The guppy, Poecilia reticulata Peters, 1859 is an ovoviviparous freshwater fish of low waters native to the Caribbean Islands, Venezuela, Guyana, and northern Brazil. Guppies are among the most ...popular fishes in the aquarium trade, and they are introduced into water bodies in many parts of Brazil through the aquarium dumping. This paper reports the first record of non-native P. reticulata in water bodies at midwest Brazil. Poecilia reticulata was collected in nascent of stream Figueira located to eastern of Tangara da Serra, southwest region of Mato Grosso State. This record and the presence of juveniles suggest natural recruitment of P. reticulata in stream Figueira and the introduction this species is very worrying. Especially when we consider the studies by Krinski et al reporting that 31 species of native fish can be found in Tangara da Serra streams, and 330 species in the upper Paraguay River basin.
Quantitative susceptibility mapping has been used to characterize iron and myelin content in the deep gray matter of patients with multiple sclerosis. Our aim was to characterize the susceptibility ...mapping of cortical lesions in patients with MS and compare it with neuropathologic observations.
The pattern of microglial activation was studied in postmortem brain tissues from 16 patients with secondary-progressive MS and 5 age-matched controls. Thirty-six patients with MS underwent 3T MR imaging, including 3D double inversion recovery and 3D-echo-planar SWI.
Neuropathologic analysis revealed the presence of an intense band of microglia activation close to the pial membrane in subpial cortical lesions or to the WM border of leukocortical cortical lesions. The quantitative susceptibility mapping analysis revealed 131 cortical lesions classified as hyperintense; 33, as isointense; and 84, as hypointense. Quantitative susceptibility mapping hyperintensity edge found in the proximity of the pial surface or at the white matter/gray matter interface in some of the quantitative susceptibility mapping-hyperintense cortical lesions accurately mirrors the microglia activation observed in the neuropathology analysis.
Cortical lesion susceptibility maps are highly heterogeneous, even at individual levels. Quantitative susceptibility mapping hyperintensity edge found in proximity to the pial surface might be due to the subpial gradient of microglial activation.
The study of diet may help to predict the consequences of ontogeny and sexual size dimorphism in resource use. Although diet changes are expected in dimorphic species, ontogeny can be a factor in ...determining the degree of diet variation within a species. We studied large sexually dimorphic predator, the Yellow anaconda Eunectes notaeus, to learn how influences of sex and size on diet might lead to intersexual niche divergence, therefore avoiding intraspecific competition. We tested the consequences of sexual size dimorphism via two foraging metrics: prey size and feeding frequency. To test the consequences of ontogeny on trophic niche metrics, we related changes in feeding frequency and maximum prey size to increase in anaconda body size. Finally, we tested whether diet composition changed between sexes to the point where it could lead to reduced competition. While females (the larger sex) did eat larger prey compared to males, this effect disappeared when we removed the effect of body size. Females ate more frequently than males, even with body size effect was removed. Predator‐prey size ratios were positively affected by maximum prey size, and as expected from foraging theory, did not increase minimum prey size. Feeding frequency did not display any ontogenetic effects. While diet composition varied between sexes, overlap is high. This indicates that variations in resource use as a product of sex‐based differences in size are negligible in Yellow anacondas. Although females feed more frequently, this may be an effect of the greater energetic costs of reproduction. Ontogeny has a positive effect on maximum prey size, though this is a general trend, and has already been demonstrated for several other species. Finally, understanding of sex‐based changes in resource use will be improved if it can be determined whether such phenomena are consequences rather than causes for sexual size dimorphism.
We studied large sexually dimorphic predator, the Yellow anaconda, to learn how influences of sex and size on diet might lead to intersexual niche divergence, so avoiding intraspecific competition. While females (the larger sex) did eat larger prey compared to males, this effect disappeared when we removed the effect of body size. Females ate more frequently than males. Predator‐prey size ratios were positively affected by maximum prey size and did not increase minimum prey size. Feeding frequency did not display any ontogenetic effects. While diet composition varied between sexes, overlap was high. This indicates that variations in resource use as a product of sex‐based differences in size are negligible in Yellow anacondas.
Given the projected trends in population ageing and population growth, the number of people with dementia is expected to increase. In addition, strong evidence has emerged supporting the importance ...of potentially modifiable risk factors for dementia. Characterising the distribution and magnitude of anticipated growth is crucial for public health planning and resource prioritisation. This study aimed to improve on previous forecasts of dementia prevalence by producing country-level estimates and incorporating information on selected risk factors.
We forecasted the prevalence of dementia attributable to the three dementia risk factors included in the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 (high body-mass index, high fasting plasma glucose, and smoking) from 2019 to 2050, using relative risks and forecasted risk factor prevalence to predict GBD risk-attributable prevalence in 2050 globally and by world region and country. Using linear regression models with education included as an additional predictor, we then forecasted the prevalence of dementia not attributable to GBD risks. To assess the relative contribution of future trends in GBD risk factors, education, population growth, and population ageing, we did a decomposition analysis.
We estimated that the number of people with dementia would increase from 57·4 (95% uncertainty interval 50·4–65·1) million cases globally in 2019 to 152·8 (130·8–175·9) million cases in 2050. Despite large increases in the projected number of people living with dementia, age-standardised both-sex prevalence remained stable between 2019 and 2050 (global percentage change of 0·1% –7·5 to 10·8). We estimated that there were more women with dementia than men with dementia globally in 2019 (female-to-male ratio of 1·69 1·64–1·73), and we expect this pattern to continue to 2050 (female-to-male ratio of 1·67 1·52–1·85). There was geographical heterogeneity in the projected increases across countries and regions, with the smallest percentage changes in the number of projected dementia cases in high-income Asia Pacific (53% 41–67) and western Europe (74% 58–90), and the largest in north Africa and the Middle East (367% 329–403) and eastern sub-Saharan Africa (357% 323–395). Projected increases in cases could largely be attributed to population growth and population ageing, although their relative importance varied by world region, with population growth contributing most to the increases in sub-Saharan Africa and population ageing contributing most to the increases in east Asia.
Growth in the number of individuals living with dementia underscores the need for public health planning efforts and policy to address the needs of this group. Country-level estimates can be used to inform national planning efforts and decisions. Multifaceted approaches, including scaling up interventions to address modifiable risk factors and investing in research on biological mechanisms, will be key in addressing the expected increases in the number of individuals affected by dementia.
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Gates Ventures.
The decay of the 21.47-MeV stretched resonance in 13C, arising from p3/2→d5/2 nucleon excitation coupled to maximum spin, was investigated in a (p,p′) experiment at 135 MeV proton bombarding energy, ...performed at the Cyclotron Centre Bronowice (CCB) at IFJ PAN in Krakow. First experimental information on the proton and neutron decay branches from this state was obtained by using coincidence measurement of protons inelastically scattered on a 13C target and γ rays from daughter nuclei, namely, 12B (proton decay) and 12C (neutron decay). The main branches lead to the Jπ=2+, first-excited state at 0.953 MeV in 12B, and to the Jπ=1+, T=1 level at 15.110 MeV in 12C. The results were compared with predictions from the Gamow Shell Model (GSM), which was used to describe the stretched resonance in terms of its energy, width, electromagnetic transition strengths and decay pattern. A very good agreement was obtained between the measured and calculated properties of the 21.47-MeV stretched resonance in 13C, demonstrating the high-quality and precision of the GSM wave function calculations, which include coupling to the resonant and non-resonant particle continuum.
Updated data on chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) are vital in their prevention, control, and treatment in the path to achieving the third UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a one-third ...reduction in premature mortality from non-communicable diseases by 2030. We provided global, regional, and national estimates of the burden of CRDs and their attributable risks from 1990 to 2019.
Using data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019, we estimated mortality, years lived with disability, years of life lost, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), prevalence, and incidence of CRDs, i.e. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, pneumoconiosis, interstitial lung disease and pulmonary sarcoidosis, and other CRDs, from 1990 to 2019 by sex, age, region, and Socio-demographic Index (SDI) in 204 countries and territories. Deaths and DALYs from CRDs attributable to each risk factor were estimated according to relative risks, risk exposure, and the theoretical minimum risk exposure level input.
In 2019, CRDs were the third leading cause of death responsible for 4.0 million deaths (95% uncertainty interval 3.6–4.3) with a prevalence of 454.6 million cases (417.4–499.1) globally. While the total deaths and prevalence of CRDs have increased by 28.5% and 39.8%, the age-standardised rates have dropped by 41.7% and 16.9% from 1990 to 2019, respectively. COPD, with 212.3 million (200.4–225.1) prevalent cases, was the primary cause of deaths from CRDs, accounting for 3.3 million (2.9–3.6) deaths. With 262.4 million (224.1–309.5) prevalent cases, asthma had the highest prevalence among CRDs. The age-standardised rates of all burden measures of COPD, asthma, and pneumoconiosis have reduced globally from 1990 to 2019. Nevertheless, the age-standardised rates of incidence and prevalence of interstitial lung disease and pulmonary sarcoidosis have increased throughout this period. Low- and low-middle SDI countries had the highest age-standardised death and DALYs rates while the high SDI quintile had the highest prevalence rate of CRDs. The highest deaths and DALYs from CRDs were attributed to smoking globally, followed by air pollution and occupational risks. Non-optimal temperature and high body-mass index were additional risk factors for COPD and asthma, respectively.
Albeit the age-standardised prevalence, death, and DALYs rates of CRDs have decreased, they still cause a substantial burden and deaths worldwide. The high death and DALYs rates in low and low-middle SDI countries highlights the urgent need for improved preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic measures. Global strategies for tobacco control, enhancing air quality, reducing occupational hazards, and fostering clean cooking fuels are crucial steps in reducing the burden of CRDs, especially in low- and lower-middle income countries.
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
IntroductionIn 2009, it was announced that clopidogrel should not be taken with proton pump inhibitors. Omeprazole possibly reduces antiplatelet effect of clopidogrel. We compared mortality and ...cardiovascular rates between patients that had been treated with clopidogrel alone and those with both clopidogrel and omeprazole.MethodsA retrospective dynamic cohort study using secondary data of a health information system from a Health Maintenance Organization in Buenos Aires was analysed. Patients older than 17 years with purchase record of clopidogrel were followed for all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events (CE) from 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2008. Rates and 95% CIs are expressed per 1000 persons-year. Cox regression was used to obtain adjusted HRs for the risk of all-cause mortality and CE in groups exposed and unexposed concomitant to omeprazole at baseline.ResultsMean follow-up 13 months, 2518 patients received clopidogrel from whom 17.31% also received omeprazole. Exposed and unexposed to omeprazole were similar in sex (male 60%), age (mean 68) and comorbidities. The CE rate was 32.4 (95% CI 27.3 to 38.4) and 26.1 (95% CI 24.1 to 28.4) for each group respectively (RR 1.23 (p=0.026) and adjusted RR 1.15 (p=0.137)). The all-cause mortality rate was 2.5 (95% CI 1.4 to 4.5) and 1.23 (95% CI 0.8 to 1.7) for each group respectively (RR 2.06 (p=0.034) and adjusted RR 1.76 (p=0.109)).ConclusionPatients treated with clopidogrel and omeprazole had not increase risk for all-cause mortality and for CE after adjusting for comorbidities.
On 17 August 2017, the Advanced LIGO and Virgo detectors observed the gravitational-wave event GW170817-a strong signal from the merger of a binary neutron-star system. Less than two seconds after ...the merger, a γ-ray burst (GRB 170817A) was detected within a region of the sky consistent with the LIGO-Virgo-derived location of the gravitational-wave source. This sky region was subsequently observed by optical astronomy facilities, resulting in the identification of an optical transient signal within about ten arcseconds of the galaxy NGC 4993. This detection of GW170817 in both gravitational waves and electromagnetic waves represents the first 'multi-messenger' astronomical observation. Such observations enable GW170817 to be used as a 'standard siren' (meaning that the absolute distance to the source can be determined directly from the gravitational-wave measurements) to measure the Hubble constant. This quantity represents the local expansion rate of the Universe, sets the overall scale of the Universe and is of fundamental importance to cosmology. Here we report a measurement of the Hubble constant that combines the distance to the source inferred purely from the gravitational-wave signal with the recession velocity inferred from measurements of the redshift using the electromagnetic data. In contrast to previous measurements, ours does not require the use of a cosmic 'distance ladder': the gravitational-wave analysis can be used to estimate the luminosity distance out to cosmological scales directly, without the use of intermediate astronomical distance measurements. We determine the Hubble constant to be about 70 kilometres per second per megaparsec. This value is consistent with existing measurements, while being completely independent of them. Additional standard siren measurements from future gravitational-wave sources will enable the Hubble constant to be constrained to high precision.
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The implementation of the proposal from the European Chemical Agency (ECHA) to restrict the use of nanoplastics (NP) and microplastics (MP) in consumer products will require reliable ...methods to perform size and mass-based concentration measurements. Analytical challenges arise at the nanometre to micrometre interface, e.g., 800 nm–10 µm, where techniques applicable at the nanometre scale reach their upper limit of applicability and approaches applicable at the micrometre scale must be pushed to their lower limits of detection.
Herein, we compared the performances of nine analytical techniques by measuring the particle size distribution and mass-based concentration of polystyrene mixtures containing both nano and microparticles, with the educational aim to underline applicability and limitations of each technique.
Light scattering-based measurements do not have the resolution to distinguish multiple populations in polydisperse samples. Nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), nano-flowcytometry (nFCM) and asymmetric flow field flow fractionation hyphenated with multiangle light scattering (AF4-MALS) cannot measure particles in the micrometre range. Static light scattering (SLS) is not able to accurately detect particles below 200 nm, and similarly to transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and flow cytometry (FCM), is not suitable for accurate mass-based concentration measurements. Alternatives for high-resolution sizing and concentration measurements in the size range between 60 nm and 5 µm are tunable resistive pulse sensing (TRPS) and centrifugal liquid sedimentation (CLS), that can bridge the gap between the nanometre and micrometre range.
We developed an innovative and efficient, feeder-free culture method to genetically modify and expand peripheral blood-derived NK cells with high proliferative capacity, while preserving the ...responsiveness of their native activating receptors. Activated peripheral blood NK cells were efficiently transduced by a retroviral vector, carrying a second-generation CAR targeting CD19. CAR expression was demonstrated across the different NK-cell subsets. CAR.CD19-NK cells display higher antileukemic activity toward CD19
cell lines and primary blasts obtained from patients with B-cell precursor ALL compared with unmodified NK cells. In vivo animal model data showed that the antileukemia activity of CAR.CD19-NK cell is superimposable to that of CAR-T cells, with a lower xenograft toxicity profile. These data support the feasibility of generating feeder-free expanded, genetically modified peripheral blood NK cells for effective "off-the-shelf" immuno-gene-therapy, while their innate alloreactivity can be safely harnessed to potentiate allogeneic cell therapy.
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