Clinical Application of Computer-Aided Diagnostic System for Harmonious Introduction of Complementary Dialysis Therapy

In chronic peritoneal dialysis (PD) therapy, peritoneal permeability is gradually enhanced over the duration of the therapeutic course, leading to a grave decline in the therapeutic efficiency. In recent years, a novel therapy (CD therapy), which integrates PD therapy with hemodialysis therapy, is being applied to end-stage PD patients to complement the decline of therapeutic efficiency caused by the grave degeneration of the peritoneal tissue. To realize a harmonious introduction of the CD therapy, this study developed a useful index (KAu/c), which evaluates both therapeutic efficiency and degeneration of peritoneal tissue. Using a mathematical model and KAu/c, we were able to validate the therapeutic efficiency in the PD patients, and, in one case, propose a better prescription for the patient by employing the CD therapy. The clinical implementation of this methodology is indispensable with regard to expanding the therapeutic monitoring system for renal replacement therapy

The bii4africa dataset of faunal and floral population intactness estimates across Africa's major land uses

This is the final version. Available on open access from Nature Research via the DOI in this recordCode availability: R code for calculating aggregated intactness scores for a focal region (e.g., ecoregion or country) and/or taxonomic group can be downloaded with the bii4africa dataset on Figshare; see Data Records section.Sub-Saharan Africa is under-represented in global biodiversity datasets, particularly regarding the impact of land use on species' population abundances. Drawing on recent advances in expert elicitation to ensure data consistency, 200 experts were convened using a modified-Delphi process to estimate 'intactness scores': the remaining proportion of an 'intact' reference population of a species group in a particular land use, on a scale from 0 (no remaining individuals) to 1 (same abundance as the reference) and, in rare cases, to 2 (populations that thrive in human-modified landscapes). The resulting bii4africa dataset contains intactness scores representing terrestrial vertebrates (tetrapods: ±5,400 amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals) and vascular plants (±45,000 forbs, graminoids, trees, shrubs) in sub-Saharan Africa across the region's major land uses (urban, cropland, rangeland, plantation, protected, etc.) and intensities (e.g., large-scale vs smallholder cropland). This dataset was co-produced as part of the Biodiversity Intactness Index for Africa Project. Additional uses include assessing ecosystem condition; rectifying geographic/taxonomic biases in global biodiversity indicators and maps; and informing the Red List of Ecosystems.Jennifer Ward Oppenheimer Research Gran

The bii4africa dataset of faunal and floral population intactness estimates across Africa’s major land uses

Sub-Saharan Africa is under-represented in global biodiversity datasets, particularly regarding the impact of land use on species’ population abundances. Drawing on recent advances in expert elicitation to ensure data consistency, 200 experts were convened using a modified-Delphi process to estimate ‘intactness scores’: the remaining proportion of an ‘intact’ reference population of a species group in a particular land use, on a scale from 0 (no remaining individuals) to 1 (same abundance as the reference) and, in rare cases, to 2 (populations that thrive in human-modified landscapes). The resulting bii4africa dataset contains intactness scores representing terrestrial vertebrates (tetrapods: ±5,400 amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals) and vascular plants (±45,000 forbs, graminoids, trees, shrubs) in sub-Saharan Africa across the region’s major land uses (urban, cropland, rangeland, plantation, protected, etc.) and intensities (e.g., large-scale vs smallholder cropland). This dataset was co-produced as part of the Biodiversity Intactness Index for Africa Project. Additional uses include assessing ecosystem condition; rectifying geographic/ taxonomic biases in global biodiversity indicators and maps; and informing the Red List of Ecosystems

The bii4africa dataset of faunal and floral population intactness estimates across Africa’s major land uses

Sub-Saharan Africa is under-represented in global biodiversity datasets, particularly regarding the impact of land use on species’ population abundances. Drawing on recent advances in expert elicitation to ensure data consistency, 200 experts were convened using a modified-Delphi process to estimate ‘intactness scores’: the remaining proportion of an ‘intact’ reference population of a species group in a particular land use, on a scale from 0 (no remaining individuals) to 1 (same abundance as the reference) and, in rare cases, to 2 (populations that thrive in human-modified landscapes). The resulting bii4africa dataset contains intactness scores representing terrestrial vertebrates (tetrapods: ±5,400 amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals) and vascular plants (±45,000 forbs, graminoids, trees, shrubs) in sub-Saharan Africa across the region’s major land uses (urban, cropland, rangeland, plantation, protected, etc.) and intensities (e.g., large-scale vs smallholder cropland). This dataset was co-produced as part of the Biodiversity Intactness Index for Africa Project. Additional uses include assessing ecosystem condition; rectifying geographic/taxonomic biases in global biodiversity indicators and maps; and informing the Red List of Ecosystems

Interaction of Epothilone Analogs with the Paclitaxel Binding Site: Relationship between Binding Affinity, Microtubule Stabilization, and Cytotoxicity

12 páginas, 4 figuras, 3 tablas -- PAGS nros. 225-236The interactions of epothilone analogs with the paclitaxel binding site of microtubules were studied. The influence of chemical modifications in the C15 side chain and in C12 on binding affinity and microtubule elongation was characterized. Modifications favorable for binding affinity are (1) a thiomethyl group at C21 of the thiazole side chain, (2) a methyl group at C12 in S configuration, (3) a pyridine side chain with C15 in S configuration, and (4) a cyclopropyl moiety between C12 and C13. The same modification in different ligands has similar effect on affinity, allowing good structure-affinity characterization. The correlation between binding, microtubule stabilization, and cytotoxicity of the compounds has been determined, showing differential effects of the modifications. The binding constants correlate well with IC50 values, demonstrating that affinity measurements are a useful tool for drug designThis work was supported in part by grants BIO2001-1725 from MCyT to J.F.D., 07B/0026/2002 from Comunidad de Madrid to J.M.A., and the Avon Foundation with funds raised through the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade and NIH Prostate Cancer SPORE Grant CA-58236 to P.G. R.M.B. was supported by a MECD FPU predoctoral fellowship. K.C.N. acknowledges the Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, the National Institutes of Health, and Novartis for their financial supportPeer reviewe