Pfcrt haplotypes and the evolutionary history of chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum

Mutations in the Pfcrt gene that change the resulting amino acids and form different haplotypes are common and correlate with the prevalence of chloroquine resistant (CQR) field isolates of the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. This correlation provides opportunities to infer the global evolutionary history of CQ resistance by analysing CQR Pfcrt haplotype data. We collated data on the Pfcrt haplotypes from different global studies and performed evolutionary genetic analysis to present comprehensive and comparative information on the global distribution of five major CQR-Pfcrt haplotypes and evolutionary inter-relationships among 38 different countries. Using the haplotype diversity data, inter-continental genetic differentiation was also ascertained.

Dialogic learning and interactive groups: an IMS LD template integrated in runtime systems

Dialogic learning and interactive groups have proved to be a useful methodological approach appliedin educational situations for lifelong adult learners. The principles of this approach stress theimportance of dialogue and equal participation also when designing the training activities. This paperadopts these principles as the basis for a configurable template that can be integrated in runtimesystems. The template is formulated as a meta-UoL which can be interpreted by IMS Learning Designplayers. This template serves as a guide to flexibly select and edit the activities at runtime (on the fly).The meta-UoL has been used successfully by a practitioner so as to create a real-life example, withpositive and encouraging results

Characterization of instrumental and sensory quality of papaya ‘Solo' and 'Local' produced in Santiago - Cape Verde and critical analysis on the importation of papaya

O estudo teve por objectivo fazer a caracterização dos atributos de qualidade de duas variedades (Solo e Local) de papaia produzida em Santiago, Cabo Verde, e definir os atributos que os distribuidores procuram. Foram realizadas avaliações físico-químicas, sensorial e um estudo de mercado. Os parâmetros avaliados foram o peso, cor interior e exterior, textura, espessura da polpa, pH, acidez titulável, SST, fez-se avaliação sensorial a aplicação de um questionário aos importadores de papaia. Os parâmetros SST, Acidez, pH e peso variam significativamente com as variedades, sendo as papaias da variedade Local mais pesadas. A textura varia em função dos graus de maturação, a firmeza apresenta uma diminuição ao longo do amadurecimento, na deformação percebe-se um decréscimo com avançar da maturação, nos parâmetros de cor interna e externa as diferenças encontram-se na interacção entre Variedade e Estado de maturação. A variedade Solo foi mais valorizada na avaliação sensorial assim como no preço, certificação/selo qualidade e doçura pelos distribuidores.

Genetic and environmental effects on the covariation betweencolour polymorphism and a life history trait

Variation in coloration with a strong underlying genetic basis is frequently found within animal populations but little is known about its function. Covariation between colour polymorphism and life-history traits can arise because morphs perform differently among environments or because they possess alternative alleles coding for key life-history traits. To test these two hypotheses, we studied a population of tawny owls Strix aluco, a bird displaying red, brown and grey morphs. We assessed the colour morph of breeding females, swapped eggs or hatchlings between pairs of nests, and examined how body condition in 3-week-old nestlings covaries with coloration of foster and genetic mothers. Redder foster and genetic mothers produced young in better condition. Because in two other years we observed that greyish females produced offspring in better condition than those of red females, the present study suggests that colour polymorphism signals genetic and phenotypic adaptations to cope with a fluctuating environment.

The influence of drugs used in cardiac anaesthesia and critical care on multiple electrode aggregometry: an in-vitro volunteer study.

BACKGROUND: Multiple electrode aggregometry (MEA) is a point-of-care test evaluating platelet function and the efficacy of platelet inhibitors. In MEA, electrical impedance of whole blood is measured after addition of a platelet activator. Reduced impedance implies platelet dysfunction or the presence of platelet inhibitors. MEA plays an increasingly important role in the management of perioperative platelet dysfunction. In vitro, midazolam, propofol, lidocaine and magnesium have known antiplatelet effects and these may interfere with MEA interpretation. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the extent to which MEA is modified in the presence of these drugs. DESIGN: An in-vitro study using blood collected from healthy volunteers. SETTING: Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland, 2010 to 2011. PATIENTS: Twenty healthy volunteers. INTERVENTION: Measurement of baseline MEA was using four activators: arachidonic acid, ADP, TRAP-6 and collagen. The study drugs were then added in three increasing, clinically relevant concentrations. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: MEA was compared with baseline for each study drug. RESULTS: Midazolam, propofol and lidocaine showed no effect on MEA at any concentration. Magnesium at 2.5 mmol l had a significant effect on the ADP and TRAP tests (31 ± 13 and 96 ± 39 AU, versus 73 ± 21 and 133 ± 28 AU at baseline, respectively), and a less pronounced effect at 1 mmol l on the ADP test (39 ± 0 AU). CONCLUSION: Midazolam, propofol and lidocaine do not interfere with MEA measurement. In patients treated with high to normal doses of magnesium, MEA results for ADP and TRAP-tests should be interpreted with caution. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov (no. NCT01454427).

Invasive candidiasis: comparison of management choices by infectious disease and critical care specialists.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the management of invasive candidiasis between infectious disease and critical care specialists. DESIGN AND SETTING: Clinical case scenarios of invasive candidiasis were presented during interactive sessions at national specialty meetings. Participants responded to questions using an anonymous electronic voting system. PATIENTS AND PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-five infectious disease and 51 critical care physicians in Switzerland. RESULTS: Critical care specialists were more likely to ask advice from a colleague with expertise in the field of fungal infections to treat Candida glabrata (19.5% vs. 3.5%) and C. krusei (36.4% vs. 3.3%) candidemia. Most participants reported that they would change or remove a central venous catheter in the presence of candidemia, but 77.1% of critical care specialists would start concomitant antifungal treatment, compared to only 50% of infectious disease specialists. Similarly, more critical care specialists would start antifungal prophylaxis when Candida spp. are isolated from the peritoneal fluid at time of surgery for peritonitis resulting from bowel perforation (22.2% vs. 7.2%). The two groups equally considered Candida spp. as pathogens in tertiary peritonitis, but critical care specialists would more frequently use amphotericin B than fluconazole, caspofungin, or voriconazole. In mechanically ventilated patients the isolation of 10(4) Candida spp. from a bronchoalveolar lavage was considered a colonizing organism by 94.9% of infectious disease, compared to 46.8% of critical care specialists, with a marked difference in the use of antifungal agents (5.1% vs. 51%). CONCLUSIONS: These data highlight differences between management approaches for candidiasis in two groups of specialists, particularly in the reported use of antifungals.

Meissner effect and critical fields in an inhomogeneous Ba2HoCu3O7-x high-Tc superconductor

The Meissner and diamagnetic shielding effects and the upper, lower, and thermodynamical critical fields have been studied in a Ba2HoCu3O7-x sample using magnetization measurements in fields up to 55 kOe. The diamagnetic shielding curve shows the existence of a transition at Tc=91.5 K followed by a broad transition extending from 85 to 25 K which may be related to inhomogeneities in the oxygen content of the sample. A rather low flux expulsion (13.5%) is observed which we attribute to flux pinning or trapping. We show that the coexistence of superconducting and nonsuperconducting regions within the sample at temperatures just below Tc leads to strong reductions in the critical magnetic fields.

Within and beyond oral history in Russia

Reviews

Assessing the sociology of sport: On sport organizations and critical knowledge

The purpose of this contribution is to analyse the trajectory, the challenges and the future of the sociology of sport on three levels: the internal dynamic within the specific sub-field of the sociology of sport, its interactions with sociology and sport sciences, and its relation with sport organizations. The paper notes that the changes of the trajectory of the sociology of sport, first leaning on the profession of physical education teacher and then to sport sciences, as important consequences. Because most of the sociologists specialized in sport are working in sport sciences departments, the most important consequence is the dependency on sport sciences rather than on sociology. Compared to other fields of sociology, it means challenging other sciences for recognition. The paper argues that to face the threat of a marginalization within the field of sport science, the future of sociology of sport could be to fight for an external recognition. Applying sociology could spread critical views that are necessary to sport organizations. It could also give sociologists access to very interesting data, which can help producing good research, and give it a greater legitimacy within sport sciences. However, it is a risky strategy because of the necessity for the sociologists to stay critical both on sporting organization and on their own work.

Management of severe blunt hepatic injury in the era of computed tomography and transarterial embolization: A systematic review and critical appraisal of the literature.

BACKGROUND: During the last decade, the management of blunt hepatic injury has considerably changed. Three options are available as follows: nonoperative management (NOM), transarterial embolization (TAE), and surgery. We aimed to evaluate in a systematic review the current practice and outcomes in the management of Grade III to V blunt hepatic injury. METHOD: The MEDLINE database was searched using PubMed to identify English-language citations published after 2000 using the key words blunt, hepatic injury, severe, and grade III to V in different combinations. Liver injury was graded according to the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma classification on computed tomography (CT). Primary outcome analyzed was success rate in intention to treat. Critical appraisal of the literature was performed using the validated National Institute for Health and Care Excellence "Quality Assessment for Case Series" system. RESULTS: Twelve articles were selected for critical appraisal (n = 4,946 patients). The median quality score of articles was 4 of 8 (range, 2-6). Overall, the median Injury Severity Score (ISS) at admission was 26 (range, 0.6-75). A median of 66% (range, 0-100%) of patients was managed with NOM, with a success rate of 94% (range, 86-100%). TAE was used in only 3% of cases (range, 0-72%) owing to contrast extravasation on CT with a success rate of 93% (range, 81-100%); however, 9% to 30% of patients required a laparotomy. Thirty-one percent (range, 17-100%) of patients were managed with surgery owing to hemodynamic instability in most cases, with 12% to 28% requiring secondary TAE to control recurrent hepatic bleeding. Mortality was 5% (range, 0-8%) after NOM and 51% (range, 30-68%) after surgery. CONCLUSION: NOM of Grade III to V blunt hepatic injury is the first treatment option to manage hemodynamically stable patients. TAE and surgery are considered in a highly selective group of patients with contrast extravasation on CT or shock at admission, respectively. Additional standardization of the reports is necessary to allow accurate comparisons of the various management strategies. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Systematic review, level IV.