Heterogeneity of phenotypes in severe asthmatics. The Belgian Severe Asthma Registry (BSAR).

The Belgian severe asthma registry is a web-based registry encompassing demographic, clinical, functional and inflammatory data of severe asthmatics (SA), aiming at improving awareness, knowledge on its natural history and subphenotypes, and offering tools to optimize care of this asthma population. METHODS: The cross-sectional analyses of this registry included 350 SA as defined by the ATS (2000) from 9 Belgian centres, with at least one year follow up. RESULTS: Mean age was 55 +/- 14 yrs. SA were more frequently female (57%) and atopic (70%). Late-onset asthma (>/=40 yr) was observed in 31% of SA. Current smokers represented 12% while 31% were ex-smokers. In addition to high doses ICS + LABA, 65% of patients were receiving LTRA, 27% anti-IgE and 24% maintenance oral corticosteroids (8 mg (Interquartile range-IQR:4-8) methylprednisolone). Despite impaired airflow (median FEV1:67%; IQR: 52-81) only 65% had a post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC ratio /= 50 ppb. Induced sputum was successful in 86 patients. Eosinophilic asthma (sputum Eos >/= 3%) was the predominant phenotype (55%) while neutrophilic (sputum Neu >/= 76%) and paucigranulocytic asthma accounted for 22% and 17% respectively. Comorbidities included rhinitis and chronic rhinosinusitis (49%), nasal polyposis (19%), oesophageal reflux (36%), overweight and obesity (47%) and depression (19%). In addition, 8% had aspirin-induced asthma and 3% ABPA. Asthma was not well-controlled in 83% according to ACT 1.5. CONCLUSION: In this cohort of patients with severe asthma, the majority displayed indices of persistent airflow limitation and eosinophilic inflammation despite high-dose corticosteroids, suggesting potential for eosinophil-targeted biotherapies

On universality of local edge regime for the deformed Gaussian Unitary Ensemble

We consider the deformed Gaussian ensemble $H_n=H_n^{(0)}+M_n$ in which $H_n^{(0)}$ is a hermitian matrix (possibly random) and $M_n$ is the Gaussian unitary random matrix (GUE) independent of $H_n^{(0)}$. Assuming that the Normalized Counting Measure of $H_n^{(0)}$ converges weakly (in probability if random) to a non-random measure $N^{(0)}$ with a bounded support and assuming some conditions on the convergence rate, we prove universality of the local eigenvalue statistics near the edge of the limiting spectrum of $H_n$.Comment: 25 pages, 2 figure

Use of the theory of index numbers for selection of fertilizer and seed drills of precision

The objectives of this work were to systemize the data contained in a set of technical catalogues referring to models of fertilizer and seed drills of precision to analyze the available information in order to prepare a database with technical characteristics and to propose a classification index for the models based on these characteristics. 93 catalogues of fertilizer and seed drills of precision supplied by Brazilian manufacturers were analyzed for generating information to characterize 250 models. On the basis of 31 technical characteristics available in catalogues, a database was prepared in which 9 of these characteristics were used in the formulation of an index number, called -Index of Adequacy- (IA). The application of IA allowed to classify the 250 models in five different categories (A, B, C, D and E), where 73% of the analyzed models composed the categories A and B, indicated for small and medium farms; 19% composed the category C, indicated for medium and large farms; and 8% of the models composed the categories D and E, indicated for large farms. It may be concluded that the adequacy index is a tool that could be used by producers in the decision-making to select most adequate fertilizer and seed drill for farm characteristics.Com este trabalho, objetivou-se sistematizar dados contidos em um conjunto de catálogos tecnológicos referentes aos modelos de semeadoras-adubadoras de precisão disponíveis no mercado nacional, analisar as informações disponíveis, construir um banco de dados com as características técnicas e propor um índice classificatório para os modelos. Analisaram-se 93 catálogos fornecidos por fabricantes nacionais, possibilitando caracterizar 250 modelos de semeadoras-adubadoras de precisão. Com base em 31 características técnicas disponíveis nos catálogos, construiu-se um banco de dados utilizando-se nove dessas características, na formulação de um número índice denominado -Índice de Adequação- (IA). A aplicação do IA permitiu que se classificassem os 250 modelos em cinco categorias (A, B, C, D e E), sendo que 73% dos modelos analisados integraram as categorias A e B, indicadas para pequenas e médias propriedades; 19% completaram a categoria C, indicada para médias e grandes propriedades e 8% dos modelos integraram as categorias D e E, indicadas para grandes propriedades. Conclui-se, portanto, que o IA é uma ferramenta que poderá ser utilizada por produtores na tomada de decisão, para escolha da semeadora-adubadora mais adequada às características da propriedade.22222

Estudo de diferentes alturas de repicagem na produção de biomassa de porta-enxertos cítricos em sistema hidropônico.

A citricultura brasileira é a mais competitiva do mundo, com produção de 19.112.251 toneladas em 2010/11, sendo o Estado de São Paulo o principal produtor, com safra de laranja (2010/11) em torno de 290 milhões de caixas (AGRIANUAL, 2012). Vários são os fatores levados em consideração na ocasião da implantação de um pomar cítrico, porém, é consenso que a escolha de mudas de qualidade atestada é fator preponderante no sucesso da atividade. Pompeu Júnior (2005) enfatiza que os porta-enxertos afetam diversas características das variedades copas, tais como: vigor, produção e sua precocidade, tolerância da planta às adversidades climáticas, além de característica que conferem maior qualidade ao fruto

Endothelial cell CD36 regulates membrane ceramide formation, exosome fatty acid transfer and circulating fatty acid levels

Endothelial cell (EC) CD36 controls tissue fatty acid (FA) uptake. Here we examine how ECs transfer FAs. FA interaction with apical membrane CD36 induces Src phosphorylation of caveolin-1 tyrosine-14 (Cav-1Y14) and ceramide generation in caveolae. Ensuing fission of caveolae yields vesicles containing FAs, CD36 and ceramide that are secreted basolaterally as small (80-100 nm) exosome-like extracellular vesicles (sEVs). We visualize in transwells EC transfer of FAs in sEVs to underlying myotubes. In mice with EC-expression of the exosome marker emeraldGFP-CD63, muscle fibers accumulate circulating FAs in emGFP-labeled puncta. The FA-sEV pathway is mapped through its suppression by CD36 depletion, blocking actin-remodeling, Src inhibition, Cav-1Y14 mutation, and neutral sphingomyelinase 2 inhibition. Suppression of sEV formation in mice reduces muscle FA uptake, raises circulating FAs, which remain in blood vessels, and lowers glucose, mimicking prominent Cd3

Impact‐based forecasting for pluvial floods

Pluvial floods in urban areas are caused by local, fast storm events with very high rainfall rates, which lead to inundation of streets and buildings before the storm water reaches a watercourse. An increase in frequency and intensity of heavy rainfall events and an ongoing urbanization may further increase the risk of pluvial flooding in many urban areas. Currently, warnings for pluvial floods are mostly limited to information on rainfall intensities and durations over larger areas, which is often not detailed enough to effectively protect people and goods. We present a proof-of-concept for an impact-based forecasting system for pluvial floods. Using a model chain consisting of a rainfall forecast, an inundation, a contaminant transport and a damage model, we are able to provide predictions for the expected rainfall, the inundated areas, spreading of potential contamination and the expected damage to residential buildings. We use a neural network-based inundation model, which significantly reduces the computation time of the model chain. To demonstrate the feasibility, we perform a hindcast of a recent pluvial flood event in an urban area in Germany. The required spatio-temporal accuracy of rainfall forecasts is still a major challenge, but our results show that reliable impact-based warnings can be forecasts are available up to 5 min before the peak of an extreme rainfall event. Based on our results, we discuss how the outputs of the impact-based forecast could be used to disseminate impact-based early warnings