The importance of socio-economic variables in cancer screening participation: A comparison between population-based and opportunistic screening in the EU-15

Objectives To investigate differences in participation with breast and cervical cancer screening related to individual socio-economic characteristics, across population-based versus opportunistic screening programmes. Methods Data from Eurobarometer 66.2 “Health in the European Union” 2006 on self-reported breast and cervical cancer screening participation in the preceding 12 months within the EU 15 was obtained The sample was restricted to those eligible for screening based on the screening age within each country. Observations for 2214 and 5025 individuals respectively for breast and cervical cancer screening were available. Data on marital status, self-reported health, socio-economic group and years of education were also available. Screening programmes were categorised as population-based or opportunistic and logistic regression analysis used to examine the relationship between participation, individual characteristics and programme type. Results Differences in participation related to socio-economic status were observed in opportunistic screening programmes for breast cancer (OR = 0.63* and OR = 0.51**) and cervical cancer (OR = 0.75** and OR = 0.64**). Differences related to socio-economic characteristics were not found with respect to participation in population-based programmes. Conclusions In opportunistic programmes, differences in participation across socio-economic groups are evident in respect of both breast and cervical cancer screening. These differences may have implications for treatment and outcomes across socio-economic groups. Such differences were not evident in population-based programmes

The response of Musa cultivar root systems to a tree shade gradient

Poster presented at Tropentag 2011 - Development on the Margin. Bonn (Germany), 3-7 Oct 2011

Uncovering Trait Associations Resulting in Maximal Seed Yield in Winter and Spring Oilseed Rape

Seed yield is a complex trait for many crop species including oilseed rape (OSR) (Brassica napus), the second most important oilseed crop worldwide. Studies have focused on the contribution of distinct factors in seed yield such as environmental cues, agronomical practices, growth conditions, or specific phenotypic traits at the whole plant level, such as number of pods in a plant. However, how female reproductive traits contribute to whole plant level traits, and hence to seed yield, has been largely ignored. Here, we describe the combined contribution of 33 phenotypic traits within a B. napus diversity set population and their trade-offs at the whole plant and organ level, along with their interaction with plant level traits. Our results revealed that both Winter OSR (WOSR) and Spring OSR (SOSR); the two more economically important OSR groups in terms of oil production; share a common dominant reproductive strategy for seed yield. In this strategy, the main inflorescence is the principal source of seed yield, producing a good number of ovules, a large number of long pods with a concomitantly high number of seeds per pod. Moreover, we observed that WOSR opted for additional reproductive strategies than SOSR, presenting more plasticity to maximise seed yield. Overall, we conclude that OSR adopts a key strategy to ensure maximal seed yield and propose an ideal ideotype highlighting crucial phenotypic traits that could be potential targets for breeding

Mitotic polarization of transcription factors during asymmetric division establishes fate of forming cancer cells

A model of K-Ras-initiated lung cancer was used to follow the transition of precancerous adenoma to adenocarcinoma. In hypoxic, Tgf-β1-rich interiors of adenomas, we show that adenoma cells divide asymmetrically to produce cancer-generating cells highlighted by epithelial mesenchymal transition and a CD44/Zeb1 loop. In these cells, Zeb1 represses the Smad inhibitor Zeb2/Sip1, causing Pten loss and launching Tgf-β1 signaling that drives nuclear translocation of Yap1. Surprisingly, the nuclear polarization of transcription factors during mitosis establishes parent and daughter fates prior to cytokinesis in sequential asymmetric divisions that generate cancer cells from precancerous lesions. Mutation or knockdown of Zeb1 in the lung blocked the production of CD44hi, Zeb1hi cancer-generating cells from adenoma cells. A CD44/Zeb1 loop then initiates two-step transition of precancerous cells to cancer cells via a stable intermediate population of cancer-generating cells. We show these initial cancer-generating cells are independent of cancer stem cells generated in tumors by p53-regulated reprogramming of existing cancer cells

Proteomic analysis of plasma exosomes from cystic echinococcosis patients provides in vivo support for distinct immune response profiles in active vs inactive infection and suggests potential biomarkers

The reference diagnostic method of human abdominal Cystic Echinococcosis (CE) is imaging, particularly ultrasound, supported by serology when imaging is inconclusive. However, current diagnostic tools are neither optimal nor widely available. The availability of a test detecting circulating biomarkers would considerably improve CE diagnosis and cyst staging (active vs inactive), as well as treatments and follow-up of patients. Exosomes are extracellular vesicles involved in intercellular communication, including immune system responses, and are a recognized source of biomarkers. With the aim of identifying potential biomarkers, plasma pools from patients infected by active or inactive CE, as well as from control subjects, were processed to isolate exosomes for proteomic label-free quantitative analysis. Results were statistically processed and subjected to bioinformatics analysis to define distinct features associated with parasite viability. First, a few parasite proteins were identified that were specifically associated with either active or inactive CE, which represent potential biomarkers to be validated in further studies. Second, numerous identified proteins of human origin were common to active and inactive CE, confirming an overlap of several immune response pathways. However, a subset of human proteins specific to either active or inactive CE, and central in the respective protein-protein interaction networks, were identified. These include the Src family kinases Src and Lyn, and the immune-suppressive cytokine TGF-β in active CE, and Cdc42 in inactive CE. The Src and Lyn Kinases were confirmed as potential markers of active CE in totally independent plasma pools. In addition, insights were obtained on immune response profiles: largely consistent with previous evidence, our observations hint to a Th1/Th2/regulatory immune environment in patients with active CE and a Th1/inflammatory environment with a component of the wound healing response in the presence of inactive CE. Of note, our results were obtained for the first time from the analysis of samples obtained in vivo from a well-characterized, large cohort of human subjects

Multiple terahertz beams based on a Fourier grating and a quantum cascade laser

Large heterodyne receiver arrays (~100 pixel) allow astronomical instrumentations mapping more area within limited space mission lifetime. One challenge is to generate multiple local oscillator (LO) beams. Here, We succeeded in generating 81 beams at 3.86 THz by combining a reflective, metallic Fourier grating with an unidirectional antenna coupled 3rd-order distributed feedback (DFB) quantum cascade laser (QCL). We have measured the diffracted 81 beams by scanning a single pyroelectric detector at a plane, which is in the far field for the diffraction beams. The measured output beam pattern agrees well with a simulated result from COMSOL Multiphysics with respect to the angular distribution and power distribution among the 81 beams. We also derived the diffraction efficiency to be 94\pm 3\%, which is very close to what was simulated for a manufactured Fourier grating (97%). For an array of equal superconducting hot electron bolometer mixers, 64 out of 81 beams can pump the HEB mixers with similar power, resulting in receiver sensitivities within 10%. Such a combination of a Fourier grating and a QCL can create an LO with 100 beams or more, enabling a new generation of large heterodyne arrays for astronomical instrumentation. This paper is essentially a copy of our paper in Optics Express

Cowgotchi: un juego serio para la mejora de la motivación y el aprendizaje en alimentación animal

[ES] El Grupo Docente 44 de la Universidad de Córdoba tiene una amplia experiencia en la incorporación de herramientas innovadoras en la docencia de distintas asignaturas relacionadas con el área de la Producción Animal. En este trabajo se describe la implementación de una nueva herramienta: la gamificación aplicada a los ejercicios de racionamiento animal. El objetivo esta nueva herramienta es la mejora de la motivación y el aprendizaje de los estudiantes de la asignatura “Ingeniería y Tecnología de la Producción Animal”. Se ha desarrollado un juego serio en forma de aplicación Android inspirado en el Tamagotchi® de Bandai, juego muy popular en los años 2000 que se basaba en cuidar y alimentar una mascota virtual para mantenerla viva y obtener diversas bonificaciones. En este caso se trata de calcular raciones adecuadas que permitan mantener viva una vaca lechera, cuidar su salud y maximizar la producción de leche minimizando el coste de la alimentación. Se describe el funcionamiento del juego y los siguientes pasos para mejorar el carácter de juego serio de la aplicación móvil desarrollada.[EN] The Teaching Group no. 44 of the University of Cordoba has extensive experience in incorporating innovative tools in teaching different subjects related to the area of Animal Production. This work describes the implementation of a new tool: gamification applied to animal rationing exercises. The objective of this new tool is to improve the motivation and learning of the students of the subject "Engineering and Technology for Animal Production". A serious game has been developed, in the form of an Android app, inspired by Bandai's Tamagotchi®, a very popular game in the 2000s that was based on caring for and feeding a virtual pet to keep it alive and get different bonuses. In this case, the game is about the calculation of adequate rations to keep a dairy cow alive, take care of its health and maximize milk production while minimizing the cost of feeding. Current game functioning and the planned steps to improve the its characteristics of serious game are described.Maroto Molina, F.; Adame Siles, JA.; Riccioli, C.; Garrido Varo, A.; Pérez Marín, DC. (2021). Cowgotchi: un juego serio para la mejora de la motivación y el aprendizaje en alimentación animal. En IN-RED 2020: VI Congreso de Innovación Educativa y Docencia en Red. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 740-748. https://doi.org/10.4995/INRED2020.2020.12019OCS74074

Calidad de la canal de corderos (ternasco y lechal) de la raza autóctona andaluza churra lebrijana

En la raza Churra Lebrijana (catalogada como “de protección oficial”) se ha estudiado por primera vez el potencial productivo de corderos lechales frente a ternascos (el peso vivo de estos animales fue de 11,38 y 18,48 Kg respectivamente). Para ello se estudiaron en 8 corderos machos de cada tipo las características de sus canales en relación a parámetros de pH, color, rendimiento comercial, medidas zoometricas, engrasamiento y despiece. Del trabajo se deduce que los ternascos ofrecen unas mejores características cárnicas que los lechales (tipo que es el que más se comercializa actualmente) por lo que es interesante su comercialización en este tipo comercial.In Churra Lebrijana breed (catalogued as "of official protection") the productive potential of suckling lambs has studied for the first time front to light lamb (the alive weight of these animals was of 11.38 and 18.48 kg respectively). For it the characteristics of their carcasses in relation to parameters of pH studied in 8 male lambs of each type, color, commercial yield, zoometric measures, fattening and quartering. Of the work it is deduced that the light lambs offer better meat characteristics than the suckling lambs (type that are the one that is commercialized more at the moment) reason why its commercialization in this commercial type is interesting.INIA RZ03-01

Heterogeneity of Dengue Illness in Community-Based Prospective Study, Iquitos, Peru

Measuring heterogeneity of dengue illness is necessary to define suitable endpoints in dengue vaccine and therapeutic trials and will help clarify behavioral responses to illness. To quantify heterogeneity in dengue illness, including milder cases, we developed the Dengue Illness Perceptions Response (IPR) survey, which captured detailed symptom data, including intensity, duration, and character, and change in routine activities caused by illness. During 2016–2019, we collected IPR data daily during the acute phase of illness for 79 persons with a positive reverse transcription PCR result for dengue virus RNA. Most participants had mild ambulatory disease. However, we measured substantial heterogeneity in illness experience, symptom duration, and maximum reported intensity of individual symptoms. Symptom intensity was a more valuable predicter of major activity change during dengue illness than symptom presence or absence alone. These data suggest that the IPR measures clinically useful heterogeneity in dengue illness experience and its relation to altered human behavior

A DYNC1H1 mutation in autosomal dominant spinal muscular atrophy shows the potential of pharmacological inhibition of histone deacetylase 6 as a treatment for disease associated cellular phenotypes

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