COPPADIS-2015 (COhort of Patients with PArkinson's DIsease in Spain, 2015), a global--clinical evaluations, serum biomarkers, genetic studies and neuroimaging--prospective, multicenter, non-interventional, long-term study on Parkinson's disease progressio

Background: Parkinson?s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder causing motor and non-motor symptoms that can affect independence, social adjustment and the quality of life (QoL) of both patients and caregivers. Studies designed to find diagnostic and/or progression biomarkers of PD are needed. We describe here the study protocol of COPPADIS-2015 (COhort of Patients with PArkinson?s DIsease in Spain, 2015), an integral PD project based on four aspects/concepts: 1) PD as a global disease (motor and non-motor symptoms); 2) QoL and caregiver issues; 3) Biomarkers; 4) Disease progression.Methods/design: Observational, descriptive, non-interventional, 5-year follow-up, national (Spain), multicenter (45 centers from 15 autonomous communities), evaluation study. Specific goals: (1) detailed study (clinical evaluations, serum biomarkers, genetic studies and neuroimaging) of a population of PD patients from different areas of Spain, (2) comparison with a control group and (3) follow-up for 5 years. COPPADIS-2015 has been specifically designed to assess 17 proposed objectives. Study population: approximately 800 non-dementia PD patients, 600 principal caregivers and 400 control subjects. Study evaluations: (1) baseline includes motor assessment (e.g., Unified Parkinson?s Disease Rating Scale part III), non-motor symptoms (e.g., Non-Motor Symptoms Scale), cognition (e.g., Parkinson?s Disease Cognitive Rating Scale), mood and neuropsychiatric symptoms (e.g., Neuropsychiatric Inventory), disability, QoL (e.g., 39-item Parkinson?s disease Quality of Life Questionnaire Summary-Index) and caregiver status (e.g., Zarit Caregiver Burden Inventory); (2) follow-up includes annual (patients) or biannual (caregivers and controls) evaluations. Serum biomarkers (S-100b protein, TNF-?, IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, vitamin B12, methylmalonic acid, homocysteine, uric acid, C-reactive protein, ferritin, iron) and brain MRI (volumetry, tractography and MTAi [Medial Temporal Atrophy Index]), at baseline and at the end of follow-up, and genetic studies (DNA and RNA) at baseline will be performed in a subgroup of subjects (300 PD patients and 100 control subjects). Study periods: (1) recruitment period, from November, 2015 to February, 2017 (basal assessment); (2) follow-up period, 5 years; (3) closing date of clinical follow-up, May, 2022. Funding: Public/Private. Discussion: COPPADIS-2015 is a challenging initiative. This project will provide important information on the natural history of PD and the value of various biomarkers

Uso de torta de filtro enriquecida com fosfato natural e biofertilizantes em Latossolo Vermelho distrófico

The use of biofertilizers associated with organic compound and phosphate rock can increase the availability of phosphorus in the soil, due to the increase of the microorganisms population. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of filter cake enriched with rock phosphate and biofertilizers preparations on the microorganisms population and phosphorus content of a Haplustox soil. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, in a completely randomized experimental design, in a 7x3 factorial scheme (seven treatments and three sampling times), with three replications. Treatments consisted of soil samples with decomposed filter cake and Araxá rock phosphate enriched with microorganisms from the biofertilizers Biopack, Embrafos and Azotofos; soil with filter cake and Araxá rock phosphate not enriched with microorganisms; soil with filter cake; soil with rock phosphate; and single soil (control). The soil phosphorus content and microorganisms population were evaluated at 30, 60 and 90 days after the experiment installation. The use of filter cake enriched with rock phosphate and biofertilizers increased the soil bacteria population, with variations in time. The filter cake also increased the fungi population and phosphate solubilizing microorganisms. In the short term, the addition of filter cake enriched with rock phosphate contributed to the increase of the soil soluble phosphorus content.O uso de biofertilizantes associados a composto orgânico e rocha fosfatada pode aumentar a disponibilidade de fósforo no solo, pelo aumento da população de micro-organismos. Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito do uso da torta de filtro enriquecida com fosfato natural e preparados de biofertilizantes na população de micro-organismos e no teor de fósforo de um Latossolo Vermelho distrófico. O experimento foi realizado em casa-devegetação, utilizando-se delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 7x3 (sete tratamentos e três épocas de avaliação), com três repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram de amostras de solo com adições de torta de filtro decomposta e rocha fosfatada de Araxá enriquecida com microorganismos provenientes dos biofertilizantes Biopack, Embrafos e Azotofos; solo com adições de torta de filtro e rocha fosfatada de Araxá, sem enriquecimento com micro-organismos; solo com torta de filtro; solo com rocha fosfatada; e somente solo (controle). Avaliou-se, aos 30, 60 e 90 dias após a instalação do experimento, o teor de fósforo disponível no solo e a população de micro-organismos. A presença de torta de filtro enriquecida com fosfato natural e com biofertilizantes promoveu aumento na população de bactérias do solo, havendo variações no tempo. A torta de filtro também proporcionou aumento na população de fungos e micro-organismos solubilizadores de fosfato. A curto prazo, a adição de torta de filtro enriquecida com fosfato natural contribuiu para o aumento do teor de fósforo solúvel no solo.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Universidad de Cienfuegos Centro de Estudios para la Transformación Agraria Sostenible Facultad de Ciencias AgrariasUniversidade Estadual Paulista Departamento de Solos e AdubosUniversidad de Sancti Spiritus Facultad Agropecuaria de Montaña del EscambrayUniversidade Estadual Paulista Departamento de Solos e Adubo

User experience of a seizure risk forecasting app: A mixed methods investigation

OBJECTIVE: Over recent years, there has been a growing interest in exploring the utility of seizure risk forecasting, particularly how it could improve quality of life for people living with epilepsy. This study reports on user experiences and perspectives of a seizure risk forecaster app, as well as the potential impact on mood and adjustment to epilepsy. METHODS: Active app users were asked to complete a survey (baseline and 3-month follow-up) to assess perspectives on the forecast feature as well as mood and adjustment. Post-hoc, nine neutral forecast users (neither agreed nor disagreed it was useful) completed semi-structured interviews, to gain further insight into their perspectives of epilepsy management and seizure forecasting. Non-parametric statistical tests and inductive thematic analyses were used to analyse the quantitative and qualitative data, respectively. RESULTS: Surveys were completed by 111 users. Responders consisted of "app users" (n = 58), and "app and forecast users" (n = 53). Of the "app and forecast users", 40 % believed the forecast was accurate enough to be useful in monitoring for seizure risk, and 60 % adopted it for purposes like scheduling activities and helping mental state. Feeling more in control was the most common response to both high and low risk forecasted states. In-depth interviews revealed five broad themes, of which 'frustrations with lack of direction' (regarding their current epilepsy management approach), 'benefits of increased self-knowledge' and 'current and anticipated usefulness of forecasting' were the most common. SIGNIFICANCE: Preliminary results suggest that seizure risk forecasting can be a useful tool for people with epilepsy to make lifestyle changes, such as scheduling daily events, and experience greater feelings of control. These improvements may be attributed, at least partly, to the improvements in self-knowledge experienced through forecast use

Competing effects of toxin-producing phytoplankton on overall plankton populations in the bay of Bengal.

The coexistence of a large number of phytoplankton species on a seemingly limited variety of resources is a classical problem in ecology, known as 'the paradox of the plankton'. Strong fluctuations in species abundance due to the external factors or competitive interactions leading to oscillations, chaos and short-term equilibria have been cited so far to explain multi-species coexistence and biodiversity of phytoplankton. However, none of the explanations has been universally accepted. The qualitative view and statistical analysis of our field data establish two distinct roles of toxin-producing phytoplankton (TPP): toxin allelopathy weakens the interspecific competition among phytoplankton groups and the inhibition due to ingestion of toxic substances reduces the abundance of the grazer zooplankton. Structuring the overall plankton population as a combination of nontoxic phytoplankton (NTP), toxic phytoplankton, and zooplankton, here we offer a novel solution to the plankton paradox governed by the activity of TPP. We demonstrate our findings through qualitative analysis of our sample data followed by analysis of a mathematical model