Socio-economic factors affecting the distribution of marine litter: The Portuguese case study.

Marine litter is a growing global problem with serious environmental, economic, social, and health threats. Understanding the socio-economic factors that influence the types and amounts of litter is of utmost importance. In this study, an integrative analysis of the socio-economic factors that characterize the beach litter distribution in continental Portugal and the Azores archipelago was conducted via a cluster analysis, implementing a novel technique to support the difficult task of marine litter characterization. The results highlighted that the most abundant beach litter material is plastic (92.9 %), followed by paper (2.2 %), wood (1.5 %), and metal (1.3 %). The majority of the items could not be attributed to a specific source (46.5 %). The remaining were attributed to public litter (34.5 % of total aggregated items), fishing (9.8 %), sewage-related debris (6.4 %) and shipping (2.2 %). The top-three beach litter categories were small plastic pieces (0-2.5 cm, 43.5 %), cigarette butts (30.1 %), and medium plastic pieces (2.5-50 cm, 26.4 %). A positive relation between both municipality environment expenditures and population density and the quantity and typology of litter was found. Beach litter quantity and categories were also associated with specific economic sectors, as well as with geographical/hydrodynamic conditions, demonstrating the utility of the technique and its applicability to other regions.

Experimental manipulation of humidity in a cavity-nesting bird influences ectoparasites' abundance.

Climate change effects on host­parasite interactions have been poorly studied in arid or semi-arid habitats. Here, we conducted an experiment aimed to increase the temperature inside European roller Coracias garrulus nest boxes located in a semi-arid habitat on different nest-site types to look for effects on different ectoparasite abundances and nestling growth. Average nest temperature was slightly higher in heated nests than in control nests, although differences were not statistically significant. However, relative humidity was significantly lower at night in heated nests as compared to control nests. The abundance of sand flies, mites and carnid flies was significantly higher in heated, less humid, nests while biting midge abundance was significantly lower in heated nests. Other ectoparasites were not significantly affected by treatment. Relative humidity was high even in heated nests, reaching more than 60%. Sand fly abundance was higher in nests located in sandstone walls, while mite abundance was higher in isolated farmhouses. In addition, sand fly prevalence was higher in nests located in isolated farmhouses and sandstone walls. Heat treatment, nest-site type or ectoparasite abundances did not affect the nestling body mass, wing length or their growth at different nestling ages.

Pulse immunosuppressive therapy for multiple sclerosis during the SARS-CoV-2 lockdown de-escalation plan: Safety algorithm. / Tratamiento inmunosupresor en pulsos en esclerosis múltiple durante el desescalado de la epidemia por SARS-CoV-2. Algoritmo de seguridad.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic is changing approaches to diagnosis, treatment, and care provision in multiple sclerosis (MS). During both the initial and peak phases of the epidemic, the administration of disease-modifying drugs, typically immunosuppressants administered in pulses, was suspended due to the uncertainty about their impact on SARS-CoV-2 infection, mainly in contagious asymptomatic/presymptomatic patients. The purpose of this study is to present a safety algorithm enabling patients to resume pulse immunosuppressive therapy (PIT) during the easing of lockdown measures. METHODS: We developed a safety algorithm based on our clinical experience with MS and the available published evidence; the algorithm assists in the detection of contagious asymptomatic/presymptomatic cases and of patients with mild symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection with a view to withdrawing PIT in these patients and preventing new infections at day hospitals. RESULTS: We developed a clinical/microbiological screening algorithm consisting of a symptom checklist, applied during a teleconsultation 48hours before the scheduled session of PIT, and PCR testing for SARS-CoV-2 in nasopharyngeal exudate 24hours before the procedure. CONCLUSION: The application of our safety algorithm presents a favourable risk-benefit ratio despite the fact that the actual proportion of asymptomatic and presymptomatic individuals is unknown. Systematic PCR testing, which provides the highest sensitivity for detecting presymptomatic cases, combined with early detection of symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection may reduce infections and improve detection of high-risk patients before they receive PIT.

Development and validation of a brief electronic screening test for cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis (SCI-MS Test).

OBJECTIVE: Although cognitive impairment (CI) is common in multiple sclerosis (MS), it is difficult to suspect in patients with low disability and there is a lack of brief and effective CI screening tools with a define cut-off point to be used during routine clinic visits. This study aims to validate the Electronic Screening Cognitive Impairment in Multiple Sclerosis (SCI-MS) test for CI among MS patients. METHODS: Cross-sectional, observational study that included adult patients, diagnosed with MS, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score ≤6.5, without relapses within the last 2 months and no depression symptoms. The SCI-MS test consists of two modules: questionnaire (SCI-MS-Q) and pictogram matching tool (SCI-MS-P) measured for score and time. At inclusion, patients completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II test), the Brief Repeatable Battery of Neuropsychological Test (BRB-N) and the SCI-MS. The SCI-MS feasibility, test-retest reliability and predictive validity were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 194 patients (59.3% female) were included: mean (SD) age of 42 (9) years, mean time since diagnosis of 10 (7) years, 89.7% relapsing-remitting MS, and median (Q1-Q3) EDSS of 2.0 (1.0-3.5). According to BRB-N, 26.8% of patients had CI. Internal consistency was high (Cronbach alpha: 0.97). The intra-class correlation coefficient was 0.88 for the SCI-MS-Q, 0.09 for the SCI-MS-P score and 0.48 for the SCI-MS-P time, corresponding to AUC of the ROC curves of 0.571, 0.574 and 0.714, respectively. For a clinically significant cut-off point of ≥60 seconds, the reached CI sensitivity of SCI-MS-P time was 0.75 and the specificity 0.51. CONCLUSION: SCI-MS showed good psychometric properties. SCI-MS-P time of pictogram completion had an acceptable diagnostic accuracy of CI in MS patients with low disability. SCI-MS-P time of pictogram completion tool is an easy and quick score that can help neurologists to early identify CI in MS patients that should be further assessed to confirm CI diagnosis and to describe its characteristics and mainly affected domains.

Variability and trends in the consumption of drugs for treating attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in Castile-La Mancha, Spain (1992-2015). / Variabilidad y tendencias en el consumo de fármacos para los trastornos por déficit de atención e hiperactividad en Castilla-La Mancha, España (1992-2015).

INTRODUCTION: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common behavioural disorders of childhood; its prevalence in Spain is estimated at 5-9%. Available treatments for this condition include methylphenidate, atomoxetine, and lisdexamfetamine, whose consumption increases each year. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The prevalence of ADHD was estimated by calculating the defined daily dose per 1,000 population per day of each drug and the total doses (therapeutic group N06BA) between 1992 and 2015 in each of the provinces of Castile-La Mancha (Spain). Trends, joinpoints, and annual percentages of change were analysed using joinpoint regression models. RESULTS: The minimum prevalence of ADHD in the population of Castile-La Mancha aged 5 to 19 was estimated at 13.22 cases per 1,000 population per day; prevalence varied across provinces (p<.05). Overall consumption has increased from 1992 to 2015, with an annual percentages of change of 10.3% and several joinpoints (2000, 2009, and 2012). methylphenidate represents 89.6% of total drug consumption, followed by lisdexamfetamine at 8%. CONCLUSIONS: Analysing drug consumption enables us to estimate the distribution of ADHD patients in Castile-La Mancha. Our data show an increase in the consumption of these drugs as well as differences in drug consumption between provinces, which reflect differences in ADHD management in clinical practice.

TRIB2 regulates normal and stress-induced thymocyte proliferation.

TRIB2, a serine/threonine pseudokinase identified as an oncogene, is expressed at high levels in the T-cell compartment of hematopoiesis. The proliferation of developing thymocytes is tightly controlled to prevent leukemic transformation of T cells. Here we examine Trib2 loss in murine hematopoiesis under steady state and proliferative stress conditions, including genotoxic and oncogenic stress. Trib2 (-/-) developing thymocytes show increased proliferation, and Trib2 (-/-) mice have significantly higher thymic cellularity at steady state. During stress hematopoiesis, Trib2 (-/-) developing thymocytes undergo accelerated proliferation and demonstrate hypersensitivity to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-induced cell death. Despite the increased cell death post 5-FU-induced proliferative stress, Trib2 (-/-) mice exhibit accelerated thymopoietic recovery post treatment due to increased cell division kinetics of developing thymocytes. The increased proliferation in Trib2 (-/-) thymocytes was exacerbated under oncogenic stress. In an experimental murine T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) model, Trib2 (-/-) mice had reduced latency in vivo, which associated with impaired MAP kinase (MAPK) activation. High and low expression levels of Trib2 correlate with immature and mature subtypes of human T-ALL, respectively, and associate with MAPK. Thus, TRIB2 emerges as a novel regulator of thymocyte cellular proliferation, important for the thymopoietic response to genotoxic and oncogenic stress, and possessing tumor suppressor function.

Lesion in Scalp and Skull as the First Manifestation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary tumor of the liver and the fifth most common cancer in the world. The lungs, bone, and lymph nodes are frequent sites of metastasis of HCC. The purpose of the present study is show that metastases, although rare, must be among the differential diagnosis of skin lesions and that a diagnostic research based on these findings can be conducted. The authors report a rare case of metastatic hepatocellular injury to the scalp and skull treated by a radical surgical approach. Excision of the lesion in the scalp was performed "en bloc." The tumor was supplied by the frontal branch of the superficial temporal artery. There are few case reports of metastatic HCC to scalp and skull; treatment of these lesions should be individualized in order to control symptoms, improve quality of life, and promote an increase in survival.

Management of a Low-Energy Penetrating Brain Injury Caused by a Nail.

Low-energy penetrating nail injury to the brain is an extremely rare neurosurgical emergency. The most common cause of nail gun injury is work related accidents; other causes result from accidental firing of a nail gun, suicide attempts by firing nail guns into the brain, and bomb blasts containing pieces of nails. Neurosurgical treatment performed by craniotomy still seems to be the safest one; there are reports of complications such as subdural hematoma and intraparenchymal hemorrhages following the blind removal of foreign bodies leading to suggestions that all penetrating foreign bodies should be removed under direct vision. We report a rarely described neurosurgical approach for removal of a penetrating nail from the brain and skull without evidence of associated hematoma and other brain lesions.

Sexual and natural selection in the evolution of extended phenotypes: the use of green nesting material in starlings.

Although sexual selection is typically considered the predominant force driving the evolution of ritualized sexual behaviours, natural selection may also play an important and often underappreciated role. The use of green aromatic plants among nesting birds has been interpreted as a component of extended phenotype that evolved either via natural selection due to potential sanitary functions or via sexual selection as a signal of male attractiveness. Here, we compared both hypotheses using comparative methods in starlings, a group where this behaviour is widespread. We found that the use of green plants was positively related to male-biased size dimorphism and that it was most likely to occur among cavity-nesting species. These results suggest that this behaviour is likely favoured by sexual selection, but also related to its sanitary use in response to higher parasite loads in cavities. We speculate that the use of green plants in starlings may be facilitated by cavity nesting and was subsequently co-opted as a sexual signal by males. Our results represent an example of how an extended phenotypic component of males becomes sexually selected by females. Thus, both natural selection and sexual selection are necessary to fully understand the evolution of ritualized behaviours involved in courtship.

An integrated approach for assessing the bioreceptivity of glazed tiles to phototrophic microorganisms.

A laboratory-based methodology was designed to assess the bioreceptivity of glazed tiles. The experimental set-up consisted of multiple steps: manufacturing of pristine and artificially aged glazed tiles, enrichment of phototrophic microorganisms, inoculation of phototrophs on glazed tiles, incubation under optimal conditions and quantification of biomass. In addition, tile intrinsic properties were assessed to determine which material properties contributed to tile bioreceptivity. Biofilm growth and biomass were appraised by digital image analysis, colorimetry and chlorophyll a analysis. SEM, micro-Raman and micro-particle induced X-ray emission analyses were carried out to investigate the biodeteriorating potential of phototrophic microorganisms on the glazed tiles. This practical and multidisciplinary approach showed that the accelerated colonization conditions allowed different types of tile bioreceptivity to be distinguished and to be related to precise characteristics of the material. Aged tiles showed higher bioreceptivity than pristine tiles due to their higher capillarity and permeability. Moreover, biophysical deterioration caused by chasmoendolithic growth was observed on colonized tile surfaces.

Male Gender and Body Mass Index Are Associated With Hypertension and Reduced Kidney Function 5 or More Years After Living Kidney Donation.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to evaluate renal function and to explore the relationship between some risk factors in kidney donors 12.37 ± 7.60 years after donation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a cross-sectional study conducted in a transplant unit, 77 nephrectomized subjects were assessed ≥5 years after donation to evaluate their renal function and the presence or absence of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and microalbuminuria. RESULTS: Twenty donors had an estimated glomerular filtration rate of <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2). Nine donors showed urinary albumin excretion of >20 µg/min (11.68%). Subjects with an EGFR of <60 mL/min were predominantly male and hypertensive and showed higher body mass index (BMI), higher uric acid, higher total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TC/HDL-C), and logarithm of triglycerides/HDL-C (log TG/HDL-C) ratios than donors with an EGFR of >60 mL/min. Hypertensive donors were older and had higher BMI, higher UA serum values, higher TC/HDL-C and log TG/HDL-C ratios and microalbuminuria than nonhypertensive donors (P < .005). A multivariate analysis was conducted and, after final adjustment, a filtration rate of <60 mL/min was 3.05 times higher in men than women, increased 10% for each 1-unit increase in BMI and was positively associated with log (TG/HDL-C). The frequency of hypertension increased by 10% for each 1-unit increase in BMI and was positively associated with microalbuminuria. CONCLUSION: In this sample of kidney donors from a single transplant unit, ≥5 years after donation, male sex and high BMI were positively associated with the presence of kidney failure.

Imaging screening of catastrophic neurological events using a software tool: preliminary results.

BACKGROUND: In Portugal, as in most countries, the most frequent organ donors are brain-dead donors. To answer the increasing need for transplants, donation programs have been implemented. The goal is to recognize virtually all the possible and potential brain-dead donors admitted to hospitals. The aim of this work was to describe preliminary results of a software application designed to identify devastating neurological injury victims who may progress to brain death and can be possible organ donors. METHODS: This was an observational, longitudinal study with retrospective data collection. The software application is an automatic algorithm based on natural language processing for selected keywords/expressions present in the cranio-encephalic computerized tomography (CE CT) scan reports to identify catastrophic neurological situations, with e-mail notification to the Transplant Coordinator (TC). The first 7 months of this application were analyzed and compared with the standard clinical evaluation methodology. RESULTS: The imaging identification tool showed a sensitivity of 77% and a specificity of 66%; predictive positive value (PPV) was 0.8 and predictive negative value (PNV) was 0.7 for the identification of catastrophic neurological events. CONCLUSION: The methodology proposed in this work seems promising in improving the screening efficiency of critical neurological events.

Etnobotânica e medicina popular no tratamento de malária e males associados na comunidade ribeirinha Julião ­ baixo Rio Negro (Amazônia Central) / Ethnobotany and popular medicine in the treatment of malaria and associated diseases in theriverside community in Julião­Low Black River (Central Amazonia)

RESUMO A utilização de plantas medicinais para o tratamento de doenças tropicais como a malária na Amazônia Central é de suma importância, principalmente em locais onde o sistema único de saúde não se encontra presente como na maioria das comunidades ribeirinhas desta região. Sendo assim, investigar e resgatar o conhecimento popular a respeito de plantas medicinais utilizadas no tratamento de malária e males associados pelos moradores da comunidade Julião situada na Reserva de Desenvolvimento Sustentável do Tupé, Manaus-AM, torna-se importante no registro de como as populações locais se previnem e tratam essa doença tão prevalente e perigosa na região. O trabalho foi conduzido na forma de oficinas participativas, segregadas por gênero e complementadas com entrevistas semiestruturadas aliadas à técnica da turnê-guiada nos quintais e floresta adjacente à comunidade. Foram calculados os índices de diversidade de Shannon-Wiener, equitabilidade e concordância quanto ao uso principal (CUP). A partir da colaboração efetiva de 13 comunitários foram registradas 62 espécies vegetais pertencentes a 53 gêneros e 34 famílias botânicas que resultaram em índice de diversidade (H’) de 1,62 decits e equitabilidade de 0,9. As famílias mais representativas foram: Fabaceae (7 espécies), Asteraceae e Lamiaceae (4 espécies cada) e Solanaceae e Rutaceae (3 espécies cada). Vale destacar que 16 espécies (25,8%) foram citadas para tratamento de malária e males associados pela primeira vez em estudos etnobotânicos realizados na América Latina.

ABSTRACT The use of medicinal plants in order to treat tropical diseases such as malaria is of extreme importance, particularly in places where the public health system is not present as in most coastal communities of the Amazonia region. That being stated, investigating and rediscovering the popular knowledge of medicinal plants used to treat malaria and its associated diseases by the residents of the Julião community, located in RDS Tupé, Manaus-AM, becomes relevant in recording how local populations prevent and treat this disease so prevalent and dangerous in this region. In order to carry out this study, it was implemented an ethnobotanical survey through workshops organized in categories and semi-structured interviews as well as guided tours by residents of the community in their backyards and nearby forest areas. The Shannon-Wiener diversity indicators were calculated, measuring equitability and concurrence regarding its main use (CUP). From the effective collaboration of 13 community members, 62 plant species belonging to 53 types and 34 botanic families were observed,which resulted in a diversity index (H ‘) and equitability of 1.62 decits 0.9. The most significant botanical families shown in the survey were: Fabaceae (7 species), Asteraceae (4 species), Lamiaceae (4 species), Solanaceae (3 species) and Rubiaceae (3 species). It is worth to highlight that 16 species (25.8%) were mentioned for malaria treatment and associated diseases, for the first time in ethnobotanical studies conducted in Latin America.

Scalp, skull and brain metastasis of squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix--a rare entity.

Metastasis of squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix on the scalp has been reported only six times in the literature; however, we found no reports of metastasis on the scalp associated with skull and brain invasion. We present an exceptionally rare case with good evolution after neurosurgical resection.

Fluctuation analysis of respiratory impedance waveform in asthmatic patients: effect of airway obstruction.

Fluctuation analysis has great potential to contribute to pulmonary clinical science and practice. We evaluated the relationship between asthma and the respiratory impedance recurrence period density entropy (RPDEnZrs) and the variability (SDZrs). A non-invasive and simple protocol for assessing respiratory mechanics during spontaneous breathing was used in a group of 74 subjects with various levels of airway obstruction. Airway obstruction resulted in a reduction in the RPDEnZrs that was significantly correlated with both spirometric indices of airway obstruction (R = 0.48, p < 0.0001) and mean respiratory impedance (R = -0.83, p < 0.0001). These results suggest that the impedance pattern becomes less complex in asthmatic patients, which may explain the reduction in respiratory systems' adaptability to daily life activities. Preliminary evaluations indicate that RPDEnZrs may contribute to the asthma diagnosis, presenting accuracies of 82 and 87 % in patients with moderate and severe airway obstruction, respectively. On the other hand, SDZrs increased with obstruction (p < 0.0001) and was inversely correlated with spirometric indices of obstruction (R = -0.42, p = 0.0003) and directly associated with mean impedance (R = 0.88, p < 0.0001). This analysis contributes to elucidate previous studies and identified respiratory changes in patients with moderate and severe obstruction with an adequate accuracy (85 and 87 %, respectively).

[Wikipedia and wikinutrition: key tools for the global promotion of nutrition]. / Wikipedia y Wikinutrición: herramientas clave para la promoción global de la nutrición.

Wikipedia is an encyclopedia collaboratively edited by volunteers from around the world built on the Web since 2003. Today is the sixth most visited site on the Internet, making it the biggest hit of participatory democracy in the field of information dissemination. The English edition, with more than 3 million items, has become an indispensable part of the Internet and the largest and most popular reference work. In this context, it could be argued that Wikipedia is a valuable tool for the general knowledge of the nutritional sciences terminology. At the same time, it does not only facilitate access to knowledge but also can generate it. It also permits to socialize these spaces for collaboration and development, contributing therefore to disclose science to the society. Consequently, in this article we present and discuss the main features of Wikipedia, emphasizing above all its role in food science and nutrition.

Basilar artery aneurysm at a persistent trigeminal artery junction. A case report and literature review.

The trigeminal artery is an anastomosis between the embryonic precursors of the vertebrobasilar and carotid systems, and may persist into adult life. The association of the persistent primitive trigeminal artery (PTA) with cerebral aneurysm is well documented in the literature and, in general, aneurysms are located in the anterior circulation. We describe a patient who presented with a panencephalic Fisher III subarachnoid hemorrhage due to rupture of an intracranial aneurysm. Digital arteriography showed a saccular aneurysm in the middle third of the basilar artery, adjacent to the junction with a persistent trigeminal artery. She was submitted to endovascular treatment with embolization of the basilar artery aneurysm with coils. Aneurysms at the PTA junction with the basilar artery are rare. This paper describes a case of PTA associated with an aneurysm in the basilar artery at PTA junction and briefly reviews the literature.

De novo basilar tip aneurysm. Case report and literature review.

The de novo aneurysms are the formation of new aneurysms in a location previously observed to be normal by a cerebral angiography or direct microsurgical exploration. In this report, we present a review of the theme and describe a case of a ruptured de novo basilar tip aneurysm in a patient previously treated with carotid occlusion for a giant intracavernous aneurysm and microsurgical clipping of contralateral posterior communicating artery aneurysm.

Use of the hollow fiber assay for the evaluation of DNA damaging agents.

INTRODUCTION: The preclinical development and clinical progression of potential anticancer agents are highly time and resource-intensive. Traditionally, promising compounds in vitro undergo further screening in xenograft models, a long process that uses large numbers of animals. In order to hasten compound progression, the hollow fiber assay (HFA) was developed by the US National Cancer Institute as an additional filtering step in drug development, bridging the gap between in vitro and xenograft compound screening. The HFA demonstrates a good correlation in terms of clinical predictivity, and has significant reduction and refinement benefits for animal usage. In addition, the assay enables the study of basic pharmacological properties of compounds under investigation. The HFA has been mainly used as a rapid in vivo cytotoxicity screen, but has also been shown to be amenable to study drug/target interactions in vivo. One of the challenges of the HFA is the small sample sizes obtained, which can limit sensitivity. METHODS: Here we specifically focus on the detection of DNA double-strand breaks, monitoring the effects of standard and novel anti-cancer agents on human lung, colon and breast cancer cell lines using immunoblotting and flow cytometry techniques for γ-H2A.X. This presented a further challenge due to the low abundance of the target event. RESULTS: We found a good correlation between techniques in terms of rate of detection and sensitivity confirming the ability to use the HFA for detection of these specific drug-target interactions. DISCUSSION: The results demonstrate good sensitivity and predictability for drug behavior in an assay where cell number is limited. In contrast to conventional xenograft studies, this short-term assay also enables analysis of pharmacodynamic endpoints in tumor cells in vivo. Importantly, there is a significant impact on reduction and refinement of the use of animals in incorporating this assay into the drug development process.