Effectiveness of Surgery for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis : A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Survival of branching random walks in random environment

We study survival of nearest-neighbour branching random walks in random environment (BRWRE) on ${\mathbb Z}$. A priori there are three different regimes of survival: global survival, local survival, and strong local survival. We show that local and strong local survival regimes coincide for BRWRE and that they can be characterized with the spectral radius of the first moment matrix of the process. These results are generalizations of the classification of BRWRE in recurrent and transient regimes. Our main result is a characterization of global survival that is given in terms of Lyapunov exponents of an infinite product of i.i.d. $2\times 2$ random matrices.Comment: 17 pages; to appear in Journal of Theoretical Probabilit

26S PROTEASOME AND PKA MODULATE MAMMALIAN SPERM CAPACITATION BY CREATING AN INTEGRATED DIALOGUE: A COMPUTATIONAL ANALYSIS

Recent experimental evidence suggests the involvement of the 26S proteasome, the main protease active in eukaryotic cells, in the process that leads mammalian sperm to become fully fertile, so-called capacitation. Unfortunately, its role in male gametes signaling is still far from being completely understood. For this reason, here, we realized a computational model as an attempt to rebuild and explore 26S proteasome signaling cascade, aggregating all the molecular data available to date and realizing the Proteasome Interactome Network (PIN). Once obtained the network (i.e., a graph to represent the molecules as nodes and the interactions among them as links), we assessed its topology to infer important biological information. PIN is composed of 157 nodes, 248 links and it is characterized by a scale-free topology, following the Barabasi Albert model. In other words, it possesses a large amount of scarcely linked nodes and a small set of highly linked nodes, the hubs, which act as system controllers. This peculiar topology confers to the network relevant biological features: it is robust against random attacks, easily navigable and controllable and it is possible to infer new information from it. Indeed, the analysis of PIN showed that PKA and 26S proteasome were strongly interconnected and both were active in sperm signaling by influencing the protein phosphorylation pattern and then controlling several key events in sperm capacitation, such as membrane and cytoskeleton remodeling. In conclusion, the network model could explain many biological aspects of sperm physiology that are out of focus looking at the single molecular determinant, overcoming the reductionist approach which did not consider the complexity of molecules and their interactions. This could be helpful to identify potential diagnostic markers and therapeutic strategies concurring in explaining and approaching male infertility

O projecto nacional de educação pelos pares da Fundação Portuguesa “A comunidade contra a sida” em escolas EB2/3 do Porto

O Projecto Nacional de Educação pelos Pares, focado na sexualidade e prevenção do VIH/ SIDA, foi criado pela Fundação Portuguesa “A Comunidade Contra a SIDA” no âmbito do Centro de Aconselhamento e Orientação de Jovens (CAOJ). O processo de aprendizagem, desenvolvido a partir do diagnóstico das necessidades de formação do público-alvo, recorre a metodologias activas que visam educar os adolescentes para uma vivência gratificante da sua sexualidade e prepará-los para assumirem o seu papel de “pares educadores” de colegas mais jovens. Esta educação de pares dirigida a alunos que frequentam o 3º ciclo do Ensino Básico é dinamizada, numa primeira fase, por jovens voluntários universitários organizados em Brigadas Universitárias de Intervenção (BUI) e no Teatro Universitário de Intervenção (TUI). Estes voluntários, com o acompanhamento de professores destacados para o CAOJ, responsáveis pela sua formação pedagógica, desenvolvem o projecto com alunos do 7º ao 9º ano de escolaridade. No terceiro ano de formação, os alunos do 3º ciclo organizados em Brigadas Escolares de Intervenção (BEI) iniciam a sua acção como educadores dos colegas mais novos, geralmente dos 2º e 1º ciclos. Esta comunicação, pretende mostrar a dinâmica deste Projecto desenvolvido em cinco escolas EB2/3 do Porto e discutir, com base em evidências recolhidas junto dos professores, voluntários e alunos envolvidos, alguns resultados obtidos neste ano lectivo

Atmospheric pressure gas chromatography-time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (APGC-ToF-MS) for the determination of regulated and emerging contaminants in aqueous samples after stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE)

This work presents the development, optimization and validation of a multi-residue method for the simultaneous determination of 102 contaminants, including fragrances, UV filters, repellents, endocrine disruptors, biocides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and several types of pesticides in aqueous matrices. Water samples were processed using stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) after the optimization of several parameters: agitation time, ionic strength, presence of organic modifiers, pH, and volume of the derivatizing agent. Target compounds were extracted from the bars by liquid desorption (LD). Separation, identification and quantification of analytes were carried out by gas chromatography (GC) coupled to time-of-flight (ToF-MS) mass spectrometry. A new ionization source, atmospheric pressure gas chromatography (APGC), was tested. The optimized protocol showed acceptable recovery percentages (50–100%) and limits of detection below 1 ng L−1 for most of the compounds. Occurrence of 21 out of 102 analytes was confirmed in several environmental aquatic matrices, including seawater, sewage effluent, river water and groundwater. Non-target compounds such as organophosphorus flame retardants were also identified in real samples by accurate mass measurement of their molecular ions using GC-APGC–ToF-MS. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that this technique has been applied for the analysis of contaminants in aquatic systems. By employing lower energy than the more widely used electron impact ionization (EI), AGPC provides significant advantages over EI for those substances very susceptible to high fragmentation (e.g., fragrances, pyrethroids)

Antibiotic prescription in a teaching hospital: a brief assessment

SummaryObjectiveAntimicrobials are used interchangeably in medical practice, contributing to the emergence of resistant microbial strains.MethodsThis study describes the antimicrobial audit performed by forecasting analysis of medical records of 846 patients at the Hospital Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz do Sul - Rio Grande do Sul - Brazil.ResultsOf the patients studied, 134 (15.8%) received antimicrobials. The audit was conducted interactively, with intervention and discussion with the prescriber. Considering the presumptive diagnosis and prescribed drug, it was verified that 74.6% of patients on antimicrobials received what was considered the first choice treatment. Inadequate antimicrobial agent for clinical diagnosis (5.2%) and lack of adjustment for renal function (43.7%) were the most frequent errors.ConclusionA strategic plan aimed at the rational use of antimicrobials based on educational and interventionist practices can help the infection control professional to adjust the routines to improve healthcare quality

Projecto de educação pelos pares em escolas do Porto durante o ano lectivo 2009/2010

O Projecto Nacional de Educação pelos Pares, criado pela Fundação Portuguesa “A Comunidade Contra a Sida” visa a prevenção do VIH/SIDA e outros comportamentos de risco, através do desenvolvimento de projectos educativos implementados por voluntários universitários nos 7º e 8º anos de escolaridade. Estes estudantes universitários foram formados científica e pedagogicamente pela Fundação, e implementaram o projecto nacional de educação pelos pares com a supervisão de professores destacados para a FPCCS. Quando os alunos que iniciaram este projecto no 7º ano de escolaridade (12-13 anos) chegam ao 9º ano (14-15 anos), educam os seus pares dos 1º e 2º ciclos (6-11 anos) do ensino básico. A presente comunicação pretende discutir alguns dados recolhidos em seis escolas do porto envolvidas no Projecto Nacional de Educação pelos Pares, através de dois questionários de auto-resposta, designados "Sexualidade e SIDA", implementados no início do 1º e 2º anos de intervenção, que visam avaliar as necessidades de formação dos alunos nesta área. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que alguns alunos das escolas ignoram como prevenir a infecção pelo VIH e quais são os seus meios de transmissão. Por outro lado, têm a noção de que a infecção pelo VIH está associada a 'comportamentos de risco' não a 'grupos de risco'. A análise dos questionários do 8º ano evidenciou que os alunos gostaram mais de realizar dinâmicas de grupo, pelo impacto que tiveram na sua assertividade e na capacidade para reflectir sobre as consequências das suas escolhas e das decisões que tomam em relação ao seu comportamento sexual

Oral vaccination of fish against vibriosis using spore-display technology

Publisher Copyright: Copyright © 2022 Gonçalves, Santos, Coutinho, Pedrosa, Curado, Machado, Costas, Bonneville, Serrano, Carvalho, Díaz-Rosales, Oliva-Teles, Couto and Serra.Oral vaccines are highly demanded by the aquaculture sector, to allow mass delivery of antigens without using the expensive and labor-intensive injectable vaccines. These later require individual handling of fish, provoking stress-related mortalities. One possible strategy to create injection-free vaccine delivery vehicles is the use of bacterial spores, extremely resistant structures with wide biotechnological applications, including as probiotics, display systems, or adjuvants. Bacterial spores, in particular those of Bacillus subtilis, have been shown to behave as mucosal vaccine adjuvants in mice models. However, such technology has not been extensively explored against fish bacterial disease. In this study, we used a laboratory strain of B. subtilis, for which a variety of genetic manipulation tools are available, to display at its spores surface either a Vibrio antigenic protein, OmpK, or the green fluorescence protein, GFP. When previously vaccinated by immersion with the OmpK- carrying spores, zebrafish survival upon a bacterial challenge with V. anguillarum and V. parahaemolyticus, increased up to 50 - 90% depending on the pathogen targeted. Further, we were able to detect anti-GFP-antibodies in the serum of European seabass juveniles fed diets containing the GFP-carrying spores and anti-V. anguillarum antibodies in the serum of European seabass juveniles fed the OmpK-carrying spores containing diet. More important, seabass survival was increased from 60 to 86% when previously orally vaccinated with in-feed OmpK- carrying spores. Our results indicate that B. subtilis spores can effectively be used as antigen-carriers for oral vaccine delivery in fish.publishersversionpublishe

Health status in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) juveniles fed diets devoid of fishmeal and supplemented with Phaeodactylum tricornutum

To enhance fish general health, feeds can be supplemented with health-promoting additives, reducing the need to use chemotherapeutics. Incorporation of marine algae biomasses in aquafeeds has been shown to improve fish immune status by enhancing innate immune response. This study evaluated the effects of Phaeodactylum tricornutum incorporation in feed by two different processes, either as freeze-dried biomass or broken cell wall biomass, on fish health status and performance. Triplicate groups of gilthead seabream juveniles (13.3 ± 0.3 g) were either fed a control diet (CTRL) with an extreme (i.e., 0% fishmeal), nutritionally balanced, formulation, or two experimental diets formulated as the CTRL with 1% inclusion of the microalga P. tricornutum at the expense of wheat meal: BC diet contains P. tricornutum broken cells and WC diet microalgae whole cells. After 2 and 12 weeks of feeding, blood was collected for hematological procedures, whereas plasma and mucus were sampled for immune parameters. Head-kidney, liver, and white skeletal muscle were also collected for gene expression measurements. No major differences were observed in hematological nor plasma humoral parameters after 12 weeks irrespective of dietary treatment. Arrays of 29–31 genes were analyzed in the different tissues, revealing an early dietary effect (2 weeks) in a tissue-specific pattern. In the liver, the major effect was found in the GH/IGF axis and in muscle there was a late downregulation of myostatin (mstn) gene, mainly due to WC diet, even though all fish had similar growth performance. Regarding the head-kidney, BC diet led to alpha-2-macroglobulin (a2m) gene upregulation. Also, the same treatment showed increased mucus alternative complement pathway and bactericidal activity at 2 and 12 weeks, respectively. Hence, it seems that BC diet has a potential stimulatory effect that might be relevant as a prophylactic measure before a predictable stressful event.This work has been funded under the EU FP7 by the MIRACLES project No. 613588: Multi-product Integrated bioRefinery of Algae: from Carbon dioxide and Light Energy to high-value Specialties and by national funds through FCT - Foundation for Science and Technology within the scope of UIDB/04423/2020 and UIDP/04423/2020. B. Reis, L. Ramos-Pinto, B. Costas, and S. Engrola were supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (PD/BDE/129262/2017, PD/BDE/114436/2016, IF/00197/ 2015, and IF/00482/2014, respectively)