Staphylococcus aureus Serine protease-like protein A (SplA) induces IL-8 by keratinocytes and synergizes with IL-17A.

BACKGROUND: Serine protease-like (Spl) proteins produced by Staphylococcus (S.) aureus have been associated with allergic inflammation. However, effects of Spls on the epidermal immune response have not been investigated. OBJECTIVES: To assess the epidermal immune response to SplA, SplD and SplE dependent on differentiation of keratinocytes and a Th2 or Th17 cytokine milieu. METHODS: Human keratinocytes of healthy controls and a STAT3-hyper-IgE syndrome (STAT3-HIES) patient were cultured in different calcium concentrations in the presence of Spls and Th2 or Th17 cytokines. Keratinocyte-specific IL-8 production and concomitant migration of neutrophils were assessed. RESULTS: SplE and more significantly SplA, induced IL-8 in keratinocytes. Suprabasal-like keratinocytes showed a higher Spl-mediated IL-8 production and neutrophil migration compared to basal-like keratinocytes. Th17 cytokines amplified Spl-mediated IL-8 production, which correlated with neutrophil recruitment. Neutrophil recruitment by keratinocytes of the STAT3-HIES patient was similar to healthy control cells. CONCLUSION: S. aureus-specific Spl proteases synergized with IL-17A on human keratinocytes with respect to IL-8 release and neutrophil migration, highlighting the importance of keratinocytes and Th17 immunity in barrier function.

Tele-medicine versus face-to-face consultation in Endocrine Outpatients Clinic during COVID-19 outbreak: a single-center experience during the lockdown period.

CONTEXT: The COVID-19 outbreak in Italy is the major concern of Public Health in 2020: measures of containment were progressively expanded, limiting Outpatients' visit. OBJECTIVE: We have developed and applied an emergency plan, tailored for Outpatients with endocrine diseases. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study from March to May 2020. SETTING: Referral University-Hospital center. PATIENTS: 1262 patients in 8 weeks. INTERVENTIONS: The emergency plan is based upon the endocrine triage, the stay-safe procedures and the tele-Endo. During endocrine triage every patient was contacted by phone to assess health status and define if the visit will be performed face-to-face (F2F) or by tele-Medicine (tele-Endo). In case of F2F, targeted stay-safe procedures have been adopted. Tele-Endo, performed by phone and email, is dedicated to COVID-19-infected patients, to elderly or frail people, or to those with a stable disease. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: To assess efficacy of the emergency plan to continue the follow-up of Outpatients. RESULTS: The number of visits cancelled after endocrine triage (9%) is lower than that cancelled independently by the patients (37%, p < 0.001); the latter reduced from 47 to 19% during the weeks of lockdown (p = 0.032). 86% of patients contacted by endocrine-triage received a clinical response (F2F and tele-Endo visits). F2F visit was offered especially to young patients; tele-Endo was applied to 63% of geriatric patients (p < 0.001), visits' outcome was similar between young and aged patients. CONCLUSIONS: The emergency plan respects the WHO recommendations to limit viral spread and is useful to continue follow-up for outpatients with endocrine diseases.

COVID-19 strategy in organizing and planning orthopedic surgery in a major orthopedic referral center in an area of Italy severely affected by the pandemic: experience of the Department of Orthopedics, University of Padova.

BACKGROUND: According to the required reorganization of all hospital activities, the recent COVID-19 pandemic had dramatic consequences on the orthopedic world. We think that informing the orthopedic community about the strategy that we adopted both in our hospital and in our Department of Orthopedics could be useful, particularly for those who are facing the pandemic later than Italy. METHODS: Changes were done in our hospital by medical direction to reallocate resources to COVID-19 patients. In the Orthopedic Department, a decrease in the number of beds and surgical activity was stabilized. Since March 13, it has been avoided to perform elective surgery, and since March 16, non-urgent outpatient consultations were abolished. This activity reduction was associated with careful evaluation of staff and patients: extensive periodical swab testing of all healthcare staff and swab testing of all surgical patients were applied. RESULTS: These restrictions determined an overall reduction of all our surgical activities of 30% compared to 2019. We also had a reduction in outpatient clinic activities and admissions to the orthopedic emergency unit. Extensive swab testing has proven successful: of more than 160 people tested in our building, only three COVID-19 positives were found, and of over more than 200 surgical procedures, only two positive patients were found. CONCLUSIONS: Extensive swab test of all people (even if asymptomatic) and proactive tracing and quarantining of potential COVID-19 positive patients may diminish the virus spread.

Growth performance and carcass yield of broiler chickens in response to carbohydrases and its association with phytase / Desempenho e rendimento de carcaça de frangos de corte em resposta à associação de carboidrase com fitase

An experiment was conducted to evaluate broiler chicken performance and carcass yield in response to carbohydrase supplementation (Xylanase and Betaglucanase; XB) and association of carbohydrase and phytase (PHY). A total of 1,920 day-old male broiler chicks (Cobb 500) were distributed in a completely randomized design with 8 treatments and 8 replicates each, allocated in 64 pens with 30 chicks each. The treatments were: Positive Control (PC); Negative Control (NC): reduced ME [-120kcal/kg (Starter) and -170kcal/kg (Finisher)]; NC + XB [50g/ton]; NC + XB [100g/ton]; NC + XB [150g/ton]; NC + XB [50g/ton] + PHY [100g/ton]; NC + XB [100g/ton] + PHY [100g/ton]; NC + XB [150g/ton] + PHY [100g/ton]. The inclusion of XB (150) and XB (50, 100, and 150) associated with phytase increased feed intake than positive control when considering the total rearing phase. The feed conversion ratio of all broilers fed diets with energy reduction were worse than positive control, even with the addition of enzymes, and did not differ between them. There was no significant effect of treatments on carcass parameters.(AU)

O experimento foi conduzido para avaliar o desempenho e o rendimento de carcaça de frangos de corte em resposta à suplementação de carboidrase (Xilanase e Betaglucanase; XB) e à associação de carboidrase com fitase (PHY). Um total de 1.920 frangos de corte, machos, com 1 dia de idade (Cobb 500), foram distribuídos em um delineamento experimental inteiramente ao acaso, com oito tratamentos e oito repetições, totalizando 64 unidades experimentais (boxes) com 30 aves cada. Os tratamentos foram: controle positivo (PC); controle negativo (NC): redução de EM [-120kcal/kg (fase inicial) e -170kcal/kg (fase final)]; NC + XB [50g/ton]; NC + XB [100g/ton]; NC + XB [150g/ton]; NC + XB [50g/ton] + PHY [100g/ton]; NC + XB [100g/ton] + PHY [100g/ton]; NC + XB [150g/ton] + PHY [100g/ton]. A inclusão de XB (150) e a associação de fitase com XB (50, 100 e 150) aumentaram o consumo de ração em relação ao tratamento controle positivo, considerando-se a fase total de criação. A conversão alimentar de todos os frangos que receberam dietas com redução de energia foi pior que o controle positivo, mesmo com a adição das enzimas, e não diferiu entre elas. Não houve efeito significativo dos tratamentos sobre os parâmetros de carcaça.(AU)

Is release of the posterior lamella enough? A cadaveric exploration of posterior component separation techniques.

BACKGROUND: As posterior component separation techniques continue to gain popularity there is uncertainty regarding the degree of fascial advancement afforded by the various techniques. Our study seeks to compare the degree anterior rectus sheath translation seen in full transversus abdominus release compared to simple release of the posterior lamella of the rectus sheath. METHODS: Ten hemi-abdomens in five fresh cadavers were dissected. One hemi-abdomen underwent external oblique release. The contralateral hemi-abdomen underwent retrorectus dissection and initial release of the internal lamella of the internal oblique, followed by full transversus abdominus release. A 4 kg weight was suspended from the fascia and excursion was measured after 1) external oblique separation, 2) posterior lamella of the internal oblique separation, and 3) transversus abdominis separation. RESULTS: Average unilateral hemifascial translation after release of the external oblique provided an average unilateral hemi-fascial translation of 3.38 cm (+/- 0.69). Release of the posterior lamella of the internal oblique provided 3.98 cm (+/- 0.94). After transversus release the average translation increased to 4.31 cm (+/- 0.89). CONCLUSIONS: In this cadaveric study, the majority (92%) of fascial advancement afforded by posterior component separation was achieved by an intermediate step in the transversus abdominus release operation: division of the posterior lamella of the internal oblique.

Heap leach cyanide irrigation and risk to wildlife: Ramifications for the international cyanide management code.

Exposed cyanide-bearing solutions associated with gold and silver recovery processes in the mining industry pose a risk to wildlife that interact with these solutions. This has been documented with cyanide-bearing tailings storage facilities, however risks associated with heap leach facilities are poorly documented, monitored and audited. Gold and silver leaching heap leach facilities use cyanide, pH-stabilised, at concentrations deemed toxic to wildlife. Their design and management are known to result in exposed cyanide-bearing solutions that are accessible to and present a risk to wildlife. Monitoring of the presence of exposed solutions, wildlife interaction, interpretation of risks and associated wildlife deaths are poorly documented. This paper provides a list of critical monitoring criteria and attempts to predict wildlife guilds most at risk. Understanding the significance of risks to wildlife from exposed cyanide solutions is complex, involving seasonality, relative position of ponding, temporal nature of ponding, solution palatability, environmental conditions, in situ wildlife species inventory and provision of alternative drinking sources for wildlife. Although a number of heap leach operations are certified as complaint with the International Cyanide Management Code (Cyanide Code), these criteria are not considered by auditors nor has systematic monitoring regime data been published. Without systematic monitoring and further knowledge, wildlife deaths on heap leach facilities are likely to remain largely unrecorded. This has ramifications for those operations certified as compliance with the Cyanide Code.

Manipulation of dietary methionine+cysteine and threonine in broilers significantly decreases environmental nitrogen excretion.

The intensification of livestock have increased the emission of pollutants to the environment, leading to a growing interest in seeking strategies that minimise these emissions. Studies have shown that it is possible to manipulate diets by reducing CP levels and thus reducing nitrogen (N) excretion, without compromising performance. However, there is no knowledge of any study that has focused on reducing N excretion and relating this reduction to individual amino acids. This study investigated the effect of dietary methionine+cysteine (MC) and threonine (THR), the two most limiting amino acids for broiler production, on nitrogen excretion (NE) and nitrogen deposition (ND) and determined the efficiency of utilisation of both amino acids for protein deposition. Six trials were conducted to measure the NE and ND in broiler chickens during three rearing phases in response to dietary amino acid. The efficiency of utilisation of the amino acids was calculated by linear regression of body protein deposition and the amino acid intake. Despite the differences between sexes and phases, the efficiency of utilisation was the same, being 0.60 and 0.59 for MC and THR, respectively. The rate of NE behaved exponentially, increasing with amino acid intake, and can exceed 50% of N intake, being higher than ND. On average, for a reduction in intake of each unit of MC or THR (mg) there is a reduction of 0.5% of NE. Although this reduction seems low, considering that it corresponds to changes in one amino acid only, the impact on a large scale would be significant. Knowledge of how animals respond to NE and ND/protein deposition according to amino acid dietary content may represent new efforts towards reducing the impact on environment.

Broiler responses to digestible threonine at different ages: a neural networks approach.

Three experiments were conducted with broiler chickens to evaluate the effects of digestible threonine (DThr) and crude protein (CP) on their performance at three different phases of age: 1-14, 15-28 and 29-42 days. The measured traits included the following: average daily gain (ADG), feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), carcass crude protein (CCP), body lipid (BL), feather weight gain (FWG), protein deposited in feather (FCP), carcass plus feather protein (CFCP), carcass Thr deposition (CDThr) and nitrogen excretion (NE). A dilution technique was used to create seven diets (with eight replicates) increasing the DThr content from 1.5 to 10 g/kg of diet for phase 1, 1.3-8.9 g/kg of diet for phase 2, and 1.2-8.2 g/kg of diet for phase 3. Data measured were imported into neural networks (NNs) to: (i) predict the measured traits in response to DThr and CP, (ii) rank the importance of DThr and CP on these traits through sensitivity analysis and (iii) find the optimal levels of DThr and CP that lead to the desired (maximum or minimum) responses. For each trait investigated, 50 different random groups of data were generated using a bootstrapping method. These 50 data groups were then used to develop 50 separate NNs which were subsequently combined to construct the final ensemble NN model. In general, accuracy of the models constructed was acceptable, although models of high (ADG, FCR, CFCP, BL, DThr and NE; 0.64 ≤ R(2)  ≤ 0.99) and low (CCP, FWG and FCP; 0.26 ≤ R(2)  ≤ 0.79) accuracy were obtained. All models developed showed the greatest sensitivity to DThr. This may be explained by the dilution technique diet preparation used in these experiments. Optimization results showed decreases in optimal values of DThr and CP with increasing age for all traits. The highest level of DThr was suggested for minimum BL, followed by minimum FCR, maximum ADG, maximum CFCP, minimum NE and maximum CCP respectively. Results showed that the optimal values of DThr for minimum FCR in phases 1-3 were 8.5, 7.4 and 6.4 g/kg of diet, while these values for maximum ADG were 8.2, 7.2 and 6.4 g/kg of diet respectively.

Parâmetros ósseos de frangos de corte alimentados com rações contendo fitase e baixos níveis de fósforo disponível e proteína bruta / Bone parameters for broilers fed diets with phytase and low phosphorus and crude protein levels

Foram utilizados 504 pintos de linhagem comercial (Ag Ross 308) para frangos de corte de um dia de idade, distribuídos em 12 tratamentos com seis repetições. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi de blocos ao acaso em esquema fatorial 2x2x3, com dois níveis de fósforo disponível (0,45 e 0,34%), dois níveis de fitase (0 e 1200 FTU/kg) e três níveis de proteína bruta (22,5; 20,5 e 18,5%). A porcentagem de cálcio e fósforo nas tíbias foi influenciada significativamente pelos níveis de proteína e de fósforo na dieta com o uso da fitase. Os teores de matéria mineral nas tíbias apresentaram efeito linear com o uso da enzima e efeito quadrático com a ausência dela, apresentando maior valor com o nível de 22,5% de proteína na dieta. Já com os maiores níveis de fósforo houve efeito linear entre os níveis de proteína bruta na dieta e os pesos da matéria mineral nas tíbias, ou seja, quanto maior o nível de proteína, menor o peso da matéria mineral.

504 (five hundred four) 1 day old male chicks from a commercial broiler line (Ag Ross 308) were used, distributed in 12 treatments, with 6 replicates per treatment. The experimental design was casually blocked and treatments were organized in a 2x2x3 factorial arrangement: two available phosphorus levels (0.45 and 0.34%), two phytase inclusion levels (0 and 1200 FTU/kg) and three crude protein levels (22.5; 20.5 and 18.5%). Tibia calcium percentage was influenced by protein and phosphorus levels in the diet, when using phytase. Tibia ash levels showed a linear effect when enzymes were added and showed a quadractic effect without it, and the higher value was observed with 22.5% crude protein in the diet. With higher phosphorus levels a linear effect was observed between crude protein in the diet and tibia ash weights, as a higher protein level had lower tíbia ash weight.

Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor resistance mutations associated with first-line stavudine-containing antiretroviral therapy: programmatic implications for countries phasing out stavudine.

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization Antiretroviral Treatment Guidelines recommend phasing-out stavudine because of its risk of long-term toxicity. There are two mutational pathways of stavudine resistance with different implications for zidovudine and tenofovir cross-resistance, the primary candidates for replacing stavudine. However, because resistance testing is rarely available in resource-limited settings, it is critical to identify the cross-resistance patterns associated with first-line stavudine failure. METHODS: We analyzed HIV-1 resistance mutations following first-line stavudine failure from 35 publications comprising 1,825 individuals. We also assessed the influence of concomitant nevirapine vs. efavirenz, therapy duration, and HIV-1 subtype on the proportions of mutations associated with zidovudine vs. tenofovir cross-resistance. RESULTS: Mutations with preferential zidovudine activity, K65R or K70E, occurred in 5.3% of individuals. Mutations with preferential tenofovir activity, ≥ two thymidine analog mutations (TAMs) or Q151M, occurred in 22% of individuals. Nevirapine increased the risk of TAMs, K65R, and Q151M. Longer therapy increased the risk of TAMs and Q151M but not K65R. Subtype C and CRF01_AE increased the risk of K65R, but only CRF01_AE increased the risk of K65R without Q151M. CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of concomitant nevirapine vs. efavirenz, therapy duration, or subtype, tenofovir was more likely than zidovudine to retain antiviral activity following first-line d4T therapy.

Predictor factors for renal outcome in renal artery stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Atherosclerotic ischemic renal disease is a frequent cause of end-stage renal failure. Correction of renal artery stenosis (RAS) may fail to stabilize or improve renal function. AIMS OF THE STUDY: Carotid and aortic Intima media thickness (IMT), resistance renal resistance index (RI), arterial blood pressure (BP), serum creatinine (SCr), creatinine clearance (CrCl), proteinuria and uricemia were considered as possible predictive factors and measured before renal-artery stenosis correction and during 12 months follow-up. MATERIALS AND METHODS: we performed an observational study on a total of 55 patients to find predictive factors of the outcome of renal function after renal percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting (RPTAs). RESULTS: We found that uricemia, proteinuria and IR were higher at baseline in patients who worsened renal function after revascularization. CONCLUSIONS: The identification of predictive factors (uricemia; proteinuria and RI) of chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression in patients with RAS undergone revascularization could be useful to predict renal long term outcome and to select patients that really could benefit of this.

Whole-island carbon stocks in the tropical Pacific: implications for mangrove conservation and upland restoration.

Management of forest carbon (C) stocks is an increasingly prominent land-use issue. Knowledge of carbon storage in tropical forests is improving, but regional variations are still poorly understood, and this constrains forest management and conservation efforts associated with carbon valuation mechanisms (e.g., carbon markets). This deficiency is especially pronounced in tropical islands and low-lying coastal areas where climate change impacts are expected to be among the most severe. This study presents the first field estimate of island-wide carbon storage in ecosystems of Oceania, with special attention to the regional role of coastal mangroves, which occur on islands and coastal zones throughout the tropics. On two island groups of Micronesia (Yap and Palau), we sampled all above- and belowground C pools, including soil and vegetation, in 24 sites distributed evenly among the three major vegetation structural types: mangroves, upland forests, and open savannas (generally on degraded lands formerly forested). Total C stocks were estimated to be 3.9 and 15.2 Tg C on Yap and Palau, respectively. Mangroves contained by far the largest per-hectare C pools (830-1218 Mg C ha(-1)), with deep organic-rich soils alone storing more C (631-754 Mg C ha(-1)) than all pools combined in upland systems. Despite covering just 12-13% of land area, mangroves accounted for 24-34% of total island C stocks. Savannas (156-203 Mg C ha(-1)) contained significantly lower C stocks than upland forests (375-437 Mg C ha(-1)), suggesting that reforesting savannas where appropriate has high potential for carbon-based funding to aid restoration objectives. For mangroves, these results demonstrate the key role of these systems within the broader context of C storage in island and coastal landscapes. Sustainable management of mangrove forests and their large C stocks is of high importance at the regional scale, and climate change mitigation programs such as REDD+ could play a large role in avoiding deforestation of mangroves where this is a management objective.

Periodic emission from the gamma-ray binary 1FGL J1018.6-5856.

Gamma-ray binaries are stellar systems containing a neutron star or black hole, with gamma-ray emission produced by an interaction between the components. These systems are rare, even though binary evolution models predict dozens in our Galaxy. A search for gamma-ray binaries with the Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT) shows that 1FGL J1018.6-5856 exhibits intensity and spectral modulation with a 16.6-day period. We identified a variable x-ray counterpart, which shows a sharp maximum coinciding with maximum gamma-ray emission, as well as an O6V((f)) star optical counterpart and a radio counterpart that is also apparently modulated on the orbital period. 1FGL J1018.6-5856 is thus a gamma-ray binary, and its detection suggests the presence of other fainter binaries in the Galaxy.

Gamma-ray emission concurrent with the nova in the symbiotic binary V407 Cygni.

Novae are thermonuclear explosions on a white dwarf surface fueled by mass accreted from a companion star. Current physical models posit that shocked expanding gas from the nova shell can produce x-ray emission, but emission at higher energies has not been widely expected. Here, we report the Fermi Large Area Telescope detection of variable gamma-ray emission (0.1 to 10 billion electron volts) from the recently detected optical nova of the symbiotic star V407 Cygni. We propose that the material of the nova shell interacts with the dense ambient medium of the red giant primary and that particles can be accelerated effectively to produce pi(0) decay gamma-rays from proton-proton interactions. Emission involving inverse Compton scattering of the red giant radiation is also considered and is not ruled out.

Primary stenting for renal fibromuscular-dysplastic stenosis: a case report.

Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) is a non-inflammatory, non-atherosclerotic vascular disease that has been reported in renal and internal carotid arteries and in almost every arterial bed, primarily affecting young to middle-aged people, mainly female individuals. These patients may be asymptomatic or may present with hypertension. A 29 year-old hypertensive woman was referred for a renal color Doppler ultrasound (CDU) scan because of a suspicion of renovascular hypertension and we revealed the presence of three separate stenosis on the right renal artery. Digital selective angiography (DSA) and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) were performed but an incomplete dilation of the vessel was obtained. Because of the suboptimal result, it was decided to stent the lesions during two different procedures. Percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty is the primary treatment of renal FMD, but should not be excluded primary stent implantation as an alternative technique to surgical revascularization.

The protection of wildlife from mortality: hypothesis and results for risk assessment.

Wildlife deaths associated with cyanide-bearing tailings dams are a significant environmental issue that has affected the gold mining industries for many years and still characterized by little knowledge about how to measure, monitoring, reduce or eliminate those deaths. The purpose of this paper is statistically to determine: the potential for establishing causal relations between exposure to cyanide (in its most common species relevant to tailings) and response (measured by death counts), to develop a protocol of data analysis, the understanding of the significance of data gaps, and the effect of likely risk management interventions to achieve the goals of the International Cyanide Management Code (ICMC); [ICMC The International Cyanide Management Institute. International cyanide management code, the international cyanide management institute 2005, www.cyanidecode.org.]. However, operator's certification under the ICMC is difficult because of the limited data and potentially serious under-estimation of the death counts. This is due to observational skill and monitoring frequency, the small size of the carcasses, large extent of tailings facilities, carcasses loss by; entombment in tailings, sink, or taken by scavenging wildlife. This (1st order or bounding) assessment results focus on bird-deaths, which appear to be most frequent at sites where elevated cyanide concentrations are found. Those results indicate that the empirical causal associations we generate support the hypotheses that: This paper also develops the basis for a complete risk assessment study to be based on additional data gathering activities and detailed statistical analyses. These two activities, combined with a risk management plan also being developed, will provide a tool for compliance with the ICMC.

A critical review of the effects of gold cyanide-bearing tailings solutions on wildlife.

Wildlife deaths associated with cyanide-bearing mine waste solutions have plagued the gold mining industries for many years, yet there is little published data showing the relationship between wildlife mortality and cyanide toxicity. A gap of knowledge exists in monitoring, understanding the causal relationships and managing risks to wildlife from cyanide-bearing waste solutions and tailings. There is a need for the gold industry to address this issue and to meet the International Cyanide Management Code (ICMC) guidelines. The perceived extent of the issue varies, with one study finding the issue inadequately monitored and wildlife deaths grossly underestimated. In Nevada, USA during 1990 and 1991, 9512 carcasses were reported of over 100 species, although there was underestimation due to reporting being voluntary. Of these, birds comprised 80-91% of vertebrate carcasses reported annually. At Northparkes, Australia in 1995, it was initially estimated that 100 bird carcasses were present by mine staff following a tailings incident; when a thorough count was conducted, 1583 bird carcasses were recorded. Eventually, 2700 bird deaths were documented over a four-month period. It is identified that avian deaths are usually undetected and significantly underestimated, leading to a perception that a risk does not exist. Few guidelines and information are available to manage the risks of cyanide to wildlife, although detoxification, habitat modification and denying wildlife access have been used effectively. Hazing techniques have proven ineffective. Apparently no literature exists that documents accurate wildlife monitoring protocols on potentially toxic cyanide-bearing mine waste solutions or any understanding on the analysis of any derived dataset. This places the onus on mining operations to document that no risk to wildlife exists. Cyanide-bearing tailings storage facilities are environmental control structures to contain tailings, a standard practice in the mining industry. Cyanide concentrations below 50 mg/L weak-acid-dissociable (WAD) are deemed safe to wildlife but are considered an interim benchmark for discharge into tailings storage facilities (TSFs). Cyanide is a fast acting poison, and its toxicity is related to the types of cyanide complexes that are present. Cyanide in biota binds to iron, copper and sulfur-containing enzymes and proteins required for oxygen transportation to cells. The accurate determination of cyanide concentrations in the field is difficult to achieve due to sampling techniques and analytical error associated with loss and interferences following collection. The main WAD cyanide complexes in gold mine tailings are stable in the TSF environment but can release cyanide ions under varying environmental conditions including ingestion and absorption by wildlife. Therefore distinction between free, WAD and total cyanide forms in tailings water for regulatory purposes is justified. From an environmental perspective, there is a distinction between ore bodies on the basis of their copper content. For example, wildlife deaths are more likely to occur at mines possessing copper-gold ores due to the formation of copper-cyanide complexes which is toxic to birds and bats. The formation of copper-cyanide complex occurs preferentially to gold cyanide complex indicating the relative importance of economic vs. environmental considerations in the tailings water. Management of cyanide to a perceived threshold has inherent risks since cyanide has a steep toxicity response curve; is difficult to accurately measure in the field; and is likely to vary due to variable copper content of ore bodies and ore blending. Consequently, wildlife interaction needs to be limited to further reduce the risks. A gap in knowledge exists to design or manage cyanide-bearing mine waste solutions to render such facilities unattractive to at-risk wildlife species. This gap may be overcome by understanding the wildlife behaviour and habitat usage of cyanide-bearing solutions.

Plasma levels of adrenomedullin, a vasoactive peptide, in type 2 diabetic patients with and without retinopathy.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate whether adrenomedullin (AM) secretion is modified in type 2 diabetic patients with and without retinopathy. METHODS: The study was performed on 92 patients with type 2 diabetes, 65 of whom had uncomplicated diabetes, 27 had retinopathy, and 40 had mild to moderate hypertension. Patients with serum creatinine levels >1.2 mg/dL, were excluded. Circulating AM was assayed using a specific radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: AM concentrations were significantly higher in type 2 diabetic patients (25+/-2.1 pg/mL) than in the 31 normal subjects (11+/-0.8 pg/mL) (P<0.001). Type 2 diabetic patients with retinopathy had significantly greater AM levels (30.8+/-3.4 pg/mL) than both controls (P<0.001) and type 2 diabetic patients without retinopathy (25.2+/-2 pg/mL same as previous value) (P<0.001). No statistical difference was found between diabetic patients with pre-proliferative retinopathy (27.3+/-4.7 pg/mL) and proliferative retinopathy (24+/-3.1 pg/mL) (P=0.543). In type 2 diabetic patients, a significant correlation between plasma AM levels and HbA1c values (r=0.467; P<0.01) was found. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that circulating AM is increased in type 2 diabetic patients and that increase correlates with poor glucose metabolic control and presence of retinopathy.

Preferential attachment in the growth of social networks: the internet encyclopedia Wikipedia.

We present an analysis of the statistical properties and growth of the free on-line encyclopedia Wikipedia. By describing topics by vertices and hyperlinks between them as edges, we can represent this encyclopedia as a directed graph. The topological properties of this graph are in close analogy with those of the World Wide Web, despite the very different growth mechanism. In particular, we measure a scale-invariant distribution of the in and out degree and we are able to reproduce these features by means of a simple statistical model. As a major consequence, Wikipedia growth can be described by local rules such as the preferential attachment mechanism, though users, who are responsible of its evolution, can act globally on the network.