Estimating wave spectra from the motions of moored vessels: Experimental validation

The practicability of estimating directional wave spectra based on a vessel`s 1st order response has been recently addressed by several researchers. Different alternatives regarding statistical inference methods and possible drawbacks that could arise from their application have been extensively discussed, with an apparent preference for estimations based on Bayesian inference algorithms. Most of the results on this matter, however, rely exclusively on numerical simulations or at best on few and sparse full-scale measurements, comprising a questionable basis for validation purposes. This paper discusses several issues that have recently been debated regarding the advantages of Bayesian inference and different alternatives for its implementation. Among those are the definition of the best set of input motions, the number of parameters required for guaranteeing smoothness of the spectrum in frequency and direction and how to determine their optimum values. These subjects are addressed in the light of an extensive experimental campaign performed with a small-scale model of an FPSO platform (VLCC hull), which was conducted in an ocean basin in Brazil. Tests involved long and short crested seas with variable levels of directional spreading and also bimodal conditions. The calibration spectra measured in the tank by means of an array of wave probes configured the paradigm for estimations. Results showed that a wide range of sea conditions could be estimated with good precision, even those with somewhat low peak periods. Some possible drawbacks that have been pointed out in previous works concerning the viability of employing large vessels for such a task are then refuted. Also, it is shown that a second parameter for smoothing the spectrum in frequency may indeed increase the accuracy in some situations, although the criterion usually proposed for estimating the optimum values (ABIC) demands large computational effort and does not seem adequate for practical on-board systems, which require expeditious estimations. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Predation and reproductive output of the ladybird beetle Stethorus tridens preying on tomato red spider mite Tetranychus evansi

Predatory behaviour and reproductive output of the ladybird beetle Stethorus tridens Gordon as function of the tomato red spider mite (TRSM), Tetranychus evansi Baker & Pritchard, densities was investigated in the laboratory. Adult female of S. tridens were isolated in cylindrical plastic arenas, containing a leaf disc of Solanum americanum Mill. with 5, 20, 40, 60, 80 or 100 T. evansi nymphs. The number of prey consumed and eggs laid were evaluated daily for ten consecutive days, starting at the oviposition. Oviposition of S. tridens was positively correlated with prey consumption and lower threshold prey consumption for S. tridens laying eggs was 16.3 mites per day. The instantaneous rate of attack (ca. discovery area) and the handling time were 0.0062 h(-1) and 0.83 h, and 0.00254 h(-1) and 0.78 h, respectively, for predators at the 1st- and 10th-oviposition day. The predator exhibited a type II functional response at 1st- and 10th-oviposition day with a maximum consumption per predator of 33 T. evansi nymphs per day at the highest prey density. The ladybird beetle S. tridens is often collected associated with red spider mite colonies on solanaceous wild plants and the results suggest the potential of this ladybird beetle to control T. evansi in tomatoes crops.

Enteric cell proliferation in newborn lambs fed bovine and ovine colostrum

The objective of this study was to investigate immunoglobulin G (IgG) and total serum protein (TP) acquisition in newborn Santa Ines lambs fed Holstein bovine or Santa Ines ovine colostrum as well as the cell proliferation rate in the animals` intestine epithelium. At 0 h and 6 h of life, 12 newborn lambs received 250 mL of bovine 1st milking colostrum (BC) and another 12 animals received 250 mL of ovine 1st milking colostrum (OC). Blood samples were collected at 0, 6, 24. and 72 h of life. Six animals were randomly slaughtered just after birth, without colostrum intake. The other animals were randomly slaughtered at 24 and 72 h. The IgG serum concentration at 6, 24 and 72 h were significantly higher for BC, 16.32 +/- 6.19; 33.80 +/- 5.68 and 27.95 +/- 5.46 mg/mL respectively, compared with OC, 11.31 +/- 6.08, 21.02 +/- 6.53 and 19.88 +/- 7.31 mg/mL BC showed higher (P < 0.05) TP values (7.29 +/- 0.87 and 6.89 +/- 0.30 g/100 mL) at 24 and 72 h in relation to OC (5.73 +/- 1.35 and 5.69 +/- 0.57 g/100 mL). At birth, the animals showed 32.52%, 45.47% and 30.60% cells in division for the duodenum, jejunum and ileum, respectively. At 24 h, the OC animals showed lower (P < 0.0001) mitotic cell percentage in the duodenum (42.12%) and ileum (35.66%) in relation to the BC animals, 46.44% and 39.74%, respectively. At 72 h, a lower (P < 0.0001) rate of proliferation was observed in the duodenum crypts of the OC animals (36.28%) compared with BC (43.18%). The results indicate that this lacteal secretion can accelerate the epithelium renovation process and can be used as an alternative source of IgG for newborn lambs. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

ADAPTABILITY AND STABILITY OF SOYBEAN GENOTYPES UNDER DIFFERENT TIMES OF SOWING

This study aimed to evaluate the average behavior, the genotype x environment (GxE), adaptability and stability of seven soybean cultivars at three sowing dates in Uberlandia-MG. The tests were conducted at Capim Branco Farm, belonging to the Federal University of Uberlandia. Sowing was held on october 29 (1st season), november 24 (2nd season) and december 17 (3rd season) 2007. The experimental design was a randomized, seven genotypes (UFUS Xavante, UFUS Riqueza, UFUS Guarani, UFUS Milionaria, Msoy 8001, Msoy 8411 and Msoy 8914) with three replications in each of three sowing dates. Means were compared by Tukey test at 5% probability. Analysis of adaptability and phenotypic stability of genotypes was performed using the Eberhart and Russell (1966), Lin and Binns (1988) modified by Carneiro (1998) and centroid (NASCIMENTO et al., 2009). For grain yield, the cultivar UFUS Xavante was classified as specific adaptability to environment and high stability. The other cultivars were classified as being of general adaptability. For oil content, the cultivars Msoy 8914 and UFUS Xavante behaved as high stability and was classified as having high adaptability. For the character content of protein, all cultivars behaved as wide adaptability and low stability.

Microcystins in South American aquatic ecosystems: Occurrence, toxicity and toxicological assays

The acute poisoning of chronic renal patients during hemodialysis sessions in 1996 in Caruaru City (Pernambuco State, Brazil) stimulated an intensive search for the cause of this severe complication. This search culminated in the identification of microcystins (MC), hepatotoxic cyclic heptapeptides produced by cyanobacteria, as the causative agents. More than ten years later, additional research data provides us with a better understanding of the factors related to cyanobacterial bloom occurrence and production of MC in Brazil and other South American countries. The contamination of water bodies and formation of toxic blooms remains a very serious concern, especially in countries in which surface water is used as the main source for human consumption. The purpose of this review is to highlight the discoveries of the past 15 years that have brought South American researchers to their current level of understanding of toxic cyanobacteria species and that have contributed to their knowledge of factors related to MC production, mechanisms of action and consequences for human health and the environment. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Comparative analysis of the gas-phase reactions of cylindrospermopsin and the difference in the alkali metal cation mobility

Cylindrospermopsin (CYN) belongs to a group of toxins produced by several strains of freshwater cyanobacteria. It is a compact zwitterionic molecule composed of a uracil section and a tricyclic guanidinium portion with a primarily hepatotoxic effect. Using low multi-stage and high-resolution mass spectrometry, the gas-phase reactions of this toxin have been investigated. Our data show that collision-induced dissociation (CID) spectra of CYN are dominated by neutral losses, and three major initial fragmentation pathways are clearly distinguishable. Interestingly, comparative analysis of protonated and cationizated molecules showed a significant difference in the balance of the SO(3) and terminal ring elimination. These data indicate that the differential ion mobility of H(+), Li(+), Na(+) and K(+) leads to different fragmentation pathways, giving rise to mass spectra with different profiles. Copyright (C) 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Genetic analysis of complement C1s deficiency associated with systemic lupus erythernatosus highlights alternative splicing of normal C1s gene

Deficiencies of complement proteins of the classical pathway are strongly associated with the development of autoimmune diseases. Deficiency of Clr has been observed to occur concomitantly with deficiency in Cls and 9 out of 15 reported cases presented systemic lupus erythernatosus (SLE). Here, we describe a family in which all four children are deficient in Cls but only two of them developed SLE. Hemolytic activity mediated by the alternative and the lectin pathways were normal, but classical pathway activation was absent in all children`s sera. Cls was undetectable, while in the parents` sera it was lower than in the normal controls. The levels of Clr observed in the siblings and parents sera were lower than in the control, while the concentrations of other complement proteins (C3, C4, MBL and MASP-2) were normal in all family members. Impairment of Cls synthesis was observed in the patients` fibroblasts when analyzed by confocal microscopy. We show that all four siblings are homozygous for a mutation at position 938 in exon 6 of the Cls cDNA that creates a premature stop codon. Our investigations led us to reveal the presence of previously uncharacterized splice variants of Cls mRNA transcripts in normal human cells. These variants are derived from the skipping of exon 3 and from the use of an alternative 3` splice site within intron I which increases the size of exon 2 by 87 nucleotides. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Anti-eosinophilic effect of Lafoensia pacari in toxocariasis

We previously reported the anti-inflammatory activity of Lafoensia pacari extract in Toxocara canis infection, a model of systemic IL-5-dependent eosinophil migration. In the present study, we describe the kinetics of the anti-inflammatory activity of L. pacari extract and compare it with dexamethasone. T canis-infected mice were submitted to different treatment protocols and the cells present in bronchoalveolar space and peritoneal cavity were collected at the end of each treatment period. The results showed that L. pacari extract effectively inhibited eosinophil migration only when the treatment was initiated before the peak of eosinophil migration (1st to 18th; 12th to 18th and 12th to 24th day post-infection). When eosinophil migration was established, administration of L. pacari extract had no effect on it (treatment 18th to 24th day post-infection). Dexamethasone was effective in inhibiting eosinophil migration in all periods studied. We suggest that L pacari extract can potentially be a natural alternative treatment of eosinophilic diseases. (c) 2007 Published by Elsevier GmbH.

Evaluate of the efficacy and safety of tacrolimus ointment 0,03% to treat atopic dermatitis in pediatric patients

BACKGROUND: Tacrolimus ointment has been shown to be effective in treatment of atopic dermatitis. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of 0.03% tacrolimus ointment (Protopic(R)) in pediatric patients with mild, moderate and severe atopic dermatitis. METHODS.. Open, non-comparative, multicentric study carried out in Brazil. 174 patients (ages from two to 10) with mild to severe atopic dermatitis were included. Patients were instructed to apply Protopic(R) twice a day for six weeks. Primary efficacy criterion was clinical improvement >= 90% assessed by the pbysician (Clinical Response Global Evaluation Scale). Other efficacy criteria included reduction of the Eczema Area Severity Index (EASI), decrease of the affected body surface area (%BSA) and evaluation of the itching by the patients or their guardians (visual analogical scale). Safety was evaluated by adverse events reported by patients and/or guardians or by investigators. RESULTS: Thirty-three percent of patients showed clinical improvement 90%. 45.5% of patients (1st week) decreased EASI and 61.8% (6th week) (p<0,001). %BSA decreased 30.4% and 55.5% in the first and sixth week. improvement was also significant when measured by itching (p<0, 001). Most frequent adverse effects were: burning and itching. CONCLUSION: 0.03% tacrolimus ointment is a safe and effective therapy for mild to severe atopic dermatitis in pediatric patients.

A synergistic relationship of elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and systolic blood pressure with coronary artery calcification

We sought to evaluate this ""response-to-injury"" hypothesis of atherosclerosis by studying the interaction between systolic blood pressure (SBP) and LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) in predicting the presence of coronary artery calcification (CAC) in asymptomatic men. We Studied 526 men (46 +/- 7 years of age) referred for electron-beam tomography (EBT) exam. The prevalence of CAC was determined across LDL-C tertiles (low: <115 mg/dl; middle: 115-139 mg/dl high: >= 140 mg/dl) within tertiles of SBP (low: <121 mmHg; middle: 121-130 mmHg; high: >= 131 mmHg). CAC was found in 220 (42%) men. There was no linear trend in the presence of CAC across LDL-C tertiles in the low (p = 0.6 for trend) and middle (p = 0.3 for trend) SBP tertile groups, respectively. In contrast, there was a significant trend for increasing CAC with increasing LDL-C (1st: 44%; 2nd: 49%; 3rd: 83%; p < 0.0001 for trend) in the high SBP tertile group. In multivariate logistic analyses (adjusting for age, smoking, triglyceride levels, HDL-cholesterol levels, body mass index, and fasting glucose levels), the odds ratio for any CAC associated with increasing LDL-C was significantly higher in those with highest SBP levels, whereas no such relationship was observed among men with SBP in the lower two tertiles. An interaction term (LDL-C x SBP) incorporated in the multivariate analyses was statistically significant (p = 0.038). The finding of an interaction between SBP and LDL-C relation to CAC in asymptomatic men support the response-to-injury model of atherogenesis. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Prognostic impact of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma subgroups in patients undergoing autologous SCT

A total of 53 patients aged 18-60 years with highintermediate or high-risk diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) were evaluated to analyze the impact of the cell of origin. Of 53 patients, 16 underwent autologous SCT (ASCT) in first remission and the rest received conventional chemotherapy. Immunohistochemistry was evaluated in 47 cases 17 were of germinal center (GC) origin and 30 were of non-GC origin. There was no survival difference between the two groups. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) at 3 years were 93 and 83%, respectively, for the 14 patients who underwent ASCT. Their DFS was significantly better than that of patients who achieved CR but did not undergo ASCT. We conclude that ASCT is safe and improves the DFS of high-intermediate and high-risk DLBCL, regardless of the cell of origin. This observation should be confirmed in a larger study.

Effects of carbohydrate supplementation on competitive runners undergoing overload training followed by a session of intermittent exercise

This study evaluated the effects of a micro cycle of overload training (1st-8th day) on metabolic and hormonal responses in male runners with or without carbohydrate supplementation and investigated the cumulative effects of this period on a session of intermittent high-intensity running and maximum-performance-test (9th day). The participants were 24 male runners divided into two groups, receiving 61% of their energy intake as CHO (carbohydrate-group) and 54% in the control-group (CON). The testosterone was higher for the CHO than the CON group after the overload training (694.0 +/- A 54.6 vs. CON 610.8 +/- A 47.9 pmol/l). On the ninth day participants performed 10 x 800 m at mean 3 km velocity. An all-out 1000 m running was performed before and after the 10 x 800 m. Before, during, and after this protocol, the runners received solution containing CHO or the CON equivalent. The performance on 800 m series did not differ in either group between the first and last series of 800 m, but for the all-out 1000 m test the performance decrement was lower for CHO group (5.3 +/- A 1.0 vs. 10.6 +/- A 1.3%). The cortisol concentrations were lower in the CHO group in relation to CON group (22.4 +/- A 0.9 vs. 27.6 +/- A 1.4 pmol/l) and the IGF1/IGFBP3 ratio increased 12.7% in the CHO group. During recovery, blood glucose concentrations remained higher in the CHO group in comparison with the CON group. It was concluded that CHO supplementation possibly attenuated the suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and resulted in less catabolic stress, and thus improved running performance.

Survival in Patients With Idiopathic, Familial, and Anorexigen-Associated Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in the Modern Management Era

Background-Novel therapies have recently become available for pulmonary arterial hypertension. We conducted a study to characterize mortality in a multicenter prospective cohort of patients diagnosed with idiopathic, familial, or anorexigen-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension in the modern management era. Methods and Results-Between October 2002 and October 2003, 354 consecutive adult patients with idiopathic, familial, or anorexigen-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (56 incident and 298 prevalent cases) were prospectively enrolled. Patients were followed up for 3 years, and survival rates were analyzed. For incident cases, estimated survival (95% confidence intervals [CIs]) at 1, 2, and 3 years was 85.7% (95% CI, 76.5 to 94.9), 69.6% (95% CI, 57.6 to 81.6), and 54.9% (95% CI, 41.8 to 68.0), respectively. In a combined analysis population (incident patients and prevalent patients diagnosed within 3 years before study entry; n = 190), 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival estimates were 82.9% (95% CI, 72.4 to 95.0), 67.1% (95% CI, 57.1 to 78.8), and 58.2% (95% CI, 49.0 to 69.3), respectively. Individual survival analysis identified the following as significantly and positively associated with survival: female gender, New York Heart Association functional class I/II, greater 6-minute walk distance, lower right atrial pressure, and higher cardiac output. Multivariable analysis showed that being female, having a greater 6-minute walk distance, and exhibiting higher cardiac output were jointly significantly associated with improved survival. Conclusions-In the modern management era, idiopathic, familial, and anorexigen-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension remains a progressive, fatal disease. Mortality is most closely associated with male gender, right ventricular hemodynamic function, and exercise limitation. (Circulation. 2010; 122: 156-163.)

Double-blind, Randomized placebo controlled trial of fulvestrant compared with exemestane after prior nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor therapy in postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive, advanced breast cancer: Results from EFECT

Purpose The third-generation nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are increasingly used as adjuvant and first-line advanced therapy for postmenopausal, hormone receptor-positive (HR +) breast cancer. Because many patients subsequently experience progression or relapse, it is important to identify agents with efficacy after AI failure. Materials and Methods Evaluation of Faslodex versus Exemestane Clinical Trial (EFECT) is a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled, multicenter phase III trial of fulvestrant versus exemestane in postmenopausal women with HR + advanced breast cancer (ABC) progressing or recurring after nonsteroidal AI. The primary end point was time to progression (TTP). A fulvestrant loading-dose (LD) regimen was used: 500 mg intramuscularly on day 0, 250 mg on days 14, 28, and 250 mg every 28 days thereafter. Exemestane 25 mg orally was administered once daily. Results A total of 693 women were randomly assigned to fulvestrant (n = 351) or exemestane ( n = 342). Approximately 60% of patients had received at least two prior endocrine therapies. Median TTP was 3.7 months in both groups ( hazard ratio = 0.963; 95% CI, 0.819 to 1.133; P = .6531). The overall response rate ( 7.4% v 6.7%; P = .736) and clinical benefit rate ( 32.2% v 31.5%; P = .853) were similar between fulvestrant and exemestane respectively. Median duration of clinical benefit was 9.3 and 8.3 months, respectively. Both treatments were well tolerated, with no significant differences in the incidence of adverse events or quality of life. Pharmacokinetic data confirm that steady-state was reached within 1 month with the LD schedule of fulvestrant. Conclusion Fulvestrant LD and exemestane are equally active and well-tolerated in a meaningful proportion of postmenopausal women with ABC who have experienced progression or recurrence during treatment with a nonsteroidal AI.

Treatment with trastuzumab for 1 year after adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with HER2-positive early breast cancer: a 4-year follow-up of a randomised controlled trial

Background Treatment with adjuvant trastuzumab for 1 year improves disease-free survival and overall survival in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive early breast cancer. We aimed to assess disease-free survival and overall survival after a median follow-up of 4 years for patients enrolled on the Herceptin Adjuvant (HERA) trial. Methods The HERA trial is an international, multicentre, randomised, open-label, phase 3 trial comparing treatment with trastuzumab for 1 and 2 years with observation after standard neoadjuvant, adjuvant chemotherapy, or both in patients with HER2-positive early breast cancer. The primary endpoint was disease-free survival. After a positive first interim analysis at a median follow-up of 1 year for the comparison of treatment with trastuzumab for 1 year with observation, event-free patients in the observation group were allowed to cross over to receive trastuzumab. We report trial outcomes for the 1-year trastuzumab and observation groups at a median follow-up of 48.4 months (IQR 42.0-56.5) and assess the effect of the extensive crossover to trastuzumab. Our analysis was by intention-to-treat. The HERA trial is registered with the European Clinical Trials Database, number 2005-002385-11. Findings The HERA trial population comprised 1698 patients randomly assigned to the observation group and 1703 to the 1-year trastuzumab group. Intention-to-treat analysis of disease-free survival showed a significant benefit in favour of patients in the 1-year trastuzumab group (4-year disease-free survival 78.6%) compared with the observation group (4-year disease-free survival 72.2%; hazard ratio [HR] 0.76; 95% CI 0.66-0.87; p<0.0001). Intention-to-treat analysis of overall survival showed no significant difference in the risk of death (4-year overall survival 89.3% vs 87.7%, respectively; HR 0.85; 95% CI 0.70-1.04; p=0.11). Overall, 885 patients (52%) of the 1698 patients in the observation group crossed over to receive trastuzumab, and began treatment at median 22.8 months (range 4.5-52.7) from randomisation. In a non-randomised comparison, patients in the selective-crossover cohort had fewer disease-free survival events than patients remaining in the observation group (adjusted HR 0.68; 95% CI 0.51-0.90; p=0.0077). Higher incidences of grade 3-4 and fatal adverse events were noted on 1-year trastuzumab than in the observation group. The most common grade 3 or 4 adverse events, each in less than 1% of patients, were congestive cardiac failure, hypertension, arthralgia, back pain, central-line infection, hot flush, headache, and diarrhoea. Interpretation Treatment with adjuvant trastuzumab for 1 year after chemotherapy is associated with significant clinical benefit at 4-year median follow-up. The substantial selective crossover of patients in the observation group to trastuzumab was associated with improved outcomes for this cohort.