Impacts of aqueous extracts of wildfire ashes on aquatic life-stages of Xenopus laevis: Influence of plant coverage.

Wildfires have emerged as a global ecological concern due to their wide-ranging off-site effects. One particular consequence is the adverse impact on aquatic environments, as wildfires are acknowledged as a significant source of aquatic contamination through ash runoffs containing toxic compounds. Yet, amphibian response to this source of contamination remains largely undocumented. This study assessed how ash runoffs from Eucalyptus sp. and Pinus sp. affect early aquatic life-stages of Xenopus laevis. Embryos and tadpoles were exposed, respectively, for 96 h and 14 days to serial concentrations (26.9% - 100%) of aqueous extracts of ashes (AEAs; 10 gL-1) composed of eucalypt (ELS) and pine (PLS) ashes. Mortality and development were monitored, and biometric data (snout-to-vent, tail and total length, and weight) measured. Sub-individual endpoints regarding oxidative stress (catalase-CAT; total glutathione-TG; lipid peroxidation-TBARS), neurotoxicity (acetylcholinesterase-AChE), transformation metabolism (glutathione-S-transferase-GST) and energetic metabolism (carbohydrate, lipid and protein content and O2 consumption), were also measured. The two AEAs induced no significant lethal effects on embryos or tadpoles. However, in general, AEAs caused a developmental delay in both life stages. Effects of AEAs on biometric endpoint were only reported for tadpoles, which showed a decreased body length (snout-to-vent, tail and total) and weight (embryos were not weighed), with PLS exerting higher effect than ELS. As for the sub-individual endpoints, embryos showed mostly no alterations on the activity of the monitored parameters, except for PLS, which reduced embryos' carbohydrate content (at ≥59.2%) and increased O2 consumption (at ≥35.0%). Regarding tadpoles, AEA exposure decreased the activity of CAT and GST (at ≥26.0%) and decreased carbohydrate (at ≥26.0%) and lipid (at ≥45.5%), whereas oxygen consumption increased (at ≥26.0%) only on PLS. Overall, the tested AEAs differentially affected amphibians across life-stages, indicating that plant coverage might affect ash toxicity.

Genetic evaluation of heat tolerance in Holsteins using test-day production records and NASA POWER weather data.

Heat stress is a prominent issue in livestock production, even for intensively housed dairy herds in Canada. Production records and meteorological data can be combined to assess heat tolerance in dairy cattle. The overall aim of this study was to evaluate the possibility of genetic evaluation for heat tolerance in Canadian dairy cattle. The 2 specific objectives were (1) to estimate the genetic parameters for milk, fat, and protein yield for Holsteins while accounting for high environmental heat loads, and (2) to determine if a genotype-by-environment interaction causes reranking of top-ranked sires between environments with low and high heat loads. A repeatability test-day model with a heat stress function was used to evaluate the genetic merit for milk, fat, and protein yield under heat stress and at thermal comfort for first parity in 5 regions in Canada. The heat stress function for each trait was defined using a specific temperature-humidity index (THI) threshold. The purpose of this function was to quantify the level of heat stress that was experienced by the dairy cattle. The estimated genetic correlation between the general additive genetic effect and the additive effect on the slope of the change in the trait phenotype for milk, fat, and protein yield ranged from -0.16 to -0.30, -0.20 to -0.44, and -0.28 to -0.42, respectively. These negative correlations imply that there is an antagonistic relationship between sensitivity to heat stress and level of production. The heritabilities for milk, fat, and protein yield at 15 units above the THI threshold ranged from 0.15 to 0.27, 0.11 to 0.15, and 0.11 to 0.15, respectively. Finally, the rank correlations between the breeding values from a repeatability model with no heat stress effect and the breeding values accounting for heat stress for the 100 top-ranked bulls indicated possible interaction between milk production traits and THI, resulting in substantial reranking of the top-ranked sires in Canada, especially for milk yield. This is the first study to implement weather data from the NASA POWER database in a genetic evaluation of heat tolerance in dairy cattle. The NASA POWER database is a novel alternative meteorological resource that is potentially more reliable and consistent and with broader coverage than weather station data increasing the number of animals that could be included in a heat stress evaluation.

Phenotypic analysis of heat stress in Holsteins using test-day production records and NASA POWER meteorological data.

Weather station data and test-day production records can be combined to quantify the effects of heat stress on production traits in dairy cattle. However, meteorological data sets that are retrieved from ground-based weather stations can be limited by spatial and temporal data gaps. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources (NASA POWER) database provides meteorological data over regions where surface measurements are sparse or nonexistent. The first aim of this study was to determine whether NASA POWER data are a viable alternative resource of weather data for studying heat stress in Canadian Holsteins. The results showed that average, minima, and maxima ambient temperature and dewpoint temperature as well as 4 different types of temperature-humidity index (THI) values from NASA POWER were highly correlated to the corresponding values from weather stations (regression R2 > 0.80). However, the NASA POWER values for the daily average, minima, and maxima wind speed and relative humidity were poorly correlated to the corresponding weather station values (regression R2 = 0.10 to 0.49). The second aim of this study was to quantify the influence of heat stress on Canadian dairy cattle. This was achieved by determining the THI values at which milk, protein, and fat yield started to decline due to heat stress as well as the rates of decline in these traits after the respective thresholds, using segmented polynomial regression models. This was completed for both primiparous and multiparous cows from 5 regions in Canada (Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, the Prairies, and the Atlantic Maritime). The results showed that all production traits were negatively affected by heat stress and that the patterns of responses for milk, fat, and protein yields to increasing THI differed from each other. We found 3 THI thresholds for milk yield, 1 for fat yield, and 2 for protein yield. All thresholds marked a change in rate of decrease in production yield per unit THI, except for the first milk yield threshold, which marked a greater rate of increase. The first thresholds for milk yield ranged between 47 and 50, the second thresholds ranged between 61 and 69, and the third thresholds ranged between 72 and 76 THI units. The single THI threshold for fat yield ranged between 48 and 55 THI units. Finally, the first and second thresholds ranged between 58 and 62 THI units and 72 and 73 THI units for protein yield, respectively.

Cross-Sectional Study of the Professional Quality of Life of Palliative Care Professionals during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The display of compassionate care by palliative care professionals is of the utmost importance to the patients, their families, and even to their own professional well-being. Lately and, especially due to the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, palliative care professionals have been subjected to greater pressures stemming from their work environment, organizational standpoint, and emotional sense of view. Not only have these factors made it harder for professionals to deliver compassionate care to their patients, but they have also decreased their overall well-being. The aim is to study how sociodemographics, workplace characteristics, internal resources, and the COVID-19 pandemic-derived pressures have affected the professionals' capacity to perform compassionate care and their well-being while at the same time exploring the relationship between compassionate care and well-being. METHODS: This study used a cross-sectional design with data gathered from Spanish palliative care professionals. The final sample was formed by 241 participants. They were surveyed about compassion, professional quality of life, well-being, sociodemographic data, working conditions, self-care, and coping with death competence, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The analyses used were descriptive statistics, bivariate tests, and the construction of a structural equation model. RESULTS: Compassion was predicted by the ability to control their workload and the ability to cope with death. Burnout was predicted by age, workload, workload control, self-care, material resources, and changes in teamwork. Moreover, compassion, age, workload control, and changes in teamwork and self-care were shown to significantly predict compassion satisfaction. When it comes to compassion fatigue, different variables were shown to predict it, those being compassion, control over the workload, social self-care, and the ability to cope with death. CONCLUSIONS: Having a healthy lifestyle and an adequate social support system is key to maintaining professional well-being in the case of palliative care professionals. Inner resources such as the ability to perform self-care and the capacity to cope with death are of vital importance to taking care of these professionals. Thus, it would be beneficial to establish training programs focused on these aspects in the myriad of sanitary centers that perform these tasks, as these abilities are necessary to withstand the work-related pressures and, at the same time, be able to provide compassionate care for patients.

Helminth fauna of Norops fuscoauratus (D'Orbigny, 1837) (Squamata: Dactyloidae) in the Atlantic Forest, northeastern Brazil / Helmintofauna de Norops fuscoauratus (D'Orbigny, 1837) (Squamata: Dactyloidae) na Mata Atlântica, Nordeste, Brasil

The composition of macro endoparasites associated with the lizard Norops fuscoauratus (Squamata) was analysed in two localities in the Atlantic Forest on the northeast of Brazil between December 2012 and July 2015. 74 specimens of N. fuscoauratus were examined and five species of helminths were reported, being: (a) for the population of Pernambuco: Cystacanth (Prevalence=37.5%), Physaloptera retusa Rudolphi, 1819 (Prevalence=4.16%), larva of flatworm (Prevalence=2.08%), Rhabdias sp. (Prevalence=2.08%) and Strongyluris oscari Travassos, 1923 (Prevalence=2.08%), and (b) of Alagoas: S. oscari (Prevalence=17.85%) and Rhabdias sp. (Prevalence=3.57%). The differences in the composition of endoparasites in the two populations are attributed to individualities of environments occupied by the lizards. The collection period does not influence the abundance of parasites, but when associated with sex, there was a positive correlation with the abundance of helminths, with more females than males being infected with parasites in the rainy season.

A composição de macro endoparasitas associada com o lagarto Norops fuscoauratus (Squamata) foi analisada em duas localidades da Mata Atlântica no nordeste do Brasil, entre dezembro de 2012 e julho de 2015. 74 espécimes foram examinados e cinco espécies de helmintos foram encontradas, sendo: (a) para a população de Pernambuco: Cistacanto (Prevalência=37.5%), Physaloptera retusa Rudolphi, 1819 (Prevalência=4.16%), larva de platelminto (Prevalência=2.08%), Rhabdias sp. (Prevalência =2.08%) e Strongyluris oscari Travassos, 1923 (Prevalência =2.08%) e (b) Alagoas: S. oscari (Prevalência=17.85%) e Rhabdias sp. (Prevalência =3.57%). As diferenças na composição dos endoparasitas nas duas populações pode ser atribuída as individualidades dos ambientes ocupados por esses lagartos. O período de coleta não influenciou na abundância de parasitas, mas quando associado com o sexo, houve uma correlação positiva com a abundância de helmintos, com mais fêmeas do que machos, infectadas na estação chuvosa.

Helminth fauna of Norops fuscoauratus (D'Orbigny, 1837) (Squamata: Dactyloidae) in the Atlantic Forest, northeastern Brazil / Helmintofauna de Norops fuscoauratus (D'Orbigny, 1837) (Squamata: Dactyloidae) na Mata Atlântica, Nordeste, Brasil

The composition of macro endoparasites associated with the lizard Norops fuscoauratus (Squamata) was analysed in two localities in the Atlantic Forest on the northeast of Brazil between December 2012 and July 2015. 74 specimens of N. fuscoauratus were examined and five species of helminths were reported, being: (a) for the population of Pernambuco: Cystacanth (Prevalence=37.5%), Physaloptera retusa Rudolphi, 1819 (Prevalence=4.16%), larva of flatworm (Prevalence=2.08%), Rhabdias sp. (Prevalence=2.08%) and Strongyluris oscari Travassos, 1923 (Prevalence=2.08%), and (b) of Alagoas: S. oscari (Prevalence=17.85%) and Rhabdias sp. (Prevalence=3.57%). The differences in the composition of endoparasites in the two populations are attributed to individualities of environments occupied by the lizards. The collection period does not influence the abundance of parasites, but when associated with sex, there was a positive correlation with the abundance of helminths, with more females than males being infected with parasites in the rainy season.

A composição de macro endoparasitas associada com o lagarto Norops fuscoauratus (Squamata) foi analisada em duas localidades da Mata Atlântica no nordeste do Brasil, entre dezembro de 2012 e julho de 2015. 74 espécimes foram examinados e cinco espécies de helmintos foram encontradas, sendo: (a) para a população de Pernambuco: Cistacanto (Prevalência=37.5%), Physaloptera retusa Rudolphi, 1819 (Prevalência=4.16%), larva de platelminto (Prevalência=2.08%), Rhabdias sp. (Prevalência =2.08%) e Strongyluris oscari Travassos, 1923 (Prevalência =2.08%) e (b) Alagoas: S. oscari (Prevalência=17.85%) e Rhabdias sp. (Prevalência =3.57%). As diferenças na composição dos endoparasitas nas duas populações pode ser atribuída as individualidades dos ambientes ocupados por esses lagartos. O período de coleta não influenciou na abundância de parasitas, mas quando associado com o sexo, houve uma correlação positiva com a abundância de helmintos, com mais fêmeas do que machos, infectadas na estação chuvosa.

Helminth fauna of Norops fuscoauratus (DOrbigny, 1837) (Squamata: Dactyloidae) in the Atlantic Forest, northeastern Brazil

Abstract The composition of macro endoparasites associated with the lizard Norops fuscoauratus (Squamata) was analysed in two localities in the Atlantic Forest on the northeast of Brazil between December 2012 and July 2015. 74 specimens of N. fuscoauratus were examined and five species of helminths were reported, being: (a) for the population of Pernambuco: Cystacanth (Prevalence=37.5%), Physaloptera retusa Rudolphi, 1819 (Prevalence=4.16%), larva of flatworm (Prevalence=2.08%), Rhabdias sp. (Prevalence=2.08%) and Strongyluris oscari Travassos, 1923 (Prevalence=2.08%), and (b) of Alagoas: S. oscari (Prevalence=17.85%) and Rhabdias sp. (Prevalence=3.57%). The differences in the composition of endoparasites in the two populations are attributed to individualities of environments occupied by the lizards. The collection period does not influence the abundance of parasites, but when associated with sex, there was a positive correlation with the abundance of helminths, with more females than males being infected with parasites in the rainy season.

Resumo A composição de macro endoparasitas associada com o lagarto Norops fuscoauratus (Squamata) foi analisada em duas localidades da Mata Atlântica no nordeste do Brasil, entre dezembro de 2012 e julho de 2015. 74 espécimes foram examinados e cinco espécies de helmintos foram encontradas, sendo: (a) para a população de Pernambuco: Cistacanto (Prevalência=37.5%), Physaloptera retusa Rudolphi, 1819 (Prevalência=4.16%), larva de platelminto (Prevalência=2.08%), Rhabdias sp. (Prevalência =2.08%) e Strongyluris oscari Travassos, 1923 (Prevalência =2.08%) e (b) Alagoas: S. oscari (Prevalência=17.85%) e Rhabdias sp. (Prevalência =3.57%). As diferenças na composição dos endoparasitas nas duas populações pode ser atribuída as individualidades dos ambientes ocupados por esses lagartos. O período de coleta não influenciou na abundância de parasitas, mas quando associado com o sexo, houve uma correlação positiva com a abundância de helmintos, com mais fêmeas do que machos, infectadas na estação chuvosa.

Helminth fauna of Norops fuscoauratus (D'Orbigny, 1837) (Squamata: Dactyloidae) in the Atlantic Forest, northeastern Brazil.

The composition of macro endoparasites associated with the lizard Norops fuscoauratus (Squamata) was analysed in two localities in the Atlantic Forest on the northeast of Brazil between December 2012 and July 2015. 74 specimens of N. fuscoauratus were examined and five species of helminths were reported, being: (a) for the population of Pernambuco: Cystacanth (Prevalence=37.5%), Physaloptera retusa Rudolphi, 1819 (Prevalence=4.16%), larva of flatworm (Prevalence=2.08%), Rhabdias sp. (Prevalence=2.08%) and Strongyluris oscari Travassos, 1923 (Prevalence=2.08%), and (b) of Alagoas: S. oscari (Prevalence=17.85%) and Rhabdias sp. (Prevalence=3.57%). The differences in the composition of endoparasites in the two populations are attributed to individualities of environments occupied by the lizards. The collection period does not influence the abundance of parasites, but when associated with sex, there was a positive correlation with the abundance of helminths, with more females than males being infected with parasites in the rainy season.

One for all and all for one: retention of colour-unchanged old flowers increases pollinator attraction in a hermaphroditic plant.

Long-lived flowers increase pollen transfer rates, but these entail high water and carbon maintenance costs. The retention of pollinated and reward-free old flowers enhances pollinator visitation to young receptive flowers by increasing floral display size. This mechanism is associated with acropetal inflorescences or changes in flower colour and openness, but the retention of unchanging solitary flowers remains overlooked. We examined pollination-dependent variation in floral longevity and determined stigmatic receptivity, pollen viability and pollen removal rates among flower ages in Kielmeyera regalis, a Neotropical savanna shrub. We also evaluated the effects of floral display size on pollinator visitation rates. Lastly, we determined whether old flowers are unvisited and exclusively increase pollinator attraction to young flowers through flower removal experiments. Regardless of pollination treatment, flowers lasted fully open with no detectable physical changes for 3 days. Over time, stigmas remained receptive but >95% of pollen was removed. Pollinator visitation significantly increased with floral display size and intermediate percentages (15-30%) of newly opened flowers. Accordingly, the retention of reward-free and unvisited old flowers increased young flower-pollinator interaction. Our results reveal the importance of a prolonged floral longevity in increasing pollinator attraction toward newly opened receptive flowers without changes in flower colour and form. We conclude that the retention of pollinated, reward-free and unvisited colour-unchanged old flowers in K. regalis is a strategy that counteracts the water use costs associated with the maintenance of large flowers with increased mate opportunities in a pollen-limited scenario.

Aging and burn: a five-year retrospective study in a major burn centre in Portugal.

Aging is an important factor contributing decisively to the clinical outcome of burn patients. The aim of this study was to assess the characteristics of patients admitted to a Burn Unit and determine the impact of aging on mortality. A retrospective analysis of patients successively admitted to a major burn centre in Portugal from 1/1/2012 to 31/12/2016 was conducted. They were divided into 2 groups: "elderly" (≥65 years) and "non-elderly" (<65 years). A total of 736 patients were included, 324 of them classified as elderly with a mean age of 78.12±7.14 years. Most of the patients in the elderly group were female (59.6%), in contrast to the non-elderly group (35%; p<0.001). The elderly patients had a higher mean length of hospital stay (20.14±18.46 days; p=0.011). Most of the burns were caused by fire (58.3%) and scalding (36.1%) and mainly after home accidents. Elderly patients showed a higher mean of burn severity index (7.26; p<0.001) and 6.8% needed an amputation. Mortality rate was significantly higher in the elderly group (11.7%; p=0.001). Age (p<0.001; OR=1.169), a higher total burn surface area (p<0.001; OR=1.081), full-thickness burns (p=0.005; OR=11.985) and the need for mechanical ventilation (p<0.001; OR=16.856) were associated with a higher mortality risk and reached statistical significance after multivariate analysis. The functional and vital prognosis of patients admitted to a burn centre is affected by multiple factors. This study showed that age, higher TBSA, full-thickness burns and need for mechanical ventilation seem to increase the risk of mortality.

L'âge avancé est un facteur déterminant du devenir d'un patient brûlé. Le but de cette étude rétrospective était d'évaluer les caractéristiques des patients admis dans notre CTB entre le 1/1/2012 et le 31/12/2016 et de déterminer les conséquences de l'âge sur la mortalité. Il étaient divisé en groupe "senior", S ((≥65 ans) et "non senior", NS (< 65 ans). Trois cent vingt quatre des 736 patients étaient S. Dans ce groupe, l'âge moyen était de 78,12 +/- 18 ans. Dans le groupe S, les femmes étaient surreprésentées (59,6%) comparativement au groupe NS (35%, p < 0,001). Les patients S restaient plus longtemps à l'hôpital (20,14 +/- 18,46 j ; p = 0,011). Les brûlures par flamme (58,3%) étaient plus fréquentes que les ébouillantements (36,1%). Elles provenaient le plus souvent d'un accident domestique. L'ABSI (7,26) était plus élevé dans le groupe S (p < 0,001). L'âge (OR 1,169 ; p < 0,001), l'augmentation de la SB (OR 1,081 ; p < 0,001), la présence de brûlures profondes (OR 11,985 ; p = 0,005) et la nécessité de ventilation mécanique (OR 16,856 ; p < 0,001) étaient, en analyse multivariées, associés à la mortalité. Les pronostics vital et fonctionnel des patients admis en CTB sont associés à de multiples paramètres. Cette étude montre que l'âge, la surface brûlée, la présence de brûlures profondes et la nécessité de recours à la ventilation mécanique augmentent le risque létal.

Leaf Fluctuating Asymmetry and Herbivory of Tibouchina heteromalla in Restored and Natural Environments.

Fluctuating asymmetry (FA) is a parameter to measure developmental stability in plants, which can be altered by disturbances, pollution, and biotic factors such as herbivory. We evaluated the effects of environmental stress and herbivory on the FA levels in individuals of Tibouchina heteromalla (Melastomataceae) that occur in natural and undergoing restoration areas in rupestrian grasslands at Serra do Cipó, Brasil. Individuals were collected and measured in seven restored and five natural areas, totalizing 240 individuals. We found that individuals in restored areas had greater leaf area, higher levels of insect herbivory and FA compared to individuals that occurred in natural areas. In both environments, the proportion of individuals with leaf damage caused by herbivory was higher than the proportion of undamaged individuals. In addition, FA was positively correlated with herbivory and total leaf area in both restored and natural areas. These results suggest that more favorable conditions in the restored areas enhanced leaf growth, resulting in higher FA.

Foundry sands as low-cost adsorbent material for Cr (VI) removal.

The potential of foundry sands, industrial waste from the iron foundry industry, was evaluated for the removal of Cr (VI) using discontinuous assays. Chemical foundry sands are composed of fine silica sand, furanic resins as binder, chemical catalyst and residual iron particles. The influence ofpH, agitation rate and metal concentration on the removal process was investigated. Kinetic and equilibrium tests were conducted to determine Cr (VI) removal from aqueous solutions at a temperature range of 25-55 degrees C. Cr (VI) removal of 40-100% for a range of pH 6-1.6 was obtained. This removal was attributed to the presence of a large number of protonated silanol and aluminol groups. Cr (VI) adsorption in foundry sands follows a pseudo-second-order kinetic reaction (Ho model, r2 > 0.999) reaching kinetic constants of 0.341, 0.551, 0.775 and 0.920 g/mg h at 25, 35, 45 and 55 degrees C, respectively. The adsorption data were fitted to the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model (r > 0.99) obtaining adsorption capacities (q(max)) of 1.99, 2.40, 2.50, and 3.14 mg Cr (VI)/g sand at 25, 35, 45 and 55 degrees C, respectively. Calculated Gibbs free energy change (deltaG0), adsorption energy (E) and activation energy (E(a)) values indicate that a physisorption mechanism governs Cr (VI) adsorption process in foundry sands.

Mexico attempts to tackle obesity: the process, results, push backs and future challenges.

Mexico's obesity prevalence is one of the world's highest. In 2006, academics, and federal and state government agencies initiated efforts to design a national policy for obesity prevention. The Ministry of Health (MOH) established an expert panel to develop recommendations on beverage intake for a healthy life in 2008. Subsequently, the MOH, with support from academia, initiated the development of the National Agreement for Healthy Nutrition (ANSA). ANSA was signed by all relevant sectoral actors in 2010 and led to initiatives banning sodas and regulating unhealthy food in schools and the design of other yet to be implemented initiatives, such as a front-of-package labeling system. A main challenge of the ANSA has been the lack of harmonization between industry interests and public health objectives and effective accountability and monitoring mechanisms to assess implementation across government sectors. Bold strategies currently under consideration include taxation of sugar-sweetened beverages, improvement of norms for healthy food in schools, regulation of food and beverage marketing to children and implementation of a national front-of-pack labeling system. Strong civil society organizations have embraced the prevention of obesity as their goal and have used evidence from academia to position obesity prevention in the public debate and in the government agenda.

Cross-cultural adaptation and linguistic validation of age-group-specific haemophilia patient-reported outcome (PRO) instruments for patients and parents.

Currently, haemophilia care aims to provide the best possible quality of life for individuals living with this chronic disease. Many factors are known to influence treatment adherence, including treatment satisfaction. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and treatment satisfaction are, therefore, important outcomes in clinical trials and clinical practice. As individuals' perception of their well-being often differs from that of their physician, it is recommended that self-report instruments are used to assess patient-reported outcomes (PROs). The way that the impact of haemophilia is perceived by the patient and their family can be different, so it is important to assess how parents perceive the impact on their children. A series of PRO instruments have been developed, adapted to different age groups and parents of patients with haemophilia. To allow the instruments to be used internationally, culturally adapted and linguistically validated translations have been developed; some instruments have been translated into 61 languages. Here, we report the process used for cultural adaptation of the Haemo-QoL, Haem-A-QoL and Hemo-Sat into 28 languages. Equivalent concepts for 22 items that were difficult to adapt culturally for particular languages were identified and classed as semantic/conceptual (17 items), cultural (three items), idiomatic (one item), and grammatical (one item) problems. This has resulted in linguistically validated versions of these instruments, which can be used to assess HRQoL and treatment satisfaction in clinical trials and clinical practice. They will provide new insights into areas of haemophilia that remain poorly understood today.

The Kazal-type inhibitors infestins 1 and 4 differ in specificity but are similar in three-dimensional structure.

Blood coagulation is an important process in haemostasis, and disorders of blood coagulation can lead to an increased risk of haemorrhage and thrombosis. Coagulation is highly conserved in mammals and has been comprehensively studied in humans in the investigation of bleeding or thrombotic diseases. Some substances can act as inhibitors of blood coagulation and may affect one or multiple enzymes throughout the process. A specific thrombin inhibitor called infestin has been isolated from the midgut of the haematophagous insect Triatoma infestans. Infestin is a member of the nonclassical Kazal-type serine protease inhibitors and is composed of four domains, all of which have a short central α-helix and a small antiparallel ß-sheet. Domains 1 and 4 of infestin (infestins 1 and 4) possess specific inhibitory activities. Infestin 1 inhibits thrombin, while infestin 4 is an inhibitor of factor XIIa, plasmin and factor Xa. Here, the structure determination and structural analysis of infestin 1 complexed with trypsin and of infestin 4 alone are reported. Through molecular modelling and docking, it is suggested that the protein-protein binding site is conserved in the infestin 1-thrombin complex compared with other Kazal-type inhibitors. Infestin 4 is able to bind factor XIIa, and the F9N and N11R mutants selected by phage display were shown to be more selective for factor XIIa in comparison to the wild type.

Cell death induced by the application of alternating magnetic fields to nanoparticle-loaded dendritic cells.

In this work, the capability of primary, monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs) to uptake iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) is assessed and a strategy to induce selective cell death in these MNP-loaded DCs using external alternating magnetic fields (AMFs) is reported. No significant decrease in the cell viability of MNP-loaded DCs, compared to the control samples, was observed after five days of culture. The number of MNPs incorporated into the cytoplasm was measured by magnetometry, which confirmed that 1-5 pg of the particles were uploaded per cell. The intracellular distribution of these MNPs, assessed by transmission electron microscopy, was found to be primarily inside the endosomic structures. These cells were then subjected to an AMF for 30 min and the viability of the blank DCs (i.e. without MNPs), which were used as control samples, remained essentially unaffected. However, a remarkable decrease of viability from approximately 90% to 2-5% of DCs previously loaded with MNPs was observed after the same 30 min exposure to an AMF. The same results were obtained using MNPs having either positive (NH(2)(+)) or negative (COOH(-)) surface functional groups. In spite of the massive cell death induced by application of AMF to MNP-loaded DCs, the number of incorporated magnetic particles did not raise the temperature of the cell culture. Clear morphological changes at the cell structure after magnetic field application were observed using scanning electron microscopy. Therefore, local damage produced by the MNPs could be the main mechanism for the selective cell death of MNP-loaded DCs under an AMF. Based on the ability of these cells to evade the reticuloendothelial system, these complexes combined with an AMF should be considered as a potentially powerful tool for tumour therapy.