No evidence of inbreeding depression despite a historical severe bottleneck in the endangered Bermuda petrel (Pterodroma cahow).

The Bermuda petrel Pterodroma cahow is an island endemic seabird that belongs to the Procellariiformes, one of the most endangered orders of birds. Historical records suggest a significant population size decline following human settlement in Bermuda, bringing the species to near extinction. Since the 1950s, the population has been recovering aided by the implementation of an ongoing conservation plan. However, it still faces several threats, and negative genetic effects resulting from that drastic decline are to be expected, including inbreeding and genetic drift. We studied genetic diversity and levels of inbreeding, and their effects on individual fitness and mating choice. We also tested for a genetic signature of the recent demographic bottleneck. For this, we analyzed variation in thousands of nuclear single-nucleotide polymorphisms derived from double digest restriction site-associated DNA sequencing and 1 mitochondrial gene (cytochrome oxidase I). The results revealed that the Bermuda petrel suffered a recent genetic bottleneck and shows low mitochondrial diversity compared with other petrel species. Conversely, nuclear diversity was similar to that of other endangered petrels. Inbreeding levels were not high overall, although some individuals were highly inbred. However, we found no evidence that individual inbreeding or relatedness between mates affected hatching success, or that mate choice is influenced by kinship in this very small population.

Earthworm communities in long-term no-tillage systems and secondary forest fragments in Paraná, Southern Brazil.

The area destined for agricultural production in Paraná state in Brazil is ~6 million hectares, of which 79% are under no-tillage systems (NTS) that can positively affect earthworm populations. Furthermore, earthworm abundance and richness can be valuable soil quality. This study assessed earthworm communities in long-term no-tillage sites (NTS) and nearby secondary Atlantic Forest (SF) fragments. Sampling was performed in June 2018 and May 2019 using the quantitative Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility handsorting method (ISO-TSBF), complemented by qualitative sampling in three municipalities: Faxinal, Mauá da Serra and Palmeira, in NTS and SF. Eleven earthworm species, belonging to five families (Benhamiidae, Glossoscolecidae, Megascolecidae, Ocnerodrilidae, and Rhinodrilidae) were found along with seven native species (Glossoscolex sp.22, Glossoscolex sp.23, Fimoscolex sp.21, Fimoscolex sp.24, Fimoscolex sp.42, Andiorrhinus duseni and Urobenus brasiliensis) and four exotic or cosmopolitan species (Dichogaster gracilis, Amynthas gracilis, Metaphire californica and Pontoscolex corethrurus). The cosmopolitan P. corethrurus dominated Faxinal and Mauá da Serra, while in Palmeira Fimoscolex and Glossoscolex were the most abundant. Six species belonging to Glossoscolex and Fimoscolex were new to science and must be described. Overall, 239 individuals were found. In 2018 126 individuals were found (76 in NTS and 50 in SF) and in 2019, only 112 individuals were found (45 in NTS and 67 in SF). The highest earthworm abundance was in Faxinal (123 individuals), with 76 individuals in NTS and 47 in SF. In Mauá da Serra the same pattern was observed (SF>NTS), while in Palmeira in overall, fewer individuals (38) were collected (24 in NTS and 14 in SF). The NTS at Faxinal and SF Mauá da Serra in 2019 had only/more exotic/cosmopolitan species, while at the other dates and sites >50% of the specimens sampled were native species. Overall, forests had more native species than exotics: in 2018, natives represented > 75% of all specimens, but in 2019 both Faxinal and Mauá da Serra had more exotic species (> 65%), while at Palmeira, they represented 50% of the individuals. Earthworm total biomass for forest sites was higher in Faxinal (3.2 g) and NTS in Mauá da Serra (1.7 g) in 2019. Overall, the total biomass was higher in SF sites than NTS. Using a classification available for earthworm populations in no-tillage systems, all three sites were considered to have poor quality in terms of abundance (ind m-2), while for species richness, they were considered to have moderate (Faxinal and Mauá da Serra) and good quality (Palmeira).

The Usefulness of Calcium/Magnesium Ratio in the Risk Stratification of Early Onset of Renal Replacement Therapy.

Background: A growing number of studies have reported a close relationship between high serum calcium (Ca)/low serum magnesium (Mg) and vascular calcification. Endothelial dysfunction and vascular inflammation seem plausible risk factors for the enhanced progression of kidney disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of the Ca/Mg ratio as a predictor of the early onset of renal replacement therapy (RRT). Methods: This was a prospective study conducted in an outpatient low-clearance nephrology clinic, enrolling 693 patients with stages 4−5 of CKD. Patients were divided into two groups according to the start of renal replacement therapy (RRT). Results: The kidney's survival at 120 months was 60% for a Ca−Mg ratio < 6 and 40% for a Ca−Mg ratio ≥ 6 (p = 0.000). Patients who started RRT had lower levels of Hb, Ca, Mg, albumin, and cholesterol and higher values of phosphorus, the Ca/Mg ratio, and PTH. High values of phosphorus and the Ca/Mg ratio and low levels of Mg and GFR were independent predictors of entry into RRT. A high Ca/Mg ratio, high phosphorus levels, and low levels of GFR were associated with a cumulative risk for initiation of RRT. Conclusions: In our population, the Ca/Mg ratio is an independent predictive factor for the initiation of a depurative technique.

Tip Lesion Variant of Focal and Segmental Glomerulosclerosis in a COVID-19 Patient.

Acute kidney injury is a common complication of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Several pathologic findings are continually being reported, showing a probably multifactorial etiology. The authors present a case of a patient diagnosed with a tip lesion variant of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in the setting of COVID-19. A 43-year-old African American female with no known renal disease presented to the emergency department with a 6-day history of fatigue, headache, hypoageusia, myalgia, cough, nausea, and vomiting. Laboratory tests confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. During hospitalization, there was a progressive decline in kidney function and evidence of nephrotic-range proteinuria without nephrotic syndrome. Biopsy specimen showed a tip lesion variant of FSGS. Genetic test revealed a homozygous variant of uncertain clinical significance (c.397G>A [p.V133M]) in the epithelial membrane protein 2 (EMP2) gene. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of a tip lesion in a COVID-19 patient with no renal history. More studies are warranted to define susceptible groups and identify the detailed mechanisms of COVID-19-related kidney disease that would allow for specific management of this complication.

HDAC Overexpression in a NUT Midline Carcinoma of the Parotid Gland with Exceptional Survival: A Case Report.

NUT midline carcinoma (NMC) is a recently described entity with a predilection for young individuals, characterised by a rearrangement of NUT, most commonly with BRD4. It usually involves midline structures, with a minority of cases presenting outside the midline axis. Given its dismal prognosis, new molecularly targeted therapies (eg, HDAC inhibitors) are gaining ground, but the HDAC expression pattern remains unknown. We describe the exceptional evolution of a NMC arising in the parotid gland. A 34-year-old male presented with a rapidly growing 35 mm left-parotid mass. Parotidectomy and lymphadenectomy were performed. The tumour invaded the surrounding soft tissue and lay adjacent to the surgical margin. No lymph node metastases were identified. Histology revealed blue nests of undifferentiated cells merging with foci of necrosis and occasional abrupt foci of keratinising squamous epithelium. FISH analysis confirmed a rearrangement of NUT, but not of BRD4. A diagnosis of NMC was rendered. Currently, after adjuvant chemoradiotherapy and 47 months after diagnosis, the patient is alive and well. The tumour was found to have increased immunoexpression of HDAC2, 4 and 6 and phospho-HDAC4/5/7. This case emphasises the importance of considering NMC in the differential diagnosis of poorly differentiated carcinomas of the head and neck region in young adults, even away from midline structures. As molecular targets hold the promise of successful therapy for the vast majority of NMC patients, the knowledge of their HDAC expression patterns will probably be relevant.

Geographic dispersal and genetic diversity of tick-borne phleboviruses (Phenuiviridae, Phlebovirus) as revealed by the analysis of L segment sequences.

The large diversity of new tick-borne phleboviruses, and the negative impacts of the virulent viruses on human/animal health have led to a growing interest in their analysis. In this report, new insights are brought out into the diversity of putative phleboviruses circulating in Portugal (both the continental territory and the islands of São Miguel, in the Azores, and Madeira), as well as in the Spanish western regions of Extremadura and Castilla and León. Phlebovirus sequences were frequently detected (L-segment) from both questing and feeding ticks, but especially in Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (s.l.) specimens. These sequences were detected in adult ticks, as well as nymphs and eggs, supporting the hypothesis of viral maintenance by vertical transmission. Though multiple genetic groups could be identified in phylogenetic trees (AnLuc, KarMa, RiPar virus 1, and Spanish group 1 and 2), all the sequences from Portugal and Spain shared common ancestry with other viral sequence obtained from samples collected over a large geographic coverage. Spatiotemporal analysis placed Middle-East as the geographic origin of the most recent common ancestor (MRCA) of all phleboviruses analysed in the present study. More recent viral transitions might include migrations from Spain to continental Portugal, and from there to the Portuguese Islands. Our findings suggest that the time of the MRCA of phleboviruses was dated around 225 years ago [95% HPD: 124-387 year before the last sampling date].

The influence of alkaloids on oxidative stress and related signaling pathways.

Alkaloids have always attracted scientific interest due to either their positive or negative effects on human beings. This review aims to summarize their antioxidant effects by both classical in vitro scavenging assay and at the cellular level. Since most in vitro studies used the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging assay, the results from those studies are summed up in the first part of the article. In the second part, available data on the effect of alkaloids on NADPH-oxidase, the key enzyme for reactive oxygen species production, at the cellular level, are summarized. More than 130 alkaloids were tested by DPPH assay. However, due to methodological differences, a direct comparison is hardly possible. It can be at least concluded that some of them were either similar to or even more active than standard antioxidants and the number of aromatic hydroxyl groups seems to be the major determinant for the activity. The data on inhibition of NADPH-oxidase activity by alkaloids demonstrated that there is little relationship to the DPPH assay. The mechanism seems to be based on inhibition of synthesis, activation or translocation of NADPH-oxidase subunits. In some alkaloids, activation of the nuclear factor Nrf2 pathway was documented to be the grounds for inhibition of NADPH-oxidase. Interestingly, many alkaloids can behave both as anti-oxidants and pro-oxidants depending on conditions and pro-oxidation might be the reason for activation of Nrf2. Available data on other "antioxidant" transcription factors FOXOs and PPARs are also mentioned.

El triaje de las urgencias en la consulta de Atención Primaria / Triage in emergency departments in Primary Care

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Cuidados paliativos: a intervenção do Fisioterapeuta / Palliative care: the intervention of the physiotherapist

Este estudo surge pela pertinência da inclusão da Fisioterapia na prestação de Cuidados Paliativos, pois verificou-se que, em 2009, existiriam apenas 0,5 Fisioterapeutas por unidade de cuidados paliativos. Objetivo: Investigar a evidência científica da intervenção específica do Fisioterapeuta em Cuidados Paliativos. Desenho: Revisão integrativa da literatura. Método: Pesquisa de artigos nas bases de dados eletrónicas Pubmed e B-on. Resultados: Foram encontrados 289 artigos, dos quais 150 selecionados. As técnicas documentadas quantitativamente foram a cinesiterapia, o exercício físico, a fisioterapia respiratória, a terapia complexa descongestiva, a eletroterapia, a massagem, a drenagem linfática manual, a pressoterapia, a laserterapia, a elevação dos membros, as bandas multicamadas, e o vestuário de compressão. A utilização da termoterapia e o uso de ortóteses e auxiliares de marcha foram encontradas apenas em estudos qualitativos. Conclusões: O presente estudo mostrou a existência de alguma evidência na intervenção do fisioterapeuta no alívio de sintomas em cuidados paliativos.

This study appears by the relevance of including the provision of physiotherapy in palliative care because it was found that, in 2009, there would be only 0,5 Physiotherapists per palliative care unit. Objective: To investigate the scientific evidence of Physiotherapist's specific intervention in Palliative Care. Design: Systematic review of the literature. Method: Research of articles in the electronic database Pubmed and in the search engine B-on. Results: From 289 articles, only 150 were selected. The techniques documented quantitatively were exercise, respiratory therapy, complex decongestive therapy, electrotherapy, massage, manual lymphatic drainage, pressure therapy, laser therapy, the lifting of members, the multilayer bandage and clothing compression. The use of thermotherapy and the use of orthoses and walking aids were found only in qualitative studies. Conclusions: The present study showed the existence of some evidence in intervention physiotherapist in relieving symptoms in palliative care.