European citizens' stance on limiting energy use for climate change mitigation.

Citizens' attitudes and beliefs towards climate change are decisive in the adoption of mitigating measures. Limiting the use of energy in the context of climate change can be one of the mitigation measures, and therefore, understanding the position of the citizens towards it is important. With this aim, we used data from the 10th European Social Survey to relate the European citizens' beliefs and attitudes on limiting the use of energy to tackle climate change. We have used variables related to demography and individuals' perception of society and its policies. Statistical models were successfully fitted to data. Individuals with higher levels of trust in scientists have a higher degree of satisfaction with the national economies, are more worried about climate change and are more capable of assuming self-responsibility in climate change mitigation. These individuals have higher probabilities of believing that climate change mitigation could be achieved by limiting the use of energy. The EU citizens are, however, very skeptical in relation to the probability of many other citizens adopting measures to limit the use of energy.

Impacts of Indoor Radon on Health: A Comprehensive Review on Causes, Assessment and Remediation Strategies.

Indoor radon exposure is raising concerns due to its impact on health, namely its known relationship with lung cancer. Consequently, there is an urgent need to understand the risk factors associated with radon exposure, and how this can be harmful to the health of exposed populations. This article presents a comprehensive review of studies indicating a correlation between indoor radon exposure and the higher probability of occurrence of health problems in exposed populations. The analyzed studies statistically justify this correlation between exposure to indoor radon and the incidence of lung diseases in regions where concentrations are particularly high. However, some studies also showed that even in situations where indoor radon concentrations are lower, can be found a tendency, albeit smaller, for the occurrence of negative impacts on lung cancer incidence. Lastly, regarding risk remediation, an analysis has been conducted and presented in two core perspectives: (i) focusing on the identification and application of corrective measures in pre-existing buildings, and (ii) focusing on the implementation of preventive measures during the project design and before construction, both focusing on mitigating negative impacts of indoor radon exposure on the health of populations.

Prenatal brain imaging in congenital toxoplasmosis.

OBJECTIVE: To describe brain imaging findings and outcomes in fetuses with confirmed congenital toxoplasmosis (CTX). METHODS: Physicians from Prenatal Diagnosis Units in ten Latin American countries were contacted and asked to provide data on fetuses with ultrasound findings suggestive of intrauterine infection and a positive diagnosis of CTX. The imaging studies were reviewed, and findings were described and tabulated. RESULTS: Intracranial findings suggestive of CTX were identified in eight patients at a median gestational age of 31.5 weeks (range, 24.4-34 weeks). Ventriculomegaly was found in seven patients [severe (3), mild (4)]. Multiple echogenic nodular foci consistent with calcifications were found in seven patients [brain parenchyma (7), periventricular zone (3) and caudothalamic zone (3)]. Diffuse periventricular echogenicity or cysts were seen in three and callosal dysgenesis in one. All six survivors have choroidoretinitis and intracranial calcifications, four suffer from developmental delay and three of these four children also suffer from seizures and blindness. Postnatal hydrocephaly was found in five children. CONCLUSIONS: Ventriculomegaly associated with multiple echo-dense nodules is characteristic of severe fetal toxoplasmosis and carries a poor prognosis. When the ventricles have normal size or are only mildly dilated, the nodules restricted to the parenchyma development may be normal.

Designing an Indoor Radon Risk Exposure Indicator (IRREI): An Evaluation Tool for Risk Management and Communication in the IoT Age.

The explosive data growth in the current information age requires consistent new methodologies harmonized with the new IoT era for data analysis in a space-time context. Moreover, intuitive data visualization is a central feature in exploring, interpreting, and extracting specific insights for subsequent numerical data representation. This integrated process is normally based on the definition of relevant metrics and specific performance indicators, both computed upon continuous real-time data, considering the specificities of a particular application case for data validation. This article presents an IoT-oriented evaluation tool for Radon Risk Management (RRM), based on the design of a simple and intuitive Indoor Radon Risk Exposure Indicator (IRREI), specifically tailored to be used as a decision-making aid tool for building owners, building designers, and buildings managers, or simply as an alert flag for the problem awareness of ordinary citizens. The proposed methodology was designed for graphic representation aligned with the requirements of the current IoT age, i.e., the methodology is robust enough for continuous data collection with specific Spatio-temporal attributes and, therefore, a set of adequate Radon risk-related metrics can be extracted and proposed. Metrics are summarized considering the application case, taken as a case study for data validation, by including relevant variables to frame the study, such as the regulatory International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) dosimetric limits, building occupancy (spatial dimension), and occupants' exposure periods (temporal dimension). This work has the following main contributions: (1) providing a historical perspective regarding RRM indicator evolution along time; (2) outlining both the formulation and the validation of the proposed IRREI indicator; (3) implementing an IoT-oriented methodology for an RRM indicator; and (4) a discussion on Radon risk public perception, undertaken based on the results obtained after assessment of the IRREI indicator by applying a screening questionnaire with a total of 873 valid answers.

The Impact of Climate Change on Forest Development: A Sustainable Approach to Management Models Applied to Mediterranean-Type Climate Regions.

Forest ecosystems are divided into three major groups: boreal, temperate, and tropical. These can be subdivided according to the particularities of each type due to its relative location (littoral, mountain, etc.), climatic conditions, or even geological substrate. Climate change affects each type of forest ecosystem differently. However, it seems to affect temperate forests in Mediterranean-type climate regions more intensely. These regions are located over several continents, with major impacts of increased temperature during summer and decreased precipitation during winter. This situation affects Mediterranean forest ecosystems by increasing the risk of fires, which arise more frequently and are more severe. In addition, the emergence of pests and the spread of invasive species are well-known problems affecting these ecosystems. All of these conditions contribute to losses of productivity and biodiversity. To avoid the destruction of forest resources, and since Mediterranean-type climate regions are considered climate change hot spots with increased vulnerability to disturbances, the implementation of adaptive forest management models could contribute to increasing the resilience of such forests, which could also contribute to mitigating climate change.

PCBs occurrence in marine bivalves and fish from Todos os Santos Bay, Bahia, Brazil.

In order to evaluate contamination by polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in a tropical bay exposed to different anthropogenic pressures, samples of bivalves: mangrove oyster (Crassotrea rhizophorae), mangrove mussel (Mytella guyanensis)and clams (Anomalocardia brasiliana), were collected in different parts of Todos os Santos Bay, Bahia, Brazil. In addition, samples of bivalves and fish, purchased from a seafood market in the city of Salvador were analyzed to evaluate human exposure to PCBs through ingestion. Identification and quantification of PCBs were done by GC/MS after microwave extraction and purification with sulfuric acid. In bivalves, concentrations ranged from <0.08 to 50.1 ng g -1 (dry weight), with the highest values being detected in mangrove oyster, followed by clams and mangrove mussel of the Subaé estuary and Madre de Deus/Mataripe; regions known to be impacted by anthropic activities. From the total of the 12 fish species analyzed, only 5 presented levels of PCBs above the detection limit, ranging from 0.23 to 4.55 ng g -1 and 0.51 to 26.05 ng g -1 by dry weight and lipid weight, respectively. In general, concentrations of PCBs on the bay are lower than in most regions around the world, especially those located in the Northern Hemisphere. Indexes indicated that local biota and seafood from the fish market are not adversely impacted by PCBs and do not represent a risk to human health.

Association of status of acetylcholinesterase and ACHE gene 3' UTR variants (rs17228602, rs17228616) with drug addiction vulnerability in pakistani population.

Substance addiction is a chronic, relapsing mental disorder Characterized by compulsive drug seeking, and loss of control over drug intake and relapse after prolonged abstinence. Genetics has been shown to contribute towards an individual's vulnerability to addiction. Acetylecholine (ACh), a cholinergic neurotransmitter hydrolyzed by acetylcholinesterase (AChE), is an essential neurotransmitter and neuromodulator in central and peripheral nervous system and has regulatory influence on numerous neuronal functions including addiction. The present study was carried out to investigate the role of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in addiction through measurement of enzyme activity and to find potential association of ACHE gene 3'UTR variants rs17228602 and rs17228616 in heroin, hashish and poly drug addicts. Both SNPs are located within microRNA (miRNA) recognition sites with potential to affect miRNA/transcript interaction. A total of 122 addicts of heroin, hashish and polydrug were recruited from local rehabilitation centers to participate in this study. AChE activity was measured in blood by Ellman's method. SNP genotyping was performed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and Sanger sequencing. The AChE activity was found significantly higher (p ≤ 0.005) in addicted cohort (mean ±â€¯standard error of mean 0.020 ±â€¯0.001 µmol/L/min; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.018-0.022) in comparison to non-addicted healthy subjects (0.011 ±â€¯0.001 µmol/L/min; 95% confidence interval CI 0.010-0.013). A statistically significant association of ACHE rs17228602 SNP with addiction vulnerability in dominant (DM: Odd's ratio OR = 2.095, 95% CI = 1.157-3.807 p = 0.009) and allelic genetic models (OR = 1.854 95% CI = 1.082-3.187, p = 0.016) was observed. However, no statistically significant association of rs17228616 SNP with substance abuse disorder was found. The data presented here shows that AChE could play significant role in substance addiction. Further studies with larger sample size and other variants of AChE are recommended to identify novel therapeutic approaches for cholinergic based treatment of addiction.

Quinolone-Induced Painful Peripheral Neuropathy: A Case Report and Literature Review.

We present a case report of a 20-year-old male with diabetes mellitus type 1, who developed severe painful peripheral neuropathy while on the second of a 10-day course with levofloxacin for the treatment of epididymitis. The intensity of the pain rapidly reached scores of 10/10 in a numeric scale 0/10, and the patient was transferred to an inpatient pain unit where he was treated aggressively with minimal improvement. A skin biopsy revealed small fiber neuropathy. Then the patient was treated with intravenous immunoglobulin, which improved the pain. Now the patient is on outpatient intravenous immunoglobulin infusions bimonthly and making a slow recovery.

PBDE levels in franciscana dolphin (Pontoporia blainvillei): temporal trend and geographical comparison.

Total PBDE concentrations determined in archived blubber samples from franciscana dolphins (Pontoporia blainvillei) unintentionally captured in the Brazilian coastal region off Rio Grande do Sul State (FMA III) between 1994 and 2004 (n = 73) ranged from 7.9 to 65 ng g(-1) lipid weight in mature males, with an increase over the ten-year period. Total PBDE concentrations in blubber samples collected from the FAM II (n = 41) between 2002 and 2005 were higher (67.8 to 763.7 ng g(-1)lw) than those from FMA III. This is possibly due to the proximity to important industrial development sites in the state of São Paulo. Despite the differences in total concentrations, PBDE profiles were comparable and the PBDE concentrations decreased in the following order BDE 47>BDE99>BDE 100 for both FMA and for males and females as well as adults, juveniles and pups.

Persistent organic pollutants in liver of Brazilian sharpnose shark (Rhizoprionodon lalandii) from southeastern coast of Brazil.

In the present study, persistent organic pollutants (POPs) were determined in 14 livers from specimens of the Brazilian sharpnose shark (Rhizoprionodon lalandii), which is an important economic resource for small-scale fisheries on the southeastern coast of Brazil. The following concentrations (lipid weight) of POPs were found: ∑PCBs: 1019±267 ng g(-1); ∑DDTs: 111±40 ng g(-1) and ∑PBDEs: 10.4±4.78. PCB 153 made the greatest contribution to ∑PCB (21.4%), followed by PCB 138 (14.6%) and PCB 180 (9.94%). Among chlorinated pesticides, only the p,p'-DDE and p,p'-DDD isomers had concentrations above the detection limit. Moreover, levels above the detection limit were found only for PBDE congeners 47 and 100 (BDEs 47>99). On average, BDE 47 accounted for 88% of the total PBDE load. The feeding habits of the Brazilian sharpnose shark close to the Brazilian coastline are likely the most important difference regarding the accumulation of POPs in comparison to oceanic species that feed in deeper waters. Thus, this species may be used to evaluate the pollution of coastal areas as well as human exposure to contaminants, as the Brazilian sharpnose shark is a frequently used for human consumption. Further studies in other areas of Brazil and involving other species are needed to clarify the mechanisms and potential impact of POPs, which can affect the biology of different organisms and cause population declines.

Adult pancreas side population cells expand after ß cell injury and are a source of insulin-secreting cells.

Pancreas stem cells are a potential source of insulin-producing ß cells for the therapy of diabetes. In adult tissues the 'side population' (SP) of cells that effluxes the DNA binding dye Hoechst 33342 through ATP-binding cassette transporters has stem cell properties. We hypothesised therefore that the SP would expand in response to ß cell injury and give rise to functional ß cells. SP cells were flow sorted from dissociated pancreas cells of adult mice, analysed for phenotype and cultured with growth promoting and differentiation factors before analysis for hormone expression and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. SP cell number and colony forming potential (CFP) increased significantly in models of type diabetes, and after partial pancreatectomy, in the absence of hyperglycaemia. SP cells, ∼1% of total pancreas cells at 1 week of age, were enriched >10-fold for CFP compared to non-SP cells. Freshly isolated SP cells contained no insulin protein or RNA but expressed the homeobox transcription factor Pdx1 required for pancreas development and ß cell function. Pdx1, along with surface expression of CD326 (Ep-Cam), was a marker of the colony forming and proliferation potential of SP cells. In serum-free medium with defined factors, SP cells proliferated and differentiated into islet hormone-expressing cells that secreted insulin in response to glucose. Insulin expression was maintained when tissue was transplanted within vascularised chambers into diabetic mice. SP cells in the adult pancreas expand in response to ß cell injury and are a source of ß cell progenitors with potential for the treatment of diabetes.

Técnicas invasivas paradiagnóstico prenatal citogenéticoen la gestación gemelar / Invasive techniques for prenatal cytogenic diagnosis in twin pregnancies

Los embarazos gemelares dicigóticos tienen un riesgo incrementado de anomalía cromosómica; esto sumado a las limitaciones diagnósticas del screening bioquímico y ultrasonográfico hacen necesario el empleo de técnicas invasivas. El propósito de esta revisión es analizar la información clínica disponible en lengua inglesa y castellana, acerca del uso de técnicas invasivas para diagnóstico citogenético en gestaciones gemelares. Además se expone en líneas generales la embriología y el diagnóstico ultrasonográfico de corionicidad y amniocidad. En las gestaciones múltiples es factible emplear amniocentesis, biopsia de vellosidad corial o cordocentesis; se describen las ventajas, limitaciones y complicaciones de cada una. La amniocentesis es el método más empleado, constituyéndose en el estándar de oro. Sugerimos que el uso de amniocentesis o biopsia corial se base en la condición clínica de cada paciente y en la experiencia de cada grupo. El uso de cordocentesis se limita a situaciones especiales. Consideramos necesario se desarrollen estudios prospectivos y controlados comparando las diferentes técnicas (AU)