Progress in grassland cover conservation in southern European mountains by 2020: a transboundary assessment in the Iberian Peninsula with satellite observations (2002–2019)

Conservation and policy agendas, such as the European Biodiversity strategy, Aichi biodiversity (target 5) and Common Agriculture Policy (CAP), are overlooking the progress made in mountain grassland cover conservation by 2020, which has significant socio-ecological implications to Europe. However, because the existing data near 2020 is scarce, the shifting character of mountain grasslands remains poorly characterized, and even less is known about the conservation outcomes because of different governance regimes and map uncertainty. Our study used Landsat satellite imagery over a transboundary mountain region in the northwestern Iberian Peninsula (Peneda-Gerês) to shed light on these aspects. Supervised classifications with a multiple classifier ensemble approach (MCE) were performed, with post classification comparison of maps established and bias-corrected to identify the trajectory in grassland cover, including protected and unprotected governance regimes. By analysing class-allocation (Shannon entropy), creating 95% confidence intervals for the area estimates, and evaluating the class-allocation thematic accuracy relationship, we characterized uncertainty in the findings. The bias-corrected estimates suggest that the positive progress claimed internationally by 2020 was not achieved. Our null hypothesis to declare a positive progress (at least equality in the proportion of grassland cover of 2019 and 2002) was rejected (X2 = 1972.1, df = 1, p p = 0.0001, n = 708) suggesting a relationship between the quality of pixel assignment and thematic accuracy. We therefore encourage a post-2020 conservation and policy action to safeguard mountain grasslands by enhancing the role of protected governance regimes. To reduce uncertainty, grassland gain mapping requires additional remote sensing research to find the most adequate spatial and temporal data resolution to retrieve this process.This work was supported by the Portuguese FCT—Fundação para a Ciência e Teconologia in the framework of the ATM Junior researcher contract DL57/2016/CP1442/CP0005 and funding attributed to CEG-IGOT Research Unit (UIDB/00295/2020 and UIDP/00295/2020). Claudia Carvalho-Santos is supported by the “Contrato-Programa” UIDP/04050/2020 funded by FCT. We also acknowledge ECOPOTENTIAL (Improving Future Ecosystem Benefits Through Earth Observations)— European framework programme H2020 for research and innovation- grant agreement Nº 641762

Stored seeds crambe (Crambe abyssinica Hochst) as affected by priming

The crambe (Crambe abyssinica Hochst) has been grown mainly due to their potential for oil production in their seed and as fodder plant. For this species, the high oil content impairs the storage potential of the seeds as well as the use of seeds in the presence of pericarp of the fruit at the time of sowing and the low availability of water in the soil may provide uneven germination. To facilitate the performance of the seeds can be used the seed priming techniques. The objective of this research was to evaluate the efficiency of different priming techniques in physiological quality of crambe seeds stored under controlled conditions. Therefore, the experiment was conducted in the period 2015-2016 using classified seeds, processed and packed in paper bags. After zero, three and six months of storage, the seeds were submitted to unmonitored hydration techniques (immersion in water), matriosmopriming with PEG 6000 -0.2 MPa, moist atmosphere, matripriming and unconditioned seeds were used as control. Later, the seeds were dried and evaluated by germination and vigor tests (first count, seedling performance, seedling emergence and electrical conductivity). From the results, it can be concluded that there was favoring the germination of seeds and dry mass of lot 1 seedlings after they have been submitted to matriosmopriming, to zero, three and six months. The matripriming favored the germination rate of lot 3 seed, three and six months of storage.The crambe (Crambe abyssinica Hochst) has been grown mainly due to their potential for oil production in their seed and as fodder plant. For this species, the high oil content impairs the storage potential of the seeds as well as the use of seeds in the presence of pericarp of the fruit at the time of sowing and the low availability of water in the soil may provide uneven germination. To facilitate the performance of the seeds can be used the seed priming techniques. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of different priming techniques in physiological quality of crambe seeds stored under controlled conditions. Therefore, the experiment was conducted in the period 2015-2016 using classified seeds, processed and packed in paper bags. After zero, three and six months of storage, the seeds were submitted to unmonitored hydration techniques (immersion in water), matriosmopriming with PEG 6000 -0.2 MPa, moist atmosphere, matripriming and unconditioned seeds were used as control. Later, the seeds were dried and evaluated by germination and vigor tests (first count, seedling performance, seedling emergence and electrical conductivity). From the results, it can be concluded that the techniques of physiological priming, matriosmopriming and matripriming, favored the germination and vigor of the stored crambe seeds

Neuromonitoramento e prevenção de lesão nervosa na tireoidectomia: uma revisão sistemática / Neuromonitoring and neural injury prevention during thyroidectomy: a systematic review

Introdução: a tireoide é sítio frequente de afecções de tratamento cirúrgico. Entretanto, tais procedimentos podem ser complexos na medida em que devem preservar o nervo laríngeo recorrente (NLR), estrutura próxima da área de manipulação cirúrgica. O neuromonitoramento intraoperatório (NMIO) é uma técnica surgida em 1966 cuja criação visa a facilitar a identificação do nervo e reduzir complicações ligadas à lesão do mesmo em tireoidectomias. Entretanto, tais resultados ainda não encontram consenso científico. Objetivo: avaliar a eficácia do NMIO em reduzir a ocorrência de lesões do NLR em comparação à técnica convencional de exclusiva visualização do nervo durante a cirurgia e analisar outros aspectos relativos ao procedimento. Metodologia: na base de dados da Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (BVS), buscaram-se artigos com os descritores “Thyroidectomy”, “Recurrent laryngeal nerve injuries” e “monitoring, Intraoperative”, associados com o operador booleano AND. Após aplicação de critérios de inclusão e exclusão, 33 trabalhos foram selecionados e analisados nessa revisão. Resultados: 12 estudos afirmaram não haver evidência estatisticamente significativa de redução de ocorrência de lesão do NLR com o uso do NMIO em relação ao método de visualização direta do nervo. Entretanto, múltiplos artigos destacam que seu emprego traz vantagens ao processo cirúrgico, ligadas à melhor visualização do NLR e possibilidade de avaliação de suas funções nervosas durante e após o procedimento, tornando-se vantajoso em operações mais complexas e realizadas por cirurgiões menos experientes, promovendo maior segurança ao binômio médico-paciente e reduzindo custos desnecessários. Além disso, o procedimento permite ao cirurgião realizar mudanças de estratégia durante a operação com maior embasamento advindo dos dados colhidos pelo NMIO. Conclusão: o emprego do NMIO não foi associado à redução significativa da ocorrência de lesões do NLR em tireoidectomias, porém se mostra importante adjuvante nas operações, principalmente nas mais complexas e realizadas por profissionais menos experientes, com seu uso sendo justificado pelas vantagens agregadas ao processo cirúrgico

Identification of strain-specific B-cell epitopes in Trypanosoma cruzi using genome-scale epitope prediction and high-throughput immunoscreening with peptide arrays

BACKGROUND: The factors influencing variation in the clinical forms of Chagas disease have not been elucidated; however, it is likely that the genetics of both the host and the parasite are involved. Several studies have attempted to correlate the T. cruzi strains involved in infection with the clinical forms of the disease by using hemoculture and/or PCR-based genotyping of parasites from infected human tissues. However, both techniques have limitations that hamper the analysis of large numbers of samples. The goal of this work was to identify conserved and polymorphic linear B-cell epitopes of T. cruzi that could be used for serodiagnosis and serotyping of Chagas disease using ELISA. METHODOLOGY: By performing B-cell epitope prediction on proteins derived from pair of alleles of the hybrid CL Brener genome, we have identified conserved and polymorphic epitopes in the two CL Brener haplotypes. The rationale underlying this strategy is that, because CL Brener is a recent hybrid between the TcII and TcIII DTUs (discrete typing units), it is likely that polymorphic epitopes in pairs of alleles could also be polymorphic in the parental genotypes. We excluded sequences that are also present in the Leishmania major, L. infantum, L. braziliensis and T. brucei genomes to minimize the chance of cross-reactivity. A peptide array containing 150 peptides was covalently linked to a cellulose membrane, and the reactivity of the peptides was tested using sera from C57BL/6 mice chronically infected with the Colombiana (TcI) and CL Brener (TcVI) clones and Y (TcII) strain. FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS: A total of 36 peptides were considered reactive, and the cross-reactivity among the strains is in agreement with the evolutionary origin of the different T. cruzi DTUs. Four peptides were tested against a panel of chagasic patients using ELISA. A conserved peptide showed 95.8% sensitivity, 88.5% specificity, and 92.7% accuracy for the identification of T. cruzi in patients infected with different strains of the parasite. Therefore, this peptide, in association with other T. cruzi antigens, may improve Chagas disease serodiagnosis. Together, three polymorphic epitopes were able to discriminate between the three parasite strains used in this study and are thus potential targets for Chagas disease serotyping

HANSENÍASE: CONHECER PARA COMBATER

A hanseníase é uma doença infectocontagiosa de evolução lenta, causada pelo bacilo Mycobacterium leprae, que infecta células cutâneas e nervos periféricos, que podem gerar sequelas permanentes. Possui alto poder infectante, no entanto somente algumas pessoas adoecem, pois possui baixa patogenicidade. Possui grande importância para a saúde pública, devido sua magnitude e seu alto poder de causar incapacidades na população. Dessa forma, a educação em saúde é um artificio importante para combater essa doença, uma vez que ações educativas proporcionam melhor percepção das manifestações clínicas por parte das pessoas o que estimula a busca ao diagnóstico e tratamento. Sendo assim, o presente trabalho tem o objetivo relatar as vivências de estudantes de Medicina em um projeto de extensão realizado com jovens de escolas públicas de Belém do Pará. O projeto foi realizado por meio de palestras, conversas dialogadas e pesquisa em forma de questionário para avaliar o conhecimento prévio e após as atividades. Ao final desta vivência, foi notável o quão construtivo, foram essas ações, pois as orientações transmitidas para os jovens foram capazes de diminuir o estigma e preconceito que essa enfermidade ainda carrega, bem como auxiliar na redução da disseminação dessa doença e no aumento da procura de diagnóstico precoce como um alerta para esses jovens, que serão também multiplicadores de informações em seus convívios familiares. As ações também foram de grande importância para os acadêmicos, pois contribuiu para a sua construção profissional

Shell beds from the Low Head Member (Polonez Cove Formation, early Oligocene) at King George Island, west Antarctica: new insights on facies analysis, taphonomy and environmental significance

Shell bed levels in the Low Head Member of the early Oligocene Polonez Cove Formation at King George Island, West Antarctica, are re-interpreted based on sedimentological and taphonomic data. The highly fossiliferous Polonez Cove Formation is characterized by basal coastal marine sandstones, overlain by conglomerates and breccias deposited in fan-delta systems. The shell beds are mainly composed of pectinid bivalve shells of Leoclunipecten gazdzickii and occur in the basal portion of the Low Head Member. Three main episodes of bioclastic deposition are recorded. Although these shell beds were previously interpreted as shelly tempestites, we present an alternative explanation: the low fragmentation rates and low size sorting of the bioclasts resulted from winnowing due to tidal currents (background or diurnal condition) in the original bivalve habitat. The final deposition (episodic condition) was associated with subaqueous gravity driven flows. This new interpretation fits with the scenario of a prograding fan-delta front, which transported shell accumulations for short distances near the depositional site, possibly between fair-weather and storm wave bases. This work raises the notion that not every shell bed with similar sedimentological and taphonomic features (such as geometry, basal contact, degree of packing and shell orientation in the matrix) is made in the same way.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

Abordagem da hipertensão arterial sistêmica na atenção primária à saúde: um relato de experiência

A Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS), nível de atenção centrado na pessoa, mostrou ter um papel fundamental no cenário em que a população brasileira está inserida. É caracterizada por um conjunto de ações individuais, familiares e coletivas que envolvem promoção, prevenção, proteção, diagnóstico, tratamento, reabilitação e redução de danos, desenvolvida por meio de práticas de cuidado integral e gestão qualificada, realizados por equipe multiprofissional e dirigidos à população em território definido. A APS é o primeiro nível de atenção do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), tendo um papel essencial no acolhimento da população. É, portanto, o locus no qual a maioria das necessidades de saúde da população é atendida, seja através de atividades de promoção à saúde ou de assistência às mais diversas patologias existentes. Dentre as morbidades assistidas pela APS, a Hipertensão Arterial Sistêmica (HAS) ganha destaque devido à sua alta prevalência e à sua associação com diversas outras doenças que podem levar o paciente a óbito. Os principais motivos para explicar tamanha prevalência são o padrão alimentar inadequado e o sedentarismo, presente em grande parte da população brasileira. Dessa forma, as intervenções voltadas para controle dessa morbidade buscam ampliar o acesso à informação e o conhecimento da população sobre os riscos da doença e formas de preveni-la. Além disso, essas intervenções visam a estimular a população para a mudança do estilo de vida, incentivando-a a incluir em sua rotina hábitos saudáveis, como alimentação equilibrada, prática regular de atividade física, controle de peso e cessação do tabagismo. A APS é responsável ainda por acompanhar o paciente e realizar o controle da HAS, garantindo que ele receba o tratamento adequado. Diante do exposto, torna-se evidente os benefícios das ações da APS, que são essenciais para reduzir a incidência e a prevalência de tal morbidade no Brasil. Essas ações contribuem ainda para melhorar a qualidade de vida da população e reduzir os custos do sistema de saúde. Sendo assim, é nítido que a APS é eficaz para o combate da HAS, pois é acessível, resolutiva e centrada na pessoa

Sulfated-Polysaccharide Fraction from Red Algae Gracilaria caudata Protects Mice Gut Against Ethanol-Induced Damage

The aim of the present study was to investigate the gastroprotective activity of a sulfated-polysaccharide (PLS) fraction extracted from the marine red algae Gracilaria caudata and the mechanism underlying the gastroprotective activity. Male Swiss mice were treated with PLS (3, 10, 30 and 90 mg·kg−1, p.o.), and after 30 min, they were administered 50% ethanol (0.5 mL/25 g−1, p.o.). One hour later, gastric damage was measured using a planimeter. Samples of the stomach tissue were also obtained for histopathological assessment and for assays of glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Other groups were pretreated with l-NAME (10 mg·kg−1, i.p.), dl-propargylglycine (PAG, 50 mg·kg−1, p.o.) or glibenclamide (5 mg·kg−1, i.p.). After 1 h, PLS (30 mg·kg−1, p.o.) was administered. After 30 min, ethanol 50% was administered (0.5 mL/25g−1, p.o.), followed by sacrifice after 60 min. PLS prevented-ethanol-induced macroscopic and microscopic gastric injury in a dose-dependent manner. However, treatment with l-NAME or glibenclamide reversed this gastroprotective effect. Administration of propargylglycine did not influence the effect of PLS. Our results suggest that PLS has a protective effect against ethanol-induced gastric damage in mice via activation of the NO/KATP pathway