ABSTRACT
Abstract speciesLink is a large-scale biodiversity information portal that exists thanks to a broad collaborative network of people and institutions. CRIA's involvement with the scientific community of Brazil and other countries is responsible for the significant results achieved, currently reaching more than 15 million primary biodiversity data records, 95% of which are associated with preserved specimens and about 25% with high-quality digital images. The network provides data on over 200,000 species, of which over 110,000 occur in Brazil. This article describes thematic networks within speciesLink, as well as some of the most useful tools developed. The importance and contributions of speciesLink are outlined, as are concerns about securing stable budgetary support for such biodiversity data e-infrastructures. Here we review the value of speciesLink as a major source of biodiversity information for research, education, informed decision-making, policy development, and bioeconomy.
Resumo speciesLink é um portal de informações em larga escala sobre biodiversidade, que existe graças a uma ampla rede colaborativa de pessoas e instituições. O envolvimento do CRIA com a comunidade científica do Brasil e de outros países é responsável pelos resultados expressivos alcançados, atingindo atualmente mais de 15 milhões de registros de dados primários de biodiversidade, sendo 95% associados a espécimes preservados e cerca de 25% a imagens digitais de alta qualidade. A rede fornece dados sobre mais de 200.000 espécies, das quais mais de 110.000 ocorrem no Brasil. Este artigo descreve as redes temáticas do speciesLink, bem como algumas das ferramentas mais úteis desenvolvidas. A importância e as contribuições do speciesLink são destacadas, assim como as preocupações em garantir um apoio financeiro estável para e-infraestruturas de dados sobre biodiversidade. Aqui revisamos o valor do speciesLink como uma das principais fontes de informação sobre biodiversidade para pesquisa, educação, tomada de decisão, desenvolvimento de políticas e bioeconomia.
ABSTRACT
@#BACKGROUND: To assess whether insurance status has an effect on emergency department (ED) length of stay (LOS) and likelihood for admission or transfer to an operating room. METHODS: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study of all encounters from January 2011 through October 2013 at an urban, academic trauma center. Analysis included multi-variable linear regression for ED LOS and logistic regression for the likelihood of admission. RESULTS: Overall, 201535 patients met the inclusion criteria, for which the mean age was 43.8 years, 55.9％ were female, 23.4％ were uninsured and 8％ were of non-black race. Admission rate was 24.5％ and operative rate was 1.4％. After adjusting for age, sex, triage acuity and race, the presence of insurance coverage was associated with an increased ED LOS of 575 (95％CI 552–598) vs. 567 (95％CI 543–591) minutes (P<0.01) among admitted patients and a decreased ED LOS of 456 (95％CI 381–531) vs. 499 (95％CI 423–575) minutes (P<0.01) among those transferred to an operating room. Adjusting for these same predictors, insured status remained a predictor for admission (odds ratio 1.24, 95％CI 1.20–1.28, P<0.01) and a negative predictor for transfer to the operating room (odds ratio 0.84, 95％CI 0.77–0.92, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The insured experienced a clinically insignificant increase in ED LOS when admitted and a 43-minute decrease in ED LOS when being transferred to the operating room. The insured were more likely to be admitted and less likely to be transferred to an operating room.
ABSTRACT
Objective: The diagnosis of hemorrhagic versus non-hemorrhagic pituitary apoplexy can be difficult as both the clinical presentation and radiographic appearance can be variable. Early identification and treatment of these patients is essential to prevent poor outcomes. This study identifies clinical characteristics of hemorrhagic and non-hemorrhagic pituitary apoplexy. Methods: 311 consecutive patients admitted with pituitary tumors were reviewed for clinical and radiographic evidence of pituitary apoplexy. Patient demographics, comorbidities, clinical presentation, tumor characteristics, surgical therapy, complications, and outcomes were analyzed for both groups. A cohort statistical analysis was performed using Chi square, Fisher exact test, and t-test. Results: Patients with hemorrhagic (n = 23, 57.5%) and non-hemorrhagic (n=17, 42.5%) pituitary apoplexy were similar except the hemorrhagic cohort was older (mean age 51.5 versus 40.6, p=0.03) and more hypertensive (n=16, p=0.03). Thirty-seven patients underwent surgical decompression for their pituitary apoplexy symptoms either through transcranial or endoscopic approach. There was no statistically significant difference between hemorrhagic (n=16, 43.2% endoscopic; n=4, 10.8% transcranial) and non-hemorrhagic (n=16, 43.2%, endoscopic; n=1, 2.7%, transcranial; p=0.22) apoplexy cohorts. Risks of post-operative complications were similar in both hemorrhagic (n=5: RR 1.13, 95% CI 0.59-2.1) and non-hemorrhagic cohorts (n=3: RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.31-2.3). Achievement of a good functional outcome as measured by modified Rankin scale better than 4 at last follow-up was not statistically different among cohorts (p = 0.74). Conclusions: Hemorrhagic and non-hemorrhagic pituitary apoplexy are similar clinical entities that require prompt surgical decompression of the optic apparatus and medical therapy aimed at treating acute adrenal insufficiency.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Patients suffering from pituitary apoplexy present with variable clinical symptoms and imaging findings. Imaging findings may differ between hemorrhagic and non-hemorrhagic apoplexy. Our study aimed to better define imaging findings in both hemorrhagic and non-hemorrhagic apoplexy and is the first cohort study to report a comparison of imaging findings in these two groups. Materials and Methods: 311 consecutive patients admitted with pituitary tumors were retrospectively reviewed for clinical and imaging evidence of pituitary apoplexy. 37 operative cases were included in this cohort. A cohort statistical analysis was performed between the two groups using Chi Square, Fisher exact test, logistic regression, ANOVA, and t-test. Results: Imaging analysis demonstrated a significant difference in the hemorrhagic cohort’s Computed Tomography (CT) finding of hyperdensity within the sella (n = 17, 48.5%, p = 0.02) and sellar Hounsfield units (mean 45 versus 38.1, p=0.05). Sellar HU were higher in the hemorrhagic pituitary apoplexy cohort. Similarly, hyperintensity on magnetic resonance imaging was more indicative of patients with hemorrhagic apoplexy according to T1 (p = 0.004), T2 (p = 0.004), and FLAIR (p = 0.04) imaging sequences. No difference was found in patterns of enhancement (p = 0.69) or restriction based on diffusion-weighted imaging (p = 0.54). Gradient echo (n=4) and susceptibility weighted imaging (n=1), while not performed in all patients, demonstrated hemorrhage within a pituitary adenoma in patients where this technique was used. Conclusions: Our study did not demonstrate a unifying imaging feature in non-hemorrhagic apoplexy cases. Hemorrhagic apoplexy was more likely associated with hyperdensity on CT and hyperintensity on T1, T2 and FLAIR MRI sequences. Because of the variation of imaging findings in hemorrhagic and especially non-hemorrhagic apoplexy, imaging appearance inconsistent with hemorrhage should not be used to exclude the diagnosis of apoplexy.
ABSTRACT
The use of atypical antipsychotics as an adjunctive therapy to antidepressants for treating non-psychotic major depressive disorder (MDD) has been a common practice long before large-scale randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trials demonstrated their efficacy. In this study, we aimed to study the frequency with whichpatients with non-psychotic major depression were prescribed antipsychotics (AP) and to examine the effect of age, race, and ethnicity on the type and dose of individual antipsychotics prescribed, in a cohort of patients before the recent Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of adjunctive aripiprazole. The charts of 1537 patients with unipolar depression were analyzed. 1376 had non-psychotic depression; among them 466 (33.9%) patients were prescribed antipsychotics with a significant predilection towards males (males vs. females: 41.7% vs. 27.8%. z=2.4, p<.02; odds ratio=1.97 with a standard error of 0.57) of Hispanic origin (X 2 = 35.8, df = 1, p < 0.0001).Quetiapine was the most commonly prescribed antipsychotic (n=209, 44.8%) with a mean (±SEM) 195.1±13.1 mg. Our results confirm previous reports of the common clinical practice of the use of atypical antipsychotics, specifically quetiapine, as adjunctive treatment for non-psychotic patients with unipolar depression. Further research is required to study the long term effect of this class of medications in patients without a primary psychotic disorder.
El uso de antipsicóticos atípicos como terapia adjunta a antidepresivos en el tratamiento del trastorno depresivomayor (TDM) no psicótico fue práctica común por un largo periodo antes de que los ensayos clínicos a doble-ciego,controlados (con placebo) y al azar, llevados a cabo a gran escala, demostraran su eficacia. El presente estudio se propuso evaluar la frecuencia con la cual pacientes diagnosticados con TDM recibieron tratamiento con agentes antipsicóticos (AP) y examinar los efectos de edad, raza y etnicidad sobre el tipo y dosis de los anti-psicóticos prescritos a una cohorte de pacientes antes de la reciente aprobación de aripiprazole por la Administración de Alimentos y Drogas (FDA), como medicación adjunta para el manejo de esta entidad clínica. Se analizaron lashistorias clínicas de 1537 pacientes portadores del diagnóstico de depresión unipolar. 1376 presentaron depresiónno psicótica y de ellos, 466 (33,9%) recibieron antipsicóticos con predominio de pacientes varones (hombres vs. mujeres: 41,7% vs. 27,8%. z=2,4, p<0,02; odds ratio (OR)=1,97, con error estándar (SE) de 0,57) de origen Hispánico (X2= 35,8, df = 1, p < 0,0001). Quetiapina fue el antipsicótico más comúnmente prescrito (n=209,44,8%) con una dosis promedio (±SEM) de 195,1±13,1 mg. Nuestros resultados confirman reportes previos del uso de antipsicóticos (específicamente quetiapina) en la práctica clínica habitual, como tratamiento adjunto en pacientesno psicóticos con diagnóstico de depresión unipolar. Se requiere investigación adicional que indague los efectos a largo plazo de este tipo de medicación en pacientes sin un diagnóstico de trastorno psicótico primario.
Subject(s)
Antipsychotic Agents/therapeutic use , Depressive Disorder, Major/diagnosis , Depressive Disorder, Major/therapy , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
Background: Orofacial clefts are common worldwide and result from insufficient growth and/or fusion during the genesis of the derivatives of the first pharyngeal arch and the frontonasal prominence. Recent studies in mice carrying conditional and tissue-specific deletions of the human ortholog Dicer1, an RNAse III family member, have highlighted its importance in cell survival, differentiation, proliferation, and morphogenesis. Nevertheless, information regarding Dicer1 and its dependent microRNAs (miRNAs) in mammalian palatogenesis and orofacial development is limited. Aims: To describe the craniofacial phenotype, gain insight into potential mechanisms underlying the orofacial defects in the Pax2-Cre/Dicer1 CKO mouse, and shed light on the role of Dicer1 in mammalian palatogenesis. Materials And Methods: Histological and molecular assays of wild type (WT) and Pax2-Cre/Dicer1 loxP/loxP (Dicer1 CKO) mice dissected tissues have been performed to characterize and analyze the orofacial dysmorphism in Pax2-Cre/Dicer1 loxP/loxP mouse. Results: Dicer1 CKO mice exhibit late embryonic lethality and severe craniofacial dysmorphism, including a secondary palatal cleft. Further analysis suggest that Dicer1 deletion neither impacts primary palatal development nor the initial stages of secondary palatal formation. Instead, Dicer1 is implicated in growth, differentiation, mineralization, and survival of cells in the lateral palatal shelves. Histological and molecular analysis demonstrates that secondary palatal development becomes morphologically arrested prior to mineralization around E13.5 with a significant increase in the expression levels of apoptotic markers (P < 0.01). Conclusions: Pax2-Cre-mediated Dicer1 deletion disrupts lateral palatal outgrowth and bone mineralization during palatal shelf development, therefore providing a mammalian model for investigating the role of miRNA-mediated signaling pathways during palatogenesis.
ABSTRACT
In the present work, we report the synthesis and characterization of five (4-alkylalmino-4'-fluoro)-diphenyl sulphones, four of which have not been described before. In a preliminary evaluation of their biological activity, these products showed no effect on several Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and yeasts.
Subject(s)
Anti-Infective Agents , Antifungal Agents/chemical synthesis , Sulfones , Anti-Infective Agents , Antifungal Agents/pharmacology , Gram-Negative Bacteria/drug effects , Gram-Positive Bacteria/drug effects , Structure-Activity Relationship , Sulfones , YeastsABSTRACT
Resumo: Avaliou-se a sensibilidade de Saccharomyces cerevisiae frente a compostos mesoiônicos dos tipos 1, 3, 4-tiadiazólio-2-aminida e 1, 3, 4-triazólio-2-tiolato através de microcalorimetria bioógica de fluxo comparando-se os resultados com os obtidos através do método de difusäo em ágar.Apesar dos resultados fornecidos pelos dois métodos terem sido compatíveis, há vantagem no uso do métodomicrocalorimétrico por ser mais rápido e preciso, podendo, além disso, distinguir entre diferentes modos de açäo.
Subject(s)
Saccharomyces cerevisiae , Diffusion , In Vitro TechniquesABSTRACT
Foi testada a atividade miraxonal da água de condicionamento (SCW) e da hemolinfa de Biomphalaria glabrata e de B. tenagophila frente a miracídios de Schistosoma mansoni das linhagens BH e SJ. Foram pesquisados e isolados alguns componentes de SCW. Com os componentes isolados de SCW e com a hemolinfa foram preparados blocos de ágar. Esses blocos, assim preparados, foram colocados frente a miracídios de S. mansoni para avaliaçäo da atividade miraxonal. Foram detectadas diferenças entre a açäo miraxonal da hemolinfa e das substâncias isoladas de SCW. Observaram-se diferenças significativas entre os efeitos miraxonais das duas espécies de moluscos pesquisados frente a miracídios das linhagens BH e SJ
Subject(s)
Animals , Schistosoma mansoni/physiology , Biomphalaria/physiology , Chemotaxis , Hemolymph/physiology , Chemotactic Factors/analysis , Chemotactic Factors/pharmacologyABSTRACT
Analisou-se a atraçäo de miracídios de Schistosoma mansoni das linhagens BH e SJ frente a seus vetores simpátricos e alopátricos tendo-se em consideraçäo a possibilidade da presença de substâncias quimiotáxicas emandas dos moluscos. Estudou-se também o comportamento desses miracídios frente a girinos de Hyla fuscovaria. Foi verificado que houve atraçäo dos miracídios pelos molucos vetores e que essa atraççäo foi mais evidente quando a larva era colocada frente ao seu hospedeiro simpátrico. As observaçöes realizadas no decorrer da experiência demonstraram a presença de substâncias miraxonais emanadas pelos moluscos