Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of data from preclinical studies employing forced swimming test:An update

Objective Forced swimming test (FST) in rodents is a widely used behavioural test for screening antidepressants in preclinical research. Translational value of preclinical studies may be improved by appraisal of the quality of experimental design and risk of biases, which remains to be addressed for FST. The present protocol of a systematic review with meta-analysis aims to investigate the quality of preclinical studies employing FST to identify risks of bias in future publications. In addition, this protocol will help to determine the effect sizes (ES) for primary and secondary outcomes according to several aspects of the FST study design. Search strategy, Screening annotation, Data management Publications reporting studies testing different classes of antidepressants in FST will be collected from Medline, SCOPUS and Web of Science databases. A broad list of inclusion criteria will be applied excluding those studies whereby FST is used as a stressor or studies reporting data from co-treatments. For assessing the quality of the included publications, the quality checklist adapted by Collaborative Approach to Meta-Analysis and Review of Animal Data from Experimental Studies will be used. If the meta-analysis seems feasible, the ES and the 95% CI will be analysed. The heterogeneity between studies will be assessed by using the χ2 statistic with n−1 degrees of freedom. Subgroup meta-analysis (metaregression, and if necessary, stratified regression) will be performed when possible according to characteristics of study design and study quality to assess their impact on efficacy of the treatments. In addition, funnel plotting, Egger regression, and ‘trim and fill’ will be used to assess the risk of publication bias. Results of this protocol will help to create rational methodological guidelines for application of FST in rodents and improve the quality and translational value of preclinical research on antidepressant discovery. Reporting A preliminary version of the present protocol has been preregistered with Systematic Review Facility (http://syrf.org.uk/). A preprint version of the current protocol has been registered with Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/9kxm4/). Results will be communicated in scientific meetings and peer-reviewed journals. We plan to conduct an anonymous and online survey within the scientific community to ask researchers about their perception of risk of bias and their experience with the publication of negative results.Fil: Ramos Hryb, Ana Belen. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina; Brasil. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Bahor, Z.. University of Edinburgh; Reino UnidoFil: McCann, Samuel M.. University of Edinburgh; Reino UnidoFil: Senar, Eduardo Santiago. University of Edinburgh; Reino UnidoFil: Macleod, M. R.. University of Edinburgh; Reino UnidoFil: Lino de Oliveira, Cilene. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina; Brasi

Detectability of smart proppants traced with gadolinium and samarium in the Vaca Muerta formation

The use of smart proppants traced with gadolinium and samarium was evaluated in a realistic model by Monte Carlo simulations. The addition of compounds with high thermal neutron capture cross section, such as gadolinium oxide (Gd₂O₃) and samarium oxide (Sm₂O₃) into ceramic proppants, makes them detectable after placement in induced fractures. Proppants traced with different oxide concentrations were studied in a generic borehole-formation-tool configuration, modeled with MCNP. The Vaca Muerta formation model was constructed based on measured geochemical data. A theoretical formation of water-saturated limestone with 20% porosity was also used as a reference case of study. The minimum concentration of gadolinium and samarium oxides needed, in order to make them detectable by logging tools, was determined. In the case of gadolinium, results are in agreement with previous reported values for Gd₂O3 addition of about 0.4% by weight of proppant. In the case of samarium, a minimum concentration of 1.25% by weight of Sm₂O₃ addition could be detected in both Limestone and Vaca Muerta formations.Centro de Tecnología de Recursos Minerales y Cerámic

Mortality of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder patients in an Argentinean population: a study from the RelevarEM registry

We aimed to evaluate mortality and causes of death among Argentinean neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients and identify predictors of death. Retrospective study included 158 NMOSD patients and 11 (7%) patients died after 11 years of follow-up for a total exposure time of 53,345 days with an overall incidence density of 2.06 × 10.000 patients/day (95% CI 1.75-2.68). Extensive cervical myelitis with respiratory failure (45%) was the most frequent cause of death. Older age (HR = 2.05, p = 0.002) and higher disability score (HR = 2.30, p < 0.001) at disease onset were independent predictors of death. We found an 11-year mortality rate of 7% in Argentinean NMOSD patients

Assessing attacks and treatment response rates among adult patients with NMOSD and MOGAD: data from a nationwide registry in Argentina

We aimed to examine treatment interventions implemented in patients experiencing neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) attacks (frequency, types, and response). METHODS: Retrospective study. Data on patient demographic, clinical and radiological findings, and administered treatments were collected. Remission status (complete [CR], partial [PR], no remission [NR]), based on changes in the EDSS score was evaluated before treatment, during attack, and at 6 months. CR was analyzed with a generalized estimating equations (GEEs) model. RESULTS: A total of 131 patients (120 NMOSD and 11 myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-antibody-associated diseases [MOGAD]), experiencing 262 NMOSD-related attacks and receiving 270 treatments were included. High-dose steroids (81.4%) was the most frequent treatment followed by plasmapheresis (15.5%). CR from attacks was observed in 47% (105/223) of all treated patients. During the first attack, we observed CR:71.2%, PR:16.3% and NR:12.5% after the first course of treatment. For second, third, fourth, and fifth attacks, CR was observed in 31.1%, 10.7%, 27.3%, and 33.3%, respectively. Remission rates were higher for optic neuritis vs. myelitis (p < 0.001). Predictor of CR in multivariate GEE analysis was age in both NMOSD (OR = 2.27, p = 0.002) and MOGAD (OR = 1.53, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests individualization of treatment according to age and attack manifestation. The outcome of attacks was generally poor

Paraganglioma-like dermal melanocytic tumor: a rare skin lesion

Paraganglioma, еxperimental оncolog

«ЧОРНОБИЛЬ – 2017» – СТРАТЕГІЯ ПРИРОДОКОРИСТУВАННЯ НА ПОПЕРЕДЖЕННЯ РАДІАЦІЙНОГЕННИХ СИТУАЦІЙ (ЗА МАТЕРІАЛАМИ НАУКОВО-ПРАКТИЧНОЇ КОНФЕРЕНЦІЇ 24-26.04.2017)

Чорнобильської АЕС. Завершення 30-річного періоду піврозпаду радіонуклідів 137 Cs та 90 Sr . Тисячі людських життів, страшні екологічні радіаційні наслідки. Що чекає людство Землі у післяаварійні роки, доповнені наслідками розпаду блоків реактора АЕС «Фукусіма» внаслідок цунамі (Японія) три роки тому? Які ризики чекають після цих техногенних аварій та волюнтаристських рішень директивних органів щодо розміщення промислових об’єктів? У огляді розглянуті основні проблеми формування сучасної радіоекологічної ситуації у зоні відселення та за гідроекологічними проблемами ведення народного господарства, збереження здоров’я населення

Нормирование аллохтонных нагрузок на водную среду речных бассейнов в пределах урбанизированных территорий

Предложена методика нормирования демографической (антропичной) нагрузки на речной бассейн