Expanding the Distribution of Prosthechea jauana (Orchidaceae) in the Pantepui and Highlighting the Urgent Need for Conservation Strategies in the Region in Face of Climate Change.

Prosthechea jauana has been recognized as an orchid species endemic to the Venezuelan tepui. The first record of P. jauana in Brazil is presented here, also from a tepui in the Southern phytogeographical district of Pantepui in the Serra do Aracá, at the northern border of the Amazonas state. A detailed morphological description and images of the specimen are presented, as well as an updated distribution map, preliminary conservation status assessment, and taxonomic notes about the species. In addition, we provide species' distribution models for P. jauana based on current and future bioclimatic data. Future projections suggest that the geographic distribution of P. jauana will likely be severely affected, with ~79% of its suitable habitat being reduced by 2041-2060 and ~92% by 2061-2080. Prosthechea jauana could represent a flag species and an example of how climate change may affect the endemic Pantepui flora.

How Does Neural Network Model Capacity Affect Photovoltaic Power Prediction? A Study Case.

The use of models capable of forecasting the production of photovoltaic (PV) energy is essential to guarantee the best possible integration of this energy source into traditional distribution grids. Long Short-Term Memory networks (LSTMs) are commonly used for this purpose, but their use may not be the better option due to their great computational complexity and slower inference and training time. Thus, in this work, we seek to evaluate the use of neural networks MLPs (Multilayer Perceptron), Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs), and LSTMs, for the forecast of 5 min of photovoltaic energy production. Each iteration of the predictions uses the last 120 min of data collected from the PV system (power, irradiation, and PV cell temperature), measured from 2019 to mid-2022 in Maceió (Brazil). In addition, Bayesian hyperparameters optimization was used to obtain the best of each model and compare them on an equal footing. Results showed that the MLP performs satisfactorily, requiring much less time to train and forecast, indicating that they can be a better option when dealing with a very short-term forecast in specific contexts, for example, in systems with little computational resources.

Application of an Eco-Friendly Antifungal Active Package to Extend the Shelf Life of Fresh Red Raspberry (Rubus idaeus L. cv. 'Kweli').

The main objective of this study was to extend the shelf life of fresh red raspberry (Rubus idaeus. L. cv. 'Kweli') by using active film-pads inside commercial compostable packages. The pads were produced with chitosan (Ch) with the incorporation of green tea (GTE) and rosemary (RSME) ethanolic extracts as natural antifungal agents. Pads were placed on the bottom of commercial fruit trays underneath the fruits, and the trays were heat-sealed with a polyacid lactic (PLA) film. Preservation studies were carried out over 14 days of storage at refrigeration temperature (4 °C). Raspberry samples were periodically analyzed throughout storage, in terms of quality attributes (fungal decay, weight loss, firmness, surface color, pH, total soluble solids), total phenolic content and antioxidant activity. Gas composition inside the packages was also analyzed over time. From the packaging systems tested, the ones with active film-pads Ch + GTE and Ch + RSME were highly effective in reducing fungal growth and decay of raspberry during storage, showing only around 13% and 5% of spoiled fruits after 14 days, respectively, in contrast with the packages without pads (around 80% of spoiled fruits detected). In addition, fruits preserved using packages with Ch + RSME active film-pads showed lower mass loss (5.6%), decreased firmness (3.7%) and reduced antioxidant activity (around 9% and 15% for DPPH and FRAP methods, respectively). This sustainable packaging presents a potential strategy for the preservation of raspberries and other highly perishable small fruits.

Design of Chitosan and Alginate Emulsion-Based Formulations for the Production of Monolayer Crosslinked Edible Films and Coatings.

This study aimed to develop edible monolayer emulsion-based barriers with polysaccharides as film-forming components (chitosan and sodium alginate), soy lecithin as a surfactant and olive oil as a hydrophobic barrier. Monolayer barriers in the form of films were prepared by casting filmogenic emulsions composed of 2% w/v chitosan (dissolved in lactic acid 1% v/v) or 1% w/v sodium alginate, with different lipid contents (25, 50 and 100% w/w biopolymer basis) and different surfactant concentrations (5, 10 and 25% w/w, lipid basis). Glycerol was used as a plasticizer (25 % w/w, biopolymer basis). After the emulsion drying process, the obtained stand-alone films were sprayed with a crosslinking solution, achieving an optimized crosslinker content of 3.2 mgCa2+/cm2 alginate film and 4 mg tripolyphosphate/cm2 chitosan film. The effect of oil and lecithin contents, as well the presence of crosslinking agents, on the film's water vapour permeability (WVP), water vapour sorption capacity, mechanical properties and colour parameters, was evaluated. The results have shown that the lowest WVP values were obtained with formulations containing 25% lipid and 25% surfactant for chitosan films, and 100% lipid and 25% surfactant for alginate films. The application of the crosslinking agents decreased even further the WVP, especially for chitosan films (by 30%). Crosslinking also increased films' resistance to deformation under tensile tests. Overall, the films developed present a good potential as polysaccharide-based barriers with increased resistance to water, which envisages the use of the designed formulations to produce either edible/biodegradable films or edible coatings.

Composite Coatings of Chitosan and Alginate Emulsions with Olive Oil to Enhance Postharvest Quality and Shelf Life of Fresh Figs (Ficus carica L. cv. 'Pingo De Mel').

Fresh figs are very appreciated and have been associated with health benefits. However, these fruits are highly perishable. In this study, edible coatings were studied envisaging their positive effect in enhancing figs' shelf-life. Fig fruits cv. 'Pingo de mel' were harvested at commercial ripening stage and single emulsion-based coatings, composed of chitosan + olive oil and alginate + olive oil, were applied. After coatings application by dipping each fruit in the emulsion-based solutions at 4 °C and drying, the coated fruits were sprayed with crosslinking solutions (6% tripolyphosphate and 1% calcium chloride for chitosan and alginate-based coatings, respectively). Then, were maintained at 4 °C and analyzed after 1, 7, 14 and 19 days of storage. After each time interval, fruits were further maintained at 25 °C for 2 days. The results have shown that coatings were effective on delaying fungal decay and postharvest ripening indicators (respiration rate, mass loss, softening and total soluble solids/titratable acidity ratio). The results foresee a fruits' shelf life between 14 and 19 days under refrigeration at 4 °C that may be followed up to 2 days at ambient temperature, higher than that estimated for uncoated fruits (less than 14 days at 4 °C plus to 2 days at ambient temperature).

Inverted Nasal Papilloma Affecting Ears and Pulmonary Parenchyma: Case Report.

Inverted papilloma is a rare sinonasal neoplasm. It can be locally invasive and potentially degenerate to a malignant tumor. We present a case report of a 36-year-old woman who was treated for nasal inverted papilloma for over 10 years and presented bilateral temporal bone, and pulmonary involvement. Several procedures were performed to completely remove the tumor. Even without evidence of malignant degeneration, the patient continued battling tumor recurrences. To the best of our knowledge, this report presents the first case of a multicentric inverted papilloma with nasal, bilateral temporal bone, and pulmonary metachronous localization. Laryngoscope, 131:E2640-E2642, 2021.

No one-size-fits-all solution to clean GBIF.

Species occurrence records provide the basis for many biodiversity studies. They derive from georeferenced specimens deposited in natural history collections and visual observations, such as those obtained through various mobile applications. Given the rapid increase in availability of such data, the control of quality and accuracy constitutes a particular concern. Automatic filtering is a scalable and reproducible means to identify potentially problematic records and tailor datasets from public databases such as the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF; http://www.gbif.org), for biodiversity analyses. However, it is unclear how much data may be lost by filtering, whether the same filters should be applied across all taxonomic groups, and what the effect of filtering is on common downstream analyses. Here, we evaluate the effect of 13 recently proposed filters on the inference of species richness patterns and automated conservation assessments for 18 Neotropical taxa, including terrestrial and marine animals, fungi, and plants downloaded from GBIF. We find that a total of 44.3% of the records are potentially problematic, with large variation across taxonomic groups (25-90%). A small fraction of records was identified as erroneous in the strict sense (4.2%), and a much larger proportion as unfit for most downstream analyses (41.7%). Filters of duplicated information, collection year, and basis of record, as well as coordinates in urban areas, or for terrestrial taxa in the sea or marine taxa on land, have the greatest effect. Automated filtering can help in identifying problematic records, but requires customization of which tests and thresholds should be applied to the taxonomic group and geographic area under focus. Our results stress the importance of thorough recording and exploration of the meta-data associated with species records for biodiversity research.

The lose-lose dilemmas of Barcelona's platform delivery workers in the age of COVID-19.

The abrupt lockdown experienced by a big part of the world population due to the COVID-19 pandemic has bestowed upon home delivery services an unexpected importance. Officially considered amongst "essential services", their workers circulate freely while most people are advised (when not forced) to stay in their homes. The present paper explores how this context helps to shed light on the precarious situation of the majority of the platform delivery workers (PDW). This is done through in-depth, semi-structured interviews and digital ethnography of the interactions within a WhatsApp group. The main finding is that the COVID-19 context deepened the precarization of the PDW confronting them with four dilemmas from which there is no way out.

Development of a Large-Scale Cyanation Process Using Continuous Flow Chemistry En Route to the Synthesis of Remdesivir.

The implementation of cyanation chemistry at manufacturing scales using batch equipment can be challenging because of the hazardous nature of the reagents employed and the tight control of reaction parameters, including cryogenic temperatures, that help to afford acceptable selectivity and conversion for the desired reaction. Application of continuous flow chemistry offers a means to mitigate the risk associated with handling large amounts of hazardous reagents and to better control the reaction parameters. A case study describing the cyanation of a glycoside using continuous flow chemistry toward the synthesis of the drug candidate remdesivir is presented.

Endoscopic endonasal transclival approach for resection of a pontine cavernous malformation.

Symptomatic cavernous malformations in the ventral region of the pons are difficult to access surgically. The authors present a case of a 46-year-old woman with a 10-year history of sudden and transitory diplopia and right hemiparesis, followed by five more episodes of mild right hemiparesis. Brain MRI showed a 2.6-cm cavernous malformation in the pons with an exophytic portion in the prepontine cistern. The patient underwent an endoscopic endonasal transclival approach for a complete resection of the lesion. CSF leak was noted and corrected on the sixth postoperative day. The patient progressed with complete motor deficit recovery. The video can be found here: https://youtu.be/ePgpyij2Wpo.

Incidental finding of a breast carcinoma on Ga-68-DOTA-1-Nal3-octreotide positron emission tomography/computed tomography performed for the evaluation of a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor: A case report.

RATIONALE: Functional imaging using radiolabeled somatostatin analogues plays an important role in the management of patients with neuroendocrine tumors, and it is a promising tool in the new era of theragnosis and personalized medicine. PATIENTS CONCERNS: The authors present the case of a 63-year-old woman referred for evaluation of a suspected pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor by Ga-68-DOTA-1-Nal3-octreotide positron emission tomography/computed tomography (Ga-68-DOTA-NOC PET/CT). DIAGNOSES: PET/CT confirmed increased uptake of Ga-68-DOTA-NOC in a pancreatic lesion compatible with hyperexpression of somatostatin receptors in a neuroendocrine tumor. Furthermore, PET/CT revealed increased uptake in a breast lesion and in lymphadenomegalies (less intense than in the pancreatic tumor), which conducted to the incidental diagnosis of a breast carcinoma with lymph node metastases. INTERVENTIONS: For the breast cancer, the patient underwentneoadjuvant chemotherapy and anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody, after which she was submitted to surgery. Regarding thepancreatic neuroendocrine tumor, it was decided to maintain itunder surveillance. OUTCOMES: Breast carcinomas are known to express somatostatin receptors and this is the first report of Ga-68-DOTA-NOC uptake in a breast tumor. LESSONS: Ga-68-DOTA-NOC PET/CT could be useful for the management of breast cancer patients in the new era of theragnosis and personalized medicine.

Serum serotonin levels and bone in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a disease characterized by bone loss, increased levels of serotonin have been reported. Recent studies have demonstrated a role for circulating serotonin as a regulator of osteoblastogenesis, inhibiting bone formation. Thus, we measured serum serotonin levels (SSL) in a Portuguese sample of 205 RA patients and related these to anthropometric variables, disease parameters, serum bone biomarkers, and bone mineral density (BMD) assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at several sites (total proximal femur, lumbar spine, left hand, and left second proximal phalange). SSL were inversely associated with body mass index (BMI) in RA women (r = - 0.218; p = 0.005), independent of exposure to biologics and/or bisphosphonates. Among biologic naïves, there was an inverse association between SSL and osteoprotegerin in RA women (r = - 0.260; p = 0.022). Serum ß-CTX and dickkopf-1 were strongly associated with SSL in RA men not treated with bisphosphonates (r = 0.590; p < 0.001/r = 0.387; p = 0.031, respectively). There was also an inverse association between SSL and sclerostin in RA men (r = - 0.374; p < 0.05), stronger among biologic naïve or bisphosphonates-unexposed RA men. In crude models, SSL presented as a significant negative predictor of total proximal femur BMD in RA women as well as in postmenopausal RA women. After adjustment for BMI, disease duration, and years of menopause, SSL remained a significant negative predictor of total proximal femur BMD only in postmenopausal RA women. Our data reinforce a role, despite weak, for circulating serotonin in regulating bone mass in RA patients, with some differences in terms of gender and anatomical sites.

Myocardial Perfusion in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: Associations with Traditional Risk Factors and Novel Biomarkers.

Introduction. Cardiovascular (CV) diseases are a major cause of death in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Novel biomarkers [B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP); osteoprotegerin (OPG)/receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL) ratio; and dickkopf-1 (DKK-1)] have been used in CV risk assessment. We analysed, in established RA patients, the presence of silent myocardial ischemia and its association with clinical variables, BNP, and bone and atheroma biomarkers. Methods. From a single-center tertiary referral hospital, RA patients asymptomatic for CV disease were submitted to myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) under adenosine stress and biomarkers measurements. Logistic regression was used to estimate crude odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results. In 189 patients, perfusion defects were frequent (25%) and associated with BNP ≥ 100 pg/mL (OR = 5.68; 95% CI: 2.038-15.830), fourth log OPG/RANKL ratio quartile (OR = 2.88; 95% CI: 1.091-7.622), and DKK-1 ≥ 133 pmol/L (OR = 2.69; 95% CI: 1.058-6.840). Similar associations were confirmed in those with C-reactive protein > or ≤ 3 mg/L. No relationship was found with the majority of traditional CV factors nor with disease variables. Conclusions. Our results corroborated the hypothesis that MPS could reveal subclinical CV dysfunction, supported the utility of BNP measurements as a screening tool, and put in perspective the potential usefulness of complementary approaches in CV risk assessment in RA patients.

The Impact of a Bayesian Penalized Likelihood Reconstruction Algorithm on the Evaluation of Indeterminate Pulmonary Nodules by Dual-Time Point 18F-FDG PET/CT.

We present the case of a patient with history of colon cancer, referred for the evaluation of indeterminate pulmonary nodules by F-FDG PET/CT. A dual-time point protocol was performed, and images were reconstructed using VUE Point HD and a Bayesian-penalized likelihood reconstruction algorithm (Q.Clear). Visually, the quality of the images was considered better when Q.Clear was used with ß value of 200, uptake in the smallest nodule (7 mm) was clearly visible only with Q.Clear reconstruction, and uptake in the smaller nodules was best defined in the delayed time point acquisition. Quantitative parameters were also higher for Q.Clear.

68Ga-prostate-specific Membrane Antigen Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography for Prostate Cancer Imaging: A Narrative Literature Review.

The 68Ga-prostate-specific membrane antigen ( 68Ga-PSMA) has been recently developed to be used, as a ligand, in positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) prostate cancer imaging, to detect prostate disease. The main objective of this review was to collect data and findings from other studies and articles to assess, theoretically, if 68GA-PSMA PET/CT is a more appropriate prostate cancer diagnostic technique in comparison with others available such as CT, 18F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose PET/CT, or 18F-fluoromethylcholine ( 18F-choline) PET/CT. For that purpose, PubMed, the online scientific articles' database, was consulted where the keywords "PSMA" and "PET" were used to find relevant articles. The clinicaltrials.gov, clinical trials' database, was also consulted where the keywords "68Ga-PSMA" and "prostate" were used to search clinical trials. Based on the reviewed scientific literature, several studies were conducted to assess and compare the 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT detection rate in prostate cancer with other available techniques. One of those studies, conducted by Giesel et al., concluded, within study sample, that 75% of patients with lymph nodes detected by 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT would have not been identified using other conventional morphological criteria based techniques. In Eiber et al.'s study, 68Ga-PSMA PET detected prostatic disease findings in 67% of patients with prostate-specific antigen levels <1 ng/mL, when compared with choline-based PET that presented detection rates between 19% and 36%. In Bluemel et al.'s study, 68Ga-PSMA identified positive prostatic disease in 43.8% of the patients with negative findings in F-choline PET/CT. Findings from this review demonstrate that 68Ga-PSMA PET/C is more effective in detecting metastases, lymph nodes, and recurrent prostate cancer when compared to 18F-choline-based PET/CT and CT. 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT presents also more imaging contrast and can be more cost-effective. 68Ga-PSMA has already been subjected to first-in-human trials, and it is now being tested in Phase II and III trials.

Analysis of the secondary curves in patients undergoing selective arthrodesis Lenke I / Análise das curvas secundárias em pacientes submetidos a artrodese seletiva Lenke I / Análisis de las curvas secundarias en pacientes sometidos a artrodesis selectiva Lenke I

Objective : To radiographically evaluate the behavior of the secondary curves in the coronal and sagittal planes in patients with AIS classified as Lenke I, who underwent surgical treatment of selective arthrodesis by posterior approach. Methods : Retrospective study which analyzed 40 patients with AIS, being 33 female. The measurement of the radiographic parameters used followed the recommendations by Cobb. Results : The average correction of the thoracic proximal, primary and lumbar curves was 34.73%, 75.06% and 64.64%, respectively. Conclusion : Surgical treatment by selective arthrodesis in cases of AIS Lenke type I provide correction of compensatory curves in the coronal and maintenance in the sagittal plane.

Objetivo : Avaliar radiograficamente o comportamento das curvas secundárias nos planos coronal e sagital em pacientes portadores de EIA classificados como Lenke I, que foram submetidos a tratamento cirúrgico de artrodese seletiva por via posterior. Métodos : Estudo retrospectivo no qual foram analisados 40 pacientes portadores de EIA, sendo 33 do sexo feminino. A mensuração dos parâmetros radiográficos utilizados seguiu o preconizado por Cobb. Resultados : A média de correção das curvas torácicas proximal, principal e lombar foi de 34,73%, 75,06% e 64,64% respectivamente. Conclusão : O tratamento cirúrgico por artrodese seletiva em casos de EIA Lenke tipo I proporciona correção das curvas compensatórias no plano coronal e manutenção do plano sagital.

Objetivo : Evaluar radiográficamente el comportamiento de las curvas secundarias en el plano coronal y sagital en pacientes con EIA clasificados como Lenke I, que se sometieron a tratamiento quirúrgico selectivo por artrodesis por vía posterior. Métodos : Estudio retrospectivo, que analizaron a 40 pacientes con EIA, siendo 33 del sexo femenino. La medición de los parámetros radiológicos utilizados siguió las recomendaciones de Cobb. Resultados : La corrección media de las curvas torácica proximal, principal y lumbar fue 34,73%, 75,06% y 64,64%, respectivamente. Conclusión : El tratamiento quirúrgico mediante artrodesis selectiva de los casos de EIA Lenke tipo I proporciona la corrección de las curvas de compensación en el plano coronal y el mantenimiento en el plano sagital.

99mTc(V)-DMSA SPECT-CT findings in a case of Gorham-Stout disease.

The Gorham-Stout disease is a very rare condition, characterized by lymphovascular proliferation and massive bone resorption. We present a 48-year-old male patient with osteolysis involving the left femoral head and neck, as well as to the ipsilateral acetabulum. Besides the morphological imaging, he underwent bone scintigraphy, technetium-99m-V-dimercaptosuccinic acid [99mTc(V)-DMSA] single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) and histological examination. Together these findings gave the definitive diagnosis. This is the first case ever published with 99mTc(V)-DMSA SPECT-CT. Advances on the knowledge of disease suggests that this imaging procedure could have utility in diagnosis and evaluation of the disease activity and therapy response.

[Regional asymmetries. What are the differences in lifestyles and life satisfaction among adolescents? A study of students of the 3rd cycle of basic education in Portugal]. / Assimetrias regionais. Que diferenças nos estilos de vida e na satisfação com a vida dos adolescentes? Um estudo realizado em alunos do 3º ciclo do Ensino Básico em Portugal.

Based on the importance of behavior and life satisfaction for the health of young people and the considerable regional differences that exist in mainland Portugal, an investigation was conducted. It sought to verify differences in levels of the practice of sport, tobacco and alcohol consumption and life satisfaction among students of the 3rd cycle of basic education living in different inland/coastal and rural/urban areas. The sample consisted of 5624 adolescents, aged between 12 and 17 years. The instrument used for data collection was the "Inventory of Health-Related Behavior of Adolescents" and a translated version of "The Satisfaction With Life Scale". The results revealed that there are higher levels of smoking among young people living in urban and inland areas, higher levels of alcohol consumption among young people living in rural and inland areas and higher levels of life satisfaction among adolescents living in urban and coastal areas. Levels of sport were identical in all geographical areas. It was also found that there were significant differences in all variables of the analysis.