Maternal and infant infections stimulate a rapid leukocyte response in breastmilk

Breastmilk protects infants against infections; however, specific responses of breastmilk immune factors to different infections of either the mother or the infant are not well understood. Here, we examined the baseline range of breastmilk leukocytes and immunomodulatory biomolecules in healthy mother/infant dyads and how they are influenced by infections of the dyad. Consistent with a greater immunological need in the early postpartum period, colostrum contained considerable numbers of leukocytes (13–70% out of total cells) and high levels of immunoglobulins and lactoferrin. Within the first 1–2 weeks postpartum, leukocyte numbers decreased significantly to a low baseline level in mature breastmilk (0–2%) (P\u3c0.001). This baseline level was maintained throughout lactation unless the mother and/or her infant became infected, when leukocyte numbers significantly increased up to 94% leukocytes out of total cells (P\u3c0.001). Upon recovery from the infection, baseline values were restored. The strong leukocyte response to infection was accompanied by a more variable humoral immune response. Exclusive breastfeeding was associated with a greater baseline level of leukocytes in mature breastmilk. Collectively, our results suggest a strong association between the health status of the mother/infant dyad and breastmilk leukocyte levels. This could be used as a diagnostic tool for assessment of the health status of the lactating breast as well as the breastfeeding mother and infant

Validating communication network configurations in cloud and HPC systems using Metamorphic Testing

Funding: This work was supported by the Madrid Government (Comunidad de Madrid-Spain) under the Multiannual Agreement with the Complutense University as part of the Program to Stimulate Research for Young Doctors in the context of the V PRICIT (Regional Programme of Research and Technological Innovation) under grant PR65/19-22452, the Spanish MINECO/FEDER project MASSIVE under Grant RTI2018-095255-B-I00, the Comunidad de Madrid project FORTE-CM under grant S2018/TCS-4314, and project S2018/TCS-4339 (BLOQUES-CM) co-funded by EIE Funds of the European Union and Comunidad de Madrid.During the last years, the fast evolution of computers and networks has led to the creation of a wide variety of services that have changed the way we live, like video streaming, on-line gaming and online shopping. These services are supported by complex systems, which require not only high computational power but high-speed and low-latency networks to fulfil the expected quality requirements. However, a misleading configuration in one of the thousand components that compose these systems may cause performance bottlenecks and functioning disruptions. Unfortunately, conventional testing methods are not adequate for checking these systems since, on many occasions, there does not exist a mechanism to determine if the behaviour of a system is the expected one. Fortunately, Metamorphic Testing is a valuable and promising testing technique that alleviates the two fundamental problems of testing: the oracle problem and the reliable test set problem. In this paper, we combine Metamorphic Testing and simulation techniques for validating communication network con- figurations in HPC systems. For this, we rely on a catalogue of Metamorphic Relations, based on network communications knowledge, for checking its correctness. In addition, we have conducted an experimental study for analysing the communica- tion network of HPC systems. The results show that Metamorphic Testing is appropriate for checking the correctness of communication networks supported by complex topologies in HPC systems.Postprin

Parallel mutation testing for large scale systems

Mutation testing is a valuable technique for measuring the quality of test suites in terms of detecting faults. However, one of its main drawbacks is its high computational cost. For this purpose, several approaches have been recently proposed to speed-up the mutation testing process by exploiting computational resources in distributed systems. However, bottlenecks have been detected when those techniques are applied in large-scale systems. This work improves the performance of mutation testing using large-scale systems by proposing a new load distribution algorithm, and parallelising different steps of the process. To demonstrate the benefits of our approach, we report on a thorough empirical evaluation, which analyses and compares our proposal with existing solutions executed in large-scale systems. The results show that our proposal outperforms the state-of-the-art distribution algorithms up to 35% in three different scenarios, reaching a reduction of the execution time of—at best—up to 99.66%This work was supported by the Spanish MINECO/FEDER project under Grants PID2021- 122270OB-I00, TED2021-129381B-C21 and PID2019-108528RBC22, the Comunidad de Madrid project FORTE-CM under Grant S2018/TCS-4314, Project S2018/TCS-4339 (BLOQUES-CM) cofunded by EIE Funds of the European Union and Comunidad de Madrid and the Project HPC-EUROPA3 (INFRAIA-2016-1-730897), with the support of the EC Research Innovation Action under the H2020 Programm

The Wear Responses of the Welded Joints of ASTM A335 Gr. P11 Steels Affected by Accelerated Flow Corrosion

[Abstract] This study shows the efects of wear on welded joints of ASTM A355 Gr. P11 “Seamless Ferritic Alloy-Steel Pipe for High Temperature Service” steels subjected to the welding procedures established by codes B31.1 and ASME III. The standard welding procedure establishes the following steps: a preheating process, welding and post-weld heat treatment. This generates a wear behavior that depends on the thermal cycles to which the diferent areas of the joint are subjected. The objective of this article was the study of the behavior against the flow-accelerated corrosion of the welded joints of a low alloy steel. There is the possibility of establishing welding procedures other than those established, while maintaining the safety ranges, depending on the field of application for the steel

DSUALMH-A new high-resolution dataset for NILM

[Abstract]: The optimisation of energy consumption requires a reasonably accurate measurement, so an appropriate and advanced monitoring system of the relevant electrical variables in the electrical installations is of paramount importance. In this context, interoperable and highly configurable devices play a crucial role. A clear example is the OpenZMeter (OZM) which is an open source, open hardware, multi-purpose precision smart meter that can measure a wide range of electrical variables at a high sampling rate and provide processed data on power quality. The aim of this work is to show the use and possible applications of the new high sampling frequency data provided by the OZM device, which are much richer and more accurate than those obtained with other low-cost electrical meters. For this purpose, the opensource tool NILMTK has been used and adapted. Likewise, the use of two of the best known and most widely used algorithms such as Combinatorial Optimisation (CO) and the Factorial Hidden Markov Model (FHMM) has been considered, analysing the results obtained in the experimental study and offering a detailed comparison of the performance of the two different disaggregation algorithms using metrics for the different cases, as well as the incorporation of transients, and the comparison with other public DatasetsMinisterio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades; PGC2018-098813-B-C33Universidad de Almería; UAL2020-TIC-A208

Revisiting ecological carrying capacity indices for bivalve culture

Ecological carrying capacity (ECC) indices for bivalve culture rely on key ecosystem turnover rates: 1. clearance time (CT), the time needed for the cultured bivalves to filter the entire bay volume; 2. renewal time (RT), the time required to replace the entire bay volume with external water; and 3. production time (PT), the time needed for phytoplankton biomass renewal via local primary production. These turnover rates are conceptually straightforward but lack measurement standardizations in the context of ECC assessments. This study compares simple turnover rate methods with more complex approaches designed to address key assumptions and improve accuracy. Method comparisons were performed across multiple embayments (systems) in Prince Edward Island, Canada. When crop aggregation and system-scale refiltration effects were considered, CT increased by a factor of 14 to 22 depending on the system and species under cultivation. Seasonal temperature considerations further impacted CT by a factor of 38 to 142. Regarding RT, validated hydrodynamic models and tidal prism models produced remarkably different outcomes; the tidal prism approach underestimated RT by 77–94% across the studied systems. Conversely, PT was unaffected by contrasting phytoplankton parameterization; pre-aquaculture (1969–1970) and contemporary (2011−2012) datasets led to similar PT outcomes. However, other metrics revealed a contemporary shift towards low phytoplankton biomass and smaller phytoplankton cells (picophytoplankton); these observations suggest that PT provides insufficient granularity regarding microalgae biomass replacement. Overall, the study rejects a common assumption that the bay-scale turnover rates serving the conventional CT/RT and CT/PT indices can be easily and accurately parameterized; these indices should be used cautiously in assessing the sustainability of farming activities.publishedVersio

Informe final / Tracer Study of LARO / FAD Awardees

Reproducción de mala calida

Gold nanoparticles radio-sensitize and reduce cell survival in lewis lung carcinoma

It has been suggested that particle size plays an important role in determining the genotoxicity of gold nanoparticles (GNPs). The purpose of this study was to compare the potential radio-sensitization effects of two different sized GNPs (3.9 and 37.4 nm) fabricated and examined in vitro in Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) as a model of non-small cell lung cancer through use of comet and clonogenic assays. After treatment with 2Gy X-ray irradiation, both particle sizes demonstrated increased DNA damage when compared to treatment with particles only and radiation alone. This radio-sensitization was further translated into a reduction in cell survival demonstrated by clonogenicity. This work indicates that GNPs of both sizes induce DNA damage in LLC cells at the tested concentrations, whereas the 37.4 nm particle size treatment group demonstrated greater significance in vitro. The presented data aids in the evaluation of the radiobiological response of Lewis lung carcinoma cells treated with gold nanoparticles

Upregulation of ERK1/2-eNOS via AT2 Receptors Decreases the Contractile Response to Angiotensin II in Resistance Mesenteric Arteries from Obese Rats

It has been clearly established that mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKS) are important mediators of angiotensin II (Ang II) signaling via AT1 receptors in the vasculature. However, evidence for a role of these kinases in changes of Ang II-induced vasoconstriction in obesity is still lacking. Here we sought to determine whether vascular MAPKs are differentially activated by Ang II in obese animals. the role of AT2 receptors was also evaluated. Male monosodium glutamate-induced obese (obese) and non-obese Wistar rats (control) were used. the circulating concentrations of Ang I and Ang II, determined by HPLC, were increased in obese rats. Ang II-induced isometric contraction was decreased in endothelium-intact resistance mesenteric arteries from obese compared with control rats and exhibited a retarded AT1 receptor antagonist response. Blocking of AT2 receptors and inhibition of either endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) or extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) restored Ang II-induced contraction in obese rats. Western blot analysis revealed increased protein expression of AT2 receptors in arteries from obese rats. Basal and Ang II-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation was also increased in obese rats. Blockade of either AT1 or AT2 receptors corrected the increased ERK1/2 phosphorylation in arteries from obese rats to levels observed in control preparations. Phosphorylation of eNOS was increased in obese rats. Incubation with the ERK1/2 inhibitor before Ang II stimulation did not affect eNOS phosphorylation in control rats; however, it corrected the increased phosphorylation of eNOS in obese rats. These results clearly demonstrate that enhanced AT2 receptor and ERK1/2-induced, NO-mediated vasodilation reduces Ang II-induced contraction in an endothelium-dependent manner in obese rats.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Univ São Paulo, Inst Biomed Sci, Dept Pharmacol, São Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Goias, Div Cardiovasc Physiol, Dept Biol Sci, Jatai, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Div Nephrol, Dept Med, Escola Paulista Med, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Div Nephrol, Dept Med, Escola Paulista Med, São Paulo, BrazilFAPESP: 2007/58311-0FAPESP: 2008/51622-3FAPESP: 2010/03642-5Web of Scienc

Revisão acerca da tuberculose genitourinária com foco na insuficiência renal crônica terminal

Tuberculosis (TB) is a current public health problem, remaining the most common worldwide cause of mortality from infectious disease. Recent studies indicate that genitourinary TB is the third most common form of extra-pulmonary disease. The diagnosis of renal TB can be hypothesized in a non-specific bacterial cystitis associated with a therapeutic failure or a urinalysis with a persistent leukocyturia in the absence of bacteriuria. We report on the case of a 33-year-old man who presented on admission end stage renal disease (ESRD) secondary to renal TB and a past history of pulmonary TB with important radiologic findings. The diagnosis was based on clinical findings despite all cultures being negative. Empiric treatment with tuberculostatic drugs was started and the patient became stable. He was discharged with no symptom, but without renal function recovery. He is on maintenance hemodialysis three times a week. TB is an important cause of kidney disease and can lead to irreversible renal function loss.A tuberculose (TB) é um problema atual de saúde pública, persistindo como a causa mais comum de óbito por doenças infecciosas. Estudos recentes indicam que a TB genitourinária é a terceira forma mais comum de doença extra-pulmonar. O diagnóstico da TB renal pode ser suspeito na presença de cistite bacteriana não-específica associada a falha terapêutica ou com exame de urina apresentando leucocitúria persistente na ausência de bacteriúria. Relatamos o caso de um paciente de 33 anos, sexo masculino, que apresentou na admissão insuficiência renal crônica terminal secundária à TB renal, que tinha história prévia de TB pulmonar, com importantes achados radiológicos. O diagnóstico foi baseado nos achados clínicos apesar de todas as culturas terem sido negativas. Tratamento empírico com drogas tuberculostáticas foi iniciado e o paciente evoluiu estável. Foi de alta assintomático, mas sem recuperação da função renal. Ele encontra-se em hemodiálise três vezes por semana. A TB é uma causa importante de doença renal e pode levar à perda irreversível da função renal