► 102 Samples of carbonate rocks were tested during 100 cycles of freeze–thaw. ► Decay evolution was characterized at micro/meso-scale and petrophysically. ► Ultrasonic attenuation is the most useful ...parameter for studying damage evolution. ► Strength, porosity and weight decrease are not useful for damage quantification. ► Standard procedures are revealed as not effective for rock durability diagnostics.
This paper studies the resistance of rocks to freeze–thaw and their petrophysical evolution during weathering. Moreover, the accuracy of existing standards regarding frost durability is discussed. A long-term test was established with these purposes, in which 102 samples of six different dimension stone types were tested (carbonates).
Samples were divided into five groups and each group was tested after 0, 12, 24, 48 and 96 freeze–thaw cycles. At the end of the cycles several properties were measured: volume loss, open porosity variation, visual damage, mechanical properties evolution (measuring strength and elastic modulus) and ultrasonic propagation (quantifying both P-wave velocity and spatial attenuation). The micro-textural evolution was also studied using SEM in polished samples.
Results display that the rocks with the highest open porosity values (>10%) are the least durable. These rocks show a non-linear decay pattern, with long periods of apparent stability followed by rapid and catastrophic decay. Microscopic observation reveals that during the stable period, isolated microcracks appear from where new ones nucleate and grow as the test progresses. When a critical threshold is exceeded, microcracks turn into cracks and grow rapidly, causing rock breakdown after a low number of cycles. Most of the measured petrophysical parameters do not predict the ultimate breakdown of rocks. However, spatial attenuation of ultrasonic waves reveals as the most sensitive parameter, detecting the critical decay threshold of rocks and their imminent breakdown. Results suggest an important review of standardized durability tests since they do not reflect the reality of frost weathering of rocks: to increase the number of freeze–thaw cycles and to monitoring the weathering process of samples by means ultrasonic measurements.
Background
Reference centers (RCs) are a key point for improving the survival of patients with soft‐tissue sarcomas (STS). The aim of this study was to evaluate selected items in the management of ...patients with STS, comparing results between RC and local hospitals (LHs).
Materials and Methods
Diagnostic and therapeutic data from patients diagnosed between January 2004 and December 2011 were collected. Correlation with outcome was performed.
Results
A total of 622 sarcomas were analyzed, with a median follow‐up of 40 months. Imaging of primary tumor preoperatively (yes vs. no) correlated with a higher probability of free surgical margins (77.4% versus 53.7%; p = .006). The provenance of the biopsy (RC vs. LH) significantly affected relapse‐free survival (RFS; 3‐year RFS 66% vs. 46%, respectively; p = .019). Likewise, 3‐year RFS was significantly worse in cases with infiltrated (55.6%) or unknown (43.4%) microscopic surgical margins compared with free margins (63.6%; p < .001). Patients managed by RCs had a better 3‐year overall survival compared with those managed by LHs (82% vs. 70.4%, respectively; p = .003). Perioperative chemotherapy in high‐risk STS, more frequently administered in RCs than in LHs, resulted in significantly better 3‐year RFS (66% vs. 44%; p = .011). In addition, patients with stage IV disease treated in RCs survived significantly longer compared with those in LHs (30.4 months vs. 18.5 months; p = .036).
Conclusion
Our series indicate that selected quality‐of‐care items were accomplished better by RCs over LHs, all with significant prognostic value in patients with STS. Early referral to an RC should be mandatory if the aim is to improve the survival of patients with STS.
Implications for Practice
This prospective study in patients diagnosed with soft‐tissue sarcoma shows the prognostic impact of reference centers in the management of these patients. The magnitude of this impact encompasses all steps of the process, from the initial management (performing diagnostic biopsy) to the advanced disease setting. This is the first prospective evidence showing improvement in outcomes of patients with metastatic disease when they are managed in centers with expertise. This study provides extra data supporting referral of patients with sarcoma to reference centers.
Management of soft‐tissue sarcoma is challenging. This article reports on sarcoma clinical management in cancer centers in Spain, based on information from a prospective registry launched by the Spanish Group for Research in Sarcoma.
► This research is approached from Sedimentary Petrology and Petrophysics fields. ► This work analyse texture and structure of a wide range of travertines and tufas. ► A rock classification is ...elaborated according to textural/structural aspects. ► An exhaustive petrophysical characterisation of all rock varieties is presented. ► Petrologic differences are related to different mechanical and water transport responses.
This paper establishes relationships between the structures of travertine and calcium carbonate tufa used as building stones and their physical properties. The most characteristic features of these kinds of rocks are the macropores in both stone types and the bedding planes and laminations in travertines. Large vuggy macropores have little influence on capillary water absorption, strength, elastic modulus or ultrasonic wave propagation, whereas microporosity is a much more determining factor. With travertines, the bedding planes and laminations give petrophysical anisotropy to rocks, where the highest capillary transport is reached parallel to the structure. However, rock strength and elasticity depend on both structure orientation and the predominant rock facies. The strongest and stiffest behaviour is found perpendicular to structure in low-porous banded samples, but in a parallel direction when the rock is highly porous.
The effects of UV radiation on Vitis vinifera cv Tempranillo grapes were studied under field conditions as influenced by ultraviolet (UV) band (UV‐A and UV‐B), UV‐B level (ambient vs enhanced), grape ...phenological stage (pea‐size, veraison, and harvest), grape component (skin, flesh, and seeds), and fraction from which phenolic UV‐absorbing compounds (UVACs) were extracted (soluble vs insoluble). Ambient UV‐B levels caused stronger effects than ambient UV‐A. These effects included increases in flavonol contents (particularly quercetins and kaempferols), the expression of flavonol synthase and chalcone synthase genes (VvFLS4 and VvCHS1), and grape weight and size. In addition, the contents of flavanols and hydroxycinnamic acids increased under UV‐B radiation at pea‐size stage. All these compounds play physiological roles as antioxidants and UV screens. Synergic effects between UV‐B and UV‐A were observed. The responses of anthocyanins, stilbenes, and volatile compounds to UV were diffuse or nonexistent. Enhanced UV‐B led to rather subtle changes in comparison with ambient UV‐B, but differences between both treatments could be demonstrated by multivariate analysis. Pea‐size and harvest were the phenological stages where the most significant responses to UV were found, while the skin was the most UV‐responsive grape component. Soluble phenolic compounds were much more UV‐responsive than insoluble compounds. In conclusion, UV radiation was essential for the induction of specific grape phenolic and volatile compounds. Given the physiological roles of these compounds, as well as their contribution to grape and wine quality, and their potential use as nutraceuticals, our results may have implications on the artificial manipulation of UV radiation.
Interleukin 35 (IL-35) is a heterodimeric cytokine involved in the development of atherosclerosis. The aim of the present study was to establish if the polymorphisms of IL-12A and EBI3 genes that ...encode the IL-35 subunits are associated with the development of premature coronary artery disease (CAD) in Mexican individuals. The IL-12A and EBI3 polymorphisms were determined in 1162 patients with premature CAD and 873 controls. Under different models, the EBI3 rs428253 (OR = 0.831, P a d d = 0.036; OR = 0.614, P r e c = 0.033; OR = 0.591, P c o d 2 = 0.027) and IL-12A rs2243115 (OR = 0.674, P a d d = 0.010; OR = 0.676, P d o m = 0.014; OR = 0.698, P h e t = 0.027; OR = 0.694, P c o d 1 = 0.024) polymorphisms were associated with decreased risk of developing premature CAD. Some polymorphisms were associated with clinical and metabolic parameters. Significant different levels of IL-35 were observed in EBI3 rs4740 and rs4905 genotypes only in the group of healthy controls. In summary, our study suggests that the EBI3 and IL-12A polymorphisms play an important role in decreasing the risk of developing premature CAD; it also demonstrates the relationship of the EBI3 rs4740 and rs4905 genotypes with IL-35 levels in healthy individuals.
Acute respiratory infections are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although a viral aetiological agent is estimated to be involved in up to 80% of cases, the majority of these ...agents have never been specifically identified. Since 2009, diagnostic and surveillance efforts for influenza virus have been applied worldwide. However, insufficient epidemiological information is available for the many other respiratory viruses that can cause Acute respiratory infections.
This study evaluated the presence of 14 non-influenza respiratory viruses in 872 pharyngeal exudate samples using RT-qPCR. All samples met the operational definition of a probable case of an influenza-like illness or severe acute respiratory infection and had a previous negative result for influenza by RT-qPCR.
The presence of at least one non-influenza virus was observed in 312 samples (35.8%). The most frequent viruses were rhinovirus (RV; 33.0%), human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV; 30.8%) and human metapneumovirus (HMPV; 10.6%). A total of 56 cases of co-infection (17.9%) caused by 2, 3, or 4 viruses were identified. Approximately 62.5% of all positive cases were in children under 9 years of age.
In this study, we identified 13 non-influenza respiratory viruses that could occur in any season of the year. This study provides evidence for the prevalence and seasonality of a wide range of respiratory viruses that circulate in Mexico and constitute a risk for the population. Additionally, our data suggest that including these tests more widely in the diagnostic algorithm for influenza may reduce the use of unnecessary antibiotics, reduce the hospitalisation time, and enrich national epidemiological data with respect to the infections caused by these viruses.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Aim of study: To investigate the effect of feeding foliage of leguminous trees on growth rate, semen characteristics, and sexual behavior of bucks. Area of study: Northeastern Mexico (23°44' N, 99°8' ...W). Material and methods: Twenty-two young goat bucks were randomly allocated to one of four treatment groups: 33% alfalfa hay (dry matter basis), 33%; Acacia farnesiana; Leucaena leucocephala; or Prosopis laevigata foliage (n=4 for alfalfa; n=6 for the rest of groups). Main results: Average daily gain (ADG) did not differ between bucks fed alfalfa, A. farnesiana, or L. leucocephala (120 ± 26, 134 ± 37, and 103 ± 29 g/d, respectively), but ADG of bucks offered P. laevigata was the lowest (72 ± 8 g; p<0.05). Bucks fed alfalfa had the highest feed efficiency (6.59 ± 1.25 kg of feed consumed/kg of gain; p<0.05) and bucks offered leguminous trees had the lowest (average 9.85 ± 2.3). Bucks offered alfalfa, and A. farnesiana had increased (p<0.05) scrotal circumference (26.6 ± 0.4 and 25.8 ± 1.5 cm) than bucks fed L. leucocephala, or P. laevigata (24.3 ± 1.2 and 24.1 ± 2.0 cm). Mean ejaculate volume was two-fold higher in alfalfa-fed bucks than all other dietary treatments. Sexual behavior did not differ among bucks fed the different legumes. Research highlights: Foliage of both A. farnesiana and L. leucocephala could totally replace alfalfa hay for rearing growing goat bucks in confinement without affecting daily weight gain, most semen characteristics, and copulation ability. P. laevigata reduced body weight and reproductive function.
Phasins are amphiphilic proteins involved in the regulation of the number and size of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) granules. The plant growth promoting bacterium
Azospirillum brasilense
Sp7 accumulates ...high quantities of bioplastic PHB as carbon and energy source. By analyzing the genome, we identified six genes that code for proteins with a Phasin_2 domain. To understand the role of
A. brasilense
Sp7 PhaP1 (PhaP1
Abs
) on PHB synthesis, the
phaP1
gene (AMK58_RS17065) was deleted. The morphology of the PHB granules was analyzed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and the PHB produced was quantified under three different C:N ratios in cultures subjected to null or low-oxygen transfer. The results showed that PhaP1
Abs
is involved in PHB granules morphology and in controlling early biopolymer accumulation. Using RT-PCR it was found that phasin genes, except
phaP4
, are transcribed in accordance with the C:N ratio used for the growth of
A. brasilense. phaP1
,
phaP2
and
phaP3
genes were able to respond to the growth conditions tested. This study reports the first analysis of a phasin protein in
A. brasilense
Sp7.
The effect of interleukin 33 (IL-33) in the inflammatory process generates significant interest in the potential significance of IL-33 as a biomarker for coronary artery disease (CAD). Here, our ...objective was to analyze whether IL-33 gene polymorphisms are associated with premature CAD in a case-control association study.
Four IL-33 polymorphisms (rs7848215, rs16924144, rs16924159 and rs7044343) were genotyped by 5' exonuclease TaqMan assays in 1095 patients with premature CAD and 1118 controls.
The rs7044343 T allele was significantly associated with a diminished risk of premature CAD (OR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.69-0.97, Pdom = 0.020; OR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.75-0.96, Padd = 0.019) and central obesity (OR = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.58-0.93, Pdom = 0.0007), respectively. When patients were divided into groups with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), the rs7044343 T allele was associated with a reduced risk of premature CAD in patients without (OR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.73-0.99, Padd = 0.038) and with T2DM (OR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.38-0.97, Pdom = 0.039; OR = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.49-0.97, Padd = 0.035). In order to establish the functional effect of the rs7044343 polymorphism, the production of IL-33 was determined in monocytes of selected individuals. Monocytes from individuals with rs7044343 CC genotype produced higher levels of IL-33 than monocytes from individuals with other genotypes.
The results suggest that the IL-33 rs7044343 T allele could be a susceptibility marker for premature CAD and central obesity. The rs7044343 polymorphism could be involved in regulating the production of IL-33.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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