Effect size and statistical power in the rodent fear conditioning literature - A systematic review

<div><p>Proposals to increase research reproducibility frequently call for focusing on effect sizes instead of p values, as well as for increasing the statistical power of experiments. However, it is unclear to what extent these two concepts are indeed taken into account in basic biomedical science. To study this in a real-case scenario, we performed a systematic review of effect sizes and statistical power in studies on learning of rodent fear conditioning, a widely used behavioral task to evaluate memory. Our search criteria yielded 410 experiments comparing control and treated groups in 122 articles. Interventions had a mean effect size of 29.5%, and amnesia caused by memory-impairing interventions was nearly always partial. Mean statistical power to detect the average effect size observed in well-powered experiments with significant differences (37.2%) was 65%, and was lower among studies with non-significant results. Only one article reported a sample size calculation, and our estimated sample size to achieve 80% power considering typical effect sizes and variances (15 animals per group) was reached in only 12.2% of experiments. Actual effect sizes correlated with effect size inferences made by readers on the basis of textual descriptions of results only when findings were non-significant, and neither effect size nor power correlated with study quality indicators, number of citations or impact factor of the publishing journal. In summary, effect sizes and statistical power have a wide distribution in the rodent fear conditioning literature, but do not seem to have a large influence on how results are described or cited. Failure to take these concepts into consideration might limit attempts to improve reproducibility in this field of science.</p></div

ECONOMIA COMPARTILHADA E MODO DE PRODUÇÃO CAPITALISTA NO CONTEXTO DOS APLICATIVOS DE ENTREGA

RESUMOAlgumas das características da economia compartilhada podem gerar novas dinâmicas nas relações de trabalho, por isso se faz importante entender se esse novo modelo de economia pode reforçar a precarização do trabalho. Por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas com cinco entregadores vinculados a diferentes aplicativos de entrega de comida, o artigo buscou compreender se as empresas de aplicativos perpetuam práticas do modo de produção capitalista a partir da exploração da atividade de entregador. As análises foram realizadas a partir das categorias, a priori, de motivação, rotina, vantagens e desvantagens de realizar a atividade de entregador, ciência dos direitos trabalhistas, relacionamento com as empresas e a perspectiva de futuro em relação à atividade e a empregos formais. Como resultado foi possível identificar que mesmo que a economia compartilhada traga muitos ganhos para plataformas inovadoras, existe um contexto de forte desigualdade por trás do crescimento econômico que questiona o pilar social da sustentabilidade.Palavras-chave: Economia compartilhada. Modo de produção capitalista. Entregadores. Aplicativos. Bicicleta. ABSTRACTSome of the sharing economy characteristics generate new work relationships. Therefore, it is important to understand whether this new economic model can reinforce the already precarious nature of work. Through semi-structured interviews with five bike messengers from different delivery applications, the article sought to understand if application companies perpetuate the capitalist mode of production practices through the exploitation of the delivery activity. Analyses were carried out based on a priori categories related to motivation, routine, advantages, and disadvantages of performing the activity of delivery, awareness of labor rights, relationship with companies, and the future perspective of the activity and formal jobs. As a result, it was possible to identify that even though the sharing economy brings many gains for innovative platforms, there is a context of inequality behind this economic growth that questions the social pillar of sustainability.Keywords: Sharing economy. Capitalist mode of production. Deliveries. Applications. Bike messenger

Melanopsin System Dysfunction in Smith-Magenis Syndrome Patients

PURPOSE: Smith-Magenis syndrome (SMS) causes sleep disturbance that is related to an abnormal melatonin profile. It is not clear how the genomic disorder leads to a disturbed synchronization of the sleep/wake rhythm in SMS patients. To evaluate the integrity of the intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cell (ipRGC)/melanopsin system, the transducers of the light-inhibitory effect on pineal melatonin synthesis, we recorded pupillary light responses (PLR) in SMS patients. METHODS: Subjects were SMS patients (n = 5), with molecular diagnosis and melatonin levels measured for 24 hours and healthy controls (n = 4). Visual stimuli were 1-second red light flashes (640 nminsignificant direct ipRGC activation), followed by a 470-nm blue light, near the melanopsin peak absorption region (direct ipRGC activation). Blue flashes produce a sustained pupillary constriction (ipRGC driven) followed by baseline return, while red flashes produce faster recovery. RESULTS: Pupillary light responses to 640-nm red flash were normal in SMS patients. In response to 470-nm blue flash, SMS patients had altered sustained responses shown by faster recovery to baseline. SMS patients showed impairment in the expected melatonin production suppression during the day, confirming previous reports. CONCLUSIONS: SMS patients show dysfunction in the sustained component of the PLR to blue light. It could explain their well-known abnormal melatonin profile and elevated circulating melatonin levels during the day. Synchronization of daily melatonin profile and its photoinhibition are dependent on the activation of melanopsin. This retinal dysfunction might be related to a deficit in melanopsin-based photoreception, but a deficit in rod function is also possible.Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) [2014/26818-2, 2014/50457-0, 2016/04538-3, 2014/06457-5, 2015/22227-2, 2016/22007-5]National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) [480428/2013-4, 470785/2014-4, 404239/2016-1]CAPES [3263/2013]Janos Bolyai Scholarship of the Hungarian Academy of SciencesUniv Sao Paulo, Dept Expt Psychol, Inst Psychol, Sao Paulo, BrazilSemmelweis Univ, Dept Ophthalmol, Budapest, HungaryUniv Sao Paulo, Dept Neurol, Fac Med, Sao Paulo, BrazilBudapest Univ Technol & Econ, Dept Mechatron Opt & Engn Informat, Budapest, HungaryUniv Texas San Antonio, Dept Cellular & Struct Biol, San Antonio, TX USAUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Physiol, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Sao Paulo, Dept Physiol & Biophys, Inst Biomed Sci, Av Lineu Prestes 1524, BR-05508000 Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Physiol, Sao Paulo, BrazilFAPESP [2014/26818-2, 2014/50457-0, 2016/04538-3, 2014/06457-5, 2015/22227-2, 2016/22007-5]CNPq [480428/2013-4, 470785/2014-4, 404239/2016-1]CAPES [3263/2013]Web of Scienc

QUEILITE GRANULOMATOSA

Queilite granulomatosa, é uma doença rara, de etiologia desconhecida e de evolução crônica, queinicia com  edema difuso dos lábios, especialmente  o inferior. Descamação, fissuras, vesículas e/ou pústulas .podem estar presentes, assim como  eritema da borda interna do lábio. Ocorre emambos os sexos, em várias faixas etárias. O tratamento, em geral,  é  não satisfatório . Os autoresrelatam o caso de uma paciente de 43 anos,  atendida no ambulatório de dermatologia do HospitalUniversitário de Santa Maria, tendo sido feito o diagnóstico através dos quadros clínico, laboratoriale anatomopatológico compatíveis com a patologia

Aging, neurocognitive impairment and adherence to antiretroviral therapy in human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals

AbstractBackground/objectiveThere is an increasing number of older patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection due to the success of antiretroviral therapy, the improved prognosis and life expectancy of patients, and the higher number of new infections among older individuals. The main objective of the present study was to compare the characteristics of older human immunodeficiency virus patients with those of younger patients.Materials and methodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study with human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients who were treated at the Specialized Care Service (Serviço de Assistência Especializada) for human immunodeficiency virus/AIDS in the city of Pelotas, South Brazil. Sociodemographic information as well as data on human immunodeficiency virus infection and treatment were collected. All participants underwent psychiatric and neurocognitive assessments, and their adherence to antiretroviral therapy was evaluated.ResultsA total of 392 patients participated in the study, with 114 patients aged 50 years and older. The characteristics showing significant differences between older and younger human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients included race/ethnicity, comorbidities, duration and adherence to antiretroviral therapy, currently undetectable viral load, and cognitive impairment. Compared to younger patients, older patients were at higher risk of exhibiting cognitive impairment [OR 2.28 (95% CI: 1.35–3.82, p=0.002)] and of having increased adherence to antiretroviral therapy [OR 3.11 (95% CI: 1.67–5.79, p<0.001)].ConclusionsThe prevalence of neurocognitive impairment remained high in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients despite antiretroviral therapy. In the present study, the prevalence of this type of impairment was significantly higher in patients aged ≥50 years, most likely due to aging, human immunodeficiency virus infection, and a possible synergistic effect between these factors. Despite this higher prevalence, older patients exhibited higher rates of adherence to antiretroviral therapy and of undetectable human immunodeficiency virus viral load

IMPACTOS E REPERCURÇÕES DA SÍNDROME DE BURNOUT DOS ENFERMEIROS QUE ATUAM NA ONCOLOGIA

Introduction: Oncology professionals face psychosocial stressors in the performance of their work activities that make them vulnerable to Burnout. Burnout Syndrome is a way of responding to chronic work stress, which is a condition in which the worker wears out, and tends to give up, as he loses satisfaction and sense of work. Objective: This article aimed to analyze scientific articles that address the presence of Burnout Syndrome in nurses working in the field of oncology. Methodology: This is an integrative literature review research carried out with articles indexed in scientific sites through the descriptors: Burnout Syndrome, nurses, oncology. Analysis and discussion of results: Through this study, it was found that the hospital environment and the oncology sector are places that produce great stress loads, and predisposing factors for professionals, especially nurses who are in greater contact with the patient, to develop the Burnout Syndrome. Conclusion: It is concluded that there is a need for more research on the syndrome, especially in the oncology sector, highlighting the working conditions of these professionals and a focus on the physical and mental health of workers.    Introducción: Los profesionales de oncología enfrentan estresores psicosociales en el desempeño de sus actividades laborales que los hacen vulnerables al Burnout. El Síndrome de Burnout es una forma de responder al estrés laboral crónico, que es una condición en la que el trabajador se desgasta y tiende a rendirse, ya que pierde la satisfacción y el sentido del trabajo. Objetivo: Este artículo tuvo como objetivo analizar artículos científicos que abordan la presencia del Síndrome de Burnout en enfermeros que actúan en el área de oncología. Metodología: Se trata de una investigación integrativa de revisión bibliográfica realizada con artículos indexados en sitios científicos a través de los descriptores: Síndrome de Burnout, enfermeros, oncología. Análisis y discusión de resultados: A través de este estudio se constató que el ambiente hospitalario y el sector oncológico son lugares que producen grandes cargas de estrés, y factores predisponentes para los profesionales, especialmente enfermeros que están en mayor contacto con el paciente, a desarrollar el Burnout Síndrome. Conclusión: Se concluye que existe la necesidad de más investigaciones sobre el síndrome, especialmente en el sector de la oncología, destacando las condiciones de trabajo de estos profesionales y un enfoque en la salud física y mental de los trabajadores.  Introdução: Profissionais da oncologia enfrentam estressores psicossociais no desempenho de suas atividades laborais que os tornam vulneráveis ao Burnout. A Síndrome de Burnout é uma maneira de resposta ao estresse laboral crônico, sendo esta uma condição na qual o trabalhador se desgasta, e tende a desistir, na medida em que perde a satisfação e sentido pelo trabalho. Objetivo: O presente artigo teve como objetivo analisar artigos científicos que abordam a presença da Síndrome de Burnout nos enfermeiros que trabalham na área de oncologia. Metodologia: Trata-se de uma pesquisa de revisão de literatura integrativa realizada com artigos indexados em sites de cunho científico através dos descritores: Síndrome de Burnout, enfermeiros, oncologia. Análise e discussão dos resultados: Através deste estudo, foram constatados que o ambiente hospitalar e o setor de oncologia são locais que produzem grandes cargas de estresse, e fatores predisponentes aos profissionais, principalmente os enfermeiros que estão em contato maior com o paciente, a desenvolverem a Síndrome de Burnout. Conclusão: Conclui-se que existe a necessidade de mais pesquisas sobre a síndrome, principalmente no setor oncológico, ressaltando as condições de trabalho destes profissionais e um foco à saúde física e mental dos trabalhadores.  Introdução: Profissionais da oncologia enfrentam estressores psicossociais no desempenho de suas atividades laborais que os tornam vulneráveis ao Burnout. A Síndrome de Burnout é uma maneira de resposta ao estresse laboral crônico, sendo esta uma condição na qual o trabalhador se desgasta, e tende a desistir, na medida em que perde a satisfação e sentido pelo trabalho. Objetivo: O presente artigo teve como objetivo analisar artigos científicos que abordam a presença da Síndrome de Burnout nos enfermeiros que trabalham na área de oncologia. Metodologia: Trata-se de uma pesquisa de revisão de literatura integrativa realizada com artigos indexados em sites de cunho científico através dos descritores: Síndrome de Burnout, enfermeiros, oncologia. Análise e discussão dos resultados: Através deste estudo, foram constatados que o ambiente hospitalar e o setor de oncologia são locais que produzem grandes cargas de estresse, e fatores predisponentes aos profissionais, principalmente os enfermeiros que estão em contato maior com o paciente, a desenvolverem a Síndrome de Burnout. Conclusão: Conclui-se que existe a necessidade de mais pesquisas sobre a síndrome, principalmente no setor oncológico, ressaltando as condições de trabalho destes profissionais e um foco à saúde física e mental dos trabalhadores.

Levels of organochlorine contaminants in natural bovine milk marketed in Mojuí dos Campos and Belterra, Brazil

Analyzing the organochlorine pesticide (OCP) content in milk is relevantbecause it helps evaluate the quality of milk that reaches the consumer's table and also helps identify the geographical areas where there is a high possibility of contamination. Accordingly,thispilot project was aimed at determining the extent of contamination by OCP residues and their metabolites in fresh cow's milk in Mojuí dos Campos and Belterra, Pará, using solid-phase extraction (SPE) and gas chromatography coupled with electron capture detection (GC-ECD). The OCPs evaluated in this study weredichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its metabolites (dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (DDD)), hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) (α, β, γ, and δ), endosulfanα and β, andendosulfansulfate. None of the thirty bovine milk samples analyzedshowed any contamination with OCPs.TheOCP content was within the limit of quantification of the method. The results of this study add to the existing knowledge on the quality ofbovine milk produced in these locations. However, further researchon other environmental matricesis required to confirm the results obtained in this study

Auditory stimulation with Mozart sonata k-448 and heavy metal music improves short-term memory in rats

Objectives. We aimed to assess the effect of both classical and heavy metal music on short-term and long-term memory. Methods. Male rats were separated into three groups: Mozart (n=14), rats were exposed to Mozart´s K-448 piano sonata; Heavy Metal (n=15), rats were exposed to Psychosocial (band: Slipknot), and Control (n=12), rats were exposed to ambient sounds in an acoustically isolated room. The animals were exposed to the music for 8 hours per day, between 10:00 pm to 06:00 am, with an intensity of 50-75 dB, for 61 consecutive days. Twenty-four hours after the final day of adjustment to the enclosure the animals were individually exposed for 5 minutes in the enclosure to explore two identical objects. Ninety minutes after the object recognition training session, the animals were submitted to the short-term memory test and twenty-eight days after the object recognition training session, the animals were submitted to a long-term memory test. Results. There was no modification amongst the three groups during the object recognition training. Regarding the short-term memory test both Mozart (U=33.00, p=0.016, FDR-corrected) and Heavy Metal (U=44.00, p=0.033, FDR-corrected) groups revealed a higher percentage value of significance compared to the control group. In contrast, there was no significant change in relation to the long-term memory test. Conclusion. Mozart Sonata K-448 and heavy metal music achieved beneficial effects on the short-term memory in rats

Pervasive gaps in Amazonian ecological research

Biodiversity loss is one of the main challenges of our time,1,2 and attempts to address it require a clear un derstanding of how ecological communities respond to environmental change across time and space.3,4 While the increasing availability of global databases on ecological communities has advanced our knowledge of biodiversity sensitivity to environmental changes,5–7 vast areas of the tropics remain understudied.8–11 In the American tropics, Amazonia stands out as the world’s most diverse rainforest and the primary source of Neotropical biodiversity,12 but it remains among the least known forests in America and is often underrepre sented in biodiversity databases.13–15 To worsen this situation, human-induced modifications16,17 may elim inate pieces of the Amazon’s biodiversity puzzle before we can use them to understand how ecological com munities are responding. To increase generalization and applicability of biodiversity knowledge,18,19 it is thus crucial to reduce biases in ecological research, particularly in regions projected to face the most pronounced environmental changes. We integrate ecological community metadata of 7,694 sampling sites for multiple or ganism groups in a machine learning model framework to map the research probability across the Brazilian Amazonia, while identifying the region’s vulnerability to environmental change. 15%–18% of the most ne glected areas in ecological research are expected to experience severe climate or land use changes by 2050. This means that unless we take immediate action, we will not be able to establish their current status, much less monitor how it is changing and what is being lostinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio