Accounting for covariate information in the scale component of spatio-temporal mixing models

Spatio-temporal processes in the environmental science are usually assumed to follow a Gaussian process, possibly after some transformation. Gaussian processes might not be appropriate to handle the presence of outlying observations. Our proposal is based on the idea of modelling the process as a scale mixture between a Gaussian and log-Gaussian process. And the novelty is to allow the scale process to vary as a function of covariates. The resultant model has a nonstationary covariance structure in space. Moreover, the resultant kurtosis varies with location, allowing the time series at each location to have different distributions with different tail behaviour. Inference procedure is performed under the Bayesian framework. The analysis of an artificial dataset illustrates how this proposal is able to capture heterogeneity in space caused by dependence on some spatial covariate or by a transformation of the process of interest. Furthermore, an application to maximum temperature data observed in the Spanish Basque country illustrates the effects of altitude in the variability of the process and how our proposed model identifies this dependence through parameters which can be interpreted as regression coefficients in the variance model

Perfil glucometabólico inicial en pacientes con síndrome coronario agudo y síndrome metabólico

BACKGROUND: Patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) are at high coronary risk and beta-cell dysfunction or insulin resistance might predict an additional risk for early cardiovascular events. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate early glucometabolic alterations in patients with MetS, but without previously known type 2 diabetes, after acute coronary syndrome. METHODS: A total of 114 patients were submitted to an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) 1-3 days after hospital discharge due to myocardial infarction or unstable angina. Based on the OGTT, we defined three groups of patients: normal glucose tolerance (NGT; n=26), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT; n=39), or diabetes (DM; n=49). The homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) was used to measure insulin resistance; beta-cell responsiveness was assessed by the insulinogenic index at 30 min (ΔI30/ΔG30). RESULTS: Based on the HOMA-IR, patients with DM were more insulin-resistant than those with NGT or IGT (p<0.001). According to the insulinogenic index, the beta-cell responsiveness was also impaired in subjects with DM (p<0.001 vs NGT or IGT). CONCLUSION: High rates of glucometabolic alterations were found after acute coronary syndrome in patients with MetS. As these abnormalities markedly increase the risk for adverse outcomes, early OGTT among MetS patients might be used to identify those at the highest coronary risk.FUNDAMENTO: Pacientes con síndrome metabólico (SM) tienen alto riesgo coronario y la disfunción de la célula beta o la resistencia a la insulina puede prever un riesgo adicional de eventos cardiovasculares precoces. OBJETIVO: Evaluar las alteraciones glucometabólicas precoces en pacientes con SM, pero sin diagnóstico de diabetes tipo 2, tras el síndrome coronario agudo. MÉTODOS: Un total de 114 pacientes fue sometido a la prueba oral de tolerancia a la glucosa (POTG), de un a tres días tras el alta hospitalaria, y luego de infarto agudo de miocardio o angina inestable. Basado en el POTG, definimos tres grupos de pacientes: tolerancia normal a la glucosa (TNG; n=26), tolerancia alterada a la glucosa (TAG; n=39) o diabetes mellitus (DM; n=49). Se utilizó el Modelo de Evaluación de la Homeostasis (HOMA-IR) para estimarse la resistencia a la insulina; se evaluó la responsividad de la célula beta a través del índice insulinogénico de 30 minutos (ΔI30/ΔG30). RESULTADOS: Basado en el HOMA-IR, los pacientes con DM se mostraban más insulinoresistentes que los individuos con TNG o TAG (p<0,001). De acuerdo con el índice insulinogénico, la responsividad de la célula beta también estaba alterada en individuos con DM (p<0,001 vs. TNG o TAG). CONCLUSIONES: Se encontraron altas tasas de alteraciones glucometabólicas tras el síndrome coronario agudo en pacientes con SM. Como esas anormalidades incrementan acentuadamente el riesgo de desenlaces adversos, el POTG precoz se puede utilizar en pacientes con SM para identificar a los que presentan mayor riesgo coronario.FUNDAMENTO: Pacientes com síndrome metabólica (SM) têm alto risco coronariano e a disfunção da célula beta ou resistência à insulina pode prever um risco adicional de eventos cardiovasculares precoces. OBJETIVO: Avaliar as alterações glicometabólicas precoces em pacientes com SM, mas sem diagnóstico de diabete tipo 2, após síndrome coronariana aguda. MÉTODOS: Um total de 114 pacientes foi submetido ao teste oral de tolerância à glicose (TOTG), 1-3 dias da alta hospitalar, após infarto agudo do miocárdio ou angina instável. Baseado no TOTG, definimos três grupos de pacientes: tolerância normal à glicose (TNG; n=26), tolerância alterada à glicose (TAG; n=39) ou diabetes mellitus (DM; n=49). O Modelo de Avaliação da Homeostase (HOMA-IR) foi usado para estimar a resistência à insulina; a responsividade da célula beta foi avaliada através do índice insulinogênico de 30 minutos (ΔI30/ΔG30). RESULTADOS: Baseado no HOMA-IR, os pacientes com DM eram mais insulino-resistentes do que aqueles com TNG ou TAG (p<0,001). De acordo com o índice insulinogênico, a responsividade da célula beta também estava alterada em indivíduos com DM (p<0,001 vs TNG ou TAG). CONCLUSÃO: Altas taxas de alterações glicometabólicas foram encontradas após síndrome coronariana aguda em pacientes com SM. Como essas anormalidades acentuadamente aumentam o risco de desfechos adversos, o TOTG precoce pode ser utilizado em pacientes com SM para identificar aqueles que apresentam maior risco coronariano.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)UNIFESPSciEL

Metal ion-zeolite nanomaterials for chemodynamic therapy

A new therapeutic approach called chemodynamic therapy (CDT), which can be defined as specific OH generation in cancer cells via Fenton reactions, was recently proposed.1 The advantages of CDT can be ascribed to the higher specificity, no external field penetration depth restriction, lower side effects in normal tissues, higher-level ROS generation, lack of equipment restrictions, and non-multidrug resistance, showing the promising future of CDT for clinical translation. The varied and highly controlled structural along with the chemical properties of inorganic nanomaterials, like zeolites, make them suitable for this type of CDT. Zeolites already proved to be interesting candidates for medical and healthcare applications, and also as Fenton heterogeneous catalysts for organic degradation. The aim of this study was to assess the dual activity (antibacterial and anticancer) of metal ion-zeolite nanomaterials. The prepared metal ion-zeolite nanomaterials were tested in vitro using a human skin cancer cell line, A375, and the anti-bacterial activity was evaluated against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA. Results obtained so far suggest that metal ion-zeolite nanomaterials could be explored as antibacterial and/or anticancer agents.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Molecular characterization of the Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis hsp60-hsp10 operon, and evaluation of the immune response and protective efficacy induced by hsp60 DNA vaccination in mice

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are important candidates for the development of vaccines because they are usually able to promote both humoral and cellular immune responses in mammals. We identified and characterized the <it>hsp60-hsp10 </it>bicistronic operon of the animal pathogen <it>Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis</it>, a Gram-positive bacterium of the class <it>Actinobacteria</it>, which causes caseous lymphadenitis (CLA) in small ruminants.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>To construct the DNA vaccine, the <it>hsp60 </it>gene of <it>C. pseudotuberculosis </it>was cloned in a mammalian expression vector. BALB/c mice were immunized by intramuscular injection with the recombinant plasmid (pVAX1/<it>hsp60</it>).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This vaccination induced significant anti-hsp60 IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a isotype production. However, immunization with this DNA vaccine did not confer protective immunity.</p

Perfil sociodemográfico, eventos de vida e características afetivas de pacientes com insuficiência renal crônica em tratamento por hemodiálise e diálise peritoneal: um estudo descritivo

The Chronic Renal Insufficiency (CRI) causes physical and psychological limitations to patients, leading to feelings of impotence and helplessness, and consequently to the emergency of several disorders and psychological difficulties. This study aimed to describe sociodemografic profile, events of life and affective characteristics of patients with chronic insufficience renal in treatment for hemodialysis (HD) and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Thirty patients in treatment for more than six months were included in the study, of which 15 were in treatment with HD and 15 with CAPD. The Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS), a semi-directed interview and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were used as instruments for evaluation. It was verified that the patients in HD possess greater probability to develop other problems of health (74%) and greater anxiety indices (47%). On the other hand, the patients in treatment for CAPD had presented greater depression incidence (47%).  A Insuficiência Renal Crônica (IRC) acarreta aos pacientes limitações físicas e psicológicas, o que provoca sentimentos de impotência e abandono, suscitando a emergência de diversas desordens e dificuldades psicológicas. O presente estudo teve como objetivos apresentar o perfil sociodemográfico, eventos de vida e características afetivas de pacientes com insuficiência renal crônica em tratamento por hemodiálise (HD) e diálise peritoneal ambulatorial contínua (CAPD). Foram incluídos neste estudo 30 sujeitos em tratamento, há mais de seis meses, sendo 15 sujeitos em tratamento por HD e 15 por CAPD. Como instrumentos, utilizaram-se: entrevista semidirigida, Escala de Avaliação do Reajustamento Social (EARS) e Escala de Ansiedade e Depressão Hospitalar (HADS). Verificou-se que os pacientes em HD possuem maior probabilidade de desenvolver outros problemas de saúde (74%) e maiores índices de ansiedade (47%). Em contrapartida, os pacientes em tratamento por CAPD apresentaram maior incidência de depressão (47%).

Effects of simvastatin/ezetimibe on microparticles, endothelial progenitor cells and platelet aggregation in subjects with coronary heart disease under antiplatelet therapy

It is not known whether the addition of ezetimibe to statins adds cardiovascular protection beyond the expected changes in lipid levels. Subjects with coronary heart disease were treated with four consecutive 1-week courses of therapy (T) and evaluations. The courses were: T1, 100 mg aspirin alone; T2, 100 mg aspirin and 40 mg simvastatin/10 mg ezetimibe; T3, 40 mg simvastatin/10 mg ezetimibe, and 75 mg clopidogrel (300 mg initial loading dose); T4, 75 mg clopidogrel alone. Platelet aggregation was examined in whole blood. Endothelial microparticles (CD51), platelet microparticles (CD42/CD31), and endothelial progenitor cells (CD34/CD133; CDKDR/CD133, or CD34/KDR) were quantified by flow cytometry. Endothelial function was examined by flow-mediated dilation. Comparisons between therapies revealed differences in lipids (T2 and T3T1 and T4, P=0.001). Decreased platelet aggregation was observed after aspirin (arachidonic acid, T1<T3 and T4, P=0.034) and clopidogrel (adenosine, T3 and T4<T1 and T2, P<0.0001) therapy. Simvastatin/ezetimibe diphosphate did not change platelet aggregation, the amount of circulating endothelial and platelet microparticles, or endothelial progenitor cells. Cardiovascular protection following therapy with simvastatin/ezetimibe seems restricted to lipid changes and improvement of endothelial function not affecting the release of microparticles, mobilization of endothelial progenitor cells or decreased platelet aggregation.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de Medicina Departamento de MedicinaUNIFESP, EPM, Depto. de MedicinaSciEL

A Predictive Model of Postnatal Surgical Intervention in Children With Prenatally Detected Congenital Anomalies of the Kidney and Urinary Tract

The aim of this study was to identify predictive factors and develop a model to assess individualized risk of postnatal surgical intervention in patients with antenatal hydronephrosis. This is a retrospective cohort study of 694 infants with prenatally detected congenital anomalies of kidney and urinary tract with a median follow-up time of 37 months. The main event of interest was postnatal surgical intervention. A predictive model was developed using Cox model with internal validation by bootstrap technique. Of 694 patients, 164 (24%) infants underwent surgical intervention in a median age of 7.8 months. Predictors of the surgical intervention in the model were: baseline glomerular filtration rate, associated hydronephrosis, presence of renal damage and the severity of renal pelvic dilatation. The optimism corrected c statistic for the model was 0.84 (95%CI, 0.82–0.87). The predictive model may contribute to identify infants at high risk for surgical intervention. Further studies are necessary to validate the model in patients from other settings