Integral analysis of environmental and economic performance of combined agricultural intensification & bioenergy production in the Orinoquia region.

Agricultural intensification is a key strategy to help meet increasing demand for food and bioenergy. It has the potential to reduce direct and indirect land use change (LUC) and associated environmental impacts while contributing to a favorable economic performance of the agriculture sector. We conduct an integral analysis of environmental and economic impacts of LUC from projected agricultural intensification and bioenergy production in the Orinoquia region in 2030. We compare three agricultural intensification scenarios (low, medium, high) and a reference scenario, which assumes a business-as-usual development of agricultural production. The results show that with current inefficient management or with only very little intensification between 26% and 93% of the existing natural vegetation areas will be converted to agricultural land to meet increasing food demand. This results in the loss of biodiversity by 53% and increased water consumption by 111%. In the medium and high scenarios, the intensification allows meeting increased food demand within current agricultural lands and even generating surplus land which can be used to produce bioenergy crops. This results in the reduction of biodiversity loss by 8-13% with medium and high levels of intensification compared to the situation in 2018. Also, a positive economic performance is observed, stemming primarily from intensification of cattle production and additional energy crop production. Despite increasing irrigation efficiency in more intensive production systems, the water demand for perennial crops and cattle production over the dry season increases significantly, thus sustainable management practices that target efficient water use are needed. Agricultural productivity improvements, particularly for cattle production, are crucial for reducing the pressure on natural areas from increasing demand for both food products and bioenergy. This implies targeted investments in the agricultural sector and integrated planning of land use. Our results showed that production intensification in the Orinoquia region is a mechanism that could reduce the pressure on natural land and its associated environmental and economic impacts.

Spatiotemporal assessment of farm-gate production costs and economic potential of Miscanthus × giganteus, Panicum virgatum L., and Jatropha grown on marginal land in China.

Spatially explicit farm-gate production costs and the economic potential of three types of energy crops grown on available marginal land in China for 2017 and 2040 were investigated using a spatial accounting method and construction of cost-supply curves. The average farm-gate cost from all available marginal land was calculated as 32.9 CNY/GJ for Miscanthus Mode, 27.5 CNY/GJ for Switchgrass Mode, 32.4 CNY/GJ for Miscanthus & Switchgrass Mode, and 909 CNY/GJ for Jatropha Mode in 2017. The costs of Miscanthus and switchgrass were predicted to decrease by approximately 11%-15%, whereas the cost of Jatropha was expected to increase by 5% in 2040. The cost of Jatropha varies significantly from 193 to 9,477 CNY/GJ across regions because of the huge differences in yield across regions. The economic potential of the marginal land was calculated as 28.7 EJ/year at a cost of less than 25 CNY/GJ for Miscanthus Mode, 4.0 EJ/year at a cost of less than 30 CNY/GJ for Switchgrass Mode, 29.6 EJ/year at a cost of less than 25 CNY/GJ for Miscanthus & Switchgrass Mode, and 0.1 EJ/year at a cost of less than 500 CNY/GJ for Jatropha Mode in 2017. It is not feasible to develop Jatropha production on marginal land based on existing technologies, given its high production costs. Therefore, the Miscanthus & Switchgrass Mode is the most economical way, because it achieves the highest economic potential compared with other modes. The sensitivity analysis showed that the farm-gate costs of Miscanthus and switchgrass are most sensitive to uncertainties associated with yield reduction and harvesting costs, while, for Jatropha, the unpredictable yield has the greatest impact on its farm-gate cost. This study can help policymakers and industrial stakeholders make strategic and tactical bioenergy development plans in China (exchange rate in 2017: 1€ = 7.63ï¿¥; all the joules in this paper are higher heat value).

Re-assessment of net energy production and greenhouse gas emissions avoidance after 40 years of photovoltaics development.

Since the 1970s, installed solar photovoltaic capacity has grown tremendously to 230 gigawatt worldwide in 2015, with a growth rate between 1975 and 2015 of 45%. This rapid growth has led to concerns regarding the energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions of photovoltaics production. We present a review of 40 years of photovoltaics development, analysing the development of energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions associated with photovoltaics production. Here we show strong downward trends of environmental impact of photovoltaics production, following the experience curve law. For every doubling of installed photovoltaic capacity, energy use decreases by 13 and 12% and greenhouse gas footprints by 17 and 24%, for poly- and monocrystalline based photovoltaic systems, respectively. As a result, we show a break-even between the cumulative disadvantages and benefits of photovoltaics, for both energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, occurs between 1997 and 2018, depending on photovoltaic performance and model uncertainties.

Revisiting the Term Neuroprotection in Chronic and Degenerative Diseases.

Thanks to the development of several new researches, the lifetime presented a significant increase, even so, we still have many obstacles to overcome - among them, manage and get responses regarding neurodegenerative diseases. Where we are in the understanding of neuroprotection? Do we really have protective therapies for diseases considered degeneratives such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and its variants, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and many others? Neuroprotection is defined by many researches as interactions and interventions that can slow down or even inhibit the progression of neuronal degeneration process. We make some considerations on this neuroprotective effect.

Anti-Musk Positive Myasthenia Gravis and Three Semiological Cardinal Signs.

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a relatively uncommon disorder with an annual incidence of approximately 7 to 9 new cases per million. The prevalence is about 70 to 165 per million. The prevalence of the disease has been increasing over the past five decades. This is thought to be due to better recognition of the condition, aging of the population, and the longer life span of affected patients. MG causes weakness, predominantly in bulbar, facial, and extra-ocular muscles, often fluctuating over minutes to weeks, in the absence of wasting, sensory loss, or reflex changes. The picture of fluctuating, asymmetric external ophthalmoplegia with ptosis and weak eye closure is virtually diagnostic of myasthenia. We report an atypical MG case with three semiological cardinal signs.

Prevalence of temporomandibular disorders symptoms in patients with multiple sclerosis.

The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in patients with the relapsing-remitting form of multiple sclerosis (MS), the relationship between TMD and the severity of MS, and the presence of TMD symptoms in the evaluated groups. Sixty individuals were evaluated: 30 patients diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS and 30 control individuals matched for gender and age range with no neurologic pathology. In order to investigate the TMD symptoms, the questionnaires of the EACD (European Academy of Craniomandibular Disorders) and the RDC/TMD (Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders), both validated for TMD research, were administered. To assess the extent of disability produced by MS, the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) was used. The prevalence of TMD symptoms in patients with MS was 56.7% versus 16.7% for the control group, with a statistically significant difference between the groups (p=0.0016). No correlation was found between the severity of MS and the prevalence of TMD symptoms (Fisher's test, p=1.0).

Prevalence of temporomandibular disorders symptoms in patients with multiple sclerosis / Prevalência de sintomas de Disfunção Temporomandibular em pacientes com Esclerose múltipla

The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in patients with the relapsing-remitting form of multiple sclerosis (MS), the relationship between TMD and the severity of MS, and the presence of TMD symptoms in the evaluated groups. Sixty individuals were evaluated: 30 patients diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS and 30 control individuals matched for gender and age range with no neurologic pathology. In order to investigate the TMD symptoms, the questionnaires of the EACD (European Academy of Craniomandibular Disorders) and the RDC/TMD (Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders), both validated for TMD research, were administered. To assess the extent of disability produced by MS, the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) was used. The prevalence of TMD symptoms in patients with MS was 56.7% versus 16.7% for the control group, with a statistically significant difference between the groups (p=0.0016). No correlation was found between the severity of MS and the prevalence of TMD symptoms (Fisher's test, p=1.0).

O objetivo deste estudo foi pesquisar a prevalência de sintomas de disfunção temporomandibular (DTM) em pacientes com esclerose múltipla (EM) na forma remitente-recorrente e sua relação com o grau de acometimento da doença e a presença de sintomas de DTM entre os grupos avaliados. Foram avaliados 60 indivíduos, sendo 30 com diagnóstico de EM e 30 controles pareados em gênero e faixa etária. Para avaliação de sintomas de DTM, foi aplicado o questionário recomendado aos clínicos pela Academia Europeia das Desordens Craniomandibulares . Para avaliação do nível de acometimento da EM foi utilizada a escala EDSS (Expanded Disability Status Scale). Os resultados da pesquisa mostraram que a prevalência de sintomas de DTM em pacientes com EM foi de 56,7% e 16,7% para o controle, havendo diferença estatística significativa entre os grupos. Não houve correlação entre o nível de acometimento pela EM e a prevalência de sintomas de DTM.

Biomass production in agroforestry and forestry systems on salt-affected soils in South Asia: exploration of the GHG balance and economic performance of three case studies.

This study explores the greenhouse gas balance and the economic performance (i.e. net present value (NPV) and production costs) of agroforestry and forestry systems on salt-affected soils (biosaline (agro)forestry) based on three case studies in South Asia. The economic impact of trading carbon credits generated by biosaline (agro)forestry is also assessed as a potential additional source of income. The greenhouse gas balance shows carbon sequestration over the plantation lifetime of 24 Mg CO2-eq. ha(-1) in a rice-Eucalyptus camaldulensis agroforestry system on moderately saline soils in coastal Bangladesh (case study 1), 6 Mg CO2-eq. ha(-1) in the rice-wheat- Eucalyptus tereticornis agroforestry system on sodic/saline-sodic soils in Haryana state, India (case study 2), and 96 Mg CO2-eq. ha(-1) in the compact tree (Acacia nilotica) plantation on saline-sodic soils in Punjab province of Pakistan. The NPV at a discount rate of 10% is 1.1 k€ ha(-1) for case study 1, 4.8 k€ ha(-1) for case study 2, and 2.8 k€ ha(-1) for case study 3. Carbon sequestration translates into economic values that increase the NPV by 1-12% in case study 1, 0.1-1% in case study 2, and 2-24% in case study 3 depending on the carbon credit price (1-15 € Mg(-1) CO2-eq.). The analysis of the three cases indicates that the economic performance strongly depends on the type and severity of salt-affectedness (which affect the type and setup of the agroforestry system, the tree species and the biomass yield), markets for wood products, possibility of trading carbon credits, and discount rate.

Season of birth as a risk factor for multiple sclerosis in Brazil.

Risk factors for development of multiple sclerosis (MS) are still a matter of debate. Latitude gradient, vitamin D deficiency and season of birth are among the most investigated environmental factors associated with the disease. Several international studies suggest that birth in spring is a substantial risk factor for MS. We investigated the season of birth as a potential risk for MS in different geographical regions of Brazil. We conducted a cross-sectional retrospective study with 2257 clinically definite MS patients enrolled in 13 Brazilian MS clinics in the south, southeast, and northeast regions of Brazil. Demographic and clinical data relating to date of birth and clinical features of the disease were collected and analysed, and subsequently compared with birth date among the general Brazilian population. The distribution of date of birth of MS patients showed an increase in spring and a decrease in autumn, with no difference being observed in the other seasons. In conclusion, season of birth is a probable risk factor for MS in most parts of Brazil. These findings may be related to the role that vitamin D plays in MS pathogenesis.

Potential of bioethanol as a chemical building block for biorefineries: preliminary sustainability assessment of 12 bioethanol-based products.

The aim of this study is to present and apply a quick screening method and to identify the most promising bioethanol derivatives using an early-stage sustainability assessment method that compares a bioethanol-based conversion route to its respective petrochemical counterpart. The method combines, by means of a multi-criteria approach, quantitative and qualitative proxy indicators describing economic, environmental, health and safety and operational aspects. Of twelve derivatives considered, five were categorized as favorable (diethyl ether, 1,3-butadiene, ethyl acetate, propylene and ethylene), two as promising (acetaldehyde and ethylene oxide) and five as unfavorable derivatives (acetic acid, n-butanol, isobutylene, hydrogen and acetone) for an integrated biorefinery concept.

Cerebrovascular disorders in childhood: etiology, clinical presentation, and neuroimaging findings in a case series study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the main etiologies, neurological manifestations and neuro-imaging findings among children with sequelae of cerebrovascular disorders. METHOD: Case series study of children whose diagnosis was stroke sequelae. Variables studied were age at the time of first episode, number of episodes, etiology, motor deficits, epilepsy, and effected vascular territory. RESULTS: Twenty three patients were studied. Average age at first episode was 6.91 (+/-2.08) years. Fourteen patients were female. The number of stroke events per patient ranged from one to five. The most frequent etiologies were heart disease and sickle cell anemia. The most frequent neurological deficit was right hemiparesis. Nine patients experienced seizures. The left middle cerebral artery was the most affected vascular area. CONCLUSION: Our findings are similar to those described in the literature. Despite a careful investigation, some causes of stroke remain unidentified.

Cerebrovascular disorders in childhood: etiology, clinical presentation, and neuroimaging findings in a case series study

OBJETIVO: Descrever as principais etiologias, manifestações neurológicas e achados de neuroimagem entre crianças com seqüela de acidente vascular cerebral (AVC). MÉTODO: Estudo de série de casos de crianças com seqüela de AVC isquêmico ou hemorrágico, analisando-se as variáveis: idade no primeiro episódio, número de eventos, etiologia, déficit motor, epilepsia e território vascular acometido. RESULTADO: Vinte e três pacientes foram incluídos, sendo 14 do sexo feminino. A idade do primeiro episódio foi 6.91 (±2,08) anos. O número de eventos por paciente variou entre 1 e 5. As etiologias mais freqüentes foram cardiopatia e anemia falciforme. O déficit mais encontrado foi a hemiparesia direita. Nove pacientes apresentaram convulsões. A artéria cerebral média esquerda foi o território vascular mais afetado. COCLUSÃO: Os achados deste trabalho estão de acordo com a literatura em geral. Apesar de extensa investigação, alguns casos permanecem sem definição etiológica.

Applications of constant denaturant capillary electrophoresis/high-fidelity polymerase chain reaction to human genetic analysis.

Constant denaturant capillary electrophoresis (CDCE) permits high-resolution separation of single-base variations occurring in an approximately 100 bp isomelting DNA sequence based on their differential melting temperatures. By coupling CDCE for highly efficient enrichment of mutants with high-fidelity polymerase chain reaction (hifi PCR), we have developed an analytical approach to detecting point mutations at frequencies equal to or greater than 10(-6) in human genomic DNA. In this article, we present several applications of this approach in human genetic studies. We have measured the point mutational spectra of a 100 bp mitochondrial DNA sequence in human tissues and cultured cells. The observations have led to the conclusion that the primary causes of mutation in human mitochondrial DNA are spontaneous in origin. In the course of studying the mitochondrial somatic mutations, we have also identified several nuclear pseudogenes homologous to the analyzed mitochondrial DNA fragment. Recently, through developments of the means to isolate the desired target sequences from bulk genomic DNA and to increase the loading capacity of CDCE, we have extended the CDCE/hifi PCR approach to study a chemically induced mutational spectrum in a single-copy nuclear sequence. Future applications of the CDCE/hifi PCR approach to human genetic analysis include studies of somatic mitochondrial mutations with respect to aging, measurement of mutational spectra of nuclear genes in healthy human tissues and population screening for disease-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in large pooled samples.

Chemically induced mutations in mitochondrial DNA of human cells: mutational spectrum of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine.

We have observed a reproducible mitochondrial mutational spectrum in the MT1 human lymphoblastoid line treated with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG). The MNNG spectrum was distinct from the spontaneous mutational spectrum. However, our ability to observe MNNG-induced mitochondrial mutations above the high level of accumulated spontaneous mutations was dependent on the MT1 phenotype. MT1 cells are markedly resistant to the cytotoxicity but not the mutagenicity of MNNG, presumably as a result of inactivation of both copies of the hMSH6 (GTBP) mismatch repair gene. Thus, we were able to use conditions of treatment that yielded induced mitochondrial mutant fractions beyond the practical limits for human cell experiments in mismatch-proficient human cell lines. In contradistinction, when MT1 cells were treated repeatedly with maximum tolerated concentrations of (+/-) anti-benzo(a)pyrene diol-epoxide, no induced mitochondrial mutations above the spontaneous background were observed. A single dose of 4 microM MNNG (survival, 0.85) induced a mutant fraction of 8 x 10(-3) in the nuclear hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltrans. ferase gene, and a clear and reproducible pattern of seven MNNG-induced hotspot mutations was observed within the mitochondrial DNA target sequence studied (mitochondrial bp 10,030-10,130). All of the MNNG-induced hotspot mutations were G:C to A:T transitions present at frequencies between 6 x 10(-5) and 30 x 10(-5). Additional experiments supported the conclusion that MNNG-induced hotspot mutations observed were generated in living cells as a result of MNNG treatment and not from mismatch intermediates or DNA adducts converted into mutations during the PCR process.