A predictive model for daily inoculum levels of Gibberella zeae in Passo Fundo, Brazil.

The deposition of spores of Gibberella zeae, the causal agent of Fusarium head blight of wheat, was monitored during 2008–2011, in Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil. The sampling was carried out in a 31-day period around wheat flowering. The numbers of colonies formed were related to meteorological variables. In this study, a hierarchical autoregressive binary data model was used. The model relates a binary response variable to potential covariates while accounting for dependence over discrete time points. This paper proposes an approach for both model parameter inference and prediction at future time points using the Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC). The developed model appeared to have a high degree of accuracy and may have implications in the disease control and risk-management planning

The effect of bovine milk lactoferrin on human breast cancer cell lines

The evidence that biologically active food components are key environmental factors affecting the incidence of many chronic diseases is overwhelming. However, the full extent of such components in our diet is unknown, as well as our understanding of their mechanisms of action. Beyond their interaction with the gut and intestinal immune functions, more benefits are being tested for whey proteins such as lactoferrin, namely as anti-cancer agents. Lactoferrin is an iron-binding protein that has been reported to inhibit several types of cancer. In the present work, the effects of bovine milk lactoferrin on human breast cancer HS578T and T47D cells were studied. The cells were either untreated or submitted to lactoferrin concentrations ranging from 0. 125 to 125 μM. Lactoferrin decreased 47% and 54% the cell viability of HS578T and T47D, respectively, and increased apoptosis about twofold for both cell lines. Proliferation rates decreased between 40.3 and 63.9% for HS578T and T47D, respectively. T47D cell migration decreased in the presence of the protein. Although the mechanisms of action have still not been unrevealed, the results gathered in this work suggest that lactoferrin interferes with some of the most important steps involved in cancer development.(undefined

Study of radial heat transport in W7-X using the transfer entropy

Autor colectivo: W7-X TeamIn this work, we analyze data obtained using the electron cyclotron emission radiometer at the Wendelstein 7-X stellarator using a relatively new technique: the transfer entropy. Thus, we detect the propagation of information and find that it occurs in a stepwise fashion: we observe both 'trapping zones' and radial 'jumps', when the information is apparently skipping over intermediate positions. Using scans of the rotational transform, we observe that the 'trapping zones' appear to be associated with rational surfaces. Power scan experiments show that these 'jumps' increase in importance when power is increased, thus enhancing the effective diffusivity. The observations are interpreted in terms of a resistive magneto-hydrodynamic model, which displays behavior similar to the experimental results. The 'trapping zones' are explained in terms of zonal flows associated with rational surfaces, while the 'jumps' are ascribed to mode coupling effects, i.e. the transmission of turbulent energy via the magnetic field

Steroid modulation of neurogenesis: Focus on radial glial cells in zebrafish

International audienc

Functionalization of woven fabrics for antimicrobial capability using microcapsules with essential oils

[Excerpt] The functionalization of textiles covers multiple objectives, such as the allocation of perfumes, antimicrobials, some drugs, phase change materials. Among these goals, the antimicrobial capability ensures that microorganisms do not thrive on textiles (Fig. 1), allowing users to use these products safer in different scenarios. This research evaluates the antimicrobial capacity of cotton fabrics through the application of microcapsules containing essential oils.The authors are grateful to the Agência Nacional de Inovação for the funding of the Project 4NoPressure - POCI-01-0247- FEDER-039869 and ARCHKNIT POCI-01-0247-FEDER-03973, co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), through the Operational Programme for Competitiveness and Internationalisation (COMPETE 2020), under the PORTUGAL 2020 Partnership Agreement

O espaço público e as pessoas: Baixa de Algés

As cidades concentram pessoas que circulam pelas ruas, um espaço público que tem o privilégio de permear toda a cidade e que é potencialmente um elemento integrador. As ruas têm resgatado uma importante função social, revelando-se um lugar de estadia e convívio, onde os citadinos podem interagir entre si e com o ambiente. Quando as ruas estão preparadas para adotarem essas funções, são estabelecidas novas dinâmicas que promovem as vertentes da sustentabilidade – a ambiental, a social, a económica e também a cultural. Neste contexto, este trabalho, aborda a escala humana do planeamento urbano, como elemento promotor do desenvolvimento sustentável. Procedeu-se ao estudo de caso de um trecho do espaço público da Baixa de Algés, no Concelho de Oeiras, em Portugal, no que respeita às transformações do seu uso e morfologia, durante a vigência do atual Plano Diretor Municipal (PDM), desde 1994 até 2014. A partir de um estudo exploratório, abarcado por visitas ao local, pesquisa documental e aplicação de inquéritos, foi possível perceber as suas caraterísticas, as intervenções realizadas e a perceção das pessoas relativamente às mesmas, e concluir que o desenho atual desse trecho do espaço público não fomenta dinâmicas que promovam o desenvolvimento sustentável.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Comparison of vancomycin and linezolid in patients with peripheral vascular disease and/or diabetes in an observational European study of complicated skin and soft-tissue infections due to methicillin-resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>

AbstractSuboptimal antibiotic penetration into soft tissues can occur in patients with poor circulation due to peripheral vascular disease (PVD) or diabetes. We conducted a real-world analysis of antibiotic treatment, hospital resource use and clinical outcomes in patients with PVD and/or diabetes receiving linezolid or vancomycin for the treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus complicated skin and soft-tissue infections (MRSA cSSTIs) across Europe. This subgroup analysis evaluated data obtained from a retrospective, observational medical chart review study that captured patient data from 12 European countries. Data were obtained from the medical records of patients ≥ 18 years of age, hospitalized with an MRSA cSSTI between 1 July 2010 and 30 June 2011 and discharged alive by 31 July 2011. Hospital length of stay and length of treatment were compared between the treatment groups using inverse probability of treatment weights to adjust for clinical and demographic differences. A total of 485 patients had PVD or diabetes and received treatment with either vancomycin (n = 258) or linezolid (n = 227). After adjustment, patients treated with linezolid compared with vancomycin respectively had significantly shorter hospital stays (17.9 ± 13.6 vs. 22.6 ± 13.6 days; p < 0.001) and treatment durations (12.9 ± 7.9 vs. 16.4 ± 8.3 days; p < 0.001). The proportions of patients prescribed oral, MRSA-active antibiotics at discharge were 43.2% and 12.4% of patients in the linezolid and vancomycin groups, respectively (p < 0.001). The reduction in resource use may result in lower hospital costs for patients with PVD and/or diabetes and MRSA cSSTIs if treated with linezolid compared with vancomycin

Mapping and assessment of ecosystems and their services. Urban ecosystems

Action 5 of the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020 requires member states to Map and Assess the state of Ecosystems and their Services (MAES). This report provides guidance for mapping and assessment of urban ecosystems. The MAES urban pilot is a collaboration between the European Commission, the European Environment Agency, volunteering Member States and cities, and stakeholders. Its ultimate goal is to deliver a knowledge base for policy and management of urban ecosystems by analysing urban green infrastructure, condition of urban ecosystems and ecosystem services. This report presents guidance for mapping urban ecosystems and includes an indicator framework to assess the condition of urban ecosystems and urban ecosystem services. The scientific framework of mapping and assessment is designed to support in particular urban planning policy and policy on green infrastructure at urban, metropolitan and regional scales. The results are based on the following different sources of information: a literature survey of 54 scientific articles, an online-survey (on urban ecosystems, related policies and planning instruments and with participation of 42 cities), ten case studies (Portugal: Cascais, Oeiras, Lisbon; Italy: Padua, Trento, Rome; The Netherlands: Utrecht; Poland: Poznań; Spain: Barcelona; Norway: Oslo), and a two-day expert workshop. The case studies constituted the core of the MAES urban pilot. They provided real examples and applications of how mapping and assessment can be organized to support policy; on top, they provided the necessary expertise to select a set of final indicators for condition and ecosystem services. Urban ecosystems or cities are defined here as socio-ecological systems which are composed of green infrastructure and built infrastructure. Urban green infrastructure (GI) is understood in this report as the multi-functional network of urban green spaces situated within the boundary of the urban ecosystem. Urban green spaces are the structural components of urban GI. This study has shown that there is a large scope for urban ecosystem assessments. Firstly, urban policies increasingly use urban green infrastructure and nature-based solutions in their planning process. Secondly, an increasing amount of data at multiple spatial scales is becoming available to support these policies, to provide a baseline, and to compare or benchmark cities with respect to the extent and management of the urban ecosystem. Concrete examples are given on how to delineate urban ecosystems, how to choose an appropriate spatial scale, and how to map urban ecosystems based on a combination of national or European datasets (including Urban Atlas) and locally collected information (e.g., location of trees). Also examples of typologies for urban green spaces are presented. This report presents an indicator framework which is composed of indicators to assess for urban ecosystem condition and for urban ecosystem services. These are the result of a rigorous selection process and ensure consistent mapping and assessment across Europe. The MAES urban pilot will continue with work on the interface between research and policy. The framework presented in this report needs to be tested and validated across Europe, e.g. on its applicability at city scale, on how far the methodology for measuring ecosystem condition and ecosystem service delivery in urban areas can be used to assess urban green infrastructure and nature-based solutions

Sudden cardiac death in patients with ischemic heart failure undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting results from the STICH randomized clinical trial (Surgical Treatment for Ischemic Heart Failure)

Background—The risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in patients with heart failure following CABG has not been examined in a contemporary clinical trial of surgical revascularization. This analysis describes the incidence, timing and clinical predictors of SCD after CABG. Methods—Patients enrolled in the Surgical Treatment of Ischemic Heart Failure (STICH) trial who underwent CABG with or without surgical ventricular reconstruction (SVR) were included. We excluded patients with prior ICD and those randomized only to medical therapy. The primary outcome was SCD as adjudicated by a blinded committee. A Cox model was used to examine and identify predictors of SCD. The Fine and Gray method was used to estimate the incidence of SCD accounting for the competing risk of other deaths. Results—Over a median follow-up of 46 months, 113 patients of 1411 patients who received CABG without (n = 934) or with SVR (n = 477) had SCD; 311 died of other causes. The mean LVEF at enrollment was 28±9%. The 5-year cumulative incidence of SCD was 8.5%. Patients who had SCD and those who did not die were younger and had fewer comorbid conditions than those who died for reasons other than SCD. In the first 30 days after CABG, SCD (n=5) accounted for 7% of all deaths. The numerically greatest monthly rate of SCD was in the 31-90 day time period. In a multivariable analysis including baseline demographics, risk factors, coronary anatomy and LV function, ESVI and BNP were most strongly associated with SCD. Conclusions—The monthly risk of SCD shortly after CABG among patients with a low LVEF is highest between the first and third month, suggesting that risk stratification for SCD should occur early in the postoperative period, particularly in patients with increased preoperative ESVI and/or BNP