The phenomenon of skin contraction in CO2 LASER surgical incisions using superpulse and continuous emission mode - preliminary study.

The skin contraction phenomenon occurs due to the energy emitted by the surgical CO2 LASER affecting the collagen architecture and intracellular water content in tissues. The study aimed to assess how gender, age, breed, body-weight, CO2 LASER emission mode, and potency influence skin contraction following the incision. The study involved 80 dogs (N = 80) of both genders, multiple breeds, undergoing major surgery with CO2 LASER. Subjects were grouped based on LASER potency (12 or 15 Watts) and emission mode (Superpulse-SP or Continuous-CT): GSP12, GSP15, GCT12, and GCT15. A 10 mm incision was performed using the surgical CO2 LASER beam, consistently employing a focal point of 0.4 mm, positioned at a distance of 1 mm from the skin surface, and always maintained perpendicular to it, and resulting lengths measured with a digital caliper. Results were considered significant for p-value < 0.05. GSP12 showed minimal contraction, while GCT15 exhibited the most significant. Male subjects in GCT12, GCT15, and GSP12 experienced less contraction than females. Purebred dogs had greater contraction than mixed breeds. GSP12 individuals showed age-related contraction decrease (p < 0.01), with skin contracting by 0.09 mm per year. Weight and skin contraction trended towards significance (p = 0.06), with a 0.02 mm increase per unit weight. For a constant power of 12 W, the analysis of the relationship between the emission mode of the LASER beam and the final skin contraction (GSP12 vs. GCT12) revealed statistically significant differences (p < 0.01). This study suggests that the use of the Continuous mode of LASER emission, regardless of the power used, is associated with a higher level of final skin contraction. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER AND DATE OF REGISTRATION FOR PROSPECTIVELY REGISTERED TRIALS: Project approval registration number by the Research and Teaching Ethics Committee (CEIE),Faculty of Veterinary Medicine-University of Lisbon (FMV_ULisboa), Lisboa-Portugal, N/Refª 015/2022.

HLA-G expression in Merkel cell carcinoma and the correlation with Merkel cell polyomavirus infection.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare aggressive neuroendocrine cutaneous carcinoma with a high mortality rate. The MCC etiology is not fully understood. Merkel cell-associated polyomavirus (MCPyV) was found in MCC patients, indicating a risk factor for the tumor. Caucasian, elderly, and immunocompromised individuals are more likely to develop this tumor. HLA-G consists of a non-classical class I (Ib) HLA molecule with an immunoregulatory function and was associated with tumor escape in different types of tumors, nonetheless, never been studied in MCC. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the HLA-G expression and also to detect the MCPyV in MCC patients and correlate it with the clinical course of the disease. Forty-five MCC patients were included in a retrospective study. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded cutaneous skin biopsies were used by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR to verify the HLA-G expression and MCPyV infection. HLA-G expression was found in 7 (15.6%), while the presence of MCPyV was detected in 28 (62.2%) of the studied patients. No significant association was found between HLA-G expression and MCPyV infection (p = 0.250). The presence of MCPyV was associated with areas of low sunlight exposure (p = 0.042) and the HLA-G expression with progression to death (p = 0.038). HLA-G expression was detected in MCC patients, as well as the MCPyV presence was confirmed. These markers could represent factors with a possible impact on patient survival; however, further studies with a greater number of patients are needed, to better elucidate the possible role in disease progression.

Wildfire and smoke association with COVID-19 cases in the Pantanal wetland, Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: In 2020, Brazil experienced two concurrent public health challenges related to respiratory disease: wildfires and increased mortality due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Smoke from these wildfires contributed to a variety of air pollutants, including fine particulate matter (PM2.5). The present study aims to investigate the effects of environmental and socio-economic factors on COVID-19 hospitalisation in the Pantanal. STUDY DESIGN: Ecological retrospective study. METHODS: We applied a multilevel negative binomial model to relate monthly hospitalisation data with environmental variables. RESULTS: We showed that monthly PM2.5 concentration levels had the greatest influence on the increase in hospitalisations by COVID-19 in the elderly (23 % increase). The Gini index, a coefficient that reflects income inequalities, also had a positive association with COVID-19 hospitalisations (18 % increase). Higher temperatures and humidity were protective factors, showing a 15 % and 14 % decrease in hospitalisations, respectively. The results of the present study suggest that high PM2.5 exposure contributed to the increase in COVID-19 hospitalisations, as did the social inequalities of each municipality. CONCLUSIONS: The present study highlights the importance of gathering evidence supported by multiple information sources to guide decision-making and identify populations needing better public health systems.

Triphenylboroxine stability under low-energy-electron interactions.

Triphenylboroxine (TPB) has chemical properties of great interest in organic synthesis, enabling the development of promising molecular architectures. Based on the possibility of the geometric arrangement of N-coordinated boron atoms, the dynamic interconversion ability of boroxine cages enables the optimization of relevant pharmacological properties in drug delivery, such as guest recognition and porosity. In addition, the synthesis of a novel 2D boroxine framework showed distinctive electronic and morphological properties that can be used in the design of new electronic devices. In the present study, the electron-driven fragmentation pathways from electron interactions with TPB using a gas-phase crossed-beam experiment have been investigated. The abundance of the molecular parent cation in the mass spectrum at 70 eV reflects the stability of TPB. The appearance energies of three fragment cations were reported, and the experimental first ionization potential was found at 9.12 ± 0.10 eV. Only the parent cation is formed in the energy range (∼9-16 eV) between the first ionization potential and the remaining thresholds. Regarding negative ion formation, four low-abundant anions in the electron energy range of 0-15 eV are discussed. These results indicate an interesting energy selectivity and stability of TPB upon electron interaction, which may justify the development of recent molecular architectures containing TPB used in a wide range of applications. These results are supported by quantum chemical calculations based on bound state techniques, electron ionization models and thermodynamic thresholds.

A multimodality intervention to improve musculoskeletal health, function, metabolism, and well-being in spinal cord injury: study protocol for the FIT-SCI randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: A spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating, life-changing event that has profoundly deleterious effects on an individual's health and well-being. Dysregulation of neuromuscular, cardiometabolic, and endocrine organ systems following an SCI contribute to excess morbidity, mortality and a poor quality of life. As no effective treatments currently exist for SCI, the development of novel strategies to improve the functional and health status of individuals living with SCI are much needed. To address this knowledge gap, the current study will determine whether a Home-Based Multimodality Functional Recovery and Metabolic Health Enhancement Program that consists of functional electrical stimulation of the lower extremity during leg cycling (FES-LC) plus arm ergometry (AE) administered using behavioral motivational strategies, and testosterone therapy, is more efficacious than FES-LC plus AE and placebo in improving aerobic capacity, musculoskeletal health, function, metabolism, and wellbeing in SCI. METHODS: This single-site, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel group trial will enroll 88 community-dwelling men and women, 19 to 70 years of age, with cervical and thoracic level of SCI, ASIA Impairment Scale grade: A, B, C, or D, 6 months or later after an SCI. Participants randomized to the multimodality intervention will undergo 16 weeks of home-based FES-LC and AE training plus testosterone undecanoate. Testosterone undecanoate injections will be administered by study staff in clinic or by a visiting nurse in the participant's home. The control group will receive 16 weeks of home-based FES-LC and AE exercise plus placebo injections. The primary outcome of this trial is peak aerobic capacity, measured during an incremental exercise testing protocol. Secondary outcomes include whole body and regional lean and adipose tissue mass; muscle strength and power; insulin sensitivity, lipids, and inflammatory markers; SCI functional index and wellbeing (mood, anxiety, pain, life satisfaction and depressive symptoms); and safety. DISCUSSION: We anticipate that a multimodality intervention that simultaneously addresses multiple physiological impairments in SCI will result in increased aerobic capacity and greater improvements in other musculoskeletal, metabolic, functional and patient-reported outcomes compared to the control intervention. The findings of this study will have important implications for improving the care of people living with an SCI. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov :  ( NCT03576001 ). Prospectively registered: July 3, 2018.

Safety and outcomes of routine endovascular thrombectomy in large artery occlusion recorded in the SITS Register: An observational study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the safety and outcomes of thrombectomy in anterior circulation acute ischaemic stroke recorded in the SITS-International Stroke Thrombectomy Register (SITS-ISTR) and compare them with pooled randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and two national registry studies. METHODS: We identified centres recording ≥10 consecutive patients in the SITS-ISTR with at least 70% of available modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 3 months during 2014-2019. We defined large artery occlusion as intracranial internal carotid artery, first and second segment of middle cerebral artery and first segment of anterior cerebral artery. Outcome measures were functional independence (mRS score 0-2) and death at 3 months and symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage (SICH) per modified SITS-MOST. RESULTS: Results are presented in the following order: SITS-ISTR, RCTs, MR CLEAN Registry and German Stroke Registry (GSR). Median age was 73, 68, 71 and 75 years; baseline NIHSS score was 16, 17, 16 and 15; prior intravenous thrombolysis was 62%, 83%, 78% and 56%; onset to reperfusion time was 289, 285, 267 and 249 min; successful recanalization (mTICI score 2b or 3) was 86%, 71%, 59% and 83%; functional independence at 3 months was 45.5% (95% CI: 44-47), 46.0% (42-50), 38% (35-41) and 37% (35-41), respectively; death was 19.2% (19-21), 15.3% (12.7-18.4), 29.2% (27-32) and 28.6% (27-31); and SICH was 3.6% (3-4), 4.4% (3.0-6.4), 5.8% (4.7-7.1) and not available. CONCLUSION: Thrombectomy in routine clinical use registered in the SITS-ISTR showed safety and outcomes comparable to RCTs, and better functional outcomes and lower mortality than previous national registry studies.

Lipids: biomarkers of healthy aging.

Life expectancy, and longevity have been increasing in recent years. However, this is, in most cases, accompanied by age-related diseases. Thus, it became essential to better understand the mechanisms inherent to aging, and to establish biomarkers that characterize this physiological process. Among all biomolecules, lipids appear to be a good target for the study of these biomarkers. In fact, some lipids have already been associated with age-related diseases. With the development of analytical techniques such as Mass Spectrometry, and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Lipidomics has been increasingly used to study pathological, and physiological states of an organism. Thus, the study of serum, and plasma lipidome in centenarians, and elderly individuals without age-related diseases can be a useful tool for the identification of aging biomarkers, and to understand physiological aging, and longevity. This review focus on the importance of lipids as biomarkers of aging, and summarize the changes in the lipidome that have been associated with aging, and longevity.

Prediction of lithium response using clinical data.

OBJECTIVE: Promptly establishing maintenance therapy could reduce morbidity and mortality in patients with bipolar disorder. Using a machine learning approach, we sought to evaluate whether lithium responsiveness (LR) is predictable using clinical markers. METHOD: Our data are the largest existing sample of direct interview-based clinical data from lithium-treated patients (n = 1266, 34.7% responders), collected across seven sites, internationally. We trained a random forest model to classify LR-as defined by the previously validated Alda scale-against 180 clinical predictors. RESULTS: Under appropriate cross-validation procedures, LR was predictable in the pooled sample with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.80 (95% CI 0.78-0.82) and a Cohen kappa of 0.46 (0.4-0.51). The model demonstrated a particularly low false-positive rate (specificity 0.91 [0.88-0.92]). Features related to clinical course and the absence of rapid cycling appeared consistently informative. CONCLUSION: Clinical data can inform out-of-sample LR prediction to a potentially clinically relevant degree. Despite the relevance of clinical course and the absence of rapid cycling, there was substantial between-site heterogeneity with respect to feature importance. Future work must focus on improving classification of true positives, better characterizing between- and within-site heterogeneity, and further testing such models on new external datasets.

Weissella paramesenteroides WpK4 ameliorate the experimental amoebic colitis by increasing the expression of MUC-2 and the intestinal epithelial regeneration.

AIMS: This study evaluates the action of Weissella paramesenteroides WpK4 on amoebic colitis. METHODS AND RESULTS: Weissella paramesenteroides WpK4 was administered in Entamoeba dispar infected and noninfected mice and clinical parameters were evaluated. Following 7 days, the caeca were collected for histopathology, morphometry and immunohistochemical staining of MUC-2, CDC-47 and IgA. The treatment reduced diarrhoea and the presence of blood in the faeces and diminished the area of necrosis, also causing weight gain. Also, the addition of this bacterium enhanced the expression of the mucin (MUC-2). The reduction in necrosis and increased CDC-47 expression indicates significant epithelial regeneration. The negative correlation between CDC-47 and the necrosis area reveals that the bacterium favoured the recovery of the necrotic regions and the positive correlation found between the expression of MUC-2 and CDC-47 indicates that the epithelial regeneration also supports the synthesis of MUC-2. CONCLUSIONS: Weissella paramesenteroides WpK4 was able to increase the protection of the intestinal mucosa against experimental amoebic colitis through the increase of MUC-2 and epithelial regeneration. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Weissella paramesenteroides WpK4 presents the potential to become a complementary tool in the treatment of amoebic colitis.

Virulence factors and antimicrobial resistance of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from the production process of Minas artisanal cheese from the region of Campo das Vertentes, Brazil.

Staphylococcus aureus is one of the main pathogens found in cheeses produced with raw milk, including Minas artisanal cheese from Brazil. However, information about S. aureus isolated from artisanal cheeses and its sources of production in small-scale dairies is very limited. We aimed to characterize the virulence factors of S. aureus isolated from raw milk, endogenous starter culture, Minas artisanal cheese, and cheese handlers from the region of Campo das Vertentes, Minas Gerais, Brazil. We identified the staphylococcal isolates by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. We evaluated biofilm production on Congo red agar and polystyrene plates. We used PCR to detect icaA, icaB, icaC, sea, seb, sec, sed, see, tsst-1, agr, and mecA. We evaluated the expression of staphylococcal toxin genes in PCR-positive staphylococcal isolates using quantitative reverse-transcription PCR, and we evaluated the production of these toxins and their hemolytic activity in vitro. We also evaluated the antimicrobial resistance profile of the staphylococcal isolates. For statistical analysis, we used cluster analysis, χ2 tests, and correspondence tests. We analyzed 76 staphylococcal isolates. According to PCR, 18.42, 18.42, 2.63, and 77.63% were positive for sea, tsst-1, sec, and agr, respectively. We found low expression of staphylococcal toxin genes according to quantitative reverse-transcription PCR, and only 2 staphylococcal isolates produced toxic shock syndrome toxins. A total of 43 staphylococcal isolates (56.58%) had hemolytic activity; 53 were biofilm-forming on Congo red agar (69.73%), and 62 on polystyrene plates (81.58%). None of the staphylococcal isolates expressed the mecA gene, and none presented a multi-drug resistance pattern. The highest resistance was observed for penicillin G (67.11%) in 51 isolates and for tetracycline (27.63%) in 21 isolates. The staphylococcal isolates we evaluated had toxigenic potential, with a higher prevalence of sea and tsst-1. Biofilm production was the main virulence factor of the studied bacteria. Six clusters were formed whose distribution frequencies differed for hemolytic activity, biofilm formation (qualitative and quantitative analyses), and resistance to penicillin, tetracycline, and erythromycin. These findings emphasize the need for effective measures to prevent staphylococcal food poisoning by limiting S. aureus growth and enterotoxin formation throughout the food production chain and the final product.

Viability of Staphylococcus aureus and expression of its toxins (SEC and TSST-1) in cheeses using Lactobacillus rhamnosus D1 or Weissella paramesenteroides GIR16L4 or both as starter cultures.

Staphylococcus aureus is one of the main causative agents of food poisoning. This bacterium is an important component of cheese microbiota and plays an important role in foodborne diseases. Another important component of the microbiota is the lactic acid bacterium, which actively participates in processes that define the physicochemical, sensorial, and microbiological features of cheese. Of the various microbiological interactions in cheese, the interaction between lactic acid bacteria and Staph. aureus is most relevant. To this end, we evaluated the viability of Staph. aureus strains and the expression of their enterotoxins in cheeses produced experimentally, using Weissella paramesenteroides GIR16L4 or Lactobacillus rhamnosus D1 or both as starter cultures. Over 7 d, we observed that the presence of lactic acid bacteria did not impair Staph. aureus growth. However, via qPCR we observed a change in the gene expression of staphylococcal enterotoxins, suggesting that molecular communication exists between Staph. aureus strains and lactic acid bacteria in cheese.

Probiotic effect of Bifidobacterium longum 51A and Weissella paramesenteroides WpK4 on gerbils infected with Giardia lamblia.

AIMS: The objective of this study was to assess the probiotic potential of genuine strains of Bifidobacterium longum 51A and Weissella paramesenteroides WpK4, in experimental giardiasis. METHODS AND RESULTS: The bacteria were administered orally to gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) 10 days before oral infection with trophozoites of Giardia lamblia. After 7 days of infection, the animals were euthanized and portions of the duodenum were processed for histopathologic, histochemical and morphometric assessment. The height of the intestinal crypts and crypt/villi ratio were higher in infected groups (P < 0·05) than in noninfected groups. The area of mucus production was higher (P < 0·05) in infected animals pretreated with B. longum 51A than in other groups. The parasitic load of the animals that received both bacteria decreased significantly (P < 0·05) compared to the ones of the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest a probiotic function of B. longum 51A and W. paramesenteroides WpK4 and may result in their use as a prophylactic and therapeutic alternative for promoting human and animal health. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Bifidobacterium longum 51A and W. paramesenteroides WpK4 may constitute prophylactic alternatives, reversing the emergence of side effects and resistance observed in the conventional treatment of giardiasis.

Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor-α-Induced Dermatological Complications in a Large Cohort of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The broader use of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) agents in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been associated with a high rate of adverse reactions. Dermatological complications are among the most common adverse events. We assessed the incidence, risk factors, management, and outcome of anti-TNF-induced dermatological complications in a large cohort of IBD patients. METHODS: This was an observational retrospective study at a single tertiary referral center. All consecutive adult IBD patients treated with anti-TNF agents between 2005 and 2015 were identified. Patients who developed at least one dermatological complication while on anti-TNF therapy were included. RESULTS: From the 732 patients treated with anti-TNF agents, 211 (29%) developed at least one dermatological complication: 52% women (mean age of 42 ± 13 years), 85% with Crohn's disease, 67% were under infliximab. Median follow-up time under anti-TNF therapy was 53 (27-77) months. Dermatological complications recorded were: infections (13.5%), psoriasiform lesions (5.3%), injection/infusion reactions (3.8%), skin cancer (0.5%), and miscellaneous (5.6%). Overall, female gender (OR = 1.658, p = 0.029), smoking (OR = 2.021, p = 0.003), and treatment with an infliximab dose of 10 mg/kg (OR = 2.012, p = 0.007) were independent risk factors for dermatological complications in multivariable analysis. Female gender (OR = 3.63, p = 0.017), smoking (OR = 2.846, p = 0.041), and treatment with adalimumab (OR = 8.894, p < 0.001) were independently associated with development of psoriasiform lesions. Three (3%) patients with infectious complications and 12 (31%) patients with psoriasiform lesions discontinued anti-TNF therapy definitively. CONCLUSIONS: Dermatological manifestations occurred in almost one-third of our population. Infections were the most common complication, but anti-TNF-induced psoriasiform lesions were the most common cause for anti-TNF therapy definitive discontinuation.

Selection of a candidate probiotic strain of Pediococcus pentosaceus from the faecal microbiota of horses by in vitro testing and health claims in a mouse model of Salmonella infection.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to verify the suitable use of candidate 'probiotics' selected by in vitro tests and the importance of in vivo assays to nominate micro-organisms as probiotics and alternative prophylactic treatments for Salmonella Typhimurium infection. METHODS AND RESULTS: Thirty-three lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from foal's faeces were assessed based on the main desirable functional in vitro criteria. Based on these results, Pediococcus pentosaceus strain 40 was chosen to evaluate its putative probiotic features in a mouse model of Salmonella infection. Daily intragastric doses of Ped. pentosaceus 40 for 10 days before and 10 days after Salmonella challenge (106 CFU of Salm. Typhimurium per mouse) led to a significant aggravation in mouse health by increasing weight loss, worsening clinical symptoms and anticipating the time and the number of deaths by Salmonella. Pediococcus pentosaceus modulated cell-mediated immune responses by up-regulation of the gene expression of the proinflammatory cytokines IFN-γ and TNF-α in the small intestine. CONCLUSION: The usual criteria were used for in vitro screening of a large number of LAB for desirable probiotic functional properties. However, the best candidate probiotic strain identified, Ped. pentosaceus #40, aggravated the experimental disease in mice. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: These findings emphasize the need for prophylactic or therapeutic effectiveness to be demonstrated in in vivo models to make precise health claims.

Prevalence of anaemia and iron deficiency in Portugal: the EMPIRE study.

BACKGROUND: Anaemia and iron deficiency are major public health problems with great implications on quality of life. AIMS: To establish the general prevalence of anaemia and iron deficiency in the adult Portuguese population and the prevalence by age, gender and region. METHODS: This was a population-based, cross-sectional study (EMPIRE study) based on a representative sample of 7980 adults residing in mainland Portugal, which were selected using a random route sampling method. Levels of haemoglobin, ferritin, creatinine and C-reactive protein were measured by Point-of-Care assays; participants also completed a questionnaire about demography and medical history. RESULTS: The measured prevalence of anaemia was 19.9% (95% confidence interval: 19.0-20.8%); 84% of cases were previously undiagnosed. Anaemia was more prevalent among women (20.8%), young adults (18-34 years) (22.8-30.5%), older adults (21.0%), and pregnant women (54.2%). Anaemia varied across regions: from 15.5% in the Center region to 24.9% in the South. Iron deficiency was also highly prevalent: 16.7% (ferritin <15 ng/mL), 31.9% (<30 ng/mL), 53.3% (<50 ng/mL) and 84.3% (<100 ng/mL). Iron deficiency anaemia represented most anaemia cases: 29.0% (ferritin <15 ng/mL), 54.8% (<30 ng/mL), 75.4% (<50 ng/mL) and 92.5% (<100 ng/mL). CONCLUSION: Anaemia and iron deficiency are highly prevalent in Portugal and largely undiagnosed. Women, young adults and older individuals are more prone to present these conditions and there are marked regional asymmetries. Nationwide strategies for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of these conditions should be implemented.

Lactic acid microbiota identification in water, raw milk, endogenous starter culture, and fresh Minas artisanal cheese from the Campo das Vertentes region of Brazil during the dry and rainy seasons.

Minas artisanal cheese, produced in the Campo das Vertentes region of Brazil, is made from raw milk and endogenous starter cultures. Although this cheese is of great historical and socioeconomic importance, little information is available about its microbiological and physical-chemical qualities, or about its beneficial microbiota. This work was aimed at evaluating the qualities of the cheese and the components used for its production, comparing samples collected during the dry and rainy seasons. We also conducted molecular identification and isolated 50 samples of lactic acid bacteria from cheese (n=21), water (n=3), raw milk (n=9), and endogenous starter culture (n=17). The microbiological quality of the cheese, water, raw milk, and endogenous starter culture was lower during the rainy period, given the higher counts of coagulase-positive Staphylococcus and total and thermotolerant coliforms. Enterococcus faecalis was the lactic acid bacteria isolated most frequently (42.86%) in cheese samples, followed by Lactococcus lactis (28.57%) and Lactobacillus plantarum (14.29%). Lactobacillus brevis (5.88%), Enterococcus pseudoavium (5.88%), Enterococcus durans (5.88%), and Aerococcus viridans (5.88%) were isolated from endogenous starter cultures and are described for the first time in the literature. The lactic acid bacteria identified in the analyzed cheeses may inhibit undesirable microbiota and contribute to the safety and flavor of the cheese, but this needs to be evaluated in future research.

Diversity of nutcracking tool sites used by Sapajus libidinosus in Brazilian Cerrado.

Cracking nuts with tools is a behavior documented in a small number of populations of tufted capuchins, mainly in semi-arid Caatinga and Caatinga-Cerrado transitional environments of northeastern Brazil. Only one of these populations inhabits the less arid Cerrado in Central Brazil, where environments are composed of a heterogeneous mosaic of fields, savannas and forest formations. We conducted surveys in 10 of 20 localities where nutcracking by capuchins was reported by the local inhabitants in the Cerrrado of Northern Goiás and Tocantins. Our purpose was to evaluate nutcracking sites (anvils and associated hammers and nuts) based on indirect evidence of extensive pounding of nuts and seeds. Nutcracking was confirmed at all 10 surveyed localities. A total of 270 sites were identified. Surveyed localities included areas that were ecologically similar to those where capuchins crack nuts in Caatinga, as well as less arid localities with more typical Cerrado habitat. Anvils and hammers were made of materials including quartz, limestone, sandstone and wood, and displayed a wider range of sizes (i.e., 60-3,750 g for hammers' weight) than reported at previously studied localities. Nuts of seven genera were found in association with anvils and hammers. We conclude that nutcracking by capuchins are not restricted to arid environments and argue that the occurrence and diversity of nutcracking tool sites result from complex interactions of environmental variables (e.g., availability of food and mineral resources, density of canopy cover) and social variables (e.g., spatial cohesiveness and tolerance among group members) that need to be examined through long-term research of habituated groups. Localities in the Cerrado of Northern Goiás and Tocantins vary considerable in the ecological conditions faced by wild groups, and therefore offer the opportunity to examine these interactions.

Remote or extraischemic intracerebral hemorrhage--an uncommon complication of stroke thrombolysis: results from the safe implementation of treatments in stroke-international stroke thrombolysis register.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Intracerebral hemorrhage after treatment with intravenous recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator for ischemic stroke can occur in local relation to the infarct, as well as in brain areas remote from infarcted tissue. We aimed to describe risk factors, 3-month mortality, and functional outcome in patients with the poorly understood complication of remote intracerebral hemorrhage, as well as local intracerebral hemorrhage. METHODS: In this study, 43 494 patients treated with intravenous recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator, with complete imaging data, were enrolled in the Safe Implementation of Treatments in Stroke-International Stroke Thrombolysis Register (SITS-ISTR) during 2002 to 2011. Baseline data were compared among 970 patients (2.2%) with remote parenchymal hemorrhage (PHr), 2325 (5.3%) with PH, 438 (1.0%) with both PH and PHr, and 39 761 (91.4%) without PH or PHr. Independent risk factors for all hemorrhage types were obtained by multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Previous stroke (P=0.023) and higher age (P<0.001) were independently associated with PHr, but not with PH. Atrial fibrillation, computed tomographic hyperdense cerebral artery sign, and elevated blood glucose were associated with PH, but not with PHr. Female sex had a stronger association with PHr than with PH. Functional independence at 3 months was more common in PHr than in PH (34% versus 24%; P<0.001), whereas 3-month mortality was lower (34% versus 39%; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Differences between risk factor profiles indicate an influence of previous vascular pathology in PHr and acute large-vessel occlusion in PH. Additional research is needed on the effect of pre-existing cerebrovascular disease on complications of recanalization therapy in acute ischemic stroke.

Sympatric occurrence of Culex pipiens (Diptera, Culicidae) biotypes pipiens, molestus and their hybrids in Portugal, Western Europe: feeding patterns and habitat determinants.

Culex (Culex) pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae) has two recognized biotypes, pipiens and molestus, which differ in physiology and behaviour; this difference may influence vectorial capacity for West Nile virus (WNV). Our goal was first to determine the presence of Cx. pipiens populations in 31 locations in Portugal and to subsequently analyse their host-feeding preferences and habitat determinants. Molecular identification of Cx. pipiens forms and their hybrids was performed in 97 females; bloodmeal sources were identified in 59 engorged specimens. Overall, 61.9% of specimens were identified as Cx. pipiens f. pipiens, 20.6% as Cx. pipiens f. molestus, and 17.5% as hybrid forms. Culex pipiens f. pipiens fed preferentially on birds, and Cx. pipiens f. molestus on humans. Hybrid forms fed mostly on birds, but human bloodmeals were common. With reference to habitat, Cx. pipiens f. pipiens and hybrid forms were positively correlated with peri-urban habitats. Our results confirm the sympatric presence of different Cx. pipiens biotypes in 14 of the 31 locations studied. Peri-urban areas were a common habitat of all biotypes and may represent zones of hybridization. The feeding preferences and sympatric distribution of the Cx. pipiens biotypes observed in Portugal favour the epizootic circulation of WNV and the occurrence of disease outbreaks of WNV.

The effect of different dietary levels of canola meal on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and gut morphology of broiler chickens.

This study evaluated the effects of different levels of canola meal in broiler diets on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and duodenal morphometry. A total of 320 one-day-old Cobb broilers were used in a 35-d experiment. A completely randomized design with 5 levels of canola meal (0, 10, 20, 30, and 40%) as a substitute for soybean meal was used with 8 replicates of 8 birds each. The basal diets were formulated based on corn and soybean meal to meet nutrient requirements of broiler chickens. The levels of canola meal were evaluated with a polynomial regression at 5% of significance. Weight gain and average BW showed a quadratic response (P = 0.03 and P = 0.04, respectively), decreasing with the addition of 40% canola meal. The apparent nutrient digestibility of DM (P < 0.0001), CP (P < 0.0001), and nitrogen-free extract (P < 0.0001) decreased linearly with increased levels of canola meal. A quadratic effect was observed for villus height (P = 0.003), decreasing up to a 20% inclusion of canola meal in the diet and increasing beyond that level. In conclusion, canola meal can be added up to 16.7% in diets for broilers without affecting the key variables of growth performance. It can be added up to 20% with no negative effect on the CP digestibility, but there was a linear decrease in the digestibility of DM and nitrogen-free extract with increased inclusion of canola meal. Additionally, a quadratic response to canola was observed for villus height with a maximum at 23.6% canola meal.