Epidemiology of Enterocytozoon bieneusi infection in humans

A review was conducted to examine published works that focus on the complex epidemiology of Enterocytozoon bieneusi infection in humans. Studies on the prevalence of these emerging microsporidian pathogens in humans, in developed and developing countries, the different clinical spectra of E. bieneusi intestinal infection in children, in different settings, and the risk factors associated with E. bieneusi infection have been reviewed. This paper also analyses the impact of the recent application of PCR-based molecular methods for species-specific identification and genotype differentiation has had in increasing the knowledge of the molecular epidemiology of E. bieneusi in humans. The advances in the epidemiology of E. bieneusi, in the last two decades, emphasize the importance of epidemiological control and prevention of E. bieneusi infections, from both the veterinary and human medical perspectives.publishersversionpublishe

Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy in a Portuguese patient caused by a mutation in the telethonin gene

Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy 2G is caused by mutations in the telethonin (TCAP) gene in chromosome 17q11-12. This rare form of hereditary muscle disease was originally described in Brazilian patients and was recently identified in Chinese and Moldavian patients. We present the first Portuguese patient with a limb-girdle muscular dystrophy caused by a mutation in the TCAP gene. A Caucasian male, 50 years old, presented in his early twenties, slowly progressive weakness in upper and lower limbs. Neurologic examination revealed severe atrophy and weakness in the muscles of the arms, thighs and legs' anterior compartment. Muscle MRI of the thighs and legs revealed severe atrophy of all the muscles of the thighs and legs' anterolateral compartment, in a symmetrical way. Molecular studies identified the homozygous c.157C > T (p.Gln53X) mutation in exon 2 of the TCAP gene, already described in Brazilian patients

Potential of plant products as protectants of stored maize against Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera:Curculionidae)

Laboratory studies were carried out to evaluate the effects of some formulations from Mentha pulegium, Lonchocarpus sericeus, Daphne gnidium, Laurus nobilis, Momordica charantia, Nerium oleander and Ptaeroxylon obliquum as protectants against adult insects of Sitophilus zeamais on stored maize. The dusts from leaves of L. nobilis at 30% w/w caused 86% mortality and reduced F1 progeny emergence up to 57%. At the same concentration, dusts of pink flowers from N. oleander and leaves from L. sericeus reduced the F1 progeny up to 68% and 70%, reduced the developmental index and prolonged the developmental period by 4 and 6 d, respectively. The suspensions (2% v/v) from M. charantia, N. oleander and P. obliquum reduced the F1 progeny emergence up to 58, 91 and 94% and the number of holes in grains by 75, 91 and 97%, respectively. The methanol extracts were more effective than n-hexane extracts and affected the F1 progeny emergence and the developmental index. Keywords: Sitophilus zeamais, Botanical insecticides, Repellence, Insect control agents

An analysis of selected cases

Funding Information: This work was supported by Project CESME (Collaborative & Evolvable Smart Manufacturing Ecosystem) and the Portuguese FCT program UIDB/00066/2020. Publisher Copyright: © 2022 The Author(s)The rapid proliferation of renewable energy communities/ecosystems is an indication of their potential contribution to the ongoing energy transition. A common characteristic of these ecosystems is their complex composition, which often involves the interaction of multiple actors. Currently, the notions of "networking", "collaboration", "coordination", and "cooperation", although having different meanings, are often loosely used to describe these interactions, which creates a sense of ambiguity and confusion. To better characterize the nature of interactions in current and emerging ecosystems, this article uses the systematic literature review method to analyse 34 emerging cases. The objective is threefold (a) to study the interactions and engagements between the involved actors, aiming at identifying elements of collaboration. (b) Identify the adopted technological enablers, and (c) ascertain how the composition and functions of these ecosystems compare to virtual power plants. The outcome revealed that the interactions between the members of these ecosystems can be described as cooperation and not necessarily as collaboration, except in a few cases. Regarding technological enablers, a vast panoply of technologies, such as IoT devices, smart meters, intelligent software agents, peer-to-peer networks, distributed ledger systems/blockchain technology (including smart contracts, blockchain as a platform service, and cryptocurrencies) were found. In comparison with virtual power plants, these ecosystems have similar composition, thus, having multiple actors, comprised of decentralized and heterogeneous technologies, and are formed by aggregating various distributed energy resources. They are also supported by ICT and are characterized by the simultaneous flow of information and energy.publishersversionpublishe

Efeitos da inoculação com fungos micorrízicos arbusculares e adubação fosfatada em mudas de freijó.

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