Polycystin 1 is required for the structural integrity of blood vessels

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), often caused by mutations in the PKD1 gene, is associated with life-threatening vascular abnormalities that are commonly attributed to the frequent occurrence of hypertension. A previously reported targeted mutation of the mouse homologue of PKD1 was not associated with vascular fragility, leading to the suggestion that the vascular lesion may be of a secondary nature. Here we demonstrate a primary role of PKD1 mutations in vascular fragility. Mouse embryos homozygous for the mutant allele (Pkd1L) exhibit s.c. edema, vascular leaks, and rupture of blood vessels, culminating in embryonic lethality at embryonic day 15.5. Kidney and pancreatic ductal cysts are present. The Pkd1-encoded protein, mouse polycystin 1, was detected in normal endothelium and the surrounding vascular smooth muscle cells. These data reveal a requisite role for polycystin 1 in maintaining the structural integrity of the vasculature as well as epithelium and suggest that the nature of the PKD1 mutation contributes to the phenotypic variance in ADPKD.

Análise crítica das técnicas de tratamento cirúrgico da obesidade mórbida

Introdução: A obesidade é uma afecção com alta prevalência no Brasil e no mundo. É fator de risco para comorbidades como Diabetes tipo 2 (DM2), Hipertensão Arterial Sistêmica (HAS), Dislipidemia, Apneia Obstrutiva do Sono (AOS), entre outras. Seu tratamento é complexo e a cirurgia bariátrica, executada por diferentes técnicas, tem sido uma das opções. Objetivo: Analisar os resultados publicados na literatura em relação às técnicas cirúrgicas de Banda Gástrica Ajustável (BGA), Gastrectomia Vertical (GV), Gastroplastia com derivação em Y de Roux (GDYR) e Derivação Biliopancreática (DBP) - técnica de \"Scopinaro\" e de \"Duodenal Switch\" quanto às complicações operatórias, à mortalidade, à perda do excesso de peso (PEP) e ao reganho, e a resolução das comorbidades após a operação. Método: Foram analisados 116 estudos selecionados na base de dados MEDLINE por meio da PubMed publicados na Língua Inglesa entre 2003 e 2014. Para comparar as diferentes técnicas cirúrgicas (BGA, GV, GDYR e DBP), realizou-se estudo estatístico por meio da análise de variância (ANOVA) aplicando os testes de Duncan e de Kruskal Wallis avaliando: complicações pós-operatórias (fístula, sangramento e óbito); perda e reganho do excesso de peso, e resolução das comorbidades. Resultados: A ocorrência de sangramento foi de 0,6% na média entre todos os estudos, sendo 0,44% na BGA; 1,29% na GV; 0,81% na GDYR e 2,09% na DBP. Já a ocorrência de fístulas foi de 1,3% na média entre todos os estudos, 0,68% para BGA; 1,93% para GV; 2,18% para GDYR e 5,23% para DBP. A mortalidade nos primeiros 30 dias pós-operatórios foi de 0,9% na média entre todos os estudos, 0,05% na BGA; 0,16% na GV; 0,60% na GDYR e 2,52% na DBP. A PEP após cinco anos na média entre todos os estudos foi de 63,86%, especificamente na BGA, foi de 48,35%; 52,7% na GV; 71,04% na GDYR e 77,90% na DBP. A taxa de DM2 resolvida foi de 76,9% na média entre todos os estudos, sendo 46,80% na BGA; 79,38% na GV; 79,86% na GDYR e 90,78% na DBP. A taxa de Dislipidemia resolvida após a operação foi de 74,0% na média de todo o estudo, sendo 51,28% na BGA; 58,00% na GV; 73,28% na GDYR e 90,75% na DBP. A taxa de HAS resolvida após a operação foi de 61,80% na média de todo o estudo, sendo 54,50% na BGA; 52,27% na GV; 68,11% na GDYR e 82,12% na DBP. A taxa de AOS resolvida após a operação foi de 75,0% na média de todo o estudo, sendo 56,85% na BGA; 51,43% na GV; 80,31% na GDYR e 92,50% na DBP. Conclusão: quando analisadas e comparada as quatro técnicas observa-se que nos primeiros 30 dias pós-operatório a taxa de sangramento é superior nos pacientes submetidos à DBP e taxa de fístula inferior nos pacientes da BGA. Quanto à mortalidade observou-se taxa mais pronunciada nos pacientes submetidos à DBP e menos nos submetidos à BGA. Quanto à PEP observou-se uma uniformidade entre os pacientes submetidos à GV, GDYR E DBP até o terceiro ano. Após esse período observa-se reganho de peso nos submetidos à GV até o quinto ano de seguimento. Já nos pacientes submetidos à BGA observou-se taxas de PEP menos pronunciadas em relação às demais desde o início do seguimento. Quanto à resolução das comorbidades observou-se taxas de resolução de DM2 inferiores nos pacientes submetidos à BGA, e não houve diferença entre nenhuma técnica quanto à resolução das demais comorbidades: HAS, AOS e dislipidemia

Chemical characterization of emissions from a municipal solid waste treatment plant

Gaseous emissions are an important problem in municipal solid waste (MSW) treatment plants. The sources points of emissions considered in the present work are: fresh compost, mature compost, landfill leaks and leachate ponds. Hydrogen sulphide, ammonia and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were analysed in the emissions from these sources. Hydrogen sulphide and ammonia were important contributors to the total emission volume. Landfill leaks are significant source points of emissions of H2S; the average concentration of H2S in biogas from the landfill leaks is around 1700 ppmv. The fresh composting site was also an important contributor of H2S to the total emission volume; its concentration varied between 3.2 and 1.7 ppmv and a decrease with time was observed. The mature composting site showed a reduction of H2S concentration (<0.1 ppmv). Leachate pond showed a low concentration of H2S (in order of ppbv). Regarding NH3, composting sites and landfill leaks are notable source points of emissions (composting sites varied around 30–600 ppmv; biogas from landfill leaks varied from 160 to 640 ppmv). Regarding VOCs, the main compounds were: limonene, p-cymene, pinene, cyclohexane, reaching concentrations around 0.2–4.3 ppmv. H2S/NH3, limonene/p-cymene, limonene/cyclohexane ratios can be useful for analysing and identifying the emission sources.

Restoration of religious temples: intervention in the church “Nuestra Señora de Belén” in Crevillente (Alicante)

Heritage conservation has raised historical problems usually centered in defects resulting from water leaks. Thus, any intervention is presented as a difficult task, both due to building techniques to be used and the lack of economic resources in many cases. In relation to the temples existing in Alicante (Spain), water drainage is solved with pitched roofs on slope formation (in vaulted naves) or directly supported on the vaulted elements (in the domes). Since those construction systems are composed by brick and plaster, the presence of moisture is problematic, and represents a risk of losing the strength capacity and therefore the stability of the dome. An example of this problem is the dome of the church “Nuestra Señora de Belén” in Crevillente, built with solid bricks, it has the highest diameter of the province (18th century). This historic building has been restored on several occasions in the recent years due to moisture, cracks or fissures. The study of these works give an idea of the difficulties of maintenance, conservation and proper restoration of such kind of buildings as unique and valued constructions in our heritage.

Morbilidade global das colostomias derivativas temporárias na abordagem cirúrgica do cancro do recto

Trabalho Final do Curso de Mestrado Integrado em Medicina, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 2014

Open Season for Data Fishing on the Web: The Challenges of the US PRISM Programme for the EU. CEPS Policy Brief No. 293, 18 June 2013

The revelation of the top-secret US intelligence-led PRISM Programme has triggered wide-ranging debates across Europe. Press reports have shed new light on the electronic surveillance ‘fishing expeditions’ of the US National Security Agency and the FBI into the world’s largest electronic communications companies. This Policy Brief by a team of legal specialists and political scientists addresses the main controversies raised by the PRISM affair and the policy challenges that it poses for the EU. Two main arguments are presented: First, the leaks over the PRISM programme have undermined the trust that EU citizens have in their governments and the European institutions to safeguard and protect their privacy; and second, the PRISM affair raises questions regarding the capacity of EU institutions to draw lessons from the past and to protect the data of its citizens and residents in the context of transatlantic relations. The Policy Brief puts forward a set of policy recommendations for the EU to follow and implement a robust data protection strategy in response to the affair.

International report on Kyrgyz June violence released. EUCAM Commentary No. 12, May 2011

After months of delays, leaks and rumours, the Kyrgyzstan Inquiry Commission (KIC) has finally published on 3 May its report looking into the events of 10-15 June 2010 in the Kyrgyz oblasts of Osh and Jalalabad, which led to the death of 470 people, 74 percent of them ethnic Uzbeks. The Kyrgyz authorities have reacted to this report arguing that the report's authors relied too much on accounts by Uzbeks and that the research was incomplete.

Corporate Taxation in Europe: Let's get it together! CEPS Commentary, 16 February 2015

More comprehensive cooperation in corporate taxation at European level could significantly advance the region’s socio-economic prosperity, but its potential contribution is unfortunately overlooked in the current search for growth and job creation. Lucrative tax niches established in some member states and the fear of losing fiscal autonomy prevent several countries from accepting the move towards an EU single market for taxation. If ‘Lux leaks’ and other revelations of tax avoidance and evasion can succeed in changing the dominant attitudes in the European tax debate, this commentary outlines the steps that need to be taken to allow tax policy to play a positive role in promoting economic prosperity.

Expression and processing of Plasmodium berghei SERA3 during liver stages.

Cysteine proteases mediate liberation of Plasmodium berghei merozoites from infected hepatocytes. In an attempt to identify the responsible parasite proteases, we screened the genome of P. berghei for cysteine protease-encoding genes. RT-PCR analyses revealed that transcription of four out of five P. berghei serine repeat antigen (PbSERA) genes was strongly upregulated in late liver stages briefly before the parasitophorous vacuole membrane ruptured to release merozoites into the host cell cytoplasm, suggesting a role of PbSERA proteases in these processes. In order to characterize PbSERA3 processing, we raised an antiserum against a non-conserved region of the protein and generated a transgenic P. berghei strain expressing a TAP-tagged PbSERA3 under the control of the endogenous promoter. Immunofluorescence assays revealed that PbSERA3 leaks into the host cell cytoplasm during merozoite development, where it might contribute to host cell death or activate host cell proteases that execute cell death. Importantly, processed PbSERA3 has been detected by Western blot analysis in cell extracts of schizont-infected cells and merozoite-infected detached hepatic cells.

Laparoscopically-assisted resection rectopexy for rectal prolapse: Ten years' experience

PURPOSE: This study has been undertaken to audit a single-center experience with laparoscopically-assisted resection rectopexy for full-thickness rectal prolapse. The clinical Outcomes and long-term results were evaluated. METHODS: The data were prospectively collected for the duration of the operation, time to passage of flatus postoperatively, hospital stay, morbidity, and mortality. For follow-up, patients received a questionnaire or were contacted. The data were divided into quartiles over the study period, and the differences in operating time and length of hospital stay were tested using the Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: Between March 1992 and October 2003, a total of 117 patients underwent laparoscopic resection rectopexy for rectal prolapse. The median operating time during the first quartile (representing the early experience) was 180 minutes compared with 110 minutes for the fourth quartile (Kruskal-Wallis test for operating time = 35.523, 3 df, P < 0.0001). Overall morbidity was 9 percent (ten patients), with one death (< 1 percent). One patient had a ureteric injury requiring conversion. One minor anastomotic leak Occurred, necessitating laparoscopic evacuation of a pelvic abscess. Altogether, 77 patients were available for follow-up. The median follow-up was 62 months. Eighty percent of the patients reported alleviation of their symptoms after the operation. Sixty-nine percent of the constipated patients experienced an improvement in bowel frequency. No patient had new or worsening symptoms of constipation after Surgery. Two (2.5 percent) patients had full-thickness rectal prolapse recurrence. Mucosal prolapse recurred in 14 (18 percent) patients. Anastomotic dilation was performed for stricture in five (4 percent) patients. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopically-assisted resection rectopexy for rectal prolapse provides a favorable functional outcome and low recurrence rate. Shorter operating time is achieved with experience. The minimally invasive technique benefits should be considered when offering rectal prolapse patients a transabdominal approach for repair, and emphasis should now be on advanced training in the laparoscopic approach.

Knockdown of zebrafish crim1 results in a bent tail phenotype with defects in somite and vascular development

The Crim1 gene encodes a transmembrane protein containing six cysteine-rich repeats similar to those found in the BMP antagonist, chordin (chd). To investigate its physiological role, zebrafish crim1 was cloned and shown to be both maternally and zygotically expressed during zebrafish development in sites including the vasculature, intermediate cell mass. notochord, and otic vesicle. Bent or hooked tails with U-shaped somites were observed in 85% of morphants from 12 hpf. This was accompanied by a loss of muscle pioneer cells. While morpholino knockdown of crim1 showed some evidence of ventralisation, including expansion of the intermediate cell mass (ICM), reduction in head size bent tails and disruption to the somites and notochord, this did not mimic the classically ventralised phenotype, as assessed by the pattern of expression of the dorsal markers chordin, otx2 and the ventral markers eve1, pax2.1, tall and gata1 between 75% epiboly and six-somites. From 24 hpf, morphants displayed an expansion of the ventral mesoderm-derived ICM, as evidenced by expansion of tall. Imo2 and crim1 itself. Analysis of the crim1 morphant phenotype in Tg(fli:EGFP) fish showed a clear reduction in the endothelial cells forming the intersegmental vessels and a loss of the dorsal longitudinal anastomotic vessel (DLAV). Hence, the primary role of zebrafish crim1 is likely to be the regulation of somitic and vascular development. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

A study of large-bowel volvulus in urban Australia

Background: Large-bowel volvulus is a rare cause of bowel obstruction in the industrialized world. We analyzed the presentation and outcome of 49 patients at the Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Australia, who received a diagnosis of colonic volvulus from 1991 to 2001. Methods: A retrospective chart study was carried out. Results: Twenty-nine patients had sigmoid volvulus (59%), 19 patients had cecal volvulus (39%) and 1 patient had a transverse colon volvulus (2%). The diagnosis of sigmoid volvulus was made accurately on plain abdominal radiography or contrast enema in 90% of cases (n = 26), compared with only 42% of cases (n = 8) of cecal volvulus. Twenty-two patients with sigmoid volvulus were treated initially with endoscopic decompression. The success rate was 64% (n = 14). There was a high early recurrence rate of sigmoid volvulus for those treated by endoscopic decompression alone (43%) during a mean period of 32 days. Of the 14 patients with cecal volvulus who were treated with right hemicolectomy, 12 had primary anastomosis and 2 had end ileostomy with mucous fistula formation. There was no anastomotic leak following right hemicolectomy with primary anastomosis, even though 6 of these patients had an ischemic cecum. Conclusions: Endoscopic decompression of the sigmoid volvulus was safe and effective as an initial treatment but has a high early recurrence rate. Any patient who is fit enough to undergo operation should have a definitive procedure during the same admission to avoid recurrence. Cecal volvulus is associated with a higher incidence of gangrene and is treated effectively by right hemicolectomy with or without anastomosis. The need for swift operative intervention is emphasized.

On sensor network segmentation for urban water distribution monitoring

Identifying water wastage in forms of leaks in a water distribution network of any city becomes essential as droughts are presenting serious threats to few major cities. In this paper, we propose a deployment of sensor network for monitoring water flow in any water distribution network. We cover the issues related with designing such a dedicated sensor network by considering types of sensors required, sensors' functionality, data collection, and providing computation serving as leak detection mechanism. The main focus of this paper is on appropriate network segmentation that provides the base for hierarchical approach to pipes' failure detection. We show a method for sensors allocation to the network in order to facilitate effective pipes monitoring. In general, the identified computational problem belongs to hard problems. The paper shows a heuristic method to build effective hierarchy of the network segmentation.

A new method for respiratory-volume monitoring based on long-period fibre gratings

Respiratory-volume monitoring is an indispensable part of mechanical ventilation. Here we present a new method of the respiratory-volume measurement based on a single fibre-optical long-period sensor of bending and the correlation between torso curvature and lung volume. Unlike the commonly used air-flow based measurement methods the proposed sensor is drift-free and immune to air-leaks. In the paper, we explain the working principle of sensors, a two-step calibration-test measurement procedure and present results that establish a linear correlation between the change in the local thorax curvature and the change of the lung volume. We also discuss the advantages and limitations of these sensors with respect to the current standards. © 2013 IEEE.

Preparation and characterisation of novel polycaprolactone-chitosan blends

This research paper reports on the production of a biocompatible and biodegradable material to be used in a polymer stent used for counteracting the occurrence of anastomotic leakage following gastrointestinal surgery. Chitosan was blended with polycaprolactone in a solvent mixture of acetic acid and water. Membranes were formed with a range of 50/50%, 60/40%, 65/35%, 70/30% and 80/20% polycaprolactone/chitosan. The tensile properties of the blends were examined over a time period to access material degradation. In addition the biocompatibilities of the polycaprolactone/chitosan blends were tested for cytotoxic effect using primary tendon fibroblastic cells. This research concluded that the polycaprolactone/chitosan was non-toxic to the fibroblasts cells in-vitro. Analysis of the mechanical properties of the blends showed a range of mechanical strengths and polymer life spans. Overall, blends of 65/35%, 70/30% and 80/20% polycaprolactone/chitosan emerged as possible candidates for the production of a gastrointestinal stent. © 2011 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.