web of Scienc

Round robin testing initiative for fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) reinforcement

An international Round Robin Testing (RRT) programme on FRP reinforcement was conducted within the framework of the Marie Curie Research Training Network, ENCORE, and with the support of Task Group 9.3 of the International Federation for Structural Concrete (fib). Eleven laboratories and six manufacturers and suppliers participated in this exercise. As part of this extensive experimental endeavour, one or more of the following tests were performed by the participating laboratories: 1) tensile tests on FRP bars and strips; 2) tensile tests on FRP laminates; 3) double bond shear tests on FRP laminates (Externally Bonded Reinforcement, EBR) and FRP bars/strip (Near Surface Mounted reinforcement, NSM). This paper will discusses the results of the RRT initiative, among which the experimental results of bond tests on concrete specimens strengthened with EBR and NSM FRP

ACALASIA NA DOENÇA DE CHAGAS É DIFERENTE DE ACALASIA IDIOPÁTICA? EXPERIÊNCIA DO HOSPITAL DE CLÍNICAS DE PORTO ALEGRE

Objetive: The objective of this study is to evaluate the differences between achalasia in Chagas’ disease and idiopathic achalasia in patients admitted to the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, by analyzing epidemiologic, clinic, radiologic and manometric findings.Methods: Patients referred to the Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre between November 1996 and December 2001 with suspicion of achalasia, later confirmed by esophageal manometry, were included in the study. In addition to manometric and radiologic findings, patients were assessed for age, sex, symptomsand symptomatic period.Results: Among 51 patients, nine (18%) presented positive serology for Chagas’ disease and 42 (82%) presented negative serology. The latter were considered carriers of idiopathic achalasia. The mean age of patients with achalasia in Chagas’ disease was 62 ± 15 years, while the mean age in the idiopathic group was 43 ± 18 years (P < 0.02). The symptomatic period for patients with achalasia in Chagas’ disease was 74 ± 47 months, and in the idiopathic group, 49 ± 35 months (P < 0.05). Dysphagia, regurgitation, thoracic pain and weight loss, values at the lower esophageal sphincter (basal pressure, post-deglutitive relaxation pressure/duration and total length) and at the esophageal body (amplitude and duration of the post-deglutitive waves) were similar in both groups.Conclusions: The only statistically significant differences found between the two groups were age and length of the symptomatic period, significantly greater in patients with achalasia in Chagas’ disease. These data suggest a greater resistance to the symptoms in older patients.Objetivo: O presente trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar as diferenças entre a acalasia chagásica e a idiopática em pacientes do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, através da análise de achados epidemiológicos, clínicos, radiológicos e manométricos.Métodos: Foram estudados pacientes encaminhados ao Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, entre novembro de 1996 e dezembro de 2001, com suspeita de acalasia, posteriormente, confirmada por manometria esofágica. Além das características manométricas e radiológicas, os pacientes foram avaliados quanto a idade, sexo, sintomas e tempo de evolução.Resultados: Entre 51 pacientes, nove (18%) tiveram sorologia positiva para doença de Chagas e 42 (82%) sorologia negativa. Indivíduos com sorologia negativa foram considerados portadores de acalasia idiopática. Pacientes com acalasia chagásica tinham média de idade de 62 ± 15 anos e os com idiopática 43 ± 18 anos (P < 0,02). O período de evolução dos sintomas em pacientes com acalasia chagásica foi de 74 ± 47 meses e nos idiopáticos 49 ± 35 meses (P < 0,05). Disfagia, regurgitação, dor torácica e emagrecimento, valores do esfíncter esofágico inferior (pressão basal, pressão e duração de relaxamento pós-deglutição e comprimento total) e do corpo esofágico (amplitude e duração das ondas pós-deglutição) foram similares em ambos os grupos.Conclusões: As únicas diferenças estatisticamente significativas encontradas entre os dois grupos foram a média de idade e o período de evolução dos sintomas, maiores nos pacientes chagásicos. Esses dados permitem especular sobre uma maior tolerância aos sintomas nos pacientes com idade mais avançada