An alternative 3D inversion method for magnetic anomalies with depth resolution

This paper presents a new method to invert magnetic anomaly data in a variety of non-complex contexts when a priori information about the sources is not available. The region containing magnetic sources is discretized into a set of homogeneously magnetized rectangular prisms, polarized along a common direction. The magnetization distribution is calculated by solving an underdetermined linear system, and is accomplished through the simultaneous minimization of the norm of the solution and the misfit between the observed and the calculated field. Our algorithm makes use of a dipolar approximation to compute the magnetic field of the rectangular blocks. We show how this approximation, in conjunction with other correction factors, presents numerous advantages in terms of computing speed and depth resolution, and does not affect significantly the success of the inversion. The algorithm is tested on both synthetic and real magnetic datasets

FGF-1 and FGF-2 modulate the E-cadherin/catenin system in pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell lines

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) and fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs) have been increasingly recognized to play an important role in the pathobiology of pancreatic malignancy. We have investigated the effects of FGF-1 and FGF-2 on the behaviour and adhesion properties of human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell lines (BxPc3, T3M4 and HPAF) that were previously characterised for the expression of FGFRs. Here we show that exposure to FGF-1 and FGF-2 leads to significant and dose-dependent increase in E-cadherin-dependent cell-cell adhesion, tubular differentiation, and a reduced capacity to invade collagen gels. FGF stimulation produces phosphorylation of E-cadherin and β-catenin on tyrosine residues, as well as increased E-cadherin localisation to the cytoplasmic membrane and association with FGFR1 demonstrable by coimmunoprecipitation. These results demonstrate that FGF-1 and FGF-2 may be involved in the regulation of cell adhesion, differentiation and invasion of pancreatic cancer. © Cancer Research Campaign http://www.bjcancer.co

3D electron diffraction in nano-geology: present and perspectives

When working on advanced research topics in geosciences, one must often deal with small yields and cryptocrystalline polyphasic samples. Conventional optical and X-ray crystallographic tools may not be sufficient for the proper characterization of these samples. The development of efficient probes able to investigate the nanoworld becomes therefore crucial for pushing forward our understanding about the geochemical and mineralogical processes that regulate Earth and extraterrestrial environments. In the last ten years, electron diffraction (ED) evolved from a qualitative method restricted to few dedicated TEM users, to a robust protocol for phase identification and abinitio structure determination [1]. Such change has been mostly propelled by the development of routines for 3D data collection. This methodology is in principle equivalent to single-crystal X-ray diffraction, but allows sampling crystals of few tens on nanometers. We will show here some examples of recent applications of ED in geosciences, namely how to achieve an easy and relatively fast characterization of minor and cryptocrystalline phases in natural and experimental samples. We were able identify and characterize modulated phases able to carry hydrogen at upper-mantle conditions, to follow aragonite growth from the first nucleation seeds [2] and to identify mineralogical phases and polytypes in non-equilibrated extraterrestrial samples and in impact rocks [3]

Seroprevalence of Porcine torovirus (PToV) in Spanish farms

Background: Torovirus infections have been associated with gastroenteritis and diarrhea in horses, cows, pigs and humans, especially in young animals and in children. Although asymptomatic in a large percentage of cases, however toroviruses may pose a potential threat to worsen disease outcome in concurrent infections with other enteric pathogens. Previous studies based on the analysis of limited numbers of samples indicated high seroprevalences against porcine torovirus (PToV) in various European countries. The aim of this work was to perform a seroepidemiological survey of PToV in Spanish farms in order to define the seroprevalence against this virus. Results: Serum samples (n = 2664) from pigs of different ages were collected from 100 Spanish farms coming from 10 regions that concentrate 96.1% of the 3392 farms with 80 or more sows censused in Spain. Samples were screened by means of an indirect enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay (ELISA) based on a recombinant PToV nucleocapsid protein as antigen. The analysis of the whole serum collection yielded a total of 95.7% (2550/2664) seropositive samples. The highest prevalence (99.6%, 1382/1388) and ELISA values (average O.D. ± standard deviation) were observed in the sows (1.03±0.36) and the lowest prevalence (59.4%, 98/165) and anti-PToV IgG levels (0.45±0.16) were found amongst 3-week-old piglets. Both ELISA reactivity values and seroprevalence percentages rose quickly with piglet's age from 3 to 11 weeks of age; the seroprevalence was 99.3% (2254/2270) when only the samples from sows and pigs over 11-weeks of age were considered. Antibodies against PToV were detected in all analyzed farms. Conclusions: This report describes the results of the largest torovirus seroepidemiological survey in farmed swine performed so far. Overall, the seroprevalence against PToV in animals older than 11 weeks of age was >99%, indicating that this virus is endemic in pig herds from Spain

Antitumour activity of novel taxanes that act at the same time as cytotoxic agents and P-glycoprotein inhibitors

Taxanes antitumour agents such as paclitaxel and docetaxel represent a successful family of chemotherapeutic drugs. Unfortunately, acquired and innate resistance represents a clinical problem for these drugs. We investigated, on a panel of 7 human cancer cell lines, the growth inhibition effect of 3 newly developed taxanes (SB-T-1213, SB-T-1250 and SB-T-101187) with modification at the C10 and C3′ positions of the taxane framework. These positions have been previously characterized as critical to make taxanes highly active against cells overexpressing the efflux pump P-glycoprotein (P-gp). Paclitaxel and docetaxel were used as reference compounds. Results unambiguously indicate the exceptional activity of the novel taxanes toward P-gp positive cells (up to >400 fold higher potency than that of paclitaxel). SB-T-1213 and SB-T-1250 are also substantially more active than the reference compounds against P-gp negative cells. To better understand the mechanisms underlying the enhanced activity of the newly developed taxanes, we performed cell cycle and apoptosis analysis. This study demonstrates that the striking growth inhibition effect exhibited by the novel taxanes is ascribed to their increased ability in inducing apoptosis and G 2/M cell cycle block. SB-T-1213 and SB-T-1250 are also more active than reference compounds in inducing intracellular accumulation of the beta-tubulin subunits. Finally, it is revealed that these novel taxanes have ability to inhibit the function of the P-gp efflux pump on the basis of the Rhodamine 123 assay. These findings strongly suggest that SB-T-1213, SB-T-1250 and SB-T-101187 represent a new tool to overcome innate or acquired P-gp mediated taxane-resistance. © 2000 Cancer Research Campaign http://www.bjcancer.co

EU gazetteer evaluation

This JRC technical report summarises the ELISE (European Location Interoperability Solutions for e-Government) activities in support to the development of an EU gazetteer. Most Member States have their own national gazetteer service so, if an EU gazetteer service is to be justified, there needs to be sufficient demand for pan-European applications or sufficient added value beyond existing national gazetteers. The ELISE Action of the ISA2 Programme carried out a survey in conjunction with EuroGeographics in 2018, aimed at understanding the demand-side and supply-side perspectives related to pan-European gazetteer data and services. The results clearly showed that there is demand for an EU gazetteer to support multi-national applications or complement existing national gazetteers, for purposes such as emergency response, searching for datasets, news items, or tourism / cultural heritage sites, validating foreign addresses, etc. This report further investigates two datasets on the pan-European level: Geographical names and Addresses as the most relevant datasets for the EU gazetteer. In the report we also analyse authoritative vs. volunteered spatial datasets. The results of the analysis showed that both data sources, official and volunteered, are complementary and mutually enhanced results can be obtained by combining the two. In addition, "Cultural Heritage Testbed" application has been developed with the aim to identify data, functionality gaps and improvements needed in different gazetteer solutions. The findings and possible applications were discussed with several existing use cases, with cross-border and pan-European coverage. Overall findings in this report can be used to justify the relevance and importance of Geographical names and Addresses datasets in the context of defining future high value datasets at an EU level.JRC.B.6-Digital Econom

Tbr1 Misexpression Alters Neuronal Development in the Cerebral Cortex

Changes in the transcription factor (TF) expression are critical for brain development, and they may also underlie neurodevelopmental disorders. Indeed, T-box brain1 (Tbr1) is a TF crucial for the formation of neocortical layer VI, and mutations and microdeletions in that gene are associated with malformations in the human cerebral cortex, alterations that accompany autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Interestingly, Tbr1 upregulation has also been related to the occurrence of ASD-like symptoms, although limited studies have addressed the effect of increased Tbr1 levels during neocortical development. Here, we analysed the impact of Tbr1 misexpression in mouse neural progenitor cells (NPCs) at embryonic day 14.5 (E14.5), when they mainly generate neuronal layers II-IV. By E18.5, cells accumulated in the intermediate zone and in the deep cortical layers, whereas they became less abundant in the upper cortical layers. In accordance with this, the proportion of Sox5+ cells in layers V-VI increased, while that of Cux1+ cells in layers II-IV decreased. On postnatal day 7, fewer defects in migration were evident, although a higher proportion of Sox5+ cells were seen in the upper and deep layers. The abnormal neuronal migration could be partially due to the altered multipolar-bipolar neuron morphologies induced by Tbr1 misexpression, which also reduced dendrite growth and branching, and disrupted the corpus callosum. Our results indicate that Tbr1 misexpression in cortical NPCs delays or disrupts neuronal migration, neuronal specification, dendrite development and the formation of the callosal tract. Hence, genetic changes that provoke ectopic Tbr1 upregulation during development could provoke cortical brain malformations

Antibioterapia de largo espectro como factor de risco para o isolamento de acinetobacter baumanni multiresistente

Antibioterapia de largo espectro é reconhecida como um factor de risco para a infecções multiresistentes. O objectivo é avaliar a associaçao entre antibioterapia de largo espectro com Meropenem (MP) e Piperacilina/Tazobactam (PT) com o isolamento de Acinetobacter baumanni multiresistente (ABMR). Estudo caso-controlo retrospectivo. Incluidos os individuos com ABMR+ no nosso hospital em 2010. Calculamos a incidenca nos Serviços Cirúrgicos, Serviços Médicos e Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI). Utilizamos para controlo uma amostra estratificada proporcional com 418 individuos calculada para um poder de 80%. Foi comparada a proporção de antibioterapia de largo espectro com MP e/ou PT nos ABMR+ e nos controlo. Foi comparada a distribuição da idade, sexo, score de Charlson, procedimetos invasivos e infecção previa entre os ABMR+ e os controlos. Foram incluidos 112 doentes: 14% cirurgicos, 61% médicos e 24% nas UCI. Idade média = 69 anos, 50% do sexo masculino. Incidencia global de ABMR+ foi de 0,28% (Cirurgia – 0,066%; Medicina – 0,63%; UCI-6,8%). A incidencia de ABMR foi superior entre os individuos sob MP ou PT: X2=273,5 p<0,001; OR=16,3 IC95%[10,53-25,33] para MP e X2=142,0 p<0,001; OR=9,10 IC95%[5,91-14,01] para PT. Os resultados são sobreponiveis para a analise de subpopulações. Nos doentes em UCI, o isolamento de ABMR foi indepedente do tratamento prévio com MP ou PT. A distribuição da idade, sexo, score de Charlson, procedimetos invasivos e infecção previa não foi estatisticamente diferente entre os casos e os controlos. Antiboterapia com MP e/ou PT foi um factor de risco independente no nosso hospital para a isolamento de ABMR nos Serviços de Cirurgia e Serviços de Medicina mas não em Unidades de Cuidados Intensivo