A new miniature species of Priocharax (Characiformes: Characidae) from the upper rio Ipixuna, Purus drainage, Brazil

A new species of miniature fish of the characid genus Priocharax is described from a small lake near the rio Ipixuna, rio Purus drainage, Amazonas State, Brazil. It is distinguished from all congeners except P. pygmaeus by the lower number of teeth on the maxilla and dentary. It differs from P. pygmaeus by the presence of two postcleithra and 22-27 branched anal-fin rays (vs absence and 19-22). The new species is further distinguished from other species of Priocharax by a combination of characters involving the number of pelvic-fin rays and branched anal-fin rays, the number of postcleithra, the shape of postcleithrum 3, and the absence of the claustrum. Molecular evidence based on COI sequences of all valid species of Priocharax also corroborates the validity of this new species.(AU)

Uma nova espécie de peixe miniatura do gênero de caracídeo Priocharax é descrita de um pequeno lago próximo ao rio Ipixuna, drenagem do rio Purus, estados do Amazonas, Brasil. Ela difere de todas as congêneres, exceto P. pygmaeus pelo menor número de dentes no maxilar e dentário. Distingue-se de P. pygmaeus pela presença de dois pós-cleitros e 22-27 raios ramificados na nadadeira anal (vs ausência e 19-22). A nova espécie também difere de outras congêneres por uma combinação de caracteres como número de raios das nadadeiras pélvica e anal, número de pós-cleitros e formato do pós-cleitro 3, e ausência de claustrum. Evidências moleculares com base em sequências do gene COI de todas as espécies válidas também corrobora a validade da nova espécie.(AU)

A new miniature species of Odontocharacidium (Characiformes: Crenuchidae) from the Río Orinoco basin, Venezuela

A new species of Odontocharacidium is described from the upper Río Orinoco basin, in Venezuela. The new species is distinguished from its only congener, Odontocharacidium aphanes, by the presence of: the antorbital, the parietal branch of the supraorbital laterosensory canal, the postcleithrum 1, the conspicuous bars extending ventrally below the middle portion of the body posteriorly, and two dark round blotches at the tip of the caudal peduncle. With the recognition of an additional species of Odontocharacidium the diagnostic characters of the genus and the variability in the number of maxillary teeth in specimens are discussed.(AU)

Uma nova espécie de Odontocharacidium é descrita para a bacia do alto rio Orinoco, na Venezuela. A nova espécie se distingue da sua única congênere, Odontocharacidium aphanes, pela presença: do antorbital, do ramo parietal do canal látero-sensorial supraorbital, do pós-cleitro 1, de barras conspícuas estendendo-se ventralmente à porção média do corpo e de duas manchas escuras e arredondadas na margem distal do pedúnculo caudal. Com o reconhecimento de uma espécie adicional de Odontocharacidium, são discutidos os caracteres diagnósticos do gênero e a variação no número de dentes maxilares nos espécimes.(AU)

A new species of Hoplomyzon (Siluriformes: Aspredinidae) from Maracaibo Basin, Venezuela: osteological description using high-resolution computed microtomography of a miniature species

A new miniature species of banjo catfish of the genus Hoplomyzon is described from the Lake Maracaibo Basin in Venezuela. The new species is distinguished from all its congeners by the straight anterior margin of the mesethmoid (vs. a medial notch); a smooth and straight ventral surface of the premaxilla (vs. presence of bony knobs on the ventral surface of premaxilla); absence of teeth on dentary (vs. teeth present on dentary); configuration of ventral vertebral processes anterior to anal fin, which are composed of single processes anterior to anal-fin pterygiophore (vs. paired process); presence of several filamentous barbel-like structures on the ventral surface of head of adults (vs. small papillous structures in the ventral surface of head of adults); and 8 anal-fin rays (vs. 6 or 7). An extensive osteological description is made of the holotype using high-resolution x-ray computed microtomography (HRXCT).(AU)

Se describe una nueva especie miniatura de pez banjo perteneciente al género Hoplomyzon, proveniente de tributarios del Lago Maracaibo en Venezuela. La nueva especie se diferencia de sus congéneres por presentar el margen anterior del mesetmoide recto (vs. con una hendidura central); superficie ventral de la premaxila lisa y recta (vs. superficie ventral de la premaxila con protuberancias óseas); ausencia de dientes en el dentario (vs. dientes presentes); configuración de los procesos anteriores ventrales de la aleta anal, los que están compuestos de procesos simples anteriores al pterigióforo de la aleta anal (vs. procesos dobles); presencia de varias estructuras en forma de barbillas en la superficie ventral de la cabeza (vs. pequeñas estructuras en forma de papilas en la superficie ventral de la cabeza); y 8 radios en la aleta anal (vs. 6 o 7). Una extensiva descripción osteológica del holotipo fue realizada utilizando microtomografía computarizada de rayos X de alta resolución (HRCXCT).(AU)

Design and Implementation of Embedded Telemetry System for Amperometric Detection / 分析化学

A new micro embedded telemetry system was developed for the amperometric sensing detection. Its output voltage range was ±0. 5 V and resolution was<1 mV. The current acquisition range was ±1μA and the minimum resolution was 0. 2 nA. This telemetry system was designed based on microprocessor ADuCM360, including a potentiostat, a current detection module and a radio module. And the size was only 24 mm × 13 mm × 11 mm. The computer software written in LabVIEW language was used for data storage and display. In order to verify the accuracy and reliability of this system, an electrical performance test was performed. The current response for ascorbic acid with different concentration was recorded by using the telemetry system. The potential of working electrode was set as 30 mV, and the current response of ascorbic acid electrode had a good linear relationship with its concentration within the concentration range of 50-300 μmol/L. Linear equation was I(nA) = 2. 98CAA(μmol/L)-137. 39, and linear correlation coefficient R2=0. 984. Moreover, the applicability of the instrument in the study for living animals was explored by using the cerebral ischemia as model.

A new miniature of Xenurobryconini (Characiformes: Characidae) from the rio Tapajós basin, Brazil

A new species of Xenurobrycon isdescribed from tributaries of the rio Tapajós, Pará, Brazil. It is diagnosed from all congeners by the dark color of the posterior half of both caudal-fin lobes, the presence of infraorbitals one, two, and three, the presence of a set of lamellar processes on eighth principal caudal-fin ray of mature males, the presence of bony hooks similar in size or decreasing posteriorly on last unbranched and first 9-12 branched anal-fin rays of mature males, the presence of only conical teeth on both jaws, the lack of the adipose fin and the presence of 15-18 predorsal scales. The description of the new species increases the number of species in Xenurobrycon to six. An updated key to the species of the genus is provided.

Uma espécie nova de Xenurobrycon édescrita de tributários do rio Tapajós, Pará, Brasil. Esta é diagnosticada de todas as congêneres pela coloração escura da metade posterior de ambos os lobos da nadadeira caudal, pela presença dos infraorbitais um, dois e três, pela presença de um conjunto de processos laminares no oitavo raio principal do lobo inferior da nadadeira caudal em machos maduros, pela presença de ganchos no último raio indiviso e primeiros 9-12 raios ramificados da nadadeira anal em machos maduros, estes com tamanho similar ou diminuindo de tamanho posteriormente, pela presença de apenas dentes cônicos nas maxilas, pela ausência de nadadeira adiposa e pela presença de 15-18 escamas pré-dorsais. A descrição da espécie novaaumenta o número de espécies em Xenurobrycon para seis. Uma chave atualizada para as espécies do gênero é fornecida.

Female Pattern Hair Loss: a clinical and pathophysiological review

AbstractFemale Pattern Hair Loss or female androgenetic alopecia is the main cause of hair loss in adult women and has a major impact on patients' quality of life. It evolves from the progressive miniaturization of follicles that lead to a subsequent decrease of the hair density, leading to a non-scarring diffuse alopecia, with characteristic clinical, dermoscopic and histological patterns. In spite of the high frequency of the disease and the relevance of its psychological impact, its pathogenesis is not yet fully understood, being influenced by genetic, hormonal and environmental factors. In addition, response to treatment is variable. In this article, authors discuss the main clinical, epidemiological and pathophysiological aspects of female pattern hair loss.

Design of miniaturized nucleic acid amplification system for spot rapid detection / 军事医学

Objective To present a miniaturized nucleic acid amplification system for spot rapid detection .Methods A miniaturized nucleic acid amplification system with structured packed porous media of particles to uniform the air temperature was designed according to the working principle and heat transfer characteristics of an air -heated nucleic acid amplification system.Thermodynamic simulation and temperature cycling test were carried on to verify the feasibility of the system.Results The structured packed porous media of particles worked well in uniforming the air temperature of the system and the temperature uniformity could reach 0.8℃.The miniaturized nucleic acid amplification system with a volume parameter of 80 mm ×40 mm ×20 mm(length ×height ×width)was portable.The average rate of heating was 10℃/s while the average rate of cooling was 5℃/s.Compared with standard PCR instrument , the miniaturized nucleic acid amplification system performed well in the process of amplification and met the requirements of preliminary design .Conclusion The miniaturized nucleic acid amplification system with a rapid reaction velocity and portable volume could be applied to nucleic acid detection of unknown samples on the spot .

Early effectiveness of P50 and P200 Ex-PRESS glaucoma drainage device implantation for open angle glaucoma:a randomized controlled study / 中华实验眼科杂志

Background Ex-PRESS glaucoma drainage device implantations have been clinically applied worldwide.In China,50 type and 200 type of Ex-PRESS glaucoma drainage devices are used for different types of open angle glaucoma.However,whether the clinical outcomes are similar between 50 type and 200 type of Ex-PRESS glaucoma drainage devices are not elucidated.Objective This study was to compare the therapeutic efficacy and security of Ex-PRESS implantation between PS0 type and P200 type of Ex-PRESS glaucoma drainage devices for open angle glaucoma Methods A randomized,parallel-group trial was designed,and written informed consent was obtained from each patient prior to entering in the cohort.Eighty eyes of 69 patients with various types of open angle glaucoma were included from March 2012 to April 2013 in Wuhan General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Command.The patients were randomized into 2 groups according to randomized digital table.The P50 type Ex-PRESS glaucoma drainage device was implanted in 40 eyes of 35 patients in the P50 group,and P200 type was implanted in 40 eyes of 34 patients in the patients of the P200 group.The disease composition,best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) recovery time,theoretical hospitalization days,lowing intraocular pressure (IOP) range and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups.Results The average lowing-IOP ranges of the P50 type group and P200 type group were (21.19±11.22) and (24.35±12.27) mmHg,respectively,with an insignificant difference between them (t =-1.201,P＞0.05).The theoretical hospitalization days and BCVA recovery time in the of P50 type group were (3.65±0.92) days and (2.85±0.95)days,and those in the P200 type group were (4.90±0.81) days and (3.40± 0.96) days,showing significant decreases in the P50 type group (t =-6.444,P＜0.01 ;t =-2.584,P＜ 0.05).The incidence of postoperative complications were 6.06％ and 25.00％ in P50 type group and P200 type group,respectively,with a significant difference between the two groups (.x2 =9.800,P＜0.05).Conclusions Although P50 and P200 Ex-PRESS implantation provide a similar effect in lowing IOP,P50 type Ex-PRESS implantation can restore BCVA more rapidly and lessen complications in comparison with P200 type Ex-PRESS implantation in the early postoperative stage.

Priocharax nanus, a new miniature characid from the rio negro, Amazon basin (ostariophysi: characiformes), with an updated list of miniature neotropical freshwater fishes

Priocharax nanus, new species, is described from the rio Negro, Brazil. It is a miniature fish that retains as an adult the larval rayless pectoral fin, a diagnostic character of the genus. Priocharax nanus possesses fewer reductive features compared to congeners, P. ariel and P. pygmaeus, from which it can be distinguished by the presence of i,6 pelvic-fin rays (vs. i,5), the presence of the claustrum (vs. claustrum absent) and the presence of two postcleithra (vs. postcleithra absent). An updated list of 213 species of miniature Neotropical freshwater fishes is presented. The greatest diversity among them is represented by the Characiformes with 87 miniature species.

Priocharax nanus, espécie nova, é descrita do rio Negro, Brasil. É um peixe miniatura que retém no adulto a forma larval da nadadeira peitoral, um caráter diagnóstico do gênero. Priocharax nanus possui um número menor de caracteres redutivos quando comparado aos congêneres, P. ariel and P. pygmaeus, dos quais pode ser distinguida pela presença de i,6 raios na nadadeira pélvica (vs. i,5), presença do claustrum (vs. claustrum ausente) e presença de dois pós-cleitros (vs. pós-cleitros ausentes). Uma lista atualizada de 213 espécies de peixes miniatura de água doce neotropicais é apresentada. A maior diversidade entre eles é representada pelos Characiformes, com 87 espécies miniatura.

Recent Progress in Lab-on-a-Chip Technology and Its Potential Application to Clinical Diagnoses / 대한배뇨장애요실금학회지

We present the construction of the lab-on-a-chip (LOC) system, a state-of-the-art technology that uses polymer materials (i.e., poly[dimethylsiloxane]) for the miniaturization of conventional laboratory apparatuses, and show the potential use of these microfluidic devices in clinical applications. In particular, we introduce the independent unit components of the LOC system and demonstrate how each component can be functionally integrated into one monolithic system for the realization of a LOC system. In specific, we demonstrate microscale polymerase chain reaction with the use of a single heater, a microscale sample injection device with a disposable plastic syringe and a strategy for device assembly under environmentally mild conditions assisted by surface modification techniques. In this way, we endeavor to construct a totally integrated, disposable microfluidic system operated by a single mode, the pressure, which can be applied on-site with enhanced device portability and disposability and with simple and rapid operation for medical and clinical diagnoses, potentially extending its application to urodynamic studies in molecular level.

Dermoscopic findings in female androgenetic alopecia / Achados dermatoscópicos na alopecia androgenética feminina

BACKGROUND: Androgenetic alopecia is the most common form of hair loss. It is a clinical entity of relevant interest and presents a significant psychosocial impact as it undermines self-esteem and quality of life in female patients due to the importance of the hair for people's facial balance. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study is to evaluate dermoscopic signs in women clinically diagnosed with androgenetic alopecia. METHOD: Observational study with 34 women between 17 and 68 years old who were diagnosed with androgenetic alopecia. All of them underwent photographic sessions with a 10x magnification dermoscope and a digital camera zoom set to 20x magnification and 40x magnification on the scalp frontal midline. RESULTS: All patients showed miniaturization. A peripilar brown halo was found in 22 patients, honeycomb-like scalp pigmentation was found in 14 and yellow dots in only 1 patient. Recent studies show dermoscopy as the new tool for diagnosis assistance and treatment follow up in scalp disorders. Our study used an ordinary dermoscope and we evaluated several findings reported in the literature with significant clarity and easiness. CONCLUSION: The dermoscope, which is used by dermatologists on a daily basis, is an excellent tool to assist in early diagnosis and assessment of therapeutic response in androgenetic alopecia.

FUNDAMENTOS: Alopecia androgenética é forma mais comum de queda de cabelo. Constitui entidade clínica de interesse relevante e acarreta grande impacto psicossocial por comprometer a auto-estima e a qualidade de vida das pacientes. OBJETIVO: Procurar os sinais dermatoscópicos comuns em mulheres com diagnóstico clínico de alopecia androgenética, visando diagnóstico precoce e melhor resposta terapêutica. MÉTODOS: Estudo observacional em 34 mulheres com idades entre 17 e 68 anos, com diagnóstico clínico de alopecia androgenética. Todas pacientes foram avaliadas e submetidas a registros fotográficos com o dermatoscópio no aumento de 10x e câmera digital no aumento de 20x e 40x na linha média frontal do couro cabeludo. RESULTADOS: Todas as pacientes apresentaram miniaturização dos fios na área examinada. Halo castanho peripilar foi encontrado em 22 pacientes, pigmentação em favo de mel em 14 e pontos amarelos em apenas 1 paciente. Estudos recentes mostram a dermatoscopia como uma nova ferramenta no auxílio diagnóstico e acompanhamento do tratamento das desordens do couro cabeludo. Em nosso estudo utilizamos um dermatoscópio comum e avaliamos vários achados relatados na literatura com facilidade e clareza significativas. CONCLUSÃO: O dermatoscópio, instrumento de uso diário dos dermatologistas, é excelente ferramenta para auxílio no diagnóstico precoce e avaliação da resposta terapêutica na alopecia androgenética e é capaz de mostrar de forma simples sinais precoces de miniaturização capilar.

Review article: High-throughput screening: the hits and leads of drug discovery- an overview.

The mechanism-based approach which corresponds to the target-based approach screens for compounds with a specific mode of action. The highly effective nature of high-throughput screening (HTS) for identification of highly target specific compounds is attributed to its precise focus on single mechanism. This logical development of receptor technology is closely connected with the changes in strategy of chemical synthesis. The vast number of compounds produced by combinatorial chemistry and the possibility of testing many compounds, including natural products, in a short period of time by HTS attracted attention of many workers. Various detection techniques like fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), Homogeneous time resolved fluorescence (HTRF), etc are available, and the screening of more than 100,000 samples per day is possible. With the introduction of robotics, automation and miniaturization techniques, it became feasible to screen 50,000 compounds a day with complex work-stations. High-throughput screening methods are also used to characterize metabolic and pharmacokinetic data about new drugs. With the use of Cassette dosing techniques even the pharmacokinetic data can be assessed for large number of drug candidates, though not free of drawbacks, yet an effective technique to further increase the drug discovery and development rate. The objective of this article is to give an overview to the High-Throughput screening methodologies used in industries as well as in academic research programmes.

Finasterida: mitos e verdades / Finasteride: myths and facts

Os folículos pilosos sofrem processo de miniaturização progressiva na alopecia androgenética. Fatores genéticos e andrógenos desempenham um papel fundamental na patogênese da doença. A finasterida oral é frequentemente utilizada no tratamento da alopecia androgenética masculina.

Research on ZigBee based Monitoring for Blood Oxygen Saturation / 中国医学物理学杂志

Objective:In order to detect blood oxygen saturation timely,accurately,and conveniently,a wireless blood oxygen saturation detection module has been developed.Methods:Based on wearable monitoring technology and ZigBee wireless communication technology,we designed a blood oxygen saturation module of finger cuff type.This system is composed of photoplethysmography detection micromodule,ZigBee access terminal,and data analysis program,which realize the functions of waveform display,SpO2 calculation,wireless date transmission and so on.Results:The results show that detection accuracy of photoplethysmography is 98%,and calculating error of SpO2 is less than 8.8% satisfying the performance index of blood oxygen saturation detection.Furthermore,ZigBee wireless communication technology and light source regulator can reduce energy expenditure effectively.Conclusion:With the characters of wireless,low power consumption,miniaturization,and high performance,it can truly reflect physiological condition of patients,and remove lines on them,which make it possible for mobile monitor.

A new genus and species of characid fish from the Amazon basin: the recognition of a relictual lineage of characid fishes (Ostariophysi: Cheirodontinae: Cheirodontini)

Amazonspinther dalmata, a new miniature characid from the streams of rio Purus and rio Madeira, right bank tributaries of the rio Amazonas, is described as a new genus and species of the subfamily Cheirodontinae. The unique characters of the new genus and species are the three remarkable black blotches on the base of the dorsal, anal, and caudal fins, the anteriormost proximal radial of the anal fin with an anteriorly extended lamina entering the abdominal cavity, and the extremely elongate caudal peduncle. The reduced number of ventral procurrent caudal-fin rays (7-9), and the hemal spines of only posterior one, two, or sometimes three caudal vertebrae directly articulating with the ventral procurrent caudal-fin rays further diagnoses the new taxon from remaining genera of the tribe Cheirodontini. The results of a phylogenetic analysis strongly support a close relationship between A. dalmata and Spintherobolus in the tribe Cheirodontini on the basis of fifteen unambiguous synapomorphies. Ten of these characters, previously hypothesized as exclusive synapomorphies for Spintherobolus, were now also identified in Amazonspinther, such as the pattern of exposed neuromasts on the head, the presence of a second pseudotympanum anterior to the first pleural rib, and the nearly discoidal coracoid bone. A discussion about the phylogenetic position of the closely related fossil åMegacheirodon to Spintherobolus and Amazonspinther is also provided. Convergent characters shared between Amazonspinther and the characid Priocharax are discussed in relation to miniaturization. Biogeographical implications of the diversification of Amazonspinther, Spintherobolus, and Megacheirodon lineages are discussed.

Amazonspinther dalmata, um novo caracídeo miniatura de igarapés dos rios Purus e Madeira, afluentes da margem direita do rio Amazonas, é descrito como um novo gênero e nova espécie da subfamília Cheirodontinae. Os caracteres únicos ao novo gênero são as manchas pretas conspícuas na base das nadadeiras dorsal, anal e caudal, o radial proximal mais anterior da nadadeira anal com uma lâmina estendida anteriormente entrando na cavidade abdominal e o pedúnculo caudal extremamente alongado. Caracteres adicionais que diagnosticam o novo táxon dos demais gêneros da tribo Cheirodontini incluem o número reduzido de raios procorrentes caudais (7-9) e os espinhos hemais de somente uma, duas, ou às vezes três das vértebras caudais, diretamente articulados com os raios procorrentes caudais ventrais. Os resultados de uma análise filogenética suportam fortemente uma relação de proximidade entre A. dalmata e Spintherobolus na tribo Cheirodontini com base em quinze sinapomorfias não ambíguas. Dez destes caracteres foram previamente propostos como sinapomorfias exclusivas de Spintherobolus, mas agora são reconhecidos também em Amazonspinther, e.g. o padrão de distribuição de neuromastos expostos na cabeça, o segundo pseudotímpano anterior à primeira costela pleural e o coracóide aproximadamente discóide. Uma discussão a respeito da posição filogenética do fóssil åMegacheirodon, proximamente relacionado a Spintherobolus e Amazonspinther, também é fornecida. Caracteres convergentes entre Amazonspinther e o caracídeo Priocharax são discutidos com relação à miniaturização. Implicações biogeográficas da diversificação das linhagens Amazonspinther, Spintherobolus e Megacheirodon são discutidas.