Regionalizing eco-toxicity characterization factors for copper soil emissions considering edaphic information for Northern Spain and Portuguese vineyards

The management of vineyards depends on the use of plant protection agents. Regardless of the numerous environmental impacts that these pesticides generate during their production, their dosage as pest control agents in vineyards causes an important toxic effect that must be monitored. Copper-based inorganic pesticides are the most widely used agents to control fungal diseases in humid wine-growing regions. It is, however, significant that the environmental analysis of their use through the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology does not provide detailed information on the potential toxicity of this type of pesticides. Hence, most studies report average values for copper characterization factors (CFs), excluding local soil characteristics. The objective of the study was the spatial characterization of the ecotoxicity factors of copper soil emissions as a function of the chemical characteristics of vineyard soils located in Portugal and Galicia (NW Spain). A multiple linear regression model was applied to calculate the comparative toxic potential. Subsequently, CFs for copper were calculated based on spatial differentiation considering the variable properties of the soil within each wine appellation. The CFs obtained for the area evaluated ranged from 141 to 5937 PAF·m³·day/kg_{Cu emitted}, for fibric histosols (HSf) and dystic cambisols (CMd), respectively. Moreover, the average values obtained for Galician and Portuguese soils were 1145 and 2274 PAF·m³·day/kg_{Cu emitted}, respectively. The results obtained illustrate the high variability of CF values as a function of the chemical characteristics of each type of soil. For example, Cu soil mobility was linked to organic carbon content and pH. Finally, to validate the representativeness of the calculated CFs, these were applied to the results of 12 literature life cycle inventories of grape production in the area evaluated, revealing that impact scores associated with Cu emissions can considerably vary when spatially-differentiated CFs are implemented.

Reliability, measurement error and construct validity of four proprioceptive tests in patients with chronic idiopathic neck pain

BACKGROUND

There are different neck proprioceptive tests that are believed to be targeting different sources of proprioceptive information.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the reliability, measurement error, discriminative validity and convergent validity of four proprioceptive tests (head repositioning to neutral - HRNT, torsion test - TT, head repositioning to 30° rotation - HR30T and figure of eight relocation test - F8T) in individuals with chronic idiopathic neck pain and asymptomatic individuals. A secondary aim was to assess the divergent validity of these tests by correlating them against measures of disability, pain catastrophizing and fear of movement.

DESIGN

- Reliability and validity study.

METHODS

- 66 participants (33 with chronic neck pain and 33 asymptomatic) were assessed using four proprioceptive tests, pain catastrophizing scale, neck disability index, tampa scale of kinesiophobia and visual analogue scale.

RESULTS

Proprioceptive tests showed moderate to good reliability (ICC: 0.55 to 0.85), but high measurement error. All tests but the HR30T were significantly different between participants with and without neck pain (p < 0.05). Only the HRNT showed an area under the curve above 0.5 (AUC95% CI = 0.51; 0.78, p ≤ 0.042). Between test correlations ranged between 0.35 and 0.61 and correlations between proprioceptive tests and catastrophizing, fear of movement and disability were, in general, lower than 0.3.

CONCLUSION

The four proprioceptive tests showed reliability and measurement errors good enough for group comparisons but of limited utility for individual comparisons. They seem to measure related but dissimilar constructs and the HRNT seemed better at discriminating individuals with and without NP and easier to perform in clinical practice.

Weaning practices in phenylketonuria vary between health professionals in Europe

Background

In phenylketonuria (PKU), weaning is considered more challenging when compared to feeding healthy infants. The primary aim of weaning is to gradually replace natural protein from breast milk or standard infant formula with solids containing equivalent phenylalanine (Phe). In addition, a Phe-free second stage L-amino acid supplement is usually recommended from around 6 months to replace Phe-free infant formula. Our aim was to assess different weaning approaches used by health professionals across Europe.

Methods

A cross sectional questionnaire (survey monkey®) composed of 31 multiple and single choice questions was sent to European colleagues caring for inherited metabolic disorders (IMD). Centres were grouped into geographical regions for analysis.

Results

Weaning started at 17–26 weeks in 85% (n = 81/95) of centres, >26 weeks in 12% (n = 11/95) and < 17 weeks in 3% (n = 3/95). Infant's showing an interest in solid foods, and their age, were important determinant factors influencing weaning commencement. 51% (n = 48/95) of centres introduced Phe containing foods at 17–26 weeks and 48% (n = 46/95) at >26 weeks. First solids were mainly low Phe vegetables (59%, n = 56/95) and fruit (34%, n = 32/95).

A Phe exchange system to allocate dietary Phe was used by 52% (n = 49/95) of centres predominantly from Northern and Southern Europe and 48% (n = 46/95) calculated most Phe containing food sources (all centres in Eastern Europe and the majority from Germany and Austria). Some centres used a combination of both methods.

A second stage Phe-free L-amino acid supplement containing a higher protein equivalent was introduced by 41% (n = 39/95) of centres at infant age 26–36 weeks (mainly from Germany, Austria, Northern and Eastern Europe) and 37% (n = 35/95) at infant age > 1y mainly from Southern Europe. 53% (n = 50/95) of centres recommended a second stage Phe-free L-amino acid supplement in a spoonable or semi-solid form.

Conclusions

Weaning strategies vary throughout European PKU centres. There is evidence to suggest that different infant weaning strategies may influence longer term adherence to the PKU diet or acceptance of Phe-free L-amino acid supplements; rendering prospective long-term studies important. It is essential to identify an effective weaning strategy that reduces caregiver burden but is associated with acceptable dietary adherence and optimal infant feeding development.

Early feeding practices in infants with phenylketonuria across Europe

Background

In infants with phenylketonuria (PKU), dietary management is based on lowering and titrating phenylalanine (Phe) intake from breast milk or standard infant formula in combination with a Phe-free infant formula in order to maintain blood Phe levels within target range. Professionals use different methods to feed infants with PKU and our survey aimed to document practices across Europe.

Methods

We sent a cross sectional, survey monkey® questionnaire to European health professionals working in IMD. It contained 31 open and multiple-choice questions. The results were analysed according to different geographical regions.

Results

Ninety-five centres from 21 countries responded. Over 60% of centres commenced diet in infants by age 10 days, with 58% of centres implementing newborn screening by day 3 post birth. At diagnosis, infant hospital admission occurred in 61% of metabolic centres, mainly in Eastern, Western and Southern Europe. Breastfeeding fell sharply following diagnosis with only 30% of women still breast feeding at 6 months.

53% of centres gave pre-measured Phe-free infant formula before each breast feed and 23% alternated breast feeds with Phe-free infant formula. With standard infant formula feeds, measured amounts were followed by Phe-free infant formula to satiety in 37% of centres (n = 35/95), whereas 44% (n = 42/95) advised mixing both formulas together. Weaning commenced between 17 and 26 weeks in 85% centres, ≥26 weeks in 12% and < 17 weeks in 3%.

Discussion

This is the largest European survey completed on PKU infant feeding practices. It is evident that practices varied widely across Europe, and the practicalities of infant feeding in PKU received little focus in the PKU European Guidelines (2017). There are few reports comparing different feeding techniques with blood Phe control, Phe fluctuations and growth. Controlled prospective studies are necessary to assess how different infant feeding practices may influence longer term feeding development.

Validity and reliability of a pictorial instrument for assessing perceived motor competence in Portuguese children

BACKGROUND

It is important to assess young children's perceived Fundamental Movement Skill (FMS) competence in order to examine the role of perceived FMS competence in motivation toward physical activity. Children's perceptions of motor competence may vary according to the culture/country of origin; therefore, it is also important to measure perceptions in different cultural contexts. The purpose was to assess the face validity, internal consistency, test-retest reliability and construct validity of the 12 FMS items in the Pictorial Scale for Perceived Movement Skill Competence for Young Children (PMSC) in a Portuguese sample.

METHODS

Two hundred one Portuguese children (girls, n = 112), 5 to 10 years of age (7.6 ± 1.4), participated. All children completed the PMSC once. Ordinal alpha assessed internal consistency. A random subsamples (n = 47) were reassessed one week later to determine test-retest reliability with Bland-Altman method. Children were asked questions after the second administration to determine face validity. Construct validity was assessed on the whole sample with a Bayesian Structural Equation Modelling (BSEM) approach. The hypothesized theoretical model used the 12 items and two hypothesized factors: object control and locomotor skills.

RESULTS

The majority of children correctly identified the skills and could understand most of the pictures. Test-retest reliability analysis was good, with an agreement ration between 0.99 and 1.02. Ordinal alpha values ranged from acceptable (object control 0.73, locomotor 0.68) to good (all FMS 0.81). The hypothesized BSEM model had an adequate fit.

CONCLUSIONS

The PMSC can be used to investigate perceptions of children's FMS competence. This instrument can also be satisfactorily used among Portuguese children.

Evidence for plasmid DNA exchange after polyplex mixing

The self-assembly of a plasmid DNA (pDNA) with cationic polymers or cationic liposomes forms nanosized supramolecular structures called lipoplexes, polyplexes and lipopolyplexes. Here, we report that when two polyplex preparations made using the same polymer and the same pDNA but labelled with two different fluorophores are mixed together, pDNA molecules are exchanged. Indeed, when Flu-pDNA complexed with histidinylated lPEI (Flu-pDNA/His-lPEI) polyplexes are mixed with Cy5-pDNA complexed with histidinylated lPEI (Cy5-pDNA/His-lPEI) polyplexes, a high quantity of polyplexes emitting dual fluorescence is observed and FRET indicates that one single polyplex contains two kinds of fluorescent pDNA molecules. This phenomenon depends on the polymer-type and the strength of the pDNA/polymer interaction. No exchange is observed with polylysine polyplexes, caged His-lPEI polyplexes, lipoplexes, lipopolyplexes or when His-lPEI polyplexes are mixed with lipoplexes. Our results suggest that aggregation or collapse of polyplexes occurs after their interaction leading to their unpackaging followed by the formation of new polyplexes with the exchange of pDNA.

Potential of mannan or dextrin nanogels as vaccine carrier/adjuvant systems

Polymeric nanogels have been sophisticatedly designed promising a new generation of vaccine delivery/adjuvant systems capable of boosting immune response, a strategic priority in vaccine design. Here, nanogels made of mannan or dextrin were evaluated for their potential as carriers/adjuvants in vaccine formulations. Since lymph nodes are preferential target organs for vaccine delivery systems, nanogels were biotin-labeled, injected in the footpad of rats, and their presence in draining lymph nodes was assessed by immunofluorescence. Nanogels were detected in the popliteal and inguinal lymph nodes by 24 h upon subcutaneous administration, indicating entrapment in lymphatic organs. Moreover, the model antigen ovalbumin was physically encapsulated within nanogels and physicochemically characterized concerning size, zeta potential, ovalbumin loading, and entrapment efficiency. The immunogenicity of these formulations was assessed in mice intradermally immunized with ovalbumin–mannan or ovalbumin–dextrin by determining ovalbumin-specific antibody serum titers. Intradermal vaccination using ovalbumin–mannan elicited a humoral immune response in which ovalbumin-specific IgG1 levels were significantly higher than those obtained with ovalbumin alone, indicating a TH2-type response. In contrast, dextrin nanogel did not show adjuvant potential. Altogether, these results indicate that mannan nanogel is a material that should be explored as a future antigen delivery system.

Rediscovery and redescription of Centrodora damoni (Girault) (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) from Australia, an egg parasitoid of Gonipterus spp (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), after nearly a century

Background

Centrodora is a relatively common and widespread genus of morphologically diverse species, and is the most polyphagous genus known within the Aphelinidae, attacking eggs of insects in addition to pupae of Diptera and Hymenoptera, and nymphs of Hemiptera (Polaszek 1991). There are currently about 60 valid species in the genus, but given its morphological and biological diversity, some elevation of species-groups and subgenera to genus-level might be useful in future. Centrodora is represented in Australia by twelve species (Noyes 2015).

New information

Centrodoradamoni (Girault) is redescribed and diagnosed from recently collected specimens reared from the eucalyptus weevil Gonipterussp. nearscutellatus Gyllenhal (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) from Tasmania, Australia. A lectotype is designated from a syntype specimen.

Preparation and characterization of electrical conductive PVA based materials for peripheral nerve tube-guides

Peripheral nerve regeneration is a serious clinical problem. Presently, there are several nerve tube-guides available in the market, however with some limitations. The goal of this work was the development of a biomaterial with high electrical conductivity to produce tube-guides for nerve regeneration after neurotmesis injuries whenrver an end-to-end suture without tension is not possible. A matrix of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) was used loaded with the following electrical conductive materials: COOH-functionalized multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), poly(pyrrole) (PPy), magnesium chloride (MgCl2 ), and silver nitrate (AgNO3 ). The tube-guide production was carried out by a freezing/thawing process (physical crosslinking) with a final annealing treatment. After producing the tube-guide for nerve regeneration, the physicochemical characterization was performed. The most interesting results were achieved by loading PVA with 0.05% of PPy or COOH- functionalized CNTs. These tubes combined the electrical conductivity of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and PPy with the biocompatibility of PVA matrix, with potential clinical application for nerve regeneration. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 1981-1987, 2016.

Atmospheric Emissions from Forest Biomass Residues to Energy Supply Chain: A Case Study in Portugal

During the past decades, pressures on global environment and energy security have led to an increasing demand on renewable energy sources and diversification of the world's energy supply. The Portuguese energy strategy considers the use of Forest Biomass Residues (FBR) to energy as being essential to accomplish the goals established in the National Energy Strategy for 2020. However, despite the advantages pointing to FBR to the energy supply chain, few studies have evaluated the potential impacts on air quality. In this context, a case study was selected to estimate the atmospheric emissions of the FBR to the energy supply chain in Portugal. Results revealed that production, harvesting, and energy conversion processes are the main culprits for the biomass energy supply chain emissions (with a contribution higher than 90%), while the transport processes have a minor importance for all the pollutants. Compared with the coal-fired plants, the FBR combustion produces lower greenhouses emissions, on a mass basis of fuel consumed; the same is true for NO_X and SO₂ emissions.