Calidad ambiental de los ecosistemas acuáticos de la Región Tumbes, 2007

En el 2007 se efectuó el estudio de calidad ambiental en los tres ecosistemas acuáticos de la Región Tumbes. La máxima temperatura ambiental fue 39,2 °C en Playa Hermosa, el promedio fue menor que la registrada en el 2006. La máxima temperatura del agua fue 36,0 °C en el canal de marea Puerto 25 y el promedio fue menor en la mayoría de las estaciones de muestreo. La salinidad máxima sobrepasó los 42,000 ups en los canales de marea Soledad y Envidia. En el ecosistema marino, durante el segundo y tercer trimestres predominaron Aguas Tropicales Superficiales (ATS). El máximo oxígeno disuelto (OD) fue 15,88 mL/L en la laguna La Coja. Concentraciones máximas de: fosfatos fue 56,03 ug-at/L en Zorritos, silicatos 591,63 ug-at/L en el río Zarumilla, nitritos 29,34 ug-at/L en el canal de marea Puerto 25 y nitratos 65,51 ug-at/L en el canal de marea Soledad. Los nitritos presentaron menor concentración promedio en los tres ecosistemas. En sedimentos el promedio de materia orgánica fue 7,51% en el canal de marea Corrales y carbonatos 32,99 g/kg en el canal de marea Puerto 25. El pH máximo fue 8,17 en la laguna La Coja.

Heerfordt syndrome with unilateral facial nerve palsy: a rare presentation of sarcoidosis.

BACKGROUND: Heerfordt syndrome is rare and is characterized by fever, uveitis, parotid gland enlargement, and facial nerve palsy. We hereby present a case of Heerfordt syndrome with unilateral facial nerve palsy as a presentation of sarcoidosis. HISTORY AND SIGNS: A 29-year-old male patient from Sri Lanka presented with eye redness OU, blurred vision OD, fever, headache, night sweat, fatigue, and weight loss (5 kg over 1 month). Examination revealed mild anterior uveitis OU, mild vitritis OD, fundus whitish lesions OU, left otalgia, taste disorders, bilateral parotid gland enlargement, and left facial nerve palsy. Work-up for infection or tumour was negative. Chest computed tomography and transbronchial lymph node biopsy set the diagnosis of sarcoidosis. THERAPY AND OUTCOME: The patient recovered completely within 2 months under therapy with prednisone and azathioprine. One year after onset of treatment, no recurrence was noted. CONCLUSIONS: Heerfordt syndrome is a rare manifestation of neurosarcoidosis and has to be included in the differential diagnosis of facial nerve palsy.

Kako =to uspje=nije plasirati va=e poslovne talente, December 2001

|elite posao. I osje]ate da negdje, neki poslodavac nudi upravo onakav posao kakav vi \elite -posao na kojem va=e znanje i vje=tine mogu do]i do punog izra\aja, a koji, u isto vrijeme, predstavlja izazov i daje mogu]nost napretka. Da biste ostvarili ovaj korak morate se pripremiti na dobro planiranu potragu za poslom. Imate proizvod koji \elite prodati - va=e znanje, vje=tinu i iskustvo-vas same. Ono =to treba da nau[ite je kako da =to uspje=nije predstavite sebe na tr\i=tu. Neke od informacija datih u ovoj bro=uri mogu vam u tome pomo]i bez obzira da li ste tek zavr=ili =kolu spremni da otpo[nete poslovnu karijeru, ili tra\ite novi posao nakon 20 godina rada. NOTE: BOSNIAN

Kako =to uspje=nije plasirati va=e poslovne talente, December 2001

|elite posao. I osje]ate da negdje, neki poslodavac nudi upravo onakav posao kakav vi \elite -posao na kojem va=e znanje i vje=tine mogu do]i do punog izra\aja, a koji, u isto vrijeme, predstavlja izazov i daje mogu]nost napretka. Da biste ostvarili ovaj korak morate se pripremiti na dobro planiranu potragu za poslom. Imate proizvod koji \elite prodati - va=e znanje, vje=tinu i iskustvo-vas same. Ono =to treba da nau[ite je kako da =to uspje=nije predstavite sebe na tr\i=tu. Neke od informacija datih u ovoj bro=uri mogu vam u tome pomo]i bez obzira da li ste tek zavr=ili =kolu spremni da otpo[nete poslovnu karijeru, ili tra\ite novi posao nakon 20 godina rada. NOTE: BOSNIAN

Marcia J. Bates: El context i la interacció han de ser elements bàsics en els sistemes de recuperació de la informació

Entrevista a Marcia J. Bates a la University od California at Los Angeles i experta en sistemes de recuperació de la Informació orientats a l'usuari i en representació del contingut i accés per matèries. Es parla de l'evolució de les tecnologies i l'automatització de tasques que requereixen la capacitat de raonament de la persona, del comportament de l'usuari quan cerca per matèries, de la formació en competències en el maneig de la informació, de la necessitat del context en la indexació i la recuperació per matèries, i l'empatia en les relacions entre bibliotecaris i usuaris.

Kyste intra-vitréen : évolution sur six ans

Introduction : Les kystes intra-vitréens congénitaux sont rares et ne causent en général pas de complications oculaires. Objectifs et Méthodes : Nous rapportons le cas d'un kyste intra-vitréen non pigmenté que nous avons suivi pendant six ans pour analyser son comportement de croissance. Observation : Il s'agit d'un patient de 62 ans suivi pour un syndrome de Morbihan qui a consulté à cause d'une ombre aperçue dans le champ visuel de l'OD. L'AV était à 1,0 corrigée. L'examen à la lampe à fente a montré la présence d'un kyste transparent flottant dans le vitré. L'ultrason a confirmé l'existence d'un kyste avec un diamètre de 4,37 mm. Ce kyste était entouré d'un deuxième kyste plus grand de 7,15 mm de diamètre. Un contrôle clinique après six ans a montré que les diamètres des kystes ont augmenté à 6.20 mm pour le petit, et 7.95 mm pour le grand kyste. Les volumes des kystes ont augmenté de 43.70 mm3 à 124,97 mm3 pour le petit et de 191.39 mm3 à 263.09 mm3 pour le grand kyste. Discussion : Étant donné que les kystes n'avaient pas d'influence sur l'acuité visuelle, aucun traitement n'a été proposé. Conclusion : Un kyste intra-vitréen non pigmenté peut augmenter considérablement en volume durant six ans d'observation.

Alloy inhomogeneities in InAlAs strained layers grown by MBE

Transmission electron microscopy studies have been performed to characterize InxAl1−xAs layers grown by molecular beam epitaxy on (100) InP substrates. The first observations of compositional nonuniformities in strained InAlAs layers are reported. The coarse quasiperiodic structure present in each sample has been found to be dependent upon the growth parameters and the sample characteristics.

The use of the vac in complex wounds - does it work and how?

Background: Complex wounds pose a major challenge in reconstructive and trauma surgery. Several approaches to increase the healing process have been proposed in the last decades. In this study we study the mechanism of action of the Vacuum Assisted Closure device in diabetic wounds. Methods: Full-thickness wounds were excised in diabetic mice and treated with the VAC device or its isolated components: an occlusive dressing (OD) alone, subathmospheric pressure at 125 mm Hg (Suction), and a polyurethane foam without (Foam) and with (Foamc) downward compression of approximately 125 mm Hg. The last goups were treated with either the complete VAC device (VAC) or with a silicne interface that alows fluid removel (Mepithel-VAC). The effects of the treatment modes on the wound surface were quantified by a two-dimensional immunohistochemical staging system based on vasculature, as defined by blood vessel density (CD31) and cell proliferation (defined by ki67 positivity), 7 days post wounding. Finite element modelling was used to predict wound surface deformation under dressing modes and cross sections of in situ fixed tissues were used to measure actual microstrain. Results: The foam-wound interface of the Vacuum Assisted Closure device causes significant wound stains (60%) causing a deformation of the single cell level leading to a profound upregulation of cell proliferation (4-fold) and angiogenisis (2.2-fold) compared to OD treated wounds. Polyurethane foam exposure itself causes a frather unspecific angiogenic response (Foamc, 2 - fold, Foam, 2.2 - fold) without changes of the cell proliferation rate of the wound bed. Suction alone without a specific interface does not have an effect on meassured parameters, showing similar results to untreated wounds. A perforated silicone interface caused a significant lower microdeforamtion of the wound bed correlating to changes of the wound tissues. Conclusion: The Vacuum Assisted Closure device induce significanttissue growth in diabetic wounds. The wound foam interface under suction causes profound macrodeformation that stimulates tissue growth by angiogenesis and cell proliferation. It needs to be taken in consideration that in the clinical setting different wound types may profit from different elements of this suction device.

Triathlon event distance specialization: training and injury effects.

We conducted a preliminary, questionnaire-based, retrospective analysis of training and injury in British National Squad Olympic distance (OD) and Ironman distance (IR) triathletes. The main outcome measures were training duration and training frequency and injury frequency and severity. The number of overuse injuries sustained over a 5-year period did not differ between OD and IR. However, the proportions of OD and IR athletes who were affected by injury to particular anatomical sites differed (p < 0.05). Also, fewer OD athletes (16.7 vs. 36.8%, p < 0.05) reported that their injury recurred. Although OD sustained fewer running injuries than IR (1.6 +/- 0.5 vs. 1.9 +/- 0.3, p < 0.05), more subsequently stopped running (41.7 vs. 15.8%) and for longer (33.5 +/- 43.0 vs. 16.7 +/- 16.6 days, p < 0.01). In OD, the number of overuse injuries sustained inversely correlated with percentage training time, and number of sessions, doing bike hill repetitions (r = -0.44 and -0.39, respectively, both p < 0.05). The IR overuse injury number correlated with the amount of intensive sessions done (r = 0.67, p < 0.01 and r = 0.56, p < 0.05 for duration of "speed run" and "speed bike" sessions). Coaches should note that training differences between triathletes who specialize in OD or IR competition may lead to their exhibiting differential risk for injury to specific anatomical sites. It is also important to note that cycle and run training may have a "cumulative stress" influence on injury risk. Therefore, the tendency of some triathletes to modify rather than stop training when injured-usually by increasing load in another discipline from that in which the injury first occurred-may increase both their risk of injury recurrence and time to full rehabilitation.

Wave-vector dependence of spin and density multipole excitations in quantum dots

We have employed time-dependent local-spin density-functional theory to analyze the multipole spin and charge density excitations in GaAs-AlxGa1-xAs quantum dots. The on-plane transferred momentum degree of freedom has been taken into account, and the wave-vector dependence of the excitations is discussed. In agreement with previous experiments, we have found that the energies of these modes do not depend on the transferred wave vector, although their intensities do. Comparison with a recent resonant Raman scattering experiment [C. Schüller et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 80, 2673 (1998)] is made. This allows us to identify the angular momentum of several of the observed modes as well as to reproduce their energies

A Novel Homozygous RPE65 Mutation in Leber Congenital Amaurosis Associated With Cone-Rod Dystrophy

Purpose: To report the clinical and genetic study of a family with Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA). Methods: We studied a consanguineous family from Yemen in which three individuals were affected with LCA. Genomic DNA was prepared from venous leukocytes. Linkage analysis of all family members using polymorphic markers flanking the known LCA genes was performed, followed by direct sequencing of all the exons and intron-exon junctions of the RPE65 gene. Results: The three affected were 5, 8 and 12 years old. Severe visual impairment and night blindness were noticed during infancy. Nystagmus was not a feature. Photophobia was only observed in the 8-year-old patient. The 5-year old youngest affected had a bilateral hyperopia of +3.50 and a visual acuity of 1/60. The oldest two had mild myopia and visual acuity limited to hand movements RE and counting fingers LE for the oldest and of 5/60 OD, 6/60 OS for the other. On fundus examination, they harbored common clinical features such as disc pallor, attenuated vessels, white flecks in the retina mid-periphery and bull's eye maculopathy. Electroretinograms of the oldest child were completely extinguished while residual scotopic responses with abolished photopic and flicker responses were observed in the two youngest. Sequencing identified a novel missense mutation, IVS2-3C>G, in the second RPE65 intron. The mutation was not detected in 80 ethnically matched normal individuals. Conclusion: We have identified a novel LCA-related homozygous RPE65 mutation associated with a severe clinical presentation including an early and severe cone dysfunction. This is in contrast with the presentation associated with other RPE65 mutations predominantly causing a rod-cone dystrophy with residual cone function. The identified mutation potentially affects splicing of the third exon and could result in a loss of function. Definite functional consequences of this change still need to be characterized.

Ion-beam induced oxidation of GaAs and AlGaAs

The oxidation of GaAs and AlxGa1−xAs targets by oxygen irradiation has been studied in detail. It was found that the oxidation process is characterized by the strong preferential oxidation of Al as compared to Ga, and of Ga as compared to As. This experimental observation, which has been accurately quantified by using x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, is connected to the different heats of formation of the corresponding oxides. The oxide grown by ion beam oxidation shows a strong depletion in As and relatively low oxidation of As as well. The depletion can be associated with the preferential sputtering of the As oxide in respect to other compounds whereas the low oxidation is due to the low heat of formation. In contrast Al is rapidly and fully oxidized, turning the outermost layer of the altered layer to a single Al2O3 overlayer, as observed by transmission electron microscopy. The radiation enhanced diffusion of oxygen and aluminum in the altered layer explains the large thickness of these altered layers and the formation of Al oxides on top of the layers. For the case of ion‐beam oxidation of GaAs a simulation program has been developed which describes adequately the various growth mechanisms experimentally observed

Divergência genética entre cultivares de caupi

O objetivo deste trabalho foi quantificar a divergência genética de cultivares de caupi, agrupadas por análise multivariada visando à seleção de parentais superiores. Foram utilizadas 16 cultivares de caupi [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] do banco de germoplasma do Centro de Ciências Agrárias da Universidade Federal do Ceará. As observações fenotípicas foram realizadas num ensaio com delineamento experimental em blocos completos casualizados, com seis blocos e 16 tratamentos, incluindo três testemunhas, com parcela experimental de 24 m² e área útil de 16 m², sendo quatro fileiras de plantas, com espaços de 1,0 x 0,5 m, contendo duas plantas por cova. Para mensurar os caracteres fenotípicos, cinco plantas competitivas, localizadas nas duas fileiras centrais da parcela, foram tomadas ao acaso. Os cruzamentos entre os grupos I [TVx-337-3F e Vita-4 (TVu 1977-OD)] e II (Bengala e V-4 Alagoas) podem resultar em produção de novas combinações gênicas, por serem divergentes e reunirem maior número de caracteres agronomicamente desejáveis. Os caracteres que mais contribuem para divergência genética são o comprimento da vagem (36,80%) e o peso de 100 sementes (19,21%).

The VAD connection : connecting ventricular assist devices to the aorta in silico

Les systèmes d'assistance ventriculaire sont apparus durant la dernière décade comme une approche thérapeutique efficace du traitement de l'insuffisance cardiaque terminale, en particulier dans le contexte de manque de donneurs d'organes. Néanmoins, et ceci malgré les progrès techniques majeurs, les taux de complications restent élevés et sont en partie liés à la configuration géométrique, en particulier le site d'implantation de la cannule de sortie à l'aorte thoracique. Bien que l'anastomose à l'aorte descendante permette une chirurgie moins invasive, les bénéfices de cette technique sont toujours controversés, comparée à la méthode standard de l'aorte ascendante, en raison du risque thrombo-embolique possiblement augmenté et des modifications hémodynamiques induites au niveau de l'arc aortique. Dans ce travail, nous comparons in silico en terme de débit et pression les deux possibilités anastomotiques. Nous développons un réseau de modèles mathématiques unidimensionnels, et l'appliquons à diverses situations cliniques, pour différents stades d'insuffisance cardiaque et de vitesses de rotation de la machine. Les données initiales sont obtenues grâce à un modèle OD (c'est-à-dire qui dépend uniquement du temps mais pas de l'espace) du système cardiovasculaire comprenant une assistance circulatoire, validé avec des données cliniques. Les simulations réalisées montrent que les deux méthodes sont similaires, en terme de débit et courbes de pression, ceci pour tous les cas cliniques étudiés. Ces résultats numériques soutiennent la possibilité d'utiliser la technique d'anastomose à l'aorte thoracique descendante, permettant une chirurgie moins invasive. Sur un plan plus fondamental, le système cardiovasculaire peut être simulé par le biais de multiples modèles de niveau de complexité différents, au prix d'un coût computationnel toujours plus élevé. Nous évaluons les avantages de modèles géométriques à plusieurs échelles (uni- et tridimensionnelle) avec données provenant de patients, comparés à des modèles simplifiés. Les résultats montrent que ces modèles de dimensions hétérogènes apportent un bénéfice important en terme de ressources de calcul, tout en conservant une précision acceptable. En conclusion, ces résultats encourageant montrent la relevance des études numériques dans le domaine médical, tant sur le plan fondamental et la compréhension des mécanismes physiopathologiques, que sur le plan applicatif et le développement de nouvelles thérapeutiques.

Altering α-dystroglycan receptor affinity of LCMV pseudotyped lentivirus yields unique cell and tissue tropism.

BACKGROUND: The envelope glycoprotein of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) can efficiently pseudotype lentiviral vectors. Some strains of LCMV exploit high affinity interactions with α-dystroglycan (α-DG) to bind to cell surfaces and subsequently fuse in low pH endosomes. LCMV strains with low α-DG affinity utilize an unknown receptor and display unique tissue tropisms. We pseudotyped non-primate feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) vectors using LCMV derived glycoproteins with high or low affinity to α-DG and evaluated their properties in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: We pseudotyped FIV with the LCMV WE54 strain envelope glycoprotein and also engineered a point mutation in the WE54 envelope glycoprotein (L260F) to diminish α-DG affinity and direct binding to alternate receptors. We hypothesized that this change would alter in vivo tissue tropism and enhance gene transfer to neonatal animals. RESULTS: In mice, hepatic α- and β-DG expression was greatest at the late gestational and neonatal time points. When displayed on the surface of the FIV lentivirus the WE54 L260F mutant glycoprotein bound weakly to immobilized α-DG. Additionally, LCMV WE54 pseudotyped FIV vector transduction was neutralized by pre-incubation with soluble α-DG, while the mutant glycoprotein pseudotyped vector was not. In vivo gene transfer in adult mice with either envelope yielded low transduction efficiencies in hepatocytes following intravenous delivery. In marked contrast, neonatal gene transfer with the LCMV envelopes, and notably with the FIV-L260F vector, conferred abundant liver and lower level cardiomyocyte transduction as detected by luciferase assays, bioluminescent imaging, and β-galactosidase staining. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that a developmentally regulated receptor for LCMV is expressed abundantly in neonatal mice. LCMV pseudotyped vectors may have applications for neonatal gene transfer. ABBREVIATIONS: Armstrong 53b (Arm53b); baculovirus Autographa californica GP64 (GP64); charge-coupled device (CCD); dystroglycan (DG); feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV); glycoprotein precursor (GP-C); firefly luciferase (Luc); lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV); nuclear targeted β-galactosidase (ntLacZ); optical density (OD); PBS/0.1% (w/v) Tween-20 (PBST); relative light units (RLU); Rous sarcoma virus (RSV); transducing units per milliliter (TU/ml); vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV-G); wheat germ agglutinin (WGA); 50% reduction in binding (C50).