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Poster session 3, September 23, 2022, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM Sporotrichosis is a neglected tropical disease caused by fungi of the genus Sporothrix spp. Transmission can occur through sapronotic, enzootic, and zoonotic pathways. Sporothrix schenckii and S. brasiliensis are the most common etiologic agents in human and animal diseases in Brazil. Objectives The objective of this work is to alert about the emergence of feline sporotrichosis on the Brazilian side of the Southern Triple Border (Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina). Methods From July 2021 to March 2022, biological samples and clinical-epidemiological data were collected from 57 domestic cats with typical sporotrichosis lesions and residents of Iguassu Falls (Foz). The cats were selected through notification of the citizens themselves, health agents of Zoonosis Control Center of Iguassu Falls (CCZ–Foz), veterinarians from private veterinary clinics and hospitals, and the receipt of suspected animals by CCZ–Foz. From the samples, direct mycological examinations and fungal culture were performed and a set of 10 fungal isolates from the microbiological tests were selected for molecular analysis based on calmodulin (CAL) gene sequences. From each collection point, the geographic coordinate was taken using the Google Earth® software and the Quantus Gis software (QGIS) was used to assemble the maps. Results Of the 57 samples collected, 45 were considered positive in the microbiological tests (Fig. 1), and the first 10 isolates were identified as S. brasiliensis. Based on clinical-epidemiological, and geographic data (Fig. 2), the following problems associated with feline sporotrichosis in this region were identified: the presence of sporotrichosis positive cats in high-density regions population of Foz; the epidemic profile of the disease with cases spreading quickly by neighborhoods in the South region of the city to neighborhoods in the North region; the easy access to the street and other homes of infected cats, which facilitates the zoonotic and enzootic transmission cycle of this disease; the free movement of animals positive for backyards and vacant lots where they can defecate and even come to death the that feeds the sapronotic cycle; and the profile most associated with the animal positive being that of an uncastrated male, not vaccinated and with little or no access to veterinary services. Conclusion For being a region of the Triple Frontier, there are many differences in political, administrative, and operational between the Public Health Systems of the three countries, with Paraguay and Argentina, the political-administrative-operational centralization is configured as a great node critical for the development of health actions in an adequate way to the needs at a loco-regional level and, above all, on time for the implementation thereof. With the situational diagnosis provided for this study it is possible to understand the factors that influence the emergence of the disease in Iguassu Falls contributing to the development of programs and specific strategies, focusing on raising the population's awareness of safekeeping practices for your animals; free diagnosis for animals (dogs and cats) suspected of sporotrichosis, and treatment with a free supply of medication for patients animals with a confirmed diagnosis of sporotrichosis.

PURPOSE Cancer outcomes are disparate around the world. Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) face higher cancer mortality rates than high-income countries (HICs), and the burden will only intensify as cancer incidence is projected to rise 81% by 2040. Mortality-to-incidence ratios (MIR), calculated by dividing mortality rates by incidence rates, have been used to study disparities in cancer control. By calculating delta mortality-to-incidence ratios (dMIR), the difference between MIRs in HICs and LMICs, we can develop country-specific cancer priority lists for cancer control planning and resource allocation. METHODS We extracted country-specific incidence and mortality rates for 35 cancer types from 183 countries using GLOBACAN 2020. Countries were grouped into income categories as defined by the World Bank. Development indicators and country metadata were extracted from the United Nations Development Program. MIRs were calculated for each cancer in every country. Linear regression was used to test relationships between MIRs and development indicators. Delta MIR was calculated for each cancer type by subtracting the average MIR for HICs from the average MIR for LMICs. RESULTS For all cancers combined, MIRs varied widely across the globe, ranging from 0.33 in Australia to 0.80 in Gambia. Variation in MIR was low for certain diseases such as pancreas cancer (range = 0.80-1.0), but high for screenable cancers such as breast (0.11-0.63) and colon (0.28-1.0) cancers. Upon multivariate linear regression, MIRs were associated with life expectancy and income index. Cancers of the nasopharynx (0.90), Kaposi sarcoma (0.51), anus (0.46), salivary grands (0.38) and prostate (0.34) had the highest dMIRs. CONCLUSION Delta MIRs can be employed to systematically address disparities in global cancer survival. Cancers with the highest dMIRs represent those with the greatest proportion of potentially avoidable deaths and should be targeted first for maximum impact on global cancer mortality. These data can inform country-specific cancer priority lists.

Due to their high theoretical energy density, Li–O2 and Li–air batteries are considered as a promising alternative to Li-ion batteries, especially for mobile applications. However, dissolved gases in the liquid electrolyte, in particular O2, can be involved in detrimental side reactions at the lithium anode. Moreover, CO2 that can form from side reactions with the electrolyte or the cathode material, and N2 from the ambient air might be dissolved in the electrolyte. In order to evaluate the impact of these dissolved gases on the stability of the anode and to know their concentrations in possible side reactions, the solubility and the diffusion coefficient for each gas in the electrolyte are crucial parameters to know. In this work, we utilize gas uptake measurements to systematically determine the diffusion coefficients and Henry’s law solubility constants of O2, N2 and CO2 in different ether- and DMSO-based electrolytes and pure solvents. Additionally, we calculate the diffusion coefficient with molecular dynamics simulations and show good qualitative agreement between simulations and experimental results. We discuss the influence of solvent parameters, such as surface tension and viscosity, on the solubility and the diffusivity as well as the impact of different conducting salts. All investigated conducting salts reduce the diffusivity of the gases; however, we observe the solubility can both decrease or increase, depending on the solvent, the gas and the molecular structure of the salt. Therefore, we emphasize that both components, solvent and conducting salt, have to be considered for optimizing the gas transport properties of the electrolyte for Li–O2 and Li–air batteries.

Considerable research has been done on the vehicle routing problem and its variants; however only limited amount of existing work deals with possible environmental conditions and their effects on the vehicle routes. This paper presents the multiple-depot vehicle routing problem for surface vessels, where the vehicles must traverse a time-invariant direction-dependent medium. Our model captures environmental effects and vessel dynamics on the considered paths. Three heuristic solution methods are developed and tested on simulated scenarios. The first approach exactly solves an approximate formulation of the problem, the second approximately solves an approximate problem formulation, while the third approximately solves the exact problem. Performance of the algorithms are compared to assess the tradeoff between computational cost and quality of the found solutions.

Incisional hernia is a frequent complication after abdominal surgery. Today open sublay mesh repair and the laparoscopic intraperitoneal onlay mesh repair are the most widely used techniques for its cure. We developed a laparoscopic transperitoneal sublay mesh repair for the treatment of small- and medium-size ventral and incisional hernias. Outcomes of the new technique and the Rives-Stoppa repair were compared.This prospective cohort study with a control group involved 93 patients. Between 2008 and 2010, 43 patients underwent the laparoscopic transperitoneal sublay mesh repair. During the same period of time, a control group of 50 patients underwent an open sublay repair after Rives and Stoppa. In 2011, all patients were invited for follow-up. This included pain assessments and physical examinations with use of ultrasound.The two groups were comparable in terms of patient characteristics and hernia data. The operating time was slightly longer for the laparoscopic technique. The hospital stay was shorter in the laparoscopy group. There was less chronic pain in the laparoscopy group, but this difference was not statistically significant. There was no significant difference in postoperative complications, use of analgetics, foreign body sensation, and paresthesia between the two groups. We found one long-term hematoma in the laparoscopy group and one seroma in the open group. In this series, there were no recurrences and no wound infections.Our initial results indicate that the new laparoscopic transperitoneal sublay mesh repair is a safe and effective method for the treatment of small- and medium-size ventral and incisional hernias.

Severe chronic pain is a major complication in 2–4 % of patients after groin hernia repair. Persistent postherniorrhaphy pain affects everyday activities in 5–8 % of patients. Surgery with neurectomy of the inguinal nerves is considered to be the last treatment option. A recent comprehensive review shows good results with rates of pain relief after neurectomy of 87 % (range 30–100 %). After a triple neurectomy, the outcome seems to be even better with a success rate of 98 %. However, the level of evidence is moderate or low.

The purpose of the study was to examine the morphology and biomechanical characteristics of in vivo cultured tissue-engineered human septal cartilage as a prospective autogenous transplant material for subcutaneous implantation in reconstructive procedures. Chondrocytes were enzymatically isolated from human septal cartilage biopsies. The cell number was expanded in monolayer culture. Chondrocytes were then fixed on a non-woven poly-lactide-poly-glycolide (PGLA) polymer scaffold by means of fibrin glue. The PGLA-polymer construct was implanted subcutaneously on the back of athymic mice and allowed to mature for 6 or 12 weeks. After killing the mice, the formed cartilage was tested on a material testing machine with a highly standardized reproducible setting. Biomechanical testing consisted of an indentation test, which revealed the failure load and compressive modulus of the neocartilage. The failure load shows the upper limit of supported stress. The compressive modulus is a measure of the templates' stiffness. After testing, the templates were histologically stained. Native human septal cartilage served as a control group. Histological and macroscopic examination showed cartilage formation of a hyaline-like morphology. Histological staining revealed the synthesis of abundant mucopolysaccharid matrix. The biomechanical characteristics of neocartilage proved to be of no statistical difference compared to native human septal cartilage. The failure load and compressive modulus were initially somewhat lower and reached the control group's results after 12 weeks in-vivo. Summarizing, tissue engineered nasal cartilage matches typical mechanical characteristics of native hyaline cartilage. Its elasticity and failure load are of sufficient quality to meet the clinical requirements for reconstructive surgery.

During 1997, the first year of widespread use of glyphosate (N-[phosphonomethyl]glycine) on Roundup Ready (RR) soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] a severe sudden death syndrome (SDS) epidemic occurred and several RR cultivars were affected. Effects of glyphosate on colonization of soybean root by Fusarium solani (Mart.) Sacc f. sp. glycines (Fsg) and SDS were evaluated. Five RR cultivar pairs that contrasted for SDS resistance from maturity groups (MG) II to VI were evaluated with and without glyphosate application. The MG II and III cultivars were evaluated near Bloomington, Pontiac, and Mahomet in central Illinois and the MG IV, V, and VI cultivars were evaluated near Harrisburg, Ullin, and Valmeyer in southern Illinois. The Fsg root infection severity (IS), colony forming units per gram of root (CFU), SDS leaf scorch disease index (DX), and grain yield were determined. Across environments within each MG, there were no significant effects of glyphosate on IS, CFU, and DX. Significant differences were expected between cultivars but only observed in some MG. There was no significant effect of glyphosate on yield. Significant Glyphosate × Cultivar interactions occurred for yield in MG VI, in favor of the glyphosate sprayed subplots. In this study root colonization by Fsg and SDS leaf symptoms did not significantly increase following the application of glyphosate. Data from this study indicate that the development of SDS on RR soybean is influenced by genotype. Farmers planting RR soybean in Fsg infested fields are encouraged to select cultivars with resistance to SDS.

Traumatic events are a primary cause for local lesions of articular cartilage. If treated early, restoration of the initial joint geometry and integrity may be achieved. In large defects, sufficient material is not available to bridge the affected area. Heterologeous trans- plantation is not well accepted due to the risk of infection and immune response. Alternatives are cartilage-like structures, which may be cultured in vitro and transplanted into the defect site. Critical to the success of these new tissues are their mechanical properties. Goals of this study were to generate a hyaline-like cartilage structure, to evaluate its performance in vivo and to verify that its cellular and material properties meet those of native cartilage. Hyaline- like cartilage specimens were generated in vitro and implanted in the backs of nude mice. Specimens were explanted after 6 and 12 weeks, mechanically tested using an indentation test and histologically examined. In mechanical testing, stiffness and failure load significantly increased between weeks 6 and 12. At 12 weeks, mechanical properties of the hyaline-like cartilage were comparable to those of native nasal septal cartilage. Compared to native articular cartilage, the engineered tissue achieved up to 30 -50% in strength and mechanical stiffness. In histological examination, specimens showed neocartilage formation. The mechan- ical testing procedure proved to be sufficiently sensitive to identify differences in properties between cartilage specimens of different origin and at different stages of healing. As an adjunct to histological analysis, mechanical testing may be a valuable tool for judging the utility of engineered cartilage prior to a broad clinical usage. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res (Appl Biomater) 53: 673- 677, 2000

This research is concerned with dynamically determining appropriate flight patterns for a set of autonomous UAVs in an urban environment, with multiple mission goals. The UAVs are tasked with searching the urban region for targets of interest, and tracking those targets t hat have been detected. We assume that there are limited communication capabilities between the UAVs, and that there exist possible line of sight constraints between the UAVs and the targets. Each UAV (i) operates its own dynamic feedback loop, in a receding horizon framework, incorporating local information (from UAV i perspective) as well as remote information (from the perspective of the ‘neighbor’ UAVs) to determine the tas k to perform and the optimal flight path of UAV i over the planning horizon. This results in a decentralized and more realistic model of the real-world situation. As the coupled task assignment and flight route optimization formulation is NP-hard, a hybrid heuristic for continuous global optimization is developed to solve for the flight plan and tasking over the planning horizon.

The cellular prion protein (PrP(C)) is a neuronal anchored glycoprotein that has been associated with distinct functions in the CNS, such as cellular adhesion and differentiation, synaptic plasticity and cognition. Here we investigated the putative involvement of the PrP(C) in the innate fear-induced behavioural reactions in wild-type (WT), PrP(C) knockout (Prnp(0/0)) and the PrP(C) overexpressing Tg-20 mice evoked in a prey versus predator paradigm. The behavioural performance of these mouse strains in olfactory discrimination tasks was also investigated. When confronted with coral snakes, mice from both Prnp(0/0) and Tg-20 strains presented a significant decrease in frequency and duration of defensive attention and risk assessment, compared to WT mice. Tg-20 mice presented decreased frequency of escape responses, increased exploratory behaviour, and enhancement of interaction with the snake, suggesting a robust fearlessness caused by PrP(C) overexpression. Interestingly, there was also a discrete decrease in the attentional defensive response (decreased frequency of defensive alertness) in Prnp(0/0) mice in the presence of coral snakes. Moreover, Tg-20 mice presented an increased exploration of novel environment and odors. The present findings indicate that the PrP(C) overexpression causes hyperactivity, fearlessness, and increased preference for visual, tactile and olfactory stimuli-associated novelty, and that the PrP(c) deficiency might lead to attention deficits. These results suggest that PrP(c) exerts an important role in the modulation of innate fear and novelty-induced exploration.