Depression and anxiety among online learning students during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional survey in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic introduced a global need to explore the potential and challenges of online education. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the presence of depression and anxiety in university students and their level of satisfaction with online learning during the period of social isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. METHOD: A cross-sectional design was used to evaluate 152 online learning students from six different university courses: Medicine, Psychology, Law, Engineering, Physiotherapy, and Business. The evaluation of the participants was carried out through an online survey in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Also, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was used to assess participants mental health. RESULTS: Most of the participants reported emotional impact, followed by learning impact, financial impact, social impact, and technological impact, with a significant difference in the presence of depressive symptoms, but no significant difference in anxiety. The participants presented moderate anxiety levels, with no significant differences between genders, and mild levels of depressive symptoms with significant differences between genders. Also, younger students were more anxious than older students. In addition, female students with less social contact presented more depressive symtoms. CONCLUSION: From a clinical perspective, the findings provide insights into mental health among university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings may help in the development of effective screening strategies and in the formulation of interventions that improve the mental health of students.

Non-alpine primary thyroid angiosarcoma

SUMMARY Thyroid angiosarcoma is an extremely rare malignancy, which occurs more frequently in the alpine region, likely associated with iodine deficiency and endemic goiter. This is an aggressive neoplasm that usually harbors a poor prognosis. We report the case of a 49-year-old Portuguese female patient presenting with a large nodule in the anterior neck region, with rapid growth and associated dysphonia. The neck ultrasound showed a hypoechogenic and heterogeneous thyroid nodule, with a larger axis of 44 mm. The fine needle aspiration cytology was not conclusive, and a biopsy of the lesion was performed. The result was suggestive of a mesenchymal tumor constituted by spindle cells and vascular clefts, showing positivity for endothelial markers and negativity for thyroglobulin, calcitonin and TTF1. The chest CT scan performed before surgery showed multiple pulmonary nodules suggestive of secondary lesions. The patient was submitted to total thyroidectomy and lymph node dissection in order to relieve compressive symptoms. A diagnosis of thyroid angiosarcoma was made after histologic examination of the surgical specimen. Despite undergoing multiple lines of palliative chemotherapy, the pulmonary lesions increased in size and number. The patient died due to respiratory failure 29 months after the diagnosis. Thyroid angiosarcoma is a rare malignancy, generally with poor prognosis. In our case, the patient presented with pulmonary metastases at diagnosis, which is a negative prognostic factor. Due to its rarity, data regarding management and treatment of this disease are scarce.

Non-alpine primary thyroid angiosarcoma.

Thyroid angiosarcoma is an extremely rare malignancy, which occurs more frequently in the alpine region, likely associated with iodine deficiency and endemic goiter. This is an aggressive neoplasm that usually harbors a poor prognosis. We report the case of a 49-year-old Portuguese female patient presenting with a large nodule in the anterior neck region, with rapid growth and associated dysphonia. The neck ultrasound showed a hypoechogenic and heterogeneous thyroid nodule, with a larger axis of 44 mm. The fine needle aspiration cytology was not conclusive, and a biopsy of the lesion was performed. The result was suggestive of a mesenchymal tumor constituted by spindle cells and vascular clefts, showing positivity for endothelial markers and negativity for thyroglobulin, calcitonin and TTF1. The chest CT scan performed before surgery showed multiple pulmonary nodules suggestive of secondary lesions. The patient was submitted to total thyroidectomy and lymph node dissection in order to relieve compressive symptoms. A diagnosis of thyroid angiosarcoma was made after histologic examination of the surgical specimen. Despite undergoing multiple lines of palliative chemotherapy, the pulmonary lesions increased in size and number. The patient died due to respiratory failure 29 months after the diagnosis. Thyroid angiosarcoma is a rare malignancy, generally with poor prognosis. In our case, the patient presented with pulmonary metastases at diagnosis, which is a negative prognostic factor. Due to its rarity, data regarding management and treatment of this disease are scarce.

Redescription and phylogenetics of emAllobates/em emtrilineatus/em (Boulenger 1884 "1883") (Anura: Aromobatidae) based on topotypic specimens.

Allobates trilineatus is the second most geographically widespread species in the genus Allobates, its range extending from northern Ecuador to southern Peru along the Andean foothills of Amazonia and to the east, into Acre, Brazil. However, detailed phenotypic and genetic variation from topotypic specimens is lacking, raising doubts about the identification of specimens in the literature. To solve this problem, we collected 16 topotypic specimens-including male and female adults and juveniles-and associated data such as advertisement calls and tissue samples. Based upon this material, we redescribe the phenotypic variation within A. trilineatus and evaluate its phylogenetic position using a fragment of the mitochondrial gene 16S rDNA. Allobates trilineatus is distinguished from its congeners by its small body size (adult snout-to-vent-length = 14.6-16.6 mm), preserved males with dark gray throat, and gray chest and belly, pale dorsolateral stripe straight and conspicuous, and advertisement call formed by the emission of groups of note-pairs with dominant frequency at 5.06-5.81 kHz. Our phylogenetic results indicate that none of the specimens assigned to this species in previous phylogenetic studies cluster within the clade formed by topotypic samples, except for the sample of one tadpole. Furthermore, our comparison of published phenotypic and genetic data assigned to A. trilineatus with our new data led us to conclude that A. trilineatus as previously recognized was actually a complex of cryptic, closely related species. Although with the data at hand we cannot fully resolve the taxonomy of all sampled populations in previous studies, we provide a new definition and delimitation of A. trilineatus sensu stricto, assign other specimens to different evolutionary units corresponding to candidate species, and flag other important taxonomic issues.

Microencapsulation of Lactobacillus plantarum in W/O emulsions of okara oil and block-copolymers of poly(acrylic acid) and pluronic using microfluidic devices.

Okara oil is a by-product remaining from defatting okara, the solid residue generated after extracting the aqueous fraction of grounded soybeans in the elaboration of soy beverages. The goal of this work was to encapsulate the probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum CIDCA 83114 into W/O emulsions composed of a block-copolymer constituted of pluronic® and acrylic acid (PPP12) and okara oil, prepared in microfluidic devices. For comparative purposes, alginate was also included as a second dispersed phase. Lactobacillus plantarum CIDCA 83114 was suspended in PPP12 or alginate giving rise to dispersed phases with different compositions, named I, II, III and IV. Controls were prepared by suspending microorganisms in water as dispersed phase. 6-carboxyfluorescein was added as bacterial marker in all the emulsions. The presence of green dyed bacteria in the dispersed phases, inside the droplets of the emulsions and the absence of fluorescence outside them, confirmed the complete encapsulation of bacteria in the dispersed phases. After being prepared, emulsions were freeze-dried. The exposure to gastric conditions did not lead to significant differences among the emulsions containing polymers. However, in all cases bacterial counts were significantly lower than those of the control. After exposing emulsions to the simulated intestinal environment, bacterial counts in assays I, II and III (emulsions composed of only one dispersed phase or of two dispersed phases with bacteria resuspended in the PPP12 one) were significantly greater than those of the control (p < 0.05) and no detectable microorganisms were observed for assay IV (emulsions composed of two dispersed phases with bacteria resuspended in the alginate one). In particular, bacterial cultivability in emulsions corresponding to assay I (only PPP12 as dispersed phase) exposed to the intestinal environment was 8.22 ± 0.02 log CFU/mL (2 log CFU higher than the values obtained after gastric digestion). These results support the role of PPP12 as an adequate co-polymer to protect probiotics from the gastric environment, enabling their release in the gut, with great potential for food or nutraceutical applications.

The advertisement call of Chiasmocleis (Syncope) carvalhoi (Nelson, 1975) (Anura: Microhylidae), with taxonomic remarks based on new morphological observations of specimens from Peruvian Amazonia.

We quantitatively describe for the first time the advertisement call of Chiasmocleis (Syncope) carvalhoi using recordings  of five specimens from northern Peruvian Amazonia. The advertisement call is characterized by a single, short, tonal, and high-pitched note. Call duration ranges between 0.03-0.06 s and its dominant frequency between 7.12-7.92 kHz. The lack of pulses within notes distinguishes C. (Syncope) carvalhoi from all congeneric species except C. (Syncope) antenori, C. (Syncope) parkeri and C. (Chiasmocleis) mantiqueira, which can be distinguished by the shorter duration of their notes and silent intervals (in C. (Syncope) antenori and C. (Syncope) parkeri) and by the lower dominant frequency (in C. (Syncope) parkeri and C. (Chiasmocleis) mantiqueira). In addition, based on our collected specimens, we report on and discuss about the variation of some external morphological characters and natural history of C. (Syncope) carvalhoi, including the absence of vocal slits and sacs. Our study reveals a potential association between the absence of vocal slits and sacs, and tonal calls in Chiasmocleis, as well as conflicting morphological diagnostics characters in the literature.

The evolution of polymorphism in the warning coloration of the Amazonian poison frog Adelphobates galactonotus.

While intraspecific variation in aposematic signals can be selected for by different predatory responses, their evolution is also contingent on other processes shaping genetic variation. We evaluate the relative contributions of selection, geographic isolation, and random genetic drift to the evolution of aposematic color polymorphism in the poison frog Adelphobates galactonotus, distributed throughout eastern Brazilian Amazonia. Dorsal coloration was measured for 111 individuals and genetic data were obtained from 220 individuals at two mitochondrial genes (mtDNA) and 7963 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs). Four color categories were described (brown, blue, yellow, orange) and our models of frog and bird visual systems indicated that each color was distinguishable for these taxa. Using outlier and correlative analyses we found no compelling genetic evidence for color being under divergent selection. A time-calibrated mtDNA tree suggests that the present distribution of dorsal coloration resulted from processes occurring during the Pleistocene. Separate phylogenies based on SNPs and mtDNA resolved the same well supported clades, each containing different colored populations. Ancestral character state analysis provided some evidence for evolutionary transitions in color type. Genetic structure was more strongly associated with geographic features, than color category, suggesting that the distribution of color is explained by localized processes. Evidence for geographic isolation together with estimates of low effective population size implicates drift as playing a key role in color diversification. Our results highlight the relevance of considering the neutral processes involved with the evolution of traits with important fitness consequences.

Predation of Boana boans (Anura, Hylidae) by an opportunistic frugivorous primate / Predação de Boana boans (Anura, Hylidae) por um primata frugívoro oportunista

Although relatively common among omnivorous primates, anurophagy is still poorly documented in frugivorous species. Here we report the predation of a giant gladiator treefrog (Boana boans) by a large arboreal frugivore, the gray woolly monkey (Lagothrix lagotricha cana). The predation event occurred in a stretch of riparian forest located in a fragmented region in Cacoal, Rondônia state, in southwestern Brazilian Amazonia. Anurans can be a profitable, non-contested, and relatively easily acquired alternative resource for gray woolly monkeys, helping to fulfill their demand for protein, especially in periods of fruit scarcity. This new record broadens the knowledge on the natural history and predators of the giant gladiator frog.(AU)

Embora relativamente comum entre primatas onívoros, a anurofagia ainda é pouco documentada entre espécies frugívoras. Relatamos a predação de um sapo-canoeiro (Boana boans) por um primata frugívoro de grande porte, o macaco-barrigudo (Lagothrix lagotricha cana). O evento de predação ocorreu em um fragmento de floresta ripária localizado em Cacoal, Rondônia, no sudoeste da Amazônia brasileira. Anuros podem ser um recurso alternativo vantajoso, não contestado, e de aquisição relativamente fácil para macacos-barrigudos, ajudando a suprir sua demanda por proteína, especialmente em períodos de escassez de frutos. Nosso registro expande o conhecimento sobre a história natural e os predadores do sapo-canoeiro.(AU)

Predation of Boana boans (Anura, Hylidae) by an opportunistic frugivorous primate

Although relatively common among omnivorous primates, anurophagy is still poorly documented in frugivorous species. Here we report the predation of a giant gladiator treefrog (Boana boans) by a large arboreal frugivore, the gray woolly monkey (Lagothrix lagotricha cana). The predation event occurred in a stretch of riparian forest located in a fragmented region in Cacoal, Rondônia state, in southwestern Brazilian Amazonia. Anurans can be a profitable, non-contested, and relatively easily acquired alternative resource for gray woolly monkeys, helping to fulfill their demand for protein, especially in periods of fruit scarcity. This new record broadens the knowledge on the natural history and predators of the giant gladiator frog. (AU)

A name for the nurse-frog (Allobates, Aromobatidae) of Floresta Nacional de Carajás, Eastern Brazilian Amazonia.

We describe a new species of nurse-frog (Aromobatidae, Allobates) from Floresta Nacional de Carajás, southeastern Brazilian Amazonia. Allobates carajas sp. nov. is distinguished from similar congeneric species by the combination of the following characters: body-size range (snout-to-vent length 16.5-19.1 mm), dorsal color pattern with a dark brown hourglass-shaped mark, by the absence of a pale dorsolateral stripe and presence of a pale ventrolateral stripe, absence of a pale paracloacal mark, by overall bright yellow ventral colors of live male and female specimens, and by the posterior labium of tadpoles, with a single row of pyramidal papillae medially. The advertisement call of the new species is highly variable, with four possible temporal arrangements of notes (continuous emission of notes separated by regular silent intervals, continuous emission of notes separated by irregular silent intervals, emission of discrete note trills, and sporadic emission of single notes). Duration of notes range between 0.020-0.060 s, and the dominant frequency of notes range from 4.75 to 5.38 kHz. The new species is currently known only from forested habitats within Floresta Nacional de Carajás.

Neotropical frogs and mating songs: The evolution of advertisement calls in glassfrogs.

Anurans emit advertisement calls with the purpose of attracting mates and repelling conspecific competitors. The evolution of call traits is expected to be associated with the evolution of anatomical and behavioural traits due to the physics of call emission and transmission. The evolution of vocalizations might imply trade-offs with other energetically costly behaviours, such as parental care. Here, we investigated the association between body size, calling site, parental care and call properties (call duration, number of notes, peak frequency, frequency bandwidth and call structure) of the advertisement calls of glassfrogs (Centrolenidae)-a family of Neotropical, leaf-dwelling anurans-using phylogenetic comparative methods. We also explored the tempo and mode of evolution of these traits and compared them with those of three morphological traits associated with body size, locomotion and feeding. We generated and compiled acoustic data for 72 glassfrog species (46% of total species richness), including representatives of all genera. We found that almost all acoustic traits have significant, but generally modest, phylogenetic signal. Peak frequency of calls is significantly associated with body size, whereas call structure is significantly associated with calling site and paternal care. Thus, the evolution of body size, calling site and paternal care could constrain call evolution. The estimated disparity of acoustic traits was larger than that of morphological traits and the peak in disparity of acoustic traits generally occurred later in the evolution of glassfrogs, indicating a historically recent outset of the acoustic divergence in this clade.

Correlation between the UCLA and Constant-Murley scores in rotator cuff repairs and proximal humeral fractures osteosynthesis / Correlação entre as escalas da UCLA e Constant-Murley nas roturas do manguito rotador e fraturas da extremidade proximal do úmero

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the correlation between the UCLA and Constant-Murley scores in the surgical treatment of rotator cuff tears and proximal humeral fractures (PHF). Methods: Retrospective study evaluating patients submitted to arthroscopic rotator cuff repair and surgical treatment of PHF with 2-year follow-up. Patients were evaluated by the UCLA and Constant-Murley scores in the preoperative period for the rotator cuff repairs, and 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after surgery for both diagnoses. Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) was calculated to measure the degree of correlation between the two clinical scales. Results: We evaluated 109 patients: 54 with rotator cuff tear and 55 with PHF. Twenty-four months after surgical treatment, the scores according to the UCLA and Constant-Murley scores were 32.6 ± 4.0 and 85.0 ± 12.0 for the rotator cuff tears and 30.3 ± 5.3 and 73.8 ± 13.9 for the PHF, demonstrating significant improvements in both, in relation to the initial evaluation (p < 0.001). The scales demonstrated high correlation (r = 0.88, p < 0.001). The scores obtained in the two scales showed high or very high correlation in all the postoperative clinical evaluations (r = 0.79-0.91, p < 0.001). The correlation was high in the preoperative evaluation (r = 0.73, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The UCLA and Constant-Murley scores presented high or very high correlation in the evaluation of surgical treatment of rotator cuff tears and PHF. The correlation in the preoperative evaluation was high.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a correlação entre as escalas da UCLA e de Constant-Murley no tratamento cirúrgico de roturas do manguito rotador e de fraturas da extremidade proximal do úmero (FEPU). Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo, que avaliou pacientes submetidos ao reparo do manguito rotador por via artroscópica e tratamento cirúrgico de FEPU com dois anos de seguimento. Os pacientes foram avaliados pelas escalas da UCLA e de Constant-Murley no período pré-operatório nas roturas do manguito rotador e após seis, 12 e 24 meses da cirurgia em ambos os diagnósticos. O coeficiente de correlação de Pearson (r) foi calculado para medir o grau de correlação entre as duas escalas clínicas. Resultados: Avaliamos 109 pacientes, 54 com rotura do manguito rotador e 55 com FEPU. Após 24 meses do tratamento cirúrgico, as pontuações pelas escalas da UCLA e da Constant-Murley foram de 32,6 ± 4,0 e 85,0 ± 12,0 nas roturas do manguito rotador e 30,3 ± 5,3 e 73,8 ± 13,9 nas FEPU, com melhoria significativa em ambas em relação à avaliação inicial (p < 0,001). As escalas demostraram alta correlação (r = 0,88, p < 0,001). Em todas as avaliações clínicas pós-operatórias as pontuações obtidas nas duas escalas se correlacionaram de modo alto ou muito alto (r = 0,79 a 0,91, p < 0,001). No pré-operatório a correlação foi alta (r = 0,73, p < 0,001). Conclusão: As escalas da UCLA e de Constant-Murley apresentam uma correlação alta ou muito alta na avaliação do tratamento cirúrgico das roturas do manguito rotador e das FEPU. No pré-operatório a correlação é alta.

Correlation between the UCLA and Constant-Murley scores in rotator cuff repairs and proximal humeral fractures osteosynthesis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the correlation between the UCLA and Constant-Murley scores in the surgical treatment of rotator cuff tears and proximal humeral fractures (PHF). METHODS: Retrospective study evaluating patients submitted to arthroscopic rotator cuff repair and surgical treatment of PHF with 2-year follow-up. Patients were evaluated by the UCLA and Constant-Murley scores in the preoperative period for the rotator cuff repairs, and 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after surgery for both diagnoses. Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) was calculated to measure the degree of correlation between the two clinical scales. RESULTS: We evaluated 109 patients: 54 with rotator cuff tear and 55 with PHF. Twenty-four months after surgical treatment, the scores according to the UCLA and Constant-Murley scores were 32.6 ± 4.0 and 85.0 ± 12.0 for the rotator cuff tears and 30.3 ± 5.3 and 73.8 ± 13.9 for the PHF, demonstrating significant improvements in both, in relation to the initial evaluation (p < 0.001). The scales demonstrated high correlation (r = 0.88, p < 0.001). The scores obtained in the two scales showed high or very high correlation in all the postoperative clinical evaluations (r = 0.79-0.91, p < 0.001). The correlation was high in the preoperative evaluation (r = 0.73, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The UCLA and Constant-Murley scores presented high or very high correlation in the evaluation of surgical treatment of rotator cuff tears and PHF. The correlation in the preoperative evaluation was high.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a correlação entre as escalas da UCLA e de Constant-Murley no tratamento cirúrgico de roturas do manguito rotador e de fraturas da extremidade proximal do úmero (FEPU). MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo, que avaliou pacientes submetidos ao reparo do manguito rotador por via artroscópica e tratamento cirúrgico de FEPU com dois anos de seguimento. Os pacientes foram avaliados pelas escalas da UCLA e de Constant-Murley no período pré-operatório nas roturas do manguito rotador e após seis, 12 e 24 meses da cirurgia em ambos os diagnósticos. O coeficiente de correlação de Pearson (r) foi calculado para medir o grau de correlação entre as duas escalas clínicas. RESULTADOS: Avaliamos 109 pacientes, 54 com rotura do manguito rotador e 55 com FEPU. Após 24 meses do tratamento cirúrgico, as pontuações pelas escalas da UCLA e da Constant-Murley foram de 32,6 ± 4,0 e 85,0 ± 12,0 nas roturas do manguito rotador e 30,3 ± 5,3 e 73,8 ± 13,9 nas FEPU, com melhoria significativa em ambas em relação à avaliação inicial (p < 0,001). As escalas demostraram alta correlação (r = 0,88, p < 0,001). Em todas as avaliações clínicas pós-operatórias as pontuações obtidas nas duas escalas se correlacionaram de modo alto ou muito alto (r = 0,79 a 0,91, p < 0,001). No pré-operatório a correlação foi alta (r = 0,73, p < 0,001). CONCLUSÃO: As escalas da UCLA e de Constant-Murley apresentam uma correlação alta ou muito alta na avaliação do tratamento cirúrgico das roturas do manguito rotador e das FEPU. No pré-operatório a correlação é alta.

A new species of nurse-frog (Aromobatidae, Allobates) from the Juami River basin, northwestern Brazilian Amazonia.

We describe a new species of nurse-frog (Aromobatidae, Allobates) from northwestern Brazilian Amazon. Allobates juami sp. nov. is distinguished from similar congeneric species by the combination of the following characters: body-size range (snout-to-vent length 17.5-18.5 mm), lack of dark pigments on ventral surfaces of male specimens, dorsal color pattern (predominantly solid dark brown, but conspicuously light brown over snout and urostyle regions), presence of conspicuous pale dorsolateral and ventrolateral stripes, and presence of a diffuse pale paracloacal mark. The advertisement call of the new species lasts 2.5-5.1 s, contains 60-73 short notes (trills), and is emitted at an average rate of 13 notes per second within trills. Duration of silent intervals between notes ranges between 0.020-0.050 s, and the peak frequency of notes ranges from 4.59 to 5.47 kHz. The new species is currently known only from the type locality at Estação Ecológica Juami-Japurá (1.96455° S, 67.93579° W; ~ 87 m a.s.l.).

Posterolateral, posterior and mi-transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion: a study of 212 cases / Fusão póstero-lateral, posterior e mi-transforaminal: estudo comparativo 212 casos / Fusión posterolateral, posterior y mi-transforaminal: estudio de 212 casos

ABSTRACT Objective: Degenerative disc disease is a common problem that could require surgical treatment. The aim of this study was to compare clinical outcomes, complications and benefits associated with intersomatic fusions by the MI-TLIF, PLIF and PLF techniques. Methods: A total of 212 patients were retrospectively reviewed. All patients underwent the same pre- and postoperative clinical evaluations using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and SF-36. Follow-ups were performed for at least one year. Inpatient days, complications, blood loss and operative times were equally quantified. Results: Estimated blood loss for MI-TLIF was statistically lower compared to the amount of blood recovered by Cell Saver device on PLIF and PLF groups. Mean surgical time for MI-TLIF were not significantly different compared to PLIF and PLF groups. Inpatient days were significantly lower in the MI-TLIF group, with an average decrease of one day. Four complications were recorded in the PLIF group, 2 in the PLF group, and one in the MI-TLIF group. Analysis of the clinical parameters revealed post-operative improvements at all time points, with the most statistically significant differences occurring at the first six months. Better results were achieved with the MI-TLIF technique. Conclusions: Compared to more invasive techniques, MI-TLIF showed fewer complications, less blood loss and shorter hospitalization times. Longer operative times in this group can be explained by the greater technical complexity and incipient learning curves. Interbody fusion by PLIF, PLF and MI-TLIF provided good clinical outcomes, but faster recovery was obtained with less invasive techniques. Level of evidence: III; Type of study: Retrospective comparative case study.

RESUMO Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar resultados clínicos, complicações e benefícios associados às fusões intersomáticas pelas técnicas MI-TLIF, PLIF e PLF. Métodos: 212 doentes foram revistos retrospectivamente. Todos os doentes foram submetidos ao mesmo método de avaliação clínica pré e pós-operatória usando o índice de incapacidade Oswestry (ODI), o Score visual analógico para a dor (VAS) e a escala SF-36. Os follow-ups foram realizados durante o período de um ano. O tempo de internamento, complicações, perdas sanguíneas e tempos operatórios também foram contabilizados. Resultados: As perdas sanguíneas estimadas para o grupo MI-TLIF foram estatisticamente inferiores comparativamente com a quantidade de sangue recuperada pelo sistema "Cell Saver" nos grupos PLIF e PLF. O tempo médio de cirurgia para o MI-TLIF não apresentou diferenças estatísticas comparativamente aos grupos PLIF e PLF. O tempo de internamento foi significativamente inferior no grupo MI-TLIF, apresentando uma diminuição média de um dia. Quatro complicações foram registradas no grupo PLIF, duas no grupo PLF e uma no grupo MI-TLIF. A análise dos parâmetros clínicos revelou melhorias pós-operatórias em todos os grupos, com diferenças mais acentuadas nos primeiros seis meses. Conclusão: comparativamente com as técnicas mais invasivas, o MI-TLIF demonstrou uma menor taxa de complicações, menos perdas sanguíneas e menor tempo de internamento. Os tempos operatórios superiores neste grupo, podem ser explicados pela maior complexidade técnica e curvas de aprendizagem incipientes. Os doentes operados pelas técnicas PLIF, PLF e MI-TLIF apresentaram excelentes resultados clínicos, porém as técnicas menos invasivas, associam-se a uma recuperação mais rápida. Nível de evidencia: III. Tipo de estudo: Estudo comparativo retrospetivo.

RESUMEN Objetivo: La enfermedad degenerativa del disco es un problema común que puede requerir tratamiento quirúrgico. El objetivo de este estudio fue comparar resultados clínicos, complicaciones y beneficios asociados a las fusiones intersomáticas mediante las técnicas MI-TLIF, PLIF y PLF. Métodos: Un total de 212 pacientes fue evaluado retrospectivamente. Todos los pacientes fueron sometidos a las mismas evaluaciones clínicas pre y postoperatorias utilizando el Índice de Discapacidad de Oswestry (ODI), Escala visual analógica (EVA) y SF-36. Los seguimientos se realizaron durante al menos uno año. Los días de hospitalización, las complicaciones, la pérdida de sangre y los tiempos operatorios también se cuantificaron. Resultados: La pérdida de sangre estimada para MI-TLIF fue estadísticamente inferior en comparación con la cantidad de sangre recuperada por el dispositivo Cell Saver en los grupos PLIF y PLF. El tiempo quirúrgico promedio para MI-TLIF no fue significativamente diferente en comparación con los grupos PLIF y PLF. Los días de internación fueron significativamente inferiores en el grupo MI-TLIF, con una disminución promedio de uno día. Se registraron cuatro complicaciones en el grupo PLIF, dos en el grupo PLF y una en el grupo MI-TLIF. El análisis de los parámetros clínicos reveló mejorías postoperatorias en todos los puntos del tiempo, con las diferencias estadísticamente más significativas ocurriendo en los primeros seis meses. Se obtuvieron mejores resultados con la técnica MI-TLIF. Conclusiones: En comparación con las técnicas más invasivas, MI-TLIF mostró menos complicaciones, menos pérdida de sangre y tiempos de internación más cortos. Los tiempos operativos superiores en este grupo se pueden explicar por la mayor complejidad técnica y las curvas de aprendizaje incipientes. La fusión intersomática por PLIF, PLF y MI-TLIF proporcionó buenos resultados clínicos, pero se obtuvo una recuperación más rápida con técnicas menos invasivas. Nivel de evidencia: III. Tipo de Estudo: Estudio comparativo retrospectivo.

A new species of Phyzelaphryne Heyer, 1977 (Anura: Eleutherodactylidae) from the Japurá River basin, with a discussion of the diversity and distribution of the genus.

We describe and name the second species of Phyzelaphryne (Brachycephaloidea, Eleutherodactylidae), from northwestern Brazilian Amazonia. Phyzelaphryne nimio sp. nov. is distinguished from its only congener, Phyzelaphryne miriamae, by its smaller body size and the anatomy of the carpal and metacarpal regions, with relatively larger (sometimes fused) supernumerary carpal and metacarpal tubercles. Molecular phylogenetic analyses based on fragments of the mitochondrial genes 16S rRNA and COI suggest that the currently known distribution of the species is restricted to its type locality and other areas within Estação Ecológica Juami-Japurá, state of Amazonas, Brazil. Based on molecular, morphological and bioacoustic evidence, we assigned other specimens recently collected in Parque Nacional do Jaú, state of Amazonas, Brazil, to P. miriamae, extending the species' known geographic distribution north of the Amazon River.

The Relationship Between Social Cognition and Awareness in Alzheimer Disease.

A large body of evidence highlights the social cognitive impairment in neurodegenerative diseases such Alzheimer disease (AD). This study investigated the relationship among social and emotional functioning (SEF), awareness of disease, and other clinical aspects in people with AD (PwAD). A consecutive series of 50 people with mild to moderate AD and their 50 family caregivers were assessed. There was a significant difference between self-rated SEF and informant-rated SEF. In 56% of PwAD, self-rated SEF is lower than informant-rated SEF. People with AD mostly presented with mildly impaired awareness of the disease (56%), 20% had moderately impaired awareness of the disease, and 6% were unaware of the disease. The multivariate linear regression showed that informant-rated SEF was related to the social functioning, and relationships, domains of awareness of disease, and the PwAD informant-rated quality of life. The relationship between SEF and awareness of social functioning and relationship domain shows that they are comprised of judgments related to perceptions about oneself, values, and beliefs qualitatively different from awareness of memory or functionality, which can be directly observed.

Discrepancies Between Alzheimer's Disease Patients' and Caregivers' Ratings About Patients' Quality of Life: A 1-year Observation Study in Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the factors associated with discrepancies between patients' and caregivers' ratings about patients' general quality of life (QoL) and about the domains of Quality of Life in Alzheimer's disease (QoL-AD) Scale at baseline and 12 months. METHODS: This was a longitudinal study that comprised 114 outpatients with AD and their caregivers. Patients were assessed with the QoL-AD, Mini-mental State Examination, Assessment Scale of Psychosocial Impact of the Diagnosis of Dementia, Cornell Scale for Depression, Functional Activities Questionnaire, and Neuropsychiatric Inventory, and Clinical Dementia Rating Scale. Caregivers answered the QoL-AD, Zarit Burden Interview and Sociodemographic Questionnaire. RESULTS: Linear regression analyses indicated that the factors associated with discrepancies of patients' and caregivers' ratings of patients' QoL-AD were impaired awareness and caregiver burden at baseline and impaired awareness at 12 months. Moreover, the factor associated with discrepancies in the domain memory was impaired awareness and in the domain ability to do chores, impaired awareness and functional deficit. CONCLUSIONS: The discrepancies between patients and caregivers were related to awareness and caregiver burden at baseline and to awareness at 12 months. These results raise questions regarding the subjective nature of QoL and the validity of patients' evaluation of their own QoL.

Conspicuousness, color resemblance, and toxicity in geographically diverging mimicry: The pan-Amazonian frog Allobates femoralis.

Predation risk is allegedly reduced in Batesian and Müllerian mimics, because their coloration resembles the conspicuous coloration of unpalatable prey. The efficacy of mimicry is thought to be affected by variation in the unpalatability of prey, the conspicuousness of the signals, and the visual system of predators that see them. Many frog species exhibit small colorful patches contrasting against an otherwise dark body. By measuring toxicity and color reflectance in a geographically variable frog species and the syntopic toxic species, we tested whether unpalatability was correlated with between-species color resemblance and whether resemblance was highest for the most conspicuous components of coloration pattern. Heterospecific resemblance in colorful patches was highest between species at the same locality, but unrelated to concomitant variation in toxicity. Surprisingly, resemblance was lower for the conspicuous femoral patches compared to the inconspicuous dorsum. By building visual models, we further tested whether resemblance was affected by the visual system of model predators. As predicted, mimic-model resemblance was higher under the visual system of simulated predators compared to no visual system at all. Our results indicate that femoral patches are aposematic signals and support a role of mimicry in driving phenotypic divergence or mimetic radiation between localities.

On the distinctive call of a threatened phenotype of Allobates femoralis (Anura: Aromobatidae) and its recognition by allopatric conspecific males

The brilliant-thighed frog [Allobates femoralis (Boulenger, 1884)]; is distributed across the Amazon basin and aggregates several allopatric evolutionary lineages, some of which present variation in their advertisement calls. In 2009, an unregistered call phenotype was discovered in the region of Altamira and Vitória do Xingu, State of Pará, Brazil, where males emit advertisement calls formed by six notes, differing from the typical four-note calls described for other A. femoralis populations. In this study, we describe in detail these untypical calls. Additionally, we test whether the aggressive responses of males of a 4-note reference population (Reserva Ducke - RFAD, in Manaus, State of Amazonas) is differential towards the 6-note calls of males recorded in Altamira (Pará State), and towards 4-note calls recorded in one location at the Tapajós-Xingu interfluve (Belterra, Pará State), and in RFAD. Playback experiments were conducted between 2011-2012, and used standardized stimuli produced from natural call recordings. A total of 30 independent experiments were conducted, 10 for each stimuli class. We measured the phonotaxis of focal males in relation to the loudspeaker, considering the time to orientation and the time to approach the loudspeaker. We found that not all A. femoralis males at RFAD promptly recognize calls from males recorded in Altamira. However, when considering only males who approached the loudspeaker, differences in aggressive reactions were not seen between stimuli classes. Our findings show that the ability to recognize calls from Altamira as belonging to co-specific males is not universal among males at RFAD. The new A. femoralis phenotype occurs in areas potentially impacted by the Belo Monte hydroelectric complex and complementary studies indicate that no gene flow exists between this group and A. femoralis from adjacent regions. Hence, developments in Altamira may put this incipient speciation process at risk.(AU)