Nonlinear localized modes in dipolar Bose-Einstein condensates in optical lattices

The modulational instability and discrete matter wave solitons in dipolar BEC, loaded into a deep optical lattice, are investigated analytically and numerically. The process of modulational instability of nonlinear plane matter waves in a dipolar nonlinear lattice is studied and the regions of instability are established. The existence and stability of bulk discrete solitons are analyzed analytically and confirmed by numerical simulations. In a marked contrast with the usual DNLS behavior (no dipolar interactions), we found a region where the two fundamental modes are simultaneously unstable allowing enhanced mobility across the lattice for large norm values. To study the existence and properties of surface discrete solitons, an analysis of the dimer configuration is performed. The properties of symmetric and antisymmetric modes including the stability diagrams and bifurcations are investigated in closed form. For the case of a bulk medium, properties of fundamental on-site and inter-site localized modes are analyzed. On-site and inter-site surface localized modes are studied finding that they do not exist when nonlocal interactions predominate with respect to local ones.Comment: 12 pages, 13 figure

Characterization of Resistance Mechanisms in Faba Bean (Vicia faba) against Broomrape Species (Orobanche and Phelipanche spp.)

Faba bean (Vicia faba) production in Mediterranean and Near East agriculture is severely constrained by broomrape infection. The most widely distributed broomrape species affecting faba bean is Orobanche crenata, although O. foetida and Phelipanche aegyptiaca are of local importance. Only moderately resistant cultivars are available to farmers. Rizotrons studies allowed the dissection of resistance components in faba bean accessions against the very infective species O. crenata, O. foetida var. broteri and P. aegyptiaca, and to the inappropriate P. ramosa and O. foetida var. foetida. Results confirm that some levels of incomplete resistance are available, resulting in a reduced number of broomrape tubercles successfully formed per faba bean plant. Interestingly, the intermediate levels of resistance of cv. Baraca were operative against all broomrape populations and species studied, confirming previous reports on the stability of resistance of Baraca in field trials in different countries. Low induction of seed germination played a major role in the resistance against the inappropriate O. foetida var. foetida but not against the also inappropriate P. ramosa, neither to the infective species O. crenata, O. foetida var. broteri, or P. aegyptiaca. Negative tropism of germinated seeds with radicles growing away from faba bean roots was marked for both inappropriate species but was not observed in any of the infective species. Also, a proportion of radicles that had successfully contacted faba bean roots became necrotic, failing in starting tubercle development, particularly frequent for the two inappropriate species. Such necrosis was significant also on radicles contacting resistant faba bean accessions, being particularly relevant for Spanish O. crenata population, and lower although still significant in some accessions against Syrian O. crenata and P. aegyptiaca, suggesting that this might also be an operative mechanism to be selected and further exploited in faba bean resistance breeding. Even formed broomrape tubercles might later become necrotic, particularly in the case of some of the resistant faba bean accessions to the Spanish O. crenata and to P. aegyptiaca but not to the very infective Syrian O. crenata or O. foetida var. broteri.Authors are greatly indebted to European Union projects FP7-ARIMNet-Medileg and FP7-LEGATO (grant agreement 613551) for financial support.Peer reviewedPeer Reviewe

Coexistence of Non-Conventional Condensates in Two-Level Bose Atom System

In the framework of the Bogolyubov approximation and using the Bogolyubov inequalities we give a simple proof of the coexistence of two non-conventional Bose-Einstein condensates in the case of some superstable Bose system whose atoms have an internal two-level structure and their energy operators in the second quantized form depend on the number operators only.Comment: 17 page

Comparative pan-genome analysis of Piscirickettsia salmonis reveals genomic divergences within genogroups

Indexación: Scopus.Piscirickettsia salmonis is the etiological agent of salmonid rickettsial septicemia, a disease that seriously affects the salmonid industry. Despite efforts to genomically characterize P. salmonis, functional information on the life cycle, pathogenesis mechanisms, diagnosis, treatment, and control of this fish pathogen remain lacking. To address this knowledge gap, the present study conducted an in silico pan-genome analysis of 19 P. salmonis strains from distinct geographic locations and genogroups. Results revealed an expected open pan-genome of 3,463 genes and a core-genome of 1,732 genes. Two marked genogroups were identified, as confirmed by phylogenetic and phylogenomic relationships to the LF-89 and EM-90 reference strains, as well as by assessments of genomic structures. Different structural configurations were found for the six identified copies of the ribosomal operon in the P. salmonis genome, indicating translocation throughout the genetic material. Chromosomal divergences in genomic localization and quantity of genetic cassettes were also found for the Dot/Icm type IVB secretion system. To determine divergences between core-genomes, additional pan-genome descriptions were compiled for the so-termed LF and EM genogroups. Open pan-genomes composed of 2,924 and 2,778 genes and core-genomes composed of 2,170 and 2,228 genes were respectively found for the LF and EM genogroups. The core-genomes were functionally annotated using the Gene Ontology, KEGG, and Virulence Factor databases, revealing the presence of several shared groups of genes related to basic function of intracellular survival and bacterial pathogenesis. Additionally, the specific pan-genomes for the LF and EM genogroups were defined, resulting in the identification of 148 and 273 exclusive proteins, respectively. Notably, specific virulence factors linked to adherence, colonization, invasion factors, and endotoxins were established. The obtained data suggest that these genes could be directly associated with inter-genogroup differences in pathogenesis and host-pathogen interactions, information that could be useful in designing novel strategies for diagnosing and controlling P. salmonis infection. © 2017 Nourdin-Galindo, Sánchez, Molina, Espinoza-Rojas, Oliver, Ruiz, Vargas-Chacoff, Cárcamo, Figueroa, Mancilla, Maracaja-Coutinho and Yañez.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2017.00459/ful

Dominant logics at the policy making and services organization that affect the access to comprehensive rehabilitation

Introduction: The health sector reform in Colombia, generated inequities in access to services, including rehabilitation; poor identification of population needs and low sectorial response to their problems. Metodology: An exploratory, descriptive-interpretative qualitative study was carried out. Individual semi-structured interviews and focus group were conducted to policy makers, providers, rehabilitation professionals, professors, social organizations, persons with disabilities and caregivers. Results: The absence of a rights approach, targeting and the model of health insurance, as dominant logics policy stands. There is a reductionist view of rehabilitation and services organization models with low response to the needs of people with disabilities. Conclusion: The need to reconceptualize access to services arises; rehabilitation is claimed as a right that demands redesign of services and organization models

Carcinoma adrenocortical con trombosis extensa: reporte de un caso

El carcinoma adrenocortical (CAC) es un tumor maligno poco frecuente. La presentación clínica, por lo general, es por exceso de producción hormonal. La afectación del sistema venoso con trombos en la vena cava inferior (VCI) solo se reporta en un tercio de los casos. El presente estudio informa un caso de CAC con producción hormonal con trombo tumoral con extensión a la VCI y aurícula derecha asociado a embolia pulmonar. Se trata de una paciente de género femenino de 63 años con diagnóstico reciente de hipertensión arterial en manejo, quien consulta a urgencias por dolor abdominal asociado a náuseas, vómitos y pérdida de peso. Imágenes convencionales con hallazgos de masa en fosa suprarrenal derecha irresecable sin plano de clivaje para realizar algún tipo de procedimiento. Patología con diagnóstico de neoplasia de la corteza suprarrenal con extensa necrosis. Se inicia mitotano y esquema ambulatorio de quimioterapia

Carboxymethyl cellulose coated magnetic nanoparticles transport across a human lung microvascular endothelial cell model of the blood–brain barrier

Sustained and safe delivery of therapeutic agents across the blood–brain barrier (BBB) is one of the major challenges for the treatment of neurological disorders as this barrier limits the ability of most drug molecules to reach the brain. Targeted delivery of the drugs used to treat these disorders could potentially offer a considerable reduction of the common side effects of their treatment. The preparation and characterization of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) coated magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4@CMC) is reported as an alternative that meets the need for novel therapies capable of crossing the BBB. In vitro assays were used to evaluate the ability of these polysaccharide coated biocompatible, water-soluble, magnetic nanoparticles to deliver drug therapy across a model of the BBB. As a drug model, dopamine hydrochloride loading and release profiles in physiological solution were determined using UV-Vis spectroscopy. Cell viability tests in Human Lung Microvascular Endothelial (HLMVE) cell cultures showed no significant cell death, morphological changes or alterations in mitochondrial function after 24 and 48 h of exposure to the nanoparticles. Evidence of nanoparticle interactions and nanoparticle uptake by the cell membrane was obtained by electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) analyses. Permeability through a BBB model (the transwell assay) was evaluated to assess the ability of Fe3O4@CMC nanoparticles to be transported across a densely packed HLMVE cell barrier. The results suggest that these nanoparticles can be useful drug transport and release systems for the design of novel pharmaceutical agents for brain therapy

Abdominal tuberculosis in Ecuador, a problem that is still not solved

Tuberculosis (TB) in the gastrointestinal tract or peritoneum is an uncommon condition in clinical practice. Its rarity, combined with its nonspecific presentations, makes this kind of extrapulmonary tuberculosis difficult to diagnose as it can mimic other inflammatory or malignant conditions. Delays in treatment and frequent misdiagnosis can lead to hazardous complications. In countries like Ecuador where the disease is endemic, TB should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of a patients who present with nonspecific abdominal symptoms. In these scenarios, laparoscopy can be an invaluable tool when used with sufficiently high clinical awareness and adequate training. Case presentation: We present the case of a 37-year-old female patient from Ecuador with a 1-year history of abdominal pain, nausea, intermittent vomits, night sweats, and weight loss. After clinical evaluation and a laparoscopic intervention, abdominal TB was detected and promptly treated. Antituberculosis chemotherapy was initiated, and the patient successfully recovered. Conclusions: High clinical awareness is imperative when approaching abdominal TB due to its wide spectrum of clinical symptoms and its rarity. Early detection and prompt treatment are critical to minimize the possibility of hazardous complications

Zika virus epidemiology: From Uganda to world pandemic, an update

Zika virus (ZIKV) infection is an emergent worldwide public health problem. Historically, 84 countries have reported vector-borne ZIKV transmission, 61 of which report on-going transmission. It is a Flavivirus transmitted through arthropods belonging to the Aedes genus. Since 2015, ZIKV infections have increased dramatically; with 1.3 million people infected during 2015 in Brazil alone. This paper's objective is to highlight the conjectural epidemiological points of the virus' dissemination. The digital archives Pubmed, MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane were searched for papers that assessed aspects of ZIKV transmission and epidemiology. The first isolation occurred in Uganda in 1947. Since then, important outbreaks were documented globally. Consequently, an emergent public health problem arose from a rapidly increasing incidence and its association with the development of neurological diseases such as microcephaly and Guillain-Barré syndrome. Key factors in the successful containment of outbreaks include surveillance of mosquitos in the neighbourhood, an early mosquito control treatment, an assertive information campaign, and the involvement of the local population and healthcare workers. As such, while ZIKV seems to be spreading globally in a similar manner to other arboviruses, such as Dengue and Chikungunya viruses, it can also be rapidly contained due to the pre-existing availability of necessary resources and regulatory tools as control measures. This review aims to provide a description of those characteristics of ZIKV infection that may be useful in the construction of effective outbreak control strategies. Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2018