Ethnic and age differences in right-left breast asymmetry in a large population-based screening population

OBJECTIVE: Exposure to sex hormones is important in the pathogenesis of breast cancer and inability to tolerate such exposure may be reflected in increased asymmetrical growth of the breasts. This study aims to characterize, for the first time, asymmetry in breast volume (BV) and radiodense volume (DV) in a large ethnically diverse population. METHODS: Automated measurements from digital raw mammographic images of 54,591 cancer-free participants (aged 47-73) in a UK breast screening programme were used to calculate absolute (cm3) and relative asymmetry in BV and DV. Logistic regression models were fitted to assess asymmetry associations with age and ethnicity. RESULTS: BV and DV absolute asymmetry were positively correlated with the corresponding volumetric dimension (BV or DV). BV absolute asymmetry increased, whilst DV absolute asymmetry decreased, with increasing age (P-for-linear-trend <0.001 for both). Relative to Whites, Blacks had statistically significantly higher, and Chinese lower, BV and DV absolute asymmetries. However, after adjustment for the corresponding underlying volumetric dimension the age and ethnic differences were greatly attenuated. Median relative (fluctuating) BV and DV asymmetry were 2.34 and 3.28% respectively. CONCLUSION: After adjusting for the relevant volumetric dimension (BV or DV), age and ethnic differences in absolute breast asymmetry were largely resolved. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: Previous small studies have reported breast asymmetry-breast cancer associations. Automated measurements of asymmetry allow the conduct of large-scale studies to further investigate these associations

Consequences of drift and carcass decomposition for estimating sea turtle mortality hotspots

Sea turtle strandings provide important mortality information, yet knowledge of turtle carcass at-sea drift and decomposition characteristics are needed to better understand and manage where these mortalities occur. We used empirical sea turtle carcass decomposition and drift experiments in the Chesapeake Bay, Virginia, USA to estimate probable carcass oceanic drift times and quantify the impact of direct wind forcing on carcass drift. Based on the time period during which free-floating turtle carcasses tethered nearshore were buoyant, we determined that oceanic drift duration of turtle carcasses was highly dependent on water temperature and varied from 2 to 15 days during typical late spring to early fall Bay water conditions. The importance of direct wind forcing for turtle carcass drift was assessed based on track divergence rates from multiple simultaneous deployments of three types of surface drifters: bucket drifters, artificial turtles and turtle carcass drifters. Turtle drift along-wind leeway was found to vary from 1 to 4% of wind speed, representing an added drift velocity of approximately 0.03–0.1 m/s for typical Bay wind conditions. This is comparable to current speeds in the Bay (0.1–0.2 m/s), suggesting wind is important for carcass drift. Estimated carcass drift parameters were integrated into a Chesapeake Bay oceanographic drift model to predict carcass drift to terrestrial stranding locations. Increased drift duration (e.g., due to low temperatures) increases mean distance between expected mortality events and stranding locations, as well as decreases overall likelihood of retention in the Bay. Probable mortality hotspots for the peak month of strandings (June) were identified off coastal southeastern Virginia and within the lower Bay, including the Bay mouth and lower James River. Overall, results support that sea turtle drift time is quite variable, and varies greatly depending on water and air temperature as well as oceanic conditions. Knowledge of these parameters will improve our ability to interpret stranding events around the globe

PERFIL NUTRICIONAL DE ESTUDANTES DE UMA ESCOLA ESTADUAL MUNICIPALIZADA DE PATY DO ALFERES: UM ESTUDO EPIDEMIOLÓGICO

No Brasil o que se predominava há alguns anos era a desnutrição, já nos dias atuais o que vem crescendo de uma forma acelerada, é o sobrepeso e a obesidade. No município de Paty do Alferes, há adolescentes apresentando fatores de risco que podem desencadear estes distúrbios, este fato nos despertou para o desenvolvimento deste estudo. Objetivos: Conhecer o perfil nutricional de estudantes adolescentes no município de Paty do Alferes. Materiais e Métodos: Trata-se de uma pesquisa descritiva e exploratória de abordagem quantitativa. Os dados foram obtidos através da mensuração de medidas antropométricas e preenchimento de formulário. Sendo analisados mediante o cálculo da freqüência da classificação nutricional: magreza acentuada, magreza, eutrofia, sobrepeso, obesidade e obesidade grave, sendo os resultados apresentados em gráficos e tabelas. Resultado: Participaram do estudo 82 adolescentes, sendo 91,5% na faixa etária de 10 a 15 anos e 54,9% do sexo feminino. Foi observado que 56% dos participantes da pesquisa encontram-se eutróficos, 25% sobrepeso e 15% obesos. Em relação ao padrão alimentar 61% relataram fazer mais de 04 refeições por dia, apresentando elevado consumo de frutas (92% dos entrevistados) e doces (96% dos entrevistados). Quanto a prática da atividade física 63% relataram a prática 01 vez por semana. Conclusão: Conclui-se que embora a maioria dos participantes encontram-se eutróficos, há uma preocupação em relação ao alto consumo de doces, prática insuficiente de atividade física, e ingesta inadequada de legumes, pois sabe-se, que estes maus hábitos são fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento de sobrepeso e obesidade

Is there scientific evidence of the mouthwashes effectiveness in reducing viral load in Covid-19? A systematic review

The aim of this research is to verify whether there is evidence in the literature regarding the decrease in viral load present in saliva after using three types of mouthwashes. Clinical and/or in vitro experimental studies that have used mouthwashes a

Proposta de atividade sobre magnetismo utilizando cenas de filmes

O uso de filmes no ensino de física pode ser uma alternativa para introduzir um determinado conceito de física ou incrementar a aula expositiva. O uso deste tipo de mídias pode ser capaz de mudanças significativas no processo de ensino-aprendizado (XAVIER et. al., 2010). Representa uma opção que pode ser usada juntamente com as aulas expositivas. Para isso, o uso de tal recurso não deve ser algo aleatório, pelo contrário, deve ser pertinente ao conteúdo e aos objetivos que o educador busca alcançar (CHASSOT, 2002). Os alunos possuem amplo acesso a filmes, séries, histórias em quadrinho, livros com ficção científica, entre outros. Filmes como “Star Wars”, “Vingadores”, “Aquaman”, “X Men” e séries como “Flash”, “The Gifted”, “Arrow”; abordam de forma descontraída fatos possíveis, ou não, do ponto de vista da ciência. Em tais mídias a ciência é abordada de forma fantasiosa, porém gera questionamentos sobre a veracidade dos fatos ali apresentados. Muitas teorias e leis físicas são desrespeitadas para que uma cena de ação funcione. Por exemplo, como explicar super velocidade do “Flash” ou o voo do “Superman”, e até mesmo o controle da eletricidade pelo “Thor” (CAMARGO; SILVA, 2017). Neste sentido, o trabalho tem por objetivo propor uma sequência didática sobre magnetismo para o ensino médio com a utilização de cenas de filmes de ação, usando especificamente cenas do filme “X- Men”

Jogos Paralímpicos Rio/2016 no Twitter

caracterizar conteúdos de narrativas transmidiáticas que foram produzidos e circularam acerca do esporte e dos atletas paralímpicos durante a abertura e encerramento dos JP Rio/2016 no Twitter. Mapeamos tweets das hashtags propostas pelas emissoras de tv oficiais do evento, TV Brasil (#VemPraPara) e SporTV (#JogosParalímpicosNoSporTV), e organizamos em três categorias: 1) prática e valores midiáticos-esportivos; 2) nacionalismo no esporte paralímpico; e 3) o senti mento paralímpic

Epidemiological Profile of Precocious Neonatal Mortality in the Period 2008 to 2015 in Porto Velho, Rondonia, Brazil

The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiological profile of precocious neonatal infant mortality in the city of Porto Velho, Rondonia. A quantitative, descriptive study with an ecological approach was carried out. The data source used was secondary, originating from the linkage between SINASC and SIM databases, from the Health Surveillance Agency of the Rondonia Health Department. For treatment, absolute frequency analyzes were performed. The neonatal infant mortality rate was 9.7 deaths per thousand live births, with a predominance of the preterm neonatal patient: 7.2 deaths per thousand live births. Of the deaths, 482 (72.8%) occurred in the precocious neonatal period (0 to 6 days) and 164 (24.7%) in the late neonatal 7 to 27 days of life. The findings indicate the need to improve the quality of health care services available in the city, both prenatal and obstetric care in the neonatal period

The Genus Caesalpinia L. (Caesalpiniaceae): Phytochemical and Pharmacological Characteristics

The genus Caesalpinia (Caesalpiniaceae) has more than 500 species, many of which have not yet been investigated for potential pharmacological activity. Several classes of chemical compounds, such as flavonoids, diterpenes, and steroids, have been isolated from various species of the genus Caesalpinia. It has been reported in the literature that these species exhibit a wide range of pharmacological properties, including antiulcer, anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antirheumatic activities that have proven to be efficacious in ethnomedicinal practices. in this review we present chemical and pharmacological data from recent phytochemical studies on various plants of the genus Caesalpinia.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG)Univ Fed Alfenas, Inst Chem, BR-37130000 Alfenas, MG, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Inst Environm Chem & Pharmaceut Sci, BR-09972 Diadema, SP, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Inst Environm Chem & Pharmaceut Sci, BR-09972 Diadema, SP, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Flower Visitation by Bees, Wasps and Ants: Revealing How a Community of Flower-Visitors Establish Interaction Networks in a Botanical Garden

The Hymnoptera order includes several flower-visiting insects (e.g. ants, bees, and wasps) and the coexistence of many different species in the same community can generate interspecific competition. Notwithstanding shared communities, research which evaluates how these taxonomic groups influence a whole community of flower-visiting Hymenoptera is lacking. Moreover, abiotic factors can also impact these floral visits, because each organism responds differently to climatic variations. The goal of this study is to evaluate abiotic factors, specifically relative air humidity and air temperature, which may be able to impact the number and the frequency of interactions between hymenopterans and flowers and to assess the composition and niche organization, by making use of interaction networks, of the entire community of flower-visiting Hymenoptera at the botanical garden of the Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro. For the duration of a year, we took samples in that botanical garden, compartmentalizing the collections temporally in accordance with the time of the insects’ shift (morning or afternoon). We observed a positive influence of air temperature on the number of ant interactions and visits. It is also possible to observe that most of these interaction networks exhibited a nested and non-modular pattern and an average level of network specialization. In addition, bees stood out as the species with the highest frequency of visits and with the most generalist behavior. This study demonstrates how a botanical garden can sustain a diverse community of floral visiting Hymenoptera in an urban environment and why it consists in an important tool for biodiversity conservation