Each successive generation of X-ray machines has opened up new frontiers in science, such as the first radiographs and the determination of the structure of DNA. State-of-the-art X-ray sources can ...now produce coherent high-brightness X-rays of greater than kiloelectronvolt energy and promise a new revolution in imaging complex systems on nanometre and femtosecond scales. Despite the demand, only a few dedicated synchrotron facilities exist worldwide, in part because of the size and cost of conventional (accelerator) technology. Here we demonstrate the use of a new generation of laser-driven plasma accelerators, which accelerate high-charge electron beams to high energy in short distances, to produce directional, spatially coherent, intrinsically ultrafast beams of hard X-rays. This reduces the size of the synchrotron source from the tens of metres to the centimetre scale, simultaneously accelerating and wiggling the electron beam. The resulting X-ray source is 1,000 times brighter than previously reported plasma wigglers and thus has the potential to facilitate a myriad of uses across the whole spectrum of light-source applications.
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IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) aboard both NASA's Terra and Aqua satellites is making near-global daily observations of the earth in a wide spectral range (0.41-15 k m). ...These measurements are used to derive spectral aerosol optical thickness and aerosol size parameters over both land and ocean. The aerosol products available over land include aerosol optical thickness at three visible wavelengths, a measure of the fraction of aerosol optical thickness attributed to the fine mode, and several derived parameters including reflected spectral solar flux at the top of the atmosphere. Over the ocean, the aerosol optical thickness is provided in seven wavelengths from 0.47 to 2.13 k m. In addition, quantitative aerosol size information includes effective radius of the aerosol and quantitative fraction of optical thickness attributed to the fine mode. Spectral irradiance contributed by the aerosol, mass concentration, and number of cloud condensation nuclei round out the list of available aerosol products over the ocean. The spectral optical thickness and effective radius of the aerosol over the ocean are validated by comparison with two years of Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) data gleaned from 132 AERONET stations. Eight thousand MODIS aerosol retrievals collocated with AERONET measurements confirm that one standard deviation of MODIS optical thickness retrievals fall within the predicted uncertainty of Dt = c0.03 c0.05t over ocean and Dt = c0.05 c 0.15t over land. Two hundred and seventy-one MODIS aerosol retrievals collocated with AERONET inversions at island and coastal sites suggest that one standard deviation of MODIS effective radius retrievals falls within Dr eff = c0.11 k m. The accuracy of the MODIS retrievals suggests that the product can be used to help narrow the uncertainties associated with aerosol radiative forcing of global climate.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
CoronaVac, an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, has been approved for emergency use in several countries. However, its immunogenicity in immunocompromised individuals has not been well established. We ...initiated a prospective phase 4 controlled trial (no. NCT04754698, CoronavRheum) in 910 adults with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARD) and 182 age- and sex-frequency-matched healthy adults (control group, CG), who received two doses of CoronaVac. The primary outcomes were reduction of ≥15% in both anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG seroconversion (SC) and neutralizing antibody (NAb) positivity 6 weeks (day 69 (D69)) after the second dose in the ARD group compared with that in the CG. Secondary outcomes were IgG SC and NAb positivity at D28, IgG titers and neutralizing activity at D28 and D69 and vaccine safety. Prespecified endpoints were met, with lower anti-SARS-Cov-2 IgG SC (70.4 versus 95.5%, P < 0.001) and NAb positivity (56.3 versus 79.3%, P < 0.001) at D69 in the ARD group than in the CG. Moreover, IgG titers (12.1 versus 29.7, P < 0.001) and median neutralization activity (58.7 versus 64.5%, P = 0.013) were also lower at D69 in patients with ARD. At D28, patients with ARD presented with lower IgG frequency (18.7 versus 34.6%, P < 0.001) and NAb positivity (20.6 versus 36.3%, P < 0.001) than that of the CG. There were no moderate/severe adverse events. These data support the use of CoronaVac in patients with ARD, suggesting reduced but acceptable short-term immunogenicity. The trial is still ongoing to evaluate the long-term effectiveness/immunogenicity.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK, ZAGLJ
Tropical forests store large amounts of carbon and high biodiversity, but are being degraded at alarming rates. The emerging global Forest and Landscape Restoration (FLR) agenda seeks to limit global ...climate change by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through the growth of trees. In doing so, it may also protect biodiversity as a free cobenefit, which is vital given the massive shortfall in funding for biodiversity conservation. We investigated whether natural forest regeneration on abandoned pastureland offers such cobenefits, focusing for the first time on the recovery of taxonomic diversity (TD), phylogenetic diversity (PD) and functional diversity (FD) of trees, including the recovery of threatened and endemic species richness, within isolated secondary forest (SF) fragments. We focused on the globally threatened Brazilian Atlantic Forest, where commitments have been made to restore 1 million hectares under FLR. Three decades after land abandonment, regenerating forests had recovered ~20% (72 Mg/ha) of the above‐ground carbon stocks of a primary forest (PF), with cattle pasture containing just 3% of stocks relative to PFs. Over this period, SF recovered ~76% of TD, 84% of PD and 96% of FD found within PFs. In addition, SFs had on average recovered 65% of threatened and ~30% of endemic species richness of primary Atlantic forest. Finally, we find positive relationships between carbon stock and tree diversity recovery. Our results emphasize that SF fragments offer cobenefits under FLR and other carbon‐based payments for ecosystem service schemes (e.g. carbon enhancements under REDD+). They also indicate that even isolated patches of SF could help to mitigate climate change and the biodiversity extinction crisis by recovering species of high conservation concern and improving landscape connectivity.
We investigated whether natural forest regeneration on abandoned pastureland offers such cobenefits, focusing for the first time on the recovery of taxonomic, phylogenetic diversity and functional diversity of trees, including the recovery of threatened and endemic species, within isolated secondary forest (SF) fragments. Our results emphasize that SF fragments offer cobenefits under FLR and other carbon‐based payments for ecosystem service schemes (e.g. carbon enhancements under REDD+). They also indicate that even isolated patches of SF could help to mitigate climate change and the biodiversity extinction crisis by recovering species of high conservation concern and improving landscape connectivity improving landscape connectivity.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Pulsation in TESS Objects of Interest Gomes, R. L.; Martins, B. L. Canto; Fontinele, D. O. ...
The Astrophysical journal,
01/2024, Volume:
961, Issue:
1
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
Abstract
We report the discovery of three Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite Objects of Interest (TOI) with signatures of pulsation, observed in more than one sector. Our main goal is to explore ...how large is the variety of classical pulsators such as
δ
Sct,
γ
Dor, RR Lyrae and Cepheid among TOI pulsators. The analysis reveals two stars with signatures of
δ
Sct and one of
γ
Dor, out of a sample of 3901 TOIs with available light curves (LCs). To date, there is a very scarce number of known pulsating stars hosting planets. The present finding also emerges as an exciting laboratory for studying different astrophysical phenomena, including the effects of star–planet interaction on pulsation and timing detection of planetary companions. We have also identified 16 TOI stars with periodicities and LCs morphology compatible with different classical pulsating classes, but for most of them, the dominant frequency signals originate from contaminating sources.
The search for antiprion compounds has been encouraged by the fact that transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) share molecular mechanisms with more prevalent neurodegenerative pathologies, ...such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. Cellular prion protein (PrP
) conversion into protease-resistant forms (protease-resistant PrP PrP
or the scrapie form of PrP PrP
) is a critical step in the development of TSEs and is thus one of the main targets in the screening for antiprion compounds. In this work, three trimethoxychalcones (compounds J1, J8, and J20) and one oxadiazole (compound Y17), previously identified
to be potential antiprion compounds, were evaluated through different approaches in order to gain inferences about their mechanisms of action. None of them changed PrP
mRNA levels in N2a cells, as shown by reverse transcription-quantitative real-time PCR. Among them, J8 and Y17 were effective in real-time quaking-induced conversion reactions using rodent recombinant PrP (rPrP) from residues 23 to 231 (rPrP
) as the substrate and PrP
seeds from hamster and human brain. However, when rPrP from residues 90 to 231 (rPrP
), which lacks the N-terminal domain, was used as the substrate, only J8 remained effective, indicating that this region is important for Y17 activity, while J8 seems to interact with the PrP
globular domain. J8 also reduced the fibrillation of mouse rPrP
seeded with
-produced fibrils. Furthermore, most of the compounds decreased the amount of PrP
on the N2a cell surface by trapping this protein in the endoplasmic reticulum. On the basis of these results, we hypothesize that J8, a nontoxic compound previously shown to be a promising antiprion agent, may act by different mechanisms, since its efficacy is attributable not only to PrP conversion inhibition but also to a reduction of the PrP
content on the cell surface.
Objective
The diagnosis of oral lesions is often challenging for primary healthcare providers, which explains the high number of referrals to specialist care. This favors increases in waiting lines ...and delays in diagnosis, contributing to high mortality rates from oral cancer. This study aimed to summarize the experience of the EstomatoNet, a telediagnosis program catering to primary care dentists and physicians from southern Brazil.
Study design
This exploratory study included all queries received by EstomatoNet from June 2015 to December 2016. Health providers (71 dentists and 18 physicians from primary care) submitted requests including clinical information and photographs of oral lesions by means of a cloud‐based platform. Specialized oral medicine teleconsultants received the data, conveyed a diagnostic hypothesis, and conveyed management recommendations.
Results
Actinic cheilitis (n = 41, 15.8%), squamous cell carcinoma (n = 22, 8.5%), and inflammatory hyperplasia (21, 8.1%) were the most frequent diagnoses. Teleconsultants recommended referral to specialists in 42.9% of the cases, total biopsy in 23.6%, and follow‐up in 16.2%. After the EstomatoNet use, the intention to refer the patients to face‐to‐face consultation reduced from 96.9% to 35.1%.
Conclusion
Telediagnosis for oral lesions is feasible and has potential to improve the quality of primary health care by bridging the gap between primary and specialized health care.
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CMK, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Summary
Background
In patients with chronic hepatitis B, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) plus pegylated interferon (PEG‐IFN) for 48‐weeks results in higher rates of hepatitis B surface antigen ...(HBsAg) loss than either monotherapy.
Aim
To identify baseline and on‐treatment factors associated with HBsAg loss at Week 72 and provide a model for predicting HBsAg loss in patients receiving combination therapy for 48 weeks.
Methods
A secondary analysis of data from an open‐label study where patients were randomised to TDF (300 mg/day, oral) plus PEG‐IFN (PI, 180 μg/week, subcutaneous) for 48 weeks (TDF/PI‐48w); TDF plus PEG‐IFN for 16 weeks, TDF for 32 weeks (TDF/PI‐16w+TDF‐32w); TDF for 120 weeks (TDF‐120w) or PEG‐IFN for 48 weeks (PI‐48w). Logistic regression methods were used to identify models that best predicted HBsAg loss at Week 72.
Results
Rates of HBsAg loss at Week 72 were significantly higher in the TDF/PI‐48w group (6.5%) than in the TDF/PI‐16w+TDF‐32w (0.5%), TDF‐120w (0%) and PI‐48w (2.2%) groups (P = 0.09). The only baseline factor associated with response was genotype A. HBsAg decline at Week 12 or 24 of treatment was associated with HBsAg loss at Week 72 (P < 0.001). HBsAg decline >3.5 log10 IU/mL at Week 24 in the TDF/PI‐48w group resulted in a positive predictive value of 85% and a negative predictive value of 99% for HBsAg loss at Week 72.
Conclusions
HBsAg decline at Week 24 of TDF plus PEG‐IFN combination therapy may identify patients who, after completing 48 weeks of treatment, have a better chance of achieving HBsAg loss at Week 72.
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BFBNIB, DOBA, FZAB, GIS, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Yeast-derived products containing β-glucans have long been used as feed supplements in domesticated animals in an attempt to increase immunity. β-glucans are mainly recognized by the cell surface ...receptor CLEC7A, also designated Dectin-1. Although the immune mechanisms elicited through Dectin-1 activation have been studied in detail in mice and humans, they are poorly understood in other species. Here, we evaluated the response of bovine monocytes to soluble and particulate purified β-glucans, and also to Zymosan. Our results show that particulate, but not soluble β-glucans, can upregulate the surface expression of costimulatory molecules CD80 and CD86 on bovine monocytes. In addition, stimulated cells increased production of IL-8 and of
TNF, IL1B
, and
IL6
mRNA expression, in a dose-dependent manner, which correlated positively with
CLEC7A
gene expression. Production of IL-8 and
TNF
expression decreased significantly after
CLEC7A
knockdown using two different pairs of siRNAs. Overall, we demonstrated here that bovine monocytes respond to particulate β-glucans, through Dectin-1, by increasing the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Our data support further studies in cattle on the induction of trained immunity using dietary β-glucans.
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to undertake a review of the available evidence comparing the use of a single medium versus sequential media for embryo culture to the blastocyst stage in ...clinical IVF.
Methods
We searched the Cochrane Central, PubMed, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov, Current Controlled Trials and WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform to identify randomized controlled trials comparing single versus sequential media for blastocyst culture and ongoing pregnancy rate. Included studies randomized either oocytes/zygotes or women. Eligible oocyte/zygote studies were analyzed to assess the risk difference (RD) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) between the two media systems; eligible woman-based studies were analyzed to assess the risk ratio (RR) and 95 % CI for clinical pregnancy rate.
Results
No differences were observed between single and sequential media for either ongoing pregnancy per randomized woman (relative risk (RR) = 0.9, 95 % CI = 0.7 to 1.3, two studies including 246 women,
I
2
= 0 %) or clinical pregnancy per randomized woman (RR = 1.0, 95 % CI = 0.7 to 1.4, one study including 100 women); or miscarriage per clinical pregnancy: RR = 1.3, 95 % CI = 0.4 to 4.3, two studies including 246 participants,
I
2
= 0 %). Single media use was associated with an increase blastocyst formation per randomized oocyte/zygote (relative distribution (RD) = +0.06, 95 % CI = +0.01 to +0.12, ten studies including 7455 oocytes/zygotes,
I
2
= 83 %) but not top/high blastocyst formation (RD = +0.05, 95 % CI = −0.01 to +0.11, five studies including 3879 oocytes/zygotes,
I
2
= 93 %). The overall quality of the evidence was very low for all these four outcomes.
Conclusions
Although using a single medium for extended culture has some practical advantages and blastocyst formation rates appear to be higher, there is insufficient evidence to recommend either sequential or single-step media as being superior for the culture of embryos to days 5/6. Future studies comparing these two media systems in well-designed trials should be performed.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
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