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Network objected to the word "Palestine" in an internal document. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lisbon is one of the European cities where NO2and PM10legal limit values are still exceeded, leading to an Air Quality Plan applicable up to 2020. The developed work combined a detailed emission inventory, monitoring data, and modelling in order to assess if the proposed emission abatement scenarios, focused on the road transport sector, were able to tackle exceedances. A maximum decrease of 14% for PM10concentrations was achieved, and of 21% for NO2, providing compliance. PM10smallest reduction is related with higher weight of regional background sources, while for NO2local traffic has more influence on concentrations.

BackgroundRelations between bone parameters, physical exertion, and childhood fractures are complex. We aimed to estimate the associations between fracture history and bone mineral content (BMC) and areal bone mineral density (aBMD) at 7 years of age, by levels of physical activity, as a proxy for trauma frequency.MethodsWe used data collected from 2,261 children of the Generation XXI birth cohort, assembled in 2005/6 in Porto, Portugal. At the age of 7 years (2012/4), fracture history, time spent per week in active play, and sports practice were reported by parents. Subtotal and lumbar spine (LS) BMC and aBMD were measured using whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.ResultsBoys and girls in the highest categories of time spent in sports practice or active play generally had higher BMC and aBMD. Among girls, BMC and aBMD were protective of fracture only in the highest quarter of active play (>660 min/week)—odds ratios (OR; 95% confidence interval (95% CI)) for subtotal BMC=0.27 (0.11–0.67), subtotal aBMD=0.18 (0.06–0.49), and LS aBMD=0.41 (0.22–0.75). For boys in the highest quarter of sports practice (>240 min/week), subtotal and LS BMC were protective of fracture—OR=0.39 (0.16–0.98) and 0.51 (0.27–0.96), respectively.ConclusionIn prepubertal children, BMC and aBMD predicted fracture history only in the highest levels of physical activity.

To identify empirical model‐based patterns of multimorbidity from chronic noncommunicable diseases in the general population, with a focus on the contribution of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs), and to quantify their association with adverse health outcomes. Cross‐sectional data from the Portuguese Fourth National Health Survey were analyzed (n = 23,754). Latent class analysis was used to identify patterns of coexistence of 11 chronic noncommunicable diseases (RMDs, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, stroke, depression, myocardial infarction, cancer, osteoporosis, asthma, and renal failure). Based on the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology, filter 2.0, health outcomes included life impact, pathophysiologic manifestations, and resource use. We assessed the association between patterns and adverse health outcomes, through sex‐, age‐, and body mass index–adjusted prevalence ratios with 95% confidence intervals, obtained using Poisson regression. Four patterns of chronic noncommunicable diseases co‐occurrence were identified and labeled as low disease probability, cardiometabolic conditions, respiratory conditions, and RMDs and depression. RMDs were highly prevalent in patients with chronic diseases (from 38.6% in cardiometabolic conditions to 66.7% in RMDs and depression). While negative self‐rated health, short‐term disability, and chronic pain were more strongly associated with cardiometabolic conditions and respiratory conditions, all multimorbidity patterns were similarly associated with long‐term disability, frequent health care utilization, and out‐of‐pocket health care expenses. Our study emphasizes RMDs as a major presence in multimorbidity in the general population. All multimorbidity patterns were associated with a wide set of adverse health outcomes. Management strategies for the patient with chronic cardiometabolic, respiratory, or depressive conditions should also target RMDs.

This paper reviews the interactions between water and nitrogen from physiological, agronomic, economic, breeding and modelling perspectives. Our primary focus is wheat; we consider forage crops, sorghum and legumes where relevant aspects of water–nitrogen interactions have been advanced. From a physiological perspective, we ask: How does nitrogen deficit influence the water economy of the crop? How does water deficit influence the nitrogen economy of the crop? How do combined water and nitrogen deficit affect crop growth and yield? We emphasise synergies, and the nitrogen-driven trade-off between the efficiency in the use of water and nitrogen. The concept of nitrogen–water co-limitation is discussed briefly. From agronomic and economic perspectives, the need to match supply of nitrogen and water is recognised, but this remains a challenge in dryland systems with uncertain rainfall. Under-fertilisation commonly causes gaps between actual and water-limited potential yield. We discuss risk aversion and the role of seasonal rainfall forecasts to manage risk. From a breeding perspective, we ask how selection for yield has changed crop traits relating to water and nitrogen. Changes in nitrogen traits are more common and profound than changes in water-related traits. Comparison of shifts in the wheat phenotype in Australia, UK, Argentina and Italy suggests that improving yield per unit nitrogen uptake is straightforward; it requires selection for yield and allowing grain protein concentration to drift unchecked. A more interesting proposition is to increase nitrogen uptake to match yield gains and conserve protein in grain. Increased stomatal conductance is a conspicuous response to selection for yield which partially conflicts with the perception that reduced conductance at high vapour pressure deficit is required to increase water- use efficiency; but high stomatal conductance at high vapour pressure deficit may be adaptive for thermal stress. From a modelling perspective, water and nitrogen are linked in multiple ways. In crops where water limits growth, reduced biomass reduces nitrogen demand. Reciprocally, nitrogen limitation during crop expansion reduces leaf area index and increases the soil evaporation:transpiration ratio. Water–nitrogen interactions are also captured in the water-driven uptake of nitrogen by mass flow and diffusion and in the water-driven processes of nitrogen in soil (e.g. mineralisation). The paper concludes with suggestions for future research on water-nitrogen interactions.

Plantings of forage shrubs such as saltbush (Atriplex spp.) in the drier part of the crop–livestock zone of southern Australia have the potential to help fill feed autumn gaps, provide valuable feed during drought periods, and provide year-round groundcover, shelter for livestock and options for management of saline soils. However, the proportion of farms with forage shrub plantings and the extent of those plantings remain relatively low, with the rate of new plantings slowing over the past decade. Development of new forage-shrub options has been occurring with the aim of improving the feed value and adoption of forage shrubs. Using a whole-farm bio-economic optimisation model for a crop–livestock farming system in the low-rainfall Mallee region of southern Australia (Mallee MIDAS—model of an integrated dryland agricultural system), we explored how key attributes of forage-shrub plantings and the associated pasture understorey, such as biomass growth, digestibility and ease of establishment, can make forage shrub plantings economically more attractive to farmers. We found that saltbush types and forage-shrub options with improved feed quality characteristics will offer the opportunity for improved economic returns and increased profitability from larger plantings compared with existing options. Improving feed quality was more important than increasing the growth rates of saltbush plants. Results still indicate only a niche role in farming systems, with profit typically being greatest when using relatively small areas (<10% of farm area) on the less productive soils of the farm. The results suggest that the profitability of forage shrubs will be greatest for those growers with larger areas of marginal cropping soils and greater reliance on livestock than cropping. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that, if cereal prices or yields fall significantly and/or lamb prices rise, the value of a forage shrub planting can increase substantially. The principles revealed have wide application beyond the region, although these need to be adapted on-farm and widely disseminated before potential contribution to Australian agriculture can be realised.

High temperature stress imposed during the cell division stage of maize (Zea maysL.) kernel development adversely affects growth and mature mass. However, the processes affected by heat stress are not known. The goal of this study was to determine the mechanisms by which heat stress affects early zein accumulation in maize kernels. Intact ears of growth chamber–grown plants were subjected to heat stress (continuous 35°C) for 2 or 4 d, starting at 5 d after pollination (DAP). Both the 27 kDa and cluster 1 zeins of subfamily 4 (ZSF4C1) zein mRNA steady‐state levels were significantly delayed by 4 d of heat stress (DHS), but were not affected by 2 DHS. Similarly, transcription rates of both zeins were reduced in the endosperm of kernels exposed to 4 DHS treatment up to 17 DAP. The 2 DHS treatment significantly delayed endosperm endoreduplication, up to 17 DAP, whereas 4 DHS significantly repressed it. The lack of coordinate changes among mRNA steady‐state levels, transcription rates, and endoreduplication during heat stress indicates that the effects of heat stress on zein transcription rates may not be directly related to alterations in endoreduplication. Instead, zein transcription is most likely affected by a delay in endosperm development.

Heat stress is a major factor limiting crop yield in many agricultural regions. During the early stage of kernel development, heat stress is particularly detrimental to subsequent dry matter accumulation since it causes disruption of cell division, sugar metabolism, and starch biosynthesis in the endosperm. The effects of heat stress on protein accumulation, however, is less well understood. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the mechanisms by which heat stress decreases protein accumulation and alters composition of developing maize (Zea maysL.) kernels. In this study, maize ears were heat stressed for 2 and 4 d at continuous 35°C starting at 5 d after pollination (DAP). Endosperms were analyzed for the relative proportion of each Osborne protein solubility class fraction and for individual zein proteins. The 2‐ and 4‐d heat stress (DHS) treatment caused a 20 and 48% reduction in kernel final dry weight, respectively, and protein content was similarly reduced. Specifically, zein content was reduced by an average of 53%, but zein composition was only mildly affected. The concentrations of glutelin and albumin plus globulin tended to increase throughout most of 4‐DHS kernel development. L‐[35S]‐methionine incorporation in the zein fraction was delayed by the 4 DHS when compared to control and 2‐DHS treated kernels. Therefore, we concluded that heat stress during early stages of endosperm development repressed zein accumulation at the synthesis level. In contrast, later in development, zein accumulation appeared to be repressed mainly by protein degradation, which appears to be a part of the natural progression of kernel development since there was no apparent significant effect of heat stress treatments on this process.

Most cropping farms in Western Australia must deal with the management of herbicide-resistant populations of weeds such as annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) and wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum). Farmers are approaching the problem of herbicide resistance by adopting integrated weed management systems, which allow weed control with a range of different techniques. These systems include non-herbicide methods ranging from delayed seeding and high crop seeding rates to the use of non-cropping phases in the rotation. In this paper, the Multi-species RIM (resistance and integrated management) model was used to investigate the value of including non-cropping phases in the crop rotation. Non-crop options investigated here were haying and green manuring. Despite them providing excellent weed control, it was found that inclusion of these non-cropping phases did not increase returns, except in cases of extreme weed numbers and high levels of herbicide resistance.

Most cropping farms in Western Australia must deal with the management of herbicide-resistant populations of weeds such as annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum Gaudin) and wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrumL.). Farmers are approaching the problem of herbicide resistance by adopting integrated weed management systems, which allow weed control with a range of different techniques. One important question in the design of such systems is whether and when the benefits of including pasture in rotation with crops exceed the costs. In this paper, the multi-species resistance and integrated management model was used to investigate the value of including pasture phases in the crop rotation. The most promising of the systems examined appears to be so-called 'phase farming', involving occasional 3-year phases of pasture rather than shorter, more frequent and regular pasture phases. This approach was competitive with the best continuous cropping rotation in a number of scenarios, particularly where herbicide resistance was at high levels.

POLYOMA virus is a small oncogenic virus containing a circular DNA the identification and location of defined regions of which provides physical reference points which are important for correlation in genetic and biochemical studies. The protein coded by gene 32 of bacteriophage T4 binds tightly to single-stranded DNA and RNA and facilitates denaturation and renaturation of double-stranded DNA1,2. Using glutaraldehyde fixation gene 32 protein denaturation of double-stranded DNA can be observed using electron microscopy at physiological temperatures and denaturation maps are produced which closely resemble those obtained with heat and alkaline denaturation2. Use of gene 32 protein in binding experiments with circular sutpercoiled DNA molecules from polyoma virus and simian virus 40 (SV40) has already shown that only one denaturation loop is formed per molecule2,4reflecting possible structural constraints in the DNA. The characterisation and mapping of the preferred denaturation site(s)4is also of interest since these putative A + T-rich region(s) are likely to be related to the binding sites of enzymes using DNA as a template. In the present study the use of two different specific restriction enzymes (endonucleases) has enabled us to identify five regions of polyoma DNA which are preferentially denatured by phage T4 gene 32 protein and the determination of their precise locations on the circular viral DNA.

Assessment of cerebral oxygenation using near-infrared spectroscopy in intensive care is increasing. We compared the ability of the Invos 3100 and the Critikon 2020 monitors to produce stable and consistent readings of regional cerebral oxygen saturation in resting volunteers. Failure to obtain any stable reading with the Critikon occurred in eight out of 18 subjects (44.4%) and with the Invos in three out of 15 subjects (20%). The Critikon showed a significantly higher failure rate in male subjects (p = 0.0011). Differences in recorded values of cerebral oxygen saturation (Critikon - Invos) ranged from -4.7% to 12.6% and were significantly related to the average saturation level (p &lt; 0.0001). The within-monitor variability was significantly higher for the Invos (p = 0.0124). Neither monitor is able to give stable and consistent readings over time, particularly in male subjects. The unacceptably high failure rate of the recently introduced Critikon 2020 will limit or prevent its clinical use.

The product of the NS5B gene of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) has been expressed in Escherichia Coli both as a fusion protein with glutathione-S-transferase (GST) of molecular weight 91KDa and at high level as a single protein of molecular weight 65KDa. The protein was sequestered within inclusion bodies and a variety of procedures designed to minimize inclusion body formation proved unsuccessful. The method finally adopted involved the purification of inclusion bodies followed by the solubilization, purification, and re-folding of the expressed protein. A good recovery and protein purity of the order of 80-90% were achieved. The purified protein was shown to possess RNA polymerase activity in an assay using polyA/oligoU as template. The enzymatic activity is rifampicin resistant, poly A dependent, and requires Mg++. The availability of purified HCV RNA polymerase will allow the study of viral replication and constitute the basis for testing new anti-viral drugs.

In an agammaglobulinemic patient with chronic hepatitis C, a previously identified hypervariable region of the major envelope glycoprotein remained unchanged for 2.5 years. Serum-derived RNA amplified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was cloned in a bacterial vector, and a minimum of three independent clones were sequenced by dideoxy chain termination reaction. Comparison of consensus sequences from three different time points during the chronic phase of infection showed absolute homology at both amino acid and nucleotide levels. This finding provides support for the role of antibody selection in generating genetic variation and viral persistence; also, it is consistent with the hypothesis that an epitope within this region is the site of virus neutralization. The observations show that the hepatitis seen in hepatitis C virus infection is not dependent on the humoral immune response.

1. The claim that tumour cells contain a specific nuclear protein was investigated. The presence of this component was confirmed in Walker tumour cells by the chromatography on CM-cellulose of nuclear proteins labelled with [14C]lysine. This protein was studied further in a number of human leucocyte cells. 2. The labelling of leucocyte nuclear proteins with [14C]lysine was attempted during incubation and culture in vitro. Incorporation of the label into acid-soluble nuclear proteins was highest in normal lymphocytes cultured with phytohaemagglutinin, followed by chronic-myeloid-leukaemic leucocytes and mixed samples of normal leucocytes incubated in plasma. Little incorporation was seen in similar extracts of chronic-lymphatic or normal leucocytes. 3. Lymphocytes were the only cells that gave nuclear extracts with amino acid analysis similar to that of unfractionated histones. 4. Little of the [14C]lysine in nuclear extracts of incubated leucocytes proved to be of chromosomal origin. No evidence was found of an RP2-L component in the highly labelled nuclear extracts of phytohaemagglutinin-treated lymphocytes until after 6 days of culture with [14C]lysine. This component was soluble in saline. 5. Evidence is presented that fraction RP2-L is a non-histone protein constituent of cell nuclei whose labelling with [14C]lysine may be dependent on the metabolic state of the cell. Thus this component is not specific to the neoplastic state.

Ten patients with evidence of continuing HDV replication were treated with lymphoblastoid alpha-interferon and eight more were followed as a non-randomized control group. Four out of eight patients who completed one year of follow-up had cleared HIDV-RNA from the serum whilst none of the control group did so. In these four responding cases there was a transient Increase in transaminase levels during treatment and in two, this was followed by improvement. One patient also cleared HBV and seroconverted to anti-I-lBs (antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen - HBsAg). In one patient with sustained loss of HDV, recurrence of HDV infection was detected 18 months after completion of treatment. These data suggest that alpha-interferon can inhibit HDV replication in the short term but relapse after one to two years may occur. Inhibition of I-IDV-RNA is associated with improvement in the inflammatory liver disease and now larger studies are required to determine whether It influences survival.