Phosphorus (P) fixation on aluminum (Al) and iron (Fe) oxides in soil clays restricts P availability for crops cultivated on highly weathered tropical soils, which are common in developing countries. ...Hence, P deficiency becomes a major obstacle for global food security. We used multi-trait quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping to study the genetic architecture of P efficiency and to explore the importance of root traits on sorghum grain yield on a tropical low-P soil.
P acquisition efficiency was the most important component of P efficiency, and both traits were highly correlated with grain yield under low P availability. Root surface area was positively associated with grain yield. The guinea parent, SC283, contributed 58% of all favorable alleles detected by single-trait mapping. Multi-trait mapping detected 14 grain yield and/or root morphology QTLs. Tightly linked or pleiotropic QTL underlying the surface area of fine roots (1-2 mm in diameter) and grain yield were detected at positions 1-7 megabase pairs (Mb) and 71 Mb on chromosome 3, respectively, and a root diameter/grain yield QTL was detected at 7 Mb on chromosome 7. All these QTLs were near sorghum homologs of the rice serine/threonine kinase, OsPSTOL1. The SbPSTOL1 genes on chromosome 3, Sb03g006765 at 7 Mb and Sb03g031690 at 60 Mb were more highly expressed in SC283, which donated the favorable alleles at all QTLs found nearby SbPSTOL1 genes. The Al tolerance gene, SbMATE, may also influence a grain yield QTL on chromosome 3. Another PSTOL1-like gene, Sb07g02840, appears to enhance grain yield via small increases in root diameter. Co-localization analyses suggested a role for other genes, such as a sorghum homolog of the Arabidopsis ubiquitin-conjugating E2 enzyme, phosphate 2 (PHO2), on grain yield advantage conferred by the elite parent, BR007 allele.
Genetic determinants conferring higher root surface area and slight increases in fine root diameter may favor P uptake, thereby enhancing grain yield under low-P availability in the soil. Molecular markers for SbPSTOL1 genes and for QTL increasing grain yield by non-root morphology-based mechanisms hold promise in breeding strategies aimed at developing sorghum cultivars adapted to low-P soils.
Full-waveform inversion (FWI) is a powerful technique to obtain high-resolution subsurface models, from seismic data. However, FWI is an ill-posed problem, which means that the solution is not ...unique, and therefore the expert use of the information is required to mitigate the FWI ill-posedness, especially when wide-aperture seismic acquisitions are considered. In this way, we investigate the multiscale frequency-domain FWI by using a weighting operator according to the distances between each source-receiver pair. In this work, we propose a weighting operator that acts on the data misfit as preconditioning of the objective function that depends on the source-receiver distance (offset) and the frequency used during the inversion. The proposed operator emphasizes information from long offsets, especially at low frequencies, and as a consequence improves the update of deep geological structures. To demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposal, we perform numerical simulations on 2D acoustic Marmousi2 case study, which is widely used in seismic imaging tests, considering three different scenarios. In the first two ones, we have used an acquisition geometry with a maximum offset of 4 and 8 km, respectively. In the last one, we have considered all-offsets. The results show that our proposal outperforms similar strategies, for all scenarios, providing more reliable quantitative subsurface models. In fact, our inversion result has the lowest error and the highest similarity to the true model than similar approaches.
Smart grid operations require accurate information on network topology and electrical equipment parameters. This paper proposes estimating such information with data from the smart grid. Assuming ...that the availability of bus voltage data is restricted to their magnitude, a linear model of the relationship between these data and the parameters of the admittance matrix is derived in a way that does not involve bus voltage angles. A regression optimizer is then proposed to minimize the deviation between data and values estimated by the linear model. Results on the IEEE 33 bus system are presented to illustrate the model accuracy and efficiency when used to estimate parameters of medium-voltage, three-phase balanced grids.
Dengue virus and its four serotypes (DENV-1 to DENV-4) infect 390 million people and are implicated in at least 25,000 deaths annually, with the largest disease burden in tropical and subtropical ...regions. We investigated the spatial dynamics of DENV-1, DENV-2 and DENV-3 in Brazil by applying a statistical framework to complete genome sequences. For all three serotypes, we estimated that the introduction of new lineages occurred within 7 to 10-year intervals. New lineages were most likely to be imported from the Caribbean region to the North and Northeast regions of Brazil, and then to disperse at a rate of approximately 0.5 km/day. Joint statistical analysis of evolutionary, epidemiological and ecological data indicates that aerial transportation of humans and/or vector mosquitoes, rather than Aedes aegypti infestation rates or geographical distances, determine dengue virus spread in Brazil.
Schizophrenia: Four new hypotheses Jorge, B.; Fernandes, C. Pedro; Mangas, M. ...
European psychiatry,
04/2021, Letnik:
64, Številka:
S1
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Introduction
Schizophrenia is a chronic and debilitating psychiatric disorder. Affecting social, emotional, perceptive, and cognitive domains, its clinical phenotype can be subdivided into positive ...and negative symptoms, and those of cognitive impairment. As the knowledge base behind the social and environmental origins accumulates, the etiological and neuropathophysiological mechanisms behind them remain elusive.
Objectives
To review the latest developments in potential etiological hypotheses linked to schizophrenia.
Methods
A non-systematic review was performed, searching Pubmed for articles published between the years of 2019 and 2020.
Results
(1) Common genetic variants alter brain glycosylation and may play a fundamental role in the development of schizophrenia. The strongest coding variant in schizophrenia is a missense mutation in the manganese transporter SLC39A8, which is associated with altered glycosylation patterns in humans, resulting in modification of a subset of schizophrenia-associated proteins. (2) Failure of oligodendrocytes and astrocytes to differentiate contributes to several of the key characteristics of schizophrenia, including hypomyelination and abnormalities in glutamate and potassium homoeostasis. (3) Diglossia was hypothesized as a risk factor, as it could constitute a neurodevelopmental insult. This relationship may be mediated by the reduced lateralization of language in the brain. (4) The first brain-wide resting state effective-connectivity neuroimaging analysis proposed going beyond the disconnectivity hypothesis, drawing attention to differences between back projections and forward connections, with the backward connections from the precuneus and posterior cingulate cortex implicated in memory stronger in schizophrenia.
Conclusions
These novel insights may be a promising step in the right direction, presenting not only new approaches towards the complex pathogenesis of schizophrenia, but also eventual early interventions.
Disclosure
No significant relationships.
Introduction
Leukopenia and agranulocytosis are reported and dangerous haematological side-effects associated with the use of antipsychotics, mostly reported for clozapine administration. However, ...increased case reports about severe abnormalities even during treatment with second generation antipsychotics other than clozapine.
Objectives
This review aims to compare haematological abnormalities associated with clozapine vs non-clozapine antipsychotic treatment, regarding aspects such as safety levels or the need for regular blood samples monitoring.
Methods
Pubmed and Google Scholar were searched for eligible articles, through keyword search and cross-referencing.
Results
Neutropenia is common both in patients with schizophrenia on clozapine treatment and in those never on clozapine. Cases of agranulocytosis has been described with the use of olanzapine, risperidone or paliperidone, that do not have the same monitoring regulatory process as clozapine.
Conclusions
These results highlight the challenges in identifying and managing non-clozapine antipsychotic-induced leukopenia in susceptible patients. Continued research in this domain for evidence based management of antipsychotic-induced blood dyscrasias
Disclosure
No significant relationships.
The Eugenia uniflora leaf infusion is widely used in folk medicine to treat gastroenteritis, fever, hypertension, inflammatory and diuretic diseases.
This work evaluated the acute oral toxic, ...antinociceptive, and anti-inflammatory activities of the curzerene chemotype of Eugenia uniflora essential oil (EuEO).
EuEO was obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC and GC-MS. The antinociceptive action in mice was evaluated for the peripheral and central analgesic activity using abdominal contortion and hot plate tests (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg); xylene-induced ear swelling was carried out for the nociception test, and carrageenan-induced cell migration test. Spontaneous locomotor activity was assessed in the open field test to rule out any nonspecific sedative or muscle relaxant effects of EuEO.
The EuEO displayed a yield of 2.6 ± 0.7%. The major compounds classes were oxygenated sesquiterpenoids (57.3 ± 0.2%), followed by sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (16.4 ± 2.6). The chemical constituents with the highest concentrations were curzerene (33.4 ± 8.5%), caryophyllene oxide (7.6 ± 2.8%), β-elemene (6.5 ± 1.8%), and E-caryophyllene (4.1 ± 0.3%). Oral treatment with EuEO, at doses of 50, 300, and 2000 mg/kg, did not change the behavior patterns or mortality of the animals. EuEO (300 mg/kg) did not cause a reduction in the number of crossings in the open field compared to the vehicle group. The aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level was higher in EuEO-treated groups (50 and 2000 mg/kg) when compared to the control group (p < 0.05). EuEO, at doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, reduced the number of abdominal writhings by 61.66%, 38.33%, and 33.33%. EuEO did not show increased hot plate test time latency in any of the intervals analyzed. At 200 mg/kg, EuEO decreased paw licking time, with inhibition of 63.43%. In formalin-induced acute pain, EuEO decreased paw licking time at doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg in the first phase, with inhibition of 30.54%, 55.02%, and 80.87%. The groups treated with EuEO at doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg showed ear edema reduction of 50.26%, 55.17%, and 51.31%, respectively. Moreover, EuEO inhibited leukocyte recruitment only at a dose of 200 mg/kg. The inhibitory values of leukocyte recruitment after 4 h of carrageenan application were 4.86%, 4.93%, and 47.25% for 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg of essential oil, respectively.
The EuEO, curzerene chemotype, has significant antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities and low acute oral toxicity. This work confirms the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory of this species as the traditional use.
Display omitted
•Eugenia uniflora is the most studied species of Eugenia genus.•Its leaf infusion is widely used in folk medicine to treat gastroenteritis, fever, and inflammation.•The essential oil is rich in curzerene.•Its oil displayed anti-inflammatory effects with low acute toxicity.•The oil showed peripheral and central analgesic action.
En este artículo se aborda la cuestión de la producción, comercialización y consumo de vino en el Noroeste peninsular, en particular en la región portuguesa de Trás-os-Montes, inscrita en el sur del ...conventus Asturum (antigua provincia de la Gallaecia). A pesar de la total ausencia de ánforas en el yacimiento romano de Castro de Avelãs (Bragança) y en su entorno inmediato, es posible que este producto, tan importante en época romana, se haya consumido y quizás hasta producido y distribuido en la zona usando contenedores diferentes. En par ticular se propone que un tipo de tinajas se hayan usado para el almacenamiento, transpor te y quizás hasta para la producción de vino. Esta hipótesis se refuerza con los análisis realizados mediante cromatografia de gases/espectometría de masas sobre tres de estos recipientes cerámicos recuperados en el yacimiento, registrando marcadores compatibles con el vino. Ante estos datos, se ha abierto la discusión sobre el consumo y la producción de vino (y de otros productos) en este territorio del sureste de la Gallaecia.
Vulvo-vaginal atrophy (VVA) or genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) is a common condition among breast cancer (BC) patients, especially those undergoing antiestrogen therapy. Despite being an ...option in refractory cases, the safety of hormonal treatment remains uncertain in this population. The aim of this study was to review the safety and serum estrogen levels of hormonal therapy in patients with BC history presenting with VVA symptoms. Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane were searched for studies comparing different hormonal treatment options for VVA in breast cancer survivors. Statistical analysis was performed using a random effects model and heterogeneity using Cochran's Q-statistic and the I2 index. We included 17 studies, of which 5 were randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Treatment modalities included in this study were topical vaginal estradiol and estriol preparations, vaginally applied testosterone, DHEA, and ospemifene. We found that, among patients treated with the estriol and estradiol preparations, there was an average increase of 7.67 pg/mL (SMD 7.67 pg/mL; 95% CI -1.00, 16.35; p < .001). Analysis of the testosterone group found temporary peaks of serum estradiol levels, but 1 study showed persistent elevation above normal postmenopausal levels. One study with prasterone revealed no elevation of serum estradiol concentration. One study with ospemifene demonstrated no increase in the risk of BC recurrence. In conclusion, among treatments available for BC survivors, low-dose vaginal estrogen showed the smallest changes in serum estradiol levels and had the most evidence, but safety remains unclear, especially for patients on aromatase inhibitors. Alternative treatments such as ospemifene need more data supporting safety and efficacy. These results suggest that concerns related to cancer recurrence should keep aiming for the lowest possible concentration.
Introduction
Conceptualising Schneider’s first-rank symptoms (FRS) as a diagnostic test whose performance can be measured in terms of sensitivity and specificity involves some issues that require ...reflection. The first formal proposal was contained in a 1939 monograph Schneider wrote, but little is known of their prehistory. In recent years there has been renewed interest in their clinical value.
Objectives
This work aims to review the the diagnostic the evolution and diagnostic accuracy of FRS.
Methods
A non-systematic review was performed, searching Pubmed/MEDLINE for articles using the keywords “schizophrenia” and “first rank symptoms”.
Results
From the beginning of Western descriptive psychopathology in the early 19th century, symptoms have been observed later described as first-rank by Schneider. When FRS are conceived as simple clinical indicators at a low level of inference, the results of the meta-analytic estimate of their diagnostic accuracy can be considered as a valid appraisal of their performance and usefulness. However, when FRS are conceptualised from a psychopathological perspective as strange and incomprehensible experiences that cannot be reduced merely to their propositional content and require substantial expertise and skill to be properly evaluated, the meta-analytic estimates can hardly be seen as a valid evaluation of their diagnostic significance, considering that some FRS are extremely difficult to assess properly.
Conclusions
The descriptions of these symptoms present substantial temporal and geographical continuity, over two centuries and in many countries. There is contradictory information concerning the validity of FRS as a clinical indicator. Phenomenologically informed studies are needed to address this research gap.
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