Post-AGB Stars in Globular Clusters and Galactic Halos

We discuss three aspects of post-AGB (PAGB) stars in old populations. (1) HST photometry of the nucleus of the planetary nebula (PN) K 648 in the globular cluster (GC) M15 implies a mass of 0.60 Msun, in contrast to the mean masses of white dwarfs in GCs of ~0.5 Msun. This suggests that K 648 is descended from a merged binary, and we infer that single Pop II stars do not produce visible PNe. (2) Yellow PAGB stars are the visually brightest stars in old populations (Mv ~ -3.3) and are easily recognizable because of their large Balmer jumps; thus they show great promise as a Pop II standard candle. Two yellow PAGB stars in the GC NGC 5986 have the same V magnitudes to within +/-0.05 mag, supporting an expected narrow luminosity function. (3) Using CCD photometry and a u filter lying below the Balmer jump, we have detected yellow PAGB stars in the halo of M31 and in its dwarf elliptical companion NGC 205. With the Milky Way zero point, we reproduce the Cepheid distance to M31, and find that NGC 205 is ~100 kpc further away than M31. The star counts imply a yellow PAGB lifetime of about 25,000 yr, and their luminosities imply masses near 0.53 Msun.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures. To appear in proceedings of Torun, Poland, workshop on "Post-AGB Objects (Proto-Planetary Nebulae) as a Phase of Stellar Evolution," ed. S.K. Gorn

f(R) theories

Over the past decade, f(R) theories have been extensively studied as one of the simplest modifications to General Relativity. In this article we review various applications of f(R) theories to cosmology and gravity - such as inflation, dark energy, local gravity constraints, cosmological perturbations, and spherically symmetric solutions in weak and strong gravitational backgrounds. We present a number of ways to distinguish those theories from General Relativity observationally and experimentally. We also discuss the extension to other modified gravity theories such as Brans-Dicke theory and Gauss-Bonnet gravity, and address models that can satisfy both cosmological and local gravity constraints.Comment: 156 pages, 14 figures, Invited review article in Living Reviews in Relativity, Published version, Comments are welcom

Guidelines of the Brazilian Association of Studies on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ABEAD) for diagnoses and treatment of psychiatric comorbidity with alcohol and other drugs dependence

Recently, several studies have focused on comorbity psychiatric disorders with alcohol and other substance dependence. The Brazilian Association of Studies on Alcohol and Other Drugs proposed the Brazilian Guidelines project. This study review diagnostic and therapeutic criteria to the most prevalent psychiatric comorbidities. Randomized clinical trials, epidemiological, animal studies and other forms of research are reviewed. The main psychiatric comorbidities are studied based on guidelines adopted by other countries and the literature data resumed. Epidemiological aspects, diagnoses, integrated treatment and service organization, as well as specific psychotherapic and pharmacological treatment are discussed. The Brazilian Association of Studies on Alcohol and Other Drugs Guidelines reassures the importance of adequate diagnoses and treatment regarding alcoholic and drug dependent patients suffering of comorbid psychiatric disorders.O diagnóstico e tratamento de comorbidade psiquiátrica e dependência de álcool e outras substâncias tem sido objeto de inúmeros estudos nos últimos anos. A Associação Brasileira de Estudos do Álcool e Outras Drogas desenvolveu o projeto Diretrizes. Este trabalho visa o desenvolvimento de critérios diagnósticos e terapêuticos atualizados para as comorbidades psiquiátricas mais prevalentes. Ensaios clínicos randomizados, estudos epidemiológicos, com animais e outros estudos são revisados. As principais comorbidades psiquiátricas são estudadas e os dados de literatura resumidos, tendo como referência diretrizes adotadas em outros países. São abordados aspectos epidemiológicos, critérios diagnósticos, tratamento integrado e organização de serviço especializado, assim como especificidades do tratamento psicoterápico e farmacológico. As Diretrizes da Associação Brasileira de Estudos do Álcool e Outras Drogas reforçam a importância da abordagem adequada do dependente químico portador de comorbidade psiquiátrica.Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina Núcleo de PsiquiatriaInstituto de Psiquiatria de Santa CatarinaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Unidade de Pesquisa em Álcool e DrogasSanta Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo Unidade de Álcool e DrogasUniversidade de São Paulo Faculdade de Medicina Hospital das ClinicasCentro de Atendimento Médico e SocialHospital de Clínicas de Porto AlegreHospital Israelita Albert EinsteinSanta Casa do Rio de Janeiro Setor de Dependência QuímicaUniversidade Gama FilhoUNIFESP, Unidade de Pesquisa em Álcool e DrogasSciEL

Autoimmune gastrointestinal complications in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: case series and literature review

The association of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with gastrointestinal autoimmune diseases is rare, but has been described in the literature, mostly as case reports. However, some of these diseases may be very severe, thus a correct and early diagnosis with appropriate management are fundamental. We have analysed our data from the SLE patient cohort at University College Hospital London, established in 1978, identifying those patients with an associated autoimmune gastrointestinal disease. We have also undertaken a review of the literature describing the major autoimmune gastrointestinal pathologies which may be coincident with SLE, focusing on the incidence, clinical and laboratory (particularly antibody) findings, common aetiopathogenesis and complications

Functional impact and evolution of a novel human polymorphic inversion that disrupts a gene and creates a fusion transcript

Since the discovery of chromosomal inversions almost 100 years ago, how they are maintained in natural populations has been a highly debated issue. One of the hypotheses is that inversion breakpoints could affect genes and modify gene expression levels, although evidence of this came only from laboratory mutants. In humans, a few inversions have been shown to associate with expression differences, but in all cases the molecular causes have remained elusive. Here, we have carried out a complete characterization of a new human polymorphic inversion and determined that it is specific to East Asian populations. In addition, we demonstrate that it disrupts the ZNF257 gene and, through the translocation of the first exon and regulatory sequences, creates a previously nonexistent fusion transcript, which together are associated to expression changes in several other genes. Finally, we investigate the potential evolutionary and phenotypic consequences of the inversion, and suggest that it is probably deleterious. This is therefore the first example of a natural polymorphic inversion that has position effects and creates a new chimeric gene, contributing to answer an old question in evolutionary biology

Do schistosome vaccine trials in mice have an intrinsic flaw that generates spurious protection data?

The laboratory mouse has been widely used to test the efficacy of schistosome vaccines and a long list of candidates has emerged from this work, many of them abundant internal proteins. These antigens do not have an additive effect when co-administered, or delivered as SWAP homogenate, a quarter of which comprises multiple candidates; the observed protection has an apparent ceiling of 40–50 %. We contend that the low level of maturation of penetrating cercariae (~32 % for Schistosoma mansoni) is a major limitation of the model since 68/100 parasites fail to mature in naïve mice due to natural causes. The pulmonary capillary bed is the obstacle encountered by schistosomula en route to the portal system. The fragility of pulmonary capillaries and their susceptibility to a cytokine-induced vascular leak syndrome have been documented. During lung transit schistosomula burst into the alveolar spaces, and possess only a limited capacity to re-enter tissues. The acquired immunity elicited by the radiation attenuated (RA) cercarial vaccine relies on a pulmonary inflammatory response, involving cytokines such as IFNγ and TNFα, to deflect additional parasites into the alveoli. A principal difference between antigen vaccine protocols and the RA vaccine is the short interval between the last antigen boost and cercarial challenge of mice (often two weeks). Thus, after antigen vaccination, challenge parasites will reach the lungs when both activated T cells and cytokine levels are maximal in the circulation. We propose that “protection” in this situation is the result of physiological effects on the pulmonary blood vessels, increasing the proportion of parasites that enter the alveoli. This hypothesis will explain why internal antigens, which are unlikely to interact with the immune response in a living schistosomulum, plus a variety of heterologous proteins, can reduce the level of maturation in a non-antigen-specific way. These proteins are “successful” precisely because they have not been selected for immunological silence. The same arguments apply to vaccine experiments with S. japonicum in the mouse model; this schistosome species seems a more robust parasite, even harder to eliminate by acquired immune responses. We propose a number of ways in which our conclusions may be tested

A922 Sequential measurement of 1 hour creatinine clearance (1-CRCL) in critically ill patients at risk of acute kidney injury (AKI)

Meeting abstrac

Weight-loss Independent Clinical and Metabolic Biomarkers Associated with Type 2 Diabetes Remission Post-bariatric/metabolic Surgery

PURPOSE: Remission of type 2 diabetes (T2D) can be achieved by many, but not all, people following bariatric/metabolic surgery. The mechanisms underlying T2D remission remain incompletely understood. This observational study aimed to identify novel weight-loss independent clinical, metabolic and genetic factors that associate with T2D remission using comprehensive phenotyping. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten patients without T2D remission (non-remitters) were matched to 10 patients with T2D remission (remitters) for age, sex, type of surgery, body weight, BMI, post-operative weight loss, duration from surgery and duration of T2D. Detailed body composition assessed using magnetic resonance imaging, gut hormones, serum metabolomics, insulin sensitivity, and genetic risk scores for T2D and anthropometric traits were assessed. RESULTS: Remitters had significantly greater β-cell function and circulating acyl ghrelin levels, but lower visceral adipose tissue (VAT): subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) ratio than non-remitters. Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and VLDL particle size were the most discriminant metabolites between groups. A significant positive correlation between, VAT area, VAT:SAT ratio and circulating levels of BCAAs was observed, whereas a significant negative correlation between BCAAs and β-cell function was revealed. CONCLUSION: We highlight a potentially novel relationship between VAT and BCAAs, which may play a role in glucoregulatory control. Improvement in β-cell function, and the role ghrelin plays in its recovery, is likely another key factor influencing T2D remission post-surgery. These findings suggest that adjunctive approaches that target VAT loss and restoration of BCAA metabolism might achieve higher rates of long-term T2D remission post-surgery

Study of hadronic event-shape variables in multijet final states in pp collisions at √s=7 TeV

Peer reviewe

Use and commercialization of Podocnemis expansa (Schweiger 1812) (Testudines: Podocnemididae) for medicinal purposes in two communities in North of Brazil

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Throughout Brazil a large number of people seek out reptiles for their meat, leather, ornamental value and supposed medicinal importance. However, there is a dearth of information on the use of reptiles in folk medicine. In North Brazil, the freshwater turtle, <it>Podocnemis expansa</it>, is one of the most frequently used species in traditional medicines. Many products derived from <it>P. expansa </it>are utilized in rural areas and also commercialized in outdoor markets as a cure or treatment for different diseases. Here we document the use and commercialization of <it>P. expansa </it>for medicinal purposes in the state of Pará, Northern Brazil.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Data were gathered through interview-questionnaires, with some questions left open-ended. Information was collected in two localities in Pará State, North of Brazil. In the City of Belém, data was collected through interviews with 23 herbs or root sellers (13 men and 10 women). Attempts were made to interview all animal merchants in the markets visited. In fishing community of the Pesqueiro Beach, interviews were done with 41 inhabitants (23 men and 18 women) and during the first contacts with the local population, we attempted to identify local people with a specialized knowledge of medicinal animal usage.</p> <p>Results</p> <p><it>P. expansa </it>was traded for use in traditional medicines and cosmetics. Fat and egg shells were used to treat 16 different diseases. Turtle fat was the main product sold. The demand for these products is unknown. However, the use of this species in folk medicine might have a considerable impact on wild population, and this must be taken into account for the conservation and management of this species.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results indicated that the use and commercialization of <it>P. expansa </it>products for medicinal purposes is common in North of Brazil. More studies regarding the use and commerce of Brazilian turtles are urgently needed in order to evaluate the real impact of such activities on natural populations. We hope that our findings about the trade and use of <it>P. expansa </it>in folk medicine will motivate further studies on the use of animals in folk medicine and its implications for conservation.</p