Plasmodium diversity in non-malaria individuals from the Bioko Island in Equatorial Guinea (West Central-Africa)

BACKGROUND: In this paper we analyse the Plasmodium sp. prevalence in three villages with different isolation status on the island of Bioko (Equatorial Guinea) where malaria is a hyper-endemic disease. We also describe the genetic diversity of P. falciparum, using several plasmodia proteins as markers which show a high degree of polymorphism (MSP-1 and MSP-2). The results obtained from three different populations are compared in order to establish the impact of human movements and interventions. METHODS: Plasmodium sp. were analysed in three villages on Bioko Island (Equatorial Guinea), one of which (Southern) is isolated by geographical barriers. The semi-nested multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique was used to determine the prevalence of the four human plasmodia species. The genotyping and frequency of P. falciparum populations were determined by PCR assay target polymorphism regions of the merozoite surface proteins 1 and 2 genes (MSP-1 and MSP-2). RESULTS: The data obtained show that there are no differences in plasmodia population flow between the Northwest and Eastern regions as regards the prevalence of the different Plasmodium species. The Southern population, on the other hand, shows a minor presence of P. malariae and a higher prevalence of P. ovale, suggesting some kind of transmission isolated from the other two. The P. falciparum genotyping in the different regions points to a considerable allelic diversity in the parasite population on Bioko Island, although this is somewhat higher in the Southern region than the others. There was a correlation between parasitaemia levels and the age of the individual with the multiplicity of infection (MOI). CONCLUSION: Results could be explained by the selection of particular MSP alleles. This would tend to limit diversity in the parasite population and leading up to the extinction of rare alleles. On the other hand, the parasite population in the isolated village has less outside influence and the diversity of P. falciparum is maintained higher. The knowledge of parasite populations and their relationships is necessary to study their implications for control intervention

Tissue response to dental implants with platform switching

La evolución en los diseños de los sistemas de implantes y en la configuración de los pilares protési- cos ha desarrollado el concepto de plataforma reducida que comprende la colocación de un pilar más estrecho que la plataforma del implante para aumentar su distancia de la interfase hueso-implante. La plataforma reducida es considerada un factor importante para preservar la estabilidad del hueso crestal y de los tejidos blandos y asegurar el éxito de los implantes dentales a largo plazo. La plataforma redu- cida reduce las fuerzas oclusales y la contaminación bacteriana en la interfase entre el hueso crestal y el implante. Los estudios experimentales en animales y clínicos en pacientes muestran su eficacia para prevenir la pérdida ósea y de los tejidos blandos periimplantarios Conclusiones. La introducción de la plataforma reducida constituye un importante campo en la investi- gación experimental en implantología oral y en el tratamiento clínico con implantes para mantener los tejidos periimplantarios.The evolution of designs of implant systems and abutments configurations has developed the concept of platform-switching that involves the connection of a narrower abutment to the platform implant to allow horizontal distance of the interface bone-implant. Platform-switching is considered an important factor to preserve the stability of crestal bone and soft tissue ensuring the success of dental implants in the long-term follow-up. Platform-switching reduces the forces of occlusal loading and bacterial conta- mination in the interface between the crestal bone and the implant. Experimental studies in animals and clinical studies in patients showed that implants with platform-switching have demonstrated the effecti- veness to prevent peri-implant bone loss and subsequent soft tissue loss. Conclusions. The platform-switching constitute an important field for research of experimental implant dentistry and clinical implant treatment in the maintenance of peri-implant tissue

Laboratory Hyperspectral Image Acquisition System Setup and Validation

Hyperspectral Imaging (HSI) techniques have demonstrated potential to provide useful information in a broad set of applications in different domains, from precision agriculture to environmental science. A first step in the preparation of the algorithms to be employed outdoors starts at a laboratory level, capturing a high amount of samples to be analysed and processed in order to extract the necessary information about the spectral characteristics of the studied samples in the most precise way. In this article, a custom-made scanning system for hyperspectral image acquisition is described. Commercially available components have been carefully selected in order to be integrated into a flexible infrastructure able to obtain data from any Generic Interface for Cameras (GenICam) compliant devices using the gigabyte Ethernet interface. The entire setup has been tested using the Specim FX hyperspectral series (FX10 and FX17) and a Graphical User Interface (GUI) has been developed in order to control the individual components and visualise data. Morphological analysis, spectral response and optical aberration of these pushbroom-type hyperspectral cameras have been evaluated prior to the validation of the whole system with different plastic samples for which spectral signatures are extracted and compared with well-known spectral libraries.Laboratory Hyperspectral Image Acquisition System Setup and ValidationpublishedVersio

Optimization by Response Surface Methodology (RSM) of the Kharasch−Sosnovsky Oxidation of Valencene

Response surface methodology (RSM) has been employed to model and optimize the Kharasch−Sosnovsky allylic oxidation of valencene. The detailed effects of the amounts of oxidant, substrate, copper catalyst, 1,8- diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU), and temperature have been studied. The concentration of substrate and quantity of oxidant have been determined as the most significant variables. The interaction effects on the yield have been investigated using a three-level full-factorial design. The yield of benzoyloxyvalencene has been improved to 99%. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) has been used to evaluate the goodness of fit of the model

Acyloxylation of 1,4-Dioxanes and 1,4-Dithianes Catalyzed by a Copper−Iron Mixed Oxide

The use of a copper−iron mixed oxide as a heterogeneous catalyst for the efficient synthesis of α-acyloxy-1,4-dioxanes and 1,4-dithianes employing t-butyl peroxyesters is reported. The preparation and characterization of the catalyst are described. The effect of the heteroatoms and a plausible mechanism are discussed. The method is operationally simple and involves low-cost starting materials affording products in good to excellent yields

DoE (Design of Experiments) Assisted Allylic Hydroxylation of Enones Catalysed by a Copper–Aluminium Mixed Oxide

The allylic hydroxylation of enones using dioxygen as the oxidant has been studied. The reaction was first examined in the absence of any catalyst, using β-ionone as a model substrate. Then a new copper–aluminium mixed oxide, Cu–Al Ox, was prepared and characterized in order to be used as a catalyst. This oxide showed good activity, and provided the corresponding γ- or ε-hydroxylated enones, starting from different α,β- or α,β,γ,δ-unsaturated ketones. In all cases, the yields were significantly improved compared to experiments run in the absence of the catalyst. The reaction was selective, and the formation of epoxides or other overoxidation products was detected only to a minor extent. The described procedure is a technically straightforward synthetic alternative to those methods described to date involving many reaction steps or toxic reagents. The reactions were optimized using design of experiments techniques (DoE)

Easy-To-Synthesize Spirocyclic Compounds Possess Remarkable in Vivo Activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Society urgently needs new, effective medicines for the treatment of tuberculosis. To kick-start the required hit-to-lead campaigns, the libraries of pharmaceutical companies have recently been evaluated for starting points. The GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) library yielded many high-quality hits, and the associated data were placed in the public domain to stimulate engagement by the wider community. One such series, the spiro compounds, are described here. The compounds were explored by a combination of traditional in-house research and open source methods. The series benefits from a particularly simple structure and a short associated synthetic chemistry route. Many members of the series displayed striking potency and low toxicity, and highly promising in vivo activity in a mouse model was confirmed with one of the analogues. Ultimately the series was discontinued due to concerns over safety, but the associated data remain public domain, empowering others to resume the series if the perceived deficiencies can be overcome

James Cook y la botánica macaronésica: notas nomenclaturales de las nuevas especies descritas por Johann R. Forster and J. Georg A. Forster

Johann Reinhold Forster y su hijo John Georg Adam Forster (entonces con 17 años) se unieron, respectivamente como botánico y artista, al segundo viaje de circunnavegación de James Cook (1772-1775). Aquí proporcionamos un estudio nomenclatural de las seis nuevas especies que ellos describieron para la Macaronesia. Se revisan tipificaciones anteriores y designamos lectotipos para Aytonia rupestris J.R. Forst. & G. Forst. (Aytoniaceae), Borago tristis G. Forst. (Boraginaceae) y Teucrium canescens G. Forst. (Lamiaceae). Designamos epitipos para A. rupestris y Epibaterium pendulum J.R. Forst & G. Forst. Nuestro estudio indica que Teucrium betonicifolium Jacq. es el nombre que se debe aceptar para este endemismo de Madeira. También se designan lectotipos con epitipos para T. betonicifolium y T. betonicum L’Hér.Johann Reinhold Forster and his teenaged son John Georg Adam Forster (then 17) joined James Cook’s second voyage (1772-1775), as botanist and artist, respectively. Upon their return they described six species that are pertinent to the study of the Macaronesian flora. Previous typifications are revisited and we designate lectotypes for Aytonia rupestris J.R. Forst. & G. Forst. (Aytoniaceae), Borago tristis G. Forst. (Boraginaceae), and Teucrium canescens G. Forst. (Lamiaceae). We designate epitypes for A. rupestris and Epibaterium pendulum J.R. Forst & G. Forst. Our study indicates that Teucrium betonicifolium Jacq. is the accepted name for this Madeiran endemic. Lectotypes, along with epitypes, are also designated for T. betonicifolium and T. betonicum L’Hér

Timing and Tempo of Early and Successive Adaptive Radiations in Macaronesia

The flora of Macaronesia, which encompasses five Atlantic archipelagos (Azores, Canaries, Madeira, Cape Verde, and Salvage), is exceptionally rich and diverse

Learning to live together: a challenge for schools located in contexts of social vulnerability

Currently, there are many educational centres that demonstrate the need to promote initiatives to improve coexistence at school at the international level, especially in those located in contexts of social vulnerability. A socio-educational programme has been developed, applied and evaluated at a Singular Education Action Centre (Centro de Acción Educativa Singular - C.A.E.S) in the city of Valencia (Spain). To ascertain the programme's impact and possible generalization to other contexts, a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design with a control group was used. Information was collected from 297 students and 54 teachers based on questionnaires assessing coexistence at school. The results obtained demonstrate the satisfactory functioning of the programme. The faculty and students from the experimental group affirm the importance of continuing to work in this direction to invest in creating a democratic school that firmly believes in coexistence and participation. Areas for improvement include the need to incorporate actions to increase family participation and develop strategies to facilitate the implementation of a more comprehensive programme