Typical and atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli bacterial translocation associated with tissue hypoperfusion in rats

Although enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) are well-recognized diarrheal agents, their ability to translocate and cause extraintestinal alterations is not known. We investigated whether a typical EPEC (tEPEC) and an atypical EPEC (aEPEC) strain translocate and cause microcirculation injury under conditions of intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Bacterial translocation (BT) was induced in female Wistar-EPM rats (200-250 g) by oroduodenal catheterization and inoculation of 10 mL 10(10) colony forming unit (CFU)/mL, with the bacteria being confined between the duodenum and ileum with ligatures. After 2 h, mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), liver and spleen were cultured for translocated bacteria and BT-related microcirculation changes were monitored in mesenteric and abdominal organs by intravital microscopy and laser Doppler flow, respectively. tEPEC (N = 11) and aEPEC (N = 11) were recovered from MLN (100%), spleen (36.4 and 45.5%), and liver (45.5 and 72.7%) of the animals, respectively. Recovery of the positive control E. coli R-6 (N = 6) was 100% for all compartments. Bacteria were not recovered from extraintestinal sites of controls inoculated with non-pathogenic E. coli strains HB101 (N = 6) and HS (N = 10), or saline. Mesenteric microcirculation injuries were detected with both EPEC strains, but only aEPEC was similar to E. coli R-6 with regard to systemic tissue hypoperfusion. In conclusion, overgrowth of certain aEPEC strains may lead to BT and impairment of the microcirculation in systemic organs.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Departamento de PediatriaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Departamento de MicrobiologiaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Departamento de CirurgiaUNIFESP, Depto. de PediatriaUNIFESP, Depto. de MicrobiologiaUNIFESP, Depto. de CirurgiaSciEL

AlergiaPT: A Portuguese media campaign to inspire people with allergies to make a positive change in their life

Allergic diseases comprise a significant cause of morbidity worldwide and a substantial burden on the health and medical systems of both developed and emerging economies. Although highly prevalent, relatively severe, and largely impactful on the quality of life of patients, allergic diseases are commonly trivialized. Increasing awareness of the relevance of allergic diseases as a major public health problem might lead to an improved acknowledgment by governments and health authorities. Based on the positive impact that media campaigns might have on health-related behaviors, as well as the large use of social media by different types of users, social media might be used as a powerful tool for spreading awareness and education even more effective than traditional face-to-face communication. Therefore, we aimed to develop a social media-based communication program, the AlergiaPT, reaching all stakeholders, to increase the awareness of allergic diseases tackling the causes, prevention, control, and economic impact. The AlergiaPT will provide user-generated and interactive content toward engagement, include both long-form and short-form video productions toward education, as well as stories and time-sensitive content toward empowerment. It will be targeted to all populations, engaging different stakeholders. Contents will address the 5 campaign goals: i) allergy health is promoted; ii) tolerance is actively reinforced, and avoidance reduced; iii) treatment control and guided self-management of patients of asthma, rhinitis, food allergy, and atopic eczema are strengthened; iv) recognition and treatment of severe allergy and anaphylaxis are improved, and v) indoor air quality is promoted. Engagement on the campaign will be promoted through stepwise educational takeaways meetings using different social media, and targeting all audience groups, by promoting the organization of resources for common goals and the involvement of social media to improve public awareness. The impact of AlergiaPT will be assessed through google analytics

Motion of influential players can support cooperation in Prisoner's Dilemma

We study a spatial Prisoner's dilemma game with two types (A and B) of players located on a square lattice. Players following either cooperator or defector strategies play Prisoner's Dilemma games with their 24 nearest neighbors. The players are allowed to adopt one of their neighbor's strategy with a probability dependent on the payoff difference and type of the given neighbor. Players A and B have different efficiency in the transfer of their own strategy therefore the strategy adoption probability is reduced by a multiplicative factor (w < 1) from the players of type B. We report that the motion of the influential payers (type A) can improve remarkably the maintenance of cooperation even for their low densities.Comment: 7 pages, 7 figure

The Brazilian Developments On The Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (brams 5.2): An Integrated Environmental Model Tuned For Tropical Areas

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)We present a new version of the Brazilian developments on the Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (BRAMS), in which different previous versions for weather, chemistry, and carbon cycle were unified in a single integrated modeling system software. This new version also has a new set of state-of-the-art physical parameterizations and greater computational parallel and memory usage efficiency. The description of the main model features includes several examples illustrating the quality of the transport scheme for scalars, radiative fluxes on surface, and model simulation of rainfall systems over South America at different spatial resolutions using a scale aware convective parameterization. Additionally, the simulation of the diurnal cycle of the convection and carbon dioxide concentration over the Amazon Basin, as well as carbon dioxide fluxes from biogenic processes over a large portion of South America, are shown. Atmospheric chemistry examples show the model performance in simulating near-surface carbon monoxide and ozone in the Amazon Basin and the megacity of Rio de Janeiro. For tracer transport and dispersion, the model capabilities to simulate the volcanic ash 3-D redistribution associated with the eruption of a Chilean volcano are demonstrated. The gain of computational efficiency is described in some detail. BRAMS has been applied for research and operational forecasting mainly in South America. Model results from the operational weather forecast of BRAMS on 5km grid spacing in the Center for Weather Forecasting and Climate Studies, INPE/Brazil, since 2013 are used to quantify the model skill of near-surface variables and rainfall. The scores show the reliability of BRAMS for the tropical and subtropical areas of South America. Requirements for keeping this modeling system competitive regarding both its functionalities and skills are discussed. Finally, we highlight the relevant contribution of this work to building a South American community of model developers. © Author(s) 2017.1011892222014/01563-1, FAPESP, Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo2014/01564-8, FAPESP, Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo2015/10206-0, FAPESP, Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo306340/2011-9, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e TecnológicoFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq