We report a large, hospital-wide outbreak of pseudobacteremia by Paenibacillus spp. In total, 139 patients presented at least 1 positive blood culture during a 13-month period. Microbiological experiments indicated that contaminated nonsterile gloves were associated with the pseudobacteremia episodes. The outbreak was resolved by discontinuing the use of the involved brand.

Campana introduced the class of special varieties as the varieties admitting no Bogomolov sheaves, i.e. rank-one coherent subsheaves of maximal Kodaira dimension in some exterior power of the cotangent bundle. Campana raised the question of whether one can replace the Kodaira dimension by the numerical dimension in this characterization. We answer partially this question showing that a projective manifold admitting a rank-one coherent subsheaf of the cotangent bundle with numerical dimension one is not special. We also establish the analytic characterization with the non-existence of Zariski dense entire curve and the arithmetic version with non-potential density in the (split) function field setting. Finally, we conclude with a few comments for higher codimensional foliations which may provide some evidence towards a generalization of the aforementioned results.

New palynological results from the Gafo Formation (southern sector of the Pulo do Lobo Domain, South Portuguese Zone) are integrated with recently studied sections and drillholes from the Portuguese and Spanish sectors. A total of 44 samples were studied, 27 of which were positive for palynomorph taxonomy. This research revealed well preserved palynological assemblages, including 73 spore species allocated to 28 genera, four acritarch genera, three prasinophyte algae genera plus common chitinozoan remains. Some additional forms were retained under open nomenclature. From this, the first complete age determination for the Gafo Formation in Portugal and Spain was achieved, indicating a middle Famennian (Grandispora gracilis–Grandispora famenensis, GF Biozone) to a late Famennian (Grandispora echinata, VH Biozone) age. A greywacke sample from the same Gafo Formation was dated by U–Pb zircon geochronology and a maximum depositional age of 369 ± 2.5 Ma was obtained. A correlation between these palynological and U–Pb zircon data and the palynoflora assemblages of previous authors was made, as well as with the ages of felsic volcanic rocks found intercalated in the Gafo Formation, confirming the complex stratigraphy of Pulo do Lobo Domain. The results are consistent with stratigraphic mapping and structural interpretations, allowing a middle–late Famennian age (GF and VH Biozone) to be assigned to the Gafo Formation sedimentary rocks. This work has also contributed to a reinterpretation of Gafo Formation depositional facies correlatives (e.g. the Santa Barbara Group in Spain) as being the same lithological unit.

Embryo development in eggs of the spittlebug Mahanarva spectabilis (Distant) (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) passes through four phases (known as S1 to S4) being stopped at S2 during diapause. Studies about the molecular basis of diapause in spittlebugs are nonexistent. Here, we analyzed proteins from non-diapausing (ND), diapausing (D) and post-diapausing (PD) eggs of the spittlebug M. spectabilis. In total, we identified 87 proteins where 12 were in common among the developmental and diapause phases and 19 remained as uncharacterized. Non-diapausing eggs (S2ND and S4ND) showed more proteins involved in information storage and processing than the diapausing ones (S2D). Eggs in post-diapausing (S4PD) had a higher number of proteins associated with metabolism than S2D. The network of protein interactions and metabolic processes allowed the identification of different sets of molecular interactions for each developmental and diapause phases. Two heat shock proteins (Hsp65 and Hsp70) along with two proteins associated with intracellular signaling (MAP4K and a serine/threonine-protein phosphatase) were found only in diapausing and/or post-diapausing eggs and are interesting targets to be explored in future experiments. These results shine a light on one key biological process for spittlebug survival and represent the first search for proteins linked to diapause in this important group of insects.

The end-Ordovician mass extinction, linked to a major glaciation, led to deep changes in Hirnantian–Rhuddanian biotas. The Hirnantia Fauna, the first of two Hirnantian survival brachiopod-dominated communities, characterizes the lower–mid Hirnantian deposits globally, and its distribution is essential to understand how the extinction took place. In this paper, we describe, illustrate, and discuss the first macrofossiliferous Hirnantia Fauna assemblage from Belgium, occurring in the Tihange Member of the Fosses Formation at Tihange (Huy), within the Central Condroz Inlier. Six fossiliferous beds have yielded a low-diversity, brachiopod-dominated association. In addition to the brachiopods (Eostropheodonta hirnantensis, Plectothyrella crassicosta, Hirnantia sp., and Trucizetina? sp.), one trilobite (Mucronaspis sp.), four pelmatozoans (Xenocrinus sp., Cyclocharax [col.] paucicrenulatus, Conspectocrinus [col.] celticus, and Pentagonocyclicus [col.] sp.), three graptolites (Cystograptus ancestralis, Normalograptus normalis, and ?Metabolograptus sp.), together with indeterminate machaeridians and bryozoans were identified. The graptolite assemblage, from the Akidograptus ascensus-Parakidograptus acuminatus Biozone, indicates an early Rhuddanian (Silurian) age, and thus, an unexpectedly late occurrence of a typical Hirnantia Fauna. This Belgian association may represent an additional example of relict Hirnantia Fauna in the Silurian, sharing characteristics with the only other known from Rhuddanian rocks at Yewdale Beck (Lake District, England), although reworking has not been completely ruled out. The survival of these Hirnantian taxa into the Silurian might be linked to delayed post-glacial effects of rising temperature and sea-level, which may have favored the establishment of refugia in these two particular regions that were paleogeographically close during the Late Ordovician–early Silurian.

Pelagic seabird populations have declined strongly worldwide. In the North Atlantic there was a huge reduction in seabird populations following the European colonization of the Azores, Madeira and Canary archipelagos but information on seabird status and distribution for the subtropical region of Cabo Verde is scarce, unavailable or dispersed in grey literature. We compiled and compared the historical and current distribution of all seabird species breeding in the Cabo Verde archipelago, updated their relative abundance, investigated their inland habitat preferences, and reviewed their threats. Currently, the breeding seabird community in Cabo Verde is composed of Bulwer’s Petrel Bulweria bulwerii, White-faced Storm-petrel Pelagodroma marina aedesorum, Cape Verde Shearwater Calonectris edwardsii, Cape Verde Storm-petrel Hydrobates jabejabe, Cape Verde Petrel Pterodroma feae, Boyd's Shearwater Puffinus lherminieri boydi, Brown Booby Sula leucogaster, and Red-billed Tropicbird Phaethon aethereus. One breeding species is currently extinct, the Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens. The relative abundance of Cape Verde Shearwater, Boyd’s Shearwater, Cape Verde Petrel, and Cape Verde Storm-petrel was determined from counts of their nocturnal calls in Santo Antão, São Vicente, Santa Luzia, Branco, Raso and São Nicolau. Cape Verde Petrel occurred only on mountainous islands (Santo Antão, São Nicolau, Santiago, and Fogo) from mid-to high elevations. Larger species such as the Cape Verde Shearwater and Boyd’s Shearwater exhibited a wider distribution in the archipelago, occurring close to the coastline but at lower densities on populated islands. Small procellariforms such as the Cape Verde Storm-petrel occurred at high densities only on rat-free islets and in steep areas of main islands where introduced cats and rats are unlikely to occur. The main threats to seabird populations in Cabo Verde range from predation by introduced predators, habitat alteration or destruction, and some residual human persecution.

Pedophilia is defined as a recurrent sexual attraction towards pre-pubescent children. It is a serious and ubiquitous problem with clinical, social, moral and legal implications.

The aim of this poster is to describe the factors that are most often associated with this paraphilia and to analyse some of the proposed etiological theories. In the past, etiological theories gave more importance to environmental factors, but recent studies have emphasized more and more the importance of neurobiological factors.

Even though several factors have been identified, there are very few certainties when it comes to their role in the etiology of this disease and most of the proposed theories have a speculative nature.

Research into the biological bases of homosexuality has continued unabated in the intervening decade in such diverse areas as endocrinology, genetics, neuroanatomy, family demography, or animal behavior.

In this work is covered this current strongest research lines on male and female sexual orientation.

Despite inconsistent results across studies, some support for the neurohormonal theory is garnered, but mostly in men. Genetic research using family and twin methodologies has produced consistent evidence that genes influence sexual orientation, but molecular research has not yet produced compelling evidence of specific genes. Anatomically there is evidence of some degree of cerebral sexual dimorphism, but it's not established yet the correlation to sexual orientation.

This studies indicate biologic factors have an important role on homosexuality, the degree and the way this factors act and interact with psychosocial determinants still being a clue.

The belief that alcohol can lead to sexual risk and/or sexual inadequate behaviors is nearly ubiquitous. But can we talk about causality? Several studies, with different methodology, have been developed during the last decades in an effort to understand the relationship between alcohol and sexual behaviors and function. From the knowledge that we already have, it is worth it to highlight alcohol consumption effects on cognitive appraisals, based on Response Conflict Model or Alcohol Myopia Model, as well as the expectancies effect. Future research is essential, specially to overcome the failures and limitations of the previous studies.

Like families headed by heterosexual parents, lesbian and gay parents and their children are a diverse group. Unlike heterosexual parents, however, lesbian and gay parents are often subject of discrimination because of their sexual orientation while facing adoption, custody or assisted reproductive technologies, based on stereotypes concerning children psychological development and wellbeing.

This work reviews empirical evidence regarding children with gay and lesbian parents. The results of existing research comparing children of homosexual parents with children of heterosexual parents are quite clear: common stereotypes are not supported by the data.

In the post partum period many changes happen to the woman, including in the sexual life. Short-term post partum sexual problems are highly prevalent. Even though all kinds of dysfunction can arise, the most frequent are hypoactive sexual desire, vaginal dryness, orgasmic dysfunction and dyspareunia.

The aim of this poster is to overview six main etiological factors of the post partum sexual dysfunction: hormonal changes and breastfeeding, perineal trauma, fatigue, changes in social role, partner interaction and mood. The knowledge of these etiological factors and identification of the risk factors are important weapons in the prevention and approach to post partum sexuality by the couple and health professionals.

The interest in breasts in our society can hardly escape the attention of even a casual observer. It has been found that women with larger breasts than the average were considered to be more physically attractive and have greater social outcomes.

Some women consider themselves less beautiful or feminine because of the lack of “ideal” size and shape. This feeling of inadequacy may lead to lowered levels of self-esteem and sexuality.

Although not extensively researched, psychologic factors have attributed to the dramatic increase in the number of performed breast augmentation procedures. As this number continues to rise it is important that healthcare providers comprehend the degree to sexuality may affect their patients’ outcomes.

This review is designed to provide an overview of the psychological and sexuality literature on cosmetic breast augmentation. It seems to exist a positive effect of breast augmentation surgery on woman's sexuality, as well in other psychological aspects. This relation need to be explored further in future studies.

Sexsomnia is a disorder that is characterized by abnormal sexual behaviours during sleep and can vary from explicit sexual vocalizations to violent masturbation and complex sexual acts including oral, vaginal or anal penetration. This disorder has clinical, psychosocial and medico-legal consequences, both to the patient and the people that surround him. Despite the scarce literature and infrequent reports, there are some descriptions of violent behaviours, sexual assault and sexual involvement of minors. Whenever we suspect that a patient suffers from sexsomnia, we must write a rigorous and complete clinical history, make a neurologic and phychiatric evaluation and nocturnal videopolysomnography. As soon as the diagnosis is established, we must plan treatment approaches. More attention should be payed to the psychosocial and medico-legal issues, and new research is needed to provide for better understanding of etiology and to improve the clinical evaluation and management.

Hysterectomy is the most frequent surgical procedure in gynecology, and it can be performed using several surgical techniques and for various clinical indications. The aim of this poster is to understand in what way the removal of the uterus conditions anatomical, physiological and psychological changes in the woman, and in what way these changes influence her sexuality.