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1.
Phys Chem Chem Phys ; 26(16): 12799-12805, 2024 Apr 24.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38619871

ABSTRACT

Isothiazolinones represent a class of heterocyclic compounds widely used in various applications, including as biocides in cosmetics, detergents, and paints, as well as in industrial wastewater treatment. Indeed, the presence of isothiazolinones in the environment and their associated potential health hazards have raised significant concerns. In this study, a non-adiabatic dynamics investigation was conducted using state-of-the-art methodologies to explore the photochemistry of isothiazolinones. A simplified model, isothiazol-3(2H)-one (ISO), was employed to represent this compound class. The study validated the model and demonstrated that ISO can return to its ground state through the cleavage of the S-N or S-C bonds, with no significant energy barrier observed. Non-adiabatic dynamics simulations provided insights into the time scales and detailed processes of isothiazolinone photodissociation. The preferred route for deactivation was found to be the cleavage of the S-N bond. This research enhances our understanding of the photodeactivation processes of isothiazolinones and their potential environmental impact.

2.
Arch Orthop Trauma Surg ; 144(4): 1485-1490, 2024 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38285221

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Plantar fasciitis (PF) is a main source of heel pain, and only about one-third of patients have bilateral symptomatic involvement, although age, body mass index (BMI), and physical activities are known risk factors. The high prevalence of unilateral involvement is poorly understood. We aimed to assess the potential association between PF and the leg length discrepancy (LLD) in unilateral PF. METHODS: A transversal case-control study was conducted from January 2019 to December 2020, including 120 participants allocated to two groups matched by BMI and sex: cases (with a diagnosis of PF; 50 ± 13 years) and control (without foot pain; 40 ± 15 years). For both groups, a difference greater than 0.64 cm in the scanometry determined the criteria for the presence of LLD. RESULTS: The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed an independent association of PF only with age (p < 0.001), and no association with LLD. We did not observe differences in the mean discrepancy (1.37 ± 0.83 cm in the PF group in comparison with 1.13 ± 0.37 cm in the control group, [p > 0.05]) or in the prevalence of LLD between groups (48% [n = 29] in the PF group compared with 42% [n = 25] in the control group, [p > 0.05]). In the PF group, 80% of the participants reported unilateral pain. We observed a higher prevalence of pain in the shorter limb (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Age was the only factor associated with the diagnosis of PF when groups were matched by sex and BMI. LLD was not an independent factor associated with the diagnosis of PF. However, when PF is unilateral, the shorter limb is more affected with 70% of prevalence. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, case-control.


Subject(s)
Fasciitis, Plantar , Humans , Fasciitis, Plantar/diagnosis , Fasciitis, Plantar/epidemiology , Fasciitis, Plantar/etiology , Case-Control Studies , Leg , Pain , Leg Length Inequality/epidemiology , Leg Length Inequality/etiology , Risk Factors
3.
J Anat ; 242(2): 213-223, 2023 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36250976

ABSTRACT

Increasing age appears to influence several morphologic changes in major tendons. However, the effects of aging on the cross-sectional area (CSA) of different ankle tendons are much less understood. Furthermore, potential differences in specific tendon regions along the length of the tendons have not been investigated in detail. Sixty healthy adult participants categorized by age as young (n = 20; mean ± SD age = 22.5 ± 4.5 years), middle-age (n = 20; age = 40.6 ± 8. 0 years), or old (n = 20; age = 69.9 ± 9.1 years), from both sexes, were included. The tendon CSA of tibialis anterior (TA), tibialis posterior (TP), fibularis (FT), and Achilles (AT) was measured from T1-weighted 1.5 T MR images in incremental intervals of 10% along its length (from proximal insertion) and compared between different age groups and sexes. The mean CSA of the AT was greater in the middle-age group than both young and old participants (p < 0.01) and large effect sizes were observed for these differences (Cohen's d > 1). Furthermore, there was a significant difference in CSA in all three groups along the length of the different tendons. Region-specific differences between groups were observed in the distal portion (90% and 100% of the length), in which the FT presented greater CSA comparing middle-age to young and old (p < 0.05). In conclusion, (1) great magnitude of morpho-structural differences was discovered in the AT; (2) there are region-specific differences in the CSA of ankle tendons within the three groups and between them; and (3) there were no differences in tendon CSA between sexes.


Subject(s)
Achilles Tendon , Ankle , Male , Middle Aged , Female , Humans , Adolescent , Young Adult , Adult , Aged , Muscle, Skeletal , Ankle Joint/diagnostic imaging , Leg
4.
J Invertebr Pathol ; 198: 107917, 2023 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37004916

ABSTRACT

A pathogen with high virulence potential in some host species, Perkinsus marinus remains a challenge for the ecological integrity of marine ecosystems and the health of bivalve molluscs. This study investigates the occurrence of P. marinus in Crassostrea sp. in estuaries of the Potengi River and the Guaraíras lagoon in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. A total of 203 oyster samples that tested positive for Perkinsus sp. in Ray's fluid thioglycollate medium (RFTM) were subjected to species-specific quantitiative PCR, where 61 animals (30.05 %) presented amplification graphs with a melting temperature of 80.1 ± 0.6 °C matching the positive control. This was the first record of P. marinus in oysters in these estuaries using qPCR as a diagnostic tool.


Subject(s)
Apicomplexa , Crassostrea , Animals , Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction , Brazil , Ecosystem , Apicomplexa/genetics
5.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36878388

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the effects of different temperatures on the performance, composition, and nutrient retention of Chinook salmon reared in freshwater. Individuals (187.6 ± 27.1 g) were distributed into twelve tanks of 8000 L each (155 to 157 fish per tank) at a temperature of 14 °C. The tanks were transitioned from 14 °C (hatchery temperature) to 8, 12, 16, and 20 °C over seven days. Three fish assessments were performed, the first (initial) when the fish were distributed in the tanks, a second (interim) between days 9 and 16 at the start of the experiment, and a third (final) after 41 to 49 days at the target temperature. At the end of the trial, performance parameters, proximate composition, amino acid, and fatty acid composition, and nutrient retention were evaluated. Better growth performance was observed in fish at 16 °C and 20 °C compared to the lower temperatures. Fish at higher temperatures had higher levels of saturated fatty acids (SFA), while at lower temperatures fish had higher levels of n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). A polynomial relationship between nutrient retention and temperature showed that fish from all treatments retained more lipids than proteins, with higher retention of MUFA compared to the other fatty acid classes. Additionally, DHA retention was approximately three times higher than EPA retention. The results showed that 16 to 20 °C was the optimum temperature range for Chinook salmon, and the performance differences were mainly modulated by lipid retention/catabolism.


Subject(s)
Eicosapentaenoic Acid , Salmon , Animals , Docosahexaenoic Acids/metabolism , Eicosapentaenoic Acid/metabolism , Fatty Acids , Fresh Water , Nutrients , Salmon/metabolism , Temperature
6.
Microb Pathog ; 162: 105370, 2022 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34954045

ABSTRACT

Although species of the genus Ceratomyxa Thélohan, 1892 mostly parasitize marine fish around the world, a surprising diversity of the genus has recently been reported from Amazonian freshwater fish. In this study, we report a freshwater Ceratomyxa species parasitizing Hemiodus orthonops (Hemiodontidae) from the Paraná River (La Plata Basin) in a watershed flowing into the southern part of South America, which expands the geographic distribution of this fish parasite in the freshwater resources of the continent. We applied a combination of morphological, small subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU rDNA), and phylogenetic analyses, and vermiform-shaped plasmodia endowed with motility were found swimming in the bile of the fish. The characteristics of the plasmodia and myxospores of the Ceratomyxa species found in the Paraná River resembled those of Ceratomyxa fonsecai, a parasite of the congeneric host Hemiodus unimaculatus from the Tocantins River basin in northern Brazil. Due to the close morphological and morphometric resemblances and the impossibility of genetic comparison, the parasite found in H. orthonops from the Paraná River was designated as Ceratomyxa cf. fonsecai, and the definition of its taxonomic status was left for further study. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses showed Ceratomyxa cf. fonsecai clustering within a well-supported clade, together with other Amazonian freshwater ceratomyxids. The present study suggests that shifts of the complex host/parasite between marine and freshwater environments were facilitated by marine incursions into South America in the Early Miocene.


Subject(s)
Characiformes , Cnidaria , Fish Diseases , Myxozoa , Parasites , Parasitic Diseases, Animal , Animals , Bayes Theorem , Brazil , Cnidaria/genetics , DNA, Ribosomal/genetics , Fresh Water , Gallbladder , Myxozoa/genetics , Phylogeny
7.
Cell Mol Neurobiol ; 42(6): 1875-1886, 2022 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33704604

ABSTRACT

Recent evidences have shown the therapeutic potential of transcranial photobiomodulation on traumatic brain injury and Alzheimer's disease. Despite the promising benefits in the brain, little is known about the laser's effects in the absence of pathological conditions. We submitted young (4 months old) and aged (20 months old) rats to transcranial low-level laser and evaluated their exploratory activity and habituation in open field, anxiety in elevated plus maze, spatial memory in Barnes maze, and aversive memory in a step-down inhibitory avoidance task. Additionally, the levels of a panel of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines were quantified in two different brain regions: the cerebral cortex and the hippocampus. Young and aged rats submitted to transcranial laser exhibited better cognitive performance in Barnes maze than did control rats. Transcranial laser therapy decreased cortical levels of GM-CSF, IL-10, MCP-1, LIX, and TNFα in young rats and IL-5 in aged rats. High levels of IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-alpha were found in the cerebral cortex of aged rats submitted to transcranial laser. In the hippocampus, a decrease in IP-10 and fractalkine levels was observed in the aged rats from the laser group when compared to the aged rats from the control group. Our data indicate that transcranial photobiomodulation improves spatial learning and memory and alters the neuroinflammatory profile of young and aged rats' brains.


Subject(s)
Low-Level Light Therapy , Spatial Memory , Animals , Anxiety , Hippocampus , Interleukin-10 , Maze Learning , Rats
8.
J Toxicol Environ Health A ; 85(9): 364-375, 2022 05 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34933666

ABSTRACT

The beneficial pharmacological actions including antioxidant effects as an antileishmanial, antibacterial, antifungal, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antiviral, and analgesic of compounds isolated from Combretum mellifluum Eichler (Combretaceae) are well established. The aim of the present study was to determine the phytochemistry as well as assess the antioxidant and antileishmanial activities of the leaves from Combretum mellifluum Eichler (Combretaceae). Analysis of ethanolic extract resulted in isolation and identification of two epimeric mixtures of four previously unknown cycloartane-type triterpenoids, methyl quadrangularate M and methyl 24-epiquadrangularate M, and 2α,3ß,24ß-trihydroxy-cycloart-25-ene and 2α, 3ß, 24α-trihydroxy-cycloart-25-ene, and eight known compounds. Their structures were using one-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (1D NMR), 2D NMR and high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy (HRESIMS) analysis. Further, the extract and fractions were tested for antioxidant potential. The ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions demonstrated the highest antioxidant activity against 2,2-dipheny-1-picrylhydrazl (DPPH) free radicals, which correlated directly with total flavonoid content. All extracts and fractions from C. mellifluum Eichler were assessed for antileishmanial activity. The supernatant fraction exhibited highest potential, inhibiting the growth of Leishmania amazonensis with IC50 value 31.29 µg/ml. Our findings provide information on the chemical composition of C. mellifluum and the potential beneficial therapeutic usefulness as an antioxidant agent in various diseases.


Subject(s)
Combretum , Triterpenes , Antioxidants/analysis , Antioxidants/pharmacology , Combretum/chemistry , Plant Extracts/chemistry , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Plant Leaves/chemistry , Triterpenes/analysis , Triterpenes/chemistry , Triterpenes/pharmacology
9.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34752894

ABSTRACT

We investigated the effects of temperature and fasting on chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) at different life stages. In the first stage, fish were reared at 13 °C (198.5 ± 34.6 g) or 17 °C (218.3 ± 47.6 g) and fasted for 27 and 26 days, respectively. In the second stage, fish reared at 13 °C (481.8 ± 54.3 g) and 17 °C (597.3 ± 64.3 g) were fasted for 42 and 41 days respectively. At the third stage, fish were reared only at 17 °C (1065.7 ± 190.9 g) and fasted for 42 days. At the end of each fasting period performance, fillet and whole-body proximal composition, and whole-body fatty acid profile were compared among fish before and after fasting. Additionally, fillet fatty acid daily loss was compared in fasted fish from different treatments. The results showed that body weight was not significantly impacted by fasting. However, at 17 °C fasting at all three stages had a negative impact on fillet weight and total fatty acid daily loss. With few exceptions, saturated (SFA), monounsaturated (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids from n-6 series (n-6 PUFA) were preserved in fillet of fish at 17 °C, while higher daily losses of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and consequently polyunsaturated from n-3 series (n-3 PUFA) were observed in these same fish and in smaller fish at 13 °C. The results presented in this study provide important information regarding the influence of fasting and temperature on chinook salmon performance and metabolism, providing basis for future nutritional and compositional studies for this important commercial species.


Subject(s)
Salmon/growth & development , Salmon/metabolism , Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena , Animals , Aquaculture/methods , Energy Metabolism , Fasting/metabolism , Fatty Acids/metabolism , Lipid Metabolism , Temperature , Weight Loss
10.
J Fish Biol ; 101(1): 55-68, 2022 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35460078

ABSTRACT

To characterize the female reproductive biology of the endangered species Steindachneridion parahybae in captivity, the authors used the concentration of gonadal steroids and the oocyte development during the annual reproductive cycle (RC) and after artificial induced spawning (AIS) until 48 h. Three stages of gonadal maturation were identified, based on morphological and physiological features: early maturation or previtellogenic (PRV) oocyte, advanced maturation or vitellogenic (VTG) oocyte and regression (REG) or follicular atresia. They identified and characterized the following stages of germ cells: oogonia, perinucleolar and cortical alveoli, and VTG and atretic oocytes during RC. The oestradiol levels were higher in PRV than those in VTG and REG during the RC, whereas androgens showed higher levels of oestradiol in VTG than those in PRV and REG. The progestogen levels remained unchanged during the whole RC. The final oocyte maturation (FOM) was achieved after AIS and postovulatory follicles (POF) were identified. Plasma concentration of progestogens (17α,20ß-dihydroxy-pregnen-3-one and 17α-hydroxyprogesterone) increased considerably after AIS, remaining high up to 6 h after AIS, and progressively decreased over time after AIS. During RC, the lack of FOM and POFs reveals that captivity negatively impacts S. parahybae reproduction. Nonetheless, the VTG stage of oocytes, reached during RC, is suitable for ovulation induction with artificial hormone manipulation, enabling the reproduction of this species in captivity and being essential for the success of fish farming and/or fish conservation programmes (conservationist aquaculture).


Subject(s)
Catfishes , Animals , Estradiol , Female , Follicular Atresia , Oocytes , Reproduction
11.
Nutr Cancer ; 73(11-12): 2278-2286, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32933327

ABSTRACT

Incidences of colorectal cancer (CRC) have continued to grow. Surgery is the main treatment and the only curative factor is nutritional status, which has an enormous influence on postoperative evolution. This study proposes a protocol for nutritional intervention beginning preoperatively and lasting up to three months postoperatively. Twenty patients with confirmed diagnosis of colon adenocarcinoma who underwent resection surgery were included. Anthropometric and food intake data-assessed through two 24-hour recalls, one weekday and one weekend-were collected at baseline, one month postoperative (PO), and three months PO. Anthropometric evaluation showed a decrease in the first month PO in weight, BMI, Hand grip strength, and arm circumference (P < 0.05), but these parameters recovered after 3 mo, PO and concomitant with the increase in protein and dietary fiber intake. In addition, collateral symptoms, such as abdominal distension, abdominal pain, and post prandial fullness, decreased between baseline and three months postoperative (P < 0.05). The nutritional counseling protocol for patients undergoing surgery due to CRC was positive in the recovery of nutritional status and improve of symptoms.


Subject(s)
Colorectal Neoplasms , Nutrition Therapy , Colorectal Neoplasms/surgery , Counseling , Hand Strength , Humans , Nutrition Therapy/methods , Nutritional Status , Treatment Outcome
12.
J Fish Biol ; 99(3): 1135-1139, 2021 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33942313

ABSTRACT

The development of the digestive system and digestive proteases was studied in cachara (Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum) and its hybrid (P. reticulatum × Pseudoplatystoma corruscans) during the first 25 days after fertilization. Both groups presented a fast and similar development of the digestive system, and the unspecific alkaline protease profile suggested that the digestive capacity of hybrid larvae is higher than that of cachara after the last half of the studied phase. The activities of trypsin and chymotrypsin were similar and observed since the oocyte. These observations suggested that cachara and its hybrid has similar digestive capacity and digestive system development.


Subject(s)
Catfishes , Animals , Digestive System , Larva , Peptide Hydrolases
13.
Cancer Invest ; 38(7): 415-423, 2020 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32643437

ABSTRACT

The aim of the study was to investigate if there was an association between intraoperative NSAID use and recurrence or survival. A cohort of patients who underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy for the treatment of cutaneous melanoma was retrospectively recruited. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 516 were included (NSAIDs = 307). The 10-year melanoma-specific survival was 63.2%. Log-rank test showed no statistically significant differences in time to treatment failure, melanoma-specific survival, disease-free survival, and overall survival between the study groups. The current study did not support the use of intraoperative NSAIDs in preventing death or recurrence in patients with melanoma.


Subject(s)
Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/therapeutic use , Melanoma/pathology , Melanoma/surgery , Skin Neoplasms/pathology , Skin Neoplasms/surgery , Aged , Cohort Studies , Female , Humans , Isoxazoles/therapeutic use , Kaplan-Meier Estimate , Ketorolac/therapeutic use , Male , Melanoma/mortality , Middle Aged , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local , Perioperative Period , Piroxicam/analogs & derivatives , Piroxicam/therapeutic use , Retrospective Studies , Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy , Skin Neoplasms/mortality , Treatment Outcome , Melanoma, Cutaneous Malignant
14.
Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom ; 34 Suppl 3: e8861, 2020 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32531135

ABSTRACT

RATIONALE: Electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (ESI FT-ICR MS) is an important analytical technique used for the elucidation of crude oil polar compounds at the molecular level, providing thousands of heteroatom compounds in a single analysis. Due to the high resolution, the complexity of data produced, and steps involved in spectra acquisition and processing, it is necessary to estimate its intermediate precision. METHODS: Intermediate precision was estimated for positive- and negative-ion ionization modes (ESI(±)) using Composer® software for two Brazilian crude oil samples. The analytical parameters evaluated were the class distribution histogram, the double bond equivalent (DBE) distribution, and the DBE versus carbon number. The statistical parameters used to study the intermediate precision were calculated from the average, standard deviation, confidence interval (significance level at 5%), coefficient of variation (CV), intermediate precision limit (ISO 5725), and principal component analysis (PCA). RESULTS: Two crude oil samples (A and B) were analyzed, in triplicate, for seven consecutive days by ESI(±) FT-ICR MS. The assigned class limit by ESI(+) for crude oil A was 0.42% (O2 S[H] class) and for crude oil B was 0.04% (N2 O2 S[H] class). The assigned DBE intensity limits for the two crude oils were 0.04% for ESI(+) and 0.013% for ESI(-). The PCA for ESI(-) and ESI(+) modes presented better precision for crude oils B and A, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The most abundant classes and DBE of the majority class (i.e., with the highest intensity) are the parameters produced from the Composer® software that had the highest precision and can be used to estimate crude oil properties. The DBE values presented lower intermediate precision limit values (0.04%) than the assigned class values (0.4%). According to CV and PCA, ESI(+) was more precise for crude oil A (83% precision) and ESI(-) for crude oil B (84% precision).

15.
Zygote ; : 1-11, 2020 May 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32383416

ABSTRACT

The present study aimed to evaluate two different methods of artificial reproduction induction, and characterize the embryonic development of Salminus hilarii. Different than observed for other tropical fish species, artificial reproduction induction followed by hand-stripping of gametes was considered unfeasible for S. hilarii, as no gamete fertilization was observed. However, females that were induced and spawned naturally presented a fertilization rate of 65.64 ± 0.54%. With a mean temperature of 26.20 ± 0.90ºC it was possible to clearly distinguish a large perivitelline space at 14 min after fertilization (AF) and at 49 min AF more than 50% of the embryos presented two blastomeres, and these cleavages occurred until 1 h 54 min AF. The gastrula phase was characterized at 3 h 56 min AF, and blastopore closure was observed at 8 h 31 min AF. At 9 h 1 min, organogenesis started, with a clear distinction of the yolk mass, embryonic axis, cephalic and caudal regions; at 11 h 51 min AF the embryos already had advanced segmentation and a free tail. Total hatching occurred at 21 h 17 min and after opening the mouth, which occurred at 33 h 9 min, the larvae of S. hilarii presented a strong and characteristic cannibalism. This information can be considered fundamental to improving S. hilarii production in captivity and for collaboration with a conservation programme in the upper Tietê river basin.

16.
BMC Med Inform Decis Mak ; 20(1): 289, 2020 11 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33167998

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Record linkage is the process of identifying and combining records about the same individual from two or more different datasets. While there are many open source and commercial data linkage tools, the volume and complexity of currently available datasets for linkage pose a huge challenge; hence, designing an efficient linkage tool with reasonable accuracy and scalability is required. METHODS: We developed CIDACS-RL (Centre for Data and Knowledge Integration for Health - Record Linkage), a novel iterative deterministic record linkage algorithm based on a combination of indexing search and scoring algorithms (provided by Apache Lucene). We described how the algorithm works and compared its performance with four open source linkage tools (AtyImo, Febrl, FRIL and RecLink) in terms of sensitivity and positive predictive value using gold standard dataset. We also evaluated its accuracy and scalability using a case-study and its scalability and execution time using a simulated cohort in serial (single core) and multi-core (eight core) computation settings. RESULTS: Overall, CIDACS-RL algorithm had a superior performance: positive predictive value (99.93% versus AtyImo 99.30%, RecLink 99.5%, Febrl 98.86%, and FRIL 96.17%) and sensitivity (99.87% versus AtyImo 98.91%, RecLink 73.75%, Febrl 90.58%, and FRIL 74.66%). In the case study, using a ROC curve to choose the most appropriate cut-off value (0.896), the obtained metrics were: sensitivity = 92.5% (95% CI 92.07-92.99), specificity = 93.5% (95% CI 93.08-93.8) and area under the curve (AUC) = 97% (95% CI 96.97-97.35). The multi-core computation was about four times faster (150 seconds) than the serial setting (550 seconds) when using a dataset of 20 million records. CONCLUSION: CIDACS-RL algorithm is an innovative linkage tool for huge datasets, with higher accuracy, improved scalability, and substantially shorter execution time compared to other existing linkage tools. In addition, CIDACS-RL can be deployed on standard computers without the need for high-speed processors and distributed infrastructures.


Subject(s)
Datasets as Topic , Information Storage and Retrieval , Medical Record Linkage , Algorithms , Cohort Studies , Humans , Medical Records Systems, Computerized
17.
Int Ophthalmol ; 40(11): 2847-2854, 2020 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32562024

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Intrastromal corneal ring segments (ICRS) have been found to be useful in correcting keratoconus by decreasing irregular astigmatism, thereby potentially improving visual acuity. However, its long-term effects in keratoconus progression are not completely understood, mainly concerning the effects of age on ICRS implantation results. This study aimed to evaluate long-term effects of ICRS implantation according to age at implantation. METHODS: We conducted a longitudinal retrospective study, where we evaluated patients with keratoconus who underwent ICRS implantation between 2004 and 2012. RESULTS: We evaluated 34 eyes for 5 years post-operatively. The mean age of the 21 men and 7 women was 20.59 ± 4.65 years. Best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) improved from 0.32 ± 0.19 in the preoperative period to 0.46 ± 0.27 6 months post-operatively. After up to 5 years of follow-up, there was no significant difference in mean visual acuity of the group. As expected, there was a significant decrease in keratometric values after corneal ring implantation, which remained stable over the 5-year follow-up. Among the 34 cases analysed, nine (26%) showed signs of disease progression. In eight of the nine documented progression cases, patients were 21 years old or younger, revealing that these patients were sevenfold more likely to progress than those aged over 21 years. CONCLUSION: In our series of cases, ICRS implantation was shown to be an excellent treatment to reduce corneal curvature and improve visual acuity at all ages, but it did not stabilize the disease, especially in young patients with more aggressive forms of the keratoconus.


Subject(s)
Keratoconus , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Child, Preschool , Cohort Studies , Corneal Stroma/surgery , Corneal Topography , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Keratoconus/diagnosis , Keratoconus/surgery , Male , Prostheses and Implants , Prosthesis Implantation , Refraction, Ocular , Retrospective Studies , Young Adult
18.
Hum Mol Genet ; 26(2): 270-281, 2017 01 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28007906

ABSTRACT

Rett syndrome (RTT) is an X-linked neurodevelopmental disorder in which the MECP2 (methyl CpG-binding protein 2) gene is mutated. Recent studies showed that RTT-derived neurons have many cellular deficits when compared to control, such as: less synapses, lower dendritic arborization and reduced spine density. Interestingly, treatment of RTT-derived neurons with Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF1) could rescue some of these cellular phenotypes. Given the critical role of IGF1 during neurodevelopment, the present study used human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from RTT and control individuals to investigate the gene expression profile of IGF1 and IGF1R on different developmental stages of differentiation. We found that the thyroid hormone receptor (TRalpha 3) has a differential expression profile. Thyroid hormone is critical for normal brain development. Our results showed that there is a possible link between IGF1/IGF1R and the TRalpha 3 and that over expression of IGF1R in RTT cells may be the cause of neurites improvement in neural RTT-derived neurons.


Subject(s)
Insulin-Like Growth Factor I/genetics , Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2/genetics , Receptors, Somatomedin/genetics , Rett Syndrome/genetics , Thyroid Hormone Receptors alpha/genetics , Cell Differentiation/genetics , Embryoid Bodies/metabolism , Humans , Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells/metabolism , Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells/pathology , Neurodevelopmental Disorders , Neuronal Plasticity/genetics , Neurons/metabolism , Neurons/pathology , Receptor, IGF Type 1 , Rett Syndrome/metabolism , Rett Syndrome/physiopathology , Spine/growth & development , Spine/pathology , Synapses/genetics , Synapses/pathology , Transcriptome/genetics
19.
Phys Chem Chem Phys ; 21(46): 25809-25819, 2019 Nov 27.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31728466

ABSTRACT

The photolysis mechanisms of 1H-1,2,3-triazole and 1H-1,2,3-benzotriazole were elucidated by employing multiconfigurational methods (CASSCF and CASPT2). The potential energy curves and crossing points for the low-lying excited states were analyzed. In addition to the static electronic structure calculations, non-adiabatic molecular dynamics (NAMD) was propagated at the CASSCF level using SHARC (Surface Hopping including ARbitrary Couplings) dynamics in order to verify the proposed static picture, thereby understanding the possible reaction paths and the time scale of the photo-induced events. The S1 state for 1H-1,2,3-triazole reached a conical intersection between the S0 and S1 surfaces on a time scale of 100 fs. The emerging picture of the reaction presented here is the rupture of the triazole ring in the S1 state and the relaxation through a conical intersection to the S0 state. On the S0 surface, the triazoles easily extrude N2 and then undergo the hetero-Wolff rearrangement forming ethanimine.

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