Length-based body weight estimation in paediatric patients: The impact of habitus-A clinical observational trial.

BACKGROUND: Paediatric emergency tapes provide drug dosing based on the patient's estimated body weight. Unfortunately, published data revealed an unsatisfactory accuracy. A newly developed digital algorithm for weight estimation (CLAWAR) allowing a three-staged habitus adaptation (normal, obese, or cachectic; CLAWAR-3) demonstrated a higher accuracy for weight estimation compared to paediatric emergency tapes. However, the incidence of incorrectly evaluated habitus was 27%. A five-staged habitus adaptation with figural images was suggested by Wells et al to improve habitus and weight estimation. Therefore, CLAWAR was modified with five habitus stages including figural images (CLAWAR-5). We hypothized CLAWAR-5 improves the accuracy of weight estimation. METHODS: After obtaining informed written parental consent patients were included in this single centre, prospective clinical observation trial. Body weight estimations by CLAWAR-3 and CLAWAR-5 within ±10% of the actual body weight were compared. Furthermore, the incidence of correct evaluated habitus was calculated. McNemar Tests were used for statistical analysis. Results presented as median (interquartiles), P < .003 considered significant. RESULTS: In total, 312 patients aged 3.3 years (0.7-6.6), with a body length of 95.9 cm (70.0-121.2), weighing 14.8 kg (8.1-22.5), were included. Both CLAWAR-3 and CLAWAR-5 showed equivalent accuracy for weight estimation within the ±10% interval (62.2% vs 60.6%, P = .609). Despite adding figural images, the incidence of correct evaluated habitus with CLAWAR-5 (46.8%) was worse than with CLAWAR-3 (66.7%). CONCLUSION: The five-staged habitus-adapted method could not improve the accuracy of weight estimation. Furthermore, the error rate of habitus classification was not reduced by the implementation of figural images.

Sympatric divergence and clinal variation in multiple coloration traits of Ficedula flycatchers.

Geographic variation in phenotypes plays a key role in fundamental evolutionary processes such as local adaptation, population differentiation and speciation, but the selective forces behind it are rarely known. We found support for the hypothesis that geographic variation in plumage traits of the pied flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca is explained by character displacement with the collared flycatcher Ficedula albicollis in the contact zone. The plumage traits of the pied flycatcher differed strongly from the more conspicuous collared flycatcher in a sympatric area but increased in conspicuousness with increasing distance to there. Phenotypic differentiation (PST ) was higher than that in neutral genetic markers (FST ), and the effect of geographic distance remained when statistically controlling for neutral genetic differentiation. This suggests that a cline created by character displacement and gene flow explains phenotypic variation across the distribution of this species. The different plumage traits of the pied flycatcher are strongly to moderately correlated, indicating that they evolve non-independently from each other. The flycatchers provide an example of plumage patterns diverging in two species that differ in several aspects of appearance. The divergence in sympatry and convergence in allopatry in these birds provide a possibility to study the evolutionary mechanisms behind the highly divergent avian plumage patterns.

Candidate genes for colour and vision exhibit signals of selection across the pied flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca) breeding range.

The role of natural selection in shaping adaptive trait differentiation in natural populations has long been recognized. Determining its molecular basis, however, remains a challenge. Here, we search for signals of selection in candidate genes for colour and its perception in a passerine bird. Pied flycatcher plumage varies geographically in both its structural and pigment-based properties. Both characteristics appear to be shaped by selection. A single-locus outlier test revealed 2 of 14 loci to show significantly elevated signals of divergence. The first of these, the follistatin gene, is expressed in the developing feather bud and is found in pathways with genes that determine the structure of feathers and may thus be important in generating variation in structural colouration. The second is a gene potentially underlying the ability to detect this variation: SWS1 opsin. These two loci were most differentiated in two Spanish pied flycatcher populations, which are also among the populations that have the highest UV reflectance. The follistatin and SWS1 opsin genes thus provide strong candidates for future investigations on the molecular basis of adaptively significant traits and their co-evolution.

Nicotiana glauca poisoning in ostriches (Struthio camelus).

Putative Nicotiana glauca (wild tobacco) poisoning was diagnosed in a flock of ostriches near Oudtshoorn, South Africa. Post mortem examinations (n = 7) were performed on ostriches (Struthio camelus) that had died. Suspicious leaf remnants (weighing 80-770 g), packed in a layer on top of other plant material, were carefully separated from the proventricular content and submitted for chemical determination of anabasine, the major toxic principle contained by this plant. A standard solid phase extraction method was used followed by an optimised liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry procedure. Anabasine was detected in the leaf remnants (114-177 microg/g dry weight) removed from the proventriculus of the ostriches that succumbed as well as in control N. glauca leaves (193 microg/g dry weight). The analytical methods used in this study revealed the presence of anabasine in the suspicious leaf remnants, indicating that the birds had been exposed to N. glauca and had died of this poisoning.

[Sound levels of the Piezosurgery. Risk of permanent damage to hearing]. / Geluidsniveau van de Piezosurgery. Risico van permanente gehoorschade.

In the past, research has regularly been carried out concerning the sound levels of various drilling devices and the impact these have on those who regularly use these devices. The present research is concerned with the possible permanent damage to hearing which can occur during the use of a newly developed instrument, the Piezosurgery. Measurements have been performed in a standardized set-up in which use is made of the lower jaws of pigs and a weight scale for measuring various degrees of pressure. The boundary values of the permissible exposure to noise were determined. The values of the Piezosurgery were compared with conventional drilling machines. It was concluded that using the Piezosurgery for less than 1.5 hours per day implies no risk of permanent damage to hearing. This means that the risk in the case of Piezosurgery is somewhat lower than that of conventional drilling devices.

The tadpole of Hypsiboas leptolineatus (Braun and Braun, 1977), a species in the Hypsiboas polytaenius clade (Anura; Hylidae).

The larval morphology of Hypsiboas leptolineatus was studied. The tadpole has an ovoid body in lateral view, wider than deep; snout rounded with dorsal reniform nostrils; spiracle sinistral with lateral wall attached to body; anal tube dextral; tail fins convex with acuminate tip; oral disc ventral; labial tooth row formula is 2(2)/3(1); moderately developed beaks with serrated jaw sheaths. These external oral features are compared with those of the known tadpoles in the Hypsiboas polytaenius clade. The oral cavity was studied using an electron microscope. Life history aspects are commented.

The tadpole of Hypsiboas leptolineatus (Braun and Braun, 1977), a species in the Hypsiboas polytaenius clade (Anura; Hylidae)

The larval morphology of Hypsiboas leptolineatus was studied. The tadpole has an ovoid body in lateral view, wider than deep; snout rounded with dorsal reniform nostrils; spiracle sinistral with lateral wall attached to body; anal tube dextral; tail fins convex with acuminate tip; oral disc ventral; labial tooth row formula is 2(2)/3(1); moderately developed beaks with serrated jaw sheaths. These external oral features are compared with those of the known tadpoles in the Hypsiboas polytaenius clade. The oral cavity was studied using an electron microscope. Life history aspects are commented.

A morfologia larval de Hypsiboas leptolineatus foi estudada. O girino possui corpo ovóide em vista lateral, mais largo que alto; focinho redondo com narinas dorsais; espiráculo esquerdo, com parede lateral junto ao corpo; tubo anal destro; nadadeiras convexas, com ponta acuminada; disco oral ventral; fórmula dentária 2(2)/3(1); bico córneo moderadamente desenvolvido serrilhado. Estas características externas são comparadas com as dos outros girinos conhecidos do clado Hypsiboas polytaenius. A cavidade oral foi estudada usando microscopia eletrônica. Aspectos de história natural são comentados.

Demographic and anthropometrical analysis and genotype distribution of chronic hepatitis C patients treated in public and private reference centers in Brazil

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a serious public health problem, since 80 percent to 85 percent of HCV carriers develop a persistent infection that can progress into liver cirrhosis and hepatocarcinoma. Considering that the response of hepatitis C patients to combination therapy with interferon and ribavirin depends on HCV characteristics as well as on host features, we made a retrospective analysis of demographic and anthropometrical data and HCV genotype distribution of chronic hepatitis C patients treated in public and private reference centers in Brazil. The medical records of 4,996 patients were reviewed, 81 percent from public and 19 percent from private institutions. Patients' median age was 46 years, and there was a higher prevalence of male (62 percent) and white patients (80 percent). The analysis of HCV-infecting strains showed a predominance of genotype 1 (64 percent) over genotypes 2 and 3. The patients' mean weight was 70.6 kg, and 65 percent of the patients weighed less than 77kg. Overweight and obesity were observed in 37.8 percent and 13.6 percent of the patients, respectively. Since a body weight of 75 kg or less has been considered an independent factor that significantly increases the odds of achieving a sustained virological response, the Brazilian population seems to have a more favorable body weight profile to achieve a sustained response than the American and European populations. The finding that 65 percent of chronic hepatitis C patients have a body weight of 77 kg or less may have a positive pharmacoeconomic impact on the treatment of genotype 1 HCV patients with weight-based doses of peginterferon.

Demographic and anthropometrical analysis and genotype distribution of chronic hepatitis C patients treated in public and private reference centers in Brazil.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a serious public health problem, since 80% to 85% of HCV carriers develop a persistent infection that can progress into liver cirrhosis and hepatocarcinoma. Considering that the response of hepatitis C patients to combination therapy with interferon and ribavirin depends on HCV characteristics as well as on host features, we made a retrospective analysis of demographic and anthropometrical data and HCV genotype distribution of chronic hepatitis C patients treated in public and private reference centers in Brazil. The medical records of 4,996 patients were reviewed, 81% from public and 19% from private institutions. Patients' median age was 46 years, and there was a higher prevalence of male (62%) and white patients (80%). The analysis of HCV-infecting strains showed a predominance of genotype 1 (64%) over genotypes 2 and 3. The patients' mean weight was 70.6 kg, and 65% of the patients weighed less than 77 kg. Overweight and obesity were observed in 37.8% and 13.6% of the patients, respectively. Since a body weight of 75 kg or less has been considered an independent factor that significantly increases the odds of achieving a sustained virological response, the Brazilian population seems to have a more favorable body weight profile to achieve a sustained response than the American and European populations. The finding that 65% of chronic hepatitis C patients have a body weight of 77 kg or less may have a positive pharmacoeconomic impact on the treatment of genotype 1 HCV patients with weight-based doses of peginterferon.

Toxicokinetics of cotyledoside following intravenous administration to sheep.

Cotyledoside, a bufadienolide cardiac glycoside, was administered intravenously to sheep in 2 studies. In experiment 1, sheep (n = 4) received 0.0135 mg/kg daily on 5 consecutive days and in the 2nd experiment, sheep (n = 4) received 0.027 mg/kg as a single dose. Jugular blood was collected at different time intervals and kinetic parameters were determined. The data fitted a 1-compartmental model. In both experiments a short half-life (t1/2) and mean residence time (MRT), a relative small volume of distribution (Vd(ss)) and rapid clearance were calculated. In the 1st experiment, t1/2 and MRT increased significantly (P < 0.007) from Day (D) 0 to D4. It is suggested that the rapid decline in plasma cotyledoside concentrations in sheep denotes rapid distribution of cotyledoside to the tissues or extracellular spaces and possible accumulation at the biophase.

Adjustment to climate change is constrained by arrival date in a long-distance migrant bird.

Spring temperatures in temperate regions have increased over the past 20 years, and many organisms have responded to this increase by advancing the date of their growth and reproduction. Here we show that adaptation to climate change in a long-distance migrant is constrained by the timing of its migratory journey. For long-distance migrants climate change may advance the phenology of their breeding areas, but the timing of some species' spring migration relies on endogenous rhythms that are not affected by climate change. Thus, the spring migration of these species will not advance even though they need to arrive earlier on their breeding grounds to breed at the appropriate time. We show that the migratory pied flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca has advanced its laying date over the past 20 years. This temporal shift has been insufficient, however, as indicated by increased selection for earlier breeding over the same period. The shift is hampered by its spring arrival date, which has not advanced. Some of the numerous long-distance migrants will suffer from climate change, because either their migration strategy is unaffected by climate change, or the climate in breeding and wintering areas are changing at different speeds, preventing adequate adaptation.

Flow cytometry in the diagnosis of peritoneal carcinomatosis.

OBJECTIVES: Peritoneal carcinomatosis is the second major cause of ascites. Because of its frequency and poor prognosis, it is important to establish an accurate diagnosis. The aim of this study was to analyze the use of a DNA index, detemined by flow cytometry in the differential diagnosis of ascites, and to compare it to the cytopathological examination. METHODS: A prospective analysis was carried out on 67 patients (39 female, 28 male; mean age, 53+/-14 yr [range, 5-82]) with ascites of various etiologies. Peritoneal carcinomatosis was detected in 21 patients, whereas in 46 the ascites was of noncarcinomatosis origin. RESULTS: The sensitivity of the cytopathological examination for the diagnosis of peritoneal carcinomatosis was 42.9%, and the specificity was 100%. The mean DNA index determined by flow cytometry was similar for peritoneal carcinomatosis and noncarcinomatosis patients, being 1.28 versus 1.01, respectively, in the preparations without control lymphocytes and 1.28 versus 1.04, respectively, when control lymphocytes were added. The sensitivity of DNA index cytometry was 57.1% and specificity, 93.5%. The combined use of the DNA index and cytopathological examination did not show an advantage over the use of any of the tests individually, although the DNA index was able to detect half of the cases of peritoneal carcinomatosis in which cytopathological examination was negative. Although the sensitivity was higher when the parameters were associated, the DNA index did not offer a statistically significant advantage over the use of cytopathological examination alone, which in turn had higher specificity. CONCLUSION: The DNA index presented lower sensitivity for the diagnosis of peritoneal carcinomatosis when used alone, showing no advantage over conventional cytopathological examination. However, the DNA index was able to detect 50.0% of peritoneal carcinomatosis cases whose conventional cytopathological examinations were negative, and could be valuable in these situations.

[Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in a patient with congenital hepatic fibrosis and Caroli's disease]. / Peritonite bactérica espontânea numa paciente com fibrose hepática congênita e doença de Caroli.

The authors describe by the first time in the literature a patient with congenital hepatic fibrosis and Caroli's disease complicated by spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. The possible routes of ascitic infection are discussed.

Active phosphate transport across the urinary bladder of the toad, Bufo marinus.

Net transport of inorganic phosphate occurs in the absence of an electrochemical gradient from the mucosal to the serosal bathing solution in the isolated toad urinary bladder. This transport can be inhibited by metabolic inhibitors. The magnitude of this transport can be altered by changes in phosphate concentration or by the addition of parathyroid hormone.