Fever and Generalised Lymphadenopathy in an HIV-Positive Patient: a Diagnostic Challenge

Fever and generalised lymphadenopathy is a common presentation of a variety of diseases and a thorough investigation is often necessary for appropriate diagnosis.We present a 53-year-old male patient admitted with fever, weight loss of 15 kg in 3 months and abdominal discomfort. Examination was only remarkable for axillary and inguinal lymphadenopathy. Blood tests showed normocytic normochromic anaemia, cholestasis and a previously unknown HIV-1 infection with lymphocyte CD4 +count of 239 cells/mm(3) and viral load 3.172.370 copies/mL. A body CT scan showed multiple axillary, mediastinal, lumbar, aortic, iliac and pelvic lymphadenopathy as well as hepatosplenomegaly. An excisional biopsy of the left axillary lymphadenopathy was performed and histology ultimately revealed multicentric Castleman's disease associated with Human Herpes Virus-8. After initiation of antiretroviral therapy, rituximab was given and progressive clinical improvement occurred.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

MUSE observations of a changing-look AGN I: The re-appearance of the broad emission lines

Optical changing-look Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) are a class of sources that change type within a short timescale of years or decades. This change is characterised by the appearance or disappearance of broad emission lines, often associated with dramatic AGN continuum flux changes that are orders of magnitude larger than those expected from typical AGN variability. In this work we study for the first time the host galaxy of a changing-look AGN, Mrk 590, using high spatial resolution optical and near-infrared observations. We discover that after ~ 10 yr absence, the optical broad emission lines of Mrk 590 have reappeared. The AGN optical continuum flux however, is still ~ 10 times lower than that observed during the most luminous state in the 1990s. The host galaxy shows a 4.5 kpc radius star-forming ring with knots of ionised and cold molecular gas emission. Extended ionised and warm molecular gas emission are detected in the nucleus, indicating that there is a reservoir of gas as close as 60 pc from the black hole. We observe a nuclear gas spiral between radii r ~ 0.5 - 2 kpc, which has been suggested as a dynamical mechanism able to drive the necessary gas to fuel AGN. We also discover blue-shifted and high velocity dispersion [O III] emission out to a radius of 1 kpc, tracing a nuclear gas outflow. The gas dynamics in Mrk 590 suggest a complex balance between gas inflow and outflow in the nucleus of the galaxy.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRA

Disordered two-dimensional superconductors: roles of temperature and interaction strength

We have considered the half-filled disordered attractive Hubbard model on a square lattice, in which the on-site attraction is switched off on a fraction $f$ of sites, while keeping a finite $U$ on the remaining ones. Through Quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) simulations for several values of $f$ and $U$, and for system sizes ranging from $8\times 8$ to $16\times 16$, we have calculated the configurational averages of the equal-time pair structure factor $P_s$, and, for a more restricted set of variables, the helicity modulus, $\rho_s$, as functions of temperature. Two finite-size scaling {\it ansatze} for $P_s$ have been used, one for zero-temperature and the other for finite temperatures. We have found that the system sustains superconductivity in the ground state up to a critical impurity concentration, $f_c$, which increases with $U$, at least up to U=4 (in units of the hopping energy). Also, the normalized zero-temperature gap as a function of $f$ shows a maximum near $f\sim 0.07$, for $2\lesssim U\lesssim 6$. Analyses of the helicity modulus and of the pair structure factor led to the determination of the critical temperature as a function of $f$, for $U=3,$ 4 and 6: they also show maxima near $f\sim 0.07$, with the highest $T_c$ increasing with $U$ in this range. We argue that, overall, the observed behavior results from both the breakdown of CDW-superconductivity degeneracy and the fact that free sites tend to "push" electrons towards attractive sites, the latter effect being more drastic at weak couplings.Comment: 9 two-column pages, 14 figures, RevTe

Approch to the knowledge of Coccinellidade (Coleoptera) species diversity of Madeira and Porto Santo Islands.

Proceedings of the 8th International Symposium on Ecology of Aphidophaga: Biology, Ecology and Behaviour of Aphidophagous Insects.We present a list of coccinellids collected in Madeira archipelago and notice the presence of two new species; of Scymnini; Scymnus (Scymnus) abietis (Paykull) and Nephus hiekei Fürsch. We analyse the distribution and abundance at the community level, using the following measures: species richness index, abundance and relative abundance, similarity index, diversity, and evenness. 13 species from 3 families were recorded. Hippodamia variegata was the most abundant one with 29.7 % of the 141 specimens collected. Two main groups of relative abundance were identified. The first group included the 6 most common H. variegata, S. interruptus, C. arcuatus, C. septempunctata, S. levaillanti and R. litura and the second one included S. abietis, L. lophante and R. chrysomeloides. Diversity index values are relatively high. The 6 most common species comprised more than 90 % of the individuals without a very different relative abundance. Many factors other than extinction and immigration could explain the variation of the number of species on islands. The highest number of species collected in Madeira island, compared to Porto Santo, could be related with its higher elevation, soil and substrate types, plant species richness, number of habitat, habitats diversity, structure and heterogeneity of the former

PHF2 regulates homology-directed DNA repair by controlling the resection of DNA double strand breaks

Post-translational histone modifications and chromatin remodelling play a critical role controlling the integrity of the genome. Here, we identify histone lysine demethylase PHF2 as a novel regulator of the DNA damage response by regulating DNA damage-induced focus formation of 53BP1 and BRCA1, critical factors in the pathway choice for DNA double strand break repair. PHF2 knockdown leads to impaired BRCA1 focus formation and delays the resolution of 53BP1 foci. Moreover, irradiation-induced RPA phosphorylation and focus formation, as well as localization of CtIP, required for DNA end resection, to sites of DNA lesions are affected by depletion of PHF2. These results are indicative of a defective resection of double strand breaks and thereby an impaired homologous recombination upon PHF2 depletion. In accordance with these data, Rad51 focus formation and homology-directed double strand break repair is inhibited in cells depleted for PHF2. Importantly, we demonstrate that PHF2 knockdown decreases CtIP and BRCA1 protein and mRNA levels, an effect that is dependent on the demethylase activity of PHF2. Furthermore, PHF2-depleted cells display genome instability and are mildly sensitive to the inhibition of PARP. Together these results demonstrate that PHF2 promotes DNA repair by homologous recombination by controlling CtIP-dependent resection of double strand breaks.España Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion SAF2016-80626-REspaña, Fundación Canaria Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Canarias (FIISC) [PIFUN16/18

Quinze anos sem Política Regional- uma análise dos Planos do Governo Federal para o Nordeste de 1994 a 2009

O objetivo deste estudo consiste em identificar e analisar criticamente, do ponto de vista teórico-metodológico, as ações e planos de desenvolvimento formulados e implementados para o Nordeste do Brasil, no período de 1994 a 2009. A análise circunscreve-se a um momento que marca a trajetória da economia brasileira e do Nordeste, qual seja, a partir da superação da instabilidade do nível de preços, iniciada com a implantação do Plano Real em 1994. Esse período é caracterizado por uma série de novas iniciativas e Políticas elaboradas e em implantação na Região. Para isso, foi feito uso do referencial teórico neo-schumpeteriano de Sistema de Inovação e da teoria estruturalista da CEPAL. As idéias em torno do pensamento neo-schumpeteriano têm uma forte aproximação com as idéias desenvolvidas pelo pensamento cepalino para se estudar as economias periféricas, principalmente quando se trata do progresso técnico como central para se promover a transformação econômica e social, sendo que aquele apresenta avanços ao procurar destacar os fatores intangíveis e que são responsáveis pela geração e difusão endógena desse progresso técnico- aprendizado inovativo e o conhecimento, localmente contextualizados. Além da pesquisa bibliográfica, realizou-se uma pesquisa documental, sendo analisados principalmente, os seguintes planos e programas- o Avança Brasil, o Brasil em Ação, a Política Nacional de Desenvolvimento Regional (PNDR), e o Plano Estratégico de Desenvolvimento Sustentável do Nordeste (PDNE). Utilizou-se também de uma pesquisa de campo com questionário semi-estruturado, entrevistando-se 14 atores sociais, entre esses, estudiosos e “fazedores de políticas” da Região. A partir da pesquisa documental, dos planos, programas e projetos, e da pesquisa de campo têm-se os seguintes resultados- investimentos concentrados em fatores tangíveis, ao longo do período, a ausência de estratégia para o campo científico, tecnológico e, quando presente, desarticulada de ações em outras áreas, uma distribuição espacial dos empreendimentos concentrando-se nos estados de Pernambuco, Bahia e Ceará, um diagnóstico insuficiente para se compreender a realidade sistêmica, não levando em consideração a realidade política e institucional da Região e a não incorporação da análise dos indicadores do Sistema de Inovação, quais sejam- aprendizado inovativo, conhecimento, cooperação, interação, e outros. Os dados analisados mostram uma massa salarial com quase 90% dos trabalhadores recebendo até 2 (dois) salários mínimos, além de um padrão de competitividade espúria do Nordeste, baseada em produtos de baixo conteúdo tecnológico, cuja produção requer baixa capacitação da mão-de-obra, baixos salários e incentivos fiscais e financeiros. Dos resultados acima destacados, pode-se concluir que falta uma estratégia de Política Regional que promova a transformação da estrutura econômica e social do Nordeste.

Ising Spin Glass in a Transverse Magnetic Field

We study the three-dimensional quantum Ising spin glass in a transverse magnetic field following the evolution of the bond probability distribution under Renormalisation Group transformations. The phase diagram (critical temperature $T_c$ {\em vs} transverse field $\Gamma$) we obtain shows a finite slope near $T=0$, in contrast with the infinite slope for the pure case. Our results compare very well with the experimental data recently obtained for the dipolar Ising spin glass LiHo$_{0.167}$Y$_{0.833}$F$_4$, in a transverse field. This indicates that this system is more apropriately described by a model with short range interactions than by an equivalent Sherrington-Kirkpatrick model in a transverse field.Comment: 7 pages, RevTeX3, Nota Cientifica PUC-Rio 23/9

Luttinger liquid superlattices

We calculate the correlation functions and the DC conductivity of Luttinger liquid superlattices, modeled by a repeated pattern of interacting and free Luttinger liquids. In a specific realization, where the interacting subsystem is a Hubbard chain, the system exhibits a rich phase diagram with four different phases: two metals and two compressible insulators. In general, we find that the effective low energy description amalgamates features of both types of liquids in proportion to their spatial extent, suggesting the interesting possibility of `engineered' Luttinger liquids.Comment: RevTeX, 5 pages, 3 figure

Village Baseline Study: Site Analysis Report for Xai Xai, Zongoene Village, Bairro 1, Mozambique

This is the report of the village baseline study of Zongoene Village, Bairro 1, in the CCAFS benchmark site of Xai Xai, Mozambique in May 2013 to complement an earlier household baseline survey done in the same village. Zongoene village is located by the coast at the mouth of the Limpopo River where there are extensive wetlands along with forests and sand dunes. The village is divided into five sections: Bairro 1, Bairro 2, Bairro 3, Bairro 4 and Bairro 5. Zongoene is the result of a government resettlement program that brought people together to ease service provision. Nonetheless, the level and quality of services remain very low with roads in bad condition, local schools poorly built and lacking water, one hospital with insufficient staff and resources, and nascent electrical availability. The concentrated and expanding population is also increasing pressures on the environment as demand for food and farmland grows

Estado de micorrización de árboles truferos en función de su carácter productivo y su edad. Primeros resultados del Subproyecto 1 del Plan de Desarrollo Integral de la Truficultura de Teruel

La truficultura es una actividad con clara dimensión forestal, entre otras razones porque las especies implicadas, tanto el hongo como su árbol simbionte, son de gran valor silvícola. Además, la truficultura y la selvicultura trufera son prácticas que contribuyen a la recuperación de masas forestales y zonas potencialmente boscosas, con el valor añadido de la obtención de las trufas, de modo, en la mayor parte de las ocasiones, totalmente ecológico. El Plan Específico para Teruel (PET) integra varias actuaciones promovidas por el Gobierno Español entre las que se encuentra la ejecución de un Proyecto de Investigación denominado “Desarrollo Integral de la Truficultura de Teruel”, financiado por INIA, en el que se pretende apoyar al sector trufero turolense mediante el conocimiento y la mejora de sus técnicas de cultivo, producción y comercialización. La presente comunicación resume los primeros resultados obtenidos en uno de los 7 subproyectos que lo integran y que afecta al estudio del cortejo micorrícico de los árboles de las plantaciones, productoras o no, y su relación con la producción. La composición micorrícica de los árboles truferos es un factor esencial para realizar predicciones sobre la producción futura. Tanto la ausencia de micorrizas de trufa negra como la detección de otras, capaces de desplazar a la primera de las raíces de los árboles, puede permitir el diagnóstico precoz de fracasos de plantaciones y por lo tanto el ahorro de muchos años de cuidados a la espera de las primeras recolecciones. Para el estudio, se han seleccionado 3 grupos de plantaciones por edad, con 2 localizaciones distintas. Se está desarrollando un inventario periódico de las micorrizas presentes en un total de 48 árboles. Se propone una clasificación de las mismas en función de su capacidad para comprometer la producción de trufa negra, factor que se ha determinado en base al carácter productor o no productor de cada árbol