Showing papers by "University of Coimbra published in 2020"
University of Coimbra1, University of Southern Queensland2, National Institute for Health and Welfare3, Arizona State University4, Ghent University5, Institute of Technology, Tralee6, University of Ottawa7, Glasgow Caledonian University8, Oregon Health & Science University9, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust10, George Washington University11, Norwegian Institute of Public Health12, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences13, University of Sydney14, Alberta Health Services15, Queen's University Belfast16, University of Bristol17, Pennington Biomedical Research Center18, University of Cape Town19, University of Regensburg20, University of East Anglia21, University of Granada22, University of Colombo23, National Institutes of Health24, World Health Organization25
TL;DR: New WHO 2020 guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour reaffirm messages that some physical activity is better than none, that more physical Activity is better for optimal health outcomes and provide a new recommendation on reducing sedentary behaviours.
Abstract: Objectives To describe new WHO 2020 guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Methods The guidelines were developed in accordance with WHO protocols. An expert Guideline Development Group reviewed evidence to assess associations between physical activity and sedentary behaviour for an agreed set of health outcomes and population groups. The assessment used and systematically updated recent relevant systematic reviews; new primary reviews addressed additional health outcomes or subpopulations. Results The new guidelines address children, adolescents, adults, older adults and include new specific recommendations for pregnant and postpartum women and people living with chronic conditions or disability. All adults should undertake 150-300 min of moderate-intensity, or 75-150 min of vigorous-intensity physical activity, or some equivalent combination of moderate-intensity and vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity, per week. Among children and adolescents, an average of 60 min/day of moderate-to-vigorous intensity aerobic physical activity across the week provides health benefits. The guidelines recommend regular muscle-strengthening activity for all age groups. Additionally, reducing sedentary behaviours is recommended across all age groups and abilities, although evidence was insufficient to quantify a sedentary behaviour threshold. Conclusion These 2020 WHO guidelines update previous WHO recommendations released in 2010. They reaffirm messages that some physical activity is better than none, that more physical activity is better for optimal health outcomes and provide a new recommendation on reducing sedentary behaviours. These guidelines highlight the importance of regularly undertaking both aerobic and muscle strengthening activities and for the first time, there are specific recommendations for specific populations including for pregnant and postpartum women and people living with chronic conditions or disability. These guidelines should be used to inform national health policies aligned with the WHO Global Action Plan on Physical Activity 2018-2030 and to strengthen surveillance systems that track progress towards national and global targets.
3,218 citations
TL;DR: The extent of the trait data compiled in TRY is evaluated and emerging patterns of data coverage and representativeness are analyzed to conclude that reducing data gaps and biases in the TRY database remains a key challenge and requires a coordinated approach to data mobilization and trait measurements.
Abstract: Plant traits-the morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical and phenological characteristics of plants-determine how plants respond to environmental factors, affect other trophic levels, and influence ecosystem properties and their benefits and detriments to people. Plant trait data thus represent the basis for a vast area of research spanning from evolutionary biology, community and functional ecology, to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem and landscape management, restoration, biogeography and earth system modelling. Since its foundation in 2007, the TRY database of plant traits has grown continuously. It now provides unprecedented data coverage under an open access data policy and is the main plant trait database used by the research community worldwide. Increasingly, the TRY database also supports new frontiers of trait-based plant research, including the identification of data gaps and the subsequent mobilization or measurement of new data. To support this development, in this article we evaluate the extent of the trait data compiled in TRY and analyse emerging patterns of data coverage and representativeness. Best species coverage is achieved for categorical traits-almost complete coverage for 'plant growth form'. However, most traits relevant for ecology and vegetation modelling are characterized by continuous intraspecific variation and trait-environmental relationships. These traits have to be measured on individual plants in their respective environment. Despite unprecedented data coverage, we observe a humbling lack of completeness and representativeness of these continuous traits in many aspects. We, therefore, conclude that reducing data gaps and biases in the TRY database remains a key challenge and requires a coordinated approach to data mobilization and trait measurements. This can only be achieved in collaboration with other initiatives.
882 citations
TL;DR: Their added-value in the development of alternative, more effective antibiotics against multi-resistant Gram-negative bacteria has been highlighted and their production methods, physicochemical characterization, and pharmacokinetics are reviewed.
Abstract: Metal-based nanoparticles have been extensively investigated for a set of biomedical applications. According to the World Health Organization, in addition to their reduced size and selectivity for bacteria, metal-based nanoparticles have also proved to be effective against pathogens listed as a priority. Metal-based nanoparticles are known to have non-specific bacterial toxicity mechanisms (they do not bind to a specific receptor in the bacterial cell) which not only makes the development of resistance by bacteria difficult, but also broadens the spectrum of antibacterial activity. As a result, a large majority of metal-based nanoparticles efficacy studies performed so far have shown promising results in both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The aim of this review has been a comprehensive discussion of the state of the art on the use of the most relevant types of metal nanoparticles employed as antimicrobial agents. A special emphasis to silver nanoparticles is given, while others (e.g., gold, zinc oxide, copper, and copper oxide nanoparticles) commonly used in antibiotherapy are also reviewed. The novelty of this review relies on the comparative discussion of the different types of metal nanoparticles, their production methods, physicochemical characterization, and pharmacokinetics together with the toxicological risk encountered with the use of different types of nanoparticles as antimicrobial agents. Their added-value in the development of alternative, more effective antibiotics against multi-resistant Gram-negative bacteria has been highlighted.
629 citations
Columbia University1, University of Bologna2, Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare3, University of Mainz4, University of Münster5, University of Coimbra6, University of Turin7, University of Amsterdam8, New York University Abu Dhabi9, University of Zurich10, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute11, Weizmann Institute of Science12, Max Planck Society13, Purdue University14, University of Freiburg15, University of L'Aquila16, University of Tokyo17, Nagoya University18, Konan University19, University of California, San Diego20, University of Chicago21, Rice University22, University of California, Los Angeles23
TL;DR: In this article, the XENON1T data was used for searches for new physics with low-energy electronic recoil data recorded with the Xenon1T detector, which enabled one of the most sensitive searches for solar axions, an enhanced neutrino magnetic moment using solar neutrinos, and bosonic dark matter.
Abstract: We report results from searches for new physics with low-energy electronic recoil data recorded with the XENON1T detector. With an exposure of 0.65 tonne-years and an unprecedentedly low background rate of 76±2stat events/(tonne×year×keV) between 1 and 30 keV, the data enable one of the most sensitive searches for solar axions, an enhanced neutrino magnetic moment using solar neutrinos, and bosonic dark matter. An excess over known backgrounds is observed at low energies and most prominent between 2 and 3 keV.
The solar axion model has a 3.4σ significance, and a three-dimensional 90% confidence surface is reported for axion couplings to electrons, photons, and nucleons. This surface is inscribed in the cuboid defined by gae<3.8×10-12, gaeganeff<4.8×10-18, and gaegaγ<7.7×10-22 GeV-1, and excludes either gae=0 or gaegaγ=gaeganeff=0. The neutrino magnetic moment signal is similarly favored over background at 3.2σ, and a confidence interval of μν∈(1.4,2.9)×10-11 μB (90% C.L.) is reported. Both results are in strong tension with stellar constraints. The excess can also be explained by β decays of tritium at 3.2σ significance with a corresponding tritium concentration in xenon of (6.2±2.0)×10-25 mol/mol. Such a trace amount can neither be confirmed nor excluded with current knowledge of its production and reduction mechanisms. The significances of the solar axion and neutrino magnetic moment hypotheses are decreased to 2.0σ and 0.9σ, respectively, if an unconstrained tritium component is included in the fitting. With respect to bosonic dark matter, the excess favors a monoenergetic peak at (2.3±0.2) keV (68% C.L.) with a 3.0σ global (4.0σ local) significance over background.
This analysis sets the most restrictive direct constraints to date on pseudoscalar and vector bosonic dark matter for most masses between 1 and 210 keV/c2. We also consider the possibility that Ar37 may be present in the detector, yielding a 2.82 keV peak from electron capture. Contrary to tritium, the Ar37 concentration can be tightly constrained and is found to be negligible.
452 citations
TL;DR: The most commonly used methods for the production and characterization of polymeric NPs are discussed, the association efficiency of the active compound to the polymeric core, and the in vitro release mechanisms are discussed.
Abstract: Polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) are particles within the size range from 1 to 1000 nm and can be loaded with active compounds entrapped within or surface-adsorbed onto the polymeric core. The term “nanoparticle” stands for both nanocapsules and nanospheres, which are distinguished by the morphological structure. Polymeric NPs have shown great potential for targeted delivery of drugs for the treatment of several diseases. In this review, we discuss the most commonly used methods for the production and characterization of polymeric NPs, the association efficiency of the active compound to the polymeric core, and the in vitro release mechanisms. As the safety of nanoparticles is a high priority, we also discuss the toxicology and ecotoxicology of nanoparticles to humans and to the environment.
430 citations
TL;DR: Investigation in three commercially important fish species from the North East Atlantic Ocean suggests lipid oxidative damage in gills and muscle, and neurotoxicity through lipid oxidativedamage and acetylcholinesterase induction in relation to MP and/or MP-associated chemicals exposure, and the need for more research, risk assessment and adoption of measures to minimize human exposure to these particles.
404 citations
Université de Sherbrooke1, Mayo Clinic2, University of Oslo3, University of Düsseldorf4, Kent State University5, Monash University, Clayton campus6, Cornell University7, University of Arizona8, Rhode Island Hospital9, University of Basel10, University of Dundee11, Heidelberg University12, French Institute of Health and Medical Research13, University of Coimbra14, MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit15, Columbia University Medical Center16, University of Bordeaux17, University of Grenoble18, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine19, University of Kansas20
TL;DR: The approaches described include restoring oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis, increasing insulin sensitivity, correcting mitochondrial dysfunction, ketone-based interventions, acting via hormones that modulate cerebral energetics, RNA therapeutics and complementary multimodal lifestyle changes.
Abstract: The brain requires a continuous supply of energy in the form of ATP, most of which is produced from glucose by oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria, complemented by aerobic glycolysis in the cytoplasm. When glucose levels are limited, ketone bodies generated in the liver and lactate derived from exercising skeletal muscle can also become important energy substrates for the brain. In neurodegenerative disorders of ageing, brain glucose metabolism deteriorates in a progressive, region-specific and disease-specific manner — a problem that is best characterized in Alzheimer disease, where it begins presymptomatically. This Review discusses the status and prospects of therapeutic strategies for countering neurodegenerative disorders of ageing by improving, preserving or rescuing brain energetics. The approaches described include restoring oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis, increasing insulin sensitivity, correcting mitochondrial dysfunction, ketone-based interventions, acting via hormones that modulate cerebral energetics, RNA therapeutics and complementary multimodal lifestyle changes. Accumulating evidence indicates that impaired glucose metabolism in the brain is involved in the cause and progression of neurodegenerative disorders of ageing such as Alzheimer disease. This Review discusses the status and prospects of therapeutic strategies for countering neurodegenerative disorders of ageing by rescuing, protecting or normalizing brain energetics.
369 citations
TL;DR: The collective vision of a group of scholars in vocational psychology who have sought to develop a research agenda in response to the massive global unemployment crisis that has been evoked by the COVID-19 pandemic is described in this paper.
333 citations
Umeå University1, American Museum of Natural History2, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ3, Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg4, Free University of Berlin5, University of Helsinki6, University of Toulouse7, Rothamsted Research8, University of Hasselt9, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic10, Sewanee: The University of the South11, Centre national de la recherche scientifique12, National Research Council13, University of Camerino14, University of Porto15, Flanders Marine Institute16, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences17, Lancaster University18, Spanish National Research Council19, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences20, Forest Research Institute21, Utrecht University22, University of Oulu23, University of Warsaw24, University of Copenhagen25, University of Coimbra26, University of Latvia27, University of Sassari28, University of Nova Gorica29, Finnish Environment Institute30, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research31, Norwegian Institute for Water Research32, James Hutton Institute33, University of Duisburg-Essen34, Trier University of Applied Sciences35, Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute36, Research Institute for Nature and Forest37
TL;DR: A quantitative synthesis of longterm biodiversity trends across Europe is reported, showing how, despite overall increase in biodiversity metric and stability in abundance, trends differ between regions, ecosystem types, and taxa.
Abstract: Local biodiversity trends over time are likely to be decoupled from global trends, as local processes may compensate or counteract global change. We analyze 161 long-term biological time series (15–91 years) collected across Europe, using a comprehensive dataset comprising ~6,200 marine, freshwater and terrestrial taxa. We test whether (i) local long-term biodiversity trends are consistent among biogeoregions, realms and taxonomic groups, and (ii) changes in biodiversity correlate with regional climate and local conditions. Our results reveal that local trends of abundance, richness and diversity differ among biogeoregions, realms and taxonomic groups, demonstrating that biodiversity changes at local scale are often complex and cannot be easily generalized. However, we find increases in richness and abundance with increasing temperature and naturalness as well as a clear spatial pattern in changes in community composition (i.e. temporal taxonomic turnover) in most biogeoregions of Northern and Eastern Europe.
327 citations
TL;DR: An overview of the different HA- based wound dressings that have been produced so far is provided as well as the future directions regarding the strategies aimed to improve the mechanical stability of HA-based wound Dressings, along with the incorporation of biomolecules intended to ameliorate their biological performance during the healing process.
306 citations
Catalan Institute for Water Research1, Catholic University of Portugal2, Dresden University of Technology3, University of Cyprus4, Spanish National Research Council5, University of Coimbra6, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology7, Norwegian University of Life Sciences8, University of Helsinki9, Maynooth University10
TL;DR: Three compounds, ciprofloxacin, azithromycin and cefalexin are proposed as markers of antibiotic pollution, as they could occasionally pose a risk to the environment.
TL;DR: In this article, a search for the electroweak production of charginos and sleptons decaying into final states with two electrons or muons is presented, based on 139.fb$^{-1}$ of proton-proton collisions recorded by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider at
Abstract: A search for the electroweak production of charginos and sleptons decaying into final states with two electrons or muons is presented. The analysis is based on 139 fb$^{-1}$ of proton–proton collisions recorded by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider at $\sqrt{s}=13$ $\text {TeV}$. Three R-parity-conserving scenarios where the lightest neutralino is the lightest supersymmetric particle are considered: the production of chargino pairs with decays via either W bosons or sleptons, and the direct production of slepton pairs. The analysis is optimised for the first of these scenarios, but the results are also interpreted in the others. No significant deviations from the Standard Model expectations are observed and limits at 95% confidence level are set on the masses of relevant supersymmetric particles in each of the scenarios. For a massless lightest neutralino, masses up to 420 $\text {Ge}\text {V}$ are excluded for the production of the lightest-chargino pairs assuming W-boson-mediated decays and up to 1 $\text {TeV}$ for slepton-mediated decays, whereas for slepton-pair production masses up to 700 $\text {Ge}\text {V}$ are excluded assuming three generations of mass-degenerate sleptons.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors define dynamic capability as the potential to systematically solve problems, enabled by its propensity to sense opportunities and threats, to make timely decisions, and to implement strategic decisions and changes efficiently, thereby ensuring the right direction.
University of Edinburgh1, Netherlands Cancer Institute2, The Catholic University of America3, Radboud University Nijmegen4, University Hospital of Wales5, Leiden University6, Université libre de Bruxelles7, University of Liverpool8, University of Genoa9, University of Coimbra10, Karolinska Institutet11, Karolinska University Hospital12
TL;DR: The ESHRE Guideline on Female Fertility Preservation provides clinicians with clear advice on best practice in female FP, based on the best evidence currently available, and a list of research recommendations is provided to stimulate further studies in FP.
Abstract: STUDY QUESTION
What is the recommended management for women and transgender men with regards to fertility preservation (FP), based on the best available evidence in the literature?
Book•
01 Oct 2020TL;DR: Paradigmatic transition is the idea that ours is a time of transition between the paradigm of modernity, which seems to have exhausted its regenerating capacities, and another, emergent time, of which so far we have seen only signs as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Paradigmatic transition is the idea that ours is a time of transition between the paradigm of modernity, which seems to have exhausted its regenerating capacities, and another, emergent time, of which so far we have seen only signs. Modernity as an ambitious and revolutionary sociocultural paradigm based on a dynamic tension between social regulation and social emancipation, the prevalent dynamic in the sixteenth century, has by the twenty-first century tilted in favour of regulation, to the determent of emancipation. The collapse of emancipation into regulation, and hence the impossibility of thinking about social emancipation consistently, symbolizes the exhaustion of the paradigm of modernity. At the same time, it signals the emergence of a new paradigm or new paradigms. This updated 2020 edition is written for students taking law and globalization courses, and political science, philosophy and sociology students doing optional subjects.
Humboldt University of Berlin1, McMaster University2, National Institutes of Health3, Ghent University Hospital4, University of Amsterdam5, University of Marburg6, Nova Southeastern University7, Transylvania University8, Charité9, Woolcock Institute of Medical Research10, Laval University11, Humanitas University12, University of Cartagena13, University of South Florida14, University of Porto15, Federal University of Bahia16, University of Naples Federico II17, Université Paris-Saclay18, Saint Louis University19, Istanbul University20, Erasmus University Rotterdam21, University of Helsinki22, Odense University Hospital23, University of Crete24, Chiba University25, Wrocław Medical University26, Ukrainian Medical Stomatological Academy27, Hacettepe University28, Medical University of Łódź29, Vilnius University30, National Research Council31, University of Tennessee32, Oslo University Hospital33, University of Beira Interior34, Karolinska Institutet35, University of Cologne36, University of Barcelona37, Russian National Research Medical University38, Monash University39, Ajou University40, Charles University in Prague41, University of Genoa42, Pasteur Institute43, University of Southampton44, University of Edinburgh45, Medical University of Warsaw46, University College London47, Imperial College London48, University of Coimbra49, University of Turku50, University of Bari51, Celal Bayar University52
TL;DR: Next-generation guidelines for the pharmacologic treatment of allergic rhinitis were developed by using existing GRADE-based guidelines forThe disease, real-world evidence provided by mobile technology, and additive studies (allergen chamber studies) to refine the MACVIA algorithm.
Abstract: The selection of pharmacotherapy for patients with allergic rhinitis aims to control the disease and depends on many factors. Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) guidelines have considerably improved the treatment of allergic rhinitis. However, there is an increasing trend toward use of real-world evidence to inform clinical practice, especially because randomized controlled trials are often limited with regard to the applicability of results. The Contre les Maladies Chroniques pour un Vieillissement Actif (MACVIA) algorithm has proposed an allergic rhinitis treatment by a consensus group. This simple algorithm can be used to step up or step down allergic rhinitis treatment. Next-generation guidelines for the pharmacologic treatment of allergic rhinitis were developed by using existing GRADE-based guidelines for the disease, real-world evidence provided by mobile technology, and additive studies (allergen chamber studies) to refine the MACVIA algorithm.
TL;DR: Results indicate that the doubling time correlates positively with temperature and inversely with humidity, suggesting that a decrease in the rate of progression of COVID-19 with the arrival of spring and summer in the north hemisphere.
Abstract: COVID-19 is having a great impact on public health, mortality and economy worldwide, in spite of the efforts to prevent its epidemy. The SARS-CoV-2 genome is different from that of MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV, although also expected to spread differently according to meteorological conditions. Our main goal is to investigate the role of some meteorological variables on the expansion of this outbreak. In this study, an exponential model relating the number of accumulated confirmed cases and time was considered. The rate of COVID-19 spread, using as criterion the doubling time of the number of confirmed cases, was used as dependent variable in a linear model that took four independent meteorological variables: temperature, humidity, precipitation and wind speed. Only China cases were considered, to control both cultural aspects and containment policies. Confirmed cases and the 4 meteorological variables were gathered between January 23 and March 1 (39 days) for the 31 provinces of Mainland China. Several periods of time were sampled for each province, obtaining more than one value for the rate of disease progression. Two different periods of time were tested, of 12 and 15 days, along with 3 and 5 different starting points in time, randomly chosen. The median value for each meteorological variable was computed, using the same time period; models with were selected. The rate of progression and doubling time were computed and used to fit a linear regression model. Models were evaluated using α = 0.05. Results indicate that the doubling time correlates positively with temperature and inversely with humidity, suggesting that a decrease in the rate of progression of COVID-19 with the arrival of spring and summer in the north hemisphere. A 20°C increase is expected to delay the doubling time in 1.8 days. Those variables explain 18% of the variation in disease doubling time; the remaining 82% may be related to containment measures, general health policies, population density, transportation or cultural aspects.
TL;DR: The objective is to understand the molecular determinants of a progressive deterioration of functional integrity of mitochondria that establishes a historic record of past drug treatments (mitochondrial memory) and renders the cancer patient susceptible to subsequent regimens of drug therapy.
Abstract: Anthracycline-based chemotherapy can result in the development of a cumulative and progressively developing cardiomyopathy. Doxorubicin is one of the most highly prescribed anthracyclines in the United States due to its broad spectrum of therapeutic efficacy. Interference with different mitochondrial processes is chief among the molecular and cellular determinants of doxorubicin cardiotoxicity, contributing to the development of cardiomyopathy. The present review provides the basis for the involvement of mitochondrial toxicity in the different functional hallmarks of anthracycline toxicity. Our objective is to understand the molecular determinants of a progressive deterioration of functional integrity of mitochondria that establishes a historic record of past drug treatments (mitochondrial memory) and renders the cancer patient susceptible to subsequent regimens of drug therapy. We focus on the involvement of doxorubicin-induced mitochondrial oxidative stress, disruption of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, and permeability transition, contributing to altered metabolic and redox circuits in cardiac cells, ultimately culminating in disturbances of autophagy/mitophagy fluxes and increased apoptosis. We also suggest some possible pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions that can reduce mitochondrial damage. Understanding the key role of mitochondria in doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy is essential to reduce the barriers that so dramatically limit the clinical success of this essential anticancer chemotherapy.
TL;DR: The potential disease-modifying agents tested in clinical trials are discussed, the information of drugs that are still under clinical evaluation is updated and updated and the tau-targeting therapies are discussed.
TL;DR: How drought and salinity extensively affect plant growth in agriculture ecosystems is summarized and mechanisms underlying plant-microbe interactions that confer abiotic stress tolerance are discussed.
Abstract: Drought and salinity are among the most important environmental factors that hampered agricultural productivity worldwide. Both stresses can induce several morphological, physiological, biochemical, and metabolic alterations through various mechanisms, eventually influencing plant growth, development, and productivity. The responses of plants to these stress conditions are highly complex and depend on other factors, such as the species and genotype, plant age and size, the rate of progression as well as the intensity and duration of the stresses. These factors have a strong effect on plant response and define whether mitigation processes related to acclimation will occur or not. In this review, we summarize how drought and salinity extensively affect plant growth in agriculture ecosystems. In particular, we focus on the morphological, physiological, biochemical, and metabolic responses of plants to these stresses. Moreover, we discuss mechanisms underlying plant-microbe interactions that confer abiotic stress tolerance.
University of Coimbra1, Spanish National Research Council2, ETH Zurich3, Aix-Marseille University4, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research5, Wageningen University and Research Centre6, University of Ulm7, Vrije Universiteit Brussel8, Royal Museum for Central Africa9, University of Helsinki10, National University of Río Negro11, University of Ljubljana12, Center for International Forestry Research13, Dresden University of Technology14, United States Forest Service15, Transilvania University of Brașov16, Humboldt State University17, Siberian Federal University18, Sukachev Institute of Forest19, National Scientific and Technical Research Council20, National University of Comahue21, Weizmann Institute of Science22, Pablo de Olavide University23, University of Innsbruck24, Agricultural University of Athens25, University of Valladolid26, University of Novi Sad27, Autonomous University of Barcelona28
TL;DR: It is found that trees that died during drought were less resilient to previous dry events compared to surviving conspecifics, but the resilience strategies differ between angiosperms and gymnosperms.
Abstract: Severe droughts have the potential to reduce forest productivity and trigger tree mortality. Most trees face several drought events during their life and therefore resilience to dry conditions may be crucial to long-term survival. We assessed how growth resilience to severe droughts, including its components resistance and recovery, is related to the ability to survive future droughts by using a tree-ring database of surviving and now-dead trees from 118 sites (22 species, >3,500 trees). We found that, across the variety of regions and species sampled, trees that died during water shortages were less resilient to previous non-lethal droughts, relative to coexisting surviving trees of the same species. In angiosperms, drought-related mortality risk is associated with lower resistance (low capacity to reduce impact of the initial drought), while it is related to reduced recovery (low capacity to attain pre-drought growth rates) in gymnosperms. The different resilience strategies in these two taxonomic groups open new avenues to improve our understanding and prediction of drought-induced mortality.
TL;DR: This review focuses on the extraction, purification, and future applications of seaweedphenolic compounds based on the bioactive properties described in the literature and intends to provide a comprehensive insight into the phenolic compounds in seaweed.
Abstract: Seaweeds have attracted high interest in recent years due to their chemical and bioactive properties to find new molecules with valuable applications for humankind. Phenolic compounds are the group of metabolites with the most structural variation and the highest content in seaweeds. The most researched seaweed polyphenol class is the phlorotannins, which are specifically synthesized by brown seaweeds, but there are other polyphenolic compounds, such as bromophenols, flavonoids, phenolic terpenoids, and mycosporine-like amino acids. The compounds already discovered and characterized demonstrate a full range of bioactivities and potential future applications in various industrial sectors. This review focuses on the extraction, purification, and future applications of seaweed phenolic compounds based on the bioactive properties described in the literature. It also intends to provide a comprehensive insight into the phenolic compounds in seaweed.
Royal Botanic Gardens1, University of Ioannina2, University of León3, National University of Ireland, Galway4, University of Coimbra5, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh6, University of Vienna7, University of São Paulo8, University of Yaoundé I9, University of Sydney10, University of Minnesota11, Botanic Gardens Conservation International12, Royal Holloway, University of London13, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul14, Universidade Federal de Pelotas15, Federal University of Paraná16, University of Gothenburg17
Columbia University1, Stockholm University2, University of Bologna3, University of Mainz4, University of Münster5, University of Coimbra6, University of Turin7, University of Amsterdam8, New York University Abu Dhabi9, University of Zurich10, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute11, Weizmann Institute of Science12, Max Planck Society13, Purdue University14, University of Freiburg15, University of Nantes16, University of L'Aquila17, University of Paris18, University of Chicago19, Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe20, Nagoya University21, Université Paris-Saclay22, Kobe University23, University of California, San Diego24, Rice University25, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology26, University of California, Los Angeles27
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors predict the experimental background and project the sensitivity of XENONnT to the detection of weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) in a 4 t fiducial mass.
Abstract: XENONnT is a dark matter direct detection experiment, utilizing 5.9 t of instrumented liquid xenon, located at the INFN Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso. In this work, we predict the experimental background and project the sensitivity of XENONnT to the detection of weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs). The expected average differential background rate in the energy region of interest, corresponding to (1, 13) keV and (4, 50) keV for electronic and nuclear recoils, amounts to 12.3 ± 0.6 (keV t y)-1 and (2.2± 0.5)× 10−3 (keV t y)-1, respectively, in a 4 t fiducial mass. We compute unified confidence intervals using the profile construction method, in order to ensure proper coverage. With the exposure goal of 20 t y, the expected sensitivity to spin-independent WIMP-nucleon interactions reaches a cross-section of 1.4×10−48 cm2 for a 50 GeV/c2 mass WIMP at 90% confidence level, more than one order of magnitude beyond the current best limit, set by XENON1T . In addition, we show that for a 50 GeV/c2 WIMP with cross-sections above 2.6×10−48 cm2 (5.0×10−48 cm2) the median XENONnT discovery significance exceeds 3σ (5σ). The expected sensitivity to the spin-dependent WIMP coupling to neutrons (protons) reaches 2.2×10−43 cm2 (6.0×10−42 cm2).
TL;DR: It is found that age is the variable that presents higher risk of COVID-19 mortality, where 60 or older patients have an OR = 18.8161 (CI95%[7.1997; 41.5517]).
Abstract: Since late December 2019 a new epidemic outbreak has emerged from Whuhan, China. Rapidly the new coronavirus has spread worldwide. China CDC has reported results of a descriptive exploratory analysis of all cases diagnosed until the 11th February 2020, presenting the epidemiologic curves and geo-temporal spread of COVID-19 along with case fatality rate according to some baseline characteristics, such as age, gender and several well-established high prevalence comorbidities. Despite this, we intend to increase even further the predictive value of that manuscript by presenting the odds ratio for mortality due to COVID-19 adjusted for the presence of those comorbidities and baseline characteristics such as age and gender. Besides, we present a way to determine the risk of each particular patient, given his characteristics. We found that age is the variable that presents higher risk of COVID-19 mortality, where 60 or older patients have an OR = 18.8161 (CI95%[7.1997; 41.5517]). Regarding comorbidities, cardiovascular disease appears to be the riskiest (OR= 12.8328 CI95%[10.2736; 15.8643], along with chronic respiratory disease (OR=7.7925 CI95%[5.5446; 10.4319]). Males are more likely to die from COVID-19 (OR=1.8518 (CI95%[1.5996; 2.1270]). Some limitations such as the lack of information about the correct prevalence of gender per age or about comorbidities per age and gender or the assumption of independence between risk factors are expected to have a small impact on results. A final point of paramount importance is that the equation presented here can be used to determine the probability of dying from COVID-19 for a particular patient, given its age interval, gender and comorbidities associated.
TL;DR: Vesicles secreted from stem or progenitor cells and from differentiated somatic cells have regenerative properties in the context of myocardial infarction, ischaemic limb disease and stroke.
Abstract: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are a heterogeneous group of natural particles that are relevant to the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. These endogenous vesicles have certain properties that allow them to survive in the extracellular space, bypass biological barriers and deliver their biologically active molecular cargo to recipient cells. Moreover, EVs can be bioengineered to increase their stability, bioactivity, presentation to acceptor cells and capacity for on-target binding at both cell-type-specific and tissue-specific levels. Bioengineering of EVs involves the modification of the donor cell before EV isolation or direct modification of the EV properties after isolation. The therapeutic potential of native EVs and bioengineered EVs has been only minimally explored in the context of cardiovascular diseases. Efforts to harness the therapeutic potential of EVs will require innovative approaches and a comprehensive integration of knowledge gathered from decades of research into molecular-compound delivery. In this Review, we outline the endogenous properties of EVs that make them natural delivery agents as well as the features that can be improved by bioengineering. We also discuss the therapeutic applications of native and bioengineered EVs to cardiovascular diseases and examine the opportunities and challenges that need to be addressed to advance this research area, with an emphasis on clinical translation. Extracellular vesicles are a heterogeneous group of natural particles that can deliver their biologically active molecular cargo to recipient cells. In this Review, the authors outline the endogenous properties of extracellular vesicles that make them natural delivery agents and the features that can be improved by bioengineering for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors suggest that airborne transmission is possible and that HVAC systems when not adequately used may contribute to the transmission of the virus, as suggested by descriptions from Japan, Germany, and the Diamond Princess Cruise Ship.
National University of Singapore1, Singapore National Eye Center2, Agency for Science, Technology and Research3, Tehran University of Medical Sciences4, University of Coimbra5, Mahidol University6, University of Freiburg7, University of Bologna8, The Chinese University of Hong Kong9, University of Copenhagen10, University of Grenoble11, Joseph Fourier University12, University of Geneva13, Sun Yat-sen University14, State University of New York Upstate Medical University15, Lille Catholic University16, University of Angers17, Heidelberg University18, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust19, Moorfields Eye Hospital20, University of Cambridge21, University of Sydney22, Mayo Clinic23, Johns Hopkins University24, Emory University25
TL;DR: A deep-learning system using fundus photographs with pharmacologically dilated pupils differentiated among optic disks with papilledema, normal disks, and disks with nonpapilledema abnormalities.
Abstract: Background Nonophthalmologist physicians do not confidently perform direct ophthalmoscopy. The use of artificial intelligence to detect papilledema and other optic-disk abnormalities from ...
TL;DR: In this paper, the trigger algorithms and selection were optimized to control the rates while retaining a high efficiency for physics analyses at the ATLAS experiment to cope with a fourfold increase of peak LHC luminosity from 2015 to 2018 (Run 2), and a similar increase in the number of interactions per beam-crossing to about 60.
Abstract: Electron and photon triggers covering transverse energies from 5 GeV to several TeV are essential for the ATLAS experiment to record signals for a wide variety of physics: from Standard Model processes to searches for new phenomena in both proton–proton and heavy-ion collisions. To cope with a fourfold increase of peak LHC luminosity from 2015 to 2018 (Run 2), to 2.1×1034cm-2s-1, and a similar increase in the number of interactions per beam-crossing to about 60, trigger algorithms and selections were optimised to control the rates while retaining a high efficiency for physics analyses. For proton–proton collisions, the single-electron trigger efficiency relative to a single-electron offline selection is at least 75% for an offline electron of 31 GeV, and rises to 96% at 60 GeV; the trigger efficiency of a 25 GeV leg of the primary diphoton trigger relative to a tight offline photon selection is more than 96% for an offline photon of 30 GeV. For heavy-ion collisions, the primary electron and photon trigger efficiencies relative to the corresponding standard offline selections are at least 84% and 95%, respectively, at 5 GeV above the corresponding trigger threshold.
TL;DR: A search for heavy neutral Higgs bosons is performed using the LHC Run 2 data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 139 fb^{-1} of proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s]=13TeV recorded with the ATLAS detector.
Abstract: A search for heavy neutral Higgs bosons is performed using the LHC Run 2 data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 139 fb^{-1} of proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV recorded with the ATLAS detector. The search for heavy resonances is performed over the mass range 0.2-2.5 TeV for the τ^{+}τ^{-} decay with at least one τ-lepton decaying into final states with hadrons. The data are in good agreement with the background prediction of the standard model. In the M_{h}^{125} scenario of the minimal supersymmetric standard model, values of tanβ>8 and tanβ>21 are excluded at the 95% confidence level for neutral Higgs boson masses of 1.0 and 1.5 TeV, respectively, where tanβ is the ratio of the vacuum expectation values of the two Higgs doublets.