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Animals possess a range of sensory systems that are shaped by phylogeny and adapted to their unique life history. The field of sensory ecology studies how animals use these sensory capabilities to acquire and process salient information that enhances survival. Navigation, prey capture, predator avoidance, and communication are behaviours that rely on sensory inputs and are critical to understanding how an animal interacts with the physical environment and the other organisms that share its habitat. Because sensory biology is so critical to the behaviour of an animal, a detailed understanding of a species' sensory capabilities may also reveal novel and potentially more effective ways of manipulating its behaviour for management or conservation purposes. Here we highlight several instances where the application of a sensory ecology approach has been used to tackle challenging conservation problems, with a view to encouraging such an approach in Australian ecosystems. We describe how it is possible to exploit animal sensory systems to control invasive species using sensory traps and reduce negative interactions between humans and animals. We emphasise the importance of understanding and mitigating anthropogenic stressors from the perspective of the animals affected, in both wild animals affected by urban development and captive animals. It is evident that a sensory ecology approach has much to offer in terms of improving animal welfare and the conservation of biodiversity, including through the development of novel technological solutions that augment the current conservation management toolbox. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although theatre and cross-dressing have represented the main way to explore sexuality and gender’s identities for Italian homosexuals movements (including the LGBT+ communities) during the 70’s, it is not clear how these movements’ magazines managed to become factories of queer theatre. Their pages, in fact, allowed to revise and imprint true life experiences, which were shared and gave rise to queer practices. Theatre, therefore, became a therapeutic and explorative instrument to fight against sexual and gender’s homogeneity.

Abstract Background N8‐GP is an extended half‐life recombinant factor VIII developed for prophylaxis and treatment of bleeds in patients with hemophilia A. Objective To assess pharmacokinetic (PK) characteristics of N8‐GP in previously treated patients with severe hemophilia A, model the time spent at hemophilia thresholds of ≥1 and ≤5 IU/dL (moderate) or >5 IU/dL (mild) FVIII levels during N8‐GP prophylaxis, and investigate the relationship between N8‐GP half‐life and von Willebrand factor (vWF). Methods PK assessments were obtained from patients with severe hemophilia A (FVIII < 1 IU/dL) participating in 4 clinical trials: pathfinder 1 (20‐60 years); pathfinder 2 (12‐17 and ≥18 years); pathfinder 5 (0‐11 years), and pathfinder 7 (25‐71 years). All PK profiles were assessed after washout and considered single‐dose PK profiles. Pre‐ and postdose FVIII activity at steady state was measured at all visits. Results From 69 patients, 108 PK profiles of N8‐GP 50 IU/kg were assessed. Adults/adolescents received 50 IU/kg every 4 days, achieving mean trough levels of 3.0 IU/dL (95% confidence interval, 2.6‐3.5, adults) and 2.7 IU/dL (1.8‐4.0, adolescents). Children received 60 IU/kg twice weekly, leading to mean trough levels of 1.2 IU/dL (0.8‐1.6, 0‐ to 5‐year‐olds) and 2.0 IU/dL (1.5‐2.7, 6‐ to 11‐year‐olds). PK modeling predicted children dosed every 3 days and adults/adolescents dosed every 3 to 4 days would maintain FVIII levels >5 and >1 IU/dL for >80% and 100% of the time, respectively. N8‐GP half‐life correlated linearly with von Willebrand factor levels in adults/adolescents, less in children. Conclusions Prophylaxis with fixed intervals (Q4D/twice weekly) and fixed weight‐based dosing (50/60 IU/kg) ensured >1 IU/dL FVIII trough levels in both adults and children.

Objective The proportion and characteristics of Italian patients affected by venous thromboembolism (VTE) treated with direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) or vitamin K antagonists (VKAs), and complications occurring during follow-up.Design A prospective cohort of 2728 VTE patients included in the Survey on anticoagulaTed pAtients RegisTer (START2-Register) from January 2014 to June 2018 was investigated. Characteristics of patients, type of treatment and complications occurring during 2962 years of follow-up were analysed.Setting About 60 Italian anticoagulation and thrombosis centres participated in the observational START2-RegisterParticipants 2728 adult patients with VTE of a lower limb and/or pulmonary embolism (PE), with a follow-up after the initial phase treatment.Interventions Patients could receive DOACs or VKAs; both prescribed by the National and Regional Health Systems for patients with VTE.Outcomes measures Efficacy: rate of VTE recurrence (all thrombotic complications were also recorded). Safety: the rate of major and clinically relevant non-major bleeding events.Results Almost 80% of patients were treated with DOACs. The prevalence of symptomatic PE and impaired renal function was higher in patients receiving VKAs. Duration of anticoagulation was >180 days in approximately 70% of patients. Bleeding events were similar in both treatment groups. The overall eventuality of recurrence was significantly higher in DOAC cohorts versus VKA cohorts (HR 2.15 (1.14–4.06), p=0.018); the difference was almost completely due to recurrences occurring during extended treatment (2.73% DOAC vs 0.49% VKA, p

Hemophilia A is a rare X-linked disease that occurs as a result of a defect in the FVIII-encoding gene. The reduction or absence of plasma FVIII compromises the coagulation cascade, resulting in frequent bleeds, especially in joints or soft tissues. Currently, replacement therapy with coagulation factor concentrates is the gold standard for the treatment of FVIII deficiency. Herein, we report a case series of five hemophilia A patients treated with an extended half-life recombinant human coagulation factor, FVIII-Fc fusion protein (efmoroctocog alfa). The prophylactic regimen for each patient was individualized based on their pharmacokinetic profile. Compared to previous prophylactic treatments, most patients received a reduced weekly dose of concentrate, all underwent a reduced frequency of administration, the annualized bleeding rates (ABR) and hemophilia joint health scores (HJHS) were stable or improved. The half-life of efmoroctocog alfa and the 72-hour trough levels were higher than those observed in the A-LONG Phase III trial. In conclusion, all patients reported clinical improvements and general subjective wellbeing in the absence of significant safety concerns after switching to efmoroctocog alfa.

Abstract not required, according to the journal guidelines

Major surgery is associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), thus the application of mechanical or pharmacologic prophylaxis is recommended. The incidence of VTE in patients with inherited platelet disorders (IPD) undergoing surgical procedures is unknown and no information on the current use and safety of thromboprophylaxis, particularly of low-molecular-weight-heparin in these patients is available. Here we explored the approach to thromboprophylaxis and thrombotic outcomes in IPD patients undergoing surgery at VTE-risk participating in the multicenter SPATA study. We evaluated 210 surgical procedures carried out in 155 patients with well-defined forms of IPD (VTE-risk: 31% high, 28.6% intermediate, 25.2% low, 15.2% very low). The use of thromboprophylaxis was low (23.3% of procedures), with higher prevalence in orthopedic and gynecological surgeries, and was related to VTE-risk. The most frequently employed thromboprophylaxis was mechanical and appeared to be effective, as no patients developed thrombosis, including patients belonging to the highest VTE-risk classes. Low-molecular-weight-heparin use was low (10.5%) and it did not influence the incidence of post-surgical bleeding or of antihemorrhagic prohemostatic interventions use. Two thromboembolic events were registered, both occurring after high VTE-risk procedures in patients who did not receive thromboprophylaxis (4.7%). Our findings suggest that VTE incidence is low in patients with IPD undergoing surgery at VTE-risk and that it is predicted by the Caprini score. Mechanical thromboprophylaxis may be of benefit in patients with IPD undergoing invasive procedures at VTE-risk and low-molecular-weight-heparin should be considered for major surgery.

The extracellular parasite and causative agent of African sleeping sickness Trypanosoma brucei (T. brucei) has evolved a number of strategies to avoid immune detection in the host. One recently described mechanism involves the conversion of host-derived amino acids to aromatic ketoacids, which are detected at relatively high concentrations in the bloodstream of infected individuals. These ketoacids have been shown to directly suppress inflammatory responses in murine immune cells, as well as acting as potent inducers of the stress response enzyme, heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), which has proven anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the immunomodulatory properties of the T. brucei-derived ketoacids in primary human immune cells and further examine their potential as a therapy for inflammatory diseases. We report that the T. brucei-derived ketoacids, indole pyruvate (IP) and hydroxyphenylpyruvate (HPP), induce HO-1 expression through Nrf2 activation in human dendritic cells (DC). They also limit DC maturation and suppress the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which, in turn, leads to a reduced capacity to differentiate adaptive CD4+ T cells. Furthermore, the ketoacids are capable of modulating DC cellular metabolism and suppressing the inflammatory profile of cells isolated from patients with inflammatory bowel disease. This study therefore not only provides further evidence of the immune-evasion mechanisms employed by T. brucei, but also supports further exploration of this new class of HO-1 inducers as potential therapeutics for the treatment of inflammatory conditions.

Atualmente, ações humanas intensificaram as emissões de Gases de Efeito Estufa (GEE), decorrentes sobretudo, da queima de combustíveis fósseis, do desmatamento, do uso e manejo inadequado do solo. Este trabalho teve por objetivo realizar o cálculo para compensação ambiental dos GEE emitidos na 14ª edição da “Semana Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia (SNCT) no Vale do Paraíba, realizada nos dias 26 e 27 de outubro de 2017 em São José dos Campos-SP. O evento contou com a participação de mais de 300 estudantes de quinze escolas públicas parceiras do projeto Cemaden Educação e PROEX da UNESP/SJC. Foi realizado o cálculo das emissões de carbono por meio da ferramenta disponibilizada pelo Programa GHG Protocol – GVCES da Fundação Getúlio Vargas, conforme diretrizes do Painel Intergovernamental de Mudanças Climáticas – IPCC/ONU. Para tanto, foram analisados os seguintes critérios: emissões diretas (combustão móvel); emissões fugitivas (equipamento de refrigeração e de incêndio); eletricidade comprada; emissões indiretas (resíduos sólidos, efluentes, consumo de água, refeições, e material de consumo e divulgação). Como resultado foi contabilizada a emissão total de 11,34 t CO2, estabelecendo-se como compensação o plantio de 72 mudas nativas do Bioma Mata Atlântica. As mudas foram produzidas e plantadas no Viveiro Florestal de Taubaté, com o envolvimento de estudantes da região e parceiros organizadores da 14ª SNCT.

A 4-month-old male Himalayan cat presented with clinical signs of acute lethargy and motor incoordination after being treated with amitraz for parasite control. On clinical examination, the patient was lethargic and ataxic with severe pulicosis, hypothermia, pale mucous membranes, bradycardia, weak femoral pulses, hyperglycemia, and bilateral mydriasis. Blood tests revealed non-regenerative hypochromic microcytic anemia. Serum alanine levels were elevated tenfold. The patient received supportive treatment with atipamezole (an α2-adrenergic antagonist) at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg intramuscularly. After 24 h of hospitalization and constant monitoring, the patient recovered and was discharged. The published literature showed that the active ingredient amitraz is effective in the treatment of some parasitic diseases in cats, such as scabies and demodicosis; therefore, it is still used for this purpose. Given the small therapeutic margin of this insecticide, veterinarians should caution owners about its potential toxicity. This report emphasized the significance of amitraz intoxication in feline species and the success of the treatment, which should be initiated in the first hour after intoxication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the use of prophylaxis regimens with prolonged half-life factors is now widespread in the world of hemophilia A, there is a lack of real-life evidence on the impact of these products on joint health, adherence, and quality of life of patients. Turoctocog alfa pegol is a glycoPEGylated recombinant factor VIII (FVIII) with an extended half-life (EHL), developed for prophylaxis, treatment of bleeds, and perioperative management in patients with hemophilia A. We report here on three cases of three patients affected by severe hemophilia A, with variable bleeding phenotype and lifestyle, to describe our clinical practice on prophylaxis with turoctocog alfa pegol. As confirmed in our cases, FVIII trough levels remained coherent with those experienced in the registration trial after the switch to the commercial EHL drug. Moreover, the cases highlight how the current clinical management of hemophilia can personalize treatment in several specific conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this article is to identify and evaluate the moment when photography turns into a work of art, departing from being a mere utilitarian instrument to the service of art, assuming cult value and, consequently, arousing museological interest. The historical period of this turning point in the uses of photography is marked by its relations with an emerging conceptual art at 60’s and 70’s, and also by its criticism and theory, that gave rise to texts and authors still cited in photography’s researches. Recently, when museums and collections have entered the digital environment, its utilitarian function have become increasingly essential, and its place as work of art increasingly diluted in contemporaneity.