Estimating the global conservation status of more than 15,000 Amazonian tree species

Estimates of extinction risk for Amazonian plant and animal species are rare and not often incorporated into land-use policy and conservation planning. We overlay spatial distribution models with historical and projected deforestation to show that at least 36% and up to 57% of all Amazonian tree species are likely to qualify as globally threatened under International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List criteria. If confirmed, these results would increase the number of threatened plant species on Earth by 22%. We show that the trends observed in Amazonia apply to trees throughout the tropics, and we predict thatmost of the world’s >40,000 tropical tree species now qualify as globally threatened. A gap analysis suggests that existing Amazonian protected areas and indigenous territories will protect viable populations of most threatened species if these areas suffer no further degradation, highlighting the key roles that protected areas, indigenous peoples, and improved governance can play in preventing large-scale extinctions in the tropics in this century

High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of fluconazole in plasma and its application to a bioequivalence study

A sensitive and accurate HPLC-UV method for the quantification of fluconazole (FNZ) in human plasma has been developed. The sample was prepared by liquid–liquid extraction (LLE) of FNZ from plasma using ethyl acetate. Nevirapine (NVP) was used as internal standard. The chromatographic retention times of FNZ and NVP were 3.4 and 5.7 min, respectively. The lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ) was 0.5 μg/mL, and no interferences were detected in the chromatograms. The HPLC-UV method was validated by evaluating its intra-day and inter-day precisions and accuracies in a linear concentration range between 0.5 and 8.0 μg/mL. The method was developed, validated and successfully applied to bioequivalence studies involving the oral administration of a single 150 mg FNZ capsules in healthy Brazilian male volunteers.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

A model for preservation of thymocyte-depleted thymus

DiGeorge syndrome is a disorder caused by a microdeletion on the long arm of chromosome 22. Approximately 1% of patients diagnosed with DiGeorge syndrome may have an absence of a functional thymus, which characterizes the complete form of the syndrome. These patients require urgent treatment to reconstitute T cell immunity. Thymus transplantation is a promising investigational procedure for reconstitution of thymic function in infants with congenital athymia. Here, we demonstrate a possible optimization of the preparation of thymus slices for transplantation through prior depletion of thymocytes and leukocyte cell lineages followed by cryopreservation with cryoprotective media (5% dextran FP 40, 5% Me2SO, and 5% FBS) while preserving tissue architecture. Thymus fragments were stored in liquid nitrogen at -196°C for 30 days or one year. The tissue architecture of the fragments was preserved, including the distinction between medullary thymic epithelial cells (TECs), cortical TECs, and Hassall bodies. Moreover, depleted thymus fragments cryopreserved for one year were recolonized by intrathymic injections of 3×106 thymocytes per mL, demonstrating the capability of these fragments to support T cell development. Thus, this technique opens up the possibility of freezing and storing large volumes of thymus tissue for immediate transplantation into patients with DiGeorge syndrome or atypical (Omenn-like) phenotype

Onasemnogene abeparvovec in spinal muscular atrophy: an Australian experience of safety and efficacy

First published: 16 February 2022Objective: To provide a greater understanding of the tolerability, safety and clinical outcomes of onasemnogene abeparvovec in real-world practice, in a broad population of infants with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Methods: A prospective cohort study of children with SMA treated with onasemnogene abeparvovec at Sydney Children's Hospital Network, Australia was conducted from August 2019 to November 2021. Safety outcomes included clinical and laboratory evaluations. Efficacy assessments included World Health Organisation (WHO) motor milestones, oral and swallowing abilities, and requirements for respiratory support. The implementation of a model of care for onasemnogene abeparvovec administration in health practice is described. Results: 21 children were treated (age range, 0.65–24 months; body weight range, 2.5–12.5 kg) and 19/21 (90.4%) had previous nusinersen. Transient treatment-related side effects occurred in all children; vomiting (100%), transaminitis (57%) and thrombocytopaenia (33%). Incidence of moderate/severe transaminitis was significantly greater in infants weighing ≥8 kg compared with <8 kg (p < 0.05). Duration of prednisolone following treatment was prolonged (mean 87.5 days, range 57–274 days). 16/21 (76%) children gained at least one WHO motor milestone. Stabilisation or improvement in bulbar or respiratory function was observed in 20/21 (95.2%) patients. Implementation challenges were mitigated by developing standard operating procedures and facilitating exchange of knowledge. Interpretation: This study provides real-world evidence to inform treatment decisions and guide therapeutic expectations for onasemnogene abeparvovec and combination therapy for SMA in health practice, especially for children weighing ≥8 kg receiving higher vector loads. Proactive clinical and laboratory surveillance is essential to facilitate individualised management of risks.Arlene M. D’Silva, Sandra Holland, Didu Kariyawasam, Karen Herbert, Peter Barclay, Anita Cairns, Suzanna C. MacLennan, Monique M. Ryan, Hugo Sampaio, Nicholas Smith, Ian R. Woodcock, Eppie M. Yiu, Ian E. Alexander and Michelle A. Farra

Valor nutritivo do feno de folíolos de pindoba de babaçu submetido a tratamentos alcalinos

Avaliou-se o efeito de tratamentos alcalinos por amonização com ureia a 2, 4 e 6% e por NaOH ou Ca(OH)2 a 1, 2 e 3% sobre o valor nutritivo do feno de folíolos de pindoba de babaçu quanto à composição e degradabilidade ruminal in situ nos tempos 6, 24 e 72h. Houve redução (P<0,05) nos teores de fibra em detergente neutro e em detergente ácido corrigidas para cinza e proteína (FDNcp e FDAcp) e nas frações hemicelulose e lignina quando dos tratamentos alcalinos, verificando-se ainda aumento (P<0,05) nos teores de proteína bruta (PB) e redução no N insolúvel quando da amonização. A degradação potencial (DP) da matéria seca (MS) e FDN do feno mostrou-se baixa, embora a amonização com 4% de ureia tenha elevado a degradação potencial e efetiva da PB, o que se atribui à intensa lignificação da parede celular, com limitação à utilização como volumoso em dietas para ruminantes. A amonização e o tratamento com 3% de Ca(OH)2 melhoram a degradação da MS e FDN, com destaque para a amonização com 4% de ureia, no entanto, os valores obtidos, 35,9 e 27,04%, respectivamente, são considerados baixos