Abstract
Bacterial AB toxins are secreted key virulence factors that are internalized by target cells through receptor-mediated endocytosis, translocating their enzymatic domain to the cytosol from ...endosomes (short-trip) or the endoplasmic reticulum (long-trip). To accomplish this, bacterial AB toxins evolved a multidomain structure organized into either a single polypeptide chain or non-covalently associated polypeptide chains. The prototypical short-trip single-chain toxin is characterized by a receptor-binding domain that confers cellular specificity and a translocation domain responsible for pore formation whereby the catalytic domain translocates to the cytosol in an endosomal acidification-dependent way. In this work, the determination of the three-dimensional structure of AIP56 shows that, instead of a two-domain organization suggested by previous studies, AIP56 has three-domains: a non-LEE encoded effector C (NleC)-like catalytic domain associated with a small middle domain that contains the linker-peptide, followed by the receptor-binding domain. In contrast to prototypical single-chain AB toxins, AIP56 does not comprise a typical structurally complex translocation domain; instead, the elements involved in translocation are scattered across its domains. Thus, the catalytic domain contains a helical hairpin that serves as a molecular switch for triggering the conformational changes necessary for membrane insertion only upon endosomal acidification, whereas the middle and receptor-binding domains are required for pore formation.
•Modified interlinking converter integrated to the ESD.•Centralized energy storage system to support microgrids.•Power management strategy to improve the power quality and apply power sharing in the ...microgrids.•Hybrid AC/DC microgrid employed ancillary services to utility grid.•Power quality improvement by harmonic mitigation, reactive power compensation and voltage regulation.
This paper develops a power management strategy (PMS) that improves the power quality in a hybrid AC/DC microgrid with an energy storage system (ESS) applying a modified interlinking converters topology. To create the DC microgrid, an interlinking converter (ILC) operates as a grid-forming unit. Moreover, other interfacing device is employed, consisting of a bidirectional DC-DC half-bridge converter coupled with a voltage source converter (VSC). The energy storage device (ESD) is connected to the DC bus between the two converter stages. Such modified topology is called Two Stages Interlinking Converter with Energy Storage Device (TSILC-ESD). The PMS applied in the hybrid AC/DC microgrid is based on the ILC control responsible for the DC microgrid formation, and the TSILC-ESD control, which provides ancillary services to the utility grid. Therefore, the electric current’s harmonic specter injected into the utility grid is mitigated at the point of common coupling (PCC). Besides, a droop-based power-sharing between the ESD and the power grid is implemented, aiming to achieve voltage regulation in the DC link. Different source and load profiles are considered to analyze both sub-grids’ proposed strategy to explore the modified interlinking converters in different operation conditions. Simulations are carried out in the MatLab/Simulink software. The results show that the interlink converter improves the flexibility of the hybrid microgrid and, in addition, the power quality of the energy supplied in the utility grid is improved.
Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), as measured by ultrasound, has been used in large studies as a non-invasive marker for subclinical atherosclerosis. The Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult ...Health (ELSA-Brasil) is a cohort of 15,105 civil servants in six Brazilian cities that included CIMT evaluation in its baseline assessment. The aim of the present narrative review was to provide an overview of ELSA-Brasil CIMT articles published up to July 31, 2017.
Narrative review of ELSA-Brasil CIMT studies using baseline assessment data.
We searched PubMed for the terms "ELSA-Brasil" and "intima-media". This search yielded 21 published articles using CIMT data from the ELSA-Brasil baseline assessment, which were included in this review. We also present information about intima-media thickness assessment from ongoing onsite reevaluations of the study participants.
Most published studies focused on the association with traditional and novel cardiovascular risk factors. Studies also presented information about the ELSA-Brasil CIMT protocol at baseline and CIMT value distribution in this large sample.
Analyses on the ELSA-Brasil data led to important insights on CIMT interpretation and physiology. Besides the highlighted contributions which have already been made in this field, new data gathered during the ongoing third onsite assessment will enable investigation of substantially new research questions.
This paper presents a battery management system (BMS) for a modified interlinking converter in a hybrid AC/DC microgrid. The power management strategy (PMS) employs the BMS to avoid the battery ...operation in harmful conditions, increasing the battery banks’ life cycle. Besides, techniques for power-sharing, power quality mitigation, and grid formation are also presented in the PMS. This study proposes the PMS for a hybrid microgrid operating in the grid-connected and standalone mode. The modified interlinking converters are composed of an interlinking converter (ILC) and a two-stage interlinking converter-energy storage device (TSILC-ESD), acting according to the operation mode. The ILC works as a grid-forming to the DC microgrid in the grid-connected mode, while the TSILC-ESD acts as a grid-supporting unit for both microgrids. In this case, when the BMS actuates, the TSILC-ESD is disabled. For standalone mode, the ILC is responsible for forming the AC microgrid, while the TSILC-ESD forms the DC microgrid. Moreover, the TSILC-ESD also renders support to the AC microgrid. To maintain the formation of both grids, the BMS applies a load or source selectivity, according to SoC conditions. To evaluate the performance of the proposed BMS, PMS, and interlinking converters, simulations are performed in the Matlab/Simulink software. The results show an appropriate performance for the hybrid microgrid in the grid-connected and standalone modes, while a satisfactory BMS response is achieved during the operation restrictions.
•Hybrid AC/DC microgrid•Interlinking converter•Battery bank•BMS•Ancillary services
The effect of Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis), individually or in combination with two commercial carbohydrases, in piglet diets was assessed on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and meat ...quality traits. Forty post‐weaned male piglets from Large White × Landrace sows crossed with Pietrain boars with an initial live weight of 12.0 ± 0.89 kg were used. Piglets were assigned to one of four dietary treatments (n = 10): cereal and soya bean meal base diet (control), base diet with 10% Spirulina (SP), SP diet supplemented with 0.005% Rovabio® Excel AP (SP + R) and SP diet supplemented with 0.01% lysozyme (SP + L). Animals were slaughtered after a 4‐week experimental period. Growth performance was negatively affected by the incorporation of Spirulina in the diets, with an average decrease of 9.1% on final weight, in comparison with control animals. Total tract apparent digestibility (TTAD) of crude protein was higher (p < .05) in the control group than in other groups. In addition, lysozyme increased TTAD of crude fat and acid detergent fibre, relative to the SP and control groups, respectively. In addition, the incorporation of Spirulina, individually and supplemented with enzymes, did not impair meat quality traits. Surprisingly, no protective effect against lipid oxidation was observed with the inclusion of Spirulina in pork after 7 days of storage. This study indicates that growth performance of post‐weaning piglets was impaired by the incorporation of 10% Spirulina in the diets, which is mediated by an increase in digesta viscosity and a lower protein digestibility, as a consequence of the resistance of microalga proteins to the action of endogenous peptidases. In addition, it also indicates that lysozyme, in contrast to Rovabio® Excel AP, is efficient in the degradation of Spirulina cell wall in piglet's intestine. However, the digestion of proteins liberated by Spirulina cell wall disruption is still a challenge.
The south of Brazil has a high production of peaches which generates the stone as residue. The recycling of biomass and plastic waste is a challenge that must be overcome. Therefore, co-pyrolysis ...emerges as a possibility for joint conversion of peach stone and plastic bags into value-added products. Thus, the objective is to obtain new products, emphasizing the organic fraction of the bio-oil obtained under the best experimental conditions, and to characterize it by GC-MS. The experiments provided a three-phase bio-oil: two organic phases with different densities and an aqueous phase. It was observed that the central point experiment (temperature at 500 °C and blend composition, % peach stone/polyethylene, 80/20) generated the highest yield of bio-oil. However, the experiment at the lowest temperature and with greater addition of plastic waste produced a higher organic fraction. Using gas chromatography, 161 chemical compounds were identified in the denser organic phase, emphasizing the phenols. In the lighter organic fraction, hydrocarbons were the majority among the 70 compounds identified. The results suggest that the interaction between biomass and polyethylene influences the characteristics of the products obtained, since polyethylene acts as dispersant and as hydrogen donor. Co-pyrolysis, in this research, proves to be efficient and viable, allowing the joint destination of those environmental liabilities.
Objectives
The present study aimed to systematically review the literature about the interproximal anti-plaque and anti-gingivitis efficacy of cetylpyrydinium chloride (CPC) mouthrinse compared to ...placebo solution.
Materials and methods
Three databases (PUBMED, SCOPUS, and EMBASE) were searched for randomized clinical trials that compared the interproximal anti-plaque and anti-gingivitis effect of CPC and placebo mouthrinses as an adjunct to toothbrushing, after a minimum of 6 weeks. Individuals with any periodontal diagnosis were considered. Two meta-analyses were performed for the Turesky modification of the Quigley-Hein plaque index and the Löe and Silness gingival index. For both analyses, the mean differences (MD) between baseline and 6-weeks were calculated using a random-effect model.
Results
Eight studies were included. All included studies showed significant improvement in at least one of the parameters, favoring the CPC mouthrinse when compared to placebo. The meta-analysis demonstrated that groups that used CPC displayed a significantly greater reduction in the plaque index score (MD; 95% confidence interval 95%CI: − 0.70; − 0.83 to − 0.57) and in the gingival index (MD; 95%CI: − 0.38; − 0.47 to − 0.28) when compared to placebo. However, high heterogeneity was observed in both analyses (
I
2
= 89% and
I
2
= 98%, respectively).
Conclusions
When considering interproximal surfaces, CPC is efficacious both in plaque and gingival inflammatory parameters, demonstrating the potential to compensate for the limitations of interproximal plaque control.
Clinical relevance
CPC may be a good alternative to compensate interproximal plaque removal, improving interproximal gingivitis
Ultimate Frisbee (UF) is a non-contact, challenging, and self-promoted team sport. Some factors such as the game environment and rules seem to influence athletes' behavior. Goals: Provide a robust ...systematic review (SR) of the psychological domains associated with UF.
A SR according to Cochrane guidelines was completed. A reproducible search strategy was conducted by two independent reviewers in thirteen online databases: the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, SCOPUS, B-On, SportDiscus, Scielo; APA PsycINFO, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences; Academic Search Complete; Medline (PubMed); ERIC; Google Scholar; Open Acess Thesis and Dissertations. The search occurred from 1st to 30th June 2020, and there were no limitations regarding the year of publication. Original papers that contained relevant data regarding psychological domains in the context of UF in English, Portuguese and Spanish were selected. The combination of the main terms "ultimate frisbee" and "sport psychology" was used in all databases. A total of 464 studies were identified and selected in the last phase of selection. After the Screening (
= 301) and Eligibility (
= 71) phases, a total of 30 potential papers were selected and classified. Finally, only four papers were qualified to be included in the final version of SR.
The psychological dimensions revealed in the present study were: leadership; basic psychological needs; behaviors; task cohesion and performance; intrateam communication; performance-avoidance goals; friendship goals; sportsmanship associated with goal-directed self-talk and self-regulated learning.
To our knowledge, this is the first SR about UF. In reviewing all the findings in the studies, there is evidence that UF can promote teamwork, task cohesion, leadership, and increase friendship-approach goals.
The results revealed that group goals and promoting teamwork significantly predicted social cohesion and that teamwork and task cohesion was mediated by communication. UF is characterized by communication between all players, whether they are from the same team or the opposing team. In summary, the current study revealed real-time information about the game and its rules. This is important because UF is one of the few team sports worldwide that are self-referred by participants.
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=169294, identifier: CRD42020169294.
Layered Double Hydroxides (LDH) have received great attention in the development of drug carrier systems. LDHs have become intelligent excipients of high technological potential for the ...pharmaceutical industry due to their ability to intercalate biomaterials in the interlayer region, adsorb substances on its vast surface area, have flexible structure, swelling properties, high chemical and thermal stability, modulate drug release, have high biocompatibility and be easily synthesized. This article, using typical examples, mainly addresses the systems formed between LDHs and antimicrobial, antineoplastic and anti-inflammatory agents, which constitute the main pharmacological classes of wide interest due to the problems encountered with low solubility, control in administration, stability in body fluids and toxicity, among others. Additionally, the article also reports on the recent development of ternary or quaternary (multicomponent systems) compounds based on LDH, bringing the advantages of targeted therapy, improving the aqueous stability of nanohybrids and the performance of these inorganic carriers.
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Abstract
Background
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease that affects the upper and lower motor neurons. The correct diagnosis at the onset of the disease is sometimes ...very difficult, due to the symptoms being very similar to those of other neurological syndromes.
Objective
This study aimed to analyze the initial manifestations, the specialty of the first physician visited due the initial complaint, the misdiagnoses, as well as the unnecessary surgical interventions in a new ALS Brazilian population.
Methods
The medical records of 173 patients with typical ALS were reviewed.
Results
The present study demonstrated that other symptoms, besides weakness, were very frequent as initial presentation of ALS, and orthopedics was the medical specialty most sought by patients at the onset of symptoms. Our frequency of misdiagnoses was 69.7%, and in 7.1% of them, an unnecessary surgical intervention was performed.
Conclusions
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis presents a very large pool of signs and symptoms; therefore, there is an urgent need of increasing the disease awareness to other specialties due to the high frequency of misdiagnoses observed in clinical practice.
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