Diversity patterns of vascular and non-vascular epiphytes along tropical dry forest / Patrones de diversidad de epífitas vasculares y no vasculares a lo largo del bosque seco tropical

Abstract Introduction: Epiphytes (vascular and non-vascular) are one of the most diverse groups in the Neotropics, but despite their importance in the functioning of many ecosystems, much of their taxonomy and ecology is still unknown in the dry forest of Colombia. Objective: To compare the diversity patterns and species composition of vascular and non-vascular epiphytes along tropical dry forest remnants of Cauca Valley, Colombia. Methods: Ten permanent plots (50 x 20 m2) were established in tropical dry forest remnants. The epiphytes were sampled in 40-50 trees per plot. Alpha and gamma diversity were calculated using the richness (q0) and Shannon index (q1) (alpha was estimated as the average for phorophytes). Beta diversity was measured using the Whitaker index. To evaluate the relationship between diversities and environmental variables, GLM analysis was used. Results: We found 50 morphospecies of vascular epiphytes, 77 of bryophytes and 290 of lichens. The 𝛼 and 𝛾 diversity of bryophytes from each remnant was significantly explained by temperature. The abundance of lichens per tree was significantly related with the DBH and tree height of each remnant. The 𝛼 diversity of vascular epiphytes shown can be explained by temperature and precipitation. The 𝛾 diversity was strongly influenced by the beta diversity in bryophytes and lichens. This pattern is because the sites with high disturbance present a lower diversity, as a consequence of a homogenizing effect, that is, a low turnover of species between sampling units. Conclusions: Precipitation and temperature affected the diversity of bryophytes and vascular epiphytes, while it did not show a relationship with the lichen's diversity, for which there is not a high congruence between the diversity and composition of these epiphytes.

Resumen Introducción: Los epífitos (vasculares y no vasculares) son uno de los más diversos grupos de plantas en el Neotrópico, pero a pesar de su importancia para el funcionamiento de varios ecosistemas, existen grandes vacíos en su conocimiento taxonómico y ecológico en el bosque seco de Colombia. Objetivo: Comparar los patrones de diversidad y composición de especies de epífitas vasculares y no vasculares a lo largo de remanentes de bosque seco tropical del Valle del Cauca, Colombia. Métodos: Se establecieron diez parcelas permanentes (50 x 20 m2) en remanentes de bosque seco tropical. Las epífitas se muestrearon en 40-50 árboles por parcela. La diversidad alfa y gamma se calculó utilizando la riqueza (q0) y el índice de Shannon (q1) (alfa se estimó como el promedio para los forófitos). La diversidad beta se midió utilizando el índice de Whitaker. Para evaluar la relación entre diversidades y variables ambientales se utilizó el análisis GLM. Resultados: Se encontraron 50 morfoespecies de epífitas vasculares, 77 de briófitas y 290 de líquenes. La diversidad de 𝛼 y 𝛾 de briófitas de cada remanente fue explicada significativamente por la temperatura. La abundancia de líquenes por árbol se relacionó significativamente con el DAP y la altura del árbol de cada remanente. La diversidad 𝛼 de epífitas vasculares que se muestra puede explicarse por la temperatura y la precipitación. La diversidad 𝛾 estuvo fuertemente influenciada por la diversidad beta en briófitas y líquenes. Este patrón se debe a que los sitios con alta perturbación presentan una menor diversidad, como consecuencia de un efecto homogeneizador, es decir, un bajo recambio de especies entre unidades de muestreo. Conclusiones: La precipitación y la temperatura afectaron la diversidad de briófitas y epífitas vasculares, mientras que no mostró relación con la diversidad de líquenes, por lo que no existe una alta congruencia entre la diversidad y composición de estas epífitas.

Effect of withdrawal time on postpartum liver function in pregnant women receiving tenofovir disoproxil fumarate therapy for blocking mother to child transmission of hepatitis B / 中华临床感染病杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of withdrawal time on postpartum liver function in pregnant women receiving tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) therapy for blocking mother-to-child transmission of HBV.Methods:A prospective study was conducted in Hangzhou First People’s Hospital from June 2016 to August 2018. A total of 84 pregnant women with HBsAg and HBeAg positive were enrolled and divided into two groups according to simple randomized grouping method with 42 cases in each group. In group A TDF was withdrawn immediately after delivery and in group B TDF was withdrawn 12 weeks after delivery. Finally, 66 patients completed the follow-up for 24 weeks postpartum, 35 cases in group A and 31 cases in group B. All patients were administered TDF from week 24-28 of pregnancy. HBV DNA loads and ALT levels were regularly measured and compared. Multivariate logistic regression was used to explore the risk factors of postpartum ALT flare. SPSS 26.0 statistical software was used for statistical processing.Results:Compared with the baseline levels, the HBV DNA loads at 16 weeks postpartum had no significant changes in both groups( Z=-0.742 and -1.891, both P>0.05). Postpartum ALT flare was observed in 21 of the 66 patients, 9 cases (25.71%, 9/35) in group A, and 12 cases (38.71%, 12/31) in group B ( χ2=1.280, P>0.05); and there was no significant difference in the severity of postpartum ALT flare between the two groups ( χ2=0.527, P>0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that increased ALT level during pregnancy was an independent risk factor of postpartum ALT flare ( OR=13.75, 95% CI 1.49-126.85, P<0.05). Conclusions:When TDF was used for preventing mother-to-child HBV transmission, withdrawal at different times after delivery had no effect on postpartum liver function. ALT flare during pregnancy is a risk factor for postpartum ALT flare, so TDF should be discontinued carefully and liver function should be closely monitored postpartum for such patients.

Optimization Of Roll Compactor Variables And Formulation Of Anti-Retroviral Tablet By Roll Compaction Method

Objective: This study emphasis on roll compaction variable and how the processing parameters influence the formation of granules in process of formulations of antiretroviral IR Tablet with help of optimization technique. Methods: In this present work we aimed to develop a stable pharmaceutical dosage form with anti-retroviral drug tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. % retention of granules over # 60 mesh in roll compaction method by sizing with 50G co-mill screen was assessed by optimization and results were evaluated by Design expert 12.0 software. Various parameters and optimization of the parameter for formulation for better product was done by using 23 factorial design and dry granulation technique for manufacturing tablets. Three operating parameters the roller speed, the hydraulic pressure and the gap width on the Chamunda CPMRC-200/150 Roll Compactor were varied. The planned response variable for study was % retention over #60 ASTM mesh. % retention of granules was calculated by weighing granules on digital electronic balance with respect to how much premix material was taken for compaction. Results: Excipients compatibility study gave positive way showing no change in physical appearance of drug-excipients mix. It reviled that drug was compatible with excipients used. By formation of granules with required ratio, the value of Compressibility index changed from 29 to 21.89, showed that flow properties were improved i.e. from poor to passable. Design expert 12.0 gave optimized solution for formation of required quantity of granules. Pareto chart showed envaulted positive and negative impact of factors on response as explained in results. The results clearly indicate that how granules manufacturing in roll compaction process are influenced by roller pressure, roller gap and speed. 70 % flakes formation and granules retention were observed with 4000 kg/cm2 pressure, 1 mm roller gap width and 6 rpm speed of roller. Pareto chart clearly indicate major impact is of roller pressure. Comparative dissolution profile graph showed that drug release pattern is similar with the innovator tablet. A stable, robust tablets were formed at the end of process. Conclusion: In this study, by optimizing processing variables stable antiretroviral immediate release oral solid dosage form was formed.

Studies on Pathophysiology and Possible Cause of Hie-Symptom ─Findings on Sublingual and Body Surface Temperature, Venous Gas Partial Pressure and the Effects of Oral Administration of PDE-5 Inhibitor Tadarafil─ / 日本温泉気候物理医学会雑誌

  Background and Purpose: Hie-symptom is more common in women, with complains of strong cold sensation of fingers and lower limbs during cold weather. From the cyanotic findings of hands and thighs and dark venous blood, blood stasis due to excessive peripheral vein contraction was suspected. Then we studied the changes of sublingual and body surface temperature, venous gas partial pressure in the warm and cold conditions. To examine the role of thermo-dilating effects of nitric oxide (NO), the effects oral administration PDE 5 inhibitor Tadarafil (TDF) were also studied.   Subjects and Methods: The subjects were 10 women (31 +- 8.8 yrs) with Hie-symptom and 7 women (26+-3.7 yrs) without Hie-symptom, BMI, blood pressure, heart rate,sublingual and peripheral body surface temperature (hand and lower limb), venous and arterial blood gas partial pressure, and fingertip arterial oxygen saturation were measured. The measurement was carried out at warm indoors (about 23°C) and cold outdoors (about 12°C). Then 10 mg TDF tablet was taken and all measurements were repeated again at the same time on the next day.   Results: There was no difference in fingertip arterial blood oxygen saturation in both groups either at indoor or outdoor conditions, and even after taking TDF. In the cold outdoor, the subjects with Hie-symptom, compared to without Hie-symptom, showed significantly lower body surface temperature and venous blood pO2, and increased pCO2. After taking TDF, although sublingual temperature and the decrease in body surface temperature outside the room improved in both groups, the improvement was greater in Hie-symptom.  Consideration and Conclusion: Because of normal fingertip arterial blood oxygen saturation, Hie-symptom is not considered to be a disorder of the cardiopulmonary/arterial system. From a significant decrease in peripheral body surface temperature, and peripheral venous blood pO2, and an increase in pCO2 of Hie-symptom in cold outdoors, it is considered that blood stasis by excessive constriction of peripheral veins or arteriovenous anastomosis (AVA) by the cold. The better effects of oral TDF, in Hie-symptom seems to predict the involvement of NO or cGMP in blood stasis.

Studies on Pathophysiology and Possible Cause of Hie-Symptom ─Findings on Sublingual and Body Surface Temperature, Venous Gas Partial Pressure and the Effects of Oral Administration of PDE-5 Inhibitor Tadarafil─ / 日本温泉気候物理医学会雑誌

  Background and Purpose: Hie-symptom is more common in women, with complains of strong cold sensation of fingers and lower limbs during cold weather. From the cyanotic findings of hands and thighs and dark venous blood, blood stasis due to excessive peripheral vein contraction was suspected. Then we studied the changes of sublingual and body surface temperature, venous gas partial pressure in the warm and cold conditions. To examine the role of thermo-dilating effects of nitric oxide (NO), the effects oral administration PDE 5 inhibitor Tadarafil (TDF) were also studied.   Subjects and Methods: The subjects were 10 women (31 +- 8.8 yrs) with Hie-symptom and 7 women (26+-3.7 yrs) without Hie-symptom, BMI, blood pressure, heart rate,sublingual and peripheral body surface temperature (hand and lower limb), venous and arterial blood gas partial pressure, and fingertip arterial oxygen saturation were measured. The measurement was carried out at warm indoors (about 23°C) and cold outdoors (about 12°C). Then 10 mg TDF tablet was taken and all measurements were repeated again at the same time on the next day.   Results: There was no difference in fingertip arterial blood oxygen saturation in both groups either at indoor or outdoor conditions, and even after taking TDF. In the cold outdoor, the subjects with Hie-symptom, compared to without Hie-symptom, showed significantly lower body surface temperature and venous blood pO2, and increased pCO2. After taking TDF, although sublingual temperature and the decrease in body surface temperature outside the room improved in both groups, the improvement was greater in Hie-symptom.  　Consideration and Conclusion: Because of normal fingertip arterial blood oxygen saturation, Hie-symptom is not considered to be a disorder of the cardiopulmonary/arterial system. From a significant decrease in peripheral body surface temperature, and peripheral venous blood pO2, and an increase in pCO2 of Hie-symptom in cold outdoors, it is considered that blood stasis by excessive constriction of peripheral veins or arteriovenous anastomosis (AVA) by the cold. The better effects of oral TDF, in Hie-symptom seems to predict the involvement of NO or cGMP in blood stasis.

Studies of Efficacy of tenofoviralafenamide in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B infection / Монголын Анагаах Ухаан

@#Worldwide, an estimated two billion people have evidence of HBV infection, and approximately 240 million have CHB. In April 2017, EASL added a drug newly approved for treatment of CHB, tenofoviralafenamide (TAF) to their list of recommended first-line therapies. Treatment with these therapies can achieve sustained suppression of HBV DNA replication, decreases in inflammation, and histological activity that decrease the risk of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in both cirrhotic and noncirrhotic patients and, ultimately, of CHB-associated mortality [1, 2]. However, recent advances in understanding the HBV life cycle have enabled multiple, novel therapeutic targets to be identified and new therapies of direct-acting antiviral (DAAs) and host-targeting agents (HTAs) are indevelopment.</br> In most clinical trials, TAF was non-inferior to TDF in achieving HBV DNA levels below 29 IU/ml.No amino-acid substitutions associated with viral breakthrough were detected by deep sequencing, and no resistance to TAF.With clear evidence from major studies showing that TAF is safe, tolerable, and non-inferior to TDF, its recommendation as a first-line therapy is appropriate.</br> Long-term safety is an important consideration in the therapeutic management of patients with CHB because treatment is often life-long.</br> The efficacy of TAF in patients with resistance mutations associated with older nucleos(t)ide analogues is unclear. Although no evidence of TAF or TDF resistance was detected in the phase III studies through 96 weeks of treatment, very small numbers of patients had baseline mutations indicating resistance to lamivudine, adefovir or entecavir and efficacy data specifically for this group is not available.

Efficacy of tenofovir alafenamide in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B infection / Монголын Анагаах Ухаан

Introduction@#Worldwide, an estimated two billion people have evidence of HBV infection, and approximately 240 million have CHB. In this study, a representative group of Mongolian adults was tested for hepatitis B virus (HBV) in 2017. The prevalence estimates of HBV the general Mongolian adult population were found to be 11.1%, respectively.</br> In April 2017, EASL added a drug newly approved for treatment of CHB, tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) to their list of recommended first-line therapies. The requirement for long-term therapy in chronic HBV highlights the importance of these efficacy and safety trends, however their true clinical relevance is yet to be established and further studies with long-term follow up and real-world clinical data are needed.@*Goal@#Evaluate for result of tenofovir alafenamide in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B infection.@*Materials and Methods@#The clinical trials have evaluated TAF in HBeAg-positive and HBeAg-negative chronic HBV patients. The trials have similar designs and are randomized, double blind, non-inferiority studies. The primary efficacy endpoint was the proportion of patients with HBV DNA<29 IU/ml at week 24 and 48. Other prespecified efficacy endpoints were the proportion of patients with HBsAg seroncoversion to anti-HBs at week 24 and 48. Key secondary safety end- points at week 24 and 48 included the percentage change in T-score, and Z-score bone mineral density (BMD), percentage change in BMD and change from baseline serum creatinine.@*Results@#The primary efficacy endpoint, an HBV DNA level <29 IU/ml at week 24, was achieved by 120 (59.1%) of 203 patients receiving TAF, which was non-inferior to the 63 (55.2%) of 114 patients receiving TDF who had an HBV DNA<29 IU/ml. After 24 weeks of treatment, patients receiving TAF had significantly smaller reductions in bone mineral density (BMD) compared with patients receiving TDF.@*Conclusion@#The development of TAF, specifically designed to deliver potent antiviral activity but with an improved safety profile compared with TDF, is therefore timely.

Inventory of moqquitoes (diptera: culicidae) inconservation units in Braziliann tropical dry forests / Inventário de mosquitos (Diptera: Culicidae) em unidades de conservação em florestas tropicais secas brasileiras

In Brazil, most studies of the Culicidae family are concentrated in rainforest regions. As such, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the diversity of Culicidae in regions with different climatic and vegetational characteristics. The aim of this study was to compile an inventory of Culicidae in protected areas of the semi-arid region of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, in order to better understand the diversity of the family within this region. The study was conducted across four protected areas in the northern region of the state, in tropical dry forest (TDF) fragments. Sampling methods included Shannon trap and CDC light trap, as well as active collection. A total of 11,219 mosquito specimens were collected between August 2008 and July 2012, belonging to 11 genera and 45 species; 15 new records for the state of Minas Gerais were registered, as well as 26 new records for semi-arid regions within the state. The high number of new Culicidae records in this region demonstrates the importance of inventory studies for increasing the knowledge of culicid biodiversity in Minas Gerais, and in particular within semi-arid regions of the state.

No Brasil, a maior parte dos estudos relacionados à família Culicidae se concentram em regiões de florestas úmidas, existindo uma lacuna no conhecimento da diversidade destes mosquitos em regiões com características climáticas e vegetacionais diferentes. O objetivo desse trabalho foi inventariar a fauna de culicídeos em unidades de conservação do semi-árido de Minas Gerais, visando assim contribuir para o conhecimento da diversidade de Culicidae desta região. O estudo foi realizado em quatro unidades de conservação localizadas na região norte do estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil, área representada por fragmentos de Floresta Tropical Seca (FTS). Foram utilizados três métodos de coleta: armadilha do tipo Shannon, armadilha luminosa do tipo CDC e coleta ativa. Durante o período de agosto de 2008 a julho de 2012 foi coletado um total de 11.219 espécimes de mosquitos, distribuídos em 11 gêneros e 45 espécies. Foram registrados 15 novos registros de mosquitos para o estado de Minas Gerais e 26 novos registros para a região do semi-árido de Minas Gerais. O elevado número de novos registros de Culicidae na região demonstra a importância de estudos de inventário para o aumento do conhecimento da biodiversidade de culicídeos em Minas Gerais, e em particular a região do semi-árido do estado.

A comparative analysis of the efficacy of HAART with TDF and with AZT / 实用医学杂志

Objective To compare the efficacy of highly active anti-retroviral treatment (HAART) with and with AZT. Methods Data of 235 HIV patients accepted from Oct. 2010 to Nov. 2013 who took AZT (133) or TDF (102) containing regimen as first-line HAART are analyzed retrospectively. CD4+ T cell counts acted as the base line after 12 months of HAART. Increase in CD4+ T cell count number after the HAART, virological failures and drug resistance were compared between the two groups. Results The two groups had comparable baseline CD4+T cell count, gender ratio, and HIV transmision mode; after 12 months of HARRT, no statistically differences were found between the two groups with regard to CD4 + T cell count and increase in CD4+ T cell count after the 12-month HAART (P > 0.05); AZT-containing group had more virological failure (3/0). Meanwhile AZT-containing group had one thymidine analog mutation (TAMs) which confers resistance to AZT (P > 0.05 for both). Conculsion The two HAARTs have same immunological effects; AZT-containing group exhibits 2.2% viralogial failure, but its direct relationship with AZT has not been confirmed.

Differential gene expression in pepper (Capsicum annuum) exposed to UV-B.

In the present paper, complementary DNA-amplified fragment length polymorphism (cDNA-AFLP) was used to examine and identify differentially expressed genes in Capsicum annuum exposed to UV-B irradiation. Around 4000 transcript derived fragments (TDFs) were visualized and in total 183 TDFs were isolated, sequenced and analyzed by Blast 2 go. Among these TDFs, 84 of them showed homology to known genes. There were 43 TDFs showing up-regulated expression, 24 TDFs showing down-regulated expression and 27 TDFs showing both up-regulated and down-regulated expression, respectively. Some of these TDFs were found to be in response/related to UV-B stress, including carbonic anhydrase, calcium-dependent protein, thionin-like protein, bzip protein and so on. In particular, chlorophyll a/b binding protein (Capcab) responding to UV-B stress was cloned. It was concluded that Capcab could play a protective role in plant anti-UV-B and maintaining photosynthetic rate under UV-B stress.

Result of Radiation Therapy of Cerebellar Medulloblastoma / 대한치료방사선과학회지

Treatment of cerebellar medulloblastoma has been much improved with modern surgical technique for gross total tumor removal and adequate radiation therapy for the whole craniospinal axis. Questions have been arosen about the optimal radiation dose for the preventive treatment of whole cranium and whole spinal axis. Recently, many authors have reported their treatment results as comparable to older data, using lower than conventional dose of 3,600cGy-4,000cGy. For 50 patients treated between 1981 and 1950 at the Department of Radiation Therapy of SNUH, retrospective analysis was done for the treatment result, especially the neuraxis control, by radiation dose for the presymptomatic area of the disease. Analysis only by total spinal dose did not give any significant difference. But further analysis by following patient group: 3,600cGy/150cGy (n=S), 3,000cGy/150cGy (n=10), 2,400 cGy/150cGy (n=17) and 2,400cGy/100-120cGy (n=11) showed significant improvement of neuraxis control by decreasing order (p=0.003). There was no significant difference in overall survival between the groups. For the 19 patients who had been confirmed initially as having no neuraxis disease, TDF 30 was the cur-off value that could prevent neuraxis failure (p=0.004). We couldn't define any TDF value that give reasonable control for the patient group with positive CSF study at initial diagnosis.

Remote Afterloading High Dose Rate Brachytherapy AMC EXPERIANCES / 대한치료방사선과학회지

Remote afterloading high dose rate brachytherapy(HDRB) is a new technology and needs new biological principle for time and dose schedule. Here, authors attempt to evaluate the technique and clinical outcome in 116 patients, 590 procedures performed at Asan Medical Center for 3 years. From Sep. 1985 to Aug 1992, 471 procedures of intracavitary radiation in 55 patients of cervical cancer and 26 of nasopharyngeal cancer, 79 intraluminal radiation in 12 of esophageal cancer, 11 of endobronchial cancer and 1 Klatskin tumor and 40 interstitial brachytherapy in 4 of breast cancer, 1 sarcoma and 1 urethral cancer were performed. Median follow-up was 7 months with range 1~31 months. All procedures except interstitial were performed under the local anesthesia and they were all well tolerated and completed the planned therapy except 6 patients. 53/58 patients with cervical cancer and 22/26 patients with nasopharynx cancer achieved CR. Among 15 patients with palliative therapy, 80% achieves palliation. We will describe the details of the technique and results in the text. To evaluate biologic effects of HDRB and optimal time/dose/fractionation schedule, we need longer follow-up. But authors feel that HDRB with proper fractionation schedule may yield superior results compared to the low dose rate brachytherapy considering the advantages of HDRB in safety factor for operator, better control of radiation dose and volume and patients comfort over the low dose brachytherapy.