Cryopreservation and Fertility: Current and Prospective Possibilities for Female Cancer Patients

With the evolution of the treatment of malignant neoplasms, the survival rates of patients undergoing chemo- or radiotherapy are increasing. The continuous development of techniques of assisted human reproduction has led to important strategies in an attempt to maintain reproductive function in patients subjected to treatment of neoplastic diseases, among them cryopreservation of embryos, gametes, and ovarian cortical tissue. The freezing of ovarian tissue is currently being proposed with the primary purpose of preserving ovarian function in these patients. Currently, the major challenge of groups working with preservation of fertility is the use of cryopreserved ovarian tissue after disease remission. The main alternatives presented today are the implantation of hetero- or orthotopic tissue and isolation of immature follicles from ovarian tissue followed by in vitro maturation and assisted reproduction procedures

Adolescent adaptive behavior profiles in Williams–Beuren syndrome, Down syndrome, and autism spectrum disorder

Background Adaptive behavior can be impaired in different neurodevelopmental disorders and may be influenced by confounding factors, such as intelligence quotient (IQ) and socioeconomic classification. Our main objective was to verify whether adaptive behavior profiles differ in three conditions—Williams Beuren syndrome (WBS), Down syndrome (DS), and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as compared with healthy controls (HC) and with each other. Although the literature points towards each disorder having a characteristic profile, no study has compared profiles to establish the specificity of each one. A secondary objective was to explore potential interactions between the conditions and socioeconomic status, and whether this had any effect on adaptive behavior profiles. Methods One hundred and five adolescents were included in the study. All adolescents underwent the following evaluations: the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale (VABS), the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC), and the Brazilian Economic Classification Criteria. Results Our results demonstrated that the WBS group performed better than the DS group in the communication domain, β = −15.08, t(3.45), p = .005, and better than the ASD group in the socialization domain, β = 8.92, t(−2.08), p = .013. The DS group also performed better than the ASD group in socialization, β = 16.98, t(−2.32), p = .024. IQ was an important confounding factor, and socioeconomic status had an important effect on the adaptive behavior of all groups. Conclusions There is a heterogeneity regarding adaptive behavior profiles in WBS, DS, and ASD. These data are important to better design specific strategies related to the health and social care of each particular group

Cryopreservation time does not decrease follicular viability in ovarian tissue frozen for fertility preservation

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of storage duration on cryopreserved ovarian tissue using fresh and frozenthawed samples. METHODS: Seventeen fertile patients underwent an ovarian biopsy during elective laparoscopic tubal ligation. The tissue sample was divided into three parts: one part was processed fresh (FG), and two were slowly frozen, cryopreserved for 30 (G30) or 180 days (G180), thawed and analyzed. Follicular density, follicular viability, and steroidogenic capacity were assessed. RESULTS: We observed no differences between the groups in follicular density, which was assessed in hematoxylin and eosin-stained tissue sections. A heterogeneous follicular distribution was observed in the parenchyma, with a mean density of 361.3±255.4, 454.9±676.3, and 296.8±269.0 follicles/mm3 for FG, G30 and G180, respectively (p = 0.46). Follicular viability was greater in FG (93.4%) when compared with the cryopreserved tissues (70.8% for G30 (p<0.001) and 78.4% for G180 (p<0.001)), with no difference in viability between the frozen samples (p>0.05). The steroidogenic capacity of the tissue was not significantly reduced following cryopreservation. CONCLUSION: The slow freezing procedures used for ovarian cryopreservation are capable of preserving follicular viability and maintaining the steroidogenic capacity of the tissue despite a roughly 30% decrease in follicular viability. Furthermore, short-term storage of ovarian tissue does not appear to compromise follicle integrity

Inferência bayesiana para o ajuste de curvas do acúmulo de matéria seca em plantas de alho

The objective of this work was to identify nonlinear regression models that best describe dry matter accumulation curves over time, in garlic (Allium sativum) accessions, using Bayesian and frequentist approaches. Multivariate cluster analyses were made to group similar accessions according to the estimates of the parameters with biological interpretation (β1 and β3). In order to verify if the obtained groups were equal, statistical tests were applied to assess the parameter equality of the representative curves of each group. Thirty garlic accessions were used, which are kept by the vegetable germplasm bank of Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Brazil. The logistic model was the one that fit best to data in both approaches. Parameter estimates of this model were subjected to the cluster analysis using Ward’s algorithm, and the generalized Mahalanobis distance was used as a measure of dissimilarity. The optimal number of groups, according to the Mojena method, was three and four, for the frequentist and Bayesian approaches, respectively. Hypothesis tests for the parameter equality from estimated curves, for each identified group, indicated that both approaches highlight the differences between the accessions identified in the cluster analysis. Therefore, both approaches are recommended for this kind of study.O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar modelos de regressão não linear que melhor descrevam curvas de acúmulo de matéria seca em acessos de alho (Allium sativum), ao longo do tempo, com uso das abordagens bayesiana e frequentista. Análises de agrupamento multivariadas foram empregadas para agrupar acessos similares quanto às estimativas dos parâmetros das curvas com interpretação biológica (β1 e β3). Para verificar se os grupos formados eram iguais, aplicaram-se testes estatísticos para testar a igualdade de parâmetros das curvas representativas de cada grupo. Foram utilizados 30 acessos de alho, mantidos pelo Banco de Germoplasma de Hortaliças da Universidade Federal de Viçosa. O modelo logístico foi o que melhor se ajustou aos dados em ambas as abordagens. As estimativas dos parâmetros deste modelo foram submetidas à análise de agrupamento com o algoritmo de Ward, e a distância generalizada de Mahalanobis foi utilizada como medida de dissimilaridade. O número ótimo de grupos, de acordo com o método de Mojena, foi de três e quatro para as abordagens frequentista e bayesiana, respectivamente. Testes de hipótese quanto à igualdade de parâmetros das curvas estimadas, para cada grupo de acesso, indicaram que ambas as metodologias evidenciam as diferenças identificadas pela análise de agrupamento. Portanto, ambas as abordagens são indicadas para estudos desta natureza

Inferência bayesiana para o ajuste de curvas do acúmulo de matéria seca em plantas de alho

The objective of this work was to identify nonlinear regression models that best describe dry matter accumulation curves over time, in garlic (Allium sativum) accessions, using Bayesian and frequentist approaches. Multivariate cluster analyses were made to group similar accessions according to the estimates of the parameters with biological interpretation (β1 and β3). In order to verify if the obtained groups were equal, statistical tests were applied to assess the parameter equality of the representative curves of each group. Thirty garlic accessions were used, which are kept by the vegetable germplasm bank of Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Brazil. The logistic model was the one that fit best to data in both approaches. Parameter estimates of this model were subjected to the cluster analysis using Ward’s algorithm, and the generalized Mahalanobis distance was used as a measure of dissimilarity. The optimal number of groups, according to the Mojena method, was three and four, for the frequentist and Bayesian approaches, respectively. Hypothesis tests for the parameter equality from estimated curves, for each identified group, indicated that both approaches highlight the differences between the accessions identified in the cluster analysis. Therefore, both approaches are recommended for this kind of study.O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar modelos de regressão não linear que melhor descrevam curvas de acúmulo de matéria seca em acessos de alho (Allium sativum), ao longo do tempo, com uso das abordagens bayesiana e frequentista. Análises de agrupamento multivariadas foram empregadas para agrupar acessos similares quanto às estimativas dos parâmetros das curvas com interpretação biológica (β1 e β3). Para verificar se os grupos formados eram iguais, aplicaram-se testes estatísticos para testar a igualdade de parâmetros das curvas representativas de cada grupo. Foram utilizados 30 acessos de alho, mantidos pelo Banco de Germoplasma de Hortaliças da Universidade Federal de Viçosa. O modelo logístico foi o que melhor se ajustou aos dados em ambas as abordagens. As estimativas dos parâmetros deste modelo foram submetidas à análise de agrupamento com o algoritmo de Ward, e a distância generalizada de Mahalanobis foi utilizada como medida de dissimilaridade. O número ótimo de grupos, de acordo com o método de Mojena, foi de três e quatro para as abordagens frequentista e bayesiana, respectivamente. Testes de hipótese quanto à igualdade de parâmetros das curvas estimadas, para cada grupo de acesso, indicaram que ambas as metodologias evidenciam as diferenças identificadas pela análise de agrupamento. Portanto, ambas as abordagens são indicadas para estudos desta natureza

BALANÇO DA PRODUÇÃO DO CONHECIMENTO SOBRE CORPO E CULTURA: o Centro-Oeste em questão

Resumo: Trata-se de pesquisa com o objetivo apresentar balanço da produção do conhecimento sobre “corpo e cultura” na região Centro-Oeste do Brasil. Realizou-se pesquisa documental tendo por fonte dois veículos de comunicação científica: i) os anais do Congresso Brasileiro de Ciências do Esporte (CONBRACE), especificamente a produção do GTTCC, nos anos 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011 e 2013; ii) as Revistas Brasileiras de Ciências do Esporte (RBCE), no período de 10 anos de publicação (2003 a 2012). O tratamento dos dados se deu numa perspectiva quali-quantitativa, com interesse descritivo e exploratório. Os dados confirmam outras pesquisas sobre a regionalização da produção do conhecimento no campo da Educação Física no Brasil. Destaca-se: i) a quase inexistente vinculação dos trabalhos a grupos de pesquisa, embora a titularidade da maioria dos autores seja de mestres e doutores; ii) a maioria são do sexo feminino; iii) a instituição de mais destaque é a UFG; iv) apenas três trabalhos foram financiados; v) o tema predominante é “corpo, educação, sociedade e cultura”, e v) a maioria dos trabalhos foram classificados na concepção de “corpo com o mundo/natureza”. Palavras-chave: Corpo, Produção de Conhecimento, Região Centro-Oeste, Educação Física Abstract: This paper aims to present the balance of the knowledge production about “body and culture” in the Brazil Central West Zone. It was realized a documental researchby having two vehicles source scientific communication: i) the proceedings of Brazilian Congresso f Sport Science (CONBRACE), specifically the production of GTTCC, in the years 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013; ii) The Brazilian Journal of Sport Sciences (RBCE), in the publication of 10 years (2003 a 2012).The data analyzes was done in a qu quali-quantitative perspective, with descriptive and exploratory interest. Data confirm another researches about the knowledge production Regionalization in the Physical Education field inBrazil. It stands out: i) the almost inexistence relationship of works with research groups, although the majority authors titling are made of masters and doctors; ii) the predominance off emale sex; iii) the spotlight institution is the UFG; iv) only three works were funded; v) the predominant subject is “body, education, society and culture”, and v) the most of works was classified into the “body with world/nature” conception. Keywords: body, knowledge production, Central West Zone, Physical Education

Biofertilizantes com fosfato natural, enxofre e Acidithiobacillus em solo com baixo P disponível

A produção de biofertilizantes é um processo prático e econômico que reduz o consumo de energia e a sua aplicação visa aumentar o fósforo (P) disponível no solo. Biofertilizantes fosfatados (B5, B10, B15, B20) produzidos em laboratório usando fosfato natural (FN) e enxofre em diferentes concentrações (5; 10; 15 e 20%), inoculado com Acidithiobacillus (S*) e enxofre (20%) sem Acidithiobacillus (S), com incubação por 30, 45 e 60 dias, foi utilizado em um experimento em vasos com solo da Zona da Mata de Pernambuco (Argissolo Amarelo), com baixo nível de P disponível, cultivado com jacatupé (Pachyrhizus erosus), por dois períodos consecutivos. Os tratamentos fosfatados foram: fosfato natural (FN); biofertilizantes (B5, B10, B15, B20), com Acidithiobacillus (FN+S*) e B20, sem Acidithiobacillus (FN+S); superfosfato triplo (ST); e um controle sem fósforo (P0). As plantas foram inoculadas com a mistura das estirpes de rizóbio NFB 747 e 748, e sem inoculação. Nos ensaios em laboratório analisou-se o pH e o P extraído dos biofertilizantes, em cada período de incubação, e nos experimentos em vasos com solo determinou-se a biomassa seca, o N e o P total acumulado da parte aérea, o pH e o P extraído do solo. O P disponível foi mais elevado para os biofertilizantes com Acidithiobacillus (FN+S*) e para o superfosfato triplo. A fertilização fosfatada, condicionou resposta positiva dos biofertilizantes (FN+S*) e do superfosfato triplo. Os rizóbios nativos foram tão eficientes quanto os do inoculante. Após os dois cultivos o P disponível foi maior com os biofertilizantes B15 e B20 com Acidithiobacillus.The production of mineral fertilizers is a expensive process, since it requires high energy consumption, and cannot be produced by small farmers. Laboratory assays were conducted to produce P-biofertilizers from natural phosphate (B5, B10, B15, B20), applying sulphur at different rates (5; 10; 15 and 20%) inoculated with Acidithiobacillus (S*) and testing increasing periods of incubation. A greenhouse experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of the biofertilizers in a soil with low available P (Typic Fragiudult) from the "Zona da Mata" of Pernambuco State, grown with yam bean (Pachyrhizus erosus) in two consecutive harvests. The treatments were: Natural Phosphate (NP); biofertilizers produced in laboratory (B5, B10, B15, B20) with sulphur and Acidithiobacillus (NP+S*); natural phosphate with sulphur (20%) without Acidithiobacillus (NP+S); triple super phosphate (TSP) and a control without phosphorus. Plants were inoculated with a mixture of rhizobia strains (NFB 747 and NFB 748) or did not receive rhizobia inoculation. In bioassays pH and available P in the biofertilizers were analyzed. In the greenhouse experiment shoot dry matter, total N and total P in shoots, soil pH and available P were determined. Higher rates of available P were obtained in biofertilizers with sulphur and Acidithiobacillus (NP+S*) and in triple super phosphate (TSP), and biofertilizers with sulphur and Acidithiobacillus (FN+S*) and triple super phosphate (TSP) increased plant parameters. Native rhizobia were as effective as the strains applied in inoculation. After the two harvests soil presented lower pH values and higher rates of available P when the biofertilizers B15 and B20 with sulphur and Acidithiobacillus were applied

Visão geral sobre preservação da fertilidade feminina depois do câncer

ResumoA ação citotóxica de tratamentos antineoplásicos muito frequentemente implica sérios danos às gônadas e consequências secundárias ao hipoestrogenismo, como osteoporose, infertilidade e falência ovariana prematura, são esperadas. A oncofertilidade aparece como uma área multidisciplinar que se dedica ao desenvolvimento de estratégias para a redução de sequelas terapêuticas em sobreviventes de câncer, em última análise, com vistas à manutenção de sua qualidade de vida e à possibilidade da procriação biológica. Este artigo tem como objetivo apresentar uma visão geral sobre as opções possíveis para a preservação da fertilidade feminina em pacientes com câncer e as perspectivas em oncofertilidade.AbstractThe cytotoxic action of antineoplastic treatments very frequently implies serious damage to the gonads, and consequences due to the hypoestrogenism, such as osteoporosis, infertility and premature ovarian failure, are expected. Oncofertility appears as a new multidisciplinary area, which is dedicated to the development of strategies for the reduction of therapeutic sequels in cancer survivals, ultimately aiming the maintenance of their quality of life and the possibility of biological procreation. This article aims to present an overview of possible options for female fertility preservation after cancer and future perspectives in oncofertility

INTEGRALIDADE NA REABILITAÇÃO FÍSICA: VISÃO DOS PROFISSIONAIS SOBRE AS DIFICULDADES E ESTRATÉGIAS PARA SEU ALCANCE

Objetivo: analisar as dificuldades e estratégias para o alcance da integralidade do cuidado na reabilitação física. Método: estudo fundamentado na Hermenêutica-dialética. Os dados foram coletados mediante entrevistas semiestruturadas e analisados pelo Método de Interpretação dos Sentidos. Participaram 24 profissionais de um Centro de Reabilitação, do interior do estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Resultados: emergiram cinco categorias: a compreensão da saúde como direito universal; a formação profissional; o trabalho em equipe multiprofissional; a participação do paciente como protagonista no processo de cuidado; as estratégias para o alcance da integralidade. As dificuldades para o alcance da integralidade na reabilitação física estão relacionadas ao usuário, ao cuidar e à gestão e as sugestões de melhoria indicam a importância de reflexão da prática para estruturação de cursos e treinamentos. Conclusão: as dificuldades e as estratégias de superação apontam para possíveis caminhos comunicativos com a participação dos atores envolvidos, que poderá possibilitar a integralidade. Descritores: Integralidade Em Saúde. Assistência Integral à Saúde. Reabilitação. Equipe de Assistência ao Paciente

SemClinBr -- a multi institutional and multi specialty semantically annotated corpus for Portuguese clinical NLP tasks

The high volume of research focusing on extracting patient's information from electronic health records (EHR) has led to an increase in the demand for annotated corpora, which are a very valuable resource for both the development and evaluation of natural language processing (NLP) algorithms. The absence of a multi-purpose clinical corpus outside the scope of the English language, especially in Brazilian Portuguese, is glaring and severely impacts scientific progress in the biomedical NLP field. In this study, we developed a semantically annotated corpus using clinical texts from multiple medical specialties, document types, and institutions. We present the following: (1) a survey listing common aspects and lessons learned from previous research, (2) a fine-grained annotation schema which could be replicated and guide other annotation initiatives, (3) a web-based annotation tool focusing on an annotation suggestion feature, and (4) both intrinsic and extrinsic evaluation of the annotations. The result of this work is the SemClinBr, a corpus that has 1,000 clinical notes, labeled with 65,117 entities and 11,263 relations, and can support a variety of clinical NLP tasks and boost the EHR's secondary use for the Portuguese language