The effects of UV radiation on photosynthesis estimated as chlorophyll fluorescence in Zygnemopsis decussata (Chlorophyta) growing in a high mountain lake (Sierra Nevada, Southern Spain)

The effect of increased UV radiation on photosynthesis estimated as in vivo chlorophyll fluorescence i.e. optimal quantum yield (Fv/Fm) and electron transport rate (ETR) in the green filamentous alga Zygnemopsis decussata (Streptophyta, Zygnematales) growing in the high mountain lake "La Caldera" (Sierra Nevada, Spain) at 3050 m altitude was evaluated. Two sets of in situ experiments were conducted: (1) On July 2006, Fv/Fm was measured throughout the day at different depths (0.1, 0.25, 0.5 and 1 m) and in the afternoon, ETR and phenolic compounds were determined. In addition, in order to analyze the effect of UV radiation, Fv/Fm was determined in algae incubated for 3 days at 0.5m under three different light treatments: PAR+UVA+UVB (PAB), PAR+UVA (PA) and PAR (P). (2) On August 2007, Fv/Fm was determined under PAB, PA and P treatments and desiccation/rehydration conditions. Fv/Fm decreased in algae growing in surface waters (0.1 m) but also at 1 m depth compared to that at 0.5 m depth. The decrease of Fv/Fm at noon due to photoinhibition was small (less than 10%) except in algae growing at 1 m depth (44%). The maximal electron transport rate was 3.5-5 times higher in algae growing at 0.25-0.5 m respectively than that at 0.1 and 1 m depth. These results are related to the accumulation of phenolic compounds: i.e. the algae at 0.25-0.5 m presented respectively about a 3-5 times higher concentration of phenolic compounds than that of algae at 0.1-1 m depth. The protection mechanisms seem to be stimulated by UVB radiation, since Fv/Fm was higher in the presence of UVB (PAB treatment) compared to PA or P treatments. UVA exerts the main photoinhibitory effect, not only at midday, but also in the afternoon. UVB radiation also had a protective effect in algae grown under desiccation conditions for three days. During re-hydration, the rapid increase of Fv/Fm (after 1 h) was higher in the UVB-grown algae than in algae grown under UVA radiation. After 5 h, Fv/Fm values were similar in algae submitted to desiccation/rehydration under PAB and P treatments as they were in the control (submerged algae). The combined effect of desiccation and UVA produced the greatest decrease of photosynthesis in Z. decussata. Thus UVB, in contrast to other species, may support the recovery process. Z. decussata can acclimate to severe stress conditions in this high mountain lake by the photoprotection mechanism induced by UVB radiation through dynamic photoinhibition and the accumulation of phenolic compounds (UV screen and antioxidant substances).This research was supported by the Spanish Ministries of Environment (PN2003/25) and Education and Science (CGL2005/01564, AGL2005/02655, CGL 2008/01127, CGL 2008/05407) and Consejería de Innovación, Ciencia y Empresa, Junta de Andalucía (Excelencia project P07-CVI-02598)

De promessa a realidade: como o etanol celulósico pode revolucionar a indústria da cana-de-açúcar: uma avaliação do potencial competitivo e sugestões de política pública

Bibliografia: p. 286-289Anexos: p. 289-294Após um longo período de desenvolvimento tecnológico em nível mundial, o etanol celulósico ou de segunda geração (E2G) atingiu o estágio de plantas comerciais. O Brasil, por conta dos projetos fomentados pelo Plano Conjunto BNDES-Finep de Apoio à Inovação Tecnológica Industrial dos Setores Sucroenergético e Sucroquímico (PAISS), tem atualmente uma capacidade instalada de produção de E2G de cerca de 140 milhões de litros por ano. Contudo, tal volume ainda pode ser considerado pequeno quando comparado à demanda interna de combustíveis, hoje suprida com volumes relevantes de gasolina importada. Assim, com o objetivo de fomentar a implementação de mecanismos de política pública que acelerem os investimentos em novas plantas de E2G, este artigo apresenta, baseado em premissas discutidas com diversas empresas e especialistas, estimativas sobre o potencial de melhoria de eficiência e redução de custos de produção do E2G em diferentes cenários tecnológicos. Se bem-sucedidas, tais políticas ajudariam a alterar o atual paradigma tecnoeconômico da indústria da cana-de-açúcar, resgatando sua competitividade

Goodbye Hartmann trial: a prospective, international, multicenter, observational study on the current use of a surgical procedure developed a century ago

Background: Literature suggests colonic resection and primary anastomosis (RPA) instead of Hartmann's procedure (HP) for the treatment of left-sided colonic emergencies. We aim to evaluate the surgical options globally used to treat patients with acute left-sided colonic emergencies and the factors that leading to the choice of treatment, comparing HP and RPA. Methods: This is a prospective, international, multicenter, observational study registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. A total 1215 patients with left-sided colonic emergencies who required surgery were included from 204 centers during the period of March 1, 2020, to May 31, 2020. with a 1-year follow-up. Results: 564 patients (43.1%) were females. The mean age was 65.9 ± 15.6 years. HP was performed in 697 (57.3%) patients and RPA in 384 (31.6%) cases. Complicated acute diverticulitis was the most common cause of left-sided colonic emergencies (40.2%), followed by colorectal malignancy (36.6%). Severe complications (Clavien-Dindo ≥ 3b) were higher in the HP group (P < 0.001). 30-day mortality was higher in HP patients (13.7%), especially in case of bowel perforation and diffused peritonitis. 1-year follow-up showed no differences on ostomy reversal rate between HP and RPA. (P = 0.127). A backward likelihood logistic regression model showed that RPA was preferred in younger patients, having low ASA score (≤ 3), in case of large bowel obstruction, absence of colonic ischemia, longer time from admission to surgery, operating early at the day working hours, by a surgeon who performed more than 50 colorectal resections. Conclusions: After 100 years since the first Hartmann's procedure, HP remains the most common treatment for left-sided colorectal emergencies. Treatment's choice depends on patient characteristics, the time of surgery and the experience of the surgeon. RPA should be considered as the gold standard for surgery, with HP being an exception

Production of He-4 and (4) in Pb-Pb collisions at root(NN)-N-S=2.76 TeV at the LHC

Results on the production of He-4 and (4) nuclei in Pb-Pb collisions at root(NN)-N-S = 2.76 TeV in the rapidity range vertical bar y vertical bar <1, using the ALICE detector, are presented in this paper. The rapidity densities corresponding to 0-10% central events are found to be dN/dy4(He) = (0.8 +/- 0.4 (stat) +/- 0.3 (syst)) x 10(-6) and dN/dy4 = (1.1 +/- 0.4 (stat) +/- 0.2 (syst)) x 10(-6), respectively. This is in agreement with the statistical thermal model expectation assuming the same chemical freeze-out temperature (T-chem = 156 MeV) as for light hadrons. The measured ratio of (4)/He-4 is 1.4 +/- 0.8 (stat) +/- 0.5 (syst). (C) 2018 Published by Elsevier B.V.Peer reviewe

Effects of N supply on the accumulation of photosynthetic pigments and photoprotectors in Gracilaria tenuistipitata (Rhodophyta) cultured under UV radiation

We have studied the effects of nitrate supply under photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) plus ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure on photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a and carotenoids), photoprotective UV screen mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs), and photosynthetic parameters, including the maximum quantum yield (F(v)/F(m)) and electron transport rate (ETR) on the red agarophyte Gracilaria tenuistipitata. Apical tips of G. tenuistipitata were cultivated under ten different concentrations of NO(3)(-) for 7 days. It has been shown that G. tenuistipitata cultured under laboratory conditions has the ability to accumulate high amounts of MAAs following a nitrate concentration-dependent manner under PAR+UVR. Two MAAs were identified, shinorine and porphyra-334. The relative concentration of the first increased under high concentrations of nitrate, while the second one decreased. The presence of antheraxanthin is reported for the first time in this macro-algae, which also contains zeaxanthin, lutein, and beta-carotene. The accumulation of pigments, photoprotective compounds, and photosynthetic parameters of G. tenuistipitata is directly related to N availability. All variables decreased under low N supplies and reached constant maximum values with supplements higher than 0.5 mM NO(3)(-). Our results suggest a high potential to acclimation and photoprotection against stress factors (including high PAR and UVR) directly related to N availability for G. tenuistipitata.Ministry of Science and Innovation of Spain[CGL2008 05407-C03-01]Junta de Andalucia research group[RNM-295]National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq)[470417/2006-4]National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq)[301217/2007-6]Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP)Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES) from the Ministry of Education in Brazi

Quantification of 3/4D ultrasound pelvic floor changes induced by postpartum muscle training in patients with levator ani muscle avulsion: a parallel randomized controlled trial

Background: We believe that physiotherapy with muscle training (MT) of the postpartum pelvic floor may lead to a change in the clinical management of patients with avulsion of the puborectal portion of the levator ani muscle (LAM). Our objective is to assess whether physiotherapy with MT of the postpartum pelvic floor in patients with LAM avulsion produces changes in pelvic flom morphology evaluated by 3/4D transperineal ultrasound.Methods: This parallel randomized controlled trial (RCT) included 97 primiparous patients. A study was conducted in three parts. In the first part (3 months postpartum), primiparous patients with LAM avulsion were recruited, and the levator hiatus and the LAM areas were measured using 3/4D transperineal ultrasound. In the second part (3 to 6 months postpartum), patients were randomized into two groups, with one undergoing rehabilitation (experimental group) and another without rehabilitation (control group). At the end of 6 months, a new transperineal ultrasound was performed. In the third part (9 months postpartum), the levator hiatus and LAM, dimensions were analyzed again. The RCT was registered at ClinicalTrials. gov (NCT03686956). Project PI16/01387 funded by Institute de Salud Carlos III (Spain) integrated in the national I+D+i 2013-2016 and cofounded by the European Union (ERDF/ESF, "Investing in your future").Results: A total of 92 completed the study, including 46 patients in the experimental group and 46 in the control group. The experimental group had a greater LAM area at 6 months (9.2 +/- 1.9 vs. 7.6 +/- 2.1 cm(2), P=0.008; 95% CI: 0.6-3.0) and 9 months after labor (9.4 +/- 2.7 vs. 7.6 +/- 2.0 cm(2), P=0.012; 95% CI: 0.4-3.2), which was not observed at 3 months postpartum (8.3 +/- 1.6 vs. 7.5 +/- 2.3 cm(2); P=0.183; 95% CI: 0.39-1.99). The levator hiatus area decreased more in the experimental group in almost all comparisons. The most significant change occurred from 3 to 6 months during the Valsalva maneuver (-3.92 +/- 5.12 vs. 0.45 +/- 3.06 cm(2);

Life history, morphological variability and growth rates of the life phases of Gracilaria tenuistipitata (Rhodophyta: Gracilariales) in vitro

Gracilaria tenuistipitata, a species of commercial interest, is becoming a model organism for studies on red algal physiology and molecular biology as it can be grown easily in vitro under a broad range of conditions. Most of the experiments carried out around the world have been based on a tetrasporophytic clone isolated in our laboratory from a specimen collected in China. Here we describe the life history of this species, give anatomic details of the reproductive structures, illustrate the morphological variability of tetraspore progeny and compare the growth rate of gametophytic and sporophytic thalli. Tetrasporophytic branches showed higher growth rates than gametophytic branches.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq)[470417/2006-4]Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES

Intrapartum transperineal ultrasound used to predict cases of complicated operative (vacuum and forceps) deliveries in nulliparous women

IntroductionThe objective of this study was to investigate the predictive value of intrapartum transperineal ultrasound in the identification of complicated operative (vacuum or forceps) deliveries in nulliparous women.Material and methodsProspective observational study of nulliparous women with an indication for operative delivery who underwent intrapartum transperineal ultrasound before fetal extraction. Managing obstetricians were blinded to the ultrasound data. Intrapartum transperineal ultrasound was performed immediately before blade application, both at rest and concurrently with contractions and active pushing. Operative delivery was classified as complicated when one or more of the following situations occurred: three or more tractions; a third-/fourth-degree perineal tear; significant bleeding during the episiotomy repair; major tear or significant traumatic neonatal lesion.ResultsA total of 143 nulliparous women were included in the study (82 vacuum-assisted deliveries and 61 forceps-assisted deliveries), with 20 fetuses in occiput posterior position. Forty-seven operative deliveries were classified as complicated deliveries (28 vacuum-assisted deliveries, 19 forceps-assisted deliveries). No differences in obstetric, intrapartum or neonatal characteristics were observed between the study groups, with the following exceptions: birthweight (3229482 uncomplicated deliveries vs. 3623 +/- 406 complicated deliveries;