Factores asociados al tiempo necesario para el diagnóstico de esclerosis lateral amiotrófica (ELA) en Brasil. Una encuesta poblacional en línea / Factors associated with the time taken for diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in Brazil. An online population-based inquiry

Objetivo: Este estudio evaluó los factores asociados con el tiempo, en meses, entre el inicio de los síntomas y el diagnóstico (tiempo necesario para el diagnóstico) de esclerosis lateral amiotrófica (ELA) de los pacientes en Brasil en 2014.Pacientes y métodosSe elaboró un cuestionario electrónico compuesto por 38 preguntas y se aplicó a través de redes sociales de pacientes basadas en Internet. De las 210 respuestas, se consideraron 194 (86 de mujeres y 108 de hombres). La mayoría de los encuestados tenía entre 51 y 60 años. Se utilizó la prueba de Mann-Whitney para comparar el tiempo transcurrido hasta el diagnóstico entre los estratos de la muestra.ResultadosEl tiempo medio transcurrido hasta el diagnóstico fue de 14,21 (±16,87) meses. Hubo una diferencia estadísticamente significativa sólo para las condiciones de educación superior (p = 0,009) y bajo nivel educativo (p = 0,042). No hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre sexos, inicio bulbar, grupos de edad y presencia de cónyuge, o colaboración con asociaciones de pacientes con ELA o intercambio de experiencias.ConclusiónEstos datos sugieren que el tiempo que se tarda en diagnosticar la ELA está influido por las condiciones socioeconómicas que favorecen el acceso a la información y/o a los servicios sanitarios. (AU)

OBJECTIVE. This study evaluated factors associated with the time, in months, between the onset of symptoms and the diagnosis (time taken for diagnosis) of ALS for patients in Brazil, in the year 2014.PATIENTS AND METHODSAn electronic questionnaire composed of 38 questions was developed and applied through internet-based social networks of patients. From the 210 replies, 194 were considered (86 from women, 108 from men). Most respondents were 51 to 60 years old. The Mann-Whitney test was used to compare the time taken for diagnosis between the strata of the sample.RESULTSThe mean time taken for diagnosis was 14.21 (±16.87) months. There was a statistically significant difference only for higher education conditions (p = 0.009) and low education status (p = 0.042). There was no statistically significant difference between sexes, bulbar onset, age groups, and the presence of spouse, or ‘partnership with ALS patients associations or exchange of experiences’. CONCLUSION. These data suggest that the time taken for diagnosis of ALS is influenced by socioeconomic conditions that promote access to information and/or health services. (AU)

On the mechanical, electronic, and optical properties of the boron nitride analog for the recently synthesized biphenylene network: a DFT study.

CONTEXT: Recently, a new 2D carbon allotrope named biphenylene network (BPN) was experimentally realized. Here, we use density functional theory (DFT) calculations to study its boron nitride analogue sheet's structural, electronic, and optical properties (BN-BPN). Results suggest that BN-BPN has good structural and dynamic stabilities. It also has a direct bandgap of 4.5 eV and significant optical activity in the ultraviolet range. BN-BPN Young's modulus varies between 234.4[Formula: see text]273.2 GPa depending on the strain direction. METHODS: Density functional theory (DFT) simulations for the electronic and optical properties of BN-BPN were performed using the CASTEP package within the Biovia Materials Studio software. The exchange and correlation functions are treated within the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) as parameterized by Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof (PBE) and the hybrid functional Heyd-Scuseria-Ernzerhof (HSE06). For convenience, the mechanical properties were carried out using the DFT approach implemented in the SIESTA code, also within the scope of the GGA/PBE method. We used the double-zeta plus polarization (DZP) for the basis set in these cases. Moreover, the norm-conserving Troullier-Martins pseudopotential was employed to describe the core electrons.

On the structural, electronic, and optical properties of L-histidine crystal: a DFT study.

CONTEXT: The monoclinic L-histidine crystal is critical for protein structure and function and is also found in the myelin of brain nerve cells. This study numerically examines its structural, electronic, and optical properties. Our findings indicate that the L-histidine crystal has an insulating band gap of approximately 4.38 eV. Additionally, electron and hole effective masses range between 3.92[Formula: see text]-15.33[Formula: see text] and 4.16[Formula: see text]-7.53[Formula: see text], respectively. Furthermore, our investigation suggests that the L-histidine crystal is an excellent UV collector due to its strong optical absorption activity for photon energies exceeding 3.5 eV. METHODS: To investigate the structural, electronic, and optical properties of L-histidine crystals, we used the Biovia Materials Studio software to conduct Density Functional Theory (DFT) simulations as implemented in the CASTEP code. Our DFT calculations were performed using the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) as parameterized by the Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof (PBE) exchange-correlation functional, with an additional dispersion energy correction (PBE [Formula: see text] TS) based on the model proposed by Tkatchenko and Scheffler to describe van der Waals interactions. Additionally, we employed the norm-conserving pseudopotential to treat core electrons.

Spectrum of Spinal Cord, Spinal Root, and Brain MRI Abnormalities in Congenital Zika Syndrome with and without Arthrogryposis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Arthrogryposis is among the malformations of congenital Zika syndrome. Similar to the brain, there might exist a spectrum of spinal cord abnormalities. The purpose of this study was to explore and describe in detail the MR imaging features found in the spinal cords, nerve roots, and brains of children with congenital Zika syndrome with and without arthrogryposis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve infants with congenital Zika syndrome (4 with arthrogryposis and 8 without) who had undergone brain and spinal cord MR imaging were retrospectively selected. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed and compared between groups. RESULTS: At visual inspection, both groups showed reduced thoracic spinal cord thickness: 75% (6/8) of the group without arthrogryposis and 100% (4/4) of the arthrogryposis group. However, the latter had the entire spinal cord reduced and more severely reduced conus medullaris anterior roots (respectively, P = .002 and .007). Quantitative differences were found for conus medullaris base and cervical and lumbar intumescences diameters (respectively, P = .008, .048, .008), with more prominent reduction in arthrogryposis. Periventricular calcifications were more frequent in infants with arthrogryposis (P = .018). CONCLUSIONS: Most infants had some degree of spinal cord thickness reduction, predominant in the thoracic segment (without arthrogryposis) or in the entire spinal cord (with arthrogryposis). The conus medullaris anterior roots were reduced in both groups (thinner in arthrogryposis). A prominent anterior median fissure of the spinal cord was absent in infants without arthrogryposis. Brain stem hypoplasia was present in all infants with arthrogryposis, periventricular calcifications, in the majority, and polymicrogyria was absent.

Avaliação nutricional e energética da soja integral tostada para frangos de corte / Nutritional and energetic evaluation of toasted full-fat soybean for broilers

Objetivou-se determinar a composição química, os valores energéticos e os coeficientes de digestibilidade ileal verdadeira de aminoácidos de sojas integrais tostadas de cinco regiões. No primeiro experimento, foram utilizados 288 pintos de corte machos da linhagem Cobb 500, com 13 dias de idade e peso médio de 420,0±5,0g. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi inteiramente ao acaso, com seis tratamentos (cinco sojas integrais e uma ração referência) e oito repetições de seis aves. No segundo experimento, foram utilizados 288 frangos de corte machos da linhagem Cobb 500, com 24 dias de idade e peso médio de 865,0±20,0g. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi inteiramente ao acaso, com seis tratamentos (cinco sojas integrais e uma ração isenta de proteína à base de amido) e oito repetições de seis aves. Não houve diferença em relação aos teores de EMAn e de CEMAn (P>0,05) entre as sojas integrais. Os valores médios de EMAn, CEMAn situaram-se entre 3152 e 3399kcal/kg e 61,15 e 65,08%, respectivamente. No entanto, houve diferença (P<0,05) entre os CAE, CANE e CPB das sojas integrais, e a amostra cinco obteve os menores valores. Os valores médios para os CAE e CANE da soja integral são de 88,96% e 87,53%, respectivamente.(AU)

The goal of this paper was to determine the chemical composition, the energy values and the amino acid true ileal digestibility coefficients of toasted full-fat soybeans from 5 regions. In the first experiment, 288 chicken broilers from Cobb 500 lineage with 13 days old and average weight of 420.0±5.0g were used. The experimental design was completely randomized with 6 treatments (5 full-fat soybean diets and 1 basal diet) and 8 replicates of 6 birds. In the second experiment, 288 chicken broilers from Cobb 500 lineage with 24 days old and average weight of 865.0±20.0g were used. The experimental design was completely randomized with 6 treatments (5 full-fat soybean diets and 1 protein-free diet based on starch) and 8 replicates of 6 birds. There was no difference regarding the AMEn and AMECn contents (P>0.05) among the full-fat soybeans. The average values of AMEn, AMECn were between 3152-3399 kcal/kg and 61.15 to 65.08%, respectively. However, there were differences (P<0.05) between CEA, CENA and CPC of full-fat soybeans, and sample 5 obtained the lowest values. The average values for CEA and CENA of the full-fat soybean are 88.96% and 87.53%, respectively.(AU)

Genomic study and Medical Subject Headings enrichment analysis of early pregnancy rate and antral follicle numbers in Nelore heifers.

Zebu animals () are known to take longer to reach puberty compared with taurine animals (), limiting the supply of animals for harvest or breeding and impacting profitability. Genomic information can be a helpful tool to better understand complex traits and improve genetic gains. In this study, we performed a genomewide association study (GWAS) to identify genetic variants associated with reproductive traits in Nelore beef cattle. Heifer pregnancy (HP) was recorded for 1,267 genotyped animals distributed in 12 contemporary groups (CG) with an average pregnancy rate of 0.35 (±0.01). Disregarding one of these CG, the number of antral follicles (NF) was also collected for 937 of these animals, with an average of 11.53 (±4.43). The animals were organized in CG: 12 and 11 for HP and NF, respectively. Genes in linkage disequilibrium (LD) with the associated variants can be considered in a functional enrichment analysis to identify biological mechanisms involved in fertility. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) were detected using the MESHR package, allowing the extraction of broad meanings from the gene lists provided by the GWAS. The estimated heritability for HP was 0.28 ± 0.07 and for NF was 0.49 ± 0.09, with the genomic correlation being -0.21 ± 0.29. The average LD between adjacent markers was 0.23 ± 0.01, and GWAS identified genomic windows that accounted for >1% of total genetic variance on chromosomes 5, 14, and 18 for HP and on chromosomes 2, 8, 11, 14, 15, 16, and 22 for NF. The MeSH enrichment analyses revealed significant ( < 0.05) terms associated with HP-"Munc18 Proteins," "Fucose," and "Hemoglobins"-and with NF-"Cathepsin B," "Receptors, Neuropeptide," and "Palmitic Acid." This is the first study in Nelore cattle introducing the concept of MeSH analysis. The genomic analyses contributed to a better understanding of the genetic control of the reproductive traits HP and NF and provide new selection strategies to improve beef production.

Characterization of the dry bean polygalacturonase-inhibiting protein (PGIP) gene family during Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Sclerotiniaceae) infection.

Polygalacturonase-inhibiting proteins are leucine-rich repeat proteins that inhibit fungal endopolygalacturonases. The interaction of polygalacturonase-inhibiting protein with endopolygalacturonases limits the destructive potential of endopolygalacturonases and may trigger plant defense responses induced by oligogalacturonides. We examined the expression of fungal pg and plant Pvpgip genes in bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) stems infected with Sclerotinia sclerotiorum to determine whether any of them are associated with the infection process. Transcriptional analysis was carried out by means of semi-quantitative reverse transcription PCR or real-time PCR. The sspg1 gene was highly expressed during infection; sspg3 was regulated during the later phases of infection; sspg5 was more uniformly expressed during infection, whereas sspg6 was only weakly expressed. During the course of infection, Pvpgip1 transcripts were not detected at early stages, but they appeared 72 h post-inoculation. High levels of Pvpgip2 expression were observed during the initial phase of infection; the transcript peaked by 48 h post-inoculation and declined by 72 h post-inoculation. Pvpgip3 expression increased strongly at 96 h post-inoculation. Pvpgip4 was constantly present from 24 h post-inoculation until the end of the experiment. However, we detected higher levels of the Pvpgip4 transcript in the necrotic lesion area than in plants that had been mechanically wounded. Remarkably, only Pvpgip4 appeared to be moderately induced by mechanical wounding. These results provide evidence that endopolygalacturonases contribute to the infection process during host colonization by promoting the release of plant cell oligogalacturonides, which are powerful signaling molecules and may also activate plant defenses, such as polygalacturonase-inhibiting proteins.

[Evaluation of the degree of client satisfaction with ICHC/PAMB regarding secretarial and medical assistance]. / Avaliação do grau de satisfação dos usuários do ICHC/PAMB em relação ao atendimento de secretárias e de médicos.

This survey was intended to evaluate the degree of satisfaction from clients of Prédio dos Ambulatórios do Instituto Central do Hospital das Clínicas concerning waiting time for appointment, kind of reception and quality of attention by secretaries and doctors. It was also intended to evaluate the interest people have in the video system, that has monitors in the majority of the great waiting-rooms, as well as what people think about Instituto Central do Hospital das Clínicas as an institution.

Proportional cancer incidence according to selected sites--comparison between residents in the city of S. Paulo, Brazil: Japanese and Brazilian/Portuguese descent.

The percentual distributions of selected sites of cancer cases according to origin, sex and age are compared. Data were obtained from the Registry of Cancer of S. Paulo (School of Public Health of the University of S. Paulo, Brazil). The reference period for inhabitants of Japanese descent was 1969/78 and for those of Brazilian descent, the period was 1969/75. Standardized Proportionate Incidence Ratios (SPIR) with approximate 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) were evaluated using age specific Incidence Ratios of S. Paulo, 1973, as standards. The results agree with findings of previous works on mortality, but show different patterns according to origin. The well known fact that some sub-groups of a population may be different from the overall group is once again brought to the fore. Attention should be drawn to the differences detected for stomach, skin and prostate, in males, and for stomach, skin, cervix and uterus in females.