Geographic Distribution of Childhood Cancer in Brazil and the Time between the Diagnosis and the Start of Treatment: An Analysis of Hospital-Based Cancer Registries, 2010-2016

Objective: To analyze the distribution of childhood cancer in Brazil and the time between the diagnosis and the start of treatment, according to hospital-based cancer registries (2010-2016). Material and Methods: This was an observational descriptive study using secondary data (36,187 records) from hospital databases of the National Cancer Institute (INCA) and the Onco-center Foundation of São Paulo (FOSP). Epidemiological data were obtained, and compliance with Federal Law 12,732/12 was verified, which establishes a maximum period of 60 days to start cancer therapy after the diagnosis. Absolute and percent frequencies, central tendency and dispersion measures, and the coefficient of prevalence of childhood cancer were calculated. Results: The mean age of the pediatric patients was 9.3 years (± 6.2); 54.1% (n=19,586) of them were males; 32.0% (n=11,440) were aged 0 to 4 years; and 43.4% (n=11,338) had a self-reported mixed-race skin color. The Southeast region of Brazil accounted for 40.2% (n=14,564) of the cases, of which 63.0% (n=9,178) corresponded to solid neoplasms, as opposed to the North region, where hematological neoplasms prevailed (53.9%, n=1,535). Most registered patients aged 0 to 19 years were treated in 60 days or less (77%, n=27,929). However, for 24.0% (n = 2,207) of adolescents (15 to 19 years) this time was more than 60 days after the diagnosis. Conclusion: The characteristics related to childhood cancer varied across the Brazilian geographic regions, and most patients were properly treated within the time enforced by law

Mixed volumetric models in clones of Eucalyptus in the gypsum pole of Araripe, Pernambuco

O presente estudo teve como objetivo estimar o volume de clones de Eucalyptus utilizando modelos mistos. A base de dados foi proveniente de um povoamento de clones de Eucalyptus localizado na Chapada do Araripe, no semiárido do estado de Pernambuco. Foram cubadas rigorosamente, pelo método de Smalian, 89 árvores na idade de sete anos e meio. O modelo de Schumacher e Hall foi utilizado como testemunha, para comparação com os modelos não lineares mistos. Os ajustes dos modelos mistos foram realizados adotando-se seis estruturas distintas para a matriz de variância e covariância. A seleção da melhor equação se deu por meio do critério de informação de Akaike (AIC), Teste da Razão de Máxima Verossimilhança (TRMV), Erro Percentual Absoluto Médio (EPAM) e Teste de Vuong. De acordo com os critérios adotados, os modelos mistos obtiveram melhores ajustes quando comparados com o modelo clássico de Schumacher e Hall, apresentando uma redução no erro percentual absoluto médio de 4,6% para 3,2%. Diante dos resultados obtidos, os modelos mistos não lineares se mostram bastante eficazes para modelagem do volume de Eucalyptus e tendem a contribuir para a redução dos custos do inventário com uma maior acurácia.AbstractMixed volumetric models in clones of Eucalyptus in the gypsum pole of Araripe, Pernambuco. The present research aimed to estimate the volume of Eucalyptus clones using mixed models. The database was derived from an experiment of Eucalyptus clones, located in the Chapada do Araripe, semiarid of the Pernambuco State. 89 trees were cubed by the method Smalian at the age of seven and a half years. The model of Schumacher and Hall was used as a control for comparison with the nonlinear mixed models. The adjustments of the mixed models were performed by adopting six distinct structures for the matrix of variances and covariances. The selection the best equation was done using the Akaike information criterion (AIC) Test Likelihood Ratio (TRMV), Mean Absolute Percentage Error (EPAM) and Vuong test. According to the criteria adopted, mixed models obtain better adjustments when compared with the classical model of Schumacher and Hall, resulting in a decrease in mean absolute percentage error of 4.6% to 3.2%. Based on these results, the nonlinear mixed models appear quite effective for modeling the volume of Eucalyptus and tend to contribute to the reduction of inventory costs with greater accuracy.Keywords: Forest inventory; volumetric estimation; comparing models.AbstractThe present research aimed to estimate the volume of Eucalyptus clones using mixed models. The database was derived from an experiment of Eucalyptus clones, located in the Chapada do Araripe, semiarid of the Pernambuco State. 89 trees were cubed by the method Smalian at the age of seven and a half years. The model of Schumacher and Hall was used as a control for comparison with the nonlinear mixed models. The adjustments of the mixed models were performed by adopting six distinct structures for the matrix of variances and covariances. The selection the best equation was done using the Akaike information criterion (AIC) Test Likelihood Ratio (TRMV), Mean Absolute Percentage Error (EPAM) and Vuong test. According to the criteria adopted, mixed models obtain better adjustments when compared with the classical model of Schumacher and Hall, resulting in a decrease in mean absolute percentage error of 4.6% to 3.2%. Based on these results, the nonlinear mixed models appear quite effective for modeling the volume of Eucalyptus and tend to contribute to the reduction of inventory costs with greater accuracy

Characterization of childhood cancer in Brazil from the hospital-based cancer registries, 2000-2016 / Caracterização do câncer infantojuvenil no Brasil a partir dos Registros Hospitalares de Câncer (RHC), 2000-2016

Objective: To characterize childhood cancer in Brazil, based on the national and regional investigation of hospital-based cancer registrie, from 2000 to 2016. Methods: Observational, retrospective and secondary-based study, with a sample of 71,925 records containing information of children and adolescents (0 to 19 years old). Results: Childhood cancer was more frequent in males (54.3%), among children aged 0 to 4 years (31.1%), with brown skin color (40.4%), and residents of the region Northeast (59.7%). Leukemias, myeloproliferative diseases and myelodysplastic diseases (28.8%) were the most relevant pathologies. There was a predominance of solid tumors (58.5) and chemotherapy was the most commonly administered therapy at the beginning of treatment (48.7%). It was noticed that 78.6% of the individuals started the treatment within 60 days after diagnostic confirmation. Conclusion: It was possible to know the demographic, clinical and care profile of children and adolescents with cancer in Brazil, and by region.Objetivo: Caracterizar el cáncer infantil en Brasil, con base en la investigación nacional y regional de registros hospitalarios de cáncer (RHC), de 2000 a 2016. Métodos: Estudio observacional, retrospectivo y secundario, con una muestra de 71,925 registros que contienen información de niños. y adolescentes (0 a 19 años). Resultados: El cáncer infantil fue más frecuente en hombres (54,3%), entre niños de 0 a 4 años (31,1%), con piel morena (40,4%) y residentes de la región Nordeste (59,7%). Las leucemias, las enfermedades mieloproliferativas y las enfermedades mielodisplásicas (28,8%) fueron las patologías más relevantes. Hubo predominio de los tumores sólidos (58,5) y la quimioterapia fue la terapia más administrada al inicio del tratamiento (48,7%). Se observó que el 78,6% de los individuos inició el tratamiento dentro de los 60 días posteriores a la confirmación del diagnóstico. Conclusión: fue posible conocer el perfil demográfico, clínico y de atención de niños y adolescentes con cáncer en Brasil y por región.Objetivo: caracterizar o câncer infantojuvenil no Brasil, a partir da investigação nacional e regional dos registros hospitalares de câncer (RHC), no período de 2000 a 2016. Métodos: estudo observacional, retrospectivo e de base secundária, com amostra de 71.925 registros contendo informações de crianças e adolescentes (0 a 19 anos). Resultados: o câncer infantojuvenil foi mais frequente no sexo masculino (54,3%), entre crianças de 0 e 4 anos de idade (31,1%), com cor de pele parda (40,4%), e residentes da região Nordeste (59,7%). As leucemias, doenças mieloproliferativas e doenças mielodisplásicas (28,8%) foram as patologias mais relevantes. Houve predominância dos tumores sólidos (58,5) e a quimioterapia foi a terapêutica mais administrada no início do tratamento (48,7%). Percebeu-se que 78,6% dos indivíduos iniciaram o tratamento até 60 dias após comprovação diagnóstica. Conclusão: foi possível conhecer o perfil demográfico, clínico e assistencial das crianças e adolescentes com câncer no Brasil, e por regiões.

Antinociceptive and Anti-Inflammatory Activity from Algae of the Genus Caulerpa

Marine natural products have been the focus of discovery for new products of chemical and pharmacological interest. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antinociceptive activity of the methanolic (ME), acetate (AE), hexanic (HE) and chloroform (CE) extracts obtained from Caulerpa mexicana, and ME, CE and HE obtained from Caulerpa sertularioides. These marine algae are found all over the world, mainly in tropical regions. Models such as the writhing test, the hot plate test and formalin-induced nociception test were used to evaluate antinociceptive activity in laboratory mice. In the writhing test, all the extracts were administered orally at a concentration of 100 mg/kg, and induced high peripheral antinociceptive activity, with a reduction in the nociception induced by acetic acid above 65%. In the hot plate test, treatment with extracts from C. sertularioides (100 mg/kg, p.o.) did not significantly increase the latency of response, although the ME, AE and HE from C. mexicana showed activity in this model. This result suggests that these extracts exhibit antinociceptive activity. In the formalin test, it was observed that ME, AE and HE obtained from C. mexicana reduced the effects of formalin in both phases. On the other hand only CE from C. sertularioides induced significant inhibition of the nociceptive response in the first phase. To better assess the potential anti-inflammatory activity of the extracts, the carrageenan-induced peritonitis test was used to test Caulerpa spp. extracts on cell migration into the peritoneal cavity. In this assay, all extracts evaluated were able to significantly inhibit leukocyte migration into the peritoneal cavity in comparison with carrageenan. These data demonstrate that extracts from Caulerpa species elicit pronounced antinociceptive and anti-inflamatory activity against several nociception models. However, pharmacological and chemical studies are continuing in order to characterize the mechanism(s) responsible for the antinociceptive action and also to identify the active principles present in the Caulerpa species

Pervasive gaps in Amazonian ecological research

Biodiversity loss is one of the main challenges of our time,1,2 and attempts to address it require a clear un derstanding of how ecological communities respond to environmental change across time and space.3,4 While the increasing availability of global databases on ecological communities has advanced our knowledge of biodiversity sensitivity to environmental changes,5–7 vast areas of the tropics remain understudied.8–11 In the American tropics, Amazonia stands out as the world’s most diverse rainforest and the primary source of Neotropical biodiversity,12 but it remains among the least known forests in America and is often underrepre sented in biodiversity databases.13–15 To worsen this situation, human-induced modifications16,17 may elim inate pieces of the Amazon’s biodiversity puzzle before we can use them to understand how ecological com munities are responding. To increase generalization and applicability of biodiversity knowledge,18,19 it is thus crucial to reduce biases in ecological research, particularly in regions projected to face the most pronounced environmental changes. We integrate ecological community metadata of 7,694 sampling sites for multiple or ganism groups in a machine learning model framework to map the research probability across the Brazilian Amazonia, while identifying the region’s vulnerability to environmental change. 15%–18% of the most ne glected areas in ecological research are expected to experience severe climate or land use changes by 2050. This means that unless we take immediate action, we will not be able to establish their current status, much less monitor how it is changing and what is being lostinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

NEOTROPICAL XENARTHRANS: a data set of occurrence of xenarthran species in the Neotropics

Xenarthrans – anteaters, sloths, and armadillos – have essential functions for ecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosystem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts with 24 domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, ten anteaters, and six sloths. Our dataset includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae (3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data on Dasypus pilosus (Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized, but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In this data-paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence and quantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is from the south of the USA, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to its austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n=5,941), and Cyclopes sp. has the fewest (n=240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n=11,588), and the least recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n=33). With regards to sloth species, Bradypus variegatus has the most records (n=962), and Bradypus pygmaeus has the fewest (n=12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to make occurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly if we integrate the xenarthran data with other datasets of Neotropical Series which will become available very soon (i.e. Neotropical Carnivores, Neotropical Invasive Mammals, and Neotropical Hunters and Dogs). Therefore, studies on trophic cascades, hunting pressure, habitat loss, fragmentation effects, species invasion, and climate change effects will be possible with the Neotropical Xenarthrans dataset

The complete genome sequence of Chromobacterium violaceum reveals remarkable and exploitable bacterial adaptability

Chromobacterium violaceum is one of millions of species of free-living microorganisms that populate the soil and water in the extant areas of tropical biodiversity around the world. Its complete genome sequence reveals (i) extensive alternative pathways for energy generation, (ii) ≈500 ORFs for transport-related proteins, (iii) complex and extensive systems for stress adaptation and motility, and (iv) wide-spread utilization of quorum sensing for control of inducible systems, all of which underpin the versatility and adaptability of the organism. The genome also contains extensive but incomplete arrays of ORFs coding for proteins associated with mammalian pathogenicity, possibly involved in the occasional but often fatal cases of human C. violaceum infection. There is, in addition, a series of previously unknown but important enzymes and secondary metabolites including paraquat-inducible proteins, drug and heavy-metal-resistance proteins, multiple chitinases, and proteins for the detoxification of xenobiotics that may have biotechnological applications

Impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular testing in the United States versus the rest of the world

Objectives: This study sought to quantify and compare the decline in volumes of cardiovascular procedures between the United States and non-US institutions during the early phase of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the care of many non-COVID-19 illnesses. Reductions in diagnostic cardiovascular testing around the world have led to concerns over the implications of reduced testing for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Methods: Data were submitted to the INCAPS-COVID (International Atomic Energy Agency Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocols Study of COVID-19), a multinational registry comprising 909 institutions in 108 countries (including 155 facilities in 40 U.S. states), assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of diagnostic cardiovascular procedures. Data were obtained for April 2020 and compared with volumes of baseline procedures from March 2019. We compared laboratory characteristics, practices, and procedure volumes between U.S. and non-U.S. facilities and between U.S. geographic regions and identified factors associated with volume reduction in the United States. Results: Reductions in the volumes of procedures in the United States were similar to those in non-U.S. facilities (68% vs. 63%, respectively; p = 0.237), although U.S. facilities reported greater reductions in invasive coronary angiography (69% vs. 53%, respectively; p < 0.001). Significantly more U.S. facilities reported increased use of telehealth and patient screening measures than non-U.S. facilities, such as temperature checks, symptom screenings, and COVID-19 testing. Reductions in volumes of procedures differed between U.S. regions, with larger declines observed in the Northeast (76%) and Midwest (74%) than in the South (62%) and West (44%). Prevalence of COVID-19, staff redeployments, outpatient centers, and urban centers were associated with greater reductions in volume in U.S. facilities in a multivariable analysis. Conclusions: We observed marked reductions in U.S. cardiovascular testing in the early phase of the pandemic and significant variability between U.S. regions. The association between reductions of volumes and COVID-19 prevalence in the United States highlighted the need for proactive efforts to maintain access to cardiovascular testing in areas most affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 infection

Pervasive gaps in Amazonian ecological research

Biodiversity loss is one of the main challenges of our time,1,2 and attempts to address it require a clear understanding of how ecological communities respond to environmental change across time and space.3,4 While the increasing availability of global databases on ecological communities has advanced our knowledge of biodiversity sensitivity to environmental changes,5,6,7 vast areas of the tropics remain understudied.8,9,10,11 In the American tropics, Amazonia stands out as the world's most diverse rainforest and the primary source of Neotropical biodiversity,12 but it remains among the least known forests in America and is often underrepresented in biodiversity databases.13,14,15 To worsen this situation, human-induced modifications16,17 may eliminate pieces of the Amazon's biodiversity puzzle before we can use them to understand how ecological communities are responding. To increase generalization and applicability of biodiversity knowledge,18,19 it is thus crucial to reduce biases in ecological research, particularly in regions projected to face the most pronounced environmental changes. We integrate ecological community metadata of 7,694 sampling sites for multiple organism groups in a machine learning model framework to map the research probability across the Brazilian Amazonia, while identifying the region's vulnerability to environmental change. 15%–18% of the most neglected areas in ecological research are expected to experience severe climate or land use changes by 2050. This means that unless we take immediate action, we will not be able to establish their current status, much less monitor how it is changing and what is being lost