Simulação em 3D da redução da fossa posterior no Chiari do tipo I

We proposed a 3D model to evaluate the role of platybasia and clivus length in the development of Chiari I (CI). Using a computer aided design software, two DICOM files of a normal CT scan and MR were used to simulate different clivus lengths (CL) and also different basal angles (BA). The final posterior fossa volume (PFV) was obtained for each variation and the percentage of the volumetric change was acquired with the same method. The initial normal values of CL and BA were 35.65 mm and 112.66 degrees respectively, with a total PFV of 209 ml. Ranging the CL from 34.65 to 29.65 - 24.65 - 19.65, there was a PFV decrease of 0.47% - 1.12% - 1.69%, respectively. Ranging the BA from 122.66 degrees to 127.66 degrees - 142.66 degrees, the PFV decreased 0.69% - 3.23%, respectively. Our model highlights the importance of the basal angle and clivus length to the development of CI.We proposed a 3D model to evaluate the role of platybasia and clivus length in the development of Chiari I (CI). Using a computer aided design software, two DICOM files of a normal CT scan and MR were used to simulate different clivus lengths (CL) and als745405408sem informaçãosem informaçãoNo presente estudo, propusemos a criação de um modelo computacional em 3D com elaboração de software onde dois arquivos em formato DICOM com uma TC e RNM de crânio foram usados para simular diferentes mensurações na extensão do clivus (EC) e no ângulo ba

Frequency and predictors of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage after intravenous thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke in a Brazilian public hospital

OBJECTIVE: Scarce data are available on the occurrence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage related to intravenous thrombolysis for acute stroke in South America. We aimed to address the frequency and clinical predictors of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage after stroke thrombolysis at our tertiary emergency unit in Brazil. METHOD: We reviewed the clinical and radiological data of 117 consecutive acute ischemic stroke patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis in our hospital between May 2001 and April 2010. We compared our results with those of the Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke registry. Univariate and multiple regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with symptomatic intracranial transformation. RESULTS: In total, 113 cases from the initial sample were analyzed. The median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 16 (interquartile range: 10-20). The median onset-to-treatment time was 188 minutes (interquartile range: 155-227). There were seven symptomatic intracranial hemorrhages (6.2%; Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke registry: 4.9%; p = 0.505). In the univariate analysis, current statin treatment and elevated National Institute of Health Stroke Scale scores were related to symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. After the multivariate analysis, current statin treatment was the only factor independently associated with symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. CONCLUSIONS: In this series of Brazilian patients with severe strokes treated with intravenous thrombolysis in a public university hospital at a late treatment window, we found no increase in the rate of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. Additional studies are necessary to clarify the possible association between statins and the risk of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage after stroke thrombolysis

Prescrição de antimicrobianos para idosos hospitalizados: análise do benefício e associação com implementação de limitação de esforço terapêutico e cuidados paliativos

Background and Objectives: Many advances have occurred in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases, but they are still the main causes of hospitalization and death in older adults. The objective of this study was to verify the benefit of antimicrobial use and its association with the implementation of other therapeutic measures and with the indication of palliative care in the last two weeks of life of hospitalized older adults, in order to subsidize the development of rational models for this group. Methods: A retrospective study was carried out by analyzing the medical records of the older adult participants of the cohort epidemiological study ―Development of a Care Line for Older Adults at the University Hospital of Santa Maria‖, which presented death as an outcome. Results: Of the 97 individuals evaluated, 89.7% (n = 87) used antibiotics in the last two weeks of life. Among those who used antibacterial agents, 38.9% presented clinical signs of improvement after treatment initiation (n=28). Thus, it was possible to affirm that there was no association between symptom relief and antibacterial use (p = 0.377). Among those who benefited from antibiotic therapy, 46.4% were indicated for respiratory infection and 14.3% for urinary tract infection. We found no dependence between the use of antibacterial drugs and the other therapeutic measures adopted (p = 0.057), nor with the indication of palliative care (p = 0.065). Conclusion: There was little evidence of benefit in the use of antibiotics in the studied group, which indicates the need for a different care plan adequacy for this patient profile.Justificación y Objetivos: Ocurrieron muchos avances en la prevención, diagnóstico y tratamiento de las enfermedades infecciosas, pero todavía son las principales causas de hospitalización y muerte en ancianos. El presente trabajo tuvo como objetivo verificar el beneficio del uso de antimicrobianos y su asociación con la implementación de otras medidas terapéuticas y con la indicación de cuidados paliativos en las dos últimas semanas de vida de ancianos en internación hospitalaria con el fin de fomentar el desarrollo de modelos racionales de prescripción para este grupo. Métodos: Se desarrolló un estudio retrospectivo realizado por el análisis de historiales de los ancianos participantes del estudio epidemiológico del tipo cohorte ―Desarrollo de una línea de cuidados para el anciano en el Hospital Universitario de Santa María‖, que presentaron muerte como desenlace. Resultados: De los 97 individuos evaluados, el 89,7% (n = 87) hicieron uso de antibiótico en las dos últimas semanas de vida. Entre los que utilizaron el antibacteriano, el 38,9% presentó signos clínicos de mejora después del inicio del tratamiento (n = 28). Así fue posible afirmar que no hubo asociación entre el alivio de los síntomas y el uso de antibacteriano (p = 0,377). Entre los que se beneficiaron de la antibioticoterapia, el 46,4% fue indicado para infección respiratoria y el 14,3% para infección del tracto urinario. No se encontró dependencia entre el uso de antibacteriano y las otras medidas terapéuticas adoptadas (p = 0,057), ni con la indicación de cuidado paliativo (p = 0,065). Conclusión: Se observó poca evidencia de beneficio en el uso de antibacteriano en el grupo estudiado, lo que señala la necesidad de una adecuación del plan de cuidado diferenciada para ese perfil de pacientes.Justificativa e Objetivos: Muitos avanços ocorreram em prevenção, diagnóstico e tratamento das doenças infecciosas, porém elas ainda são as principais causas de hospitalização e morte em idosos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar o benefício do uso de antimicrobianos e sua associação com a implementação de outras medidas terapêuticas e com a indicação de cuidados paliativos nas duas últimas semanas de vida de idosos em internação hospitalar, a fim de subsidiar o desenvolvimento de modelos racionais de prescrição para este grupo. Métodos: Foi desenvolvido um estudo retrospectivo realizado pela análise de prontuários dos idosos participantes do estudo epidemiológico do tipo coorte ―Desenvolvimento de uma linha de cuidados para o idoso no Hospital Universitário de Santa Maria‖ que apresentaram óbito como desfecho. Resultados: Dos 97 indivíduos avaliados, 89,7% (n = 87) fizeram uso de antibiótico nas duas últimas semanas de vida. Entre aqueles que utilizaram antibacteriano, 38,9% apresentaram sinais clínicos de melhora após o início do tratamento (n = 28). Assim, foi possível afirmar que não houve associação entre o alívio dos sintomas e o uso de antibacteriano (p = 0,377). Entre aqueles que se beneficiaram da antibioticoterapia, 46,4% foram indicados para infecção respiratória e 14,3% para infecção do trato urinário. Não foi encontrada dependência entre o uso de antibacteriano e as outras medidas terapêuticas adotadas (p = 0,057), nem com a indicação de cuidado paliativo (p = 0,065). Conclusão: Observou-se pouca evidência de benefício no uso de antibacteriano no grupo estudado, o que sinaliza a necessidade de uma adequação de plano de cuidado diferenciada para esse perfil de pacientes

Comparative analysis of the evolution and postoperative complications of body contouring plastic surgeries after massive weight loss in young and elderly patients

INTRODUÇÃO: Os procedimentos aplicados a pacientes ex-obesos idosos após terapêuticas bariátricas estão em ascensão. Dados fidedignos quanto à evolução e às complicações nesse grupo populacional ainda são escassos na literatura. O objetivo do presente estudo é analisar a evolução e as complicações em abdominoplastias realizadas em pacientes com idade mais avançada após perda ponderal maciça, e compará-las às de pacientes mais jovens. MÉTODO: Foram analisados, retrospectivamente, pacientes com perda ponderal maciça submetidos a cirurgia para contorno da região abdominal, entre julho de 2005 e julho de 2011, no Hospital Estadual Sapopemba (HESAP). Como critério para divisão dos grupos, a fim de analisar o período pós-operatório e as complicações das abdominoplastias realizadas após perda ponderal maciça, foi estabelecida idade > 60 anos. RESULTADOS: Foram analisados 264 pacientes, 19 deles com idade entre 60 anos e 75 anos (grupo I) e 245 entre 22 anos e 59 anos (grupo J). O grupo I apresentou 10,5% de complicações maiores (P > 0,999) e 41,1% de complicações menores (P = 0,280), enquanto o grupo J obteve 10,6% de complicações maiores (P > 0,999) e 30,2% de complicações menores (P = 0,280). CONCLUSÕES: Os pacientes com > 60 anos de idade não apresentaram maior número de complicações que o grupo mais jovem

Amazonian plant natural products:perspectives for discovery of new antimalarial drug leads

Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax malaria parasites are now resistant, or showing signs of resistance, to most drugs used in therapy. Novel chemical entities that exhibit new mechanisms of antiplasmodial action are needed. New antimalarials that block transmission of Plasmodium spp. from humans to Anopheles mosquito vectors are key to malaria eradication efforts. Although P. vivax causes a considerable number of malaria cases, its importance has for long been neglected. Vivax malaria can cause severe manifestations and death; hence there is a need for P. vivax-directed research. Plants used in traditional medicine, namely Artemisia annua and Cinchona spp. are the sources of the antimalarial natural products artemisinin and quinine, respectively. Based on these compounds, semi-synthetic artemisinin-derivatives and synthetic quinoline antimalarials have been developed and are the most important drugs in the current therapeutic arsenal for combating malaria. In the Amazon region, where P. vivax predominates, there is a local tradition of using plant-derived preparations to treat malaria. Here, we review the current P. falciparum and P. vivax drug-sensitivity assays, focusing on challenges and perspectives of drug discovery for P. vivax, including tests against hypnozoites. We also present the latest findings of our group and others on the antiplasmodial and antimalarial chemical components from Amazonian plants that may be potential drug leads against malaria

Technical and economic efficiency of bovine weighing methods

The objective of this study was to evaluate the technical and economic efficiency of different methods of cattle weighing, and to develop mathematical equations to estimate the breakeven point for the adoption of electronic weighing, i.e., to estimate how many animals are required for the acquisition and use of an electronic scale to be economically viable. The survey was conducted in confined beef cattle, from the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology in the south of Minas Gerais, IFSUL DE MINAS, Muzambinho Campus, from July to December 2014. Two methods of weighing cattle were evaluated: an electronic scale and a tape measure, using a barimetric tape for dairy cattle and a barimetric tape for beef cattle, and a conventional tape measure involving the conversion of centimeters into body weight using a specific table. Thirty-three animals identified with plastic ear tags were weighed using each method. Animals of the Nellore, Senepol, Girolando, and Red-angus breeds, aged 0–1, 1–2, and 2–3 years, were weighed 402 times in total. The time taken to weigh animals with the electronic scale was the lowest, followed by that with the barimetric tape, and that with conventional tape measure with conversion. The electronic scale exhibited the greatest technical efficiency, owing to the lack of error and the lowest time required to weigh animals. However, the costs associated with the use of this equipment were the highest, which depended on the purchasing cost. The mathematical equations developed will help technicians and cattle farmers to rapidly and precisely estimate the minimum number of animals that should compose a production system to ensure economic viability for the adoption of an electronic method to weigh cattle

Violacein-Induced Chaperone System Collapse Underlies Multistage Antiplasmodial Activity

Antimalarial drugs with novel modes of action and wide therapeutic potential are needed to pave the way for malaria eradication. Violacein is a natural compound known for its biological activity against cancer cells and several pathogens, including the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum (Pf). Herein, using chemical genomic profiling (CGP), we found that violacein affects protein homeostasis. Mechanistically, violacein binds Pf chaperones, PfHsp90 and PfHsp70-1, compromising the latter's ATPase and chaperone activities. Additionally, violacein-treated parasites exhibited increased protein unfolding and proteasomal degradation. The uncoupling of the parasite stress response reflects the multistage growth inhibitory effect promoted by violacein. Despite evidence of proteotoxic stress, violacein did not inhibit global protein synthesis via UPR activation - a process that is highly dependent on chaperones, in agreement with the notion of a violacein-induced proteostasis collapse. Our data highlight the importance of a functioning chaperone-proteasome system for parasite development and differentiation. Thus, a violacein-like small molecule might provide a good scaffold for development of a novel probe for examining the molecular chaperone network and/or antiplasmodial drug design.publishersversionpublishe

MAMMALS IN PORTUGAL : A data set of terrestrial, volant, and marine mammal occurrences in P ortugal

Mammals are threatened worldwide, with 26% of all species being includedin the IUCN threatened categories. This overall pattern is primarily associatedwith habitat loss or degradation, and human persecution for terrestrial mam-mals, and pollution, open net fishing, climate change, and prey depletion formarine mammals. Mammals play a key role in maintaining ecosystems func-tionality and resilience, and therefore information on their distribution is cru-cial to delineate and support conservation actions. MAMMALS INPORTUGAL is a publicly available data set compiling unpublishedgeoreferenced occurrence records of 92 terrestrial, volant, and marine mam-mals in mainland Portugal and archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira thatincludes 105,026 data entries between 1873 and 2021 (72% of the data occur-ring in 2000 and 2021). The methods used to collect the data were: live obser-vations/captures (43%), sign surveys (35%), camera trapping (16%),bioacoustics surveys (4%) and radiotracking, and inquiries that represent lessthan 1% of the records. The data set includes 13 types of records: (1) burrowsjsoil moundsjtunnel, (2) capture, (3) colony, (4) dead animaljhairjskullsjjaws, (5) genetic confirmation, (6) inquiries, (7) observation of live animal (8),observation in shelters, (9) photo trappingjvideo, (10) predators dietjpelletsjpine cones/nuts, (11) scatjtrackjditch, (12) telemetry and (13) vocalizationjecholocation. The spatial uncertainty of most records ranges between 0 and100 m (76%). Rodentia (n=31,573) has the highest number of records followedby Chiroptera (n=18,857), Carnivora (n=18,594), Lagomorpha (n=17,496),Cetartiodactyla (n=11,568) and Eulipotyphla (n=7008). The data setincludes records of species classified by the IUCN as threatened(e.g.,Oryctolagus cuniculus[n=12,159],Monachus monachus[n=1,512],andLynx pardinus[n=197]). We believe that this data set may stimulate thepublication of other European countries data sets that would certainly contrib-ute to ecology and conservation-related research, and therefore assisting onthe development of more accurate and tailored conservation managementstrategies for each species. There are no copyright restrictions; please cite thisdata paper when the data are used in publications.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio