Quali-quantitative synthesis between clinical trials and patents on Covid-19 associated with CRISPR

Introduction: The work presents a comparative analysis between clinical trials and patent families on COVID-19 associated with CRISPR-Cas, ACE2 and Spike worldwide. Methods: From a total of 7815 clinical trials dedicated to COVID-19, 238 clinical trials related to CRISPR-Cas, ACE2 and Spike were identified, and 112 patent families. For the recovery of clinical trials and patent families, the ICTRP® platform of the World Health Organization, the ORBIT INTELLIGENCE® system from Questel® and the INPI COVID-19 Observatory were used, respectively. Results: Through quantitative and qualitative analysis and synthesis, a pattern of insignificant similarity was observed between the institutions that sponsor clinical trials and holders of patent families, among other correlated indicators. Conclusions: In summary, it is suggested that new public policies be created to encourage synergy between clinical trials and patents, both national, in order to induce a safe path to technological independence and, consequently, better performance in combating COVID-19 associated with CRISPR-Cas, ACE2 and Spike in Brazil

Method and tool for generating table of relevance in literature review (MTTR)

Every day, researchers in computing and IT are challenged with several articles that they need to rate, classify and separate quickly and effectively to contextualize and further advance their research effectively. It is considered that literature review is the most important step of discovery. Notably, a literature review is a part that allows the researcher to adjust the perspectives and limitations of an area of study. However, there is a lack of effective methods and tools for this activity. Often, traditional knowledge management techniques result in the “Gordian Knot” slowing down the process of literature review considerably. In this article, we present a Method and Tool for Generating Table of Relevance in Literature Review (MTTR). The MTTR is an innovative organizing method supported by software tools that make the literature review activity more efficient, faster and cheaper. An interesting feature of MTTR is data visualization using the Heat Map technique, Word Cloud and statistical techniques in designating and comparing each scientific article with the other relevant articles. The productivity gains in MTTR occur due to the automation in structuring and sorting scientific articles. In addition to efficiency, the lowest cost has the potential to place the MTTR as a preferred tool for the researcher. The anecdotal evidence reported in this article suggests that it is possible to carry out a literature review in a much shorter time with MTTR than in the traditional manner

Bovine gene polymorphisms related to fat deposition and meat tenderness

Leptin, thyroglobulin and diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase play important roles in fat metabolism. Fat deposition has an influence on meat quality and consumers' choice. The aim of this study was to determine allele and genotype frequencies of polymorphisms of the bovine genes, which encode leptin (LEP), thyroglobulin (TG) and diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase (DGAT1). A further objective was to establish the effects of these polymorphisms on meat characteristics. We genotyped 147 animals belonging to the Nelore (Bos indicus), Canchim (5/8 Bos taurus + 3/8 Bos indicus), Rubia Gallega X Nelore (1/2 Bos taurus + 1/2 Bos indicus), Brangus Three-way cross (9/16 Bos taurus + 7/16 Bos indicus) and Braunvieh Three-way cross (3/4 Bos taurus + 1/4 Bos indicus) breeds. Backfat thickness, total lipids, marbling score, ribeye area and shear force were fitted, using the General Linear Model (GLM) procedure of the SAS software. The least square means of genotypes and genetic groups were compared using Tukey's test. Allele frequencies vary among the genetic groups, depending on Bos indicus versus Bos taurus influence. The LEP polymorphism segregates in pure Bos indicus Nelore animals, which is a new finding. The T allele of TG is fixed in Nelore, and DGAT1 segregates in all groups, but the frequency of allele A is lower in Nelore animals. The results showed no association between the genotypes and traits studied, but a genetic group effect on these traits was found. So, the genetic background remains relevant for fat deposition and meat tenderness, but the gene markers developed for Bos taurus may be insufficient for Bos indicus

Brazil method of anti-malware evaluation and cyber defence impacts

Cyber risk profoundly affects all. In the context of cyber threats, malware is trending in various productive sectors. Nowadays, anti-malware is essential to combat cyber threats; however, their efficiency is often questioned, because malware is different for different regions in the world. Choosing an efficient anti-malware software solution is crucial to protect information from different institutions. The method confirmed the reality of evaluating the different known methodologies, showing another scenario of efficiency of the different testers. The method allowed visualizing an interesting panorama because 50% of malware collected on the Brazilian Internet were detected by anti-malware commercially available in Brazil

Prevalence, predictors, and prognostic implications of residual impairment of functional capacity after transcatheter aortic valve implantation

Background Patients with degenerative aortic stenosis (AS) referred for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) typically have advanced cardiac and vascular adverse remodeling and multiple comorbidities and, therefore, might not recover a normal functional capacity after valve replacement. We sought to investigate the prevalence, the predictors, and the prognostic impact of residual impairment of functional capacity after TAVI. Methods and results Out of 790 patients undergoing TAVI with impaired functional capacity (NYHA II-IV) at baseline, NYHA functional class improved in 592 (86.5%) and remained unchanged/worsened in 92 (13.5%) at follow-up [median (IQR): 419 (208-807) days] after TAVI. Normal functional capacity (NYHA I) was recovered in 65.5% (n = 448) of patients, while the rest had variable degrees of residual impairment. On multivariable regression analysis, atrial fibrillation [odds ratio-OR, 2.08 (1.21-3.58), p = 0.008], low-flow-low-gradient AS [OR, 1.97 (1.09-3.57), p = 0.026], chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [OR, 1.92 (1.19-3.12), p = 0.008], and lower hemoglobin at baseline [OR, 1.11 (1.01-1.21) for each g% decrement, p = 0.036] were independently associated with residual impairment of functional capacity. All-cause and cardiac mortality were significantly higher in those with residual impairment of functional capacity than in those in NYHAI class [hazard ratio-HR: 2.37 (95% CI: 1.51-3.72), p <0.001 and 2.16 (95% CI: 1.08-4.35), p = 0.030, respectively]. Even mild residual functional impairment (NYHAII) was associated with a higher all-cause [HR: 2.02 (95% CI: 1.10-3.72), p = 0.023] and cardiac [HR: 2.08 (95% CI: 1.42-3.07), p <0.001] mortality. Conclusion Residual impairment of functional capacity is common after TAVI and is independently associated with increased mortality. Predictors of residual impairment of functional status are predominantly patient-rather than procedure-relate

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation for mixed versus pure stenotic aortic valve disease

Aims: In addition to patients with pure/predominant aortic stenosis (PAS), real-world transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) referrals include patients with mixed aortic valve disease (MAVD; severe stenosis+moderate-severe regurgitation). We sought to compare TAVI outcomes in patients with MAVD vs. PAS. Methods and results: Out of 793 consecutive patients undergoing TAVI, 106 (13.4%) had MAVD. Patients with MAVD were younger and had a higher operative risk, a more severe adverse cardiac remodelling, and a worse functional status than patients with PAS. Moderate-severe prosthetic valve regurgitation (PVR) was significantly more frequent in patients with MAVD than in patients with PAS (15.7% vs. 3.6%, p=0.003), even after propensity-score and multivariable adjustments. Moderate-severe PVR was associated with increased one-year mortality in patients with PAS (log-rank p=0.002), but not in patients with MAVD (log-rank p=0.27). Eventually, all-cause and cardiac mortality as well as the functional capacity were similar in the two study groups up to one year. Conclusions: A significant proportion of patients referred for TAVI in a real-world registry has MAVD. Moderate-severe AR at baseline can influence the rate and modify the clinical sequelae of post-TAVI PVR. Eventually, clinical outcomes in patients with MAVD are comparable to those in patients with PAS in the acute and midterm phases, in spite of a baseline higher risk. MAVD should not be considered a contraindication for TAV