inTB - a data integration platform for molecular and clinical epidemiological analysis of tuberculosis

This deposit is composed by the main article plus the supplementary materials of the publication.Tuberculosis is currently the second highest cause of death from infectious diseases worldwide. The emergence of multi and extensive drug resistance is threatening to make tuberculosis incurable. There is growing evidence that the genetic diversity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis may have important clinical consequences. Therefore, combining genetic, clinical and socio-demographic data is critical to understand the epidemiology of this infectious disease, and how virulence and other phenotypic traits evolve over time. This requires dedicated bioinformatics platforms, capable of integrating and enabling analyses of this heterogeneous data.Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Programa Nacional de Luta contra a Tuberculose, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Ricardo Jorge, Administração Regional de Saúde de Lisboa e Vale do Tejo

Association Of Anticardiolipin Antibody And C677t In Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase Mutation In Women With Recurrent Spontaneous Abortions: A New Path To Thrombophilia?

Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) has been associated with venous thrombosis in the mother. Acquired and inherited thrombophilia factors are possible causes. To evaluate the association between thrombogenic factors and recurrent spontaneous abortion. Case-control study. Centro de Atenção Integral à Saúde da Mulher, Universidade Estadual de Campinas. 40 ml of blood was collected from 88 women attending an RSA clinic and 88 fertile women attending a family planning clinic, to evaluate the presence of acquired and inherited thrombophilia factors. Anticardiolipin antibodies (ACA), lupus anticoagulant and deficiencies of proteins C and S and antithrombin III were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), dilute Russell Viper Venom time (dRVVT), coagulometric and chromogenic methods. DNA was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to study factor V Leiden and G20210A mutations in the prothrombin gene and C677T mutation in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene. Data were analyzed using odds ratios and a regression model for age adjustment. Fishers exact test was used to evaluate statistical relationships between associated factors and RSA. ACA was detected in 11 women with RSA and one fertile woman. Heterozygous C677T was detected in 59 women with RSA and 35 fertile women. Concomitant presence of ACA and C677T was found in eight women with RSA and no fertile women (p < 0.01). The meaning of the association between C677T mutation in the MTHFR gene and ACA is still not clear. It is possible that an inherited factor that alone would not strongly predispose a woman to thrombosis could, when associated with an acquired factor, start the process and increase the likelihood of thrombosis expression. ACA and C677T in the MTHFR gene are statistically associated with RSA. The association of these two conditions is a new finding in thrombogenic factors and RSA.12315-2

Desenvolvimento e validação de um método para quantificação de norfloxacino por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência e aplicação a estudo de farmacocinética comparada em voluntários humanos

The development and validation of a simple and accurate method based on HPLC with ultraviolet detection for the quantification of norfloxacin (NFX) in human plasma and its application to a bioequivalence study between two norfloxacin formulations is described. NFX and the internal standard (cyprofloxacin) were extracted from plasma using liquid-liquid extraction. Chromatographic separation of norfloxacin, cyprofloxacin and plasma interferents was achieved with a C-18 column and a mobile phase consisting of 20 mM sodium hydrogen phosphate buffer pH 3.0 and acetonitrile (88:12, v/v) and quantitation was done at 280 nm. The method was linear from 25 to 3000 ng mL-1 (r² >; 0.997578), and norfloxacin and cyprofloxacin had an average recovery from plasma of 93.9% and 91.2% respectively. The RSD of inter-day quality control samples at the lower limit of quantification was less than 15%. After a single oral dose (400 mg) of norfloxacin administered to healthy human volunteers using a randomized 2x2 crossover design, pharmacokinetic parameters (AUC0-t, AUC0-;¥;, Cmax, t1/2) were derived from the plasma concentration curves for both formulations. Pharmacokinetic analysis of the data showed that the two formulations were bioequivalent, while no adverse reactions to the drug were observed.O desenvolvimento e validação de um método simples e preciso por CLAE-UV para quantificação de norfloxacino (NFX) em plasma humano e a sua aplicação a um estudo de bioequivalência entre duas formulações são descritos. NFX e o padrão interno (ciprofloxacino, PI) foram extraídos do plasma através de extração líquido-líquido. A separação cromatográfica do NFX, do PI e dos interferentes do plasma foi realizada com uma coluna C-18 e fase móvel composta de tampão fosfato de sódio 20 mM pH 3,0 e acetonitrila (88/12, v/v) e quantificado em 280 nm. A resposta do detector aos analitos mostrou-se linear entre 25 a 3000 ng mL-1 (r² >; 0,997578) e a recuperação média de NFX e PI foi de 93,9% e 91,2% respectivamente. O desvio padrão relativo de amostras analisadas ao nível do limite inferior de quantificação foi menor que 15%. Foi administrada uma dose de NFX (400 mg) por via oral a voluntários humanos em um estudo aberto, aleatório e cruzado 2x2 entre duas formulações. Os parâmetros farmacocinéticos (AUC0-t, AUC0-;¥;, Cmáx, T1/2) foram observados a partir da curva de concentração versus tempo. A análise farmacocinética mostrou que as duas formulações são bioequivalentes entre si. Nenhum efeito adverso foi observado

Deposição da calda de pulverização em diferentes volumes vegetativos de Coffea arabica L.

The arrangement of branches and leaves overlap in coffee plants hinder the penetration of sprayed mixture. Therefore, to determine the volume of appropriate syrup, it is important to check the condition of the crop leafiness before application. The objective of this study was to evaluate the deposition of spraying of pesticides in coffee plantations applied on different vegetative volumes. The treatments were arranged following split plot in each growing volume (5,000; 7,500; 10,000 and 17,500 m3 ha-1). And five volumes of syrup portions (150, 300, 450, 600 and 750 L ha-1) and the subplots three positions in the coffee canopy (upper, middle and lower) with four replicates. In the four volumes vegetative studied no significant interaction (p &gt; 0.05) between the applied volume and the different vegetative volumes. However, the vegetative volume of 5000.0 and 17500.0 m3 h-1 depositions was increased with increasing flow, which can be assigned the foliar density. There was no statistical difference (p&gt; 0.05) between the means of deposition in different thirds (heights) in the coffee plants canopy in vegetative volumes 5000.0 m3 ha-1, 10000.0 m3 ha-1 and 17500.0 m3 h-1. However, the volume of 7500.0 m3 ha-1 showed higher deposition in the middle third from the bottom third. The deposition is higher as it increases the volume of applied syrup. In plants with reduced leaf density, there is an increase in the deposition. The deposition is largest in the middle third relative to the lower third.A disposição dos ramos e sobreposição das folhas em plantas de café dificultam a penetração da calda pulverizada. Portanto, para determinar o volume de calda adequado, é importante verificar o estado de enfolhamento da lavoura antes da aplicação. Objetivou-se com este trabalho, avaliar a deposição de caldas de pulverização em lavouras de café aplicadas em diferentes volumes vegetativos. Os tratamentos foram dispostos seguindo esquema de parcelas subdivididas em cada volume vegetativo (5.000; 7.500; 10.000 e 17.500 m3 ha-1). Sendo as parcelas cinco volumes de calda (150, 300, 450, 600 e 750 L ha-1) e as subparcelas três posições no dossel do cafeeiro (terço superior, médio e inferior) com quatro repetições. Nos quatro volumes vegetativos estudados, não ocorreu interação significativa (p&gt;0,05) entre o volume aplicado e os diferentes volumes vegetativos. Porém, os volumes vegetativos de 5.000,0 e 17.500,0 m3 ha-1 a deposição foi crescente com aumento das vazões, o que pode ser atribuído a densidade foliar. Não foi verificada diferença estatística (p&gt; 0,05), entre as médias de deposição nos diferentes terços (alturas) no dossel das plantas de café, nos volumes vegetativos 5.000,0 m3 ha-1, 10.000,0 m3 ha-1 e 17.500,0 m3 ha-1. Contudo, no volume de 7.500,0 m3 ha-1 houve maior deposição no terço mediano em relação ao terço inferior. A deposição é maior à medida que aumenta o volume de calda aplicado. Em plantas com menor densidade foliar, há incremento na deposição. A deposição é maior no terço mediano em relação ao terço inferior

Digital organization of Plastic Surgery Service

The attention and enthusiasm of doctors in the pre- and postoperative period is of extreme importance in maintaining good doctor/patient relationships. An adequate organization and documentary record contributes to achieving a good relationship and ensures an important legal tool for physicians. With current technological advances, the electronic medical record is a secure and democratic way to deal with this information. The government has sought to implement this system in public institutions; however, results are still modest, perhaps mainly due to the lack of resources for investment in this area. In light of this, and given the relevance of practical, informative, and dynamic medical records, we aim to present our experience with the use of a complementary digital resource that is commonly associated with medical records and uses a free of cost digital platform for storing data in the "cloud". This system can provide additional information about each patient, including outpatient follow-up, as well as photographic records of the pre-, intra-, and post-operative periods, and also facilitates quick, synchronized, and remote access through the internet. The system generates optimization of resources, surgical planning, and improvement in patient/ doctor relationships. It also leads to greater integration of the medical team, particularly in the discussion of cases and distribution of surgeries by preceptors and residents. Thus, it is an alternative resource to improve medical charts with important data regarding the performance of medical teams, paying special attention to the peculiarities of plastic surgery

Marine biotechnology in Brazil : recent developments and its potential for innovation

Marine biotechnology is an emerging field in Brazil and includes the exploration of marine microbial products, aquaculture, omics, isolation of biologically active compounds, identification of biosynthetic gene clusters from symbiotic microorganisms, investigation of invertebrate diseases caused by potentially pathogenic marine microbes, and development of antifouling compounds. Furthermore, the field also encompasses description of new biological niches, current threats, preservation strategies as well as its biotechnological potential. Finally, it is important to depict some of the major approaches and tools being employed to such end. To address the challenges of marine biotechnology, the Brazilian government, through the Ministry of Science, Technology, Innovation, and Communication, has established the National Research Network in Marine Biotechnology (BiotecMar) (www.biotecmar.sage.coppe.ufrj.br). Its main objective is to harness marine biodiversity and develop the marine bioeconomy through innovative research

Minilipoabdominoplasty with umbilicus detachment: indications and comparison of surgical tactics for umbilicus reintegration, an prospective study

INTRODUCTION: The minilipoabdominoplastia with umbilicus detachment represents a surgical procedure restricted to cases in which isolated liposuction would cause worsening of sagging skin, while the conventional abdominoplasty would imply excessive skin resection. It allows xyphopubic plication of the rectus abdominis muscle and good resection of the excessive lower abdominal skin. The objective is to provide patients with high umbilucus treated with liposuction, mini-abdominoplasty with umbilucus detachment and reinsertion below, and comparison of two techniques for umbilical reinsertion. METHODS: We included six women aged 32- to 50-year-old and who underwent surgery under spine and general anesthesia from January to June 2013 in the Hospital of the Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil. RESULTS: After surgery, patients had natural silhouettes of body contours and umbilicus repositioned without external scars. CONCLUSION: The technique used allows treatment of moderate sagging skin of upper and lower abdomen with need of a small incision, the technique provides umbilicus scarring without external scarring and less chance of complications due to the small detachment

A list of land plants of Parque Nacional do Caparaó, Brazil, highlights the presence of sampling gaps within this protected area

Brazilian protected areas are essential for plant conservation in the Atlantic Forest domain, one of the 36 global biodiversity hotspots. A major challenge for improving conservation actions is to know the plant richness, protected by these areas. Online databases offer an accessible way to build plant species lists and to provide relevant information about biodiversity. A list of land plants of “Parque Nacional do Caparaó” (PNC) was previously built using online databases and published on the website "Catálogo de Plantas das Unidades de Conservação do Brasil." Here, we provide and discuss additional information about plant species richness, endemism and conservation in the PNC that could not be included in the List. We documented 1,791 species of land plants as occurring in PNC, of which 63 are cited as threatened (CR, EN or VU) by the Brazilian National Red List, seven as data deficient (DD) and five as priorities for conservation. Fifity-one species were possible new ocurrences for ES and MG states