Genetic analysis of porcine circovirus type 2 from pigs affected with PMWS in Chile reveals intergenotypic recombination

Background: Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is a very small, non-enveloped and icosahedral virus, with circular single stranded DNA genome. This virus is the most ubiquitous and persistent pathogen currently affecting the swine industry worldwide. PCV2 has been implicated as the major causative agent of postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS), a disease which is characterized by severe immunosuppressive effects in the porcine host. Worldwide PCV2 isolates have been classified into four different genotypes, PCV2a, PCV2b, PCV2c and PCVd. The goal of this work was to conduct the first phylogenetic analysis of PCV2 in Chile. Methods: PCV2 partial ORF2 sequences (462 nt) obtained from 29 clinical cases of PMWS in 22 Chilean intensive swine farms, covering over the 90% of the local pork-production, were analyzed. Results: 14% and 52% of sequences belonged to the genotypes PCV2a and PCV2b, respectively. Surprisingly, 34% of sequences were PCV2a/PCV2d recombinant viruses. Conclusions: Our findings suggested that a novel cluster of Chilean sequences emerged resulting from intergenotypic recombination between PCV2a and PCV2d

Current State of Conservation Knowledge on Threatened Amphibian Species in Peru

This study documents the current state of conservation knowledge on threatened amphibian species in Peru. Following the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classification system, we considered species in the following categories: Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, and Near Threatened. Even though only the first three categories are regarded as threatened by IUCN, we included the fourth category to make comparisons with the list of threatened species issued by the Peruvian government. We used the Global Amphibian Assessment\u27s database and the list issued in Peru for this comparison. We conducted separate field surveys in 17 regions of Peru to evaluate the presence/absence of threatened amphibian species and species that are potentially threatened. We also used the Declining Amphibian Database-DAPTF, to compare our results with previous assessments on population declines, and the World Wildlife Fund\u27s Wildfinder database, to determine in which Neotropical ecoregion each species occurs. We compiled data on 83 species, 44 of which are recognized as threatened by the IUCN and/or the Peruvian government. The remaining 39 species should be re-assessed as they face various threats. A re-evaluation of current estimates is needed as only 8% of all species recorded in Peru are recognized as threatened by the government, whereas the global estimate of threatened species is about 32%. In addition to using IUCN criteria, this re-assessment should follow national guidelines standardized in Peru and be in accordance with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Because the habitat of almost 40% of threatened species reported herein still remains unprotected, and data on chytridiomycosis and other threats are lacking for most taxa, it is crucial to develop strategies for habitat conservation and research on disease dynamics in natural populations

The clinical relevance of oliguria in the critically ill patient : Analysis of a large observational database

Funding Information: Marc Leone reports receiving consulting fees from Amomed and Aguettant; lecture fees from MSD, Pfizer, Octapharma, 3 M, Aspen, Orion; travel support from LFB; and grant support from PHRC IR and his institution. JLV is the Editor-in-Chief of Critical Care. The other authors declare that they have no relevant financial interests. Publisher Copyright: © 2020 The Author(s). Copyright: Copyright 2020 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.Background: Urine output is widely used as one of the criteria for the diagnosis and staging of acute renal failure, but few studies have specifically assessed the role of oliguria as a marker of acute renal failure or outcomes in general intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Using a large multinational database, we therefore evaluated the occurrence of oliguria (defined as a urine output 16 years) patients in the ICON audit who had a urine output measurement on the day of admission were included. To investigate the association between oliguria and mortality, we used a multilevel analysis. Results: Of the 8292 patients included, 2050 (24.7%) were oliguric during the first 24 h of admission. Patients with oliguria on admission who had at least one additional 24-h urine output recorded during their ICU stay (n = 1349) were divided into three groups: transient - oliguria resolved within 48 h after the admission day (n = 390 [28.9%]), prolonged - oliguria resolved > 48 h after the admission day (n = 141 [10.5%]), and permanent - oliguria persisting for the whole ICU stay or again present at the end of the ICU stay (n = 818 [60.6%]). ICU and hospital mortality rates were higher in patients with oliguria than in those without, except for patients with transient oliguria who had significantly lower mortality rates than non-oliguric patients. In multilevel analysis, the need for RRT was associated with a significantly higher risk of death (OR = 1.51 [95% CI 1.19-1.91], p = 0.001), but the presence of oliguria on admission was not (OR = 1.14 [95% CI 0.97-1.34], p = 0.103). Conclusions: Oliguria is common in ICU patients and may have a relatively benign nature if only transient. The duration of oliguria and need for RRT are associated with worse outcome.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Clonal chromosomal mosaicism and loss of chromosome Y in elderly men increase vulnerability for SARS-CoV-2

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) had an estimated overall case fatality ratio of 1.38% (pre-vaccination), being 53% higher in males and increasing exponentially with age. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, we found 133 cases (1.42%) with detectable clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations (mCA) and 226 males (5.08%) with acquired loss of chromosome Y (LOY). Individuals with clonal mosaic events (mCA and/or LOY) showed a 54% increase in the risk of COVID-19 lethality. LOY is associated with transcriptomic biomarkers of immune dysfunction, pro-coagulation activity and cardiovascular risk. Interferon-induced genes involved in the initial immune response to SARS-CoV-2 are also down-regulated in LOY. Thus, mCA and LOY underlie at least part of the sex-biased severity and mortality of COVID-19 in aging patients. Given its potential therapeutic and prognostic relevance, evaluation of clonal mosaicism should be implemented as biomarker of COVID-19 severity in elderly people. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, individuals with clonal mosaic events (clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations and/or loss of chromosome Y) showed an increased risk of COVID-19 lethality

Fast minimum uncertainty search on a graph map representation

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Fast Minimum Uncertainty Search on a Graph Map Representation

This paper addresses the problem of path planning considering uncertainty criteria over the belief space. Specifically, we propose a path planning algorithm that uses a novel determinant-based measure of uncertainty and a reduced representation of the environment, in order to obtain the minimum uncertainty path from a roadmap. Our proposal does not require a priori knowledge of the environment due to the construction of the roadmap via a graph-based SLAM algorithm. We report experimental results of our proposal in four datasets that show its feasibility to obtain the minimum uncertainty path towards an autonomous navigation framework and we also show an improvement in the computation time with respect to the state of the art

Retrosynthesis of CaCO3 via amorphous precursor particles using gastroliths of the Red Claw lobster (Cherax quadricarinatus)

© 2017 Elsevier Inc. Gastroliths are highly calcified structures formed in the cardiac stomach wall of crustaceans for the temporary storage of amorphous CaCO 3 (ACC). The gastrolithic ACC is stabilized by the presence of biomolecules, and represents a novel model for research into biomineralization. For the first time, an in vitro biomimetic retrosynthesis of scaffolds of gastrolithic matrices with CaCO 3 is presented. With the help of synthetic polyacrylic (PAA) and phytic (PA) acids, amorphous precursor particles were stabilized in double (DD) and gas (GD) diffusion crystallization assays. The presence of these synthetic molecules as efficient inhibitors of nucleation and growth of CaCO 3 , and the use of biological gastrolith scaffolds as confined reaction environments determined the kinetics of crystallization, and controlled the morphogenesis of CaCO 3 . The formation of ACC particles was demonstrated and their crystallization was followed by light microscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and electron diffraction

Removal of surfactant from nanocomposites films based on thermally reduced graphene oxide and natural rubber

© The Author(s).Electrically conducting elastomer composites based on natural rubber and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) is reported. These composites were prepared by a latex method and an easy washing process. The latex method consists of the mixing of an aqueous suspension of rGO, stabilized by sodium dodecyl sulfate and pre-vulcanized natural rubber, followed by solvent casting. The percolation threshold of composites was estimated at 1.54 wt.% of rGO. The washing process allowed elimination of the surfactant completely from nanocomposites. The absence of surfactant in nanocomposites was demonstrated by Raman spectroscopy and dynamo-mechanical analysis. The surfactant-free nanocomposites showed improved mechanical and electrical properties.Miguel Lopez-Manchado thanks the support from MINECO (grant number MAT2016-81138-R).Peer reviewe

Efecto de aceites esenciales de lavanda y laurel sobre el ácaro Varroa destructor Anderson & Truemann (Acari:Varroidae)

La varroasis es considerada la más seria enfermedad parasitaria de las abejas (Apis mellifera L.) y es provocada por el ácaro Varroa destructor Anderson & Truemann. Una gran cantidad de productos han sido probados para el control de esta enfermedad parasitaria. Actualmente se han generado razas resistentes, problemas de contaminación de la miel y de otros productos de la colmena, debido al uso indiscriminado y reiterado de algunos productos contra este ácaro. La tendencia actual es el uso de productos naturales como parte de una estrategia de control integrado. Esta investigación tuvo como objetivo evaluar los efectos de los aceites esenciales extraídos de Lavandula officinalis Chaix y Laurelia sempervirens (Ruiz et Pav.) Tul. sobre el ácaro Varroa destructor. La unidad experimental consistió en una jaula con 15 abejas, cada una parasitada con un ácaro. Se emplearon cuatro tratamientos: aceite esencial de lavanda (30%), aceite esencial de laurel (30%) acetona pura y un testigo, que recibió agua destilada. Los productos se aplicaron en la jaula, en una cámara climática, con condiciones similares a la colmena. El periodo de evaluación se extendió por 24 h, con intervalos de 1, 3, 5, 8, 14 y 24 h. Ambos aceites esenciales removieron el 100% de los ácaros, sin embargo, el porcentaje de mortalidad de los ácaros fue bajo, 41,67 y 35%, para aceite de lavanda y aceite de laurel, respectivamente

The effect of lavender and laurel essential oils on Varroa destructor Anderson & Truemann (Acari:Varroidae) EFECTO DE ACEITES ESENCIALES DE LAVANDA Y LAUREL SOBRE EL ÁCARO Varroa destructor ANDERSON & TRUEMANN (ACARI:VARROIDAE)

The varroasis is considered the most serious parasitic disease of honey bees (Apis mellifera L.); it is produced by the mite Varroa destructor Anderson & Truemann. A large number of products have been tested for the control of this parasitic disease. Currently, resistant races, problems of contamination of honey and other products of the hive have been generated by the indiscriminate and reiterated use of some products against this mite. The current tendency for its control is the utilization of natural products as part of an integrated control strategy. This investigation had the objective of evaluating the effects of essential oils, extracted from lavender (Lavandula officinalis Chaix) and laurel (Laurelia sempervirens Ruiz et Pav. Tul.) on V. destructor. The experimental unit, consisted of a cage with 15 bees, each affected by one mite. Four treatments were employed: essential oil of lavender (30%), essential oil of laurel (30%), pure acetone, and the control that received distillated water. Products were applied in the cage, in a climatic chamber, with similar conditions to the hive. The period of evaluation lasted 24 h, at intervals of 1, 3, 5, 8, 14 and 24 h. Both essential oils removed 100% of the mites, however, the percentage of mortality of the mite was low, 41.67 and 35% for lavender oil and laurel oil, respectively. RESUMEN La varroasis es considerada la más seria enfermedad parasitaria de las abejas (Apis mellifera L.) y es provocada por el ácaro Varroa destructor Anderson & Truemann. Una gran cantidad de productos han sido probados para el control de esta enfermedad parasitaria. Actualmente se han generado razas resistentes, problemas de contaminación de la miel y de otros productos de la colmena, debido al uso indiscriminado y reiterado de algunos productos contra este ácaro. La tendencia actual es el uso de productos naturales como parte de una estrategia de control integrado. Esta investigación tuvo como objetivo evaluar los efectos de los aceites esenciales extraídos de Lavandula officinalis Chaix y Laurelia sempervirens (Ruiz et Pav.) Tul. sobre el ácaro Varroa destructor. La unidad experimental consistió en una jaula con 15 abejas, cada una parasitada con un ácaro. Se emplearon cuatro tratamientos: aceite esencial de lavanda (30%), aceite esencial de laurel (30%) acetona pura y un testigo, que recibió agua destilada. Los productos se aplicaron en la jaula, en una cámara climática, con condiciones similares a la colmena. El periodo de evaluación se extendió por 24 h, con intervalos de 1, 3, 5, 8, 14 y 24 h. Ambos aceites esenciales removieron el 100% de los ácaros, sin embargo, el porcentaje de mortalidad de los ácaros fue bajo, 41,67 y 35%, para aceite de lavanda y aceite de laurel, respectivamente