Incidence and risk factors of hospitalization for bronchiolitis in preterm children: a retrospective longitudinal study in Italy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Bronchiolitis is a distressing, potentially life-threatening respiratory condition that affects infants. We evaluated the incidence and risk factors of hospitalization for broncholitis in preterm infants (i.e., a gestational age of <36 weeks) born between 2000 and 2006, and the use and impact of Palivizumab, a monoclonal antibody that in randomized clinical trials has been shown to lessen the severity of RSV-related bronchiolitis.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Retrospective cohort study that linked data from four health administrative databases in the Lazio region (a region of central Italy): the birth register, the hospital discharge register, and two ad-hoc databases that record the doses of Palivizumab administered at two local health units.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Among 2407 preterm infants, 137 had at least one hospitalization for bronchiolitis in the first 18 months of life, an overall incidence rate of 4.70 per 100 person-years (95%CI: 3.98-5.56); similar incidence rates were observed by calendar year. A multiple Poisson model showed that the following characteristics were associated with higher incidence: younger age of the infant, the period between October-April, male gender, low Apgar score at birth, low birth weight, and low maternal educational level. At least one dose of Palivizumab was administered to 324 (13.5%) children; a dramatic increase from 2000 (2.8%) to 2006 (19.1%) (p < 0.01) was observed. Other factors independently associated with more frequent Palivizumab use were older maternal age, Italian-born mothers, female gender, low Apgar score, low birth weight, shorter gestational age, a diagnosis of broncho-dysplasia, and the month of birth. It is of note that none of the 34 children with congenital heart disease were prescribed Palivizumab. Performing several multiple Poisson models that also considered Palivizumab use as covariate, although the point estimates were in agreement with previous clinical trial results, we did not find in most of them a significant reduction for immunized children to be hospitalized for bronchiolitis.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In Italy the incidence of hospitalization for bronchiolitis, and its associated risk factors, are similar to that found in other countries. Although Palivizumab use is associated with the most important characteristics of severe prematurity, other aspects of its non-use in children with congenital heart disease, the age and the birth country of the mother suggest the need for public health measures that can reduce these health disparities. Finally, the estimated effectiveness of Palivizumab in routine practice, although not significant, confirms the results of previous clinical trials, but its impact on modifying the temporal trend in this population is still negligible.</p

PRODUÇÃO DE FORRAGEM E DE GRÃOS DE TRIGO DE DUPLO PROPÓSITO SUBMETIDO A DIFERENTES DENSIDADES DE SEMEADURA, ADUBAÇÃO NITROGENADA E MANEJOS DE CORTE

Na região Sul do Brasil, no início do outono, ocorre uma limitação da quantidade e qualidade da forragem produzida. Uma opção de fornecimento de forragem é o uso de cereais de duplo propósito, que serve para fornecer forragem e, posteriormente, produção de grãos. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a produção de forragem e a produtividade de grãos, em cultivar de trigo de duplo propósito, submetidos a diferentes doses de nitrogênio, regimes de corte e densidades de semeadura. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições, em um arranjo fatorial (densidade de semeadura x doses de nitrogênio), nas parcelas principais, com parcelas subdivididas (manejos de corte). As densidades de semeadura utilizadas foram de 400 e 500 sementes por m². As doses de nitrogênio foram de 100%, 150%, 200%, 250% e 300% da dose recomendada, aplicados na base, no perfilhamento e após cada corte. As subparcelas foram divididas conforme o manejo de corte (sem corte, um corte e dois cortes). O segundo corte proporcionou maior acúmulo de forragem, não causou prejuízos à composição mineral e ao teor de proteína bruta da forragem e não reduziu a produtividade, o que viabiliza o aproveitamento para trigo de duplo propósito. No manejo com dois cortes a adubação nitrogenada deve ser superior (2,5 vezes) à adubação recomendada, pois aumenta a produção de forragem. A maior densidade de semeadura promoveu incrementos na produtividade de grãos e não alterou a produção de forragem no segundo corte. O teor de proteína bruta na forragem não foi alterado pelo manejo adotado. Palavras-chave: Trigo de dupla apdidão. Produtividade de grãos. Biomassa. Manejo de produção

Characteristics, challenges and innovations of waste picker organizations: A comparative perspective between Latin American and East African countries

Waste picker organisations (WPOs) around the globe collect, transport and process waste to earn their living but represent a widely excluded, marginalised and impoverished segment of society. WPOs are highly innovative, created by grassroots out of "nothing"to deliver economic, social and environmental sustainability. Still, we do not know how such innovations are developed, and how they are disseminated and adopted by other groups. This article examines characteristics, challenges and innovations of WPOs across five countries in Latin America and East Africa. It is based on quantitative and qualitative data regarding modes of organisation and management, gender, received support, business orientations, environmental and social contributions, and innovations developed in response to multiple challenges. The paper provides a comprehensive understanding of WPOs' activities and their grassroots innovations in the Global South. The study shows how WPOs contribute significantly to the economic, social and environmental sustainability of the societies they serve as well as the wider urban societies. To start and maintain WPOs in informal settlements with a lack of infrastructure, institutional frameworks, and public and private investors is a difficult quest. WPOs take many different organisational forms depending on the complexity of local realities, ranging from advanced collective organization as cooperatives to small self-help groups and microentrepreneurs. Selforganisation into regional and national networks provides economic opportunities, autonomy and stability as well as political influence. Yet, institutional support is fundamental and the lack thereof threatens their existence. Sustaining WPOs as important providers of socio-environmental benefits through governmental and non-governmental actions is a worthwhile undertaking that builds sustainability.Fil: Kain, Jaan Henrik. University Goteborg; SueciaFil: Zapata, Patrik. University Goteborg; SueciaFil: de Azevedo, Adalberto Mantovani Martiniano. Universidad Federal Do Abc; BrasilFil: Carenzo, Sebastian. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencias Sociales. Instituto de Estudios Sociales de la Ciencia y la Tecnología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Goodluck, Charles. University Of Dar Es Salam; TanzaniaFil: Gutberlet, Jutta. University of Victoria; CanadáFil: Oloko, Michael. Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology; KeniaFil: Pérez Reynosa, Jessica. Universidad Centroamericana; NicaraguaFil: Zapata Campos, María José. University Goteborg; Sueci

miR-146a is a significant brake on autoimmunity, myeloproliferation, and cancer in mice

Excessive or inappropriate activation of the immune system can be deleterious to the organism, warranting multiple molecular mechanisms to control and properly terminate immune responses. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), ~22-nt-long noncoding RNAs, have recently emerged as key posttranscriptional regulators, controlling diverse biological processes, including responses to non-self. In this study, we examine the biological role of miR-146a using genetically engineered mice and show that targeted deletion of this gene, whose expression is strongly up-regulated after immune cell maturation and/or activation, results in several immune defects. Collectively, our findings suggest that miR-146a plays a key role as a molecular brake on inflammation, myeloid cell proliferation, and oncogenic transformation

ATRIBUTOS QUÍMICOS DO SOLO EM FUNÇÃO DA APLICAÇÃO DE GESSO EM SUPERFÍCIE

O gesso agrícola é um condicionante de solo e pode eliminar ou reduzir o alumínio presente no solo em profundidade, além de contribuir para a distribuição de nutrientes no perfil do solo. O trabalho objetivou avaliar a influência da aplicação de gesso agrícola, com e sem calcário, nos atributos químicos do solo e na produtividade de soja, em sistema plantio direto. O experimento foi realizado em Campos Novos-SC, com delineamento em blocos casualizados e parcelas subdivididas com quatro repetições, nas parcelas principais as doses de gesso (1000, 2000, 4000 e 6000 kg ha-1 sem incorporação), e nas parcelas subdivididas (com e sem calcário), 2.000 kg ha-1. Foram avaliados os componentes do rendimento, a produtividade de grãos de soja e os teores de pH do solo, Ca, Mg, S e Al nas camadas 0-20 e 20-40cm. As doses de gesso agrícola testadas em superfície com e sem calcário não influenciou nos componentes de rendimento e a produtividade de soja. Na camada 0-20cm a aplicação de calcário aumentou o pH em 0,3 unidades, já em 20-40cm não se observou diferenças. Nas áreas com e sem calcário os teores de Ca e S nas duas camadas avaliadas aumentaram com as doses de gesso, já o Mg teve diferença com a aplicação de calcário em 0-20cm até a dose de 4000 kg ha-1 e o Al diminuiu com o aumento da dose de gesso em 20-40cm. A aplicação de gesso e calcário amenizou os efeitos negativos da acidez do solo e aumentou principalmente Ca e S na camada 0-20cm, com efeitos menos eficientes na camada 20-40cm devido ao solo ser argiloso e pelo período entre a aplicação e a avaliação ser de 120 dias

Inclusive Waste Governance and Grassroots Innovations for Social, Environmental And Economic Change

Participants of two research projects (Recycling Networks: Grassroots resilience tackling climate, environmental and poverty challenges (funded by the Swedish Research Council) and Mapping Waste Governance (funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada) collaborate in offering a critical inter- and transdisciplinary perspective on waste and waste actors (waste picker cooperatives, associations, community-based organizations, partnerships, networks and NGOs). The research is conducted in the following cities: Buenos Aires (Argentina), S\ue3o Paulo (Brazil), Vancouver and Montreal (Canada), Kisumu (Kenya), Managua (Nicaragua) and Dar es Salaam (Tanzania). Together we examine the challenges that innovative grassroots initiatives and networks encounter in generating livelihoods to improve household waste collection and recycling, particularly in informal settlements of global South cities. We seek to map waste governance and successful waste management initiatives, arrangements and policies involving grassroots initiatives. In this report, we present a brief description of solid waste governance in the cities where we conducted fieldwork. We then illuminate some of our findings on grassroots innovations involving waste pickers or waste workers in these cities. Both research projects combine multi-case studies of waste picker groups and local government initiatives, apply qualitative research tools and participatory action research (e.g. photo voice, participant observation, workshops, surveys and interviews). We are interested in understanding processes, challenges and opportunities related to how these grassroots initiatives and networks operate to bring about socio-environmental and economic change? How they address challenges and what the assets are in everyday waste governance that can be explored to make waste governance more sustainable and thus more inclusive? Researchers involved in these two projects, key stakeholders from grassroots initiatives in these countries, representatives from some international waste picker networks and local and regional government officials from Kisumu, Kenya, met between 23rd and 29th of April 2018, in Kisumu to present and discuss the results of the first year of research activities, which are herewith documented

Enhanced Platelet Activation Mediates the Accelerated Angiogenic Switch in Mice Lacking Histidine-Rich Glycoprotein

BACKGROUND: The heparin-binding plasma protein histidine-rich glycoprotein (HRG; alternatively, HRGP/HPRG) can suppress tumor angiogenesis and growth in vitro and in vivo. Mice lacking the HRG gene are viable and fertile, but have an enhanced coagulation resulting in decreased bleeding times. In addition, the angiogenic switch is significantly enhanced in HRG-deficient mice. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: To address whether HRG deficiency affects tumor development, we have crossed HRG knockout mice with the RIP1-Tag2 mouse, a well established orthotopic model of multistage carcinogenesis. RIP1-Tag2 HRG(-/-) mice display significantly larger tumor volume compared to their RIP1-Tag2 HRG(+/+) littermates, supporting a role for HRG as an endogenous regulator of tumor growth. In the present study we also demonstrate that platelet activation is increased in mice lacking HRG. To address whether this elevated platelet activation contributes to the increased pathological angiogenesis in HRG-deficient mice, they were rendered thrombocytopenic before the onset of the angiogenic switch by injection of the anti-platelet antibody GP1bα. Interestingly, this treatment suppressed the increase in angiogenic neoplasias seen in HRG knockout mice. However, if GP1bα treatment was initiated at a later stage, after the onset of the angiogenic switch, no suppression of tumor growth was detected in HRG-deficient mice. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that increased platelet activation mediates the accelerated angiogenic switch in HRG-deficient mice. Moreover, we conclude that platelets play a crucial role in the early stages of tumor development but are of less significance for tumor growth once angiogenesis has been initiated

Genomic basis of a social polymorphism in a halictid bee

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Description of two measles outbreaks in the Lazio Region, Italy (2006-2007). Importance of pockets of low vaccine coverage in sustaining the infection

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Despite the launch of the national plan for measles elimination, in Italy, immunization coverage remains suboptimal and outbreaks continue to occur. Two measles outbreaks, occurred in Lazio region during 2006-2007, were investigated to identify sources of infection, transmission routes, and assess operational implications for elimination of the disease.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Data were obtained from several sources, the routine infectious diseases surveillance system, field epidemiological investigations, and molecular genotyping of virus by the national reference laboratory.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Overall 449 cases were reported, sustained by two different stereotypes overlapping for few months. Serotype D4 was likely imported from Romania by a Roma/Sinti family and subsequently spread to the rest of the population. Serotype B3 was responsible for the second outbreak which started in a secondary school. Pockets of low vaccine coverage individuals (Roma/Sinti communities, high school students) facilitated the reintroduction of serotypes not endemic in Italy and facilitated the measles infection to spread.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Communities with low vaccine coverage represent a more serious public health threat than do sporadic susceptible individuals. The successful elimination of measles will require additional efforts to immunize low vaccine coverage population groups, including hard-to-reach individuals, adolescents, and young adults. An enhanced surveillance systems, which includes viral genotyping to document chains of transmission, is an essential tool for evaluating strategy to control and eliminate measles</p