Sequence variability of the MspI satellite DNA family of the pinewood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus at different geographic scales

Tandemly repeated sequences known as satellite DNA (satDNA) generally exhibit complex evolutionary patterns of concerted evolution in which mutations are homogenized and fixed in a stochastic process of molecular drive. Here, the nucleotidic variability of the MspI satDNA family of the pinewood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus is analyzed in order to understand the evolutionary dynamics of satDNA at the intraspecific level. A total of 425 MspI monomer units, either PCR-amplified from isolates of local (Peninsula of Setúbal, Portugal) or worldwide origin, or retrieved from the B. xylophilus genome sequence, were characterized and compared. Whatever their origin, sliding window analysis of sequence variability patterns among monomers revealed low, moderate and highly variant domains, indicating that variable levels of evolutionary constraint may act upon the entire monomers. The phylogenetic inference based on the different sets of MspI satDNA family for this species shows a broad polymorphism of the individual monomers, which were distributed into four main clusters. However, such clustering appeared indepen- dent from the geographic origin of the nematodes, and could not discriminate isolates or groups of geo- graphically close isolates. Rather, the formation of different phylogenetic groups within this satDNA family suggests an a priori embodying of a set of diverging repeats from a common ancestor satDNA library, which have been differently amplified along the evolutionary pathway of this species. The present work improves knowledge on the evolutionary dynamics of satDNA at the intraspecific level, and pro- vides new information on satDNA sequence variability among natural populations sampled at a local geo- graphic scale

Soft tissue tumor imaging in adults: whole-body staging in sarcoma, non-malignant entities requiring special algorithms, pitfalls and special imaging aspects. Guidelines 2024 from the European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology (ESSR)

ObjectivesThe revised European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology (ESSR) consensus guidelines on soft tissue tumor imaging represent an update of 2015 after technical advancements, further insights into specific entities, and revised World Health Organization (2020) and AJCC (2017) classifications. This second of three papers covers algorithms once histology is confirmed: (1) standardized whole-body staging, (2) special algorithms for non-malignant entities, and (3) multiplicity, genetic tumor syndromes, and pitfalls.Materials and methodsA validated Delphi method based on peer-reviewed literature was used to derive consensus among a panel of 46 specialized musculoskeletal radiologists from 12 European countries. Statements that had undergone interdisciplinary revision were scored online by the level of agreement (0 to 10) during two iterative rounds, that could result in 'group consensus', 'group agreement', or 'lack of agreement'.ResultsThe three sections contain 24 statements with comments. Group consensus was reached in 95.8% and group agreement in 4.2%. For whole-body staging, pulmonary MDCT should be performed in all high-grade sarcomas. Whole-body MRI is preferred for staging bone metastasis, with [18F]FDG-PET/CT as an alternative modality in PET-avid tumors. Patients with alveolar soft part sarcoma, clear cell sarcoma, and angiosarcoma should be screened for brain metastases. Special algorithms are recommended for entities such as rhabdomyosarcoma, extraskeletal Ewing sarcoma, myxoid liposarcoma, and neurofibromatosis type 1 associated malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors. Satisfaction of search should be avoided in potential multiplicity.ConclusionStandardized whole-body staging includes pulmonary MDCT in all high-grade sarcomas; entity-dependent modifications and specific algorithms are recommended for sarcomas and non-malignant soft tissue tumors.Clinical relevance statementThese updated ESSR soft tissue tumor imaging guidelines aim to provide support in decision-making, helping to avoid common pitfalls, by providing general and entity-specific algorithms, techniques, and reporting recommendations for whole-body staging in sarcoma and non-malignant soft tissue tumors.Key Points..

Human cell types important for Hepatitis C Virus replication in vivo and in vitro. Old assertions and current evidence

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is a single stranded RNA virus which produces negative strand RNA as a replicative intermediate. We analyzed 75 RT-PCR studies that tested for negative strand HCV RNA in liver and other human tissues. 85% of the studies that investigated extrahepatic replication of HCV found one or more samples positive for replicative RNA. Studies using in situ hybridization, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, and quasispecies analysis also demonstrated the presence of replicating HCV in various extrahepatic human tissues, and provide evidence that HCV replicates in macrophages, B cells, T cells, and other extrahepatic tissues. We also analyzed both short term and long term in vitro systems used to culture HCV. These systems vary in their purposes and methods, but long term culturing of HCV in B cells, T cells, and other cell types has been used to analyze replication. It is therefore now possible to study HIV-HCV co-infections and HCV replication in vitro

La reparación económica a la víctima en el sistema de justicia

En este libro se recogen las investigaciones llevadas a cabo en el marco de los Trabajos Fin de Grado de la Universidad Carlos III de Madrid en los dobles grados de Derecho y Administración de Empresas, Derecho y Economía durante los cursos 2015/16 y 2016/17. El objetivo principal es evaluar la eficacia de la reparación económica a la víctima. Para ello, se realizó un estudio de campo de las ejecutorias en los Juzgados de lo Penal y la Audiencia Provincial de Madrid en dos etapas, octubre de 2015 y octubre de 2016, , excluyendo delitos menores y delitos relacionados con delitos de tránsito y violencia de género, así como aquellos donde no hubiera víctima.Este trabajo ha sido subvencionado en parte por los proyectos DER2015-66435-P y MTM2014-56535-R, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, y se enmarca en el Proyecto innovación docente de la Universidad Carlos III de Madrid titulado Eficacia y Eficiencia de la Justicia, curso 2016/2017.Prólogo / Daniel Peña (pp. 19-20). -- La ineficacia del sistema español en la compensación a través del proceso / Helena Soleto y Aurea Grané (pp. 23-97). -- Asistencia jurídica y turno de oficio para la víctima / Alicia Calvo Barceló (pp. 101-138). -- Competencia judicial en ejecución penal / Alberto Rodríguez Abad (pp. 141-175). -- El fiscal en la ejecución / María García Navarro (pp. 177-214). -- La participación de la víctima en la ejecución / Sara González Pérez (pp. 215-247). -- Investigación patrimonial del condenado / Radad Sennouni El Harti (pp. 249-277). -- La suspensión de la pena privativa y libertad condicional / Sara Jiménez Olbea (pp. 281-306). -- La insolvencia del condenado / Catalina Guzmán Guzmán (pp. 307-324). -- Eficacia del pago y percepción de impunidad: consecuencias de la reparación en el condenado / Rosa González Espejo (pp. 325-342). -- Delitos contra la libertad sexual / María Belén Combarros Gómez (pp. 345-386). -- La víctima del delito de trata de seres humanos e inmigración ilegal / Eduardo Sagra González (pp. 387-407). -- La reparación en violencia de género / Marina García-Navas Gómez (pp. 409-439). -- Reparación en delitos contra la Administración Pública / Irea Riobó Mayo (pp. 441-459). -- La reparación económica en el caso Madrid Arena / Lucía Gimeno Malumbres (pp. 461-487). -- La reparación en el proceso de menores / Miriam López-Terradas Paniagua (pp. 489-513). -- La atenuante por reparación del daño / Adriana Noel Afonso Carracedo (pp. 517-540). -- Reparación y modelos de justicia reparativa / Victoria Martínez Martínez (pp. 541-567). -- Elementos básicos de justicia restaurativa / Mireia Galindo Perpiñán (pp. 569-614). -- El acuerdo de reparación en la justicia reparativa / Ainhoa Berrocal Cañadas (pp. 615-634). -- La indemnización a las víctimas en el Derecho comparado / Alba Peña Díaz (pp. 637-650). -- Las indemnizaciones de la Ley 35/1995 / Inmaculada Ramírez Rodríguez (pp. 651-702). -- El pago de indemnizaciones por el Estado en terrorismo / Ana Pérez Campón (pp. 703-734)

Soft tissue tumor imaging in adults: European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology-Guidelines 2023-overview, and primary local imaging: how and where?

OBJECTIVES: Early, accurate diagnosis is crucial for the prognosis of patients with soft tissue sarcomas. To this end, standardization of imaging algorithms, technical requirements, and reporting is therefore a prerequisite. Since the first European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology (ESSR) consensus in 2015, technical achievements, further insights into specific entities, and the revised WHO-classification (2020) and AJCC staging system (2017) made an update necessary. The guidelines are intended to support radiologists in their decision-making and contribute to interdisciplinary tumor board discussions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A validated Delphi method based on peer-reviewed literature was used to derive consensus among a panel of 46 specialized musculoskeletal radiologists from 12 European countries. Statements were scored online by level of agreement (0 to 10) during two iterative rounds. Either "group consensus," "group agreement," or "lack of agreement" was achieved. RESULTS: Eight sections were defined that finally contained 145 statements with comments. Overall, group consensus was reached in 95.9%, and group agreement in 4.1%. This communication contains the first part consisting of the imaging algorithm for suspected soft tissue tumors, methods for local imaging, and the role of tumor centers. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound represents the initial triage imaging modality for accessible and small tumors. MRI is the modality of choice for the characterization and local staging of most soft tissue tumors. CT is indicated in special situations. In suspicious or likely malignant tumors, a specialist tumor center should be contacted for referral or teleradiologic second opinion. This should be done before performing a biopsy, without exception. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The updated ESSR soft tissue tumor imaging guidelines aim to provide best practice expert consensus for standardized imaging, to support radiologists in their decision-making, and to improve examination comparability both in individual patients and in future studies on individualized strategies. KEY POINTS: • Ultrasound remains the best initial triage imaging modality for accessible and small suspected soft tissue tumors. • MRI is the modality of choice for the characterization and local staging of soft tissue tumors in most cases; CT is indicated in special situations. Suspicious or likely malignant tumors should undergo biopsy. • In patients with large, indeterminate or suspicious tumors, a tumor reference center should be contacted for referral or teleradiologic second opinion; this must be done before a biopsy

A guide for good harvesting practices of macroalgae in Azores (NE Atlantic) : The project ASPAZOR and the case study of Asparagopsis spp.

Surely, most of the people at large have said or heard that seaweeds are only “plants of the sea”, which can be smelly when lying at the beach, without being aware of how important they are in the marine ecosystem (Mouritsen, 2013). Roughly, seaweeds, also known as macroalgae, are eukaryote, multicellular and macroscopic benthic algae, normally attached to firm substrata, mostly on rocky shores (Adams, 1994; Dawes, 1998; Rosas-Alquicira et al., 2012; Hurd et al., 2014). They are essentially found in the marine environment, although they may occur in brackish or even freshwater environments (Neto et al., 2005; Neto & Pinto, 2018). All seaweeds are algae, but not all algae are seaweeds, e.g. the microscopic algae, known as microalgae and/or phytoplankton (Mouritsen, 2013). Nevertheless, all seaweeds, at some point of their life cycle, are microscopic or unicellular, either as spores or as zygotes (Amsler & Searles, 1980; Lobban & Harrison, 1994). As with higher plants, they are oxygenic photosynthetic organisms, but here most algae cells contain the green pigment chlorophyll a that captures the needed sun’s energy for photosynthesis, the process of building energy-rich compounds (carbohydrates) from CO2 and the macro and micro nutrients available in the water (Mouritsen, 2013; Barsanti & Gualtieri, 2014; Neto & Pinto, 2018). Yet, they differ from plants in the determinant fact that they do not have true tissues, such as leaves, steams, roots or a transporting network, and neither produce flowers or seeds (Mouritsen, 2013; Neto & Pinto, 2018). Instead, they have an undifferentiated vegetative tissue called thallus, which is the plant body and may be simple or composed by a blade or frond (structure similar to a leaf) and a stipe or axis (similar to a stem). Some of them are attached to the substratum by a holdfast, whereas other use rhizoids or stolon-like structures (Neto et al., 2005). Moreover, seaweeds use simple reproductive structures to complete their life cycle by releasing gametes or spores into the environment (Barsanti & Gualtieri, 2014; Neto & Pinto, 2018). […].Project ACORES-01-0145-FEDER-000060 – ASPAZOR: Ecosystem impacts and socioeconomic benefits of Asparagopsis armata in the Azores. Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (UID/BIA/00329/2015-2018, 2019 e UID/BIA/00329/2020-2023); Direção Regional da Ciência e Tecnologia.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Guia de boas práticas para a apanha de algas nos Açores : O projeto ASPAZOR e o caso-estudo de Asparagopsis spp.

As macroalgas, sendo organismos fotossintéticos, são uma fonte de oxigénio e um recetor de dióxido de carbono. Elas fornecem habitat, refugio de predadores e um ambiente seguro para a desova e viveiro de muitas espécies. São ricas em minerais e vitaminas, proteínas, aminoácidos essenciais, ácidos gordos e fibras alimentares, e por isso usadas na alimentação humana. […]. A colheita manual deve ser favorecida à colheita mecânica. […].Projecto ACORES-01-0145-FEDER-000060- ASPAZOR: Impactes ecossistemáticos e benefícios socioeconómicos de Asparagopsis armata nos Açores. Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (UID/BIA/00329/2015-2018, 2019 e UID/BIA/00329/2020-2023); Direção Regional da Ciência e Tecnologia.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Efeito da terapia de reposição estrogênica sobre a cognição em mulheres pós-menopausas histerectomizadas

There are evidences that estrogen influences aspects of brain function and structure. A positive effect of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) on cognition in postmenopausal women is a controversial issue. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of ERT on cognition. Hysterectomized, assymtomatic and healthy women took part of this randomized double-blind study. They received equine conjugated estrogen 0.625 mg per day (n= 27) or placebo (n= 32), and were tested in a valid and reliable neuropsychological test battery before and after six 28 day cycles treatment. No beneficial effect of ERT was found on cognitive abilities of healthy postmenopausal women and compared to placebo group. During these measurements both groups showed significant reduction.Há evidências de que o estrógeno altera aspectos estruturais e funcionais do cérebro. O efeito positivo da terapia de reposição estrogênica (TRE), em mulheres pós-menopausadas, é um assunto controverso. O presente estudo tem o objetivo de avaliar o efeito da TRE sobre as funções cognitivas. Mulheres, histerectomizadas e saudáveis, participaram de um estudo randomizado e duplo-cego, recebendo a TRE com 0,625 mg diário de estrogênio eqüino conjugado (n= 27) ou placebo (n= 32) e foram testadas quanto ao desempenho em testes cognitivos válidos e confiáveis antes e depois de 6 ciclos de 28 dias de tratamento. Em vários testes cognitivos, o estrógeno reduziu os escores deles de forma estatisticamente semelhante ao placebo (p>0,05). Concluímos que a reposição estrogênica em pacientes na pós-menopausa com as características de nossa amostra não promove melhora da cognição de forma significativamente diferente de placebo. Estudos futuros são necessários para a confirmação dos presentes resultados encontrados