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Severe renal system damage in hospitalized sufferers along with COVID-19: A Portugal cohort.
Why lightning sometimes has multiple discharges to ground is an unanswered question. Recently, the observation of small plasma structures on positive leaders re-ignited the search. These small plasma structures were observed as pulsing radio sources along the positive leader length and were named "needles". Needles may be the missing link in explaining why lightning flickers with multiple discharges, but this requires further confirmation. In this work we present the first optical observations of these intriguing plasma structures. Our high-speed videos show needles blinking in slow motion in a sequential mode. We show that they are formed at unsuccessful leader branches, are as bright as the lightning leaders, and report several other optical characteristics.The mutualistic relationship existing between scleractinian corals and their photosynthetic endosymbionts involves a complex integration of the metabolic pathways within the holobiont. Respiration and photosynthesis are the most important of these processes and although they have been extensively studied, our understanding of their interactions and regulatory mechanisms is still limited. In this work we performed chlorophyll-a fluorescence, oxygen exchange and time-resolved absorption spectroscopy measurements on small and thin fragments (0.3 cm2) of the coral Stylophora pistillata. We showed that the capacity of mitochondrial alternative oxidase accounted for ca. 25% of total coral respiration, and that the high-light dependent oxygen uptake, commonly present in isolated Symbiodiniaceae, was negligible. The ratio between photosystem I (PSI) and photosystem II (PSII) active centers as well as their respective electron transport rates, indicated that PSI cyclic electron flow occurred in high light in S. pistillata and in some branching and lamellar coral species freshly collected in the field. Altogether, these results show the potential of applying advanced biophysical and spectroscopic methods on small coral fragments to understand the complex mechanisms of coral photosynthesis and respiration and their responses to environmental changes.The flies of the Sarcophagidae, widespread throughout the temperate zone, are of great significance in Medicine, Veterinary science, Forensics and Entomotoxicology. Lipids are important elements of cell and organelle membranes and a source of energy for embryogenesis, metamorphosis and flight. Cuticular lipids protect from desiccation and act as recognition cues for species, nest mates and castes, and are a source of various pheromones. The free fatty acid (FFA) profile of cuticular and internal extracts of Sarcophaga (Liopygia) argyrostoma (Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830) larvae, pupae and adults was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The larvae, pupae and adults contained FFAs from C50 to C280. The extracts differed quantitatively and qualitatively from each other C181 > C161 > C160 > C180 predominated in the cuticular and internal extracts from the larvae and adults, while 181 > C160 > C161 > C180 predominated in the pupae. The FFA profile of the cuticle varies considerably between each development stage C230 and C250 are only present in larvae, C280 in the pupal cuticle, and C121 and C183 in internal extracts from adults. The mechanisms underlying this diversity are discussed herein.Many landscape and biotic processes shape the genetic structure of populations. The genetic structure of species with parasitic stages may also depend on the life history and ecology of their host. We investigated population genetic structure of the mussel Margaritifera margaritifera in Southern Sweden, and in relation to the population size and life history of its hosts, Salmo trutta and S. salar. Mussel populations were genetically differentiated into two clusters, further subdivided into four clusters and distinct conservation units. Regardless of host species, the genetic differentiation was lower among mussel populations sustained by sea-migrating than by resident hosts, while the genetic diversity was higher in mussel populations sustained by sea-migrating than by resident hosts. Genetic diversity of mussel populations was positively related to host abundance. Mussel population size was positively related to high genetic diversity of mussels sustained by resident hosts, while low mussel population size sustained by sea-migrating hosts had a high genetic diversity. The results of our study suggest a combined influence of mussels and host fish on genetic structure of unionoid mussels. We suggest to conserve not only mussel population sizes and host fish species, but also consider host migratory/resident behaviour and abundance when designing conservation programs.Atherosclerosis is the one of the major causes of mortality worldwide, urging the need for prevention strategies. In this work, a novel computational model is developed, which is used for simulation of plaque growth to 94 realistic 3D reconstructed coronary arteries. This model considers several factors of the atherosclerotic process even mechanical factors such as the effect of endothelial shear stress, responsible for the initiation of atherosclerosis, and biological factors such as the accumulation of low and high density lipoproteins (LDL and HDL), monocytes, macrophages, cytokines, nitric oxide and formation of foams cells or proliferation of contractile and synthetic smooth muscle cells (SMCs). The model is validated using the serial imaging of CTCA comparing the simulated geometries with the real follow-up arteries. Additionally, we examine the predictive capability of the model to identify regions prone of disease progression. The results presented good correlation between the simulated lumen area (P  less then  0.0001), plaque area (P  less then  0.0001) and plaque burden (P  less then  0.0001) with the realistic ones. Finally, disease progression is achieved with 80% accuracy with many of the computational results being independent predictors.Commercially housed broilers frequently experience limited environmental stimulation and various health issues, compromising their welfare. Providing environmental enrichment can alleviate these problems by facilitating natural behaviour and activity. selleck compound We investigated the effect of providing live black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) to broilers housed at commercial densities (33 kg/m2) on behaviour, fearfulness, health and performance. One-day-old broilers were distributed over five treatments with eight pens/treatment a control treatment without BSFL; two treatments where 5% of the daily nutrient intake was replaced with live BSFL, provided four or seven times a day; and two treatments where 10% of the daily dietary intake was replaced with live BSFL provided four times a day or in transparent, movable tubes with holes. In all BSFL treatments foraging behaviour, and thereby broiler activity, was increased. Prolonged access to live BSFL, either by providing larvae seven times a day or in tubes, caused the largest increase in activity while also decreasing the time spend in tonic immobility, indicating reduced fearfulness.
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