Healthcare system delay and utilization in tuberculosis patients in Portuguese high-incidence region

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On a three-dimensional and two four-dimensional oncolytic viro-therapy models

We revisit here and carry out further works on tumor-virotherapy compartmental models of [Tian, 2011, Wang et al., 2013, Phan and Tian, 2017, Guo et al., 2019]. The results of these papers are only slightly pushed further. However, what is new is the fact that we make public our electronic notebooks, since we believe that easy electronic reproducibility is crucial in an era in which the role of the software becomes very important.Comment: 41 pages, 15 figure

Coastal police of Vigo; A quasi-experimental pilot study about rescue and CPR

El ahogamiento es una de las principales causas de muerte en el mundo y en España. Los socorristas ejercen una labor de prevención y vigilancia pero su labor es estacional y temporal. En muchos lugares, la primera respuesta a la emergencia, cuando los socorristas no están de servicio, depende de la policía, a la que se le requiere habilidades de rescate y reanimación cardiopulmonar (RCP). El objetivo de este estudio es determinar la capacidad de rescate y efecto de la fatiga sobre la calidad de la RCP de un grupo de diez policías costeros cuya área de influencia es el litoral de Vigo. El diseño fue cuasi-experimental con dos factores (pretest basal/postest rescate). Los policías pudieron realizar el rescate acuático rápido y seguro 417 ± 54,5 seg, a nivel de lactacidema se registró 12,27 ± 2,36 mmol. La fatiga inducida por el rescate afectó negativamente a la calidad de la compresiones en la RCP (p = 0,002)Drowning is a leading cause of death worldwide and in Spain. Lifeguards exert vigilance and prevention efforts but their work is seasonal and temporary. In many places the first emergency response when lifeguards are not on duty, depends on the police, which are required rescue skills and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The objective of this study is to determine the ability of lifesaving and effect of fatigue on the quality of CPR of a group of ten coastal police whose area of influence is the coast of Vigo. The design was quasiexperimental with two factors (basal pretest / posttest rescue). Cops with basic training could perform fast and safe water rescue 417 ± 54.5 seconds, lactate level was recorded 12.27 ± 2.36 mmol. Induced fatigue during resuce effort had a nevative effect on the quality of compressions in CPR (p = 0.002

Effect of low temperature nitriding of 100Cr6 substrates on TiN coatings deposited by IBAD

CNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOIn this paper we studied the influence of pre-treating the surface of 100Cr6 steel by ion beam nitriding at low temperature (380 degrees C) on the surface topography and wear resistance of thin TiN coatings deposited by reactive ion beam assisted deposition. The specimens were characterized by grazing incidence X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The wear resistance of the TiN-coated specimens was evaluated by means of ball on disc tests. The results showed that application of a preliminary ion beam nitriding treatment slightly increased the surface roughness but improved the wear resistance of the 100Cr6 steel due to the formation of a diffusion zone containing the gamma'-Fe4N nitride combined with the TiN coating.In this paper we studied the influence of pre-treating the surface of 100Cr6 steel by ion beam nitriding at low temperature (380 degrees C) on the surface topography and wear resistance of thin TiN coatings deposited by reactive ion beam assisted deposition. The specimens were characterized by grazing incidence X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The wear resistance of the TiN-coated specimens was evaluated by means of ball on disc tests. The results showed that application of a preliminary ion beam nitriding treatment slightly increased the surface roughness but improved the wear resistance of the 100Cr6 steel due to the formation of a diffusion zone containing the gamma'-Fe4N nitride combined with the TiN coating.1815458CNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOSem informaçãoThis work was supported by the NanoCom Network Project, 7th Framework Program – IRSES – Project Nr. 247524. SSV, FA and HP are CNPq fellows

Otro título: #Twiplomacia e innovación‎‎

#KoalaDreamz es un proyecto realizado desde la cuenta de Twitter de la Embajada de España en Australia durante 201

Genomic regions associated with tuber traits in tetraploid potatoes and identification of superior clones for breeding purposes

In potato breeding, morphological tuber traits are important selection targets to meet the demands of the fresh and processing markets. Understanding the genetic basis of tuber traits should guide selection and improve breeding efficiencies. However, this is challenging in potato due to the complexity of the traits and the polyploid nature of the potato genome. High-throughput affordable molecular markers and new software specific for polyploid species have the potential to unlock previously unattainable levels of understanding of the genetic basis of tuber traits in tetraploid potato. In this study, we genotyped a diversity panel of 214 advanced clones with the 22 K SNP potato array and phenotyped it in three field environments in Texas. We conducted a genome-wide association study using the GWASpoly software package to identify genomic regions associated with tuber morphological traits. Some of the QTLs discovered confirmed prior studies, whereas others were discovered for the first time. The main QTL for tuber shape was detected on chromosome 10 and explained 5.8% of the phenotypic variance. GWAS analysis of eye depth detected a significant QTL on chromosome 10 and explained 3.9% of the phenotypic variance. Another QTL peak for eye depth on chromosome 5 was located near the CDF1 gene, an important regulator of maturity in potato. Our study found that multiple QTLs govern russeting in potato. A major QTL for flesh color on chromosome 3 that explained 26% of the phenotypic variance likely represents the Y locus responsible for yellow flesh in potato tubers. Several QTLs were detected for purple skin color on chromosome 11. Furthermore, genomic estimated breeding values were obtained, which will aid in the early identification of superior parental clones that should increase the chances of producing progenies with higher frequencies of the desired tuber traits. These findings will contribute to a better understanding of the genetic basis of morphological traits in potato, as well as to identifying parents with the best breeding values to improve selection efficiency in our potato breeding program

The social return on investment of a new approach to heart failure in the Spanish National Health System

AIMS: We aim to agree on a set of proposals to improve the current management of heart failure (HF) within the Spanish National Health System (SNHS) and apply the social return on investment (SROI) method to measure the social impact that these proposals would generate. METHODS AND RESULTS: A multidisciplinary working team of 16 experts was set up, with representation from the main stakeholders regarding HF: medical specialists (cardiologists, internal medicine physicians, general practitioners, and geriatric physicians), nursing professionals, health management professionals, patients, and informal caregivers. This team established a set of proposals to improve the management of HF according to the main areas of HF care: emergency and hospitalization, primary care, cardiology, and internal medicine. A forecast-type SROI method, with a 1-year time frame, was applied to measure the social impact resulting from the implementation of these proposals. The required investment and social return were estimated and summarized into a ratio indicating how much social return could be generated for each euro invested. Intangible returns were included and quantified through financial proxies. The approach to improve the management of HF consisted of 28 proposals, including the implementation of a case management nurse network, standardization of operational protocols, psychological support, availability of echocardiography machines at emergency departments, stationary units and primary care, early specialist visits after hospital discharge, and cardiac rehabilitation units, among others. These proposals would benefit not only patients and their informal caregivers but also the SNHS. Regarding patients, proposals would increase their autonomy in everyday activities, decrease anxiety, increase psychological and physical well-being, improve pharmacological adherence and self-care, enhance understanding of the disease, delay disease progression, expedite medical assessment, and prevent the decrease in work productivity associated with HF management. Regarding informal caregivers, proposals would increase their quality of life; improve their social, economic, and emotional well-being; and reduce their care burden. The SNHS would benefit from shorter stays of HF patients at intensive care units and reduction of hospitalizations and admissions to emergency departments. The investment needed to implement these proposals would amount to euro548m and yield a social return of euro1932m, that is, euro3.52 for each euro invested. CONCLUSIONS: The current management of HF could be improved by a set of proposals that resulted in an overall positive social return, varying between areas of analysis. This may guide the allocation of healthcare resources and improve the quality of life of patients with HF

Complementary Effects of Interleukin-15 and Alpha Interferon Induce Immunity in Hepatitis B Virus Transgenic Mice

In chronic hepatitis B (CHB), failure to control hepatitis B virus (HBV) is associated with T cell dysfunction. HBV transgenic mice mirror many features of the human disease, including T cell unresponsiveness, and thus represent an appropriate model in which to test novel therapeutic strategies. To date, the tolerant state of CD8+ T cells in these animals could be altered only by strong immunogens or by immunization with HBV antigen-pulsed dendritic cells; however, the effectors induced were unable to suppress viral gene expression or replication. Because of the known stimulatory properties of alpha interferon (IFN-α) and interleukin-15 (IL-15), this study explored the therapeutic potential of liver-directed gene transfer of these cytokines in a murine model of CHB using adeno-associated virus (AAV) delivery. This combination not only resulted in a reduction in the viral load in the liver and the induction of an antibody response but also gave rise to functional and specific CD8+ immunity. Furthermore, when splenic and intrahepatic lymphocytes from IFN-α- and IL-15-treated animals were transferred to new HBV carriers, partial antiviral immunity was achieved. In contrast to previous observations made using either cytokine alone, markedly attenuated PD-L1 induction in hepatic tissue was observed upon coadministration. An initial study with CHB patient samples also gave promising results. Hence, we demonstrated synergy between two stimulating cytokines, IL-15 and IFN-α, which, given together, constitute a potent approach to significantly enhance the CD8+ T cell response in a state of immune hyporesponsiveness. Such an approach may be useful for treating chronic viral infections and neoplastic conditions