Threshold and latency of acoustic reflex under effect of contralateral noise

OBJETIVO: Investigar o efeito inibitório da via eferente auditiva na variação do limiar e da latência do reflexo acústico ipsilateral com estimulação contralateral. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 17 pacientes entre 18 e 30 anos, com audição dentro dos padrões de normalidade submetidos à pesquisa de limiar e de latência do reflexo acústico, com e sem estimulação contralateral. RESULTADOS: Foram observadas médias de latência sem ruído contralateral para as freqüências de 500, 1000 e 2000 Hz respectivamente em 234,48, 214,96 e 236,71 milissegundos. Os valores de latência com ruído nas mesmas freqüências foram 230,74, 214,00 e 232,15 milissegundos. CONCLUSÃO: Houve diminuição da latência e aumento dos limiares do reflexo acústico quando apresentado estímulo supressor na orelha contralateral.PURPOSE: To investigate the inhibitory effect of the efferent auditory path in the variation of the threshold and the latency of ipsilateral acoustic reflex with contralateral stimulation. METHODS: Seventeen male and female patients, with ages between 18 and 30 years and with average normal hearing, were evaluated. After verification of inclusion criteria, the subjects were submitted to acoustic reflex threshold and latency testings, with and without contralateral masking. RESULTS: The latency average rates without contralateral noise at the frequencies 500 Hz, 1000 Hz and 2000 Hz were, respectively, 234,48, 214,96 and 236,71 milliseconds. The latency rates with noise at the same frequencies were 230,74, 214,00 and 232,15 milliseconds. CONCLUSION: The results showed latency decrease and increase on the acoustic reflex thresholds with contralateral white noise suppressor stimulus

Formal training in scientific research increases the participation of plastic surgery residents in peer-reviewed articles

Introduction: The objectives of this study were as follows: (1) to outline a scientific research skills training program, (2) to evaluate the profile of participation of plastic surgery residents in articles, and (3) to analyze the impact of the implementation of the training program on quantitative bibliometric indexes. Methods: This was a bibliometric analysis of the participation of plastic surgery residents of a single institution in articles published in peer-reviewed journals between 2006 and 2014. The data collected were the number of authors, position of residents among authors, article titles, indexing databases and impact factor of the journals, study design, and levels of evidence. Two periods (January 2006 to January 2010 [A] and February 2010 to February 2014 [B]) were created to study the evolutionary profile of the impact of the implementation of the training program outlined in this study. Results: A significant predominance (p < 0.05) was observed among articles published in national journals in the Portuguese language and in the SciELO and LILACS databases, and articles without residents as corresponding author, without impact factor, without assumptions, and with a level of evidence III (retrospective studies). The inter-period comparative analysis revealed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the numbers of published articles and residents with publications at the end of their residency, in the involvement of one or more residents, and in the articles published in English (period A < period B). Conclusion: The implementation of a scientific research skills training program led to an increase in research activity of (peer-reviewed articles) during the residency

The invasive species rules: competitive exclusion in forest avian mixed-species flocks in a fragmented landscape

Evidence of checkerboard patterns of species' distribution in avian mixed-species flocks suggest that competition is one of the forces shaping the composition and structure of these associations. However, evidence of competition among flock species comes from studies performed in well-preserved regions and no study has reported the interactions between invasive and native flocking species in human-modified landscapes. Such studies are important because evidence show that avian social systems such as mixed-species flocks suffer several negative impacts of habitat fragmentation. In this study, it is shown that an invasive woodcreeper (Lepidocolaptes angustirostris) from open areas of central and western South America is: 1) expanding its range into that of a native Atlantic Forest woodcreeper (L. squamatus)2) using the same forest fragments in which the native woodcreeper occurs3) regularly joining Atlantic Forest mixed-species flocks that contain the native woodcreeper4) overlapping in foraging height with the native woodcreeper during flockingand 5) engaging in aggressive encounters and excluding the native woodcreeper from flocks. We suggest that this aggressive behavior is a consequence of the overlap in foraging height between the invasive and native species in their original habitats and that their contact has so recently been established. This study suggests that competitive interactions mediated by aggressive behaviors of invasive species may have a negative impact on the fitness of native mixed-species flock species in a fragmented landscape.Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES)Graduate Program in Ecology and Evolution from Federal University of Sao Paulo (UNIFESP-Diadema)Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP)Biota ProgramNational Science FoundationWorld Wildlife Fund (WWF)Graduate Program of Ecology, Conservation and Wildlife Management (ECMVS) from Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG)CNPqPrograma Natureza e Sociedade WWF/SUNY projetoUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Ecol & Biol Evolut, BR-09972270 Diadema, SP, BrazilUniv Brasilia, Inst Ciencias Biol, Dept Zool, BR-70910900 Brasilia, DF, BrazilUniv Fed Vicosa, Dept Biol Anim, Museu Zool Joao Moojen de Oliveira, BR-36570000 Vicosa, MG, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Ecol & Biol Evolut, BR-09972270 Diadema, SP, BrazilBiota Program: 2010/05445-2Biota Program: 2015/18287-0Biota Program: 2011/50143-7Biota Program: 2011/23155-4Biota Program: 2013/50297-0National Science Foundation: DOB 1343578Programa Natureza e Sociedade WWF/SUNY projeto: CSR 142-00Web of Scienc

Plastic surgeons as hand surgery specialists: determinant factors of public’s perceptions

INTRODUCTION: To assess the possible determinants that lead public to choose plastic surgeons as hand surgery specialists. METHODS: General public members (n = 701) were asked to choose one or two specialists that they perceived to be an expert in 11 hand surgery-related scenarios. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were applied to assess the possible determinants (socio-demographic data, source of reported information, and previous plastic surgery contact) of public choice of plastic surgeons as experts in the hand surgery-related scenarios. RESULTS: A significantly (all p < 0.05) poor understanding of the role of plastic surgeons was seen in infectious hand injury, hand tumor, hand fracture, hand tendon injury, carpal tunnel syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis deformity, and dupuytren contracture. Age was a significant (all p < 0.05) determinant of plastic surgeon as a response pattern. CONCLUSION: Participants' age was a determinant of public choose plastic surgeons as experts in hand surgery area

Análise da prontidão para o tratamento em alcoolistas em um centro de tratamento

The aim of this research was to verify the readiness for the treatment in alcoholics who were taking part of a therapeutical intervention, following the Minnesota Model. A sample of 25 moderate and severe level alcoholists took part on this research. They ranged from 23 to 60 years of age, both male and female. The scale SADD and SOCRATES were applied during the first interview, in the beginning of the treatment. Three additional interviews were performed in the middle, at the end and one month after the treatment, to appraise the readiness for the treatment through SOCRATES scale. The results showed that, although there had been 64% of adhesion to treatment, there was not reduction of ambivalence of the alcoholics. There has been significant correlation between the SOCRATES scale factors. This research points to the need of using motivating techniques to reduce the ambivalence, in order to increase the adhesion and to prevent relapse.O objetivo desta pesquisa foi verificar a prontidão para o tratamento em alcoolistas participantes de uma intervenção terapêutica, seguindo o Modelo Minnesota. Participaram desta pesquisa 25 alcoolistas, de grau moderado e grave, com idade entre 23 a 60 anos, de ambos os sexos. Foram aplicadas as escalas SADD e SOCRATES na primeira entrevista, no início do tratamento. Três entrevistas adicionais realizadas no meio, no final e um mês após o tratamento, avaliaram a prontidão para o tratamento por meio da escala SOCRATES. Os resultados mostraram que, embora tenha havido 64% de adesão, não houve diminuição da ambivalência dos alcoolistas. Houve correlação significativa entre os fatores da escala SOCRATES. Esta pesquisa aponta para a necessidade de se utilizar técnicas motivacionais para a diminuição da ambivalência, visando o aumento na adesão e prevenção de recaída

Phenotypic and genetic structure support gene flow generating gene tree discordances in an Amazonian floodplain endemic species

Before populations become independent evolutionary lineages, the effects of micro evolutionary processes tend to generate complex scenarios of diversification that may affect phylogenetic reconstruction. Not accounting for gene flow in species tree estimates can directly impact topology, effective population sizes and branch lengths, and the resulting estimation errors are still poorly understood in wild populations. In this study, we used an integrative approach, including sequence capture of ultra-conserved elements (UCEs), mtDNA Sanger sequencing and morphological data to investigate species limits and phylogenetic relationships in face of gene flow in an Amazonian endemic species (Myrmoborus lugubris: Aves).We used commonly implemented species tree and model-based approaches to understand the potential effects of gene flow in phylogenetic reconstructions. The genetic structure observed was congruent with the four recognized subspecies of M. lugubris. Morphological and UCEs data supported the presence of a wide hybrid zone between M. l. femininus from the Madeira river and M. l. lugubris from the Middle and lower Amazon river, which were recovered as sister taxa by species tree methods. When fitting gene flowinto simulated demographic models with different topologies, the best-fit model indicated these two taxa as non-sister lineages, a finding that is in agreement with the results of mitochondrial and morphological analyses. Our results demonstrated that failing to account for gene flow when estimating phylogenies at shallow divergence levels can generate topological uncertainty, which can nevertheless be statistically well supported, and that model testing approaches using simulated data can be useful tools to test alternative phylogenetic hypotheses. © The Author(s) 2018

Autosomal dominant craniometaphyseal dysplasia is caused by mutations in the transmembrane protein ANK

Craniometaphyseal dysplasia (CMD) is a rare skeletal disorder characterized by progressive thickening and increased mineral density of craniofacial bones and abnormally developed metaphyses in long bones. Linkage studies mapped the locus for the autosomal dominant form of CMD to an similar to5-cM interval on chromosome 5p, which is defined by recombinations between loci D5S810 and D5S1954. Mutational analysis of positional candidate genes was performed, and we describe herein three different mutations, in five different families and in isolated cases, in ANK, a multipass transmembrane protein involved in the transport of intracellular pyrophosphate into extracellular matrix. the mutations are two in-frame deletions and one in-frame insertion caused by a splicing defect. All mutations cluster within seven amino acids in one of the six possible cytosolic domains of ANK. These results suggest that the mutated protein has a dominant negative effect on the function of ANK, since reduced levels of pyrophosphate in bone matrix are known to increase mineralization.Harvard Sch Dent Med, Forsyth Inst, Harvard Forsyth Dept Oral Biol, Boston, MA 02115 USAHarvard Univ, Sch Med, Childrens Hosp, Dept Cell Biol, Boston, MA USAHarvard Univ, Sch Med, Childrens Hosp, Dept Genet, Boston, MA USAHarvard Univ, Sch Med, Childrens Hosp, Div Plast Surg, Boston, MA USAUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, EPM, Campinas, SP, BrazilInst Cirurg Plast Craniofacial SOBRAPAR, Campinas, SP, BrazilShowa Univ, Sch Med, Dept Plast & Reconstruct Surg, Tokyo 142, JapanVirginia Commonwealth Univ, Med Coll Virginia, Dept Human Genet, Richmond, VA 23298 USASt Louis Univ, Sch Med, Cardinal Glennon Childrens Hosp, Div Med Genet, St Louis, MO 63104 USAUniv Cape Town, Sch Med, Dept Human Genet, ZA-7925 Cape Town, South AfricaOhio State Univ, Coll Dent, Dept Orthodont, Columbus, OH 43210 USAChildrens Hosp, Dept Genet, Columbus, OH 43205 USAUniv Minnesota, Sch Dent, Dept Oral Biol & Genet, Minneapolis, MN 55455 USAUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, EPM, Campinas, SP, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Seeing the forest through many trees: multi-taxon patterns of phylogenetic diversity in the Atlantic Forest hotspot

We combine phylogenetic and point locality data from selected lineages of the Atlantic Forest flora and fauna to compare spatial patterns of biodiversity sustained by the current configuration of forest remnants to a scenario of complete forest preservation. We then ask the question "how much biodiversity is likely lost, already"? Specifically, we assess how habitat loss likely impacted the climatic spaces occupied by the local species, the inferred composition of local communities and the spatial distribution of phylogenetic diversity and endemism

Environmental correlates of taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity in the Atlantic Forest

Aim There is little consensus on which environmental variables are best at predicting multiple dimensions of diversity. We ask whether there are common environmental correlates of diversity, despite ecological differences, across nine clades of plants and animals distributed along a single rainforest domain. For that, we compare the environmental correlates of species richness, phylogenetic diversity, and phylogenetic endemism. Location Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Taxon:Five clades of plants (Bromelioideae, Miconieae, Bertolonia, Cambessedesieae, and the Fridericia and allies) and four clades of animals (butterlies in the tribe Ithomiini, frogs in the genera Boana and Proceratophrys, and birds in the subfamily Thraupinae). Methods Using curated occurrence localities and phylogenetic data, we generated maps of (a) species richness, (b) phylogenetic diversity, (c) residuals of phylogenetic diversity regressed on species richness, and (d) phylogenetic endemism for all groups. We also compiled a set of 30 environmental descriptors, including records of current temperature and precipitation, climatic stability over time, and topography. Through a machine learning framework, we explored the environmental correlates of each of these diversity measures for each group. Results The environmental variables used here were strong predictors of diversity for all studied groups. However, models for phylogenetic endemism had lower predictive power. Although patterns of diversity are different among groups, correlates of diversity are consistent across taxa. For both species richness and phylogenetic diversity, current precipitation and precipitation stability over time were consistently ranked among the variables that strongly correlate with diversity patterns. The correlates of phylogenetic endemism were less homogeneous across groups. The results suggest that including climate stability over time is important when predicting diversity measures that reflect historical components. Main conclusions Investigating environmental correlates of diversity for multiple clades and diversity measures in a single geographic area allows for a better understanding of common patterns across taxa. This study shows that environmental conditions, particularly precipitation, are good predictors of the patterns of species richness and phylogenetic diversity‐but not phylogenetic endemism‐across different Atlantic Forest groups.Additional co-authors: Marcelo Reginato, Karina Lucas Silva‐Brandão, André Victor Lucci Freitas, Renato Goldenberg, Lúcia G. Lohmann, Fabián A. Michelangeli, Cristina Miyaki, Miguel T. Rodrigues, Ana C. Carnava