Fast-track referral for health interventions during pregnancy: study protocol of a randomised pragmatic experimental study to reduce low birth weight in Portugal (STOP LBW)

Introduction Low birth weight (LBW) is associated with a wide range of short-term and long-term consequences and is related to maternal psychosocial and behavioural determinants. The objective of this study is to estimate the effect of implementing fast-track referral for early intervention on psychosocial and behavioural risk factors—smoking, alcohol consumption, depression and physical violence—in reducing the incidence of LBW. Methods and analysis Parallel superiority pragmatic clinical trial randomised by clusters. Primary healthcare units (PHCU) located in Portugal will be randomised (1:1) to intervention or control groups. Pregnant women over 18 years of age attending these PHCU will be eligible to the study. Risk factors will be assessed through face-to-face interviews. In the intervention group, women who report at least one risk factor will have immediate access to referral services. The comparison group will be the local standard of care for these risk factors. We will use intention-to-treat analyses to compare intervention and control groups. We estimated a sample size of 2832 pregnant women to detect a 30% reduction in the incidence rate of LBW between the control and intervention groups. Secondary outcomes are the reduction of preterm births, reduction of the four risk factors and acceptance of the intervention. Ethics and dissemination The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Public Health Institute of the University of Porto (no CE20140). The findings will be disseminated to the public, the funders, health professionals, health managers and other researchers.This project was funded by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation under the Knowledge Challenge 'The Importance of the Right Weight at Birth'. Sponsor contact information: HB. ISPUP. [email protected]

Sobrevivência e crescimento inicial de espécies arbóreas em Integração Lavoura-Pecuária-Floresta no Amapá.

O sistema integração lavoura-pecuária-floresta (iLPF) está entre as estratégias do Plano ABC, visando aumentar a sustentabilidade das atividades agropecuárias. Esse estudo objetivou avaliar a sobrevivência e o crescimento inicial de espécies arbóreas em consórcio com espécies agrícolas em experimento conduzido no Campo Experimental do Cerrado da Embrapa Amapá, em Macapá, AP. Foram feitos seis tratamentos compostos de uma espécie arbórea nas linhas combinado com milho (Zea mays L.) ou sorgo (Sorghum bicolor) nas entrelinhas. A Gliricídia (Gliricidia sepium) e o Tachi-branco (Sclerolobium paniculatum) foram plantados em linhas simples, com um espaçamento de 2 m, com 12 m nas entrelinhas, e o Eucalipto (Eucalyptus urograndis) foi plantado em linhas duplas, com espaçamento de 2 m intercalado entre as linhas, com 10 m nas entrelinhas. Avaliou-se a sobrevivência e crescimento das arbóreas aos 30 dias, nove e 12 meses após o plantio. Observou-se a altura total, diâmetro à altura do colo (DAC) das plantas com altura igual ou inferior a 1,30 m e diâmetro à altura do peito (DAP) em plantas com altura superior a 1,30 m. As taxas de sobrevivência para as três espécies testadas foram: 88,1% para Tachi-branco, 99,8% para Gliricídia e 99,7% para Eucalipto. A altura média das árvores aos 12 meses foi 4,04 m, variando de 1,50 m a 5,74 m, sendo Tachi-branco o que apresentou o menor crescimento (1,50 m). O Eucalipto apresentou o maior desenvolvimento, com alturas médias de 3,03 m (9 meses) e 5,74 m (12 meses). Até nove meses a Gliricídia teve o maior aumento de diâmetro (2,35 cm ± 1,25 cm), sendo ultrapassada por eucalipto aos 12 meses (5,25 cm ± 1,04 cm). Apesar de ter o menor crescimento, o Tachi-branco é uma espécie nativa interessante para consórcios que não exijam rápido crescimento. O Eucalipto é uma espécie interessante devido seu rápido crescimento, pequeno diâmetro de copa e alta produtividade, no entanto o espaçamento utilizado pode restringir a agricultura rapidamente. A Gliricídia, devido sua alta capacidade de regeneração que permite poda periódica, adapta-se muito bem em consorciação com agricultura

Fish Oil Supplementation Reduces Inflammation but Does Not Restore Renal Function and Klotho Expression in an Adenine-Induced CKD Model

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease and inflammation promote loss of Klotho expression. Given the well-established anti-inflammatory effects of omega-3 fatty acids, we aimed to investigate the effect of fish oil supplementation in a model of CKD. METHODS: Male C57BL/6 mice received supplementation with an adenine-enriched diet (AD, n = 5) or standard diet (CTL, n = 5) for 10 days. Two other experimental groups were kept under the adenine diet for 10 days. Following adenine withdrawal on the 11th day, the animals returned to a standard diet supplemented with fish oil (Post AD-Fish oil, n = 9) or not (Post AD-CTL, n = 9) for an additional period of 7 days. RESULTS: Adenine mice exhibited significantly higher mean serum urea, creatinine, and renal expression of the pro-inflammatory markers Interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-X-C motif chemokine 10 (CXCL10), and Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), in addition to prominent renal fibrosis and reduced renal Klotho gene expression compared to the control. Post AD-Fish oil animals demonstrated a significant reduction of IL-6, C-X-C motif chemokine 9 (CXCL9), and IL-1β compared to Post AD-CTL animals. However, serum creatinine, renal fibrosis, and Klotho were not significantly different in the fish oil-treated group. Furthermore, renal histomorphological changes such as tubular dilatation and interstitial infiltration persisted despite treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Fish oil supplementation reduced renal pro-inflammatory markers but was not able to restore renal function nor Klotho expression in an adenine-induced CKD model

Preparation, structural characterisation and antibacterial properties of Ga-doped sol-gel phosphate-based glass

A sol-gel preparation of Ga-doped phosphate-based glass with potential application in antimicrobial devices has been developed. Samples of composition (CaO)(0.30)(Na2O)(0.20-x) (Ga2O3) (x) (P2O5)(0.50) where x = 0 and 0.03 were prepared, and the structure and properties of the gallium-doped sample compared with those of the sample containing no gallium. Analysis of the P-31 MAS NMR data demonstrated that addition of gallium to the sol-gel reaction increases the connectivity of the phosphate network at the expense of hydroxyl groups. This premise is supported by the results of the elemental analysis, which showed that the gallium-free sample contains significantly more hydrogen and by FTIR spectroscopy, which revealed a higher concentration of -OH groups in that sample. Ga K-edge extended X-ray absorption fine structure and X-ray absorption near-edge structure data revealed that the gallium ions are coordinated by six oxygen atoms. In agreement with the X-ray absorption data, the high-energy XRD results also suggest that the Ga3+ ions are octahedrally coordinated with respect to oxygen. Antimicrobial studies demonstrated that the sample containing Ga3+ ions had significant activity against Staphylococcus aureus compared to the control

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of Waldeyer's ring has distinct clinicopathologic features: a GELA study

Background Diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCLs) arising in specific extranodal sites have peculiar clinicopathologic features. Patients and methods We analyzed a cohort of 187 primary Waldeyer's ring (WR) DLBCLs retrieved from GELA protocols using anthracyclin-based polychemotherapy. Results Most patients (92%) had stage I-II disease. A germinal center B-cell-like (GCB) immunophenotype was observed in 61%, and BCL2 expression in 55%, of WR DLBCLs. BCL2, BCL6, IRF4 and MYC breakpoints were observed in, respectively, 3 of 42 (7%), 9 of 36 (25%), 2 of 26 (8%) and 4 of 40 (10%) contributive cases. A variable follicular pattern was evidenced in 30 of 68 (44%) large biopsy specimens. The 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) and the overall survival (OS) of 153 WR DLBCL patients with survival information were 69.5% and 77.8%, respectively. The GCB immunophenotype correlated with a better OS (P=0.0015), while BCL2 expression predicted a worse OS (P=0.037), an effect overcome by the GCB/non-GCB classification. Compared with matched nodal DLBCLs, WR DLBCLs with no age-adjusted international prognostic index factor disclosed a better 5-year PFS rate (77.5% versus 70.7%; P=0.03). Conclusions WR DLBCLs display distinct clinicopathologic features compared with conventional DLBCLs, with usual localized-stage disease, common follicular features and a high frequency of GCB immunophenotype contrasting with a low rate of BCL2 rearrangements. In addition, they seem to be associated with a better outcome than their nodal counterpar

Diet overlap of three sympatric species of Leptodactylus Fitzinger (Anura: Leptodactylidae) in a Protected area in the Brazilian Amazon

Closely related species are often similar in morphological and ecological characters, which may lead them to compete when occurring in sympatry. In this sense, we analyzed trophic niche overlap among three Leptodactylus species, Leptodactylus macrosternum, L. fuscus and L. aff. podicipinus, in a floodplain environment from a Protected area in the Brazilian Amazon. In addition, we applied Network and Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) analysis. We found 18 prey categories, most of them belonging to Arthropoda (94.4%). Coleoptera, Isoptera, Diptera and Hymenoptera were the most abundant prey on the diet shared among the three species. The rarefaction curve of prey richness did not reach an asymptote, indicating that the diet composition may be higher by increase the sample. The species presented a broad niche breadth, however, no relationship between jaw width and prey size were found in the studied species. Despite the line-up in NMDS with Bray Curtis Index indicated that the species’ diets are similar with few different attributes, with some food items overlapping among species (Stress= 0.00201), the niche overlap between the pair of species was not high (Ojk < 0.7). Therefore, we believe interactions such as competition would be better demonstrated addressing data on prey availability and microhabitat use patterns.Las especies relacionadas filogenéticamente a menudo presentan similares en caracteres morfolociales y ecológicos, lo que puede llevarlos a competir cuando cuando ocurren en simpatría. En este sentido, analizamos la superposición de nicho trófico entre tres especies simpatríca del genero Leptodactylus (Leptodactylus macrosternum, L. fuscus y L. aff. podicipinus) en un entorno de planicie aluvial de una área protegida en la Amazonía brasileña. Además, aplicamos análisis de Network y Escalamiento multidimensional no métrico(NMDS). Encontramos 18 categorías de presas, la mayoría pertenecientes al orden de los artrópodos (94.4%). Coleoptera, Isoptera, Diptera e Hymenoptera fueron las presas más abundantes en la dieta compartida entre las tres especies. La curva de rarefacción de la riqueza de presas no alcanzó una asíntota, lo que indica que la composición de la dieta puede ser mayor al aumentar la muestra. Las especies presentaron una amplia amplitud de nicho, sin embargo, no se encontró relación entre el ancho de la mandíbula y el tamaño de la presa en las especies estudiadas. A pesar de que la alineación en NMDS con el Índice Bray Curtis indicó que las dietas de las especies son similares con pocos atributos diferentes y con algunos alimentos superpuestos entre especies (Estrés= 0.00201), la superposición de nicho entre el par de especies no fue alta (Ojk <0.7). Por lo tanto, creemos que las interacciones como la competencia se demostrarían mejor abordando los datos sobre la disponibilidad de presas y los patrones de uso de microhabitat.Asociación Herpetológica Argentin

Carbon emissions in hydromorphic soils from an estuarine floodplain forest in the Amazon River.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is produced only in biological activities. Understanding how soil tillage practices affect the dynamics of CO2 production is important, as these processes are influenced by the temperature and humidity conditions of the place. This paper aimed at quantifying CO2 flux in hydromorphic floodplain soils under different açai palm tree grove management strategies, correlating it with litter deposition, soil environment, and season of the year. Conducted in the city of Mazagão-AP, four areas of açai palm tree groves were selected with different types of management. During the evaluation period (October, November, and December 2012, and February, March, and April 2013), CO2 flux, soil moisture, and temperature were measured, and litter samples were collected. In addition, rainfall data for the region were also obtained. The CO2 fluxes obtained ranged from 0.37 to 28.55 &#956;mol CO2 m-2 s-1, with a total average of 6.20 &#956;mol CO2 m-2 s-1. In broad analysis, soil variables did not show significant correlations with CO2 emissions. A positive relationship between flux and litter and soil temperature, as well as a negative relationship with its moisture, were observed only in a few months and specific systems. A produção de dióxido de carbono (CO2) do solo de várzea está relacionada às atividades biológicas, interagindo com sua dinâmica de inundação e manejo. Compreender a forma pela qual práticas de manejo de açaizais afetam as dinâmicas da produção de CO2 é importante, pois elas podem aumentar a emissão em relação à floresta. O objetivo do trabalho foi quantificar o fluxo de CO2 do solo hidromórfico de várzea sob diferentes manejos de açaizais, analisando suas relações com a deposição de serapilheira, ambiente do solo e o período do ano. Realizado no município de Mazagão-AP, foram selecionadas quatros áreas de açaizais com diferentes tipos de manejos. Durante o período avaliado (out/2012, nov/2012, dez/2012, fev/2013, mar/2013 e abr/2013), abrangendo períodos sem inundação (verão amazônico) e com inundação (inverno), foram medidos o fluxo de CO2, umidade e temperatura do solo, e deposição de serapilheira. Além disso, também foram obtidos dados de precipitação da região. O fluxo de CO2 variou de 0,37 a 28,55 &#956;mol CO2 m-2 s-1, com média de 6,20 &#956;mol CO2 m-2 s-1. No geral, as variáveis do solo não apresentaram correlações significativas com a emissão de CO2. Apenas em alguns meses e em sistemas específicos, observou-se relação positiva do fluxo com a serapilheira e temperatura do solo e relação negativa com sua umidade

Experimental and theoretical investigations on the polymorphism and metastability of BiPO4

In this work we report the metastability and the energetics of the phase transitions of three different polymorphs of BiPO4, namely trigonal (Phase-I, space group P3(1)21), monoclinic monazite-type (Phase-II, space group P2(1)/n) and SbPO4-type monoclinic (Phase-III, space group P2(1)/m) from ambient and non-ambient temperature powder XRD and neutron diffraction studies as well as ab initio density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The symmetry ambiguity between P2(1) and P2(1)/m of the high temperature polymorph of BiPO4 has been resolved by a neutron diffraction study. The structure and vibrational properties of these polymorphs of the three polymorphs have also been reported in detail. Total energy calculations have been used to understand the experimentally observed metastable behavior of trigonal and monazite-type BiPO4. Interestingly, all of the three phases were found to coexist after heating a single phasic trigonal BiPO4 to 773 K. The irreversible nature of these phase transitions has been explained by the concepts of the interplay of the structural distortion, molar volume and total energy.This study was supported by the Spanish government MEC under grants no: MAT2010-21270-C04-01/04, by MALTA Consolider Ingenio 2010 project (CSD2007-00045), and by the Vicerrectorado de Investigacion y Desarrollo of the Universidad Politecnica de Valencia (UPV2011-0914 PAID-05-11 and UPV2011-0966 PAID-06-11). S. N. A. acknowledges the support provided by Universitat de Valencia during his visit to it. A. M. and P. R.-H. acknowledge the computing time provided by Red Espanola de Supercomputacion (RES) and MALTA-Cluster.Achary, SN.; Errandonea, D.; Muñoz, A.; Rodríguez Hernández, P.; Manjón Herrera, FJ.; Krishna, PSR.; Patwe, SJ.... (2013). Experimental and theoretical investigations on the polymorphism and metastability of BiPO4. Dalton Transactions. 42:14999-15015. https://doi.org/10.1039/c3dt51823jS14999150154