Echolocating bats show species-specific variation in susceptibility to acoustic forward masking.

Echolocating bats rely on precise auditory temporal processing to detect echoes generated by calls that may be emitted at rates reaching 150-200 Hz. High call rates can introduce forward masking perceptual effects that interfere with echo detection; however, bats may have evolved specializations to prevent repetition suppression of auditory responses and facilitate detection of sounds separated by brief intervals. Recovery of the auditory brainstem response (ABR) was assessed in two species that differ in the temporal characteristics of their echolocation behaviors: Eptesicus fuscus, which uses high call rates to capture prey, and Carollia perspicillata, which uses lower call rates to avoid obstacles and forage for fruit. We observed significant species differences in the effects of forward masking on ABR wave 1, in which E. fuscus maintained comparable ABR wave 1 amplitudes when stimulated at intervals of <3 ms, whereas post-stimulus recovery in C. perspicillata required 12 ms. When the intensity of the second stimulus was reduced by 20-30 dB relative to the first, however, C. perspicillata showed greater recovery of wave 1 amplitudes. The results demonstrate that species differences in temporal resolution are established at early levels of the auditory pathway and that these differences reflect auditory processing requirements of species-specific echolocation behaviors.

Implementation of an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Protocol for Cranial Vault Remodeling Procedures.

BACKGROUND: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols have been implemented across surgical disciplines, including cranial vault remodeling for craniosynostosis. The authors aim to describe the implementation of an ERAS protocol for cranial vault remodeling procedures performed for patients with craniosynostosis at a tertiary care hospital. DESCRIPTION: Institutional review board approval was received. All patients undergoing a cranial remodeling procedure for craniosynostosis at the authors' institution over a 10-year period were collected (n = 168). Patient and craniosynostosis demographics were collected as well as operative details. Primary outcome measures were intensive care unit length of stay (ICU LOS) and narcotic usage. Chi squared and independent t-tests were employed to determine significance. A significance value of 0.05 was utilized. RESULTS: During the time examined, there were 168 primary cranial vault remodeling procedures performed at the authors' institution - all of which were included in the analysis. Use of the ERAS protocol was associated with decreased initial 24-hour morphine equivalent usage (p < 0.01) and decreased total morphine equivalent usage (p < 0.01). Patients using the ERAS protocol experienced a shorter ICU LOS (p < 0.01), but the total hospital length of stay was unchanged. CONCLUSION: This study reiterates the benefit of developing and implementing an ERAS protocol for patients undergoing cranial vault remodeling procedures. The protocol resulted in an overall decreased ICU LOS and a decrease in narcotic use. This has implications for ways to maximize hospital reimbursement for these procedures, as well as potentially improve outcomes.

Squamosal Craniosynostosis Associated with Rickets.

Rickets results from defective bone mineralization, leading to skeletal deformities. Among those deformities, rickets has been associated with craniosynostosis, the premature closure of cranial sutures. Most of these patients have fusion of major sutures. Rarely, squamosal craniosynostosis in association with rickets has been described. Squamosal craniosynostosis is noted as lacking a definitive head abnormality and difficult visualization on standard imaging modalities, leading to poor recognition. Careful attention should be given to rickets patients to monitor for these unusual suture closures. Additionally, craniosynostosis could be a presenting feature of rickets, and further rickets evaluation of the patient is indicated.

Asymmetric transformations from sulfoxonium ylides.

Sulfoxonium ylides are important surrogates for diazo compounds, and their use in industry as safer alternatives has been evaluated during recent years. Beyond the known classical transformations, these ylides have also been used in a surprising plethora of novel and intrinsic chemical reactions, especially in recent years. Bench stability and handling are also an advantage of this class of organosulfur molecules. Despite this, efficient asymmetric transformations, specifically catalytic enantioselective versions, have only recently been reported, and there are specific reasons for this. This perspective article covers this topic from the first studies up to the latest advances, giving personal perspectives and showing the main challenges in this area in the coming years.

Antioxidant activities of some monofloral honey types produced across Minas Gerais (Brazil).

This study was carried out with the objective of determining the antioxidant properties and quantification of total phenolics and flavonoids in relation to quercetin and rutin in some of the monofloral honeys produced in Minas Gerais (Brazil). In this study, 15 monofloral honey samples were obtained from different geographic regions of Minas Gerias, Brazil. The honeys were obtained from Cooperative of Beekeepers and Family Farmers of Northern Minas. To determine the antioxidant properties of honey samples, the test methods of total phenolic content, flavonoids (rutin and quercetin) and DPPH were used. As a result of the analysis of phenolic and flavonoid contents, the samples with the best results were A1-Aroeira and A4-Assa peixe. In antioxidant activity, the honey with the best EC50 results was A6-Aroeira. Differences between the antioxidant activities of the honey samples were found significantly (p< 0.01).

Role of Vitamin B12 and Folate in Metabolic Syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a collection of pathological metabolic conditions that includes insulin resistance, central or abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. It affects large populations worldwide, and its prevalence is rising exponentially. There is no specific mechanism that leads to the development of MS. Proposed hypotheses range from visceral adiposity being a key factor to an increase in very-low-density lipoprotein and fatty acid synthesis as the primary cause of MS. Numerous pharmaceutical therapies are widely available in the market for the treatment of the individual components of MS. The relationship between MS and vitamin B complex supplementation, specifically folic acid and vitamin B12, has been a subject of investigation worldwide, with several trials reporting a positive impact with vitamin supplementation on MS. In this study, an all-language literature search was conducted on Medline, Cochrane, Embase, and Google Scholar till September 2021. The following search strings and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms were used: "Vitamin B12," "Folate," "Metabolic Syndrome," and "Insulin Resistance." We explored the literature on MS for its epidemiology, pathophysiology, newer treatment options, with a special focus on the effectiveness of supplementation with vitamins B9 and B12. According to the literature, vitamin B12 and folate supplementation, along with a host of novel therapies, has a considerable positive impact on MS. These findings must be kept in mind while designing newer treatment protocols in the future.

Bat target tracking strategies for prey interception.

Insectivorous bats capture their prey in flight with impressive success. They rely on the echoes of their own ultrasonic vocalization that yield acoustic snapshots, which enable target tracking on a rapid time scale. This task requires the use of intermittent information to navigate a dynamically changing environment. Bats may solve this challenging task by building internal models that estimate target velocity to anticipate the future location of a prey item. This has been recently tested empirically in perched bats tracking a target moving across their acoustic field. In this report, we build on past work to propose a new model that describes bat flight trajectories employing predictive strategies. Furthermore, we compare this model with a previous model of bat target interception that has also been employed by some visually guided animals: parallel navigation. Abbreviations: HTTP, Hybrid Target Trajectory Prediction; CATD, Constant Absolute Target Direction; CB, Constant Bearing; PN, Parallel Navigation.

α-Imino Iridium Carbenes from Imidoyl Sulfoxonium Ylides: Application in the One-Step Synthesis of Indoles.

Imidoyl sulfoxonium ylides are presented for the first time as potential precursors to generate α-imino metal-carbene intermediates and applied in direct C-H functionalization reactions catalyzed by [Ir(cod)Cl]2 (4 mol %) to provide 2-substituted indoles (up to 70% yield) in just one step. This class of sulfur ylide is successfully obtained from imidoyl chloride and dimethylsulfoxonium methylide (23 new examples in 45-85% yield) or by imino group formation from the corresponding ß-keto sulfoxonium ylides and anilines in the presence of TiCl4 as a Lewis acid (9 examples in 33-94% yield).

Intramolecular radical cyclization approach to access highly substituted indolines and 2,3-dihydrobenzofurans under visible-light.

The combination of visible-light and tris(trimethylsilyl)silane promoting intramolecular reductive cyclization protocol for the synthesis of functionalized indolines and 2,3-dihydrobenzofurans has been developed. The transformations occur in the absence of transition metal and additional photocatalyst. In addition, quantum yield (Φ) was determined and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy was performed to better understand the reaction pathway.

Glycolysis Is Dynamic and Relates Closely to Respiration Rate in Stored Sugarbeet Roots.

Although respiration is the principal cause of the loss of sucrose in postharvest sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.), the internal mechanisms that control root respiration rate are unknown. Available evidence, however, indicates that respiration rate is likely to be controlled by the availability of respiratory substrates, and glycolysis has a central role in generating these substrates. To determine glycolytic changes that occur in sugarbeet roots after harvest and to elucidate relationships between glycolysis and respiration, sugarbeet roots were stored for up to 60 days, during which activities of glycolytic enzymes and concentrations of glycolytic substrates, intermediates, cofactors, and products were determined. Respiration rate was also determined, and relationships between respiration rate and glycolytic enzymes and metabolites were evaluated. Glycolysis was highly variable during storage, with 10 of 14 glycolytic activities and 14 of 17 glycolytic metabolites significantly altered during storage. Changes in glycolytic enzyme activities and metabolites occurred throughout the 60 day storage period, but were greatest in the first 4 days after harvest. Positive relationships between changes in glycolytic enzyme activities and root respiration rate were abundant, with 10 of 14 enzyme activities elevated when root respiration was elevated and 9 glycolytic activities static during periods of unchanging respiration rate. Major roles for pyruvate kinase and phosphofructokinase in the regulation of postharvest sugarbeet root glycolysis were indicated based on changes in enzymatic activities and concentrations of their substrates and products. Additionally, a strong positive relationship between respiration rate and pyruvate kinase activity was found indicating that downstream TCA cycle enzymes were unlikely to regulate or restrict root respiration in a major way. Overall, these results establish that glycolysis is not static during sugarbeet root storage and that changes in glycolysis are closely related to changes in sugarbeet root respiration.

[Advances and challenges to the Brazilian policy of health technology management]. / Avanços e desafios da política nacional de gestão de tecnologias em saúde.

The Brazilian Ministry of Health has institutionalized two articulated processes in the field of health technology management: (i) the production, systematization and dissemination of health technology assessment, and (ii) the adoption of a flow for the incorporation, exclusion or alteration of new technologies by the Brazilian National Health System. Several advances have been made, such as standardization of methods; production and promotion of studies; institutional development and international cooperation in the area of health technology assessment; definition of the necessary requirements for the presentation of proposals; definition of deadlines; and expansion of the segments that compose the committee that is responsible for the analysis and recommendation. However, some difficulties remain: health technology assessment activities concentrated in the Ministry; low sustainability of the activities of production and dissemination of the assessments; low penetration of health technology assessment in health care institutions; activities of assessment/incorporation with low participation of users; non-transparent decision-making processes; and low integration of the health policy with the scientific and technological policy.

Avanços e desafios da política nacional de gestão de tecnologias em saúde / Advances and challenges to the Brazilian policy of health technology management / Avances y desafíos de la política nacional de gestión de tecnologías en salud

O Ministério da Saúde instituiu dois processos articulados no campo da gestão de tecnologias em saúde: (i) produção, sistematização e difusão de estudos de avaliação de tecnologias em saúde e (ii) adoção de um fluxo para incorporação, exclusão ou alteração de novas tecnologias pelo Sistema Único de Saúde. O artigo analisa a experiência brasileira na gestão de tecnologias sanitárias no âmbito do Sistema Único de Saúde, seus principais avanços e desafios. Dentre os avanços obtidos estão: padronização de métodos; produção e fomento de estudos; desenvolvimento institucional e cooperação internacional na área de avaliação de tecnologias em saúde; definição dos requisitos necessários para apresentação de propostas; definição de prazos; e ampliação dos segmentos que compõem o colegiado responsável pela análise e recomendação. Entretanto, algumas dificuldades permanecem: atividades de avaliação de tecnologias em saúde concentradas no Ministério; baixa sustentabilidade das atividades de produção e disseminação das avaliações; baixa penetração da avaliação de tecnologias em saúde nos estabelecimentos de saúde; atividades de avaliação/incorporação com baixa participação dos usuários; processos decisórios pouco transparentes; e baixa integração da política de saúde com a política cientifica e tecnológica.

The Brazilian Ministry of Health has institutionalized two articulated processes in the field of health technology management: (i) the production, systematization and dissemination of health technology assessment, and (ii) the adoption of a flow for the incorporation, exclusion or alteration of new technologies by the Brazilian National Health System. Several advances have been made, such as standardization of methods; production and promotion of studies; institutional development and international cooperation in the area of health technology assessment; definition of the necessary requirements for the presentation of proposals; definition of deadlines; and expansion of the segments that compose the committee that is responsible for the analysis and recommendation. However, some difficulties remain: health technology assessment activities concentrated in the Ministry; low sustainability of the activities of production and dissemination of the assessments; low penetration of health technology assessment in health care institutions; activities of assessment/incorporation with low participation of users; non-transparent decision-making processes; and low integration of the health policy with the scientific and technological policy.

El Ministerio de la Salud de Brasil instituyó dos procesos articulados en el campo de la gestión de tecnologías en salud: (i) producción, sistematización y difusión de estudios de evaluación de tecnologías en salud y (ii) adopción de un flujo para incorporación, exclusión o alteración de nuevas tecnologías por el Sistema Único de Salud. El artículo analiza la experiencia brasileña en la gestión de tecnologías sanitarias en el ámbito del Sistema Único de Salud, sus principales avances y desafíos. Entre los avances obtenidos están: estandarización de métodos; producción y fomento de estudios; desarrollo institucional y cooperación internacional en el área de evaluación de tecnologías en salud; definición de requisitos necesarios para presentación de propuestas; definición de plazos; y ampliación de los segmentos que componen el colegiado responsable por el análisis y recomendación. Mientras, algunas dificultades permanecen: actividades de evaluación de tecnologías en salud concentradas en el Ministerio; baja sustentabilidad de las actividades de producción y diseminación de las evaluaciones, baja penetración de la evaluación de tecnologías en salud en los establecimientos de salud; actividades de evaluación/incorporación con baja participación de los usuarios; procesos decisivos poco transparentes; y baja integración de la política de salud con la política científica y tecnológica.

Genome of Herbaspirillum seropedicae strain SmR1, a specialized diazotrophic endophyte of tropical grasses.

The molecular mechanisms of plant recognition, colonization, and nutrient exchange between diazotrophic endophytes and plants are scarcely known. Herbaspirillum seropedicae is an endophytic bacterium capable of colonizing intercellular spaces of grasses such as rice and sugar cane. The genome of H. seropedicae strain SmR1 was sequenced and annotated by The Paraná State Genome Programme--GENOPAR. The genome is composed of a circular chromosome of 5,513,887 bp and contains a total of 4,804 genes. The genome sequence revealed that H. seropedicae is a highly versatile microorganism with capacity to metabolize a wide range of carbon and nitrogen sources and with possession of four distinct terminal oxidases. The genome contains a multitude of protein secretion systems, including type I, type II, type III, type V, and type VI secretion systems, and type IV pili, suggesting a high potential to interact with host plants. H. seropedicae is able to synthesize indole acetic acid as reflected by the four IAA biosynthetic pathways present. A gene coding for ACC deaminase, which may be involved in modulating the associated plant ethylene-signaling pathway, is also present. Genes for hemagglutinins/hemolysins/adhesins were found and may play a role in plant cell surface adhesion. These features may endow H. seropedicae with the ability to establish an endophytic life-style in a large number of plant species.

Preparation and characterization of activated carbon from a new raw lignocellulosic material: flamboyant (Delonix regia) pods.

Activated carbons were prepared from flamboyant pods by NaOH activation at three different NaOH:char ratios: 1:1 (AC-1), 2:1 (AC-2), and 3:1 (AC-3). The properties of these carbons, including BET surface area, pore volume, pore size distribution, and pore diameter, were characterized from N(2) adsorption isotherms. The activated carbons obtained were essentially microporous and had BET surface area ranging from 303 to 2463 m(2) g(-1).(13)C (CP/MAS and MAS) solid-state NMR shows that the lignocellulosic structures were completely transformed into a polycyclic material after activation process, thermogravimetry shows a high thermal resistance, Boehm titration and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy allowed characterizing the presence of functional groups on the surface of activated carbons. Scanning electron microscopy images showed a high pore development. The experimental results indicated the potential use of flamboyant pods as a precursor material in the preparation of activated carbon.

Controle de esterilidade de produtos de células progenitoras hematopoéticas do sangue periférico / Sterility control of hematopoietic progenitor cells from peripheral blood products

A taxa de contaminação microbiana dos produtos de células progenitoras hematopoéticas do sangue periférico é baixa. Neste estudo pesquisou-se a prevalência de hemoculturas positivas em células progenitoras hematopoéticas do sangue periférico (CPHSP) no Serviço de Hemoterapia do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre. Do total de 618 coletas realizadas no período de 2000 a 2007, 26 (4,2 por cento) apresentaram contaminação por bactérias. O Staphylococcus coagulase-negativo foi predominantemente isolado nas hemoculturas. A antibioticoterapia pré e pós-infusão foi estabelecida de acordo com o microorganismo e seu antibiograma, sendo que, em cinco das doze infusões contaminadas realizadas, não foram administrados antimicrobianos profilaticamente. Episódios febris foram observados em sete pacientes (58 por cento), enquanto cinco (42 por cento) não apresentaram febre. Das doze infusões contaminadas realizadas, seis (50 por cento) apresentaram hemocultura pós-descongelamento positivas, enquanto as restantes (50 por cento) foram negativas. Isto se deve às propriedades bactericidas do DMSO, de células fagocitose-ativas e de temperaturas muito baixas atingidas na criopreservação. Autores têm relatado sucesso neste procedimento após a infusão desses produtos contaminados com o mínimo de consequências clínicas.

The rate of microbial contamination of hematopoietic progenitor cell products from peripheral blood is low. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of positive blood cultures of hematopoietic progenitor cells from peripheral blood in a hemotherapy service. Of a total of 618 samples taken during the period from 2000 to 2007, 26 (4.2 percent) were contaminated by bacteria. Staphylococcus coagulase-negative was the predominant bacterium isolated in blood cultures. Pre- and post-infusion antibiotic therapy was established depending on the microorganism and antibiogram, whereas in five out of twelve contaminated infusions, no antibiotics were administered prophylactically. Febrile episodes were observed in seven patients (58 percent), while five (42 percent) did not suffer from fever. Of the twelve contaminated infusions performed, six (50 percent) of the samples had positive blood cultures after thawing, while the others (50 percent) were negative. This is due to the bactericidal properties of DMSO, phagocytosis-active cells and the extremely low temperatures during cryopreservation. Authors have reported success in the procedure after the infusion of contaminated products with minimal clinical consequences.

Aumento do Risco Cardiovascular em Mulheres com Síndrome Metabólica / Cardiovascular Risk in women with Metabolic Syndrome

A síndrome metabólica (SM) tem se tornado uma epidemia, e isso representa um problema de saúde pública, mas seu verdadeiro papel como fator de risco cardiovascular - RCV - ainda é controverso. Nosso objetivo foi descrever o RCV em 45 mulheres com SM (n=25, 51±12anos) e sem SM (n=20, 36±13 anos). Foram avaliados: IMC ; cintura abdominal; pressão arterial sistólica e diastólica (PAS e PAD); níveis de glicose (G) e insulina de jejum; G pós-prandial (Gpp); triglicerídeos; colesterol HDL e LDL. A sensibilidade à insulina foi avaliada pelo método de Homa-IR. A SM foi definida segundo o Programa Nacional de Educação em Colesterol. O RCV foi calculado pelo escore de Framingham e classificado como baixo, médio e alto. A cintura e a PAS forammaiores na SM, mas sem diferença quando relacionadas ao IMC e à PAD. Os níveis de G, Gpp e triglicerídeos foram maiores, enquanto o HDL foi menor na SM. O número de componentes, o RCV e a proporção de casos com médios ou altos RCV foram maiores na SM. O escore de risco se correlacionou com o número de componentes da síndrome metabólica . cSM . (r=0,62), cintura (r=0,45), G (r=0,72), PAS (r=0,59) e HDL (r=-0,31), mas, na regressão múltipla, apenas com a G e a PAS (r2=0,67, p<0,007). O HOMA-IR mostrou correlação com a cintura (r=0,30, p=0,04). A cintura abdominal é um bom marcador clínico da RI. As mulheres com SM apresentam maior risco para eventos cardiovasculares. Intervenções primárias dirigidas para os componentes da síndrome podem prevenir e reduzir a incidência de eventos cardiovasculares nessas mulheres.

Today, the metabolic syndrome (MS) epidemic turned into a public health problem. The true role of MS as a risk factor of cardiovascular disease however is not defined yet. Our objective was to describe the cardiovascular risk (CVR) in 45 women with (n=25, 51±12years) and without MS (n=20, 36±13years). BMI, abdominal circumference and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) were evaluated. The levels of fasting glucose (G) and insulin, post-prandial G (ppG), triglycerides, cholesterol, HDL and LDL were measured. Insulin sensibility was evaluated using the IRHoma method. SM was defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program. The CVR was calculated according to the Framingham score and classified as low, medium and high. The abdominal circumference and SBP were significantly higher in SM, but there were no differences in relation to the BMI and DBP. G, Gpp and triglyceride levels were significantly higher, while the HDL was lower in MS. The number of components, CVR and the proportion of cases with medium or high risk were higher in the MS. CVR was correlated with the number of components (r=0,62), circumference (r=0,45), G (r=0,72), SBP (r= 0,59) and HDL (r=-0,31) and in the multiple regression analysis only with G and SBP (r2=0,67, p<0,007). HOMA-IR was correlated with the circumference (r=0,30, p=0,04). Abdominal circumference is a good marker of IR. The women with MS are at a higher risk of suffering cardiovascular events.We believe that primary care interventions directed to the components of the syndrome can prevent and reduce the incidence of CVR in these women.

[Ulcerative colitis and thrombocytopenia: a clinical case of fortuitous association?]. / Rettocolite ulcerosa e piastrinopenia: un caso clinico di associazione fortuita?

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease of unknown etiology, involving primarily the rectum with major intestinal symptoms. Additionally, UC is often associated with extraintestinal manifestations, especially arthropathies, as well as with some autoimmune disorders. Vice versa, UC is rarely described in association with hematologic abnormalities, such as autoimmune hemolytic anemia and immune thrombocytopenic purpura with antiplatelet antibodies positive. Usually UC precedes the onset of thrombocytopenia by days or years or coincides with it. We report a case of UC and thrombocytopenia with negative anti-platelet antibodies in which an immunosuppressive therapy with corticosteroids obtained significant remission of intestinal symptoms along with a rapid increase of platelet count.

SEM observations on seeds of some herbaceous Phyllanthus L. species (Phyllanthaceae) / Observações de sementes de algumas espécies herbáceas de Phyllanthus L. (Phyllanthaceae) em MEV

Six medicinal herbaceous Phyllanthus L. (Phyllanthaceae) species, P. tenellus Roxb., P. niruri L., P. stipulatus (Raf.) Webster, P. urinaria L., P. caroliniensis Walt., and P. amarus Schum. & Thonn. are difficult to distinguish. In order to solve this problem, the ornamentation of the seed surfaces was analyzed by SEM (scanning electron microscopy). Differences between lateral, dorsal and ventral surfaces were observed. The seeds were cut into sections at different angles, exposing testa sculptures. Three types of surface ornamentation patterns were observed and they showed to be avaluable diagnostic.

Seis espécies herbáceas de Phyllanthus L. (P. tenellus Roxb., P. niruri L., P. stipulatus (Raf.) Webster, P. urinaria L., P. caroliniensis Walt. e P. amarus Schum. & Thonn.) mencionadas como medicinais apresentam dificuldades na identificação. Com o objetivo de auxiliar neste problema e determinar diferenças entre as espécies, o padrão de ornamentação das sementes foi estudado utilizando técnicas de microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). As sementes apresentaram ornamentação distinta, sendo observadas as superfícies laterais, dorsais e ventrais. As espécies puderam ser separadas em três tipos de ornamentação, que demonstraram importância como caractere diagnóstico para a sua separação.