Relatedness-based mate choice and female philopatry: inbreeding trends of wolf packs in a human-dominated landscape.

Inbreeding can reduce offspring fitness and has substantial implications for the genetic diversity and long-term viability of populations. In social cooperative canids, inbreeding is conditioned by the geographic proximity between opposite-sex kin outside natal groups and the presence of related individuals in neighbouring groups. Consequently, challenges in moving into other regions where the species is present can also affect inbreeding rates. These can be particularly problematic in areas of high human density, where movement can be restricted, even for highly vagile species. In this study, we investigate the socio-ecological dynamics of Iberian wolf packs in the human-dominated landscape of Alto Minho, in northwest Portugal, where wolves exhibit a high prevalence of short-distance dispersal and limited gene flow with neighbouring regions. We hypothesise that mating occurs regardless of relatedness, resulting in recurrent inbreeding due to high kin encounter rates. Using data from a 10-year non-invasive genetic monitoring programme and a combination of relatedness estimates and genealogical reconstructions, we describe genetic diversity, mate choice, and dispersal strategies among Alto Minho packs. In contrast with expectations, our findings reveal relatedness-based mate choice, low kin encounter rates, and a reduced number of inbreeding events. We observed a high prevalence of philopatry, particularly among female breeders, with the most common breeding strategy involving the pairing of a philopatric female with an unrelated immigrant male. Overall, wolves were not inbred, and temporal changes in genetic diversity were not significant. Our findings are discussed, considering the demographic trend of wolves in Alto Minho and its human-dominated landscape.

Lens Free Holographic Imaging for Urinary Tract Infection Screening.

OBJECTIVE: The diagnosis of urinary tract infection (UTI) currently requires precise specimen collection, handling infectious human waste, controlled urine storage, and timely transportation to modern laboratory equipment for analysis. Here we investigate holographic lens free imaging (LFI) to show its promise for enabling automatic urine analysis at the patient bedside. METHODS: We introduce an LFI system capable of resolving important urine clinical biomarkers such as red blood cells, white blood cells, crystals, and casts in 2 mm thick urine phantoms. RESULTS: This approach is sensitive to the particulate concentrations relevant for detecting several clinical urine abnormalities such as hematuria and pyuria, linearly correlating to ground truth hemacytometer measurements with R 2 = 0.9941 and R 2 = 0.9973, respectively. We show that LFI can estimate E. coli concentrations of 10 3 to 10 5 cells/mL by counting individual cells, and is sensitive to concentrations of 10 5 cells/mL to 10 8 cells/mL by analyzing hologram texture. Further, LFI measurements of blood cell concentrations are relatively insensitive to changes in bacteria concentrations of over seven orders of magnitude. Lastly, LFI reveals clear differences between UTI-positive and UTI-negative urine from human patients. CONCLUSION: LFI is sensitive to clinically-relevant concentrations of bacteria, blood cells, and other sediment in large urine volumes. SIGNIFICANCE: Together, these results show promise for LFI as a tool for urine screening, potentially offering early, point-of-care detection of UTI and other pathological processes.

Adaptive sparse reconstruction for lensless digital holography via PSF estimation and phase retrieval.

In-line lensless digital holography has great potential in multiple applications; however, reconstructing high-quality images from a single recorded hologram is challenging due to the loss of phase information. Typical reconstruction methods are based on solving a regularized inverse problem and work well under suitable image priors, but they are extremely sensitive to mismatches between the forward model and the actual imaging system. This paper aims to improve the robustness of such algorithms by introducing the adaptive sparse reconstruction method, ASR, which learns a properly constrained point spread function (PSF) directly from data, as opposed to solely relying on physics-based approximations of it. ASR jointly performs holographic reconstruction, PSF estimation, and phase retrieval in an unsupervised way by maximizing the sparsity of the reconstructed images. Like traditional methods, ASR uses the image formation model along with a sparsity prior, which, unlike recent deep learning approaches, allows for unsupervised reconstruction with as little as one sample. Experimental results in synthetic and real data show the advantages of ASR over traditional reconstruction methods, especially in cases where the theoretical PSF does not match that of the actual system.

Dystrophic calcinosis cutis in chronic venous disease of the lower limbs.

Lower limb ulcers secondary to chronic venous disease (CVD) are a significant public health problem in Brazil and account for about 70% of these ulcers. Despite recent technological advances and the various therapeutic options for treatment of these chronic injuries, several factors may be involved in resistance to treatment. Dystrophic calcinosis cutis (DCC) is a rare and often underdiagnosed condition that, when in conjunction with CVD, may be associated with a refractory healing process. In this article, we report a case of DCC in a patient with CVD and discuss its etiology, pathophysiology and possible treatment options.

Demography and evolutionary history of grey wolf populations around the Bering Strait.

Glacial and interglacial periods throughout the Pleistocene have been substantial drivers of change in species distributions. Earlier analyses suggested that modern grey wolves (Canis lupus) trace their origin to a single Late Pleistocene Beringian population that expanded east and westwards, starting c. 25,000 years ago (ya). Here, we examined the demographic and phylogeographic histories of extant populations around the Bering Strait with wolves from two inland regions of the Russian Far East (RFE) and one coastal and two inland regions of North-western North America (NNA), genotyped for 91,327 single nucleotide polymorphisms. Our results indicated that RFE and NNA wolves had a common ancestry until c. 34,400 ya, suggesting that these populations started to diverge before the previously proposed expansion out of Beringia. Coastal and inland NNA populations diverged c. 16,000 ya, concordant with the minimum proposed date for the ecological viability of the migration route along the Pacific Northwest coast. Demographic reconstructions for inland RFE and NNA populations reveal spatial and temporal synchrony, with large historical effective population sizes that declined throughout the Pleistocene, possibly reflecting the influence of broadscale climatic changes across continents. In contrast, coastal NNA wolves displayed a consistently lower effective population size than the inland populations. Differences between the demographic history of inland and coastal wolves may have been driven by multiple ecological factors, including historical gene flow patterns, natural landscape fragmentation, and more recent anthropogenic disturbance.

Calcinose distrófica cutânea na doença venosa crônica de membros inferiores / Dystrophic calcinosis cutis in chronic venous disease of the lower limbs

Resumo As úlceras de membros inferiores, secundárias à doença venosa crônica (DVC), constituem um problema significativo de saúde pública no Brasil e representam cerca de 70% do total dessas úlceras. Apesar dos recentes avanços tecnológicos e das diversas opções terapêuticas utilizadas para essas lesões crônicas, existem diversos fatores que podem estar implicados na resistência ao tratamento. A calcificação distrófica cutânea (CDC) é uma condição rara e frequentemente subdiagnosticada, que, quando associada à DVC, pode estar associada à refratariedade no processo cicatricial. Neste artigo, relatamos um caso de CDC em paciente portador de DVC e discutimos a sua etiologia, fisiopatologia e possíveis opções de tratamento.

Abstract Lower limb ulcers secondary to chronic venous disease (CVD) are a significant public health problem in Brazil and account for about 70% of these ulcers. Despite recent technological advances and the various therapeutic options for treatment of these chronic injuries, several factors may be involved in resistance to treatment. Dystrophic calcinosis cutis (DCC) is a rare and often underdiagnosed condition that, when in conjunction with CVD, may be associated with a refractory healing process. In this article, we report a case of DCC in a patient with CVD and discuss its etiology, pathophysiology and possible treatment options.

Computerized Assessment of Motor Imitation as a Scalable Method for Distinguishing Children With Autism.

BACKGROUND: Imitation deficits are prevalent in autism spectrum conditions (ASCs) and are associated with core autistic traits. Imitating others' actions is central to the development of social skills in typically developing populations, as it facilitates social learning and bond formation. We present a Computerized Assessment of Motor Imitation (CAMI) using a brief (1-min), highly engaging video game task. METHODS: Using Kinect Xbox motion tracking technology, we recorded 48 children (27 with ASCs, 21 typically developing) as they imitated a model's dance movements. We implemented an algorithm based on metric learning and dynamic time warping that automatically detects and evaluates the important joints and returns a score considering spatial position and timing differences between the child and the model. To establish construct validity and reliability, we compared imitation performance measured by the CAMI method to the more traditional human observation coding (HOC) method across repeated trials and two different movement sequences. RESULTS: Results revealed poorer imitation in children with ASCs than in typically developing children (ps < .005), with poorer imitation being associated with increased core autism symptoms. While strong correlations between the CAMI and HOC methods (rs = .69-.87) confirmed the CAMI's construct validity, CAMI scores classified the children into diagnostic groups better than the HOC scores (accuracyCAMI = 87.2%, accuracyHOC = 74.4%). Finally, by comparing repeated movement trials, we demonstrated high test-retest reliability of CAMI (rs = .73-.86). CONCLUSIONS: Findings support the CAMI as an objective, highly scalable, directly interpretable method for assessing motor imitation differences, providing a promising biomarker for defining biologically meaningful ASC subtypes and guiding intervention.

Anxiety in Cancer Patients during 18F-FDG PET/CT Low Dose: A Comparison of Anxiety Levels before and after Imaging Studies.

Objective. Assessing the level of anxiety in oncology patients who underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT low dose scan and identifying the main reasons that generate anxiety. Material and Method. The study included 81 cancer patients submitted to the 18F-FDG PET/CT low dose scan. Patients filled in the Scan Experience Questionnaire and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) before and after 18F-FDG PET/CT low dose scan. Results. Substantial levels of anxiety were detected both before and after 18F-FDG PET/CT low dose scan (STAI mean > 30), with a significant increase in the state of anxiety after scan performance (p < 0.0001, Medianpre = 31.1, and Medianpos = 33.0). 18F-FDG PET/CT low dose results are the main cause of anxiety both before (79.1%) and after (86.9%) the scan. The information provided by staff both before and on the 18F-FDG PET/CT low dose day was classified mostly as completely understandable (70.5% and 75.3%, resp.) and as very useful (70.5% and 72.6%, resp.) and correlated positively with patients' overall satisfaction with NM Department (rS = 0.372, p = 0.004 and rS = 0.528, p = 0.000, resp.), but not with anxiety levels. Conclusions. Patients perceive high levels of anxiety during the 18F-FDG PET/CT low dose scan and the concern with scan results was pointed out as the main factor for that emotional reaction.

Desvendando o projeto terapêutico de enfermagem em saúde mental: um relato de experiência / Desvendando el proyecto terapéutico de enfermería en salud mental: un relato de experiencia / Unveiling the design of therapeutic nursing in mental health: an experience report

Objective: To build a therapeutic project with emphasis on nursing care, mental health perspective. Was prepared during the patient's stay in a psychiatric hospital in the city of Niterói, state of Rio de Janeiro (RJ). Method: Through a job done collectively between nurses and nursing students, led a reflection on the care that it needs to be achieved by the nursing staff in the psychiatric reform, described the experience report. So, we made a discussion group for the preparation of the plan of care for the patient, considering the peculiarities of the case study in question. Results: addressed the identification, summary, history, pathology and treatment plan for nursing care. Conclusion: it is necessary for practitioners and nursing students gather around the subject with mental distress, and allow yourself to learn to take care of it according to its history.

Objetivo: construir um projeto terapêutico com ênfase nos cuidados de enfermagem, na perspectiva da saúde mental. Foi elaborado durante a internação do paciente em um hospital psiquiátrico do município de Niterói, Estado do Rio de Janeiro (RJ). Método: através de um trabalho feito coletivamente entre enfermeiros e acadêmicos de enfermagem, provocou-se uma reflexão quanto ao cuidado que é preciso que seja alcançado por parte da equipe de enfermagem no contexto da reforma psiquiátrica, descrito pelo relato de experiência. Assim, foi feito um grupo de discussão para a elaboração do plano de cuidados para o paciente, considerando-se as peculiaridades do caso clínico em questão. Resultados: abordou-se a identificação, súmula, histórico, patologias e projeto terapêutico para os cuidados de enfermagem. Conclusão: é preciso que os profissionais e acadêmicos de enfermagem aproximem-se do sujeito portador de sofrimento mental e permitam-se aprender a cuidar deste de acordo com sua história.

Objetivo: construir un proyecto terapéutico con énfasis en los cuidados de la enfermería, en la perspectiva de la salud mental. Fue elaborado durante la internación del paciente en un hospital psiquiátrico del municipio de Niterói, estado de Rio de Janeiro (RJ). Método: a través de un trabajo hecho colectivamente entre enfermeros y académicos de enfermería se provocó una reflexión cuanto al cuidado que es preciso que sea alcanzado por parte del equipo de enfermería en el contexto de la reforma psiquiátrica, descripto por el relato de experiencia. Así, fue formado un grupo de discusión para la elaboración del plano de cuidados para el paciente, considerándose las peculiaridades del caso clínico en cuestión. Resultados: se abordó la identificación, hoja de anotación, histórico, patologías y proyecto terapéutico para los cuidados de enfermería. Conclusión: es preciso que los profesionales y académicos de enfermería se aproximen del sujeto portador de sufrimiento mental y permitan aprender a cuidar de este de acuerdo con su historia.

Extract from Eugenia punicifolia is an antioxidant and inhibits enzymes related to metabolic syndrome.

The present study aimed to investigate in vitro biological activities of extract of Eugenia punicifolia leaves (EEP), emphasizing the inhibitory activity of enzymes related to metabolic syndrome and its antioxidant effects. The antioxidant activity was analyzed by free radicals scavengers in vitro assays: DPPH·, ABTS(·+), O2(·−), and NO· and a cell-based assay. EEP were tested in inhibitory colorimetric assays using α-amylase, α-glucosidase, xanthine oxidase, and pancreatic lipase enzymes. The EEP exhibited activity in ABTS(·+), DPPH·, and O2(·−) scavenger (IC50 = 10.5 ± 1.2, 28.84 ± 0.54, and 38.12 ± 2.6 µg/mL), respectively. EEP did not show cytotoxic effects, and it showed antioxidant activity in cells in a concentration-dependent manner. EEP exhibited inhibition of α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and xanthine oxidase activities in vitro assays (IC50 = 122.8 ± 6.3; 2.9 ± 0.1; 23.5 ± 2.6), respectively; however, EEP did not inhibit the lipase activity. The findings supported that extract of E. punicifolia leaves is a natural antioxidant and inhibitor of enzymes, such as α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and xanthine oxidase, which can result in a reduction in the carbohydrate absorption rate and decrease of risks factors of cardiovascular disease, thereby providing a novel dietary opportunity for the prevention of metabolic syndrome.

beta-Sitosterol modulation of monocyte-endothelial cell interaction: a comparison to female hormones.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of beta-sitosterol, 17beta-estradiol and progesterone on oxidized LDL (oxLDL)-stimulated human umbilical venous endothelial cell (HUVEC) expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), THP-1 monocyte chemotactic activity, migration and adhesion of THP-1 cells co-cultured with HUVECs. METHODS: ICAM-1 expression was determined by immunofluorescence in HUVEC monolayers treated with LDL or oxLDL and 17beta-estradiol, progesterone or beta-sitosterol. Monocyte chemotactic activity was performed in Transwell chambers by culturing HUVECs with different stimuli and steroids, THP-1 cells labeled with [(3)H] thymidine were added to the upper chamber and the radioactivity was measured. Migration assays were performed using Transwell chambers but monocytes were labeled with BCECF-AM and THP-1 cells adhered to HUVECs were visualized by fluorescence microscopy. MCP-1 was quantified by ELISA. RESULTS: ICAM-1 expression was inhibited by beta-sitosterol alone, when combined with 17beta-estradiol or progesterone, or with both hormones. It was shown that 7.5 microM beta-sitosterol decreased migration and adhesion of THP-1 cells to HUVECs cultured in the presence of oxLDL. This effect was also observed in HUVEC cultures in the presence of beta-sitosterol, the 17beta-estradiol and progesterone mixture, and in the presence of the two hormones. It was shown that 7.5 microM beta-sitosterol significantly inhibited chemotaxis of [(3)H] thymidine labeled THP-1 cells in oxLDL-stimulated HUVEC cultures. MCP-1 concentrations in the supernatants of oxLDL-stimulated HUVEC cultures were inhibited by 7.5 microM beta-sitosterol as well as by progesterone and the mixture of the two female hormones.