A resposta de morcegos insetívoros à cobertura vegetal é dependente da escala espacial?

Dissertação (mestrado)—Universidade de Brasília, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Ecologia, 2019.O Cerrado é um bioma brasileiro marcado por um mosaico de fitofisionomias. Este, contudo, tem sido ameaçado devido à supressão da vegetação nativa para usos múltiplos. Assim, informações acerca da resposta da fauna silvestre às mudanças na estrutura da vegetação são essenciais, especialmente no Cerrado. O presente estudo avaliou a extensão pela qual a estrutura da vegetação nativa exerce influência sobre a atividade e composição de morcegos insetívoros em uma área de proteção circundada por atividade agrícola. A fim de se estimar a atividade desses morcegos, passes acústicos foram analisados utilizando – se o software Avisoft SASLab Pro. Para identificação das espécies, tais dados foram comparados à literatura. A percentagem de cobertura da vegetação para cada uma das escalas (25m – 300m de raio) foi estimada por imagens de satélite e analisadas no software QGIS 3.6.3. Modelos lineares generalizados foram gerados para analisar a relação entre atividade de morcegos e a porcentagem de cobertura vegetal. Foram contabilizados 4.993 passes de morcegos insetívoros - 15,5% (773) de morcegos de áreas abertas e 70,3% (3,511) de áreas de borda. Os resultados demonstraram que a atividade entre os grupos diferiu (p – value = 0,03423). Os valores de NDVI indicaram presença de vegetação predominantemente caracterizada por formações campestres, com presença de manchas esparsas de formação savânica herbáceo – arbustivas em todos os pontos amostrados. Não houve forte correlação entre atividade de morcegos e porcentagem de cobertura vegetal nas escalas menores que 300m de raio. Tais resultados sugerem que a utilização de escalas espaciais maiores às utilizadas podem ser mais informativas para investigar a resposta de morcegos insetívoros à cobertura vegetal em fitofisionomias savânicas com predominância de formações campestres. Ainda, é possível que a atividade de morcegos insetívoros aéreos seja mais fortemente associada a outras variáveis ambientais não analisadas no presente estudo, como a estrutura da vegetação. Dessa forma, recomenda–se avaliar a resposta de morcegos insetívoros aéreos à vegetação sob múltiplas escalas espaciaisCerrado is a extensive biome in Brazil, characterized by a mosaic of phytophysiognomies. However, it has been severely threatened due to intensive human actions, which promote native vegetation suppression to multiple land uses. Considering those anthropic pressures, information on the wildlife responses to vegetation structure is essential, especially in Cerrado. In this context, the present study aimed to evaluate to what extent vegetation structure strongly influences the activity and species composition of insectivorous bats in a protected area surrounded by agriculture. Insectivorous bat passes were analyzed using the software Avisoft SASLab Pro. After, echolocation passes and feeding buzzes were counted to estimate bat activity and buzz ratio, respectively, in each site. We then identified the passes at species level based on specific literature. To estimate percentage of vegetation cover, we processed satellite images in the QGIS 3.6.3 software to each of the eight circular landscapes scales (25m – 300m in radius). We then modeled the relationship between bat activity and percentage of vegetation cover. Overall, 4.993 insectivorous bat passes were counted, 15.5% (773) IAU and 70.3% (3.511) IAB passes. The results showed bat activity difference between the guilds (p – value = 0.03423). NDVI values revealed low active biomass in all the sites, characterizing grassland areas predominantly, with sparse shrub and herbaceous vegetation in minor percentage. In opposition to the expected, there was no strong correlation between bat activity and percentage of vegetation cover to scales smaller up to 300m in radius. These results suggest that the use of spatial scales relatively larger than those used may be more appropriate and informative to investigate the response of insectivorous bats to vegetation cover in predominant grassland savannah formations. In addition, insectivorous bats may respond stronger to vegetation structure than only percent vegetation cover

Are we giving it too much credit?

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 is a new form of acute respiratory failure leading to multiorgan failure and ICU admission. Gathered evidence suggests that a 3-fold rise in D-dimer concentrations may be linked to poor prognosis and higher mortality. PURPOSE: To describe D-dimer admission profile in severe ICU COVID19 patients and its predictive role in outcomes and mortality. METHODS: Single-center retrospective cohort study. All adult patients admitted to ICU with COVID19 were divided into 3 groups: (1) Lower-values group (D-dimer levels < 3-fold normal range value [NRV] [500ng/mL]), Intermediate-values group (D-dimer ≥3-fold and <10-fold NRV) and Higher-value group (≥10-fold NRV). RESULTS: 118 patients (mean age 63 years, 73% males) were included (N = 73 Lower-values group, N = 31 Intermediate-values group; N = 11 Higher-values group). Mortality was not different between groups (p = 0.51). Kaplan-Meier survival curves revealed no differences (p = 0.52) between groups, nor it was verified even when gender, age, ICU length of stay, and SOFA score were considered as covariables. CONCLUSIONS: In severe COVID19 patients, the D-dimer profile does not retain a predictive value regarding patients' survivability and should not be used as a surrogate of disease severity.publishersversionpublishe

Chemical constituents from Tabernaemontana catharinensis root bark: a brief NMR review of indole alkaloids and in vitro cytotoxicity

This work describes the isolation and structural determination of pharmacological compounds present in the bark of roots of Tabernaemontana catharinensis (Apocynaceae). Among the 27 substances detected 12 were identified as terpenoid-indole alkaloids, 2 steroids and 13 pentacyclic triterpenes. Structures were outlined based on HMQC, COSY, DEPT, 13C, and ¹H NMR data and MS. Spectral data of indole alkaloids were reviewed. An in vitro screening of the extracts and isolated compounds was carried out. Compounds ibogamine (5), 3-oxo-coronaridine (9) and 12-methoxy-4-methylvoachalotine (MMV) demonstrated effective cytotoxicity towards SKBR-3 breast adenocarcinoma and C-8161 human melanoma tumor cell lines.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)UNAER

An unattended sepsis population with high mortality risk

©The Author(s) 2022. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can be associated with life-threatening organ dysfunction due to septic shock, frequently requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission, respiratory and vasopressor support. Therefore, clear clinical criteria are pivotal for early recognition of patients more likely to need prompt organ support. Although most patients with severe COVID-19 meet the Sepsis-3.0 criteria for septic shock, it has been increasingly recognized that hyperlactatemia is frequently absent, possibly leading to an underestimation of illness severity and mortality risk. AIM: To identify the proportion of severe COVID-19 patients with vasopressor support requirements, with and without hyperlactatemia, and describe their clinical outcomes and mortality. METHODS: We performed a single-center prospective cohort study. All adult patients admitted to the ICU with COVID-19 were included in the analysis and were further divided into three groups: Sepsis group, without both criteria; Vasoplegic Shock group, with persistent hypotension and vasopressor support without hyperlactatemia; and Septic Shock 3.0 group, with both criteria. COVID-19 was diagnosed using clinical and radiologic criteria with a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) positive RT-PCR test. RESULTS: 118 patients (mean age 63 years, 87% males) were included in the analysis (n = 51 Sepsis group, n = 26 Vasoplegic Shock group, and n = 41 Septic Shock 3.0 group). SOFA score at ICU admission and ICU length of stay were different between the groups (P < 0.001). Mortality was significantly higher in the Vasoplegic Shock and Septic Shock 3.0 groups when compared with the Sepsis group (P < 0.001) without a significant difference between the former two groups (P = 0.713). The log rank tests of Kaplan-Meier survival curves were also different (P = 0.007). Ventilator-free days and vasopressor-free days were different between the Sepsis vs Vasoplegic Shock and Septic Shock 3.0 groups (both P < 0.001), and similar in the last two groups (P = 0.128 and P = 0.133, respectively). Logistic regression identified the maximum dose of vasopressor therapy used (AOR 1.046; 95%CI: 1.012-1.082, P = 0.008) and serum lactate level (AOR 1.542; 95%CI: 1.055-2.255, P = 0.02) as the major explanatory variables of mortality rates (R 2 0.79). CONCLUSION: In severe COVID-19 patients, the Sepsis 3.0 criteria of septic shock may exclude approximately one third of patients with a similarly high risk of a poor outcome and mortality rate, which should be equally addressed.publishersversionpublishe

INTRAPERITONEAL CHEMOTHERAPY FOR GASTRIC CANCER WITH PERITONEAL CARCINOMATOSIS: STUDY PROTOCOL OF A PHASE II TRIAL

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Peritoneal carcinomatosis in gastric cancer is considered a fatal disease, without expectation of definitive cure. As systemic chemotherapy is not sufficient to contain the disease, a multimodal approach associating intraperitoneal chemotherapy with surgery may represent an alternative for these cases. AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of intraperitoneal chemotherapy in stage IV gastric cancer patients with peritoneal metastasis. METHODS: This study is a single institutional single-arm prospective clinical trial phase II (NCT05541146). Patients with the following inclusion criteria undergo implantation of a peritoneal catheter for intraperitoneal chemotherapy: Stage IV gastric adenocarcinoma; age 18–75 years; Peritoneal carcinomatosis with peritoneal cancer index<12; Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group 0/1; good clinical status; and lab exams within normal limits. The study protocol consists of four cycles of intraperitoneal chemotherapy with paclitaxel associated with systemic chemotherapy. After treatment, patients with peritoneal response assessed by staging laparoscopy undergo conversion gastrectomy. RESULTS: The primary outcome is the rate of complete peritoneal response. Progression-free and overall survivals are other outcomes evaluated. The study started in July 2022, and patients will be screened for inclusion until 30 are enrolled. CONCLUSIONS: Therapies for advanced gastric cancer patients have been evaluated in clinical trials but without success in patients with peritoneal metastasis. The treatment proposed in this trial can be promising, with easy catheter implantation and ambulatory intraperitoneal chemotherapy regime. Verifying the efficacy and safety of paclitaxel with systemic chemotherapy is an important progress that this study intends to investigate

Prospective study of biomarkers in squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal and their influence on treatment outcomes

Introdução: O tumor de canal anal é raro, sendo a histologia epidermóide a mais frequente. A quimio-radioterapia é capaz de curar a maioria dos casos de câncer de canal anal localizado, entretanto, um grupo de pacientes apresenta resistência primária ao tratamento multimodal. Métodos: Estudo de coorte prospectivo desenhado para avaliar a influência de biomarcadores (HIV, Ki-67, PD-L1, HPV e mutações no DNA tumoral) na resposta do câncer de canal anal ao tratamento com quimio-radioterapia. Resposta completa aos 6 meses após tratamento foi o desfecho primário. O DNA tumoral foi avaliado por sequenciamento genético, através do painel TruSight Tumor 26®. HPV foi testado pelo teste PapilloCheck®. Ki-67 e PD-L1 foram avaliados por imunoistoquímica. Sorologia para HIV foi realizada em todos os pacientes antes do início do tratamento. Resultados: Os pacientes foram recrutados de outubro/2011 a dezembro/2015 e 75 foram avaliados para resposta após o tratamento. A idade mediana foi de 57 anos, a maioria dos pacientes apresentou estadio III ao diagnóstico 65% (n=49) e 12% (n=9) tinha sorologia positiva para HIV. Aos 6 meses após término da quimio-radioterapia 62,7% (n=47) dos pacientes apresentou resposta completa, 24% (n=18) resposta parcial e 13,3% (n=10) progressão de doença. HPV foi avaliado em 67 amostras e encontrado em 70,1%, sendo o HPV 16 o tipo mais frequente. A pesquisa de PD-L1 foi realizada em 61 amostras e 16,4% (n=10) apresentou expressão > 1%. Idade, estadio clínico, HIV, expressão de Ki-67, presença de HPV, expressão de PD-L1 e interrupção de tratamento foram avaliados como preditores de resposta, aos 6 meses após o término do tratamento, por meio de regressão logística multivariada. Pacientes com estadio II apresentaram 4,7 vezes mais chance de resposta completa que pacientes com estadio III (OR=4,70; IC95%=1,36-16,30; p=0,015). Quando considerada resposta completa e/ou parcial, a presença do vírus HIV foi associada a pior resposta: pacientes HIV negativo apresentaram 5,7 vezes mais chance de resposta completa e/ou parcial que pacientes HIV positivo (OR=5,72; IC95%=2,5-13,0; p < 0,001). Foi possível a realização de sequenciamento do DNA tumoral em 25 pacientes avaliáveis para resposta, sendo as mutações mais frequentes encontradas nos genes PIK3CA (n=6) e MET (n=6). Não houve diferença em resposta de acordo com presença dessas mutações. Conclusões: Aos 6 meses após término do tratamento com quimio-radioterapia a expressão de Ki-67, PD-L1, presença de HPV e mutações em PIK3CA e MET não foram associadas com resposta ao tratamento. Pacientes com estadio III e pacientes portadores do vírus HIV apresentaram pior resposta ao tratamentoBackground: While chemoradiation is the curative treatment for squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal, some patients present primary resistance. As a rare tumor, predictors of response remain unknown. Patients and Methods: Prospective cohort study aimed at evaluating biomarkers (Ki-67, PD-L1, Human papillomavirus (HPV), tumor mutations and HIV) possibly associated with tumor response to chemoradiation. Complete response at 6 months was the primary endpoint. Tumor DNA was analyzed by next-generation sequencing (TruSight Tumor 26 ®). HPV was tested by PapilloCheck®. KI-67 and PD-L1 were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Results: Seventyeight patients were recruited from October/2011 to December/2015, and 75 were evaluable for response. Median age was 57 years, 65% (n=49) were stage III, and 12% (n=9) were HIV positive (HIV+). At 6 months 62.7% (n=47) presented complete response, 24% (n=18) partial response and 13.3% (n=10) disease progression. HPV was evaluated in 67 and found in 70.1%, the majority being HPV 16. PD-L1 was tested in 61 being 16.4% (n=10) positive. Age, clinical stage, HIV status, KI-67, HPV, PD-L1 and treatment interruption were tested as predictive factors for complete response at 6 months by logistic regression. On multivariate analyses, stage II patients were 4.7 more likely to achieve complete response than stage III (OR=4.70; IC95%=1.36-16.30; p=0.015). When we considered patients with complete and partial response, HIV+ was associated with a worse response (OR=5.72; IC95%=2.5-13.0; p < 0.001). Twenty-five patients had samples proper for NGS and 17 had at least one mutation, with PIK3CA (n=6) and MET (n=6) being the most common mutated genes. There were no differences in response according to MET or PIK3CA status. Conclusions: At 6 months after chemoradiation Ki-67, PD-L1, HPV and mutations in PIK3CA and MET were not associated with response. Patients with stage III disease and patients HIV+ had a significantly poor respons

Biomarkers in Anal Cancer: Current Status in Diagnosis, Disease Progression and Therapeutic Strategies

Squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal (SCCA) is a rare neoplasm, but with rising incidence rates in the past few decades; it is etiologically linked with the human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and is especially prevalent in immunocompromised patients, mainly those infected with HIV. Fluoropyrimidine-based chemoradiotherapy remains the cornerstone of the treatment of non-metastatic disease, but the locally advanced disease still presents high rates of disease recurrence and systemic therapy of SCCA is an unmet clinical need. Despite sharing common molecular aspects with other HPV-related malignancies, such as cervical and head and neck cancers, SCCA presents specific epigenomic, genomic, and transcriptomic abnormalities, which suggest that genome-guided personalized therapies should be specifically designed for this disease. Actionable mutations are rare in SCCA and immune checkpoint inhibition has not yet been proven useful in an unselected population of patients. Therefore, advances in systemic therapy of SCCA will only be possible with the identification of predictive biomarkers and the subsequent development of targeted therapies or immunotherapeutic approaches that consider the unique tumor microenvironment and the intra- and inter-tumoral heterogeneity. In the present review, we address the molecular characterization of SCCA and discuss potential diagnostic, predictive and prognostic biomarkers of this complex and challenging disease

Enhanced triterpene production in Tabernaemontana catharinensis cell suspension cultures in response to biotic elicitors

Cell suspension cultures of Tabernaemontana catharinensis were treated with autoclaved homogenates of Candida albicans, Fusarium oxysporum, Penicillium avelanium and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The effects caused by the concentration, exposure time and the type of elicitor on the accumulation of pentacyclic triterpenes were monitored. When exposed to biotic elicitors for longer periods, some cell lines redoubled the production of those triterpenes. Saccharomyces cerevisiae homogenate was the best elicitor of triterpenes in all cell lines investigated

Renal medullary carcinoma response to chemotherapy: a referral center experience in Brazil

Renal medullary carcinoma (RMC) is rare, accounting for less than 1% of all renal neoplasms. Case reports suggest RMC is highly aggressive, poorly responsive to chemotherapy, often metastatic at diagnosis, affects young men with sickle cell trait, and median overall survival (mOS) is less than 12 months. We report the epidemiological characteristics, treatments performed, response rate to each treatment and mOS of five patients with RMC. All patients had sickle cell trait, four were male, three had metastatic disease at diagnosis and mean age at diagnosis was 25 years. Non-metastatic patients were submitted to nephrectomy. Two patients had partial response to first line chemotherapy including cisplatin and gemcitabine. There was no response to sunitinib or second line chemo - therapy; mOS was 6 months. Due to its rarity, case series are the only evidence available to discuss the treatment for RMC. In our experience, only cisplatin and gemcitabine based regimen offered response