The cost of inbreeding in a socially polymorphic ant population

Trabalho de projecto de mestrado em Medicina (Gastroenterologia), apresentado á Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de CoimbraA encefalopatia hepática é uma das principais complicações da doença hepática crónica e pode estar presente em 50 a 70% de todos os pacientes cirróticos, incluindo aqueles com alterações demonstráveis apenas por testes psicométricos, sendo uma complicação de grande relevância clínica. Na insuficiência hepática aguda, os doentes podem sucumbir a uma morte neurológica, com edema cerebral e hipertensão intracraniana. A sobrevida em pacientes com doença hepática crónica depende da avaliação dos critérios da classificação de Child-Pugh que reconhece a importância prognóstica da encefalopatia hepática. Esta complicação da doença hepática, aguda ou crónica, resulta da diminuição da actividade hepática com incapacidade marcada de eliminação de determinadas toxinas do organismo. Hoje sabe-se que os astrócitos, nomeadamente as células de Alzheimer tipo II, tem um papel importante na fisiopatologia da encefalopatia hepática. A epidemiologia e a fisiopatologia da encefalopatia hepática permanecem ainda apenas parcialmente esclarecidas, tornando este tema fonte importante de estudos constantes. O trabalho proposto tem como objectivo uma actualizada revisão bibliográfica, centrando-se nos últimos avanços científicos sobre esta alteração neuropsiquiátrica. Com este trabalho, propõe-se estudar os diferentes métodos de diagnóstico, indicações das diferentes opções terapêuticas, comparando-as entre si, identificar o impacto económico e social da encefalopatia hepática, assim como perceber os mecanismos fisiopatológicos que contribuem para esta grave alteraçãoHepatic encephalopathy is one of the main complications of chronic liver disease and can occur in 50 to 70% of all cirrhotic patients, including those with alterations demonstrated only through psychometric tests, being a complication of great clinical relevance. In severe liver failure, patients can perish due to neurological death, with brain swelling and intracranial hypertension. Chronic liver disease patients’ survival time depends on the evaluation of Child- Pugh classification criteria that recognizes the prognostic importance of hepatic encephalopathy. This liver disease complication, chronic or severe, is a result of the reduction of liver activity with marked incapacity to eliminate certain toxins from the organism. Today it is known that astrocytes, namely Alzheimer type II cells, have an important role in hepatic encephalopathy physiopathology. The epidemiology and physiopathology of hepatic encephalopathy still remain partially clarified, becoming this subject an important source of constant studies. The main goal of this study is to make an actualized bibliographical revision, grounded on the last scientific advances on this neuropsychiatric abnormality. Through this work, one considers studying the different diagnostic methods, the different therapeutic option indications, by comparing them, identifying the economic and social impact of hepatic encephalopathy, as well as understanding the physiopathological mechanisms that contribute for this serious abnormalit

Inter-annual growth of Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus, L.) in relation to climate variation

BACKGROUND: Major changes in climate have been observed in the Arctic and climate models predict further amplification of the enhanced greenhouse effect at high-latitudes leading to increased warming. We propose that warming in the Arctic may affect the annual growth conditions of the cold adapted Arctic charr and that such effects can already be detected retrospectrally using otolith data. RESULTS: Inter-annual growth of the circumpolar Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus, L.) was analysed in relation to climatic changes observed in the Arctic during the last two decades. Arctic charr were sampled from six locations at Qeqertarsuaq in West Greenland, where climate data have been recorded since 1990. Two fish populations met the criteria of homogeny and, consequently, only these were used in further analyses. The results demonstrate a complex coupling between annual growth rates and fluctuations in annual mean temperatures and precipitation. Significant changes in temporal patterns of growth were observed between cohorts of 1990 and 2004. CONCLUSION: Differences in pattern of growth appear to be a consequence of climatic changes over the last two decades and we thereby conclude that climatic affects short term and inter-annual growth as well as influencing long term shifts in age-specific growth patterns in population of Arctic charr

Temporal expression pattern of genes during the period of sex differentiation in human embryonic gonads

Abstract The precise timing and sequence of changes in expression of key genes and proteins during human sex-differentiation and onset of steroidogenesis was evaluated by whole-genome expression in 67 first trimester human embryonic and fetal ovaries and testis and confirmed by qPCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC). SRY/SOX9 expression initiated in testis around day 40 pc, followed by initiation of AMH and steroidogenic genes required for androgen production at day 53 pc. In ovaries, gene expression of RSPO1, LIN28, FOXL2, WNT2B, and ETV5, were significantly higher than in testis, whereas GLI1 was significantly higher in testis than ovaries. Gene expression was confirmed by IHC for GAGE, SOX9, AMH, CYP17A1, LIN28, WNT2B, ETV5 and GLI1. Gene expression was not associated with the maternal smoking habits. Collectively, a precise temporal determination of changes in expression of key genes involved in human sex-differentiation is defined, with identification of new genes of potential importance

Danish Foundation Models

Large language models, sometimes referred to as foundation models, have transformed multiple fields of research. However, smaller languages risk falling behind due to high training costs and small incentives for large companies to train these models. To combat this, the Danish Foundation Models project seeks to provide and maintain open, well-documented, and high-quality foundation models for the Danish language. This is achieved through broad cooperation with public and private institutions, to ensure high data quality and applicability of the trained models. We present the motivation of the project, the current status, and future perspectives.Comment: 4 pages, 2 table