Concentrations of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) in northern gannet, Morus bassanus, eggs: a Predatory Bird Monitoring Scheme (PBMS) report

The Predatory Bird Monitoring Scheme (PBMS; http://pbms.ceh.ac.uk/) is the umbrella project that encompasses the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology’s National Capability contaminant monitoring and surveillance work on avian predators. By monitoring sentinel vertebrate species, the PBMS aims to detect and quantify current and emerging chemical threats to the environment and in particular to vertebrate wildlife. This report presents the results of a pilot study to quantify the concentrations of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) in the eggs of the northern gannet, Morus bassanus, from the Ailsa Craig and Bass Rock colonies off the UK coast. The principle aim of this work determine the concentrations of PFCs that are accumulated in the eggs of gannets and whether there was any evidence of differences in accumulation between eggs from the two colonies studied. The egg contents were analysed by Liquid Chromatograph – Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) techniques. Compounds from both the perfluorinated carboxylate and perfluorinated sulfonate groups of PFCs were quantified. PFCs were detected in all of the ten eggs analysed, with both carboxylate and sulfonate compounds present. Perfluorobutanoate (PFBA) and perfluorononanoate (PFNA) concentrations were both significantly higher in eggs from Ailsa Craig compared to those from Bass Rock but there was no difference between colonies in egg concentrations of sum PFC, sum carboxylate or sum sulphonate concengtrations. Overall data from this limited one year of sampling suggests that gannet eggs from both Ailsa Craig and Bass Rock contain relatively low concentrations compared to eggs from some other species that have been examined. Concentrations of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) were with an order of magnitude of residues associated with adverse effects [and for one egg from Bass Rock these levels were exceeded] but the majority of eggs from both colonies contained PFOS residues that exceeded a suggested predicted no effect concentration (PNEC) for this compound

The use of new mobile and gaming technologies for the assessment and rehabilitation of people with ataxia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

There are no currently available disease-modifying pharmacological treatments for most of the chronic hereditary ataxias; thus, effective rehabilitative strategies are crucial to help improve symptoms and therefore the quality of life. We propose to gather all available evidence on the use of video games, exergames, and apps for tablet and smartphone for the rehabilitation, diagnosis, and assessment of people with ataxias. Relevant literature published up to June 8, 2020, was retrieved searching the databases PubMed, ISI Web of Science, and the Cochrane Database. Data were extracted using a standardized form, and their methodological quality was assessed using RoB and QUADAS-2. Six studies of 434 retrieved articles met the predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria. Two of them were diagnostic, while 4 were experimental studies. Studies included participants ranging from 9 to 28 in trials and 70 to 248 in diagnostic studies. Although we found a small number of trials and of low methodological quality, all of them reported an improvement of motor outcomes and quality of life as measured by specific scales, including the SARA, BBS, DHI, and SF-36 scores. The main reason for such low quality in trials was that most of them were small and uncontrolled, thus non-randomized and unblinded. As video games, exergames, serious games, and apps were proven to be safe, feasible, and at least as effective as traditional rehabilitation, further and more high-quality studies should be carried out on the use of these promising technologies in people with different types of ataxia

Response of \u3cem\u3eAxonopus catarinensis\u3c/em\u3e and \u3cem\u3eArachis pintoi\u3c/em\u3e to Shade Conditions

In the north-east of Argentina, there are more than 100,000 hectares of silvopastoral systems where trees, forages and livestock are combined with the goal to diversify income, reduce financial risk, obtain more profit and enhance environmental benefit (Cubbage et al. 2013). The rapid adoption of this production system by farmers has generated high demand for information on shade tolerant grass and legume forage species. Axonopus catarinensis is a native grass from Itajai Vally (Brazil) that was introduced to the north-east of Argentina 10 years ago; whereas Arachis pintoi is a sub-tropical legume (also native to Brazil) adapted to acid soils and tolerant of medium levels of shade (Fisher and Cruz 1994). Visual observation of these species in the field indicated high yields and acceptable tolerance to shade. A trial was subsequently carried out with the aim to quantify dry matter yield and nutritive quality of the species under different levels of shade for silvopastoral use

Sequência completa do DNA-A de uma nova espécie de Begomovirus infectando tomateiro no Estado de Tocantins, Brasil.

O presente trabalho visou caracterizar uma nova espécie de Begomovirus detectada infectando tomateiro (Solanum lycopersicum L.) no Estado de Tocantins.Resumo 1381. Suplemento. Edição dos resumos do 44º Congresso Brasileiro de Fitopatologia, 2011, Bento Gonçalves

Registro no Estado do Amazonas de um novo begomovírus do tomateiro relacionado com espécies virais da América Central e Caribe.

Esse trabalho visou caracterizar um isolado de Begomovirus encontrado infectando tomateiro no Estado do Amazonas. Plantas com sintomas de clorose interneral e amarelecimento apical foram coletadas na região produtora de tomate para consumo in natura em Silves-AM.Resumo 1382. Suplemento. Edição dos resumos do 44º Congresso Brasileiro de Fitopatologia, 2011, Bento Gonçalves

High incidence of mixed DNA and RNA virus infections in common bean in Central Brazil.

During the winter crop season in 2016 a very high incidence of viruslike symptoms of mosaic, leaf curling and deformation, and plant dwarfing was reported by farmers in central areas of Brazil. Bean plants were collected in commercial farms in Luziânia, Cristalina and experimental plots in Goiânia and Brasília

Dementia Among Migrants and Ethnic Minorities in Italy: Rationale and Study Protocol of the ImmiDem Project

Introduction: Due to the ongoing demographic and epidemiological transitions, estimating the phenomenon of dementia in migrants and minority groups, exploring its characteristics and challenges and implementing dedicated healthcare policies, constitute emerging and urgent matters for Western countries. In the present paper we describe the rationale and design of the 'Dementia in immigrants and ethnic minorities living in Italy: clinical-epidemiological aspects and public health perspectives" (ImmiDem) project. Methods and analysis: Three main aims will be pursued by the ImmiDem project. First, a survey of all Italian dementia services will be conducted with dedicated questionnaires in order to estimate and describe the proportion and characteristics of migrants seeking help for cognitive disturbances. The different clinical approaches for diagnosing dementia and the challenges encountered in the assessment of cognitive functioning and in the provision of care in these groups of individuals will also be investigated. Second, record linkage procedures of data routinely collected in regional Health Information Systems will be conducted in order to identify and monitor migrant individuals with dementia living in the Lazio region. Third, tailored national and local care-coordination pathways and/or good practices dedicated to migrants affected by dementia and cognitive disorders will be identified and promoted. Ethics and dissemination: The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Italian National Institute of Health (protocol 10749; 5 April 2018). The project was launched in November 2018 and will end in November 2021. The findings of the project will be disseminated through scientific peer-reviewed journals as well as to the public via the Dementia Observatory website (https://demenze.iss.it)

Identificação de análogos de locus Ty-3 em acessos em Solanum peruvianum e eficiência contra tomato severe rugose vírus e tomato yellow vein streak virus.

As begomovirosesdestacam-se como as principais responsáveis por perdas na produção de tomateiro (Solanum lycopersicum L.) em todo o mundo e as espécies de Begomovirus descritas no Brasil apresentam genoma bipartido, sendo transmitidas por Bemisia tabaci. A melhor opção de controle das begomovirosees tem sido o suso de cultivares resistentes.Resumo 1533. Suplemento. Edição dos resumos do 44º Congresso Brasileiro de Fitopatologia, 2011, Bento Gonçalves