Search

Most lymphomas of gastrointestinal tract arise mainly in stomach but can affect small bowel. Burkitt’s lymphoma stands for 9% of the cases of primary small intestine lymphoma and clinical presentations may vary. Case report of a 58-years old man presenting an acute abdomen secondary to intestinal obstruction with tomography revealing an ileocecal mass suspicious for intussusception. Surgery was performed and an invaginating mass from ileum-to-cecum lead to a laparoscopic right colectomy. Histopathological analysis established the diagnosis of ileocecal Burkitt’s lymphoma. Post-operative period was uneventful and the patient was referred to oncohematology and started early chemotherapy. Clinical situations of intestinal intussusception or small-bowel masses presenting with obstruction should rise the suspicion for malignancy and the surgeon must be aware of this clinical entity to proceed with an oncologically safe surgery. Intestinal perforation may indicates surgery as it leads to peritoneal tumor spread and indicates a worse prognosis. Laparoscopic surgery approaches must be seriously considered in selected cases. In intestinal lymphoma, early refer to oncohematology for evaluation and treatment is essential and establishes a better prognosis.

Made available in DSpace on 2021-06-25T10:53:54Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-05-01 Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) EMC Dengue virus infection depends on its fusion with the host membrane, where the binding occurs through interaction between proteins on the virus cell surface and specific viral receptors on target membranes. This process is mediated by the fusion peptide located between residues 98 and 112 (DRGWGNGCGLFGKGG) that forms a loop in domain II of dengue E glycoprotein. In this study, we evaluated the role of fusion peptide surrounding regions (88–97 and 113–123) of the Dengue 2 subtype on its interaction with the membrane and fusion activity. These sequences are important to stabilize the fusion peptide loop and increase fusion activity. Three peptides, besides the fusion peptide, were synthesized by SPPS using the Fmoc chemical approach. The first contains the fusion peptide and the C-terminal region of the loop (sequence 98–123); another contains the N-terminal region (88–112) and the larger peptide contains both regions (88–123). The peptides were able to interact with a model membrane. Differences in morphology of the monolayer promoted by the peptides were assessed by Brewster Angle Microscopy (BAM). Our data indicated that the C-terminal region of fusion peptide loop is more efficient in promoting fusion and interacting with the membrane than the N-terminal sequence, which is responsible for the electrostatic initial interaction. We propose a 2-step mechanism for the interaction of the dengue virus fusion peptide with the host membrane, where the N-terminal sequence docks electrostatically on the headgroups and then the C-terminal interacts via hydrophobic forces in the acyl chains. Departamento de Bioquímica e Química Orgânica Instituto de Química UNESP -Univ Estadual Paulista Instituto de Física de São Carlos Universidade de São Paulo USP, São Carlos Department of Chemistry The Ohio State University Departamento de Bioquímica e Química Orgânica Instituto de Química UNESP -Univ Estadual Paulista

The time reversal symmetry of the wave equation allows wave refocusing back at the source. However, this symmetry does not hold in lossy media. We present a new strategy to compensate wave amplitude losses due to attenuation. The strategy leverages the instantaneous time mirror (ITM) which generates reversed waves by a sudden disruption of the medium properties. We create a heterogeneous ITM whose disruption is unequal throughout the space to create waves of different amplitude. The time-reversed waves can then cope with different attenuation paths as typically seen in heterogeneous and lossy environments. We consider an environment with biological tissues and apply the strategy to a two-dimensional digital human phantom from the abdomen. A stronger disruption is introduced where the forward waves suffer a history of higher attenuation, with a weaker disruption elsewhere. Computer simulations show heterogeneous ITM is a promising technique to improve time reversal refocusing in heterogeneous, lossy, and dispersive spaces., 11 pages, 11 figures

Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Introduction Pulmonary embolism (PE) is associated with morbidity and mortality. Immediate recognition of this condition is critical to commencement of early and appropriate therapy which could be lifesaving. Particularly in patients with suspected PE in which computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) is not promptly available or is contra-indicated, an electrocardiographic (ECG) score could serve as a ubiquitously available test to raise suspicion of PE. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of an ECG score for PE diagnosis. Methods Retrospective study of consecutive patients who performed CTPA in Emergency Department due to PE suspicion. All ECG were scored according to the previous published Daniel’s ECG score, by an investigator blinded for the CTPA result. Results The most common ECG findings in patients with PE were incomplete right-brand bock (48%), T wave inversion in DIII (48%), sinus tachycardia (41%) and Q wave in DII (31%). The S1Q3T3 sign was documented in 20% of patients. The ECG score was significantly higher in patients with PE compared to those without PE (5.06 vs 3.70, p=0.005). ECG score showed moderate accuracy to detect PE (AUC: 0.60; 95%CI: 0.53-0.67; p=0.004), but it is of a particular value because of very high specificity: an ECG score > 12 identified PE with a specificity of 96% (95% CI 91.93 – 98.38). The ECG score significantly increased the diagnostic accuracy of the diagnostic algorithm based on pretest clinical probability evaluated by Wells score combined with D-Dimer measurement (Wells & DD). In comparison to patients in which clinical pretest probability combined with D-dimer measurement considers PE excluded (Wells & ECG -), PE was 6.3 times more frequent in patients with Wells & DD +/ECG- (95% 2.7- 14.5) and 14.6 times more prevalent in the ones with Wells & DD +/ECG+ (95%CI: 4.1-51.3; p Conclusion In patients with clininal suspition of PE, na ECG score (Daniel’s score) >12 predicts PE with 96% specificity and could be used to increase the suspicion and define therapeutic strategy in patients in whom CTPA could not be immediately performed or is contra-indicated.

Langmuir monolayers are used to simulate the biological membrane environment, acting as a mimetic system of the outer or the inner membrane leaflet. Herein, we analyze the interaction of membrane models with a partially N-acetylated chitosan (Ch35%) possessing a quasi-ideal random pattern of acetylation, full water solubility up to pH ≈ 8.5 and unusually high weight average molecular weight. Lipid monolayers containing dipalmitoyl phosphatidyl choline (DPPC), dipalmitoyl phosphatidyl ethalonamine (DPPE), dipalmitoyl phosphatidyl glycerol (DPPG) or E. coli total lipid extract were spread onto subphases buffered at pH 4.5 or 7.4. The incorporation of Ch35% chitosan caused monolayer expansion and a general trend of decreasing monolayer rigidity with Ch35% concentration. Due to its relatively high content of N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) units, Ch35% interactions with negatively charged monolayers and with E. coli extract were weaker than those involving zwitterionic monolayers or lipid rafts. While the smaller interaction with negatively charged lipids was unexpected, this finding can be attributed to the degree of acetylation (35%) which imparts a small number of charged groups for Ch35% to interact. Chitosan properties are therefore determinant for interactions with model cell membranes, which explains the variability in chitosan bactericide activity in the literature. This is the first study on the effects from chitosans on realistic models of bacterial membranes under physiological pH.

Introduction CHA2DS2-VASc score is used to determine the thromboembolic risk, but its prognostic value has been demonstrated in several cardiovascular (CV) diseases. Except for female gender, many CV risk factors comprising this score are recognized as risk factors for mortality in COVID-19. Cetinak G. et al demonstrated the ability of modified CHA2DS2-VASc (M-CHA2DS2-VASc) to predict mortality in COVID-19, which is based on changing gender criteria from female to male. Purpose To evaluate the prognostic value of a M-CHA2DS2-VASc score to predict pulmonary embolism (PE) and mortality in pts with COVID-19 admitted at the emergency department (ED). Methods Retrospective study of pts admitted to the ED between June 2020-January 2021, who underwent computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) due to PE suspicion. Pts were stratified into 3 M-CHA2DS2-VASc risk groups: lower (0–1), intermediate (2–3) and high risk (≥4). Kruskal-Wallis and X-square test were used to compare score risk groups. Logistic regression was used to determine predictors of PE and mortality. ROC curve was performed to evaluate the discriminative power of the score. Results We included 300 pts: median age 71 years, 59% male. Hypertension (59%) chronic kidney disease (CKD, 33%), dyslipidemia (32%) and diabetes (28%) were the most common comorbidities. PE was diagnosed in 46 pts (15%). We found no difference in PE incidence according to M-CHA2DS2-VASc groups (p=0.531) and it showed no predictive value for PE (OR: 1.050, p=0.596). The AUC of M-CHA2DS2-VASc was 0.52, suggesting no discriminative power to predict PE. Regarding mortality, M-CHA2DS2-VASc score was higher in non-survivors COVID-19 pts than in survivors [4 (IQR 3–5) vs 2 (1–4), respectively, p Most of the pts in the cohort were hospitalized (83%), but 21 pts (17%) discharged from the ED. Among these pts, 33% (n=17) had low risk, 37% (n=19) intermediate risk and 29% (n=15) high risk for mortality according to the M-CHA2DS2VASc score. The Kaplan-Meier individual survival analysis for hospitalized patients (Fig. B) and for those discharged from the ED (Fig. C) showed that M-CHA2DS2-VASc score had a good discriminative ability to predict short-term mortality for both groups (logrank test p Conclusion Considering the lack of validated scores to predict mortality in COVID-19 pts, the M-CHA2DS2-VASc might be a simple tool to predict short-term mortality in these pts, irrespectively of the need for hospitalization or not. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Gram-negative bacteria are protected from their environment by an outer membrane that is primarily composed of lipopolysaccharides (LPSs). Under stress, pathogenic serotypes of Salmonella enterica remodel their LPSs through the PhoPQ two-component regulatory system that increases resistance to both conventional antibiotics and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Acquired resistance to AMPs is contrary to the established narrative that AMPs circumvent bacterial resistance by targeting the general chemical properties of membrane lipids. However, the specific mechanisms underlying AMP resistance remain elusive. Here we report a 2-fold increase in bacteriostatic concentrations of human AMP LL-37 for S. enterica with modified LPSs. LPSs with and without chemical modifications were isolated and investigated by Langmuir films coupled with grazing-incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXD) and specular X-ray reflectivity (XR). The initial interactions between LL-37 and LPS bilayers were probed using all-atom molecular dynamics simulations. These simulations suggest that initial association is nonspecific to the type of LPS and governed by hydrogen bonding to the LPS outer carbohydrates. GIXD experiments indicate that the interactions of the peptide with monolayers reduce the number of crystalline domains but greatly increase the typical domain size in both LPS isoforms. Electron densities derived from XR experiments corroborate the bacteriostatic values found in vitro and indicate that peptide intercalation is reduced by LPS modification. We hypothesize that defects at the liquid-ordered boundary facilitate LL-37 intercalation into the outer membrane, whereas PhoPQ-mediated LPS modification protects against this process by having innately increased crystallinity. Since induced ordering has been observed with other AMPs and drugs, LPS modification may represent a general mechanism by which Gram-negative bacteria protect against host innate immunity.

Made available in DSpace on 2019-10-06T17:02:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2019-12-01 Antimicrobial peptides are a promising class of new antibiotics with the ability to kill bacteria by disrupting their cell membrane, which is especially difficult for Gram-negative bacteria whose cell wall contains an outer layer of lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Here we show that the cyclic decapeptide Labaditin (Lo), with proven activity against the Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus mutans, is not able to kill the Gram-negative Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S.e.s. Typhimurium). We found that Lo induced significant changes in the surface pressure isotherms of Langmuir monolayers representing the Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium inner membrane (S.e.s. Typhimurium IM), and caused leakage in large unilamellar vesicles made with this IM lipid composition. On the basis of these results one should expect bactericidal activity against S.e.s. Typhimurium. However, Lo could not interact with a monolayer of LPS, causing no significant changes in either the surface pressure isotherms or in the polarization-modulated infrared reflection absorption spectra (PM-IRRAS). Therefore, the failure of Lo to kill S.e.s. Typhimurium is associated with the lack of interaction with LPS from the outer bacteria membrane. Our approach with distinct monolayer compositions and combined techniques to investigate molecular-level interactions is useful for drug design to fight antibiotic-resistant bacteria. São Carlos Institute of Physics University of São Paulo CP 369 Sol Voltaics AB Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) Institute of Chemistry Nanotechnology National Laboratory for Agriculture (LNNA) Embrapa Instrumentação Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) Institute of Chemistry

A model for fish growth simulation based on the bioenergetic factorial approach is presented. This work presents a novel approach that extends the traditional bioenergetic model by explicitly including the Energy and Protein fluxes (EP model). This is a valuable feature that allows the dynamic simulation of fish proximate composition. For the aquaculture industry it represents a trade-off between detailed process simulation and feasibility of model implementation, namely regarding data gathering on an operational setting. The EP model is targeted to simulate fish production in commercial farms. Farm data for feed intake, feed composition (energy and protein content), temperature over time and the initial fish body weight are the only required data to run the model. Furthermore, apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) values of the feed used in the farm must be known or else ADC values of feeds with similar composition can be used. The EP model implementation is illustrated for the gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) based on published experimental data. The model was validated (r = 0.997, p

South Africa (SA) is the world's third largest abalone producer. The industry is now challenged by restrictions on access to wild kelp, which is the natural food for abalone. Abalone farmers in SA have recently begun implementing integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) with the seaweed Ulva lactuca L. and the abalone Haliotis midae L. The positive aspects include: (1) better abalone growth when fed with mixed algae diet, (2) farm effluent reduction, (3) avoidance of contaminated seawater during red tides/oil spills, (4) promoting employment in rural coastal communities. This case study presents a quantification exercise that compares the ecological-economic costs/benefits associated with the seaweed-culture integration into the abalone industry. Data from an abalone farm from the Western Cape with annual production of 240 metric tonnes (MT) was used. The ecological-economic performance of abalone production in monoculture using a water flow-thorough system was compared against two IMTA scenarios, with water recirculation through a seaweed culture unit that replaces part of the wild kelp consumption. The comparison of monoculture with IMTA scenarios indicates an overall economic gain of between 1.1-3.0 million US$ per year. This range of values reflects the effects of adopting IMTA on the farm's profit and the environmental gains, which represent 80% of the estimated overall benefits and includes: avoided kelp bed restoration, reduced nutrient discharge and avoided greenhouse gas emissions (due to energy savings). This analysis is particularly important in informing the SA industry and regulators about the value of the implementation by the abalone farmers of IMTA systems. For this particular case study the message is that the IMTA approach provides substantial economic incentives to the abalone farmers and even larger benefits to the public, compared with the abalone monoculture production.

Objective: To evaluate the sealing capacity and retention of apical barriers made with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and Portland cement (PC). Material and Methods: Fifty-six bovine incisors were sectioned 8 mm above and 12 mm below the cement-enamel junction. The root canal was enlarged with a diamond drill to create a standard 2.5 mm diameter opening. Apical sheets of 5 mm thickness were placed using white MTA-Angelus or white PC. Fifteen samples of each material were exposed to human saliva in a dual chamber apparatus and casting was evaluated at 30 days. Samples without apical barriers and fully sealed samples were used as positive and negative controls (n = 3), respectively. Data were analyzed by Fisher's exact test (p 0.05). Conclusion: Mineral trioxide aggregateand Portland cementapical barriers presented similar sealing ability and bond strength values.

Understanding protein aggregation is essential to unveil molecular mechanisms associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Huntington's and spongiform encephalopathy, particularly to determine the role of interaction with cell membranes. In this study, we employ Langmuir monolayers as cell membrane models to mimic interaction with the peptide KTNMHKHMAGAAAAGAVVGGLG-OH, a fragment from the human prion protein including residues 106-127, believed to be involved in protein aggregation. Using in situ polarization-modulated infrared reflection adsorption spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS) for Langmuir monolayers and FTIR for solid films, we found that PrP106-127 adopts mainly β-sheets, random coils and β-turns in Langmuir monolayers and in Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) and cast films. This also applies to monolayers and solid films made with PrP106-127 and a brain total lipid extract (BTLE). In contrast, some α-helices are observed in the secondary structure of PrP106-127 in monolayers, and especially in solid films, of 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC). In summary, in a model representing brain cells (BTLE), the secondary structure of PrP106-127 is typical of fiber aggregates, while aggregation is unlikely if PrP106-127 interacts with a membrane model (DOPC) characteristic of mammalian cells.

Two brominated bisamides were developed by this protocol. Compounds were synthesized either by 4-bromobenzoyl chloride and ethylenediamine or by ortho-phenylenediamine. The choice of the diamine led to the desired products, which were characterized by IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and XRD techniques. Compounds were applied to the Suzuki coupling. They were efficient for bromides with activating and deactivating substituent groups. In the reaction performed at low temperature and in short time, with yields over 95%, it was fundamental to choose the palladium source.

Resumo: Abordaremos o problema da temporalidade na História da sexualidade de Foucault a partir da teoria do traço mnésico, proposta por Freud no artigo Nota sobre o bloco mágico. Tal leitura nos permitirá interrogar a transmissão da história a partir da dimensão espectral da escrita foucaultiana.

Made available in DSpace on 2018-11-26T22:38:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2018-07-01 Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) FACEPE Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are alternatives to conventional antibiotics against multi-drug resistant bacteria with low potential for developing microbial resistance. The design of such molecules requires understanding of the mechanisms of action, particularly the interaction with bacteria cell membranes. In this work, we determine the mechanism responsible for the higher activity against Escherichia coil of the C-terminal lysine dimer of magainin 2, (MG2)(2)K, in comparison to the monomeric peptide magainin 2 (MG2). Langmuir monolayers and vesicles made with the E. coli lipid extract were used to address the two possible states for the peptide-membrane interaction, namely the binding state and pore state, respectively. The incorporation of MG2 and (MG2)(2)K in lipid monolayers at the air-water interface caused slight differences in surface pressure isotherms and polarization-modulated infrared reflection absorption (PM-IRRAS) spectra, and therefore the difference in activity is not associated with the binding state. In contrast, large differences were observed in the leakage experiments where (MG2)(2)K was shown to disrupt the large unilamellar vesicles to a much higher extent owing to efficient pore formation. The binding and penetration of MG2 and (MG2)(2)K were also probed with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations for bilayers made with 1-palmitoy1-2-oleoyl-sn-g/ycero-3-phosphoethanolamine:1-palmitoy1-2-oleoyl-snglycero-3-phosphoglycerol (POPE:POPG). (MG2)(2)K forms disordered toroidal pores at a significant lower concentration than for MG2. In summary, the combination of experimental and computational simulation results indicated that the pre-assembling state of (MG2)(2)K dimer leads to a reduced number of molecules and shorter time being required to kill E. coli. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Fis Sao Carlos, Sao Carlos, SP, Brazil Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Inst Ciencias Ambientais Quim & Farmaceut, Diadema, SP, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Inst Quim, Araraquara, SP, Brazil Univ Fed Pernambuco, Dept Quim Fundamental, Recife, PE, Brazil Univ Fed Goias, Inst Ciencias Biol, Dept Bioquim & Biol Mol, ICB 2 Sala 118,Campus 2 Samambaia, BR-74690900 Goiania, Go, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Inst Quim, Araraquara, SP, Brazil FAPESP: 2013/07600-3 FAPESP: 2013/14262-7 FAPESP: 2015/16857-3 FACEPE: APQ-0732-1.06/14 CAPES: BioComp 23038.004630/2014-35

The experiment was carried out in the Experimental Area of ​​the Plant Genetic Improvement Sector of the Agricultural Sciences Center of the Federal University of Alagoas (SMGP-CECA-UFAL), in the year 2013, where periods of control and weed coexistence of sweet potatoes were evaluated. The experimental design was carried out in randomized blocks in the 3 x 14 factorial scheme with three replications, with three sweet potato genotypes in 14 periods of interference, and distributed in seven control periods (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 days after planting - DAP), from which the weeds were controlled, and seven coexistence periods, from which the weeds coexisted with the crop. The evaluations consisted of sweet potato genotype shoot samplings at 30, 60, 90, and 120 days after planting (DAP), using one working area plant per plot in each evaluation stage. In the determination of the leaf area, a mechanical integrator was used, and to obtain the shoot dry mass, the material was taken to a forced air circulation oven at 65 ºC for 72 h, with subsequent weighing. According to the results, it can be observed that, in the coexisting treatments, there was a significant reduction in the shoot growth rates, in comparison to the treatments in which the weeds were controlled, especially the reduction of the leaf area at 120 DAP, where clone 6 and Sergipana showed a reduction of 89.0% and 88.0%, respectively. As for Clone 14, this reduction occurred at 90 DAP, at about 52.0%, which was less expressive, whereas in relation to the shoot dry mass, clones 6, 14, and the Sergipana variety showed a reduction at 120 DAP of 86%, 51%, and 46%, respectively.

This work aims to provide oyster farmers a tool to estimate the stock biomass to hold in their nursery. Herein, a steady-state single-compartment mass balance model, which includes the feeding activity of oyster spat, was developed. This model applies to nurseries such as floating upweller systems or land-based tanks and estimates (1) the optimal stock as a function of external food concentration or (2) the food concentration required for a given stock. The model was implemented for the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas Thunberg) and is available online: http//seaplusplus4.com/oysterspatbud.html. The model was evaluated using published data and further tested by simulating a general rule of thumb regarding the spat-holding capacity for a given nursery. According to a general rule of thumb, 1 hectare of a shallow pond can hold between 1 and 3 tons of spat. The model allows to further specify the rule depending on the spat grade to stock. If the spat is around 0.38 g, the model estimates a holding stock within the range of the rule of thumb; however, if the spat is around 0.04 g, the biomass stock sustained is lower (between 0.7 and 2 tons).

Key factors affecting the economic sustainability of any aquaculture industry and in particular the seaweed industry are its ecological interactions and impacts. Understanding these issues requires an extended production analysis and simulation, given the natural variability and dynamics of external factors that affect those interdependencies. As such, making sense of production data is required for suitable planning and resource optimization in a seaweed farm. The present work calculates the required water renewal rates for seaweed flow-through production units, using a novel simple user-friendly nitrogen budget model. The user interface is straightforward and the model parameter inputs and outputs are minimal, whereby the target users are commercial seaweed farmers. The model was parameterized for production kinetics of Ulva spp. based on an extensive literature survey, and was evaluated with published data on seaweed-growing experiments. Results for the estimated number of volume renewals per day are in agreement with the experimental data. The outputs indicate that this application can be used to estimate the envelope, i.e. average lower and upper ranges for water renewal rates for a given production in a given site. This model and corresponding parameterization for Ulva spp. are available to be used by farmers, managers and researchers in the form of a spreadsheet file (available as Supplementary Material). The conceptual model and application presented herein represent the basis for future developments to incrementally increase complexity, regarding additional seaweed species and production settings (in recirculating and integrated multitrophic aquaculture systems) by farmers and planners.

Restrictions enacted to reduce the spreading of COVID-19 have resulted in notably clearer skies around the world. In this study, we confirm that reduced levels of air pollution correlate with unusually high levels of clear sky insolation in Delhi, India. Restrictions here were announced on March 19th, with the Nation going into lockdown on March 24th. Comparing insolation data before and after these dates with insolation from previous years (2017 to 2019) we observe an 8.3±1.7 % higher irradiance than usual in late March and a 5.9±1.6 % higher one in April, while we find no significant differences to values from previous years in February or early March. Using results from a previous study, we calculated the expected increase in insolation based on measured PM2.5 concentration levels. Measurements and calculations agree within confidence intervals, suggesting that reduced pollution levels are a major cause for the observed increase in insolation., Highlights: • Unusually high insolation levels appeared in Delhi after COVID-19 lockdown • The increase in insolation coincides with a ∼50% reduction in air pollution • In late March, 8.3% more sunlight reached the city than in previous years • Elevated insolation is consistent with expectations from reduced pollution

Published on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved. © The Author(s) 2020. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com. This article is published and distributed under the terms of the Oxford University Press, Standard Journals Publication Model (https://academic.oup.com/journals/pages/open_access/funder_policies/chorus/standard_publication_model), Distal left main (LM) PCIremains a challenge. One of the most debated issues is whether to use a single vs 2 stent provisional strategy. While most studies and guidelines favour a single stent strategy, the recent DK-CRUSH V trial has shown better results with a 2 stent strategy., Type of funding source: Public hospital(s). Main funding source(s): Hospita Santa Maria

The growth of PV systems deployment continues to lead the rapid dissemination of solar photovoltaics as one of the primary sources of renewable electricity generation today across the globe. However, several solar technology entrants in new markets naturally mean that thousands of PV systems are being deployed and not necessarily performing at their highest potentials. The core location of new systems lies in Asia. Little information is also available on system performance across the scientific world and public databases with regards to large datasets of sites. This work aims to break that trend and expose the performance metrics of a considerable pool of distributed Asian PV systems (57 sites, ~42 MWp) based on a fleet of assets deployed in India and six other Southeast Asia countries. Challenges preventing optimal system operation are discussed and could be used as guidelines for higher-quality systems coming online in the years ahead in the region.

Based on the findings from a recent study by the authors which examined factors affecting diffusion of photovoltaics (PV), while comprehensively considering the local PV and construction industry as well as characteristics of the built environment, this paper proposes a holistic strategy for PV implementation into Singapore’s built environment. It consists of (1) a multilevel mechanism framework, encompassing eleven mechanism categories of instruments and activities and (2) a general design framework including design principles, general project instructions and the main design guidelines. Relying on a survey conducted among PV experts on established mechanisms, the present study suggests that building codes (e.g., fire safety, structural safety, etc.) and initiatives and incentives related to PV/building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) should be the highest priority for authorities, followed by assessment of BIPV/PV properties, working toward social acceptance, conducting research projects and information exchange, and education and training activities. Considering all three pillars of sustainability, the design framework is based on the following interrelated design principles: (1) compatibility and coherence with the local context, (2) technical soundness, (3) economic viability, (4) user-centered design, (5) connecting with community and socio-cultural context, and (6) adaptability and flexibility. Despite Singapore’s scarcity of land, the established design guidelines cover a wide spectrum of solutions, including PV integration into both buildings and non-building structures. The synthesis of the two interconnected and inseparable frameworks aims to create an environment conducive to long-term widespread PV integration and stimulate the deployment of BIPV, which should help Singapore and other cities reduce their dependency on imported fossil fuels, while also making them more livable and enjoyable.

Despite the steady growth of grid-connected installed capacity in Singapore in the last decade and intensive government effort towards “solarization”, implementation of photovoltaics (PV) and especially building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) into the built environment has not gathered as much momentum as would have been expected given the country’s ample solar energy resource potential, strong economic fundamentals and the robust real estate sector. Based on a conducted web-survey and qualitative interviews among local professionals, this paper examines the obstacles, potentials and drivers that could facilitate and accelerate BIPV and PV façade integration, as well as needs that could encourage wider PV use. In order to define a unified strategy, aligning the stakeholders’ views, the following disputable factors are pointed out and discussed: (1) incomplete understanding of BIPV and building-applied photovoltaics (BAPV) among stakeholders, (2) costs of BIPV systems, (3) low awareness of and confidence in “integrability” of PV modules, (4) incomplete knowledge about and insufficiently investigated PV performance and (5) potential of PV façade and roof integration. Since the costs are the key identified factor for BIPV implementation, life-cycle cost (LCC) assessments of PV façade and roof integrations have been performed, which supported the search for solutions to identified problems. The performed analysis and findings present the basis for the development of a long-term holistic strategy for PV implementation in Singapore that could help the highly-urbanized, tropical resource- and land-constrained island city-state reduce the dependency on fossil fuels and achieve the climate change targets, thus promoting a more sustainable built environment.

Objective We aimed to perform a longitudinal investigation of the effects of radiotherapy on salivary flow rate, pH, buffering capacity, and protein composition of saliva and on the quality of life of children with Hodgkin disease. Design Ten children (6–16-year-old) with Hodgkin disease and 10 matched healthy children were investigated. Stimulated and non-stimulated saliva samples were collected at baseline, after 1080 and 2160 cGy of radiation, and 1, 2, and 3 months post-radiotherapy. The salivary flow rate was expressed as mL/min. Buffer capacity was determined by titration. Amylase activity, immunoglobulin A, mucin, and lactoferrin concentrations were determined by ELISA. Quality of life was assessed by Quality of Life – Head and Neck module 35 questionnaire. Results We found that radiotherapy caused hyposalivation at 1080 cGy and 1 month after radiotherapy and reduced buffering capacity at 2160 cGy. Mucin concentration and amylase activity in non-stimulated saliva increased 1 month after radiotherapy. Lactoferrin concentration increased during and after radiotherapy. Immunoglobulin A concentration increased at 1080 cGy, 1 and 2 months, for non-stimulated saliva and at 2160 cGy and 1 month for stimulated saliva. Children reported more pain after radiotherapy and more xerostomia during radiotherapy. Conclusion We concluded that the radiotherapy protocol affected the children’s salivary properties and children’s quality of life.

With the substantial growth of solar photovoltaic installations worldwide, forecasting irradiance becomes a critical step in providing a reliable integration of solar electricity into electric power grids. In Singapore, the number of PV installation has increased with a growth rate of 70% over the past 6 years. Within the next decade, solar power could represent up to 20% of the instant power generation. Challenges for PV grid integration in Singapore arise from the high variability in cloud movements and irradiance patterns due to the tropical climate. For a thorough analysis and modeling of the impact of an increasing share of variable PV power on the electric power system, it is indispensable (i) to have an accurate conversion model from irradiance to solar power generation, and (ii) to carry out irradiance forecasting on various time scales. In this work, we demonstrate how common assumptions and simplifications in PV power conversion methods negatively affect the output estimates of PV systems power in a tropical and densely-built environment such as in Singapore. In the second part, we propose and test a novel hybrid model for short-term irradiance forecasting for short-term intervals. The hybrid model outperforms the persistence forecast and other common statistical methods.

Challenges such as partial shading and non-optimal tilt and azimuthal deviations are common in building-integrated photovoltaic systems (BIPV). Therefore, it is important to be aware of the consequences on systems performance metrics, namely annual specific yield and performance ratio for these specialised applications. This paper describes detailed analyses of shading effects, irradiation resource availability and module temperature on the performance metrics of individual subsystems of a rooftop BIPV installation in a high-rise building embedded in a high-density environment in Singapore. The study indicates that a shading analysis during the design phase can highly improve PV systems performance by giving careful consideration about shaded modules to optimise the PV module string design.