Search

Climate change is the primary environmental threat to subsistence farmers’ productivity in Peru. Adaptation is promoted as the best mechanism to cope with climate change in subsistence agricultural livelihoods. However, climatic adaptability depends on the resources the farmer has access to or can use, which are not always adequate to respond effectively to the speed and aggressiveness of climate change. This study explored the local factors and dynamics (assets) influencing the climate adaptability processes of subsistence farmers in Huayhuay, Peru. Twenty subsistence farmers participated in semi-structured interviews within a basic qualitative design. The results brought to light 18 local factors and dynamics that influence the coping mechanisms of climate adaptability. These findings support other investigations that demonstrate the difficulty of climate change adaptation agricultural communities face. The difficulty of climate change adaptation has rooted the interrelationships of assets of different natures within the same adaptive process. Future research and interventions should encourage the active participation of farmers in local climate action and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of farmers' adaptability mechanisms, considering the role of each local-scale factor and dynamic.

Internationalization of higher education’s agricultural disciplines is essential to account for agrifood system trends toward globalization and multiculturalism. Professional and academic associations can play a formative role preparing graduate students for their agricultural careers. Guided by socialization theory, this needs assessment explores graduate students’ perceived needs, expectations, and ideas to optimize engagement with associations focused on international agriculture. A convergent mixed methods design integrated and contrasted quantitative and qualitative data from an online survey—filled by 26 student participants—and qualitative data from a virtual fishbone focus group with seven participants. Students’ perceptions appear responsive to trends toward globalized food systems and demonstrate their desire for socialization to gain internationally focused capacities and connections to opportunities in a variety of global agricultural areas. Findings indicate associations geared toward internationally oriented scholarship and academics should expand to better encompass international development practice. Doing so would provide greater insight into practitioners’ priorities and facilitate alternative career pathways for graduate students interested in practice. Additionally, findings point to needs for student mentoring and communication efforts focused on equitable and inclusive engagement with first generation students and students in developing countries who may be financially inhibited from traveling for in-person socialization activities.

Coated polycrystalline cubic boron nitride (PcBN) tools are increasingly used for industrial applications with stringent requirements. However, information on the mechanical integrity of these systems is quite limited. Within this context, the adhesion strength of two TiN/TiAlN-coated and microstructurally different PcBN substrates – high- and low-cBN content grades with metallic and ceramic binders, respectively – is investigated by means of Rockwell C indentation testing. In doing so, special attention is paid to substrate microstructure effects on emergence and evolution of damage as applied load is increased. For both coated systems, it is found that damage scenario evolves from early adhesive delamination within the contact area towards radial cracking and spalling outside the residual imprint. However, critical loads for transition between damage stages are discerned to depend on microstructural assemblage of the substrate. Higher resistance to radial cracking and delamination is exhibited by the high cBN-content grade, in agreement with its higher hardness and toughness. Failure micromechanisms associated with cracking and spalling are similar for both coated-PcBN systems. Very interesting, delamination outside the residual imprint is determined to be of cohesive nature within the substrate, an experimental fact resulting from interaction among indentation-induced radial, cone-like and lateral fissures in PcBN.

Introduction /Objectives: The objectives were to conduct a survey of cardiologists on their recent experiences with cats that have dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), and to retrospectively review individual cases of feline DCM. Animals, Materials and Methods Part One: A survey was distributed to cardiologists with questions regarding caseload and clinical management of cats with DCM diagnosed over the past two years. Part Two: Cardiologists completing the survey were invited to submit data from cats recently diagnosed with DCM. Data on signalment, clinical signs, diet, echocardiographic measurements, and outcome were recorded. Results Part One: From 52 completed surveys, many cardiologists responded that measuring and supplementing taurine and recommending a diet change in cats with DCM are common practices. Few (15%) cardiologists reported an increase in number of feline DCM cases over the past two years, although some had cases that improved even if taurine deficiency was not present. Part Two: Twenty of 37 (54%) cats ate low pea/lentil (low PL) diets and 14/37 (38%) ate high pea/lentil (high PL) diets at the time of diagnosis; three had incomplete diet information. Two of 13 cats (15%) in which taurine was measured had levels below the reference range. After adjusting for other variables, cats eating high PL diets that changed diets post-diagnosis had a significantly longer survival time compared to cats eating high PL diets that did not change diets post-diagnosis (P=0.025). Conclusions Additional research is warranted to determine whether there could be a possible association between diet and DCM in cats.

From its origins in social media usage, the term “sharing” has become an umbrella term for socio-technological competency. Even though sharing is a multifaceted construct – influenced by user motivations, expectations, and particularly the intrinsic and extrinsic social benefits to be gained – there are few definitions that approach it around these terms. We analyze these benefits in terms of what we call sociability affordances - i.e., social network site (SNS) affordances that arise outside either the merely material or imagined affordances - which enable individuals to take social actions toward social integration and interaction. Semi-structured interviews with young Chileans from three representative social media use typologies showed that each were closely linked with the performance of sharing actions for intrinsic and extrinsic social integration and interaction gains. Coding of interviews found four main sociability affordances from sharing practices: social visibility; audience engagement; social strengthening and enduring intra-personal communication. Based on U&G and self-determination theories, and rooted in an affordance approach, this study finds that online sharing behaviors are carefully weighed upon to achieve either factual or imagined social gains.

Background Organisms in the wild can acquire disease- and stress-resistance traits that outstrip the programs endogenous to humans. Finding the molecular basis of such natural resistance characters is a key goal of evolutionary genetics. Standard statistical-genetic methods toward this end can perform poorly in organismal systems that lack high rates of meiotic recombination, like Caenorhabditis worms. Results Here we discovered unique ER stress resistance in a wild Kenyan C. elegans isolate, which in inter-strain crosses was passed by hermaphrodite mothers to hybrid offspring. We developed an unbiased version of the reciprocal hemizygosity test, RH-seq, to explore the genetics of this parent-of-origin-dependent phenotype. Among top-scoring gene candidates from a partial-coverage RH-seq screen, we focused on the neuronally-expressed, cuticlin-like gene cutl-24 for validation. In gene-disruption and controlled crossing experiments, we found that cutl-24 was required in Kenyan hermaphrodite mothers for ER stress tolerance in their inter-strain hybrid offspring; cutl-24 was also a contributor to the trait in purebred backgrounds. Conclusions These data establish the Kenyan strain allele of cutl-24 as a determinant of a natural stress-resistant state, and they set a precedent for the dissection of natural trait diversity in invertebrate animals without the need for a panel of meiotic recombinants.

Two juvenile alpacas, 1 male and 1 female, were presented for evaluation of grade V/VI bilateral basilar systolic heart murmurs. Both animals were ultimately diagnosed with severe valvular pulmonic stenosis and a small ventricular septal defect. Transvenous balloon valvuloplasty was performed in each animal using methods described in the dog. A double balloon technique was employed in the first case, with a balloon‐annulus ratio of ~1.55. For the second case, a high‐pressure dilatation balloon catheter with a balloon‐annulus ratio of ~1.33 was selected. Experience with both procedures indicates that balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty is technically feasible in alpacas using techniques extrapolated from those used in dogs. Furthermore, accepted criteria for procedural success were fulfilled for both alpacas, with more than a 50% reduction in the echocardiographically derived transpulmonic pressure gradient after intervention.

Because climate change has severely impacted global bee populations by depleting their habitats and food sources, beekeepers must implement management practices to adapt to changing climates. However, beekeepers in El Salvador lack information about necessary climate change adaptation strategies. This study explored Salvadoran beekeepers’ experiences adapting to climate change. The researchers used a phenomenological case study approach and conducted semi-structured interviews with nine Salvadoran beekeepers who were members of The Cooperative Association for Marketing, Production, Savings, and Credit of Beekeepers of Chalatenango (ACCOPIDECHA). The beekeepers perceived water and food scarcity, as well as extreme weather events (e.g., increasing temperature, rain, winds), as the leading climate change-induced challenges to their production. Such challenges have augmented their honey bees’ physiological need for water, limited their movement patterns, decreased apiary safety, and increased the incidence of pests and diseases, all of which have led to honey bee mortality. The beekeepers shared adaptation strategies, including box modification, apiary relocation, and food supplementation. Although most beekeepers accessed climate change information using the internet, they struggled to understand and apply pertinent information unless they received it from trusted ACCOPIDECHA personnel. Salvadoran beekeepers require information and demonstrations to improve their climate change adaptation strategies and implement new ones to address the challenges they experience.

The world was not prepared for the COVID-19 pandemic. It has tremendously impacted health and food systems around the world and the depth and breadth of its long-term effects are yet to be seen. The rates of those that will be in poverty and food insecure are significantly higher than the predictions pre-COVID. People are coping in any way that they can, at times in ways that will have lasting impacts on their households and communities. A community’s ability to absorb, adapt, and transform in the face of crisis can significantly impact how it is able to survive and thrive during those challenging times. A frontline extension professional can equitably build assets and thus capitals, ultimately increasing household and community resilience. Keywords: COVID-19; food security; resilience; coping; Community Capitals Framework

Dysgeusia is a common but understudied complication in patients undergoing autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (auto-HCT). We assessed the feasibility of using chemical gustometry (CG) to measure dysgeusia and explored its associations with symptom burden, nutrition, chemotherapy pharmacokinetics (PK), and the oral microbiome.We conducted a single-center, prospective feasibility study (NCT03276481) of patients with multiple myeloma undergoing auto-HCT. CG was performed longitudinally testing five flavors (sweet, sour, salty, bitter, umami) to calculate a total taste score (maximum score, 30). We measured caloric intake and patient-reported symptoms, assessing their correlation with oral microbiota composition and salivary and blood melphalan PK exposure.Among all 45 patients, 39 (87%) completed at least four (60%) and 22 (49%) completed all six CG assessments. Median total CG scores remained stable over time but were lowest at day +7 (27, range 24-30) with recovery by day +100. Symptom burden was highest by day +10 (area under the curve, 2.9; range, 1.0-4.6) corresponding with the lowest median overall caloric intake (1624 kcal; range, 1345-2267). Higher serum/salivary melphalan levels correlated with higher patient-reported dysgeusia and lower caloric intake. Oral microbiota α-diversity was stable early and increased slightly by day +100.Assessment of dysgeusia by CG is feasible after auto-HCT. Most dysgeusia, symptom burden, and lowest caloric intake occurred during the blood count nadir. Higher melphalan concentrations correlated with more dysgeusia and poorer caloric intake. Future studies will aim to modulate melphalan exposure by PK-targeted dosing and characterize patient taste preferences to personalize diets for improved nutritional intake.Taste changes after cancer treatments are very common. We used chemical gustometry (taste testing) to study taste changes and to better understand why patients with multiple myeloma experience this symptom after autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation. We found that taste testing was feasible, taste changes peaked when blood counts were lowest, and most patients recovered their taste by 100 days after transplantation. Taste changes correlated with lower food intake and with higher levels of chemotherapy in the body. Future work will focus on using personalized chemotherapy doses to reduce taste changes and to match patients' individual taste preferences with their diets.

During the spring 2020 COVID-19 outbreak, faculty and staff within Ohio State University's College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences came together from multiple disciplines to support essential agricultural workers. Concerted leadership from administration provided a framework for this interaction to occur while faculty worked off-campus to address the many issues identified by the agricultural community, the industry sector, and other state agencies. During the onset period, much of our work was reactive; our efforts to address worker safety and health involved three primary areas within: 1) production agricultural workers, 2) produce growers and direct marketing enterprises, and 3) meat supply chain workers. Communication to target audiences relied upon our ability to convert face-to-face programming into virtual webinars, social media, and digital publications. A Food System Task Force mobilized specialists to address emerging issues, with one specific topic related to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). As we continue to face new seasons in agriculture production, and pockets of COVID-19 outbreaks within our state, we will continue to address the dynamic needs of our food supply systems. There are implications for how we will teach the agricultural workforce within a virtual platform, including the evaluation of the effectiveness of those training programs. There are renewed opportunities to integrate health and safety content into other Extension teams who conventionally focused on production practices and farm management topics. Several research themes emerged during subgroup dialog to pursue new knowledge in workers' cultural attitude and barriers, PPE design, PPE access, and overall attitude toward COVID-19 health practices.

Agricultural communication (AGCOM) has been known to aid in disseminating research-based agricultural information among Malawian farmers. In 1958 the Malawi Government, via the Ministry of Agriculture, established the Agricultural Communications Branch (ACB) in an attempt to increase access to and adoption of scientifically-proven technologies among farmers. Moreover, in 2000 the Malawi Government started implementing an agricultural extension policy that promoted pluralistic demand-driven extension, which led to the increased availability of non-governmental organizations providing AGCOM services to farmers. However, after several decades of using different communication tools to promote new technologies, low productivity in most small holder farms remains a challenge, with limited adoption of improved technology as one of the contributing factors. In this exploratory, convergent, mixed methods study, 30 Malawian farmers and six AGCOM officers who were selected using convenient and snow ball sampling respectively participated in key informant interviews. In addition, 64 AGCOM officers who were selected using simple random sampling were involved in a survey. The findings of the study revealed that information delivered to farmers does not address farmer needs in most cases. Specifically, existing policies, source and availability of funding, and the agricultural calendar influenced choice of information that was disseminated. For example, the existing policy does not allow AGCOM officers to disseminate local and innovative farmer practices unless they are tested and approved by scientists. Such policies, perpetuates a mindset among farmers that innovations originate from outside their communities, thereby making it hard for them to share their local, indigenous ideas with their colleagues. Moreover, it has contributed to the inability of AGCOM to be used as an innovation creation tool, hence AGCOMs’ limited impact. Keywords: adoption, improved technologies, agricultural communication, increased productivity, information dissemination

Most gene therapy lentiviral vector (LV) production platforms employ HEK293T cells expressing the oncogenic SV40 large T-antigen (TAg) that is thought to promote plasmid-mediated gene expression. Studies on other viral oncogenes suggest that TAg may also inhibit the intracellular autonomous innate immune system that triggers defensive antiviral responses upon detection of viral components by cytosolic sensors. Here we show that an innate response can be generated after HIV-1-derived LV transfection in HEK293T cells, particularly by the transgene, yet, remarkably, this had no effect on LV titer. Further, overexpression of DNA sensing pathway components led to expression of inflammatory cytokine and interferon (IFN) stimulated genes but did not result in detectable IFN or CXCL10 and had no impact on LV titer. Exogenous IFN-β also did not affect LV production or transduction efficiency in primary T cells. Additionally, manipulation of TAg did not affect innate antiviral responses, but stable expression of TAg boosted vector production in HEK293 cells. Our findings demonstrate a measure of innate immune competence in HEK293T cells but, crucially, show that activation of inflammatory signaling is uncoupled from cytokine secretion in these cells. This provides new mechanistic insight into the unique suitability of HEK293T cells for LV manufacture.

The dynamics facing rural development and school policy in New Mexico has limited merging and redistricting efforts in small schools in isolated rural communities. This has created a situation where small schools exist in several rural communities in the state. These programs often include school-based agricultural education as a program offering. The dynamics of the schools can impact how the total program approach commonly used in agricultural education can be implemented. The purpose of the study was to explore how agriculture teachers in small schools in New Mexico developed their own institutional polices and worked with the policies established by the school to involve students in the total program. A qualitative case study with six teachers was conducted. The themes emphasized the nuanced nature of the programs as well as the importance of relationships with students, parents, community members, and school staff to implement these programs. The teachers faced challenges related to balancing student time and working with athletics for scheduling. Successful programs cater to the context of the school and community by getting to know the students they serve. Advice and best practices provided by the teachers were discussed. Recommendations were provided related to establishing and maintaining relationships.

Promoting the transition of smallholder farmers from subsistence to more commercial and market-oriented production is an important goal of the Tanzanian extension system. The Ministry of Agriculture Training Institutes (MATIs) contribute to this goal by providing training to frontline extension workers (FEWs). However, the capacity of the MATI system to produce agricultural extension practitioners with job-ready competencies has declined, leading stakeholders and employers to raise concerns about the quality and training of FEWs. The main purpose of this study was to develop recommendations for curriculum revisions at MATI Ilonga to improve its program of study. This was done using a competency-based approach that incorporated inputs from stakeholders into the curriculum assessment and revision process. A panel of eight local and external experts derived 23 competencies from a review of the MATI curriculum and extension literature. A survey instrument to assess competencies based on perceptions of importance and graduates’ ability was designed and administered to 189 stakeholders from four stakeholder groups. Stakeholder-respondents considered all but two of the 23 competencies to be very high importance. Weighted discrepancy scores indicated that the highest rated areas for curriculum revision were Value Chains, Business skills, Climate Change, Fisheries, and Land Resource Management. All stakeholder groups except graduates, indicated Value Chains and Business Skills as high priorities requiring enhanced training to improve the ability of FEWs. Follow-up stakeholder consultations indicated support for using the competency-based approach, engaging stakeholders in the curriculum review process, and interest in applying the approach with other MATIs in Tanzania. Keywords: Tanzania; agricultural extension; training; competencies

The incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 is variable, being associated with worse outcomes. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the incidence, risk factors (considering demographic characteristics, comorbidities, initial clinical presentation and associated complications) and impact of AKI in subjects hospitalized for COVID-19 in two third-level hospitals in Córdoba, Argentina. A retrospective cohort study was conducted. We included 448 adults who were consecutively hospitalized for COVID-19 between March 3 and October 31, 2020 and were followed throughout the hospitalization. The incidence of AKI was 19% (n = 85; stage I = 43, stage II = 17, and stage III = 25, 18 required renal replacement therapy). In the multivariate analysis, the variables that were independently associated with AKI were: age (for every 10 years, adjusted odd ratio [95%CI] = 1.30 [1.04-1.63], p = 0.022), history of chronic kidney disease -CKD- (9.92 [4.52-21.77], p0.001), blood neutrophil count at admission -BNCA- (for every increase of 1000 BNCA, 1.09 [1.01-1.18], p = 0.037) and requirement for mechanical ventilation -MV- (6.69 [2.24-19.90], p = 0.001). AKI was associated with longer hospitalization, higher admission (63.5 vs. 29.7%; p0.001) and longer stay in the intensive care unit, a positive association with respiratory bacterial superinfection, sepsis, respiratory distress syndrome, MV requirement and mortality (mortality without AK I = 12.4% vs with AKI = 47.1%; stage I = 26%, stage II = 41% and stage III = 88%; p0.001). AKI was independently associated with higher mortality (3.32 [1.6-6.9], p = 0.001). In conclusion, the incidence of AKI in adults hospitalized for COVID-19 was 19% and had a clear impact on morbidity and mortality. The independent risk factors for AKI were: Age, CKD, BNCA and MV.Los objetivos del estudio fueron evaluar la incidencia, los factores de riesgo (considerando características demográficas, comorbilidades, presentación clínica inicial y complicaciones asociadas) y el impacto de la lesión renal aguda ‐LRA‐ en sujetos hospitalizados por COVID-19 en dos instituciones de alta complejidad de Córdoba, Argentina. Se realizó un estudio de cohorte retrospectivo. Se incluyeron 448 adultos que fueron hospitalizados por COVID-19 entre el 3 de marzo y el 31 de octubre del 2020 con seguimiento durante toda la hospitalización. La incidencia de LRA fue 19% (estadio I = 43, estadio II = 17 y estadío III = 25, 18 requirieron diálisis). Las variables que se asociaron de manera independiente con el LRA fueron: edad (por cada 10 años, odd ratio ajustado [IC95%] = 1.30 [1.04-1.63], p = 0.022), enfermedad renal crónica ‐ERC‐ (9.92 [4.52-21.77], p0.001), recuento de neutrófilos sanguíneos al ingreso ‐NSI‐ (por cada incremento de 1000 NSI, 1.09 [1.01‐1.18], p = 0.037) y asistencia respiratoria mecánica ‐ARM‐ (6.69 [2.24‐19.90], p = 0.001). Los sujetos con LRA presentaron una internación más prolongada, mayor requerimiento (63.5 vs. 29.7%; p0.001) y estadía más prolongada en unidad de cuidados intensivos, una asociación positiva con sobreinfección respiratoria bacteriana, sepsis, síndrome de distrés respiratorio, requerimiento de ARM y mortalidad (mortalidad sin LRA 12.4% vs. con LRA 47.1%; estadio I = 26%, estadio II = 41% y estadio III = 88%; p0.001). LRA se asoció de manera independiente a mayor mortalidad (3.3 [1.6‐6.9], p = 0.001). En conclusión, la incidencia de LRA en adultos hospitalizados por COVID-19 fue del 19% y tuvo un claro impacto en la morbi-mortalidad. Los factores de riesgo independientes de LRA fueron: edad, ERC, NSI y ARM.

At the Fermilab Tevatron proton-antiproton ($p\bar{p}$) collider, high-mass electron-neutrino ($e\nu$) pairs are produced predominantly in the process $p \bar{p} \rightarrow W(\rightarrow e\nu) + X$. The asymmetry of the electron and positron yield as a function of their pseudorapidity constrain the slope of the ratio of the $u$- to $d$-quark parton distributions versus the fraction of the proton momentum carried by the quarks. This paper reports on the measurement of the electron-charge asymmetry using the full data set recorded by the Collider Detector at Fermilab in 2001--2011 and corresponding to 9.1~fb$^{-1}$ of integrated luminosity. The measurement significantly improves the precision of the Tevatron constraints on the parton-distribution functions of the proton. Numerical tables of the measurement are provided.

In Peru, subsistence farmers experience firsthand the direct and indirect impacts of climate change (CC). To understand how farmers adapt their livelihoods to climatic variability, this mixed methods study explored their perceptions and climate adaptability strategies implemented in Huayhuay, Peru. Twenty farmers participated in semi-structured interviews, and 103 completed a survey questionnaire. The results indicated that most farmers perceive changes in temperature, precipitation, and drought that negatively affect agricultural production and local natural resources. To deal with CC, farmers are implementing twenty-six climate adaptation strategies. Diversifying agricultural products and practices, and exploring new economic activities were adaptability strategies identified in this study that the literature has previously documented as having positive implications for agricultural livelihoods. However, some farmers reported that adaptability strategies are failed attempts at local climate action. The results, along with the adaptability literature, revealed that farmers implement locally accessible adaptability strategies based on their climate variability perceptions. Therefore, this study recommends exploring CC perceptions and adaptability strategies with a site-based approach. It is also recommended that future research, local climate planning, and action must focus on the efficiency and inclusiveness of strategies rather than their frequency or levels of adoption. Finally, strengthening the technical capacities and knowledge of CC among subsistence farmers must be a priority for authorities and practitioners in Huayhuay, Peru.

As the world’s population is set to increase to an estimated 9.6 billion people, the greater the strain becomes on the food system to meet people’s food and nutrition needs (United Nations, 2013). The MENA region is expected to increase in population by double by 2050 further straining their water and food resources (IFPRI, 2010). Improved innovations to increase production have been encouraged to address those issues. Fertigation, and in particular the more effective hydraulic injector, was introduced in the Jordan Valley to help manage the amount of fertilizer application, reduce run-off in irrigated agriculture, and improve water use efficiency. However, despite its advantages, the hydraulic injector fertigation technology has not been widely adopted. This study sought to better understand this phenomena through the use of mixed methods research on the impact of innovation characteristics, as defined by Rogers (2003), on adoption of the technology. Results found complexity to have a statistically significant impact on adoption and to be a significant predictor of adoption. While not specifically a component of Roger’s innovation characteristics, affordability was a key factor in non-adoption.

Recovering methane from natural gas hydrate deposits using carbon dioxide injection is currently of great environmental and energetic interest as it shows potential for producing an energy resource while mitigating CO2 emissions through CO2 sequestration. This work investigates the exchange kinetic between CH4 and CO2 (or CO2-N2(v)) in synthetic hydrates, with an emphasis on the impact of CH4 hydrate formation conditions (e.g. driving force Δp) on the subsequent exchange reactions. Different driving forces Δp are utilized and show that the exchange kinetic is improved by a factor of ~3 when the exchange is performed with low Δp CH4 hydrates, for which there is a higher relative amount of free H2O(liq) (277 K); the kinetic is further improved when stirring is applied. Isobaric CH4 hydrates exhibit a fast primary hydrate dissociation and CH4 release, followed by a slower exchange kinetic, possibly limited by solid-state exchange diffusion or secondary CO2-rich hydrate formation within the stability field of CH4 hydrates. Upon exposure to a mixed CO2-N2(v) gas stream, secondary hydrate production is governed by the effective Δp remaining after dissolution of the gas mixture, and results in an even slower exchange reaction rate. These results may help optimizing recovery processes in field trial experiments, where both hydrates and liquid water coexist, and aid in predicting the risk of geo-hazards induced by unstable secondary hydrate formation. Furthermore, the exchange kinetic dependencies highlighted here are important as they affect the overall energy efficiency and energy cost of CH4 recovery processes in gas hydrate field trials.

Introduction and objectives A sex-specific analysis of cardiovascular outcomes afternon-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTACS) using a large contemporary cohort of patients from two Spanish tertiary hospitals. Methods This retrospective observational study included 5686 consecutive NSTACS patients between the years 2003 and 2017. We performed a propensity score matching to obtain a well-balanced subset of patients, resulting in 3120 patients. Cox regression models performed survival analyses once proportional risk test were verified. Results Among the study participants, 1572 patients (27.6%) were women. The median follow-up was 60.0 months (standard deviation 32 months). Women had higher risk of cardiovascular mortality compared with men (OR (Odds ratio) 1.27, CI (confidence interval) 95% 1.08–1.49) and heart failure (HF) hospitalization (OR 1.39, CI 95% 1.18–1.63), but a similar risk of all-cause mortality (OR 1.10, CI 95% 1.08–1.49). After a propensity score matching, women were associated with a significant reduction in the risk of total mortality (OR 0.77, CI 95% 0.65–0.90) with a similar risk of cardiovascular mortality (OR 0.86, CI 0.71–1.03) and HF hospitalization (OR 0.92, CI 95% 0.68–1.23). After adjustment for baseline characteristics, the risks of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality were less in women; although the risk of HF was similar among sexes. Conclusions Women are at similar risk to develop early and late HF admissions after NSTACS, and have better survival compared with male, with lower risk of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality. Cumulative risk according to gender Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

espanolAntecedentes: la incidencia del carcinoma de celulas renales (CCR) esta aumentando a nivel mundial debido al envejecimiento de la poblacion y al uso generalizado de estudios de imagenes. Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio fue describir las caracteristicas y resultados perioperatorios de la cirugia de CCR en pacientes muy ancianos (PEV), ≥ 75 anos. Metodos: se trata de un estudio comparativo retrospectivo de 3656 pacientes que se sometieron al tratamiento por CCR entre 1990 y 2015 en 28 centros de ocho paises de America Latina. Comparamos las caracteristicas basales, asi como los resultados clinicos y perioperatorios segun los grupos de edad ( Resultados: Hubo 410 pacientes con PEV (11,2%). En el analisis bivariado, VEP tuvo un indice de masa corporal mas bajo (p 2 en 26.3% vs 12.4%, p estadio pT2 (OR 1,63, p = 0,04) se asociaron de forma independiente con complicaciones perioperatorias. Conclusiones: La reseccion quirurgica del CCR fue segura y exitosa en PEV. La edad ≥75 anos se asocio de forma independiente con complicaciones perioperatorias a los 30 dias. Sin embargo, la gran mayoria fueron complicaciones de bajo grado. La edad por si sola no debe orientar la toma de decisiones en estos pacientes, y el tratamiento debe adaptarse de acuerdo con el estado funcional y la gravedad de las comorbilidades. (REV INVEST CLIN.2020; 72 (5): 308-15) EnglishBackground: The incidence of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is increasing globally due to an aging population and widespread use of imaging studies. Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics and perioperative outcomes of RCC surgery in very elderly patients (VEP), ≥ 75 years of age. Methods: This is a retrospective comparative study of 3656 patients who underwent the treatment for RCC from 1990 to 2015 in 28 centers from eight Latin American countries. We compared baseline characteristics as well as clinical and perioperative outcomes according to age groups ( Results: There were 410 VEP patients (11.2%). On bivariate analysis, VEP had a lower body mass index (p 2 in 26.3% vs. 12.4%, p pT2 stage (OR 1.63, p = 0.04) were independently associated with perioperative complications. Conclusions: Surgical resection of RCC was safe and successful in VEP. Age ≥75 years was independently associated with 30-day perioperative complications. However, the vast majority were low-grade complications. Age alone should not guide decision-making in these patients, and treatment must be tailored according to performance status and severity of comorbidities. (REV INVEST CLIN. 2020;72(5):308-15)

HIV-1 must replicate in cells that are equipped to defend themselves from infection through intracellular innate immune systems. HIV-1 evades innate immune sensing through encapsidated DNA synthesis and encodes accessory genes that antagonize specific antiviral effectors. Here, we show that both particle associated, and expressed HIV-1 Vpr, antagonize the stimulatory effect of a variety of pathogen associated molecular patterns by inhibiting IRF3 and NF-κB nuclear transport. Phosphorylation of IRF3 at S396, but not S386, was also inhibited. We propose that, rather than promoting HIV-1 nuclear import, Vpr interacts with karyopherins to disturb their import of IRF3 and NF-κB to promote replication in macrophages. Concordantly, we demonstrate Vpr-dependent rescue of HIV-1 replication in human macrophages from inhibition by cGAMP, the product of activated cGAS. We propose a model that unifies Vpr manipulation of nuclear import and inhibition of innate immune activation to promote HIV-1 replication and transmission.

Mesocarnivores fill a vital role in ecosystems through effects on community health and structure. Anthropogenic-altered landscapes can benefit some species and adversely affect others. For some carnivores, prey availability increases with urbanization, but landscape use can be complicated by interactions among carnivores as well as differing human tolerance of some species. We used camera traps to survey along a gradient of urban, rural, and forest cover to quantify how carnivore landscape use varies among guild members and determine if a species was a human exploiter, adapter, or avoider. Our study was conducted in and around Corvallis, Oregon from April 2018 to February 2019 (11,914 trap nights) using 47 camera trap locations on a gradient from urban to rural. Our focal species were bobcat (Lynx rufus), coyote (Canis latrans), gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), opossum (Didelphis virginiana), raccoon (Procyon lotor), and striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis). Raccoon and opossum were human exploiters with low use of forest cover and positive association with urban and rural developed areas likely due to human-derived resources as well as some refugia from larger predators. Coyote and gray fox were human adapters with high use of natural habitats while the effects of urbanization ranged from weak to indiscernible. Bobcat and striped skunk appeared to be human avoiders with negative relationship with urban cover and higher landscape use of forest cover. We conducted a diel temporal activity analysis and found mostly nocturnal activity within the guild, but more diurnal activity by larger-bodied predators compared to the smaller species. Although these species coexist as a community in human-dominated landscapes throughout much of North America, the effects of urbanization were not equal across species. Our results, especially for gray fox and striped skunk, are counter to research in other regions, suggesting that mesopredator use of urbanized landscapes can vary depending on the environmental conditions of the study area and management actions are likely to be most effective when decisions are based on locally derived data.

Background and importance Corneal ulcers are a common problem that may appear more frequently in patients with inappropriate use of contact lenses. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to diagnose; its cause can be elusive and the consequences of an error in diagnosis or treatment can be severe. Aim and objectives To describe the development of 0.5% imipenem–cilastatin eye drops and to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of this master formula. Material and methods In February 2019, a 41-year-old woman presented to the emergency department for severe pain in the right eye. Commercial eye drops (0.3% tobramycin and 0.5% moxifloxacin) were being applied. The ophthalmology department diagnosed an infiltrated corneal ulcer with an epithelial defect. Microbiological culture of the contact lenses was requested and Enterococcus faecalis and Achromobacter xylosoxidans were isolated. The antibiogram revealed sensitivity to β-lactams and resistance to tobramycin and quinolones. The ophthalmologist contacted the pharmacy service to select the most appropriate treatment, deciding on the development of 5% ceftazidime and 0.5% imipenem fortified eye drops (1 drop every 2 hours). A corneal scraping was also carried out where growth of Fusarium spp was found. Therefore, therapy was completed with 1% voriconazole (1 drop every 2 hours) and 5% natamycin (1 drop every 4 hours). A bibliographic search was made in PubMed and in the Spanish Society of Hospital Pharmacy, focusing on organoleptic characteristics, stability and pH. Effectiveness and safety were evaluated in the medical history (Selene). Results We manufactured 5 mg/mL imipenem–cilastatin eye drops from the vial for intravenous use and water for injection, working in a horizontal laminar flow cabinet and following the standardised work procedure. A 0.22 µm filter was used. We established stability at 2–8°C for 2 days, protected from light. It was verified that a completely transparent liquid with pH 7 had been obtained. Conclusion and relevance Imipenem–cilastatin 0.5% eye drops proved to be a novel alternative in the treatment of corneal ulcers caused by Enterococcus faecalis and Achromobacter xylosoxidans. It produced a rapid and intense antibiotic effect that resulted in a reduction in eye inflammation. It was also easy to apply, which facilitated therapeutic compliance and contributed to a shorter hospital stay. Its safety and tolerance profiles were adequate. References and/or acknowledgements No conflict of interest.

Background and importance The development of skin tests is a booming diagnostic area in detecting the agent responsible for an allergic reaction. Aim and objectives To describe the development and results of skin tests in the study of anaphylaxis by Trigon depot. Material and methods A 52-year-old patient presented with generalised pruritus, local irritation and dyspnoea immediately after infiltration of Trigon depot. The allergology department asked the pharmacy department (PD) to prepare intraepidermal (prick test) and intradermal tests with the concentrated drug and serial dilutions of Trigon depot, triamcinolone, carboxymethylcellulose and polysorbate 80. The PD carried out a bibliographic search to determine the physical form of the components, and their physical–chemical characteristics and conservation. There were no specific data on dilutions to these tests, so we relied on Al-Hadithy et al (2011). The PD evaluated the effectiveness by the results of the skin tests. Possible false positives were taken into account. Results We manufactured Trigon depot 40 mg/mL prick tests (from commercialised vial), carboxymethylcellulose 5 mg/mL (from commercialised eye drops), triamcinolone 1 mg/mL (from the substance powder using a 0.22 µm filter) and polysorbate 80 (from docetaxel 20 mg/mL). The intradermal syringes of Trigon and carboxymethylcellulose were prepared at serial dilutions of 1:100 and 1:1000, and triamcinolone and polysorbate 80 at dilutions of 1:1, 1:10 and 1:100. According to good manufacturing practices, the process was carried out in a horizontal laminar flow hood, except for polysorbate 80. Physical stability was evaluated by visual inspection to ensure homogeneity and it was packed in 1 mL syringes stored at 2–8°C for 48 hours protected from light. The results of the study were: negative skin tests for docetaxel (containing polysorbate 80) and triamcinolone; prick test with Trigon depot produced mild erythema; intradermal reaction with Trigon depot (1:100) was clearly positive with a 15×10 mm papule and erythema; and intradermal reaction with carboxymethyl cellulose (1:100) was positive with an 8 mm papule and erythema. Conclusion and relevance In this multidisciplinary study, doctors and pharmacists have worked towards a common goal, the well being of the patient in the diagnosis of a rare anaphylactic reaction. It was concluded that the patient had undergone anaphylaxis due to carboxymethylcellulose contained in Trigon depot. This excipient is very common in the pharmaceutical industry. In fact, our patient had previously been exposed to Aquacel AG (contains carboxymethylcellulose) which acted as the primary sensitiser. References and/or acknowledgements No conflict of interest.

HIV-1 must replicate in cells that are equipped to defend themselves from infection through intracellular innate immune systems. HIV-1 evades innate immune sensing through encapsidated DNA synthesis and encodes accessory genes that antagonize specific antiviral effectors. Here we show that both particle associated, and expressed HIV-1 Vpr, antagonize the stimulatory effect of a variety of pathogen associated molecular patterns by inhibiting IRF3 and NF-κB nuclear transport. Phosphorylation of IRF3 at S396, but not S386, was also inhibited. We propose that, rather than promoting HIV-1 nuclear import, Vpr interacts with karyopherins to disturb their import of IRF3 and NF-κB to promote replication in macrophages. Concordantly, we demonstrate Vpr dependent rescue of HIV-1 replication in human macrophages from inhibition by cGAMP, the product of activated cGAS. We propose a model that unifies Vpr manipulation of nuclear import and inhibition of innate immune activation to promote HIV-1 replication and transmission.

The idea of slow-neutron capture nucleosynthesis formulated in 1957 triggered a tremendous experimental effort in different laboratories worldwide to measure the relevant nuclear physics input quantities, namely (n, γ) cross sections over the stellar temperature range (from few eV up to several hundred keV) for most of the isotopes involved from Fe up to Bi. A brief historical review focused on total energy detectors will be presented to illustrate how advances in instrumentation have led to the assessment of new aspects of s-process nucleosynthesis and to the progressive refinement of stellar models. A summary will be presented on current efforts to develop new detection concepts, such as the Total-Energy Detector with γ-ray imaging capability (i-TED). The latter is based on the simultaneous combination of Compton imaging with neutron time-of-flight (TOF) techniques, in order to achieve a superior level of sensitivity and selectivity in the measurement of stellar neutron capture rates., European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (ERC Consolidator Grant project HYMNS) 681740, Instituto de Salud Carlos III Spanish Government FPA2014-52823-C2-1-P FPA2017-83946-C2-1-P, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC) PIE-201750I26, Program Severo Ochoa SEV-2014-0398

Background and purpose: The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2), now named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), may change the risk of stroke through an enhanced systemic inflammatory response, hypercoagulable state, and endothelial damage in the cerebrovascular system. Moreover, due to the current pandemic, some countries have prioritized health resources towards COVID-19 management, making it more challenging to appropriately care for other potentially disabling and fatal diseases such as stroke. The aim of this study is to identify and describe changes in stroke epidemiological trends before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This is an international, multicenter, hospital-based study on stroke incidence and outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic. We will describe patterns in stroke management, stroke hospitalization rate, and stroke severity, subtype (ischemic/hemorrhagic), and outcomes (including in-hospital mortality) in 2020 during COVID-19 pandemic, comparing them with the corresponding data from 2018 and 2019, and subsequently 2021. We will also use an interrupted time series (ITS) analysis to assess the change in stroke hospitalization rates before, during, and after COVID-19, in each participating center. Conclusion: The proposed study will potentially enable us to better understand the changes in stroke care protocols, differential hospitalization rate, and severity of stroke, as it pertains to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ultimately, this will help guide clinical-based policies surrounding COVID-19 and other similar global pandemics to ensure that management of cerebrovascular comorbidity is appropriately prioritized during the global crisis. It will also guide public health guidelines for at-risk populations to reduce risks of complications from such comorbidities. © 2020