713 research outputs found
Reproductive capacity of the red cusk-eel genypterus chilensis (Guichenot, 1848) in captivity
IndexaciĂłn: Scopus.This work was supported by the FONDEF Project D06I 1024 âDevelopment of technologies for the production of red cusk-eel fingerlings (Genypterus chilensis)â.Genypterus chilensis is a marine fish of high gastronomic demand, whose capture has declined in recent years due to overfishing. In the development of the farming technology, high mortalities were obtained during egg incubation. The objective of this study is to contribute to the knowledge of fecundity and eggs viability of G. chilensis in captivity. The spawns of G. chilensis were analyzed over a period of 2 years and 3 months. The total fecundity was estimated by counting the masses and eggs produced monthly throughout the period. The results confirm that G. chilensis is a partial spawner, since a female may more than two masses of eggs per day, due to a large amount of mass spawned per season (621 average). The total production of masses of the Farming Centre during the period was 2,290; of these, only 7% (166) corresponding to 15,330,517 eggs were incubated. Because of its high fecundity, G. chilensis produces numerous masses of eggs, of which only a small percentage reaches incubation, as well as it occurs in other marine fish. © 2018, Escuela de Ciencias del Mar. All rights reserved.https://scielo.conicyt.cl/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0718-560X201800020048
Modification of paper properties using carbohydrate-binding module 3 from the Clostridium thermocellum CipA scaffolding protein produced in Pichia pastoris: elucidation of the glycosylation effect
The carbohydrate-binding modules (CBMs) have emerged as an interesting alternative to enzymes for fibers modification, e.g. of pulp and paper. Glycosylation in CBMs is thought to have a key role in the improvement of cellulose fibers. Thus, in this work the non-glycosylated (CBM3mt) and glycosylated (CBM3wt) recombinant versions of CBM3 from Clostridium thermocellum CipAboth produced in Pichia pastoriswere studied. Binding assays showed that CBM3mt had a higher affinity for microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel) than CBM3wt. In addition, CBM3mt produced a much higher hydrophobization of Whatman paper than CBM3wt. However, the effects of the two CBM3s on pulp and paper were identical. The CBM3s did not affect the drainability of Eucalyptus globulus or a mixture of E. globulus and Pinus sylvestris pulps. On the other hand, both improved significantly strength-related properties of E. globulus papersheets, namely burst (up to 12 %) and tensile strength (up to 10 %) indexes. This is the first report showing the capacity of CBM3 from C. termocellum CipA to modify paper properties. The results showed that glycosylation did not influence the drainage of CBM3-treated pulps nor the properties of the produced papers. Thus, glycans in glycosylated CBM3 may not be related with fiber improvement, namely superior pulp drainage.C. Oliveira acknowledges support from Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (FCT), Portugal (Grant SFRH/BDP/63831/2009). The authors thank the FCT GlycoCBMs Project REF. PTDC/AGR-FOR/3090/2012-FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-027948, the FCT Strategic Project PEst-OE/EQB/LA0023/2013, and the Project "BioInd-Biotechnology and Bioengineering for improved Industrial and Agro-Food processes", REF. NORTE-07-0124-FEDER-000028 Co-funded by the Programa Operacional Regional do Norte (ON.2-O Novo Norte), QREN, FEDER
MUSICA MetOp/IASI {H2O;ÎŽD} pair retrieval simulations for validating tropospheric moisture pathways in atmospheric models
The project MUSICA (MUlti-platform remote Sensing of Isotopologues for investigating the Cycle of Atmospheric water) has shown that the sensor IASI aboard the satellite MetOp can measure the free tropospheric {H2O,ÎŽD} pair distribution twice per day on a quasi-global scale. Such data are very promising for investigating tropospheric moisture pathways, however, the complex data characteristics compromise their usage in the context of model evaluation studies. Here we present a tool that allows for simulating MUSICA MetOp/IASI {H2O,ÎŽD} pair remote sensing data for a given model atmosphere, thereby creating model data that have the remote sensing data characteristics assimilated. This model data can then be compared to the MUSICA data.
The retrieval simulation method is based on the physical principles of radiative transfer and we show that the uncertainty of the simulations is within the uncertainty of the MUSICA MetOp/IASI products, i.e. the retrieval simulations are reliable enough. We demonstrate the working principle of the simulator by applying it to ECHAM5-wiso model data. The few case studies clearly reveal the large potential of the MUSICA MetOp/IASI {H2O,ÎŽD} data pairs for evaluating modelled moisture pathways. The tool is made freely available in form of MATLAB and Python routines and can be easily connected to any atmospheric water vapour isotopologue model
A new class of semiclassical wave function uniformizations
We present a new semiclassical technique which relies on replacing
complicated classical manifold structure with simpler manifolds, which are then
evaluated by the usual semiclassical rules. Under circumstances where the
original manifold structure gives poor or useless results semiclassically the
replacement manifolds can yield remarkable accuracy. We give several working
examples to illustrate the theory presented here.Comment: 12 pages (incl. 12 figures
The Spanish version of the Home Environment Survey (HES) among families of children with overweight/obesity: a validation study
Purpose: The aim of this article was to validate the Spanish version of the Home Environment Survey (HES-S) and was divided in two studies: (1) to assess the reliability, convergent validity of HES-S in a survey of 145 parents of children with overweight/obesity; (2) to study the magnitude of the association between childrenâs BMI status with the latent scores theoretically defined by the HES model. Methods: To test the scale and the model, a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and a path analysis were carried out among a sample of 156 parents of preadolescents (106 overweight/obesity and 50 normal-weight children). No CFA or EFA were carried out in the validation of the original instrument. Results: Study 1, both the Physical Activity and the Eating Habits components of the scale showed adequate levels of internal consistency for the majority of the scales, except for two. One of them, Healthy Eating Parental Policies (HEP) subscale was reduced after excluded two items, although it did not improve substantially. This model indicated that there was a significant association between the two Eating Habits scales and the childâs weight status, but childâs weight was not associated with the Physical Activity components. Convergent validity was confirmed by correlations with related variables: family eating habits (F-EAT), parentâs physical activity (IPAQ), and childrenâs physical activity (assessed via accelerometers during one week). Study 2, our results replicated the original four factor structure proposed for physical activity (CFI = 0.99; RMSEA = 0.03), but the original factor structure of the eating habits component was not supported. In addition, the relationship of the childâs weight status, the Physical Activity components, and the two scales of Eating Habits (Parental Modeling and Policies) was explored with a path analysis showing good fit indices (CFI = 0.95; RMSEA = 0.06). Childâs BMI was negatively associated with Healthy Eating Parental Role Modeling (r = â 0.21) and with Healthy Eating Parental Policies (r = â 0.19), but not with the factors of Childâs Physical Activity model. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first instrument to assess obesogenic family environment in Spanish speaking countries, which is a relevant dimension within a health perspective so as to implement new policies and strategies in obesity tertiary prevention. Overall, the confirmatory factor analysis of the HES-S has only provided additional support for one part related to Physical Activity. In addition, Childâs BMI was correlated with scales of Eating Habits but not with Childâs Physical Activity factor. These results clearly suggest that further research is warranted. Level III: Case-control analytic study
CirugĂa percutĂĄnea de la litiasis renal en la era de la litotripsia extracorpĂłrea: Experiencia en 301 pacientes
IndexaciĂłn: ScieloIntroduction: Percutaneous renal surgery was introduced more than 20 years ago in urological practice. Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) enter the urological scene shortly after. Our objective is to show our experience in percutaneous renal surgery after the introduction of the ESWL in our institution. Material and Methods: Surgical outcomes of 301 patients who underwent percutaneous renal surgery as treatment of renal stones were analyzed. This series begins just before the introduction of ESWL in our unit. Results: Renal pelvis was the most frequent localization with 142 cases (47.2%). There were 51 patients with straghorn calculi. 255 (84.7%) were stone free after one single procedure. Residual fragments were managed with many methods, until only 16 patients (5.4%) had residual fragments. Complications occurred in 26 patients (8.9%). There was no mortality. Conclusions: Percutaneous surgery is an important tool in the management of renal stones. In general, renal stones managed with this procedure, are more complex, however the achievement of good results is possible.La cirugĂa percutĂĄnea (CP) de la litiasis renal fue introducida en la urologĂa hace mĂĄs de 20 años. Poco despuĂ©s lo hizo la litotripsia extracorpĂłrea (LEC). Nuestro objetivo es mostrar la experiencia en CP luego de la introducciĂłn de la LEC en nuestro servicio. Material y MĂ©todos: Se analizan en forma retrospectiva los resultados de 301 pacientes operados por CP por litiasis renal. La serie comienza con la adquisiciĂłn de un litotriptor extracorpĂłreo en nuestro servicio. Resultados: La localizaciĂłn mĂĄs frecuente fue la pelvis renal con 142 casos (47,2%). Se observĂł litiasis coraliforme en 51 pacientes. Doscientos cincuenta y cinco (84,7%), quedaron libres de litiasis con un procedimiento. La litiasis residual fue tratada con diversos mĂ©todos, para un total final de 16 pacientes con fragmentos residuales (5,4%). Ocurrieron complicaciones en 26 pacientes (8,9%). No hubo mortalidad. Conclusiones: La cirugĂa percutĂĄnea de la litiasis renal es un procedimiento que debe formar parte importante en la resoluciĂłn de la litiasis renal. En general las litiasis tratadas son mĂĄs complejas, sin embargo, los resultados son excelentes.http://www.scielo.cl/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0718-40262010000500013&nrm=is
Long-term survival in a patient with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy after therapy with rituximab, fludarabine and cyclophosphamide for chronic lymphocytic leukemia
A 50-year-old male with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) was treated with fludarabine, cyclophosphamide and rituximab, which produced a complete remission. Eight months after the last dose of rituximab he had visual disturbance, diminished muscular strength in the right arm and vesicular-papular lesions in the left ophthalmic branch region of the V cranial nerve. These were initially interpreted as herpes virus encephalopathy (HVE), but brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed evidence of demyelination consistent with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis was negative for varicella zoster virus (VZV) and John Cunningham virus (JCV) DNA. The clinical suggestion of PML prompted us to perform a brain biopsy and to start treatment with mefloquine. In the brain biopsy, histopathological features of demyelination were described and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) identified JCV, confirming the diagnosis of PML. Treatment with mefloquine (250Â mg/week) and dexamethasone (4Â mg/day) was started and maintained for 6Â months. A year later there was an almost complete resolution of the MRI lesions and the patient achieved a stable clinical state with persisting motor impairment and severe epilepsy. The patient is alive 38Â months after diagnosis of PML, which is the longest known survival to date.Supported by grants from the Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias -
Ministerio de Ciencia e InnovaciĂłn (PI12/1832), Plan Nacional of I + D + I co-financed by ISCIII-SubdirecciĂłn General de EvaluaciĂłn and Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER). HG has a grant from FundaciĂłn BBVA - FundaciĂłn Carolina.S
NefrectomĂa simple laparoscĂłpica NOTES y LESS con el uso de instrumentos laparoscĂłpicos estĂĄndar: Experiencia inicial en 3 casos
IndexaciĂłn: ScieloIntroduction: Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) and Laparoendoscopic Single Site Surgery (LESS) are emerging technologies, which allows to performed surgical procedures avoiding any surgical scars. However there are some problems due to the lack of equipment available for these procedures. The aim of these study is to present our initial experience with the transvaginal nephrectomy NOTES and LESS using standard laparoscopic instruments. Material and Methods: Two female patients (23 and 26 years old) with diagnosis of recurrent urinary tract infection and renal atrophy. A laparoscopic simple nephrectomy with transvaginal NOTES assistance was performed, using one access port for the camera and two abdominal work ports of 10 and 3mm. In a third patient (15 years old) a transumbilical LESS nephrectomy was preformed with the use of standard laparoscopic instruments. Results: Average operative time was 110 min (40-200), with an estimated blood loss of 200 cc. There were no perioperative complications and all patients were discharged 36 hours after surgery. Conclusion: Laparoscopic simple nephrectomy with transvaginal NOTES assistance and LESS are technically feasible with the use of standard laparoscopic instruments. Special access trocars and instruments development for this procedure will allow to performed a pure technique without the use of abdominal incisions.http://www.scielo.cl/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0718-40262010000300016&nrm=is
Analycity and smoothing effect for the coupled system of equations of Korteweg - de Vries type with a single point singularity
We study that a solution of the initial value problem associated for the
coupled system of equations of Korteweg - de Vries type which appears as a
model to describe the strong interaction of weakly nonlinear long waves, has
analyticity in time and smoothing effect up to real analyticity if the initial
data only has a single point singularity at $x=0.
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