Search

As part of the ISAES study on Interoperable eSystems for Africa Enhanced by Satellites, eSurveillance systems were analysed as part of a national eHealth platform. The overriding goal is to provide for both an analytical framework and a concrete tool to support the strategic planning, implementation and maintenance of eSurveillance services in resource-constrained environments, with a focus on sub-Saharan Africa. Public health and surveillance concepts as elements of national health policies and their strategic role in improving the delivery of high quality healthcare services are reviewed, the location of eSurveillance systems within a national eHealth interoperability platform and infrastructure architecture analysed, and an operating model for eSurveillance in Africa, including relevant dimensions and domains for concrete implementation, is developed. The conclusions outline core implications for SSA countries when contemplating to plan for or expand eHealth eSurveillance platforms to facilitate and support better quality healthcare services.

In scientific literature, a small amount of information is found concerning mycoplasmosis in camel species. Mycoplasma (M.) arginini, Acholeplasma (A.) laidlawii, and Acholeplasma oculi have been reported to be isolated from these host species. Serologically positive results have been reported for Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides SC type, Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae, and M. mycoides subsp. capri. The aims of this study were to detect, isolate, and identify mycoplasmas from camels (Camelus dromedarius). Initially, saliva and ear smears plus conjunctival and vaginal secretions were taken from five female animals, but only conjunctival secretions in three male animals, all belonging to the same farm. An unknown mycoplasma was isolated from one of the vagina samples. Additionally, another unknown and uncultured mycoplasma was detected with molecular biology in the same sample. In the second stage, 23 vaginal secretions were taken from the same farm plus another secretion from a different one. Ten isolates of the same unknown and previously isolated mycoplasma were detected, nine of them recovered from the vagina of female camels. Some mycoplasmas have been related to reproductive disorders; however, there is no evidence that the isolated mycoplasmas are related to such disorders.

Plasma levels of Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) and Lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) have been associated with poor prognosis in general population. However their clinical value is not clear in stable coronary artery disease (SCAD). We studied 980 patients witn SCAD. At baseline, a

The Canary Islands have been considered as Q fever endemic territory for humans and livestock, but those studies were carried out 20 years ago. In order to evaluate the current status of the disease in livestock, a cross-sectional survey was performed evaluating 22 milking goat farms and 550 goats throughout all the 7 Canary Islands. A questionnaire to collect epidemiological data was also included. Blood sera were analyzed using a commercial Q fever antibody ELISA test kit. The overall animal seroprevalence was 42%, with significant differences among the islands, their climate zones, and local particularities. These findings would confirm the endemic character of the disease 20 years later and would indicate the need to implement an urgent control plan as well as surveillance measures by the Official Veterinary Services.

The Canary Islands contain the most important dromedary camel ( Camelus dromedarius) population in the European Union and are the main export point of dromedaries to continental Europe and Latin America. We investigated the presence of antibodies against relevant disease agents in 100 Canarian camel sera. Selected blood samples of the same animals were also tested by PCR. Sera were tested for antibodies against Bluetongue virus (BTV; 0%), Bovine Viral Diarrhoea virus (BVDV; 0%), Camelpox virus (CPV; 8% by serum neutralization, 16% by ELISA), Peste des Petits Ruminants virus (PPRV, 0%), Rift Valley Fever virus (RVFV; 0%) and West Nile Fever virus (WNV; 3%), the bacterial pathogens Anaplasma sp. (3%), Brucella sp. (1%), Coxiella burnetii (19%), Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis (MAP; 22%), Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC; 10%) and Rickettsia sp. (83%), and the parasites Toxoplasma gondii (36%) and Neospora caninum (86%). The most remarkable findings were the detection of antibodies against CPV and the high antibody prevalence against C. burnetii, Rickettsia sp., T. gondii and N. caninum. By PCR, we found no C. burnetii, N. caninum and Anaplasma sp. DNA in the tested samples. However, Rickettsia sp. DNA was detected in six antibody positive tested samples. These results should be taken into consideration in order to implement adequate control measures and avoid a potential dissemination of infections to other territories., This is a contribution to EU grants ANTIGONE (278976) and APHAEA (EMIDA ERA-NET).

This document shows the details of the implementation of a fuzzy inference system, for the identification of four over-the-counter drugs (Naproxen, Calcium Carbonate, Muvett and Winadol), by using a Raman Spectroscopy, which output is the characterization of the substance. Data obtained from Raman Spectroscopy are modeled with Matlab®- Fuzzy Logic Toolbox.

Trypanosoma evansi was diagnosed in a camel in the Canary Islands for the first time in 1997, and the parasite is still present in a little area of the Archipelago. Since then, the disease has exclusively affected camel herds, and clinical evidence of the infection has not been demonstrated in any other animal hosts. In the frame of a control plan of the disease in the Archipelago, 864 equines located in the infected area were examined during one decade (2001-2010), of which a total of 26 (3%) were serologically positive but showed negative results at parasitological and molecular examinations. FreeCalc, an epidemiological tool to detect presence/absence of disease, showed that the population would be diseased at a confidence level of 99.916%. These results must suppose to implement the control plan against the disease including the equine population present in the surrounding area of the infected camel farms.

Introduction: ulcerative colitis is a little known chronic inflammatory disease in colonic mucosa. The positive effect of epidermal growth factor was shown in a previous report, with enema use for treatment of mild to moderate left-sided manifestation of the disease. This evidence provided the basis for evaluating the efficacy and safety profile of a viscous solution of this product. Methods: thirty-one patients were randomized to three groups for daily medications during 14 days. Twelve received one 10 mg enema of epidermal growth factor dissolved in 100 mL of viscous solution whereas nine were treated with placebo enema; both groups also received 1.2 g of oral mesalamine per day. The other group included ten patients with 3 g / 100 mL of mesalamine enema. Primary end point was clinical responses after two weeks of treatment, defined as a decreased of, at least three points from baseline, the Disease Activity Index and endoscopic or histological evidences of improvement. Results: remission of disease was observed in all patients in the epidermal growth factor group, and six in both, mesalamine enema and placebo group. All the comparisons between groups showed statistically significant superiority for epidermal growth factor, the only product with significant reduction in disease activity index as well as the presence and intensity of digestive symptoms in patients after treatment. None adverse event was reported. Conclusions: the results agree with previous molecular and clinical evidences, indicating that the epidermal growth factor is effective to reduce disease activity and to induce remission. A new study involving more patients should be conducted to confirm the efficacy of the epidermal growth factor enemas.Introducción: la colitis ulcerosa es una enfermedad inflamatoria crónica de etiología poco conocida, que afecta la mucosa del colon. El efecto positivo del factor de crecimiento epidérmico fue reportado en estudio previo con uso de enema para tratamiento de la manifestación izquierda leve o moderada de la enfermedad. Este antecedente sirvió de base para evaluar la eficacia y perfil de seguridad de una solución viscosa del producto. Métodos: fueron aleatorizados 31 pacientes hacia tres grupos de tratamiento diario durante 14 días. Doce recibieron enemas de 10 mg de factor de crecimiento epidérmico en 100 mL de solución viscosa, mientras nueve fueron tratados con enemas placebo conteniendo solamente solución viscosa. Ambos grupos recibieron además 1,2 g diarios de mesalacina oral. El tercer grupo incluyó 10 pacientes con mesalacina en enemas de 3g / 100 mL. La variable principal de eficacia fue la respuesta clínica al finalizar las dos semanas de tratamiento, definida como la disminución de, al menos tres puntos, el índice basal de actividad de la enfermedad acompañada de mejoría endoscópica o histológica. Resultados: se alcanzó remisión de la enfermedad en todos los pacientes que recibieron factor de crecimiento epidérmico y en seis de los grupos mesalacina enema y placebo. Todas las comparaciones entre grupos mostraron superioridad estadísticamente significativa para el factor de crecimiento epidérmico, único producto que logró la reducción significativa del índice de actividad de la enfermedad y de la presencia e intensidad de los síntomas digestivos en los pacientes luego del tratamiento. Ningún evento adverso fue reportado. Conclusiones: estos resultados son consistentes con las anteriores evidencias moleculares y clínicas que señalan al factor de crecimiento epidérmico capaz de reducir la actividad e inducir la remisión de la colitis ulcerosa. Debe ser realizado un nuevo estudio en un número mayor de pacientes para confirmar la eficacia de los enemas de factor de crecimiento epidérmico.

This chapter aims to describe significant aspects of the most common nutritional/metabolic diseases caused by insufficient or disbalanced nutrients intake, such as carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, and macro or trace minerals, and their repercussion in goat metabolism. Goats are opportunistic feeding behavior animals, choosing the best nutrients in both hard environments or even in feed availability periods. In some conditions, e.g., poor quality forages in nutrients, and/or when energy or nutrient requirements overpasses their intake capacity and availability, goats may not keep metabolic homeostasis. Pregnant toxemia, urolithiasis, polioencephalomalacia, and selenium or vitamin E deficiency are major diseases with impact in production, reproduction and/or health in both low- and high-producing goats or their kids. In high-producing dairy goats, due to their higher nutritional demands, increased incidence of the called “production diseases” is observed. Subacute ruminal acidosis, lactational ketosis, hepatic lipidose, hypocalcemia and low milk fat syndrome are also major problem in dairy herds to require special attention. Risk factors of these disorders should be taken into account in nutritional and feed management programs. A holistic approach regarding these programs and herd health management are crucial to control or prevent nutritional and metabolic diseases in farms.

There are large differences between flavonoids to protect against apoptosis, a process in which cytochrome c (Cyt c) plays a key role. In this work, we show that 7 of 13 flavonoids studied have a capacity to reduce Cyt c similar or higher than ascorbate, the flavonols quercetin, kaempferol and myricetin, flavanol epigallocatechin-gallate, anthocyanidins cyanidin and malvidin, and the flavone luteolin. In contrast, the kaempferol 3(O)- and 3,4'(O)-methylated forms, the flavanone naringenin, and also apigenin and chrysin, had a negligible reducing capacity. Equilibrium dialysis and quenching of 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene fluorescence experiments showed that flavonoids did not interfere with Cyt c binding to cardiolipin (CL)/phosphatidylcholine (PC) vesicles. However, the CL-induced loss of Cyt c Soret band intensity was largely attenuated by flavonoids, pointing out a stabilizing action against Cyt c unfolding in the complex. Moreover, flavonoids that behave as Cyt c reductants also inhibited the pro-apoptotic CL-induced peroxidase activity of Cyt c, indicating that modulation of Cyt c signaling are probable mechanisms behind the protective biological activities of flavonoids. © 2016 BioFactors, 43(3):451-468, 2017.

Face recognition is one of the most important field in computer vision, although there are many proposals and research papers still have limitations in real applications where uncontrolled conditions such as illumination, view angle, facial expressions, resolution and image quality, etc. are the main problems. To solve these issues there are a large number of methods for recognition, which can be grouped according to the approach by which the recognition process is addressed, such groups are; holistic methods and featrure based. In this paper we address a feature-based method called Elastic Bunch Graph Matching (EBGM) which is appropriate for an uncontrolled environment for its tolerance to changing background and certain variations of pose, also by having a lower sensitivity variations of illumination which is one of the weaknesses in the holistic methods, which compared to them EBGM without any modification obtained results alongside well-known methods as Principal Component Analysis (PCA). EBGM has several parameters that can be configured and most of the works in literature uses the default settings of the original author. In this respect this paper presents modifications to these parameters as regards the number of models, illumination enhancement in the preprocessing phase, the configurations Gabor masks and modifying the similarity function. Finally we corroborate the existence of improvements on our experimental results.

In the recent years the convolutional neural network is used successfully in applications of image classification, due to its deep and hierarchical architecture. The hyper parameters of the convolutional neural networks are of great influence to obtain good results in binary classification without the need of a large number of layers. The activation function, the weights initialization and the sub sampling function are the three main hyper parameters. In the present work 27 models of convolutional neural network are trained and tested with automobile images taken from a surveillance camera. The illumination intensity of the test images are different from the training images, because they were taken from scenes of day, evening and night. We also demonstrate the influence of the mean of the images and the size of the filter kernel. The convolutional neural network model with the best result reached 95.6% of accuracy. The results of experiments show that neural networks predict successfully automobile images with varied illumination intensities overcome the techniques Haar Cascade and the Support Vector Machine.

Abnormal levels of fibrinogen (Fib) in blood plasma are associated with several pathological conditions and hence methods for its detection in blood and body fluids are essential. Nanobodies (Nbs) or (VHHs) are single domain antibodies derived from camelids with excellent biophysical and antigen-binding properties, showing great promise in diagnostics and therapy. In this work, we select and characterize high affinity Nbs binding human Fib employing an E. coli cell surface display system based on the fusion of an immune library of VHH domains with the β-domain of Intimin. Bacteria displaying high-affinity Nbs against Fib were selected using magnetic cell sorting (MACS). Specific binding of the selected clones to Fib was confirmed by flow cytometry of E. coli bacteria, as well as by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) with the purified Nbs. E. coli display also provided an excellent estimation of the affinity of the selected Nbs by flow cytometry analysis under equilibrium conditions, with equilibrium constant (KD) values very similar to those obtained by SPR analysis. Finally, pairwise epitope-scouting studies revealed that the selected Nbs bound distinct epitopes on Fib. The selected Nbs are promising diagnostic tools for determination of human Fib levels.

En diversas aplicaciones de visión por computadora, existe la necesidad de calibrar los sistemas de coordenadas de los diferentes elementos involucrados uno respecto al otro con el fin de tener una perspectiva apropiada de los objetos en la escena. En el campo de la Cirugía Asistida por Computadora (CAS) en muchas ocasiones se encuentra este tipo de problema, tal es el caso de aplicaciones como la navegación de herramientas quirúrgicas, la robótica quirúrgica, etc. En este trabajo se propone la calibración de un dispositivo de proyección laser para la superposición de imágenes (IOD) con un sistema de navegación óptica (localizador óptico) con la finalidad de brindar la posibilidad de proyectar imágenes sobre anatomías con una adecuada perspectiva de la posición de dichas imágenes en la escena. La calibración del proyector laser consiste en calcular una transformada en coordenadas homogéneas desde un marcador fiducial colocado en la carcasa del proyector hacia su propio centro de proyección de imágenes. Para tales propósitos se presenta también la calibración de una cámara web donde se utiliza una metodología que es la base para la calibración del proyector laser. La metodología utilizada en este trabajo consiste en la extracción de puntos de un tablero de calibración con el localizador óptico y con la cámara web; posteriormente se utiliza el método de par de puntos para obtener la transformada entre ambos sistemas, lo que permite calcular la transformada de calibración. En el procedimiento es necesario la calibración de una herramienta mediante el método de pivoteo; esta herramienta sirve como puntero para la extracción de esquinas del tablero de calibración respecto al localizador óptico. Como resultado, se obtiene una calibración que permite realizar un seguimiento de la posición del proyector laser dentro del espacio de trabajo de un localizador óptico. Este procedimiento permitirá utilizar el método propuesto para calibrar diferentes herramientas de navegación como instrumentos de ablación quirúrgica, agujas de inserción quirúrgica o instrumentos que tienen un sistema video-métrico adjunto, utilizados en laparoscopia. In various applications of computer vision, there is the need to calibrate the coordinate systems of different elements respect to one another in order to have a proper perspective of the objects in the scene. In the field of Computer Assisted Surgery (CAS) in many times is found this kind of problem, such is the case of applications as the surgical tools navigation, surgical robotics, etc. In this work the calibration of a laser projection device for image overlay (IOD) is proposed with an optical navigation system (stereo-tracker) in order to provide the possibility to project images on anatomies with a proper perspective of the position of such images in the scene. The laser projector calibration consists in to calculate a transformed in homogeneous coordinates from a fiducial marker placed on the laser projector to its own center of projection. For such purposes it is also presented the calibration of a webcam where a methodology that is the basis for calibrating the laser projector is used. The methodology used in this work consists in to extract points from a calibration board with the stereo-tracker and the webcam; subsequently the pair point method is used to obtain the transform between the two systems, which allows calculating the calibration transform. In the procedure, the calibration of a tool by the method of pivoting is required; this tool is used as a pointer for extracting of corners of the calibration board respect to the stereo-tracker. As a result, a calibration that allows tracking the position of the laser projector in the workspace of an optical finder is obtained. This procedure will allow using the proposed method to calibrate different navigation tools such as surgical ablation instruments, surgical insertion needles or instruments with an attached video-metric system that are used in laparoscopy.

El cáncer de mama es la causa más frecuente de cáncer en mujeres en todo el mundo determina elevadas tasas de mortalidad en países con ingresos medios y bajos. El objetivo del trabajo fue determinar el grado de conocimiento, actitud y práctica, sobre el autoexamen de mama en las estudiantes de primero a quinto año de la Facultad de Medicina a través de un estudio descriptivo transversal. De un universo de 1050 estudiantes de sexo femenino se definió una muestra de 200 estudiantes, 40 estudiantes por año de estudio. La herramienta utilizada para la recolección de datos fue una encuesta anónima de 13 preguntas. Resultados: De la mayoría de las encuestadas, 50,5% pertenecían al rango de edad entre 20-22 años, 91% de las encuestadas conocen el procedimiento del autoexamen, 71% practican el autoexamen, 99% piensa que es muy importante; el 44% se informó del mismo através del personal de salud y el 63,4% prefiere realizar el autoexamen frente al espejo. Por lo tanto se concluye que existe un elevado nivel de conocimiento sobre el autoexamen de mama entre los encuestados, su actitud hacia él mismo es positiva, sin embargo la práctica es pobre. Estos datos podrían utilizarse para ofrecer o mejorar charlas académicas a los estudiantes y publico en general sobre la importancia del autoexamen mamario en el diagnóstico temprano de patología mamaria.

The use of traditional urban infrastructure construction techniques, particularly open-cut construction, is being used less and less because of the benefits offered by trenchless techniques. These techniques typically reduce the disruption and impact on both the environment (i.e., reduced greenhouse-gas emissions) and society (i.e., reduced traffic and pedestrian delays attributable to road and sidewalk closures). In Colombia, owners such as Empresas Publicas de Medellin E.S.P. and the Colombian Institute for Subterranean Infrastructure Technologies and Techniques have promoted the use of these technologies in urban areas. The primary techniques used in Colombia for installing and rehabilitating urban infrastructure are pipe bursting, horizontal directional drilling, cured-in-place pipe, and microtunneling. Automated decision support tools are available in Colombia to assist designers in selecting technically viable techniques. This paper describes the trenchless techniques used in Colombia, a bri...

Spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) is an immunoregulatory tyrosine kinase that was identified originally in leukocytes. It is a key regulator of innate immunity as well as hematopoietic cell differentiation and proliferation. A role for Syk in regulating normal cellular functions in nonhematopoietic cells is increasingly recognized. We have shown previously robust Syk expression in airway epithelium, where it regulates the early inflammatory response to human rhinovirus (HRV) infections, and HRV cell entry by clathrin-mediated endocytosis. To test the hypothesis that Syk plays a role in modulating airway epithelial cell proliferation, migration, and production of vascular endothelial growth factor and interleukin-8, we studied the BEAS-2B human bronchial epithelial cell line and primary human airway epithelia from normal and asthmatic donors using Syk-specific pharmacologic inhibitors and small interfering RNA. Using an in vitro “wounding” model, we demonstrated significant impairment of “wound” closure after treatment with the Syk inhibitors N 4-(2,2-dimethyl-3-oxo-4 H -pyrid[1,4]oxazin-6-yl)-5-fluoro- N 2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-2,4-pyrimidinediamine (R406) and 2-[7-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-imidazo[1,2- c ]pyrimidin-5-ylamino]-nicotinamide dihydrochloride (BAY61-3606), overexpression of the kinase-inactive Syk K396R mutant, and Syk knockdown by small interfering RNA. HRV infection also impaired wound healing, an effect that was partly Syk-dependent because wound healing was impaired further when HRV infection occurred in the presence of Syk inhibition. Further investigation of potential regulatory mechanisms revealed that inhibition of Syk suppressed HRV-induced vascular endothelial growth factor expression while promoting the activation of caspase-3, a mediator of epithelial cell apoptosis. Together, these results indicate that Syk plays a role in promoting epithelial cell proliferation and migration, while mitigating the effects of apoptosis.

O trabalho busca estudar a inserção de um novo agente no campo judaico, suas relações dentro do campo e também com a metrópole. Um ex-pastor da Assembléia de Deus passa a se identificar como bnei anussim e cria a sinagoga Beith Israel, no bairro de São Mateus, periferia de São Paulo. Lá, praticam o judaísmo ortodoxo, conforme seus próprios esquemas de percepção. Mas, ao buscar o reconhecimento da comunidade judaica de São Paulo, são impedidos de retornar à religião.

Nash EF, Volling C, Gutierrez CA, Tullis E, Coonar A, McRae K, Keshavjee S, Singer LG, Durie PR, Chaparro C. Outcomes of patients with cystic fibrosis undergoing lung transplantation with and without cystic fibrosis-associated liver cirrhosis. Clin Transplant 2012: 26: 34–41. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract: People with severe cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease with co-existent CF-associated liver disease (CFLD) are often excluded from consideration of sole lung transplantation, largely because of the concerns that they will subsequently develop hepatic decompensation. This retrospective cohort study aimed at determining whether patients with severe cirrhosis caused by CFLD have any differences in perioperative and relevant post-transplant outcomes compared to CF patients without CFLD when undergoing sole lung transplantation. Six patients with CFLD were matched with 18 CF patients without CFLD undergoing sole lung transplant at the same institution. There were no differences in total operative time or intra-operative requirements for cardiopulmonary bypass or blood products. Over a period of five yr post-transplant, no differences were observed between the two groups in body mass index, six-min walk, lung function, and survival. None of the CFLD subjects developed variceal bleeding; however, one developed hepatocellular and renal failure at four yr post-transplant and is being assessed for liver–kidney transplant. One additional patient with CFLD required repeat lung transplantation for bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome. This study provides evidence that CF patients with liver cirrhosis caused by CFLD can safely be considered for sole lung transplantation provided there is no evidence of significant hepatocellular dysfunction with decompensated cirrhosis or hepatic synthetic failure.

Functional studies of biodegradative activities in environmental microorganisms require molecular tools for monitoring catabolic enzymes in the members of the native microbiota. To this end, we have generated repertories of single-domain V(HH) fragments of camel immunoglobulins (nanobodies) able to interact with multiple proteins that are descriptors of environmentally relevant processes. For this, we immunized Camelus dromedarius with a cocktail of up to 12 purified enzymes that are representative of major types of detoxifying activities found in aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms. Following the capture of the antigen-binding modules from the mRNA of the camel lymphocytes and the selection of sub-libraries for each of the enzymes in a phage display system we found a large number of V(HH) modules that interacted with each of the antigens. Those associated to the enzyme 2,3 dihydroxybiphenyl dioxygenase of Burkholderia xenovorans LB400 (BphC) and the arsenate reductase of Staphylococcus aureus (ArsC) were examined in detail and found to hold different qualities that were optimal for distinct protein recognition procedures. The repertory of anti-BphC V(HH) s included variants with a strong affinity and specificity for linear epitopes of the enzyme. When the anti-BphC V(HH) library was recloned in a prokaryotic intracellular expression system, some nanobodies were found to inhibit the dioxygenase activity in vivo. Furthermore, anti-ArsC V(HH) s were able to discriminate between proteins stemming from different enzyme families. The easiness of generating large collections of binders with different properties widens considerably the molecular toolbox for analysis of biodegradative bacteria and opens fresh possibilities of monitoring protein markers and activities in the environment.

Trypanosoma evansi was diagnosed for the first time in camels in the Canary Islands in 1997. Several sanitary measures including treatment of infected animals were taken; however, nowadays a little area is still infected. In order to determine possible reservoirs 138 wild rodents were trapped, 64 of them in the infected farms and the remaining 74 in other areas. The captured species were Rattus rattus (24), Rattus norvegicus (69) and Mus musculus domesticus (45). Serological (CATT/T. evansi), parasitological (micro-Hematocrit Centrifugation technique and stained smears) and molecular (PCR) methods for T. evansi and T. lewisi were used as diagnostic methods. None of the examined rodents was positive for T. evansi; 18, however, showed motile trypanosomes at micro-Hematocrit Centrifugation technique and resulted positive for T. lewisi by PCR. The results would suggest that the studied rodent species would not play a relevant role in the epidemiology of T. evansi infection in Canaries.

The use of high-sensitive troponin I (hsTnI) in clinical practice is currently limited to the context of the acute coronary syndrome. In stable coronary artery disease (SCAD), its clinical value is not clear. We studied 989 patients with SCAD. At baseline, a complete set of clinical and analytical

Lung transplantation is the ultimate treatment of end-stage lung disease. After transplantation, the 1-year survival rate is 80%. However, 5-year survival rates drop to 50% due to bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS). Ischemia/reperfusion injury, infections, and acute rejection are major risk factors contributing to the development of BOS. These risk factors are also associated with increased oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is a condition whereby prooxidants overwhelm the antioxidant defense system and may contribute to the pathogenesis of BOS by inducing more tissue injury and inflammation. This article reviews the current state of knowledge on oxidative stress in lung transplantation and BOS.

En la Bahía de Cartagena, se determinó la variación y estructura de la comunidad zooplanctónica en relación con las condiciones fisicoquímicas, durante los meses de febrero a noviembre del 2006, abarcando las tres épocas climáticas. Se registró una riqueza de 97 especies de las cuales 18 fueron catalogadas como nuevos registros para la Bahía de Cartagena. Se encontró una especie con una especial característica; su biogeografía está restringida al Pacífico Sur: Corystoide chilense. Esta especie presentó una regularidad en los muestreos, lo que significa que tiene una alta distribución en la bahía. Posiblemente su medio de introducción a la bahía fue el lastre de los buques de tráfico internacional. Teniendo en cuenta las características de la Bahía de Cartagena, con relación a su apelativo de estuarinas, cabe destacar que los mayores valores de riqueza de especie se registraron en la época seca con 75, seguido de transición con 73 y lluvia con 52. En el caso de la Bahía de Cartagena se considera que los aportes de nutrientes por parte del canal del Dique y el emisario submarino, son los que modelan el comportamiento de los parámetros químicos y físicos en las distintas épocas climáticas del año y adicionalmente afectan la distribución y la dinámica de la comunidad.

There exist uniquely ergodic affine interval exchange transformations of [0,1] with flips having wandering intervals and such that the support of the invariant measure is a Cantor set., Comment: 7 pages

Let a>0, F: R^2 -> R^2 be a differentiable (not necessarily C^1) map and Spec(F) be the set of (complex) eigenvalues of the derivative F'(p) when p varies in R^2. (a) If Spec(F) is disjoint of the interval [1,1+a[, then Fix(F) has at most one element, where Fix(F) denotes the set of fixed points of F. (b) If Spec(F) is disjoint of the real line R, then Fix(F^2) has at most one element. (c) If F is a C^1 map and, for all p belonging to R^2, the derivative F'(p) is neither a homothety nor has simple real eigenvalues, then Fix(F^2) has at most one element, provided that Spec(F) is disjoint of either (c1) the union of the number 0 with the intervals ]-\infty, -1] and [1,\infty[, or (c2) the interval [-1-a, 1+a]. Conditions under which Fix(F^n), with n>1, is at most unitary are considered., 13 pages, no figures

BACKGROUND: Monitoring noninvasive biomarkers of inflammation is an important adjunct in asthma therapy.OBJECTIVE: The goal of the present study was to identify airway and alveolar site(s) of inflammation using exhaled nitric oxide (NO) as a marker in asthmatic patients, and to evaluate the NO response to maintenance fluticasone 250 μg/salmeterol 50 μg (F/S) and add-on montelukast 10 mg (M).METHODS: Thirty (24 women) nonsmoking, mild to moderate asthmatic patients were studied, mean age (± SD) 43±9 years, treated with F/S for more than one year. All were clinically stable for longer than eight weeks and had not taken oral corticosteroids and/or leukotriene antagonists for eight weeks before the present study. Spirometry, Juniper asthma symptom score, fractional exhaled NO (FENO) 100 mL/s, bronchial NO and alveolar NO concentration (CANO) were measured in a single-blind, nonrandomized crossover study.PROTOCOL: Visit 1: baseline F/S; visit 2: after four weeks of F/S plus M; visit 3: after four weeks of S plus M; and visit 4: after four weeks of S only. Values in asthmatic patients were also compared with 34 nonsmoking age-matched healthy controls with normal lung function.RESULTS: After 180 μg aerosolized metered dose inhaler albuterol, the forced expiratory volume in 1 s at baseline was 2.6±0.8 L (86%±16% of the predicted value) and the forced expiratory volume in 1 s over the forced vital capacity was 77%±9% (mean ± SD), and was similar at visits 2 to 4. Juniper scores were mildly abnormal at visits 1 to 3, but significantly worse (P=0.03) at visit 4 versus visits 1 to 3. FENO values at visits 1 to 3 were similar but significantly increased (P=0.007) at visit 4. Bronchial NO was higher (P=0.03) at visit 4, versus visits 1 and 2, and was no different at visit 3. Compared with the healthy subjects, FENO and bronchial NO values were abnormal (greater than the normal mean plus 2 SD) in 33% of asthmatic patients at visits 1 to 3. CANO was similar for visits 1 to 4. CANO was abnormal (greater than the normal mean + 2 SD) in 20% of asthmatic patients.CONCLUSION: In clinically stable asthmatic patients, despite controller treatment including moderate-dose inhaled corticosteroids and add-on M, 33% of mild to moderate asthmatic patients have ongoing nonsuppressed bronchial sites of increased NO production, compared with healthy control subjects. These controllers have no effect on CANO, which was abnormal in 20% of the asthmatic patients studied. The addition of add-on M to baseline moderate-dose inhaled corticosteroid did not further reduce total exhaled, bronchial and/or alveolar NO production.

This paper examines the problem of distributed intrusion detection in Mobile Ad-Hoc Networks (MANETs), utilizing ensemble methods. A three-level hierarchical system for data collection, processing and transmission is described. Local IDSs (intrusion detection systems) are attached to each node of the MANET, collecting raw data of network operation, and computing a local anomaly index measuring the mismatch between the current node operation and a baseline of normal operation. Anomaly indexes from nodes belonging to a cluster are periodically transmitted to a cluster head, which averages the node indexes producing a cluster-level anomaly index. Cluster heads periodically transmit these cluster-level anomaly indexes to a manager which averages them. On the theoretical side, we show that averaging improves detection rates under very mild conditions concerning the distributions of the anomaly indexes of the normal class and the anomalous class. On the practical side, the paper describes clustering algorithms to update cluster centers and machine learning algorithms for computing the local anomaly indexes. The complete suite of algorithms was implemented and tested, under two types of MANET routing protocols and two types of attacks against the routing infrastructure. Performance evaluation was effected by determining the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves and the corresponding area under the ROC curve (AUC) metrics for various operational conditions. The overall results confirm the theoretical developments related with the benefits of averaging with detection accuracy improving as we move up in the node-cluster-manager hierarchy.

The present study combines data from Mexico's employment surveys (Encuesta Nacional de Empleo and Encuesta Nacional de Ocupacion y Empleo) with the country's official statistics on murder rates to create a state-level panel data set covering the period 1995 to 2013. Including most of the common controls identified by the literature, the results show that the rate of male youth ages 19 to 24 not studying and out of work (the so-called ninis), is not correlated with homicide rates during the period 1995 to 2006. However, there is evidence that a positive correlation between male ninis and murder rates arises between 2007 and 2013, a period during which murder rates in Mexico increased threefold. The association between ninis and homicide rates is stronger in states located along the border with the United States, a region particularly affected by organized crime and the international financial crisis of 2008-09.

28 Páginas, 2 Tablas, 3 Figuras, An oxic settling anoxic system coupled with an activated sludge process has been studied to reduce sewage sludge production. The reduction of sludge yield, excess sludge production and active biomass yield were 51.7%, 52.9% and 67.1%, respectively, compared with the control system. The oxic reactor of the oxic settling anoxic system, even with a lower active biomass concentration than the oxic reactor of control system, showed a higher metabolic activity in their active biomass. Diversity and crawling ciliates group have been shown as promising bioindicators of active biomass yield reduction. The identification of floc-forming bacteria in the control system suggested that oxic settling anoxic system will improve settling properties compared to a Conventional Activated Sludge process

The Gram-positive bacterium Lactococcus lactis, used for the production of cheeses and other fermented dairy products, falls victim frequently to fortuitous infection by tailed phages. The accompanying risk of dairy fermentation failures in industrial facilities has prompted in-depth investigations of these phages. Lactococcal phage Tuc2009 possesses extensive genomic homology to phage TP901-1. However, striking differences in the baseplate-encoding genes stimulated our interest in solving the structure of this host’s adhesion device. We report here the X-ray structures of phage Tuc2009 receptor binding protein (RBP) and of a “tripod” assembly of three baseplate components, BppU, BppA, and BppL (the RBP). These structures made it possible to generate a realistic atomic model of the complete Tuc2009 baseplate that consists of an 84-protein complex: 18 BppU, 12 BppA, and 54 BppL proteins. The RBP head domain possesses a different fold than those of phages p2, TP901-1, and 1358, while the so-called “stem” and “neck” domains share structural features with their equivalents in phage TP901-1. The BppA module interacts strongly with the BppU N-terminal domain. Unlike other characterized lactococcal phages, Tuc2009 baseplate harbors two different carbohydrate recognition sites: one in the bona fide RBP head domain and the other in BppA. These findings represent a major step forward in deciphering the molecular mechanism by which Tuc2009 recognizes its saccharidic receptor(s) on its host., IMPORTANCE Understanding how siphophages infect Lactococcus lactis is of commercial importance as they cause milk fermentation failures in the dairy industry. In addition, such knowledge is crucial in a general sense in order to understand how viruses recognize their host through protein-glycan interactions. We report here the lactococcal phage Tuc2009 receptor binding protein (RBP) structure as well as that of its baseplate. The RBP head domain has a different fold than those of phages p2, TP901-1, and 1358, while the so-called “stem” and “neck” share the fold characteristics also found in the equivalent baseplate proteins of phage TP901-1. The baseplate structure contains, in contrast to other characterized lactococcal phages, two different carbohydrate binding modules that may bind different motifs of the host’s surface polysaccharide.

Nowadays almost everyone has access to mobile devices that offer better processing capabilities and access to new information and services, the Web is undoubtedly the best tool for sharing content, especially through social networks. Web content enhanced by mobile capabilities, enable the gathering and aggregation of information that can be useful for our everyday lives as, for example, in urban mobility where personalized real-time traffic information, can heavily influence users’ travel habits, thus contributing for a better way of living. Current navigation systems fall short in several ways in order to satisfy the need to process and reason upon such volumes of data, namely, to accurately provide information about urban traffic in real-time and the possibility to personalize the information presented to users. The work presented here describes an approach to integrate, fuse and process tweet messages from traffic agencies, with the objective of detecting the geographical span of traffic events, such as accidents or road works. Tweet messages are considered in this work given their uniqueness, their real time nature, which may be used to quickly detect a traffic event, and their simplicity. We also address some imprecisions ranging from lack of geographical information, imprecise and ambiguous toponyms, overlaps and repetitions as well as visualization to our data set in the UK, and a qualitative study on the use of the approach using tweets in other languages, such as Greek. Finally, we present an application scenario, where traffic information is processed from tweets massages, triggering personalized notifications to users through Google Cloud Messaging on Android smartphones. The work presented here is still part of on-going work. Results achieved so far do not address the final conclusions but form the basis for the formalization of a domain knowledge along with the urban mobility services.

This communication presents a case of peromelia associated with brachydactyly and hyperphalangism in a newborn female goat. Absence and rudimentary distal phalanx were observed in hands and feet at X-ray examination. According to the Bell's classification [Bell, J., 1951. On brachydactyly and symphalangism. In: Penrose (Ed.), Treasury of Human Inheritance, vol. 5. Oxford University Press, Cambridge, pp. 1–30] the kid goat presented a brachydactyly type B. Karyotype study was only performed in the dam, and no apparent chromosomal aberrations were observed (58 XX). Several drugs or infectious diseases associated with congenital abnormalities were discarded. The farm had not introduced new males in many years; for that, inbreeding environment and recessive abnormalities could be suspected. To the author's knowledge, the coexistence of such malformations has not been previously described in a goat.

To detect dynamic hyperinflation (DH) by evaluating reduction in inspiratory capacity (IC) during metronome-paced hyperventilation (MPH) in patients with moderate-to-severe COPD, studied before and after treatment with tiotropium.IC and FEV(1) were measured before and immediately after MPH at two times resting the respiratory rate for 20 s in 60 COPD patients (28 men; mean age, 66 +/- 10 years [+/- SD]) before and after 30 days of treatment with tiotropium bromide, 18 mug. Patients were encouraged to maintain a constant tidal volume during MPH.At baseline, mean FEV(1) was 1.5 +/- 0.1 L (+/- SE) [57 +/- 1.6% of predicted], mean FVC was 2.6 +/- 0.1L (77 +/- 1.8% of predicted), and mean FEV(1)/FVC was 56 +/- 1%. After 180 mug of aerosolized albuterol sulfate, mean FEV(1) was 1.7 +/- 0.1 L (63 +/- 1.5% of predicted) [p0.001] and mean FEV(1)/FVC was 58 +/- 1%. Compared to baseline, after 30 days and 1.5 h after tiotropium there was an increase in IC of 0.18 +/- 0.04L (p0.0001); FEV(1) of 0.13 +/- 0.03 L (5.6 +/- 0.8% of predicted; p = 0.0002); FVC of 0.22 +/- 0.05 L (6.5 +/- 1.3% of predicted; p0.001); and decrease in end-expiratory lung volume (EELV)/total lung capacity (TLC) of - 3.1 +/- 0.6% (p = 0.0001); a decrease in end-inspiratory lung volume (EILV)/TLC of - 2.9 +/- 1.3% (p = 0.03); and no change in TLC (- 0.06 +/- 0.05 L). Results following MPH-induced DH at baseline and after 30 days of tiotropium were similar, with decreases in IC (- 0.35 +/- 0.03 L; p0.001); FEV(1) (- 0.05 +/- 0.04 L; p = 0.2); and FVC (- 0.22 +/- 0.03 L; p0.0001); no change in TLC; and increases in EELV/TLC (11.8 +/- 1.0% of predicted; p0.0001) and EILV/TLC (4.0 +/- 1.3% of predicted, p0.003).In patients with moderate-to-severe COPD, tiotropium did not reduce MPH-induced DH and reduction in IC, compared to baseline. However, because tiotropium induced bronchodilation and increased baseline IC, lower operational lung volumes may blunt the effect of MPH-induced DH. The noninvasive simplicity of MPH-induced DH provides a clinically useful screening surrogate to monitor changes in IC following treatment with tiotropium.

"In this thesis, several eight-frame algorithms for their use in phase shifting profilometry and their application for the analysis of semi fossilized materials are presented. All algorithms are obtained from a set of two-frame algorithms and designed to compensate common errors such as phase shift detuning and bias errors. The processed images make it possible to obtain the distribution of height (topography) of the object, with the advantage that this type of structured light is ideal for retaining the intrinsic biological properties of fossils (this property could be especially useful in cases where it is crucial to obtain high quality images from biological samples that include sensitive molecules, as is the case with ancient DNA). In addition, because the availability of fossil samples is limited (fossilization is a rare phenomenon, thought to preserve only 1 to 5% of total biodiversity) and fossils preserve key biological information, it is essential to conserve as many morphological features as possible (e.g., teeth and mandibles for rodents). This work provides the tools to create a 3D database for the study of morphology of semi-fossilized specimens using an optical nondestructive testing technique. The implementation of protocols and computational algorithms developed in this study in conjunction with various optical methods can be used in studies of systematics, evolution, ecology, genetics and geographical distribution for various biological groups."