1,362 research outputs found
COVID-19 Mortality and Case-Fatality Rates in Sergipe State, Northeast Brazil, From April to June 2020
Information on how coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mortality is related to population characteristics in low- and middle-income countries is still limited. We described the deaths from COVID-19 in Sergipe state, Northeast Brazil, from April 2 to June 27, 2020. For this purpose, we conducted a study composed of (i) a case series study of all deaths due to COVID-19 and (ii) a population-based study to verify the behavior of the mortality and case-fatality rates (CFR) related to COVID-19. Data from 605 deaths due to COVID-19 were used to describe the characteristics of individuals with the disease, as well as the differences in gender, age, and comorbidities. Additionally, population data were extracted to estimate the mortality and CFR by population stratum. We also performed an adjusted CFR analysis including a time lag of 14 days between the onset of symptoms and reporting deaths. Of the 605 patients included in this study, 321 (53.1%) were males and the median age was 67.0 years. Most patients (n = 447, 73.9%) who died from COVID-19 had at least one pre-existing clinical condition. The mortality rate was 29.3 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants and the crude CRF was 2.6% (95% CI 2.4â2.8). CFR was higher in males (3.1%, 95% CI 2.8â3.4; p < 0.001) and people aged =60 years (14.2%, 95% CI 13.0â15.6; p = 0.042). About 25% of patients died during the first 24-h post-hospital admission. The adjusted CFR for a 14-day time lag was ~2-fold higher than the crude CFR over the study period.We dedicated this article to all health professionals who are facing COVID-19. This study was part of the EpiSERGIPE project. NM thanks the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology under the Horizon 2020 Program (PTDC/PSI-GER/280 76/2017)
Lowâcost tools mitigate climate change during reproduction in an endangered marine ectotherm
This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Wiley via the DOI in this recordData Availability Statement:
Data available via the Dryad Digital Repository https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.3r2280gfq. (Clarke et al., 2021)The impacts of anthropogenic climate change will be most dramatic for species that live in narrow thermal niches, such as reptiles. Given the imminent threat to biodiversity, and that actions to reduce carbon emissions are not yet sufficient, it is important that a sound evidence base of potential mitigation options is available for conservation managers.
Successful incubation and production of male sea turtle hatchlings is threatened by increased global temperatures (sex is determined by the temperature at which eggs incubate). Here we test two conservation tools to reduce incubation temperatures: clutch splitting and clutch shading, on a nesting loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) population in the Eastern Atlantic Ocean.
During the thermosensitive period of incubation, split and shaded clutches were both 1.00 ËC cooler than control nests. Clutch splitting (mean: 45 eggs) reduced nest temperatures by reducing metabolic heating during incubation compared to controls (mean: 92 eggs). Modelled primary sex ratios differed between nest treatments, with 1.50 % (± 6 % S.E.) females produced in shaded nests, 45.00 % (± 7 % S.E.) females in split nests and 69.00 % (± 6% S.E.) females in controls. Neither treatment affected hatchling size, success, mass or vigour. When clutch splitting was repeated two years later, hatch success was higher in split clutches compared to controls.
Synthesis and Applications: Clutch splitting and clutch shading successfully altered the thermal profile of incubating turtle nests. When there is sufficient knowledge to better understand the effects of intervention on fundamental population demographics, they will be useful for reducing incubation temperatures in sea turtle nests, potentially increasing nest survival and male hatchling production. The effect of clutch splitting in reducing nest temperature was lower relative to clutch shading, but requires significantly less funding, materials and specialist skill, key factors for management of turtle rookeries that are often in remote, resourceâlimited areas.Worldwide Fund for NatureWAVE Foundation of Newport Aquariu
Unlocking the in vitroanti- inflammatory and antidiabetic potential of Polygonum maritimum
Context: Several Polygonum species (Polygonaceae) are used in traditional medicine in Asia, Europe and Africa to treat inflammation and diabetes. Objective: Evaluate the in vitro antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic potential of methanol and dichloromethane extracts of leaves and roots of the halophyte Polygonum maritimum L. Material and methods: Antioxidant activity was determined (up to 1mg/mL) as radical-scavenging activity (RSA) of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS), copper (CCA) and iron (ICA) chelating activities and iron reducing power (FRAP). NO production was measured in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages for 24 h at concentrations up to 100 mu g/mL and antidiabetic potential was assessed by alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase inhibition (up to 10 g/mL) assays. The phytochemical composition of the extracts was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results: The methanol leaf extract had the highest activity against DPPH center dot (IC50 = 26 mu g/mL) and ABTS1(+)center dot (IC50 = 140 mu g FRAP (IC50 = 48 mu g/mL) and CCA (IC50 = 770 mu g/mL). Only the dichloromethane leaf extract (LDCM) showed anti-inflammatory activity (IC50 = 48 mu g/mL). The methanol root (IC50 = 19 mu g/mL) and leaf (IC50 = 29 mu g/mL) extracts strongly inhibited baker's yeast alpha-glucosidase, but LDCM had higher rat's alpha-glucosidase inhibition (IC50 = 2527 mu g/mL) than acarbose (IC50 = 4638 mu g/mL). GC-MS analysis identified beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol, 1-octacosanol and linolenic acid as possible molecules responsible for the observed bioactivities. Conclusions: Our findings suggest P. maritimum as a source of high-value health promoting commodities for alleviating symptoms associated with oxidative and inflammatory diseases, including diabetes.XtremeBio project - Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) [PTDC/MAR-EST/4346/2012]; Portuguese National Budget; FCT [CCMAR/Multi/04326/ 2013, IF/00049/2012, SFRH/BPD/86071/2012, UID/Multi/00612/2013
ISUOG Practice Guidelines: role of ultrasound in screening for and follow-up of pre-eclampsia.
Histomorphometric analysis of inflammatory response and necrosis in re-implanted central incisor of rats treated with low-level laser therapy
Low-level laser therapy is a tool employed in the management of post-operative inflammation process and in the enhancement of reparative process. The aim of the study was to perform histological evaluation of dental and periodontal ligament of rats central upper-left incisor teeth re-implanted and irradiated with low-level laser (InGaAl, 685Â nm, 50Â J/cm2) 15, 30, and 60Â days after re-implantation. Seventy-two male rats had the central upper left incisor removed and kept for 15 min on dry gauze before replantation. Laser was irradiated over the root surface and empty alveolus prior replantation and over surrounding mucosa after the re-implantation. After histological procedures, all slices were analyzed regarding external resorption area and histological aspects. We observed an increase of root resorption (pâ<â0.05) in the control group compared to the laser group at 15, 30, and 60Â days. These results showed that the laser groups developed less root resorption areas than the control group in all experimental periods. Additionally, histological analysis revealed less inflammatory cells and necrotic areas in laser groups
Lowâcost tools mitigate climate change during reproduction in an endangered marine ectotherm
This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Wiley via the DOI in this recordData Availability Statement:
Data available via the Dryad Digital Repository https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.3r2280gfq. (Clarke et al., 2021)The impacts of anthropogenic climate change will be most dramatic for species that live in narrow thermal niches, such as reptiles. Given the imminent threat to biodiversity, and that actions to reduce carbon emissions are not yet sufficient, it is important that a sound evidence base of potential mitigation options is available for conservation managers.
Successful incubation and production of male sea turtle hatchlings is threatened by increased global temperatures (sex is determined by the temperature at which eggs incubate). Here we test two conservation tools to reduce incubation temperatures: clutch splitting and clutch shading, on a nesting loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) population in the Eastern Atlantic Ocean.
During the thermosensitive period of incubation, split and shaded clutches were both 1.00 ËC cooler than control nests. Clutch splitting (mean: 45 eggs) reduced nest temperatures by reducing metabolic heating during incubation compared to controls (mean: 92 eggs). Modelled primary sex ratios differed between nest treatments, with 1.50 % (± 6 % S.E.) females produced in shaded nests, 45.00 % (± 7 % S.E.) females in split nests and 69.00 % (± 6% S.E.) females in controls. Neither treatment affected hatchling size, success, mass or vigour. When clutch splitting was repeated two years later, hatch success was higher in split clutches compared to controls.
Synthesis and Applications: Clutch splitting and clutch shading successfully altered the thermal profile of incubating turtle nests. When there is sufficient knowledge to better understand the effects of intervention on fundamental population demographics, they will be useful for reducing incubation temperatures in sea turtle nests, potentially increasing nest survival and male hatchling production. The effect of clutch splitting in reducing nest temperature was lower relative to clutch shading, but requires significantly less funding, materials and specialist skill, key factors for management of turtle rookeries that are often in remote, resourceâlimited areas.Worldwide Fund for NatureWAVE Foundation of Newport Aquariu
Gene diversity in grevillea populations introduced in Brazil and its implication on management of genetic resources.
A variabilidade isoenzimĂĄtica para seis populaçÔes de Grevillea robusta, oriundas de um teste de procedĂȘncias/progenies, implantado no delineamento em blocos casualizados com 5 plantas por parcela, no Sul do Brasil, Ă© descrita. A estrutura genĂ©tica da população foi analisada utilizando-se marcadores bioquĂmicos, aos 5 anos de idade, especificamente para os locos MDH-3, PGM-2, DIA-2, PO-1, PO-2, SOD-1, e SKDH-1. As procedĂȘncias do norte de ocorrĂȘncia natural (Rathdowney e Woodenbong) apresentaram divergĂȘncia genĂ©tica superior, em relação Ă mĂ©dia das progĂȘnies, considerando o nĂșmero de alelos por locus, (Ap), a riqueza alĂ©lica (Rs), a diversidade genĂ©tica de Nei (H), e o coeficiente de endogamia (f). A endogamia foi detectada em diversos graus. A testemunha comercial apresentou o maior coeficiente de endogamia, (f = 0,4448), comparativamente Ă mĂ©dia das procedĂȘncias (f = 0,2306), possivelmente devido Ă insuficiente amostragem populacional na regiĂŁo de origem (AustrĂĄlia). Apesar de sua ocorrĂȘncia natural restrita, observou-se correlação positiva entre divergĂȘncia genĂ©tica e distĂąncia geogrĂĄfica entre as populaçÔes originais. A distĂąncia genĂ©tica e anĂĄlise de cluster, baseada no modelo bayesiano, mostrou trĂȘs grupos de procedĂȘncias distintos: 1) Rathdowney- QLD e Woodenbong-QLD; 2) Paddy?s Flat-NSW; e 3) Mann River-NSW, Boyd River-NSW e a testemunha comercial (material utilizado no Brasil). O agrupamento da testemunha com as procedĂȘncias Mann River-NSW e Boyd River-NSW sugere um maior potencial das procedĂȘncias do norte para o melhoramento genĂ©tico visando Ă produção de madeira no Brasil, devido a sua elevada diversidade genĂ©tica e baixo coeficiente de endogamia
A comparison of metrics for estimating phylogenetic signal under alternative evolutionary models
Relationship between functional fitness, medication costs and mood in elderly people
Objective: to verify if functional fitness (FF) is associated with the annual cost of medication consumption and mood states (MSt) in elderly people. Methods: a cross-sectional study with 229 elderly people aged 65 years or more at Santa Casa de MisericĂłrdia de Coimbra, Portugal. Seniors with physical and psychological limitations were excluded, as well as those using medication that limits performance on the tests. The Senior Fitness Test was used to evaluate FF, and the Profile of Mood States - Short Form to evaluate the MSt. The statistical analysis was based on Mancova, with adjustment for age, for comparison between men and women, and adjustment for sex, for comparison between cardiorespiratory fitness quintiles. The association between the variables under study was made with partial correlation, controlling for the effects of age, sex and body mass index. Results: an inverse correlation between cardiorespiratory fitness and the annual cost of medication consumption was found (p < 0.01). FF is also inversely associated with MSt (p < 0.05). Comparisons between cardiorespiratory fitness quintiles showed higher medication consumption costs in seniors with lower aerobic endurance, as well as higher deterioration in MSt (p < 0.01). Conclusion: elderly people with better FF and, specifically, better cardiorespiratory fitness present lower medication consumption costs and a more positive MSt
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