12 research outputs found
Multifractal and Singularity Maps of soil surface moisture distribution derived from 2D image analysis
Soil moisture distribution usually presents extreme variation at multiple spatial scales. Image analysis could be a useful tool for investigating these spatial patterns of apparent soil moisture at multiple resolutions. The objectives of the present work were (i) to describe the local scaling of apparent soil moisture distribution and (ii) to define apparent soil moisture patterns from vertical planes of Vertisol pit images
A plea for equitable global access to COVIDâ19 diagnostics, vaccination and therapy: The NeuroCOVIDâ19 Task Force of the European Academy of Neurology
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVIDâ19), a multiâorgan disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSâCoVâ2), continues to challenge health and care systems around the globe. The pandemic has disrupted acute neurology services and routine patient care and has impacted the clinical course in patients with chronic neurological disease. COVIDâ19 appears to have exposed inequalities of societies and healthcare systems and had a disproportionate impact on already vulnerable communities. The next challenge will be to set up initiatives to stop disparities in all aspects related to COVIDâ19. From the medical perspective, there is a need to consider inequalities in prevention, treatment and longâterm consequences. Some of the issues of direct relevance to neurologists are summarised. With this appraisal, the European Academy of Neurology NeuroCOVIDâ19 Task Force intends to raise awareness of the potential impact of COVIDâ19 on inequalities in healthcare and calls for action to prevent disparity at individual, national and supranational levels
Experiencia inicial con el balĂłn intragastrico Elipse TM
[spa] OBJETIVO: Analizar nuestra experiencia incial sobre la implantaciĂłn de 11 balones ElipseTM (Allurion Technologies, Wellesley, MA, EE. UU.) para el tratamiento del sobrepeso y obesidad grado I PACIENTES: Estudio observacional prospectivo y descriptivo. Analizamos las siguientes variables: sexo, edad, IMC inicial y final, % de pĂ©rdida de peso y efectos secundarios. RESULTADOS: 11 pacientes han completado el tratamiento (3 hombres y 8 mujeres). La edad promedio fue de 28,5± 7.9 años con un IMC inicial promedio de 28.5 ± 7.9 kg/m2. No se registraron eventos adversos graves durante su colocaciĂłn ni en su expulsiĂłn. Los efectos adversos menores: nĂĄuseas, vĂłmitos y dolor abdominal, tuvieron respuesta al tratamiento mĂ©dico y no obligaron a la retirada de ningĂșn dispositivo. DespuĂ©s de 16 semanas, la reducciĂłn media del IMC fue de 6 puntos, con una reducciĂłn media del IMC a 22.5 ± 3.9 kg/m2 y un 31,6 de promedio del % de sobrepeso perdido (SPP). DISCUSIĂN: El balĂłn ElipseTM demuestra su seguridad tanto en su colocaciĂłn como en su expulsiĂłn. Presenta eficacia en los resultados de pĂ©rdida de peso cuando los pacientes tienen buena adherencia y son controlados por equipos multidisciplinares. CONCLUSIONES: El balĂłn intragĂĄstrico ElipseTM es un procedimiento no invasivo seguro que ha demostrado su eficacia en la pĂ©rdida de peso cuando se acompaña de un seguimiento adecuado por un equipo multidisciplinar
Primary prevention of COVID-19: Advocacy for vaccination from a neurological perspective
Immunization by means of vaccination is a global health success story, saving millions of lives every year. In this regard, the epidemiology of measles, rabies, polio, rubella, varicella, influenza and mumps infections, all of which can harm the nervous system, could be contained by global vaccination campaigns. In addition, toxoid vaccines against bacterial toxins such as tetanus and diphtheria are indispensable and effective interventions for toxin-mediated neurologic diseases
Sedimentary biomarkers along a contamination gradient in a human-impacted sub-estuary in Southern Brazil: A multi-parameter approach based on spatial and seasonal variability
Environmental modifiable risk factors for multiple sclerosis: Report from the 2016 ECTRIMS focused workshop
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory and neurodegenerative demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS), most likely autoimmune in origin, usually beginning in early adulthood. The aetiology of the disease is not well understood; it is viewed currently as a multifactorial disease which results from complex interactions between genetic predisposition and environmental factors, of which a few are potentially modifiable. Improving our understanding of these factors can lead to new and more effective approaches to patient counselling and, possibly, prevention and management of the disease. The 2016 focused workshop of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) addressed the topic of environmental, modifiable risk factors for MS, gathering experts from around the world, to collate experimental and clinical research into environmental factors that have been associated with the disease onset and, in a few cases, disease activity and progression. A number of factors, including infections, vitamin D deficiency, diet and lifestyle factors, stress and comorbidities, were discussed. The meeting provided a forum to analyse available evidence, to identify inconsistencies and gaps in current knowledge and to suggest avenues for future research
O Museo Carlos Gardel, em TacuarembĂł, e o Museo Casa Carlos Gardel, em Buenos Aires: nacionalismo e disputas pelo patrimĂŽnio cultural
Environmental modifiable risk factors for multiple sclerosis: Report from the 2016 ECTRIMS focused workshop
Ofatumumab versus Teriflunomide in Multiple Sclerosis
BACKGROUND: Ofatumumab, a subcutaneous anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, selectively depletes B cells. Teriflunomide, an oral inhibitor of pyrimidine synthesis, reduces T-cell and B-cell activation. The relative effects of these two drugs in patients with multiple sclerosis are not known. METHODS: In two double-blind, double-dummy, phase 3 trials, we randomly assigned patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis to receive subcutaneous ofatumumab (20 mg every 4 weeks after 20-mg loading doses at days 1, 7, and 14) or oral teriflunomide (14 mg daily) for up to 30 months. The primary end point was the annualized relapse rate. Secondary end points included disability worsening confirmed at 3 months or 6 months, disability improvement confirmed at 6 months, the number of gadolinium-enhancing lesions per T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, the annualized rate of new or enlarging lesions on T2-weighted MRI, serum neurofilament light chain levels at month 3, and change in brain volume. RESULTS: Overall, 946 patients were assigned to receive ofatumumab and 936 to receive teriflunomide; the median follow-up was 1.6 years. The annualized relapse rates in the ofatumumab and teriflunomide groups were 0.11 and 0.22, respectively, in trial 1 (difference, -0.11; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.16 to -0.06; P<0.001) and 0.10 and 0.25 in trial 2 (difference, -0.15; 95% CI, -0.20 to -0.09; P<0.001). In the pooled trials, the percentage of patients with disability worsening confirmed at 3 months was 10.9% with ofatumumab and 15.0% with teriflunomide (hazard ratio, 0.66; Pâ=â0.002); the percentage with disability worsening confirmed at 6 months was 8.1% and 12.0%, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.68; Pâ=â0.01); and the percentage with disability improvement confirmed at 6 months was 11.0% and 8.1% (hazard ratio, 1.35; Pâ=â0.09). The number of gadolinium-enhancing lesions per T1-weighted MRI scan, the annualized rate of lesions on T2-weighted MRI, and serum neurofilament light chain levels, but not the change in brain volume, were in the same direction as the primary end point. Injection-related reactions occurred in 20.2% in the ofatumumab group and in 15.0% in the teriflunomide group (placebo injections). Serious infections occurred in 2.5% and 1.8% of the patients in the respective groups. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with multiple sclerosis, ofatumumab was associated with lower annualized relapse rates than teriflunomide. (Funded by Novartis; ASCLEPIOS I and II ClinicalTrials.gov numbers, NCT02792218 and NCT02792231.)