Nutrition in the post-genome era: 'omic' tools basics and applications

Após seqüenciamento do genoma humano, os estudos genômicos têm se voltado à elucidação das funções de todos os genes, bem como à caracterização de suas interações com fatores ambientais. A nutrigenômica surgiu no contexto do pós-genoma humano e é considerada área-chave para a nutrição nesta década. Seu foco de estudo baseia-se na interação gene-nutriente. Esta ciência recente tem como objetivo principal o estabelecimento de dietas personalizadas, com base no genótipo, para a promoção da saúde e a redução do risco de doenças crônicas não transmissíveis como as cardiovasculares, o câncer, o diabetes, entre outras. Nesse contexto, é fundamental a aplicação na área de nutrição das ferramentas de genômica funcional para análise do transcritoma (transcritômica), do proteoma (proteômica) e do metaboloma (metabolômica). As aplicabilidades dessas metodologias em estudos nutricionais parecem ilimitadas, pois podem ser conduzidas em cultura de células, modelos de experimentação em animais, estudos pré-clinicos e clínicos. Tais técnicas apresentam potencial para identificar biomarcadores que respondem especificamente a um determinado nutriente ou composto bioativo dos alimentos e para estabelecer as melhores recomendações dietéticas individuais para redução do risco das doenças crônicas não transmissíveis e promoção da saúde.After sequencing the human genome, genomic studies have been focusing on elucidating the function of all genes, as well as characterizing their interactions with environmental factors. Nutrigenomics emerged in the pos-genome era and is considered a key-area for nutrition in the present decade. Its research focus is nutrient-gene interaction. The main objective of this recent science is to establish personalized genotype-based diets that promote health and reduce the risk of non-communicable chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and others. In this context, it is essential to use functional genomic tools to analyze the transcriptome (transcriptomics), proteome (proteomics) and metabolome (metabolomics) in the field of nutrition. The applicabilities of such methodologies in nutritional studies seem unlimited since they can be conducted in cell cultures, animal models and pre-clinical and clinical studies. Such techniques may allow one to identify biomarkers that respond specifically to a certain dietary nutrient or bioactive compound and to establish the best individual dietary advice to reduce the risk of non-communicable chronic diseases and promote health

Effect of Growth Habit on Agronomic Characters in Faba Bean

A change in growth habit in order to concentrate the harvest of green pods at the same date will allow for mechanical harvesting of both green pods and seeds. The ti (terminal inflorescence) gene was incorporated into horticultural major type genotypes by backcrossing. These new lines show shorter periods of both flowering and maturity, allowing for an early production of green pods. The dry seed yield observed is greater for the best indeterminate cultivars than those of determinate habit

Accounting History Research: Traditional and New Accounting History Perspectives

There is an ongoing debate in accounting history around the ways in which historical material should be gathered, interpreted, analysed and written. Lying at the heart of this debate is the perennial concern with 'objective/interpretive' modes of investigation. The mainstream orthodoxy of accounting history embraces the 'objective' view of history, whereas the alternative approach promotes interpretive and critical stances. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the achievements of NAH. This is attempted here by contrasting NAH with TAH along four dimensions: what counts as accounting; origins versus genealogies; roles of accounting; and sources of historical material. Under each of these dimensions, we show the differences between the two approaches and comment on the extent to which NAH may contribute to the study of accounting history. We argue that, although TAH and NAH approaches exhibit fundamental differences, both contribute significantly to the field, and indeed to the sharpening of each other's research agenda.Existe un debate en historia de la contabilidad acerca de las distintas formas cómo los materiales históricos deben ser recopilados, interpretados, analizados y, finalmente, sobre la forma cómo los mismos deben ser redactados. En cierta manera, el centro de este debate descansa en torno a la eternal polémica acerca de la "objetividad/subjetividad" de la investigación histórica. Así, mientras que la corriente más ortodoxa sostiene la idea de una interpretación objetiva de la historia, el enfoque alternativo defiende una interpretación de carácter crítico. En este artículo, nosotros pretendemos hacer una valoración del debate entre los enfoques tradicional y de nueva historia de la contabilidad. En concreto, pretendemos contrastar la aproximación tradicional y de nueva historia de la contabilidad en torno a cuatro dimensiones: qué es lo que cuenta como contabilidad, el debate entre orígenes y genealogías, los distintos papeles y roles que se atribuyen a la contabilidad, y las fuentes de historia de la contabilidad. En este artículo examinamos las diferencias entre la historia tradicional de la contabilidad y la nueva historia en torno a cada una de estas dimensiones, concluyendo que a pesar de las posiciones tan diversas que sostienen, las dos aproximaciones han contribuido sustancialmente a elevar el rigor investigador en historia de la contabilidad, así como a fortalecer el programa de investigación en esta disciplina

Safety and efficacy of ribociclib plus letrozole in patients with HR+, HER2– advanced breast cancer: Results from the Spanish sub-population of the phase 3b CompLEEment-1 trial

Advanced breast cancer; CDK4/6 inhibitor; PostmenopausalCáncer de mama avanzado; Inhibidor de CDK4/6; PosmenopáusicaCàncer de mama avançat; Inhibidor de CDK4/6; PostmenopàusicaBackground Breast cancer is the most common malignancy and the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality in Spanish women. Ribociclib in combination with endocrine therapy (ET) has shown superiority in prolonging survival in patients with hormone receptor-positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2−) advanced breast cancer (ABC) vs. ET alone. Methods CompLEEment-1 is a single-arm, open-label phase 3b trial evaluating ribociclib plus letrozole in a broad population of patients with HR+, HER2– ABC. The primary endpoints were safety and tolerability. Here we report data for Spanish patients enrolled in CompLEEment-1. Results A total of 526 patients were evaluated (median follow-up: 26.97 months). Baseline characteristics showed a diverse population with a median age of 54 years. At study entry, 56.5% of patients had visceral metastases and 8.7% had received prior chemotherapy for advanced disease. Rates of all-grade and Grade ≥3 adverse events (AEs) were 99.0% and 76.2%, respectively; 21.3% of patients experienced a serious AE, and 15.8% of AEs led to treatment discontinuation. AEs of special interest of neutropenia, increased alanine aminotransferase, increased aspartate aminotransferase and QTcF prolongation occurred in 77.8%, 14.8%, 11.4% and 4.0% of patients, respectively. Patients aged >70 years experienced increased rates of all-grade and Grade ≥3 neutropenia and anemia. Efficacy results were consistent with the global study. Conclusions Results from Spanish patients enrolled in CompLEEment-1 are consistent with global data showing efficacy and a manageable safety profile for ribociclib plus letrozole treatment in patients with HR+, HER2− ABC, including populations of interest (NCT02941926).This study was funded by Novartis Pharmaceuticals. The sponsor was involved in the study design, the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data, and the writing of the manuscript

Old zoonotic agents and novel variants of tick-borne microorganisms from Benguela (Angola), July 2017

Anaplasmataceae; Ticks; Zoonotic agentsAnaplasmatàcies; Paparres; Agents zoonòticsAnaplasmatáceas; Garrapatas; Agentes zoonóticosBackground Ticks and tick-borne diseases constitute a real threat for the livestock industry, which is increasing in Angola. In addition, ticks are vectors of zoonoses of public health concern, and scarce information is available from this country. In an effort to contribute to the prevention of zoonotic infectious diseases affecting humans and animals, the molecular screening of certain tick-related microorganisms collected on cattle in Angola was performed under a ‘One Health’ scope. Methods Ticks collected from cattle in Cubal (Benguela Province, Angola) in July 2017 were analysed in pools using specific PCR assays for bacteria (Rickettsia, Anaplasmataceae, Borrelia, Coxiella and Spiroplasma) and protozoa (Theileria and Babesia) detection. Results A total of 124 tick specimens were grouped in 25 pools (two Amblyomma variegatum, three Hyalomma truncatum, 16 Rhipicephalus decoloratus, two Rhipicephalus duttoni, one Rhipicephalus evertsi mimeticus and one Rhipicephalus sp.). The amplified microorganisms were (pools): Rickettsia africae (two A. variegatum and one R. decoloratus), Rickettsia aeschlimannii (three H. truncatum), Ehrlichia spp. (six R. decoloratus), Coxiella spp. (all but H. truncatum), Francisella sp. (one H. truncatum), Spiroplasma sp. closely related to Spiroplasma ixodetis (three R. decoloratus), Babesia bigemina (two R. decoloratus) and Babesia spp. (two A. variegatum). The obtained nucleotide sequences from Ehrlichia spp., two Coxiella genotypes (from R. duttoni and Rhipicephalus sp.), Francisella sp. and Babesia spp. (from A. variegatum) reached low identities with known genetically characterized species. Conclusions This study demonstrates the circulation in Angola of the pathogen R. aeschlimannii and potential novel tick-related microorganisms belonging to Ehrlichia, Coxiella, Francisella, Spiroplasma and Babesia spp. and corroborates the presence of R. africae and B. bigemina. Our results should be considered in developing protocols for the management of fever of unknown origin and for veterinary practices. Further studies are required to evaluate the risk of tick-borne diseases in Angola.This work has been partially funded by European Regional Development Funds (FEDER)

A two-phase genetic algorithm to model the menisca horn repaired with suture

Menisci suturing is a common surgical technique nowadays. Menisci have been modeled with different degrees of complexity in finite element models (FEM) of the human knee, but there are few works focused on simulating the meniscus subjected to traction loads in its longitudinal direction, such as those produced by sutures after repair. Moreover, there are no models that include the effect of the orifice for the suture. This study develops a material model of the meniscal horn when it is pulled by the thread used to reattach its root.Universidad de Málaga.Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech. Subvencionado por el Proyecto del Plan Nacional RTI2018-094339-B-I00 y por el Proyecto de la Junta de Andalucía P20-00294

Changes in malaria epidemiology in a rural area of Cubal, Angola

Scarce information about malaria epidemiology in Angola has been published. The objective of this study is to describe the epidemiology of malaria at the Hospital Nossa Senhora da Paz (Cubal, Angola) and the fatality rate due to malaria (total and in children under five years) in the last five years. A retrospective, observational study was performed at the Hospital Nossa Senhora da Paz, a 400-bed rural hospital located in Benguela Province of Angola. The study population included all patients who attended the hospital from January 2009 to December 2013. Outcome variables were calculated as follows: the percentage of malaria cases (number of positive thick blood films, divided by the total thick blood films performed); the percentage of in-patients for malaria (number of in-patients diagnosed with malaria, divided by the total number of in-patients); and, the fatality rate (number of deaths due to malaria divided by the number of positive thick blood films). Overall, 23,106 thick blood films were performed, of which 3,279 (14.2%) were positive for Plasmodium falciparum infection. During this five-year period, a reduction of 40% (95% CI 37-43%, p < 0.001) in the malaria-positive slides was detected. Distribution of positive-malaria slides showed a seasonal distribution with a peak from December to March (rainy season). An average annual reduction of 52% (95% CI 50-54%, p < 0.001) in the admissions due to malaria was observed. The overall fatality rate due to malaria was 8.3%, and no significant differences in the annual fatality rate were found (p = 0.553). A reduction in the number of malaria cases and the number of admissions due to malaria has been observed at the Hospital Nossa Senhora da Paz, during the last five years, and incidence along the study period showed a seasonal distribution. All this information could be useful when deciding which malaria control strategies have to be implemented in this area

Sensorised child walker for the assessment of rehabilitation therapies

The balance and corporal position of people with movement disorders improve when walkers or devices for the mobility aid are used [1]. The ability to walk and interact with the environment causes improvements in the gait, the muscle strength, the endurance, and the muscle innervation. In addition, the use of gait support systems promotes user participation and interaction, giving them greater autonomy and a better life quality. There are many works that offer solutions adapted to the patient's condition and their pathology and allow doctors to personalize rehabilitation therapies based on patient’s evolution [2, 3]. However, many static training platforms, pediatric exoskeletons and smart walkers can be unfeasible for most rehabilitation centers. This project addresses the development of an affordable sensorised walker capable of detecting and storing parameters induced by the patient in a passive posterior walker prototype. The walker is designed for training the gait and monitoring of the patient’s progress. In this way, professionals in the rehabilitation field such as orthopedists, doctors and physiotherapists will be able to use the electronic instrumentation of the walker to complement the obtained information through observational assessment scales and personalize recovery therapies taking into account the data provided by each user in the performed tests.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Field and laboratory comparative evaluation of a LAMP assay for the diagnosis of urogenital schistosomiasis in Cubal, Central Angola

Objetive: To evaluate the performance of Rapid-Heat LAMPellet assay in field conditions for diagnosis of urogenital schistosomiasis in an endemic area in Cubal, Angola, and to assess the reproducibility in a reference laboratory. Methods: A total of 172 urine samples from school-age children were tested for microhaematuria, microscopic detection of Schistosoma haematobium eggs and LAMP for DNA detection. Urine samples were stored in a basic equipped laboratory. Field-LAMP tests were performed with and without prior DNA extraction from urine samples, and the results were read by turbidity and by colour change. When field procedures were finished, samples were sent to a reference laboratory to be reanalysed by LAMP. Results: A total of 83 of 172 (48.3%) were positive for microhaematuria, 87/172 (50.6%) were microscopy-positive for S. haematobium eggs detection, and 127/172 (73.8%) showed LAMP-positive results for detecting S. haematobium using purified DNA and 109/172 (63.4%) without prior DNA extraction. MacNemar's test showed a statistical significant relation between LAMP results and microscopy-detected S. haematobium infections and microhaematuria (P < 0.001 in both cases), respectively. When samples of purified DNA were reanalysed in a reference laboratory in Spain using the same LAMP methodology, the overall reproducibility achieved 72.1%. Conclusions: The ease of use, simplicity and feasibility demonstrated by LAMP assay in field conditions together with the acceptable level of reproducibility achieved in a reference laboratory support the use of LAMP assay as an effective test for molecular diagnosis of urogenital schistosomiasis in endemic remote areas.This study was supported by Mundo Sano Foundation (www.mundosano.org) and by the Institute of Health Carlos III, ISCIII, Spain (www.isciii.es), grants: RICET RD16/0027/0018, DTS16/00207, PI16/01784 European Union cofinancing by FEDER (Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional) ‘Una manera de hacer Europa’.S