Avaliação de alterações em tomografia computadorizada de tórax de pacientes internados por Covid-19

Introduction: SARS-CoV-2 has rapid dissemination and high infectivity and can evolve into Severe Respiratory Distress Syndrome (SARS), which led to a high number of deaths and hospitalizations in the recent pandemic. Computed tomography (CT) of the chest has demonstrated an essential role in the initial evaluation and evolution of these patients.Methodology: This was a retrospective observational study at a single center, University Hospital in Northeastern Brazil, evaluating 97 patients hospitalized for COVID-19 with laboratory confirmation to evaluate and quantify the chest CTfindings, comparing the findings with the severity of the case and relating them to the morbidities presented. The CT scans were performed by radiologists from the hospital and the data were evaluated by the university’s statistics laboratory.Results: Among the main alterations, ground-glass opacities were present in more than 90% of the patients. The study observed that the magnitude of the pulmonary involvement of this finding had a relationship with the outcome of higher hospitalization. Conclusion: In this sense, the relevance of chest CT to suggest the diagnosis of Covid-19 and establish the prognosis of the disease is observed. However, further studies are still needed to confirm these findings.Introdução: O SARS-CoV-2 possui rápida disseminação e alta infectividade, podendo evoluir com Síndrome da Angústia Respiratória Grave (SARS), o que levou a um número elevado de mortes e internações na recente pandemia. A Tomografia Computadorizada (TC) de tórax demonstrou um papel essencial na avaliação inicial e evolução dessespacientes. Metodologia: Este foi um estudo observacional retrospectivo em centro único - Hospital Universitário no Nordeste do Brasil - avaliando 97 pacientes internados por COVID-19 com confirmação laboratorial, a fim de avaliar e quantificar os achados de TC de tórax, comparando os achados com a gravidade do caso e relacionando-os com as morbidades apresentadas. As TCs foram laudadas por radiologistas do próprio hospital. Após isso, os dados foram avaliados pelo laboratório de estatística da universidade para serem analisados e discutidos. Resultados: Dentre as principais alterações, o vidro fosco estava presente em mais de 90% dos pacientes. Foi observado que a magnitudedo comprometimento pulmonar deste achado apresentou relação desfavorável com o desfecho da internação. Conclusão: Neste sentido, observa-se a relevância da TC de tórax para sugerir o diagnóstico de Covid-19 e estabelecer o prognóstico da doença. No entanto, ainda são necessários mais estudos para destrinchar estes achados

Validação de novos valores previstos brasileiros para a espirometria forçada na raça branca e comparação com os valores previstos obtidos por outras equações de referência Validation of new brazilian predicted values for forced spirometry in caucasians and comparison with predicted values obtained using other reference equations

OBJETIVO: Comparar os novos valores previstos brasileiros de capacidade vital forçada e volume expiratório forçado no primeiro segundo para a espirometria obtidos em 2006 com os obtidos por outras equações de referência e validar os achados por meio da comparação com uma nova amostra de brasileiros normais. MÉTODOS: Realizou-se espirometria forçada, de acordo com as normas da Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumologia e Tisiologia, em 643 adultos brancos não-fumantes. Os valores previstos obtidos por pesquisadores brasileiros em 1992 e os obtidos por quatro grupos de pesquisadores estrangeiros foram comparados com os novos valores previstos brasileiros obtidos em 2006. Em uma segunda fase, os valores médios obtidos em 65 mulheres e 79 homens adultos foram comparados aos valores previstos obtidos pelas diversas equações de referência. RESULTADOS: O teste t para amostras pareadas revelou diferenças significativas entre os valores previstos obtidos pelas seis equações e os obtidos pela equação brasileira de 2006. Na segunda fase, observou-se que os valores previstos obtidos por Crapo et al. e os obtidos por Hankinson et al. para os méxico-americanos mostraram valores médios semelhantes aos observados na nova amostra. Porém, quando os valores previstos obtidos na nova amostra foram comparados com os obtidos por esses autores, discrepâncias foram observadas, com valores previstos altos e baixos. Os valores obtidos pela equação brasileira de 2006 mostraram as menores diferenças em comparação com os valores médios obtidos na nova amostra. CONCLUSÕES: Estes resultados sublinham a importância de se usar equações de predição para espirometria que sejam apropriadas para nossa população.<br>OBJECTIVE: To compare the most recent (2006) predicted values of forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in one second for spirometry in Brazilians with those obtained using other reference equations and to validate the findings through comparisons with a new sample of normal Brazilians. METHODS: Forced spirometry was performed, in accordance with the Brazilian Thoracic Society guidelines, in 643 nonsmoking adult Caucasians. The predicted values obtained by Brazilian researchers in 1992 and those obtained by four groups of foreign researchers were compared with the new Brazilian predicted values obtained in 2006. In the second phase, the mean values obtained in 65 adult females and 79 adult males were compared with the predicted values obtained using the various reference equations. RESULTS: A t-test for paired samples revealed significant differences between the predicted values obtained using the six equations and those obtained using the 2006 Brazilian equation. In the second phase, the mean predicted values obtained by Crapo et al., as well as those obtained by Hankinson et al. for Mexican-Americans, were similar to those found in the new sample. However, when the predicted values obtained in the new sample were compared with those obtained by those authors, discrepancies were found, with high and low predicted values. The mean values obtained using the 2006 Brazilian equation presented the smallest differences in comparison with the mean values obtained in the new sample. CONCLUSIONS: These results underscore the importance of using prediction equations for spirometry that are appropriate for our population

Ossificação pulmonar dendriforme Dendriform pulmonary ossification

A ossificação pulmonar difusa é uma condição rara, de etiologia desconhecida, na qual osso maduro é encontrado no parênquima pulmonar. É quase sempre descoberta como um achado incidental de autópsias. Freqüentemente afeta homens de meia-idade e é assintomática. Relata-se o caso de um paciente de 75 anos, que apresentou uma radiografia torácica com comprometimento pulmonar difuso e cujo diagnóstico foi baseado no exame histopatológico de fragmento pulmonar obtido através da biópsia a céu aberto, o qual demonstrou fibrose intersticial acentuada com ossificação do parênquima pulmonar.<br>Diffuse pulmonary ossification is a rare condition of unknown pathogenesis in which mature bone is found in the pulmonary parenchyma. It is almost invariably discovered as an incidental finding at autopsy. Most commonly, it affects middle-aged men and is asymptomatic. We present the case of a 75-year-old man in which the chest X-ray showed diffuse interstitial infiltrate. Diagnosis was based on histopathological examination by open-lung biopsy, which revealed interstitial fibrosis with pulmonary ossification

NEOTROPICAL ALIEN MAMMALS: a data set of occurrence and abundance of alien mammals in the Neotropics

Biological invasion is one of the main threats to native biodiversity. For a species to become invasive, it must be voluntarily or involuntarily introduced by humans into a nonnative habitat. Mammals were among first taxa to be introduced worldwide for game, meat, and labor, yet the number of species introduced in the Neotropics remains unknown. In this data set, we make available occurrence and abundance data on mammal species that (1) transposed a geographical barrier and (2) were voluntarily or involuntarily introduced by humans into the Neotropics. Our data set is composed of 73,738 historical and current georeferenced records on alien mammal species of which around 96% correspond to occurrence data on 77 species belonging to eight orders and 26 families. Data cover 26 continental countries in the Neotropics, ranging from Mexico and its frontier regions (southern Florida and coastal-central Florida in the southeast United States) to Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay, and the 13 countries of Caribbean islands. Our data set also includes neotropical species (e.g., Callithrix sp., Myocastor coypus, Nasua nasua) considered alien in particular areas of Neotropics. The most numerous species in terms of records are from Bos sp. (n = 37,782), Sus scrofa (n = 6,730), and Canis familiaris (n = 10,084); 17 species were represented by only one record (e.g., Syncerus caffer, Cervus timorensis, Cervus unicolor, Canis latrans). Primates have the highest number of species in the data set (n = 20 species), partly because of uncertainties regarding taxonomic identification of the genera Callithrix, which includes the species Callithrix aurita, Callithrix flaviceps, Callithrix geoffroyi, Callithrix jacchus, Callithrix kuhlii, Callithrix penicillata, and their hybrids. This unique data set will be a valuable source of information on invasion risk assessments, biodiversity redistribution and conservation-related research. There are no copyright restrictions. Please cite this data paper when using the data in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us on how they are using the data

NEOTROPICAL XENARTHRANS: a data set of occurrence of xenarthran species in the Neotropics

Xenarthrans—anteaters, sloths, and armadillos—have essential functions for ecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosystem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts with domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, 10 anteaters, and 6 sloths. Our data set includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae (3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data on Dasypus pilosus (Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized, but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In this data paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence and quantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is from the southern United States, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to the austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n = 5,941), and Cyclopes sp. have the fewest (n = 240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n = 11,588), and the fewest data are recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n = 33). With regard to sloth species, Bradypus variegatus has the most records (n = 962), and Bradypus pygmaeus has the fewest (n = 12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to make occurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly if we integrate the xenarthran data with other data sets of Neotropical Series that will become available very soon (i.e., Neotropical Carnivores, Neotropical Invasive Mammals, and Neotropical Hunters and Dogs). Therefore, studies on trophic cascades, hunting pressure, habitat loss, fragmentation effects, species invasion, and climate change effects will be possible with the Neotropical Xenarthrans data set. Please cite this data paper when using its data in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us of how they are using these data

NEOTROPICAL CARNIVORES: a data set on carnivore distribution in the Neotropics

Mammalian carnivores are considered a key group in maintaining ecological health and can indicate potential ecological integrity in landscapes where they occur. Carnivores also hold high conservation value and their habitat requirements can guide management and conservation plans. The order Carnivora has 84 species from 8 families in the Neotropical region: Canidae; Felidae; Mephitidae; Mustelidae; Otariidae; Phocidae; Procyonidae; and Ursidae. Herein, we include published and unpublished data on native terrestrial Neotropical carnivores (Canidae; Felidae; Mephitidae; Mustelidae; Procyonidae; and Ursidae). NEOTROPICAL CARNIVORES is a publicly available data set that includes 99,605 data entries from 35,511 unique georeferenced coordinates. Detection/non-detection and quantitative data were obtained from 1818 to 2018 by researchers, governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, and private consultants. Data were collected using several methods including camera trapping, museum collections, roadkill, line transect, and opportunistic records. Literature (peer-reviewed and grey literature) from Portuguese, Spanish and English were incorporated in this compilation. Most of the data set consists of detection data entries (n = 79,343; 79.7%) but also includes non-detection data (n = 20,262; 20.3%). Of those, 43.3% also include count data (n = 43,151). The information available in NEOTROPICAL CARNIVORES will contribute to macroecological, ecological, and conservation questions in multiple spatio-temporal perspectives. As carnivores play key roles in trophic interactions, a better understanding of their distribution and habitat requirements are essential to establish conservation management plans and safeguard the future ecological health of Neotropical ecosystems. Our data paper, combined with other large-scale data sets, has great potential to clarify species distribution and related ecological processes within the Neotropics. There are no copyright restrictions and no restriction for using data from this data paper, as long as the data paper is cited as the source of the information used. We also request that users inform us of how they intend to use the data