Estimating Correlated Rates of Trait Evolution with Uncertainty.

Correlated evolution among traits, which can happen due to genetic constraints, ontogeny, and selection, can have an important impact on the trajectory of phenotypic evolution. For example, shifts in the pattern of evolutionary integration may allow the exploration of novel regions of the morphospace by lineages. Here, we use phylogenetic trees to study the pace of evolution of several traits and their pattern of evolutionary correlation across clades and over time. We use regimes mapped to the branches of the phylogeny to test for shifts in evolutionary integration while incorporating the uncertainty related to trait evolution and ancestral regimes with joint estimation of all parameters of the model using Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo. We implemented the use of summary statistics to test for regime shifts based on a series of attributes of the model that can be directly relevant to biological hypotheses. In addition, we extend Felsenstein's pruning algorithm to the case of multivariate Brownian motion models with multiple rate regimes. We performed extensive simulations to explore the performance of the method under a series of scenarios. Finally, we provide two test cases; the evolution of a novel buccal morphology in fishes of the family Centrarchidae and a shift in the trajectory of evolution of traits during the radiation of anole lizards to and from the Caribbean islands. [Anolis; Centrarchidae; comparative methods; evolutionary integration; evolutionary rates; modularity; pruning algorithm.].

Saddle Height and Cadence Effects on the Physiological, Perceptual, and Affective Responses of Recreational Cyclists.

Saddle height influences cycling performance and would be expected to influence cyclists physically, perceptually, and emotionally. We investigated how different saddle positions and cadences might affect cyclists' torque, heart rate, rate of perceived exertion (RPE), and affective responses (Feeling scale). Nine male recreational cyclists underwent cycling sessions on different days under different conditions with a constant load. On Day 1, the saddle was at the reference position (109% of the distance from the pubic symphysis to the ground), and on Days 2 and 3, the saddle was in the "upward position" (reference + 2.5%) and "downward position" (reference - 2.5%) in random order. Each session lasted 30 minutes and was divided into three cadence-varied 10-minute stages without interruption: (a) freely chosen cadence (FCC), (b) FCC - 20%, and (c) FCC + 20%. We assessed all dependent measures at the end of each 10 minute stage. While there was no significant interaction (Saddle × Cadence) for any of the analyzed variables, torque values were higher at lower cadences in all saddle configurations, and the FCC + 20% cadence was associated with faster heart rate, higher RPE, and lower affect compared with FCC and FCC - 20% in all saddle positions. At all cadences, the saddle at "downward position" generated a higher RPE compared with "reference position" and "upward position." The affective response was lower in the "downward position" compared with the "reference position." Thus, while cyclists perceived the downward (versus reference) saddle position as greater exercise effort, they also associated it with unpleasant affect.

Association between bovine digital dermatitis and annual periods of lower pluviometric precipitation in Central Brazil.

We aimed to follow the epidemiologic evolution of bovine digital dermatitis (BDD) and other podal diseases grouped in a dairy farm in Central Brazil between the years 2010 and 2016. This study was carried out in a farm in Jataí, Goiás, Central Brazil, where the prevalence data of bovine digital dermatitis (BDD) and other podal diseases, as well as the composition, history, and management of the herd, was collected. We analyzed the collected data into the two annual pluviometric precipitation values in Central Brazil: rainy season and dry season. The cumulative frequency for comparison of prevalence between seasons throughout the years was calculated from 2011 to 2016. The comparison was carried out by post hoc chi-square test with the Bonferroni correction adopting a level of significance of 5% (p < 0.05). BDD was not diagnosed at the property in 2010; however, the disease became endemic from 2011, which coincides with the arrival of new animals to the herd. The comparison of the accumulated frequencies for prevalence of the diseases in the herd between 2011 and 2016 revealed BDD, as well as the grouped nutritional and metabolic foot diseases, has the highest prevalence in the period of lower annual precipitation in Central Brazil, which occurs between May and October. For a better control of BDD, we recommend greater attention in cattle management in the dry season of the year in Brazil, as well as in any other place in the world in which rainfall is seasonal.

Time Response of Photobiomodulation Therapy on Muscular Fatigue in Humans.

Rossato, M, Dellagrana, RA, Sakugawa, RL, Lazzari, CD, Baroni, BM, and Diefenthaeler, F. Time response of photobiomodulation therapy on muscular fatigue in humans. J Strength Cond Res 32(11): 3285-3293, 2018-The aim of this study was to identify the effects of 2 different time responses on fatigue of knee extensor. Sixteen male volunteers (26 ± 6.0 years, 81 ± 12 kg, and 181 ± 7.4 cm) participated in the study. Participants performed the same protocol in 5 sessions {control, placebo (placebo applied both 6 hours before and immediately before the test), 6 hours before + immediately before (photobiomodulation therapy [PBMT] applied both 6 hours before and immediately before the test), 6 hours before (PBMT applied 6 hours before and placebo applied immediately before the test), and immediately before (placebo applied 6 hours before and PBMT applied immediately before the test)}. Photobiomodulation therapy was applied on knee extensor (9 sites; 30 J per site). Maximal isometric voluntary contraction (MIVC) was assessed before and after an isokinetic fatigue (45 flexion-extension concentric at 180°·s), associated with electromyography (root mean square [RMS] and median of frequency [MF]). For MIVC, there was no treatment × time interaction for all variables. Time effect was observed for peak torque (PT), RMS, and MF. Treatment effect was verified for PT, and 6 hours before + immediately before condition presented higher PT during MIVCpre than control (p = 0.004) and placebo (p = 0.044). The immediately before presented higher PT values than control (p = 0.047). Regarding MIVCpost, the PT for 6 hours before + immediately before presented higher values than control (p = 0.001) and placebo (p = 0.004). Peak torque during MIVC (pre to post) was reduced in 6 hours before + immediately before treatment (26%) compared with control (33%), placebo (29%), and immediately before (32%). The application of PBMT 6 hours + immediately before and immediately before exercise protocol is able to reduce the fatigue.

Rapid differentiation and asynchronous coevolution of male and female genitalia in stink bugs.

Despite claims that genitalia are among the fastest evolving phenotypes, few studies have tested this trend in a quantitative and phylogenetic framework. In systems where male and female genitalia coevolve, there is a growing effort to explore qualitative patterns of evolution and their underlying mechanisms, but the temporal aspect remains overlooked. An intriguing question is how fast male and female genitalia may change in a coevolutionary scenario. Here, we apply a series of comparative phylogenetic analyses to reveal a scenario of correlated evolution and to investigate how fast male and female external, nonhomologous and functionally integrated genitalia change in a group of stink bugs. We report three findings: the female gonocoxite 8 and the male pygophore showed a clear pattern of correlated evolution, both genitalia were estimated to evolve much faster than nongenital traits, and rates of evolution of the male genitalia were twice as fast as the female genitalia. Our results corroborate the widely held view that male genitalia evolve fast and add to the scarce evidence for rapidly evolving female genitalia. Different rates of evolution exhibited by males and females suggest either distinct forms or strengths of selection, despite their tight functional integration and coevolution. The morphological characteristics of this coevolutionary trend are more consistent with a cooperative adjustment of the genitalia, suggesting a scenario of female choice, morphological accommodation, lock-and-key or some combination of the three.

Tripartite nonseparability in classical optics.

It is possible to prepare classical optical beams which cannot be characterized by a tensor product of vectors describing each of their degrees of freedom. Here we report the experimental creation of such a nonseparable, tripartite GHZ-like state of path, polarization, and transverse modes of a classical laser beam. We use a Mach-Zehnder interferometer with an additional mirror and other optical elements to perform measurements that violate Mermin's inequality. This demonstration of a classical optical analogue of tripartite entanglement paves the path to novel optical applications inspired by multipartite quantum information protocols.

Effect of pre-exercise phototherapy applied with different cluster probe sizes on elbow flexor muscle fatigue.

Phototherapy has been used for reducing muscle fatigue. In view of the various types of phototherapy cluster probes available in the market, the purpose of this study was to compare the effects of a similar phototherapy dosage with two different cluster probes on elbow flexor muscle fatigue: small cluster probe (SC = 9 diodes; 7.5 cm(2)) vs. large cluster probe (LC = 33 diodes; 30.2 cm(2)). Ten physically active male aged 18-35 years participate in a randomized, crossover, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, which each participant was submitted to the same testing protocol in four sessions (separated by at least 48 h) with different treatments: LC-phototherapy, SC-phototherapy, LC-placebo, and SC-placebo. The elbow flexion maximal isometric voluntary contraction (MIVC) was performed before and after a fatigue protocol (60 % of MIVC until exhaustion). Electromyography (EMG) of the biceps brachii muscle was collected during all testing procedure. Phototherapy with dose of 60 J per muscle [LC: 33 diodes = 5 lasers (850 nm), 12 LEDs (670 nm), 8 LEDs (880 nm), and 8 LEDs (950 nm); SC: 9 diodes = 5 lasers (850 nm) and 4 LEDs (670 nm)] or placebo applications occurred before fatigue protocol. Two-way ANOVA (treatment and time factors) and one-way ANOVA were used, followed by LSD post hoc. Time to exhaustion was significantly higher in active LC (15 %; p = 0.031) and SC (14 %; p = 0.038) in comparison with their respective placebo treatments, without differences between LC and SC (p > 0.05) or between placebo conditions (p > 0.05). This larger exercise tolerance in phototherapy conditions was not accompanied by a higher decrement in the volunteers' maximal strength capacity (11-15 %; p > 0.05 for all). EMG signals presented no difference between the four condition tested here. In both large and small cluster probes (according parameters tested in this study) led to reduced fatigue in elbow flexor muscles, without difference between them.

Hermite-Bessel beams and the geometrical representation of nondiffracting beams with orbital angular momentum.

We investigate theoretically and experimentally the decomposition of high-order Bessel beams in terms of a new family of nondiffracting beams, referred as Hermite-Bessel beams, which are solutions of the Helmholtz equation in Cartesian coordinates. Based on this decomposition we develop a geometrical representation of first-order Bessel beams, equivalent to the Poincaré sphere for the polarization states of light and implement an unitary transformation within our geometrical representation using linear optical elements.

Soliton propagation in a medium with Kerr nonlinearity and resonant impurities: a variational approach.

Using a variational approach we have studied the shape preserving coherent propagation of light pulses in a resonant dispersive medium in the presence of the Kerr nonlinearity. Within the framework of a combined nonintegrable system composed of one nonlinear Schrödinger and a pair of Bloch equations, we show the existence of a solitary wave. We have tested our analytical solution through numerical simulations confirming its solitary wave nature.

Coherent interaction effects in pulses propagating through a doped nonlinear dispersive medium.

Using a numerical approach we report on the cloning dynamics of simultaneous self-induced transparency (SIT) and nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) solitons in a doped nonlinear dispersive medium. This technique involves a three-level atomic system interacting resonantly with two optical fields within a Lambda scheme. As a result, a pulse in the signal frequency is transformed into a replica of the pulse in the pump frequency. The atomic population evolution shows that the basic mechanism behind the cloning process is the coherent population trapping effect. Furthermore, it is shown that the signal clone presents characteristics of both the SIT soliton and NLS soliton.

Observation of image transfer and phase conjugation in stimulated down-conversion.

We observe experimentally the transfer of angular spectrum and image formation in the process of stimulated parametric down-conversion. Images and interference patterns can be transferred from either the pump or the auxiliary laser beams to the stimulated down-converted one. The stimulated field propagates as the complex conjugate of the auxiliary laser. The phase conjugation is observed through intensity pattern measurements.

Recurrence of sporotrichosis in cats with zoonotic involvement.

The aim of this work is to describe the prevalence of the disease in the same cattery after three years, and to report a case of human sporotrichosis following a cat scratch. In May 1997, four felines presenting a cachexy state and ulcerous lesions on the head, nose and limbs were examined in a veterinary clinic in the town of Rio Grande (RS-Brazil). Exudate and crusts were collected for microbiological diagnosis. The cat's owner returned to the clinic reporting that another eleven felines presented similar lesions. She had ulcerous lesions on her hand and ascending lymphangitis. She was conducted to medical examination where exudate and crusts from the lesions were collected and after the culture Sporothrix schenckii was isolated. After three years the same person sought veterinary assistance for seven more cats with similar lesions to the five previously described. Microbiological tests resulted again in isolation of S. schenckii. Treatment with potassium iodine was effective for the cure of human sporotrichosis, whereas for the felines it showed toxic effect. Only one showed regression of the disease while all the others presented progression of the lesions or even death. The authors call attention to the possible persistence of S. schenckii in cat populations.

Cholesterol levels in panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and major depression.

Serum plasma total cholesterol levels were measured in 85 male or female outpatients with panic disorder (PD; N=41), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD; N=23) and major depression (MD; N=21) according to DSM-IV criteria. All the patients had a mean cholesterol level within the normal range; males (N=22) and females (N=63) had approximately the same serum cholesterol levels (p >.05). No significant differences in cholesterol levels emerged between PD, GAD and MD patient groups. Both female PD and female GAD subjects had a mean cholesterol level similar to their male counterparts (p>. 05). It is concluded that both Hayward and colleagues and Bajwa et al. findings could not be replicated by our study.

Placebo-controlled study of tianeptine in major depressive episodes.

The efficacy and safety of tianeptine were compared, in the course of a multicentre randomised, double-blind, parallel group study, to those of placebo in the treatment of Major Depressions and Bipolar Disorder, Depressed with or without melancholia, without psychotic features. After a 1-week run-in placebo period, 126 depressed out-patients presenting DSM-III-R Major Depression or Bipolar Disorder, Depressed, with a total MADRS score of at least 25, were treated for 42 days with either tianeptine (25-50 mg/day) or placebo. Efficacy assessments were MADRS, CGI, HARS, Zung Depression Self Rating Scale and a VAS. Better efficacy of tianeptine was shown, and confirmed by covariance analyses, in final MADRS scores of the intention-to-treat population, of patients treated for at least 14 days and of completers; also in CGI items 1 and 2, MADRS item 10, and VAS. The results confirmed the efficacy of tianeptine (mean dosage: 37.5 mg/day) in the treatment of Major Depression and Bipolar Disorder, Depressed, with or without melancholia, compared to placebo. Tianeptine's acceptability did not differ from that of placebo. For adverse events, a higher incidence of headaches was found with tianeptine.

Colite induzida por antiinflamatórios näo hormonais: relato de caso e revisäo da literatura / Colitis induced by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: case report and review of the literatura

Os antiinflamatórios näo hormonais (AINHs) podem lesar a mucosa colônica, mimetizando aspectos clínicos e endoscópicos da doença inflamatória intestinal idiopática. Um caso de colite induzida por diclofenaco é relatado. O tratamento de eleiçäo é a retirada imediata da droga. A reexposiçäo à mesma classe de AINHs deve ser evitada pelo risco de recidiva do quadro

Clozapina no Brasil: avaliação da aplicabilidade do sistema de farmacovigilância e resultados terapêuticos preliminares / Clozapine in Brazil: evaluation of the feasibility of the drug surveillance system and preliminary therapeutic results

É apresentado o resultado de um estudo multicêntrico brasileiro cujos objetivos foram: aplicar em condições reais o modelo de farmacovigilância da clozapina no país (Sistema de Farmacovigilância de Leponex ð SFL) para detectar e corrigir eventuais falhas e proporcionar a diversos psiquiatras a experiência com o medicamento dentro das normas de segurança do SFL. Foram estudados 34 pacientes com diagnóstico de esquizofrenia crônica, refratários e/ou intolerantes ao tratamento com neurolépticos, que apresentavam exames hematológicos dentro dos parâmetros exigidos pelo SFL. A avaliação da eficácia antipsicótica da CZP foi feita pela BPRS e pela CGI e a tolerabilidade geral foi avalidada pela escala UKU, ao lado da avaliação hematológica semanal nas primeiras 18 semanas e mensal nos meses subseqüentes. O tratamento com a CZP incluiu doses crescentes e variáveis, tendo sido observado, ao final dos seis meses de tratamento, que a dose de manutenção se situava entre 75 e 700mg (mediana de 400mg). A análise da média dos escores da BPRS mostrou que houve melhora estatisticamente significante dos sintomas (ANOVA F = 112,24; p < 0,001), e essa diferença estatística ocorreu a partir do primeiro mês de tratamento. A avaliação préðtratamento, mostrou que houve redução significante da gravidade da doença, com remissão em 14,7 por cento (5/34) e melhora parcial em 70 por cento (24/34). Com relação à tolerabilidade, destacaðse a ausência de reações extrapiramidais bem como a boa adesão à rotina de controles hematológicos; um paciente apresentou trombocitopenia, que levou à interrupção da CZP, e outro interrompeu o tratamento devido a efeitos colaterais nãoðhematológicos. Os autores concluem que o efeito terapêutico da CZP foi promissor e ressaltam o bom resultado obtido com a operacionalização do SFL no Brasil

Clozapina no Brasil: avaliacao da aplicabilidade do sistema de farmacovigilancia e resultado terapeuticos preliminares

E apresentado o resultado de um estudo multicentrico brasileiro cujos objetivos foram: aplicar em condicoes reais o modelo da farmacovigilancia da clozapina no pais (Sistema de Farmacovigilancia de Leponex - SFL) para detectar e corrigir eventuais falhas e proporcionar a diversas psiquiatras a experiencia com o medicamento dentro das normas de seguranca do SFL. Foram estudados 34 pacientes com diagnostico de esquizofrenia cronica, refratarios e/ou intolerantes ao tratamento com neurolepticos, que apresentavam exames hermatologicos dentro dos parametros exigidos pelo SFL. A avaliacao da eficacia antipsicotica da CZP foi feita pela BPRS e pela CGI e a tolerabilidade geral foi avaliada pela escala UKU, ao lado da avaliacao hematologica semanal nas primeiras 18 semanas e mensal nos meses subsequentes. O tratamento com a CZP incluiu doses crescentes e variaveis, tendo sido observado, ao final dos seis meses de tratamento, que a dose de manutencao se situava entre 75 e 700mg (mediana de 400mg). A analise da media dos escores da BPRS mostrou que houve melhora estatisticamente significante dos sintomas (ANOVA F=112,24; p<0,001), e essa diferenca estatistica ocorreu a partir do primeiro mes de tratamento. A avaliacao final dos pacientes, em comparacao a avaliacao pre-tratamento, mostrou que houve reducao significante da gravidade da doenca, com remissao em 14,7 por cento (5/34) e melhora parcial em 70 por cento (24/34). Com relacao a tolerabilidade, detaca-se a ausencia de reacoes extrapiramidais bem como a boa adesao a rotina de controles hematologicos; um paciente apresentou trombocitopenia, que levou a interrupcao da CZP, e outro interrompeu o tratamento devido a efeitos colaterais nao-hematologicos. Os autores concluem que o efeito terapeutico da CZP foi promissor e ressaltam o bom resultado obtido com a operacionalizacao do SFL no Brasil.

Nasogastric intubation: a routine/myth/tradition or necessity ?

Foram estudados 140 pacientes submetidos a cirurgias eletivas, divididos em dois grupos: 70 com e 70 sem sonda nasogastrica. No pre-operatorio todos os pacientes foram submetidos a uma anamnese e exame fisico detalhados, radiografia de torax e seios paranasais, dosagem serica de sodio, potassio e bicabornato, e endoscopia digestiva alta. Houve prevalencia de afeccoes das vias aereas no grupo com sonda nasogastrica. Neste mesmo grupo, 26 pacientes foram submetidos a endoscopia digestiva alta, onde se constatou lesoes traumaticas e esofagite em 92 por cento, em comparacao com 23 pacientes do grupo sem sonda nasogastrica que apresentaram, em 91 por cento das endoscopias, um resultado normal.

Alkalyne reflux esophagitis after gastroesophageal resection: surgical treatment by a simplified technique

Os autores apresentam uma técnica simplificada de tratamento de esofagite alcalina de refluxo decorrente da ressecçäo polar do estômago e esofagogastroanastomose. Quatro pacientes foram operados e o resultado pós-operatório foi excelente e persiste a longo prazo. O piloro é ligado com uma fita cardíaca, que passa por baixo dos vasos gástricos diretos e gastroepilóicos direitos, uma gastroenteroanastomose em Y de Roux é realizada na face anterior do antro gástrico e o trânsito biliar é refeito a 50 cm de distância do estômago. A análise dos resultados é feita no pós-operatório imediato e o acompanhamento dos pacientes é realizado até 3 anos. Destaca-se a remissäo dos sintomas e boa evoluçäo neste período

[The urorectal syndrome caused by abdomen-levator incoordination in children]. / Le syndrome urorectal par incoordination abdomino-lévatorienne chez l'enfant.

We have studied thirty four children (mean age 6.6 years) with severe functional constipation, associated or not with encopresis. In twenty three cases the defecography showed a persistent anorectal angle due to failure of puborectalis sling relaxation during defecation straining. Voiding disorders, unknown to parents, but demonstrated by obstructive uroflowmetry, are also seen in nineteen of these children. Therefore is definite a true urorectal outlet obstruction syndrome by spastic pelvic floor mechanism. The exact etiologic factor of these functional abnormalities remains undefined. All children were managed by biofeedback training. A satisfactory result (with six months follow up), has obtained in fourteen cases.