Outcome of pigs with short gut syndrome submitted to orthotopic intestinal transplantation

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase-telomere association correlates with redox status in trypanosoma cruzi

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Induction of short gut syndrome and transplantation in a porcine model

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Transplante multivisceral em suínos: modelo de pesquisa e treinamento

Objective: To present a model for research and training in multivisceral transplantation in pigs. Methods: Eight Large White pigs (four donors and four recipients) were operated. The multivisceral transplant with stomach, duodenum, pancreas, liver and intestine was performed similarly to transplantation in humans with a few differences, described below. Anastomoses were performed as follows: end-to-end from the supra-hepatic vena cava of the graft to the recipient juxta diaphragmatic vena cava; end-to-end from the infra-hepatic vena cava of the graft to the inferior (suprarenal) vena cava of the recipient; and endto-side patch of the aorta of the graft to the infrarenal aorta of the recipient plus digestive reconstruction. Results: The performance of the multivisceral transplantion was possible in all four animals. Reperfusions of the multivisceral graft led to a severe ischemia-reperfusion syndrome, despite flushing of the graft. The animals presented with hypotension and the need for high doses of vasoactive drugs, and all of them were sacrificed after discontinuing these drugs. Conclusion: Some alternatives to minimize the ischemia-reperfusion syndrome, such as the use of another vasoactive drug, use of a third pig merely for blood transfusion, presence of an anesthesia team in the operating room, and reduction of the graft, will be the next steps to enable experimental studies.

Whole genome sequencing analysis of Plasmodium vivax using whole genome capture

Background: Malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax is an experimentally neglected severe disease with a substantial burden on human health. Because of technical limitations, little is known about the biology of this important human pathogen. Whole genome analysis methods on patient-derived material are thus likely to have a substantial impact on our understanding of P. vivax pathogenesis and epidemiology. For example, it will allow study of the evolution and population biology of the parasite, allow parasite transmission patterns to be characterized, and may facilitate the identification of new drug resistance genes. Because parasitemias are typically low and the parasite cannot be readily cultured, on-site leukocyte depletion of blood samples is typically needed to remove human DNA that may be 1000X more abundant than parasite DNA. These features have precluded the analysis of archived blood samples and require the presence of laboratories in close proximity to the collection of field samples for optimal pre-cryopreservation sample preparation. Results: Here we show that in-solution hybridization capture can be used to extract P. vivax DNA from human contaminating DNA in the laboratory without the need for on-site leukocyte filtration. Using a whole genome capture method, we were able to enrich P. vivax DNA from bulk genomic DNA from less than 0.5% to a median of 55% (range 20%-80%). This level of enrichment allows for efficient analysis of the samples by whole genome sequencing and does not introduce any gross biases into the data. With this method, we obtained greater than 5X coverage across 93% of the P. vivax genome for four P. vivax strains from Iquitos, Peru, which is similar to our results using leukocyte filtration (greater than 5X coverage across 96% of the genome). Conclusion: The whole genome capture technique will enable more efficient whole genome analysis of P. vivax from a larger geographic region and from valuable archived sample collections.

Assessing malaria transmission in a low endemicity area of north-western Peru

Background Where malaria endemicity is low, control programmes need increasingly sensitive tools for monitoring malaria transmission intensity (MTI) and to better define health priorities. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a low endemicity area of the Peruvian north-western coast to assess the MTI using both molecular and serological tools. Methods Epidemiological, parasitological and serological data were collected from 2,667 individuals in three settlements of Bellavista district, in May 2010. Parasite infection was detected using microscopy and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Antibodies to Plasmodium vivax merozoite surface protein-119 (PvMSP119) and to Plasmodium falciparum glutamate-rich protein (PfGLURP) were detected by ELISA. Risk factors for exposure to malaria (seropositivity) were assessed by multivariate survey logistic regression models. Age-specific antibody prevalence of both P. falciparum and P. vivax were analysed using a previously published catalytic conversion model based on maximum likelihood for generating seroconversion rates (SCR). Results The overall parasite prevalence by microscopy and PCR were extremely low: 0.3 and 0.9%, respectively for P. vivax, and 0 and 0.04%, respectively for P. falciparum, while seroprevalence was much higher, 13.6% for P. vivax and 9.8% for P. falciparum. Settlement, age and occupation as moto-taxi driver during previous year were significantly associated with P. falciparum exposure, while age and distance to the water drain were associated with P. vivax exposure. Likelihood ratio tests supported age seroprevalence curves with two SCR for both P. vivax and P. falciparum indicating significant changes in the MTI over time. The SCR for PfGLURP was 19-fold lower after 2002 as compared to before (λ1 = 0.022 versus λ2 = 0.431), and the SCR for PvMSP119 was four-fold higher after 2006 as compared to before (λ1 = 0.024 versus λ2 = 0.006). Conclusion Combining molecular and serological tools considerably enhanced the capacity of detecting current and past exposure to malaria infections and related risks factors in this very low endemicity area. This allowed for an improved characterization of the current human reservoir of infections, largely hidden and heterogeneous, as well as providing insights into recent changes in species specific MTIs. This approach will be of key importance for evaluating and monitoring future malaria elimination strategies.

Las terrazas del río Sil en el tramo Carucedo-Os Peares, SE de Galicia

[ES] Se describen los sistemas de terrazas del Río Sil desde el Bierzo hasta la confluencia con el Miño. En este tramo el río se encaja profundamente sobre las principales superficies de erosión del SE gallego (R400, R600, R800, RlOOO y R1200). Junto a los niveles de terraza con depósitos se observa la presencia de superficies terraza y aplanamientos de mayor extensión, siempre asociados al encajamiento fluvial. Se analiza la morfometría y los perfiles longitudinales de la red; así como la distribución de las terrazas y aplanamientos incluidos en el encajamiento. Se reconocen algunos cambios en la evolución de la red simultáneos a la sedimentación de las fosas terciarias (Monforte de Lemos, Quiroga, A Rúa-O Barco). La antigüedad de la red y un descenso generalizado en el nivel de base del Sistema Miño-Sil, podría justificar estos acontecimientos. Sin embargo, existen indicios de cierto control tectónico. Por último se propone un modelo evolutivo del tramo estudiado, para la etapa posterior a la formación del aplanamiento RlOOO.

Análisis bibliométrico de la productividad científica de las Cienias Históricas en Canarias en el período 1989-2010: problemas y perspectivas

[ES] En los últimos años se ha puesto de manifiesto la creciente necesidad de evaluar la actividad científica en España, realizada a partir de medios transparentes y objetivos. La evaluación permite conocer mejor el sistema científico de los países y regiones, poniendo de relieve sus problemas y ventajas y permitiendo adoptar medidas que favorezcan su desarrollo. También los propios investigadores son los primeros interesados en la utilización de métodos científicos cuantitativos y cualitativos con el fin de evaluar su propia actividad, asumiendo de forma natural que su actividad profesional sea evaluada con objetividad, independencia y transparencia. El presente estudio expone los problemas y perspectivas del proyecto de investigación “Análisis y evolución de la producción científica del área de Artes y Humanidades en Canarias en el periodo 1989-2009”, financiado por el Gobierno de Canarias a través de la Agencia Canaria de la Investigación, Innovación y Sociedad de la Información, así como los resultados preliminares en varias áreas de conocimiento del campo de Arte y Humanidades en las dos universidades canarias.

Análisis bibliométrico de la producción científica de las universidades canarias en las áreas de Ciencias Históricas en el periodo 1989-2010: resultados finales de un estudio

[ES] Se presentan los resultados finales del proyecto de investigación “Análisis y evolución de la producción científica del área de Artes y Humanidades en Canarias en el período 1989-2009”, financiado por el Gobierno de Canarias a través de la Agencia Canaria de la Investigación, Innovación y Sociedad de la Información, referidos a las áreas de conocimiento de Prehistoria, Historia Antigua, Historia Medieval, Historia Moderna, Historia Contemporánea e Historia del Arte. El estudio realizado permite confirmar diferencias sustanciales en los hábitos de publicación y en la visibilidad de las publicaciones del profesorado de las dos universidades canarias, según su especialidad.

¿Donde reutilizar y qué regar?: uso de un sig para el diseño de una red de reutilización en una isla volcánica

[ES] El conocimiento de criterios que ayuden a priorizar el uso del agua es fundamental para garantizar su uso sostenible. En las zonas semiáridas, el abandono de la actividad agrícola puede estar motivado por la escasez de agua y por problemas de mercado de las especies tradicionalmente cultivadas. Por otro lado, la actividad ganadera, suele estar limitada por la escasez de forrajes. La disponibilidad de agua regenerada a un precio razonable podría evitar su vertido y contrarrestar la degradación de suelos abandonados, potenciando la producción de especies forrajeras rentables, contribuyendo así a la ganadería sostenible. Para ello se requiere optimizar la distribución del agua considerando varios criterios simultáneamente

ORCID=Open Researcher and Contributor ID: el indentificador definitivo para el investigador

[ES]Presentación de ORCID, el identificador para el investigador, contiene cómo darse de alta, como importar datos de las diferentes BBDD, cómo integrar recursos.

Early and Middle Holocene Hunter-Gatherer Occupations in Western Amazonia: The Hidden Shell Middens

We report on previously unknown early archaeological sites in the Bolivian lowlands, demonstrating for the first time early and middle Holocene human presence in western Amazonia. Multidisciplinary research in forest islands situated in seasonally-inundated savannahs has revealed stratified shell middens produced by human foragers as early as 10,000 years ago, making them the oldest archaeological sites in the region. The absence of stone resources and partial burial by recent alluvial sediments has meant that these kinds of deposits have, until now, remained unidentified. We conducted core sampling, archaeological excavations and an interdisciplinary study of the stratigraphy and recovered materials from three shell midden mounds. Based on multiple lines of evidence, including radiocarbon dating, sedimentary proxies (elements, steroids and black carbon), micromorphology and faunal analysis, we demonstrate the anthropogenic origin and antiquity of these sites. In a tropical and geomorphologically active landscape often considered challenging both for early human occupation and for the preservation of hunter-gatherer sites, the newly discovered shell middens provide evidence for early to middle Holocene occupation and illustrate the potential for identifying and interpreting early open-air archaeological sites in western Amazonia. The existence of early hunter-gatherer sites in the Bolivian lowlands sheds new light on the region’s past and offers a new context within which the late Holocene “Earthmovers” of the Llanos de Moxos could have emerged.