Olfactomedin-4 is a candidate biomarker of solid gastric, colorectal, pancreatic, head and neck, and prostate cancers

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A survey of the northern neck of Virginia, being the lands belonging to the Rt. Honourable Thomas Lord Fairfax Baron Cameron, bounded by & within the Bay of Chesapoyocke and between the rivers Rappahannock and Potowmack: With the courses of the rivers Rappahannock and Potowmack, in Virginia, as surveyed according to order in the years 1736 & 1737.

Scale ca. 1:875,000.

Review: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in sub-Saharan Africa

Aim Review the literature from 1990 to 2013 to determine known anatomic sites, risk factors, treatments, and outcomes of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods Using a systematic search strategy, literature pertaining to HNSCC in sub-Saharan Africa was reviewed and patient demographics, anatomic sites, histology, stage, treatment, and outcomes were abstracted. The contributions of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), human papillomavirus (HPV) and behavioural risk factors to HNSCC in the region were assessed. Results Of the 342 papers identified, 46 were utilized for review, including 8611 patients. In sub-Saharan Africa, the oropharyngeal/oral cavity was found to be the most common site, with 7750 cases (90% of all cases). Few papers distinguished oropharyngeal from oral cavity, making identification of possible HPV-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) difficult. SCC of the nasopharynx, nasal cavity, or paranasal sinuses was identified in 410 patients (4.8% of all cases). Laryngeal SCC was found in 385 patients (4.5% of all cases), and only 66 patients (0.8% of all cases) with hypopharyngeal SCC were identified. In 862 patients with data available, 43% used tobacco and 42% used alcohol, and reported use varied widely and was more common in laryngeal SCC than that of the oropharyngeal/oral cavity. Toombak and kola nut use was reported to be higher in patients with HNSCC. Several papers reported HIV-positive patients with HNSCC, but it was not possible to determine HNSCC prevalence in HIV-positive compared to negative patients. Reports of treatment and outcomes were rare. Conclusions The oropharyngeal/oral cavity was by far the most commonly reported site of HNSCC reported in sub-Saharan Africa. The roles of risk factors in HNSCC incidence in sub-Saharan Africa were difficult to delineate from the available studies, but a majority of patients did not use tobacco and alcohol.

Head repositioning accuracy in patients with neck pain and asymptomatic subjects: concurrent validity, influence of motion speed, motion direction and target distance

Background: Cervicocephalic kinesthetic deficiencies have been demonstrated in patients with chronic neck pain (NP). On the other hand, authors emphasized the use of different motion speeds for assessing functional impairment of the cervical spine. Purpose: The objectives of this study were (1) to investigate the head repositioning accuracy in NP patients and control subjects and (2) to assess the influence of target distance, motion speed, motion direction and pain. Materials and methods: Seventy-one subjects (36 healthy subjects and 35 NP patients; age 30–55 years) performed the head repositioning test (HRT) at two different speeds for horizontal and vertical movements and at two different distances. For each condition, six consecutive trials were sampled. Results: The study showed the validity and reproducibility of the HRT, confirming a dysfunctional threshold of 4.5°. Normative values of head repositioning error up to 3.6° and 7.1° were identified for healthy and NP subjects, respectively. A distance of 180 cm from the target and a natural motion speed increased HRT accuracy. Repositioning after extension movement showed a significantly larger error in both groups. Intensity, duration of pain as well as pain level did not significantly alter head repositioning error. Conclusions: The assessment of proprioceptive performance in healthy and NP subjects allowed the validation of the HRT. The HRT is a simple, not expensive and fast test, easily implementable in daily practice to assess and monitor treatment and evolution of proprioceptive cervical deficits.

Genetic diversity assessment of the almond (Prunus dulcis (Mill.) DA Webb) traditional germplasm of Algarve, Portugal, using molecular markers

In this study, 123 almond (Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D. A. Webb) trees identified among traditional orchards in the Algarve region and 53 trees of the local field collection managed by the regional office of the Portuguese Ministry of Agriculture (DRAALG) were assessed using isozyme, inter- single sequence repeat and simple sequence repeat or microsatellite techniques for the evaluation of genetic diversity and genetic relatedness and identification of new accessions for the field collection. The isozyme analysis allowed the distribution of the 176 plants into 13 different classes of enzyme similarity, while the use of DNA markers increased the distribution of the analysed trees among 140 discriminating DNA patterns. Multiple cases of homonymy and synonymy were identified in the local germplasm. Some traditional varieties, such as Lourencinha, appeared to be relatively homogeneous, while other local denominations, e.g. Galamba, included diverse genotypes. Of the 13 commercial varieties analysed in this study, 11 assembled in one major cluster clearly differentiated from the majority of the local genotypes. These results reinforced the perception that the Algarve traditional germplasm constitutes an important repository of genetic diversity, eventually carrying alleles of high agricultural interest such as the recently identified Phomopsis resistance in the traditional variety Barrinho Grado.

Expresión génica diferencial y antioxidantes en la planta de tomate (Solanum lycopersicon L. Mill) enriquecida con selenio

La biofortificación tiene como finalidad incrementar la concentración de elementos biodisponibles en las plantas de cultivo para elevar la calidad nutricional. El selenio es un elemento traza de gran impacto para el metabolismo antioxidante de las plantas y su acumulación es pobre en especies como el tomate, de igual manera este elemento es esencial para los humanos, por lo que adicionarlo en las plantas forma parte de los programas de biofortificación. El propósito de este trabajo fue analizar experimentalmente la capacidad del selenito de sodio para incrementar la concentración de Se y modificar la actividad antioxidante en plantas de tomate. Para ello se usaron plantas de la variedad híbrido Toro y se aplicaron tres tratamientos 0, 2 y 5 mg L-1 de selenito de sodio (Na2SeO3) utilizando como vehículo el agua de riego, los tratamientos fueron aplicados bajo un diseño experimental completamente al azar. Se llevaron a cabo tres muestreos 40, 80 y 120 días después del trasplante y la subsecuente cuantificación de la acumulación de selenio y macronutrientes en hojas, tallos y frutos así como su impacto en la producción de frutos bajo un diseño experimental completamente al azar. Se determinó la altura de la planta, los diámetros de tallos, firmeza, sólidos solubles de frutos y la materia seca total de los diferentes tejidos. Se obtuvo una cuantificación del potencial oxido reducción y de la actividad de antioxidante específicos como la catalasa, glutatión peroxidasa, superóxido dismutasa, el ácido ascórbico y licopeno, para cada variable se llevó a cabo un análisis de varianza y posteriormente una prueba de comparación de medias de Tukey. La expresión de los genes cat, gpx, sod, apx y lic en los frutos fue también analizada y en este caso se aplicó un análisis de varianza no paramétrico de Fisher, para encontrar las diferencias entre tratamientos. Los resultados mostraron un incremento en la acumulación de Se, encontrándose hasta un 53.1% de aumento en la concentración en los frutos bajo el tratamiento 5 mg L-1 en comparación con el testigo, sin embargo, este incremento no tuvo un impacto notorio en la producción y el rendimiento del tomate, a pesar de la existencia de una correlación de Spearman positiva (r =0.9637) entre la producción de fruto y la concentración de Se. Los valores del potencial oxido-reducción se redujeron en promedio desde -41.4 mV para el tratamiento testigo y hasta -68.0 mV con el mayor tratamiento. Mientras tanto, la concentración de Se si influyó positivamente en los parámetros de calidad incluyendo el ácido ascórbico (hasta un 50 % de aumento con el tratamiento 5 mgL-1 ) y el licopeno (hasta un 66.9% de aumento con el mayor tratamiento). La actividad de las enzimas antioxidantes aumentó notablemente en el fruto con el tratamiento 5 mg L-1 de selenito encontrándose 60.9% de aumento para CAT, 33.4% para GPX y 26.0% para SOD. En cuanto la expresión génica hubo mayor nivel de transcriptos de los genes gpx, sod y apx bajo el tratamiento 2 mg L-1

Formulación bioinsecticida a partir del aceite esencial de ambrosia arborescens mill (altamisa) de aplicación canina

La presente investigación se planteó reemplazar el uso de insecticidas sintéticos, formulando un champú bioinsecticida de aplicación canina mediante la acción biocida del aceite esencial deAmbrosia arborescens Mill (Altamisa). La planta se recolectó en las laderas del rio Tomebamba, cercanas al Campus Balzay de la Universidad de Cuenca Parroquia San Joaquín. La recolección se realizó durante los meses de Enero a Marzo del 2016. El desarrollo y formulación del producto se realizó en el Laboratorio de Biotecnología, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas de la Universidad de Cuenca. La obtención del aceite esencial de A. arborescens se realizó mediante hidrodestilación por el método Clevenger, con un rendimiento del 0,14%. La actividad biocida se estableció en un ensayo “in vitro” ante el nematodo Panagrellus redivirus, determinándose la dosis letal (DL50) de 250 uL/mL. Debido a la moderada DL50y bajo rendimiento, se planteó como estrategia, determinar el DL50 del extracto orgánico de A. arborescens, el cual se obtuvo mediante una extracción con metanol, consiguiendo un rendimiento del 2 % y DL50de 31,25 uL/mL. De acuerdo estos resultados se procedió a realizar pruebas en pulgas de perros(Ctenocephalides canis) con el extracto de A. arborescens, estableciendo una efectividad del 100 % a la concentración de 46,875 mg/mL en el periodo de tiempo más corto, siendo esta la dosis aplicada para la formulación del champú. El extracto metanólico de A. arborescens presentó elevada actividad biocida, comparado con el aceite esencial. Esta sustancia activa es promisoria en la formulación de bioinsecticidas para mascotas.

Detecção de Salmonella em tomates (Lycopersicon esculentum mill) pelos métodos fda-bam e mini vidas-biomérieux.

Resumo: Diversos surtos de Salmonella ocasionados pelo consumo de tomate contaminados com este micro-organismo têm sido relatados ultimamente, o que torna primordial a investigação sobre a presença desse patógeno nesse alimento. Métodos que permitam a avaliação rápida da presença de Salmonella em alimentos são de suma importância. O objetivo desse estudo foi comparar o método tradicional da Food and Drug Administration - Bacteriologycal Analytical Manual (FDA-BAM) com um método rápido da mini Vitek Immuno Diagnostic System Assay (Mini?Vidas-SLM)-bioMérieux, para detecção de Salmonella Brazil inoculada artificialmente na superfície de tomates. Foram analisadas 215 amostras de tomates inoculadas artificialmente com Salmonella Brazil com níveis de inóculos variando de 0,4 a 940 UFC/tomate. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que os métodos estudados apresentaram uma ótima concordância entre si, para todas as faixas de inóculo analisadas.

Genetic diversity assessment of the almond (Prunus dulcis (Mill.) DA Webb) traditional germplasm of Algarve, Portugal, using molecular markers

In this study, 123 almond (Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D. A. Webb) trees identified among traditional orchards in the Algarve region and 53 trees of the local field collection managed by the regional office of the Portuguese Ministry of Agriculture (DRAALG) were assessed using isozyme, inter- single sequence repeat and simple sequence repeat or microsatellite techniques for the evaluation of genetic diversity and genetic relatedness and identification of new accessions for the field collection. The isozyme analysis allowed the distribution of the 176 plants into 13 different classes of enzyme similarity, while the use of DNA markers increased the distribution of the analysed trees among 140 discriminating DNA patterns. Multiple cases of homonymy and synonymy were identified in the local germplasm. Some traditional varieties, such as Lourencinha, appeared to be relatively homogeneous, while other local denominations, e.g. Galamba, included diverse genotypes. Of the 13 commercial varieties analysed in this study, 11 assembled in one major cluster clearly differentiated from the majority of the local genotypes. These results reinforced the perception that the Algarve traditional germplasm constitutes an important repository of genetic diversity, eventually carrying alleles of high agricultural interest such as the recently identified Phomopsis resistance in the traditional variety Barrinho Grado.

From Mill Gates to Magic City: U.S. Steel and Welfare Capitalism in Gary, Indiana, 1906-1930

Gary, Indiana is a city with indelible ties to industrial paternalism. Founded in 1906 by United States Steel Corporation to house workers of the trust’s showpiece mill, the emergence of this model company town was both the culmination of lessons learned from its predecessors’ mistakes and innovative corporate planning. U.S. Steel’s Progressive Era adaptation of welfare capitalism characterized the young city through a combination of direct community involvement and laissez-faire social control. This thesis examines the reactionary implementation of paternalist policies in Gary between 1906 and 1930 through the purviews of three elements under corporate influence: housing, education, and social welfare. Each category demonstrates how both the corporation and citizenry affected and adapted Gary’s physical and cultural landscape, public perceptions, and community identity. Parallel to the popular narrative throughout is that of Gary’s African-American community, and the controversial circumstances of this population’s segregated development.

Economic feasibility analysis of the implementation of a high value-added molecule extraction system in an olive oil mill

The production of olive oil generates several by-products that can be seen as an additional business opportunity. Among them are the olive pits, already used for heat and/or electricity generation in some mills. They contain compounds that are commercially very interesting and, if recovered, contribute to the sustainability of the olive mills. The work presented in this paper is a preliminary evaluation of the economic feasibility of implementing a system based on a batch prototype with 1 m3 for the extraction of high value-added bioactive molecules from olive pits that are separated during the production of virgin olive oil. For the analysis, a small representative olive mill in Portugal was considered and the traditional Discounted Cash Flow Method was applied. Based on the assumptions made, the simple payback for implementation a system for the extraction of value-added molecules from the olive pits is around 7 years.

ABOVE-GROUND BIOMASS ESTIMATION OF OPUNTIA FICUS-INDICA (L.) MILL. FOR FORAGE CROP IN A MEDITERRANEAN ENVIRONMENT BY USING NON-DESTRUCTIVE METHODS

In marginal lands Opuntia ficus-indica (OFI) could be used as an alternative fruit and forage crop. The plant vigour and the biomass production were evaluated in Portuguese germplasm (15 individuals from 16 ecotypes) by non-destructive methods, 2 years following planting in a marginal soil and dryland conditions. Two Italian cultivars (Gialla and Bianca) were included in the study for comparison purposes. The biomass production and the plant vigour were estimated by measuring the cladodes number and area, and the fresh (FW) and dry weight (DW) per plant. We selected linear models by using the biometric data from 60 cladodes to predict the cladode area, the FW and the DW per plant. Among ecotypes, significant differences were found in the studied biomass-related parameters and several homogeneous groups were established. Four Portuguese ecotypes had higher biomass production than the others, 3.20 Mg ha−1 on average, a value not significantly different to the improved ‘Gialla’ cultivar, which averaged 3.87 Mg ha−1. Those ecotypes could be used to start a breeding program and to deploy material for animal feeding and fruit production.

CARACTERIZAÇÃO E AVALIAÇÃO DE POPULAÇÕES PORTUGUESAS DE FIGUEIRA-DA-ÍNDIA Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill

A figueira-da-índia (Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.) é uma espécie com interesse para alimentação humana e animal, particularmente em áreas geográficas onde a disponibilidade de água é um fator limitante na atividade agrícola. Sendo considerada uma planta forrageira alternativa, pode produzir mais de 10 toneladas de matéria seca por hectare e, em condições limitantes de disponibilidade hídrica, supera as plantas C4 e C3 (Andrade-Montemayor et al., 2011). Acrescem ainda outras utilizações como sejam o controlo de erosão de solos, a constituição de barreiras anti-incêndio e a produção de biogás (Jigar et al., 2011, Sánchez et al., 2012). No contexto atual em que, por parte de alguns agricultores, renasceu o interesse por esta espécie, consideramos ser importante a caracterização e avaliação biométrica de populações portuguesas de O. ficus-indica e a sua comparação com variedades melhoradas, quer com o objetivo da produção de fruto para alimentação humana, quer como planta forrageira. Em maio de 2012 foram plantados, na Escola Superior Agrária de Castelo Branco (39º 49' 17.00''N; 7º 27' 41.00''W), num solo de baixa aptidão agrícola, cladódios de dezasseis populações portuguesas de O. ficus-indica, provenientes de diferentes locais e duas variedades italianas (Gialla e Bianca).

Parasitismo em pupas de Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess) e Liriomyza huidobrensis (Blanchard, 1926) (Diptera, Agromyzidae) em tomate Licopersicon esculentum (Mill.) na região de Guaíra, SP.

1992