An epidemiologic calculator supporting spanish speaking veterinarians in a resource-limited computing environment

Statistical analysis is fundamental to the field of epidemiologic research. However, commercial statistical software packages are very expensive for personal use. Some free packages are available from the Internet, but researchers do not always have access to a computer for installing such software as they like. The authors developed an epidemiologic calculator, enabling sample size calculations as well as simple analyses, for Spanish speaking veterinarians in a resource-limited computing environment. There are at least four advantages to using the calculator, such as (1) no installation required, (2) no on-line connection required during the calculation process, (3) the open-source attitude, and (4) the publicdomain attitude.El análisis estadístico es fundamental en el campo de la investigación epidemiológica. De todas maneras, el software comercial para análisis estadístico es demasiado caro para un uso personal. Algunos programas gratuitos se consiguen en Internet, pero los investigadores no siempre tienen acceso a una computadora para instalar dicho software como quisieran. Los autores desarrollaron un Calculador Epidemiológico, permitiendo cálculos de tamaño muestral, así como análisis simples, para veterinarios hispano parlantes en un ambiente informático de recursos limitados. Tenemos entonces, al menos, cuatro ventajas por el uso del Calculador: (1) No se necesita instalación, (2) No se requiere conexión a la red durante el proceso de cálculo, (3) Una actitud de código abierto, además de, (4) Una actitud que proponga el dominio público

Calculador epidemiológico que acepta veterinarios hispanoparlantes en un ambiente informático de recursos limitados

El análisis estadístico es fundamental en el campo de la investigación epidemiológica. De todas maneras, el software comercial para análisis estadístico es demasiado caro para un uso personal. Algunos programas gratuitos se consiguen en Internet, pero los investigadores no siempre tienen acceso a una computadora para instalar dicho software como quisieran. Los autores desarrollaron un Calculador Epidemiológico, permitiendo cálculos de tamaño muestral, así como análisis simples, para veterinarios hispano parlantes en un ambiente informático de recursos limitados. Tenemos entonces, al menos, cuatro ventajas por el uso del Calculador: (1) No se necesita instalación, (2) No se requiere conexión a la red durante el proceso de cálculo, (3) Una actitud de código abierto, además de, (4) Una actitud que proponga el dominio público.Statistical analysis is fundamental to the field of epidemiologic research. However, commercial statistical software packages are very expensive for personal use. Some free packages are available from the Internet, but researchers do not always have access to a computer for installing such software as they like. The authors developed an epidemiologic calculator, enabling sample size calculations as well as simple analyses, for Spanish speaking veterinarians in a resource-limited computing environment. There are at least four advantages to using the calculator, such as (1) no installation required, (2) no on-line connection required during the calculation process, (3) the open-source attitude, and (4) the publicdomain attitude.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Calculador epidemiológico que acepta veterinarios hispanoparlantes en un ambiente informático de recursos limitados

El análisis estadístico es fundamental en el campo de la investigación epidemiológica. De todas maneras, el software comercial para análisis estadístico es demasiado caro para un uso personal. Algunos programas gratuitos se consiguen en Internet, pero los investigadores no siempre tienen acceso a una computadora para instalar dicho software como quisieran. Los autores desarrollaron un Calculador Epidemiológico, permitiendo cálculos de tamaño muestral, así como análisis simples, para veterinarios hispano parlantes en un ambiente informático de recursos limitados. Tenemos entonces, al menos, cuatro ventajas por el uso del Calculador: (1) No se necesita instalación, (2) No se requiere conexión a la red durante el proceso de cálculo, (3) Una actitud de código abierto, además de, (4) Una actitud que proponga el dominio público.Statistical analysis is fundamental to the field of epidemiologic research. However, commercial statistical software packages are very expensive for personal use. Some free packages are available from the Internet, but researchers do not always have access to a computer for installing such software as they like. The authors developed an epidemiologic calculator, enabling sample size calculations as well as simple analyses, for Spanish speaking veterinarians in a resource-limited computing environment. There are at least four advantages to using the calculator, such as (1) no installation required, (2) no on-line connection required during the calculation process, (3) the open-source attitude, and (4) the publicdomain attitude.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Identification and Analysis of the Role of Superoxide Dismutases Isoforms in the Pathogenesis of Paracoccidioides spp.

The ability of Paracoccidioides to defend itself against reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by host effector cells is a prerequisite to survive. To counteract these radicals, Paracoccidioides expresses, among different antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutases (SODs). In this study, we identified six SODs isoforms encoded by the Paracoccidioides genome. We determined gene expression levels of representative isolates of the phylogenetic lineages of Paracoccidioides spp. (S1, PS2, PS3 and Pb01-like) using quantitative RT-PCR. Assays were carried out to analyze SOD gene expression of yeast cells, mycelia cells, the mycelia-to-yeast transition and the yeast-to-mycelia germination, as well as under treatment with oxidative agents and during interaction with phagocytic cells. We observed an increased expression of PbSOD1 and PbSOD3 during the transition process, exposure to oxidative agents and interaction with phagocytic cells, suggesting that these proteins could assist in combating the superoxide radicals generated during the host-pathogen interaction. Using PbSOD1 and PbSOD3 knockdown strains we showed these genes are involved in the response of the fungus against host effector cells, particularly the oxidative stress response, and in a mouse model of infection. Protein sequence analysis together with functional analysis of knockdown strains seem to suggest that PbSOD3 expression is linked with a pronounced extracellular activity while PbSOD1 seems more related to intracellular requirements of the fungus. Altogether, our data suggests that P. brasiliensis actively responds to the radicals generated endogenously during metabolism and counteracts the oxidative burst of immune cells by inducing the expression of SOD isoforms