Predicting stroke through genetic risk functions: the CHARGE Risk Score Project.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Beyond the Framingham Stroke Risk Score, prediction of future stroke may improve with a genetic risk score (GRS) based on single-nucleotide polymorphisms associated with stroke and its risk factors. METHODS: The study includes 4 population-based cohorts with 2047 first incident strokes from 22,720 initially stroke-free European origin participants aged ≥55 years, who were followed for up to 20 years. GRSs were constructed with 324 single-nucleotide polymorphisms implicated in stroke and 9 risk factors. The association of the GRS to first incident stroke was tested using Cox regression; the GRS predictive properties were assessed with area under the curve statistics comparing the GRS with age and sex, Framingham Stroke Risk Score models, and reclassification statistics. These analyses were performed per cohort and in a meta-analysis of pooled data. Replication was sought in a case-control study of ischemic stroke. RESULTS: In the meta-analysis, adding the GRS to the Framingham Stroke Risk Score, age and sex model resulted in a significant improvement in discrimination (all stroke: Δjoint area under the curve=0.016, P=2.3×10(-6); ischemic stroke: Δjoint area under the curve=0.021, P=3.7×10(-7)), although the overall area under the curve remained low. In all the studies, there was a highly significantly improved net reclassification index (P<10(-4)). CONCLUSIONS: The single-nucleotide polymorphisms associated with stroke and its risk factors result only in a small improvement in prediction of future stroke compared with the classical epidemiological risk factors for stroke.

Combined functional and viability cardiac MR imaging in a single breathhold

The combination of cardiac viability and functional information enhances the identification of different heart tissues in the setting of ischemic heart disease. A method has recently been proposed for obtaining black-blood delayed-enhancement (DE) viability images using the stimulated-echo acquisition mode (STEAM) MRI pulse sequence in a single short breathhold. The method was validated against conventional inversion-recovery (IR) DE images for identifying regions of myocardial infarction (MI). The method was based on the acquisition of three consecutive images of the same anatomical slice. One image has T(1)-weighted contrast in which infarction appears bright. The two other images are used to construct an anatomical image of the heart, which is combined with the first image to produce a black-blood viability image. However, using appropriate modulation and demodulation frequencies, the latter two images bear useful information about myocardial deformation that results in a cardiac strain-encoding (SENC) functional image. In this work, a method is proposed for obtaining three consecutive SENC images in a single acquisition that can be combined to produce a composite image of the heart, which shows both functional and viability information. The proposed technique reduces scan time by one-half, compared with separate acquisitions of functional and viability images, and alleviates misregistration problems caused by separate breathholds.

Qualidade de um sistema latossolo-argissolo como receptor de efluentes no município de Lins(SP)

Este trabalho objetivou caracterizar um sistema de solos, evidenciando a propriedades que possam esclarecer sua dinâmica e contribuir para a definição de critérios que condicionem a aptidão destes solos como receptores de efluentes. Trata-se de uma área experimental de estudos, contígua à Estação de Tratamento de Esgoto do município de Lins (SP), onde o efluente é gerado a partir do tratamento de esgoto por sistema de lagoas de estabilização. Os solos, situados ao longo de uma vertente com ligeira inclinação, foram caracterizados por meio de análises, morfológica, granulométrica, química, mineralógica e micromorfológica, realizadas em amostras coletadas em cinco trincheiras em toposseqüência. Os solos são desenvolvidos a partir dos sedimentos arenosos da Formação Adamantina (Grupo Bauru) e constituem um sistema Latossolo - Argissolo onde a transição Bw - Bt ocorre lateralmente do topo para a base da vertente. Foram identificadas três fases pedogenéticas nesta associação de solos. A primeira, argiluviação e adensamento de partículas, responsável pela formação dos horizontes texturais, foi superposta pelos processos de latossolização e hidromorfismo, atuantes na dinâmica atual destes solos. Análises micromorfológicas mostraram tratar-se de solos com intensa porosidade, caracterizada pelo empilhamento dos grãos do esqueleto quartzoso amplamente predominante e pelo arranjo entre os microagregados granulares. A permeabilidade é ainda favorecida pela intensa ação da mesofauna. Os solos são distróficos e compostos por caulinita e óxidos de Fe na fração argilosa. Por constituírem um sistema frágil, a disposição de quaisquer tipos de resíduos nestes solos requer o monitoramento constante de suas propriedades, tanto para a manutenção, quanto para a recuperação da qualidade desta cobertura pedológica.

Stimulated-echo acquisition mode (STEAM) MRI for black-blood delayed hyperenhanced myocardial imaging.

PURPOSE: To develop a breathhold method for black-blood viability imaging of the heart that may facilitate identifying the endocardial border. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three stimulated-echo acquisition mode (STEAM) images were obtained almost simultaneously during the same acquisition using three different demodulation values. Two of the three images were used to construct a black-blood image of the heart. The third image was a T(1)-weighted viability image that enabled detection of hyperintense infarcted myocardium after contrast agent administration. The three STEAM images were combined into one composite black-blood viability image of the heart. The composite STEAM images were compared to conventional inversion-recovery (IR) delayed hyperenhanced (DHE) images in nine human subjects studied on a 3T MRI scanner. RESULTS: STEAM images showed black-blood characteristics and a significant improvement in the blood-infarct signal-difference to noise ratio (SDNR) when compared to the IR-DHE images (34 +/- 4.1 vs. 10 +/- 2.9, mean +/- standard deviation (SD), P < 0.002). There was sufficient myocardium-infarct SDNR in the STEAM images to accurately delineate infarcted regions. The extracted infarcts demonstrated good agreement with the IR-DHE images. CONCLUSION: The STEAM black-blood property allows for better delineation of the blood-infarct border, which would enhance the fast and accurate measurement of infarct size.

Identification of different heart tissues from MRI C-SENC images using an unsupervised multi-stage fuzzy clustering technique.

PURPOSE: To objectively characterize different heart tissues from functional and viability images provided by composite-strain-encoding (C-SENC) MRI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: C-SENC is a new MRI technique for simultaneously acquiring cardiac functional and viability images. In this work, an unsupervised multi-stage fuzzy clustering method is proposed to identify different heart tissues in the C-SENC images. The method is based on sequential application of the fuzzy c-means (FCM) and iterative self-organizing data (ISODATA) clustering algorithms. The proposed method is tested on simulated heart images and on images from nine patients with and without myocardial infarction (MI). The resulting clustered images are compared with MRI delayed-enhancement (DE) viability images for determining MI. Also, Bland-Altman analysis is conducted between the two methods. RESULTS: Normal myocardium, infarcted myocardium, and blood are correctly identified using the proposed method. The clustered images correctly identified 90 +/- 4% of the pixels defined as infarct in the DE images. In addition, 89 +/- 5% of the pixels defined as infarct in the clustered images were also defined as infarct in DE images. The Bland-Altman results show no bias between the two methods in identifying MI. CONCLUSION: The proposed technique allows for objectively identifying divergent heart tissues, which would be potentially important for clinical decision-making in patients with MI.

Plaies douloureuses: un défi quotidien, non une fatalité [Painful wounds : a daily challenge, not a fatality]

Long neglected, the pain related to wounds is nowadays recognized as an important issue. This article reviews the physiopathological mechanisms and the types of pain related to wounds, their assessment modalities as well as the pharmacological and non-pharmacological analgesic treatments.

Improved myocardial tagging contrast in cine balanced SSFP images.

PURPOSE: To improve the tag persistence throughout the whole cardiac cycle by providing a constant tag-contrast throughout all the cardiac phases when using balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The flip angles of the imaging radiofrequency pulses were optimized to compensate for the tagging contrast-to-noise ratio (Tag-CNR) fading at later cardiac phases in bSSFP imaging. Complementary spatial modulation of magnetization (CSPAMM) tagging was implemented to improve the Tag-CNR. Numerical simulations were performed to examine the behavior of the Tag-CNR with the proposed method, and to compare the resulting Tag-CNR with that obtained from the more commonly used spoiled gradient echo (SPGR) imaging. A gel phantom, as well as five healthy human volunteers, were scanned on a 1.5T scanner using bSSFP imaging with and without the proposed technique. The phantom was also scanned with SPGR imaging. RESULTS: With the proposed technique, the Tag-CNR remained almost constant during the whole cardiac cycle. Using bSSFP imaging, the Tag-CNR was about double that of SPGR. CONCLUSION: The tag persistence was significantly improved when the proposed method was applied, with better Tag-CNR during the diastolic cardiac phase. The improved Tag-CNR will support automated tagging analysis and quantification methods.

Matriconditioning integrated with gibberellic acid to hasten seed germination and improve stand establishment of pepper and tomato

Emergence and stand establishment of tomato (Lycopersicon lycopersicum (L.) (Karsten ex Farw) and pepper (Capsicum annus L.) seeds are often slow and erratic, particularly under stress conditions. Field emergence trials sometimes have not responded to priming in pepper. This study examined the combined effects of matriconditioning and gibberellin application on the germination and stand establishment of pepper and tomato seeds. Pepper and tomato seeds were conditioned with a solid carrier, Micro Cel E, in the presence of gibberellic acid (GA) for 1, 2 , 3 and 4 days at 15 and 25ºC. The results showed that, in all cases, even under stress conditions, the combination of matriconditioning with GA was effective in improving germination and emergence of pepper and tomato. The germination time was, in average, reduced by 2 to 3 days by primed seeds. Thus, matriconditioning, during which germination is suspended, provides an unique means to rapidly and efficiently digest the endosperm by GA-induced enzymes and reduce the mechanical restraints of endosperm thus providing energy to start and sustain embryo growth.

A pioneering epidemiological study investigating the incidence of squamous cell carcinoma of tongue in a Portuguese population

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the anterior two thirds of the tongue in a population living in central and southern Portugal, all treated at Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa, Francisco Gentil (IPOLFG). Study Design: This study was a retrospective review of all patients who had a histopathological diagnosis of SCC of the anterior two thirds of the tongue and had been treated in the Head and Neck Surgery Unit at the IPOLFG (Lisbon, Portugal), between 1st January 2001 and 31st December 2009. The risk factors evaluated were: gender; age; alcohol consumption; tobacco use; prosthesis use and the carcinoma site. Results: Of the 424 cases analysed, 71% were men. Mean age of occurrence was in 5th decade for males and the 6th decade for females, and the border of the tongue was the most common location. Alcohol consumption and tobacco had a lower impact in women, being the most common aetiological factors in the male population. No significant association was observed between patients and the use of a prosthesis. Conclusions: In spite of the consumption of aohol and tobacco starting to decline in certain parts of the world, our findings showed both factors still have a significant impact in male population. Further research should be done to determine aetiological factors in females.

Insecticidal, repellent, antimicrobial activity and phytotoxicity of essential oils: With special reference to limonene and its suitability for control of insect pests : Review

Selostus: Monoterpeenit kasvinsuojelussa: erityisesti limoneenin vaikutus eri eliöryhmiin

Propagação vegetativa in vitro e análise estrutural de macieira

Foram testados os efeitos de diferentes concentrações de sacarose sobre a taxa multiplicativa de brotos in vitro e sobre a anatomia dos órgãos vegetativos de plântulas de macieira. A micropropagação foi obtida por organogênese direta a partir de ápices caulinares e segmentos internodais. Na análise estrutural, utilizou-se plântula desenvolvida em meio MS após 30 dias de cultura. A ausência de sacarose no meio de cultura ocasionou a morte ou atrofiamento do explante. A maior taxa de brotos foi obtida com os explantes de ápices caulinares, e o tamanho médio dos brotos, nas concentrações 30, 45 e 60 g L-1, variou entre 1 e 3 cm. A folha apresentou alterações estruturais de acordo com as concentrações de sacarose do meio.

La Corona immarcescible : pintures de l'antiguitat tardana de la necròpolis alta d'Oxirinc (Mínia, Egipte)

La primera publicació de l’Institut enceta la Sèrie Documenta, que respon a la voluntat de promoure i editar estudis que donin a conèixer i emmarquin científicament nous elements de la cultura material de l’antiguitat clàssica.Aquest llibre estudia un conjunt de pintura mural dels segles V o VI que decorava les parets d’una casa funerària, convertida després en oratori, i que fou descoberta a la necròpolis alta de l’antiga ciutat d’Oxirinc (Mínia, Egipte). El cicle pictòric presenta una sobrietat simbolista que evoluciona després en una iconografia rica en figures i colors.Tot això, completat per la gens menyspreable qualitat artística de les representacions pictòriques, fa d’aquest conjunt una peça arqueològica molt singular.L’estudi inclou un primer capítol a càrrec del Dr. Josep Padró, de la Universitat de Barcelona, Maite Mascort i Hassan Ibrahim Amer, on es sintetitzen els treballs arqueològics i històrics realitzats, des de l’any 1992, a l’antiga Oxirin. Tot seguit, la Dra. Eva Subías, investigadora de la Universitat Rovira i Virgili i col·laboradora de l’Institut des del primer moment, ens ofereix l’estudi històricoartístic del cicle mural. Finalment, Concepció Piedrafita ens dóna la lectura i traducció dels textos grecs presents en les pintures.L’obra inclou una presentació a càrrec de Josep Guitart, director de l’Institut Català d’Arqueologia Clàssica i una traducció dels textos al francès.

Prognostic importance of hyponatremia in patients with acute pulmonary embolism.

Rationale: Although associated with adverse outcomes in other cardiopulmonary conditions, the prognostic value of hyponatremia, a marker of neurohormonal activation, in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is unknown. Objectives: To examine the associations between hyponatremia and mortality and hospital readmission rates for patients hospitalized with PE. METHODS: We evaluated 13,728 patient discharges with a primary diagnosis of PE from 185 hospitals in Pennsylvania (January 2000 to November 2002). We used random-intercept logistic regression to assess the independent association between serum sodium levels at the time of presentation and mortality and hospital readmission within 30 days, adjusting for patient (race, insurance, severity of illness, use of thrombolytic therapy) and hospital factors (region, size, teaching status). Measurements and Main Results: Hyponatremia (sodium ?135 mmol/L) was present in 2,907 patients (21.1%). Patients with a sodium level greater than 135, 130-135, and less than 130 mmol/L had a cumulative 30-day mortality of 8.0, 13.6, and 28.5% (P < 0.001), and a readmission rate of 11.8, 15.6, and 19.3% (P < 0.001), respectively. Compared with patients with a sodium greater than 135 mmol/L, the adjusted odds of dying were significantly greater for patients with a sodium 130-135 mmol/L (odds ratio [OR], 1.53; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.33-1.76) and a sodium less than 130 mmol/L (OR, 3.26; 95% CI, 2.48-4.29). The adjusted odds of readmission were also increased for patients with a sodium of 130-135 mmol/L (OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.12-1.46) and a sodium less than 130 mmol/L (OR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.02-2.02). Conclusions: Hyponatremia is common in patients presenting with PE, and is an independent predictor of short-term mortality and hospital readmission.

GWAS of 126,559 individuals identifies genetic variants associated with educational attainment.

A genome-wide association study (GWAS) of educational attainment was conducted in a discovery sample of 101,069 individuals and a replication sample of 25,490. Three independent single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are genome-wide significant (rs9320913, rs11584700, rs4851266), and all three replicate. Estimated effects sizes are small (coefficient of determination R(2) ≈ 0.02%), approximately 1 month of schooling per allele. A linear polygenic score from all measured SNPs accounts for ≈2% of the variance in both educational attainment and cognitive function. Genes in the region of the loci have previously been associated with health, cognitive, and central nervous system phenotypes, and bioinformatics analyses suggest the involvement of the anterior caudate nucleus. These findings provide promising candidate SNPs for follow-up work, and our effect size estimates can anchor power analyses in social-science genetics.