First report of Pectobacterium brasiliense causing banana soft rot in Ecuador.

Banana (Musa spp.) is the most economically important crop in Ecuador, with exports representing 35% of the agricultural GDP of the country. It covers 230,000 hectares, mostly concentrated in three coastal provinces, Guayas, Los Ríos, and El Oro. Between July and September 2022, disease symptomatic banana cv. Williams plants were observed in commercial plantations located in two parishes in the province of Guayas (Naranjito and Lorenzo de Garaicoa) and one parish in the province of Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas (La Concordia), with an incidence that ranged from 5% to 15%. Symptoms included soft rot of the pseudostem and rhizome decay, characterized by a fetid odor. Three symptomatic pseudostems from each location were collected, washed with running water to remove any debris, and dried with absorbent paper. From the lesion of each pseudostem, seven pieces of 2 cm² were taken, surface-sterilized, and macerated in 9 ml of sterile peptone water (0.1% w/v). The macerate was diluted three fold in sterile water, plated on nutrient agar, and incubated at 30°C for 24 h. Eight randomly picked colonies, with convex elevation and creamy white color, were isolated on nutrient agar. Each of the bacterial isolates was biochemically profiled by the Biolog system (Biolog Inc., USA) and identified as Pectobacterium. Three isolates, one from each parish (FP220416, FP220694, and FP220904), were selected for testing Koch's postulates and further identification. Sequences from fragments of the 16S, dnaA, gapA and gyrB genes were obtained from these isolates, following the protocols used by Dobhal et al. (2020) and Boluk et al. (2020), showing 98.1-99.0%, 98.2%, 99.7-99.8%, and 98.4-98.9% identitity, respectively, with sequences from the P. brasiliense type strain LMG_21371 (Acc. number JQOE00000000). The obtained sequences were deposited in GenBank with the following accession numbers: OR392417, OR371545,OR371546, OR727281, OR727282, and OR739074-OR739080. Using BEAST v.1.10.4 (Suchard et al.,2018), a bayesian multilocus phylogenetic tree was built with multiple sequence alignments of dnaA, gapA, ang gyrB from 22 P. brasiliense isolates and 2 P. aquaticum isolates used as outgroup. The phylogenetic analysis showed that the Ecuadorian isolates cluster with P. brasiliense BF20, isolated from Opuntia ficus-indica in México and are closely related with the type strain. Pathogenicity tests were conducted through syringe infiltration with 1 ml of 1 × 10^8 CFU ml-1 bacterial suspensions. Each of the three characterized isolates were inoculated into the pseudostems of five healthy 4-month-old banana plants of the Williams cultivar. Negative control plants were infiltrated with sterile distilled water. The plants were incubated at 25°C and 74% relative humidity. Black lesions started to appear 11 days after inoculation and 5 weeks after inoculation plants showed clear symptoms of soft rot of the pseudostem, including fetid odor associated with plant tissue decomposition. Control plants remained symptom-free. Bacteria were re-isolated only from symptomatic pseudostems and identified as P. brasiliense with specific primers Pb1F and Pb1R. Soft rot of banana caused by different enterobacteria including Dickeya zeae, Erwinia carotovora, and Erwinia chrysanthemi hasve been previously reported (Jingxin et al. 2022, Arun et al. 2012, Loganathan, et al. 2019). This is the first report of P. brasiliense causing soft rot of banana in Ecuador, the biggest exporter of the fruit in the world.

Prognostic Value of Monocarboxylate Transporter 1 Overexpression in Cancer: A Systematic Review.

Energy production by cancer is driven by accelerated glycolysis, independently of oxygen levels, which results in increased lactate production. Lactate is shuttled to and from cancer cells via monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs). MCT1 works both as an importer and an extruder of lactate, being widely studied in recent years and generally associated with a cancer aggressiveness phenotype. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the prognostic value of MCT1 immunoexpression in different malignancies. Study collection was performed by searching nine different databases (PubMed, EMBASE, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, OVID, TRIP and PsycINFO), using the keywords "cancer", "Monocarboxylate transporter 1", "SLC16A1" and "prognosis". Results showed that MCT1 is an indicator of poor prognosis and decreased survival for cancer patients in sixteen types of malignancies; associations between the transporter's overexpression and larger tumour sizes, higher disease stage/grade and metastasis occurrence were also frequently observed. Yet, MCT1 overexpression correlated with better outcomes in colorectal cancer, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and non-small cell lung cancer patients. These results support the applicability of MCT1 as a biomarker of prognosis, although larger cohorts would be necessary to validate the overall role of MCT1 as an outcome predictor.

Cutaneous metastasis of unknown origin: Dermatologic features and pathology

Background@#Skin metastases are rare yet crucial indicators of advanced disease. They can mimic various skin conditions, making them challenging to diagnose.@*Aims and Objectives@#To investigate the incidence rate of biopsy-confirmed cutaneous metastasis and explore the clinical presentation, workup, and diagnostic techniques for skin metastases@*Materials and Methods@#Local study involving comprehensive laboratory tests, pathological examination, and immunohistochemistry to identify primary tumors and confirm diagnoses. @*Results@#Nodules were the most common manifestation of skin metastases, particularly in breast carcinoma. The chest wall and abdomen were frequent sites of involvement. Pathological examination and immunohistochemistry played a critical role in confirming diagnoses, revealing various histopathologic patterns. Immunohistochemical markers assisted in determining tumor origin but required careful interpretation. Monitoring tumor behavior over time provided insights into nature and origins. @*Conclusion@#Comprehensive workups including laboratory testing, pathology, and immunohistochemistry are essential for accurate diagnosis and management of skin metastases. Careful monitoring of tumor behavior can provide valuable information about its nature and origins.

Planificación Educacional Individualizado de estudiante con autismo en la universidad / Planejamento educacional individualizado de estudante com autismo na universidade / Individualized educational planning for a university student with autism

Questiona-se sobre o processo inclusivo universitário de estudantes com Transtorno do Espectro Autista (TEA), visando a permanência e conclusão de curso. O Planejamento Educacional Individualizado (PEI) é uma estratégia de apoio ao estudante com TEA na Educação Básica. O objetivo foi descrever e analisar o desenvolvimento e aplicação do PEI para uma universitária com TEA e comparar desempenho acadêmico antes e depois do PEI. Trata-se de estudo de caso, com avaliações e envolvimento docente. Os resultados descrevem a elaboração e aplicação do PEI com diferenciações na ementa e cronograma das disciplinas cursadas. Anteriormente ao PEI (análise de seis quadrimestres anteriores à pesquisa) a estudante com TEA teve dois trancamentos totais de quadrimestre, quatro reprovações e sete cancelamentos de disciplinas. Após o PEI, análise de três quadrimestres posteriores, a estudante teve um cancelamento de uma disciplina. Os dados evidenciam o PEI enquanto estratégia concreta e eficaz para a permanência da estudante, assim como estratégia viável para formação docente continuada em Educação Especial, no contexto universitário.

Se cuestiona sobre el proceso inclusivo universitario de estudiantes con Trastorno del Espectro Autista (TEA), visando la permanencia y conclusión de curso. La Planificación Educacional Individualizada (PEI) es una estrategia de apoyo al estudiante con TEA en la educación básica. El objetivo fue describir y analizar el desarrollo y aplicación del PEI a una universitaria con TEA y comparar desempeño académico antes y después del PEI. Se trata de estudio de caso, con evaluaciones y participación docente. Los resultados describen la elaboración y aplicación del PEI con diferenciales en la propuesta y cronograma de las asignaturas cursadas. Con anterioridad al PEI (análisis de seis cuadrimestres anteriores a la investigación) la estudiante con TEA tuvo dos aplazamientos totales de cuadrimestre, cuatro reprobaciones y sete suspensiones de asignaturas. Tras el PEI, análisis de tres cuadrimestres posteriores, la estudiante tuvo un aplazamiento de una asignatura. Los datos apuntan el PEI como estrategia concreta y eficaz para permanencia de la estudiante, así como una estrategia viable para la formación continua del profesorado de Educación Especial, en el contexto universitario.

Researchers question the inclusive university process of students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), aiming at the permanence and completion of the course. Individualized Educational Planning (IEP) is a support strategy for students with ASD in basic education. The objective was to describe and analyze the development and application of the PEI for a university student with ASD and to compare academic performance before and after the PEI. It is a case study, with evaluations and teacher involvement. The results describe the elaboration and application of the PEI with differences in the menu and schedule of the subjects studied. Prior to the PEI (analysis of six four-month periods prior to the survey), the student with ASD had two total withdrawals in the four-month period, four disapprovals and seven cancellations of disciplines. After the PEI, analysis of three subsequent quarters, the student had a discipline canceled. The data evidence the PEI as a concrete and effective strategy for the student's permanence, as well as a viable strategy for continuing teacher training in Special Education, in the university context.

Importance of Doppler ultrasound in vaginal foreign body: case report and review of the literature.

The aim of this paper is to describe the distinctive ultrasound findings of a case of vaginal bleeding caused by the presence of a foreign body. We present the case of an infant who consulted for vaginal bleeding and foul-smelling discharge. The ultrasound revealed signs of vaginal distension due to heterogeneous-hematic contents and parietal thickening. At Doppler examination, a striking finding of increased vascularization limited to the upper two-thirds of the vaginal wall was found, which was initially interpreted as a sign of local inflammation suggesting the presence of an underlying foreign body. At direct vaginoscopic examination remains of toilet paper in the vaginal fundus were found. The presence of a foreign body in the vagina is an uncommon cause of discharge and vaginal bleeding in pediatrics, therefore, this etiology should be kept in mind when the adequate clinical context arises. Doppler ultrasound represents a first-line complementary method when this entity is suspected.

Patterns and Drivers of Rodent Abundance across a South African Multi-Use Landscape.

South Africa's decentralized approach to conservation entails that wildlife outside formally protected areas inhabit complex multi-use landscapes, where private wildlife business (ecotourism and/or hunting) co-exist in a human-dominated landscape matrix. Under decentralized conservation, wildlife is perceived to benefit from increased amount of available habitat, however it is crucial to understand how distinct management priorities and associated landscape modifications impact noncharismatic taxa, such as small mammals. We conducted extensive ink-tracking-tunnel surveys to estimate heterogeneity in rodent distribution and investigate the effect of different environmental factors on abundance patterns of two size-based rodent groups (small- and medium-sized species), across three adjacent management contexts in NE KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: a private ecotourism game reserve, mixed farms and traditional communal areas (consisting of small clusters of houses interspersed with grazing areas and seminatural vegetation). Our hypotheses were formulated regarding the (1) area typology, (2) vegetation structure, (3) ungulate pressure and (4) human disturbance. Using a boosted-regression-tree approach, we found considerable differences between rodent groups' abundance and distribution, and the underlying environmental factors. The mean relative abundance of medium-sized species did not differ across the three management contexts, but small species mean relative abundance was higher in the game reserves, confirming an influence of the area typology on their abundance. Variation in rodent relative abundance was negatively correlated with human disturbance and ungulate presence. Rodent abundance seems to be influenced by environmental gradients that are directly linked to varying management priorities across land uses, meaning that these communities might not benefit uniformly by the increased amount of habitat promoted by the commercial wildlife industry.

Interview-Rated Meaning and Survival Over 17 Years in People Living With HIV.

OBJECTIVE: The primary purpose of this study was to determine whether meaning in life predicts survival in people living with HIV (PLWH) over 17 years. This study also examined whether interviewer- and transcript-rated meanings predict survival equivalently. A third purpose of the study was to investigate whether meaning in life adds to the prediction of survival over positive emotional expression. METHODS: A diverse sample of people with HIV (n = 177) completed an interview on stress and coping at baseline and were followed up for survival up to 17 years. Meaning was measured by interviewer rating of four items (meaningful purpose, unfinished business, finding new meaning, and meaningful activities). Transcript-rated meaning was assessed by two independent raters. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to determine whether meaning predicted survival over 17 years. RESULTS: Meaning in life predicted significantly greater survival, adjusting for biomedical and sociodemographic variables whether assessed by interviewer or by transcript raters. Hazard ratios suggest that the effect is moderate to large (2.66-3.45 for top versus bottom third; 2.05-2.49 for top versus bottom half). Significance was maintained after adjusting for positive emotion. CONCLUSIONS: Meaning assessed by interview (by both interviewer and transcript ratings) predicted greater survival over 17 years in PLWH and did so above positive emotion. This adds to a literature that is primarily based on self-report questionnaires. Meaning may have beneficial effects for both psychological and physical health in PLWH.

First Report of Pantoea ananatis causing leaf spot disease of maize in Ecuador.

Maize (Zea mays) is the second most cultivated grain crop in Ecuador, with growing significance as a source of fodder and food. During the rainy season (November and December) of 2018 and 2019, a disease of maize that was not previously observed in Ecuador was found at commercial fields of Misqui Sara variety, at four parishes of canton Quito (Tumbaco, Pifo, Puembo, and Checa), province of Pichincha. Infected plants, at tassel initiation, displayed symptoms of localized chlorotic streaks on leaves that expanded with time, and around a month later turned necrotic. Severely affected plants wilted and died. Symptoms appeared in lower leaves first and were later observed in upper leaves as the disease progressed. Disease incidence was between 20 and 30% in the affected plantations, with around 30% of infected plants wilting and dying, resulting in 20-25% of yield losses. Upper leaves from ten symptomatic plants, five from Puembo and five from Checa, were collected randomly. Two 0.5 cm2 pieces of leaf from each plant were excised from the margins of the necrotic lesions, surface sterilized and macerated in 9 mL of sterile peptone water. The 10-3 dilutions were plated onto nutrient agar and incubated at 28°C for 24 hours. Yellow, mucoid colonies were isolated on nutrient agar. Three isolates from Puembo and two from Checa were selected for testing Koch´s postulates and further biochemical and molecular characterization. Isolates were Gram-negative rods, oxidase negative, catalase, indol and citrate positive. Fragments of the 16S, gyrB, and rpoB loci were amplified and sequenced using the 27F/1492R (Lane, D. J., 1991), UP-1/UP-2r (Yamamoto & Harayama, 1995), and rpoBCM81-F/rpoBCM32b-R (Brady, C., et al., 2008) primer pairs, respectively. All isolates presented identical sequences for the different loci, therefore only sequences from isolate FP191505 were deposited in GenBank (GenBank accession no. MW528428-MW528430). A search of homologous sequences using BLAST resulted in identities of 99.3, 99.7, and 100 % for 16S, gyrB, and rpoB, respectively, with sequences from Pantoea ananatis type specimen LGM 2665 (Brady, C., et al., 2008; Hauben, L., et al., 1998; GenBank accession nos NR_119362.1, EF988824.1 EF988996.1), indicating that our isolates belong to this species. Pathogenicity tests were performed by syringe infiltration of bacterial suspensions. Each one of the five characterized P. ananatis isolates was inoculated in four leaves (500 ul of 1 x 108 CFU mL-1 per leave) of three healthy maize plants. Negative control plants were infiltrated with sterile distilled water. Plants were incubated at 28-30°C and 60% relative humidity for 24 hours. Later, plants were maintained in a greenhouse with 27°C/21°C day/night temperatures and observed daily. After six weeks all bacteria-inoculated plants developed symptoms of chlorosis and necrosis while the control was symptomless. Bacteria were re-isolated from symptomatic leaves and identified as P. ananatis following the same methodologies used for the initial identification. To our knowledge, this is the first report of P. ananatis causing leaf spot of maize in Ecuador.

Evaluation of different teaching methods in the radiographic diagnosis of proximal carious lesions.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate four different teaching methodologies in the radiographic diagnosis of proximal carious lesions and in the students' perception of these methodologies. METHODS: 71 undergraduate dental students were subdivided into 4 groups according to the teaching methodologies used (traditional, hybrid, e-learning and problem-based learning). All methods were applied by two properly trained researchers. Initially, students completed a pre-methodology test (index test). After applying the teaching methodologies, the students were submitted to a post-methodology test containing periapical radiographs for evaluation of proximal carious lesions. Then, the students answered a questionnaire to verify their perception of the different teaching methodologies. Statistical analysis was done. RESULTS: There were no relationship between the results of pre- and post-methodologies tests, irrespective of the teaching methodology employed (p > 0.05). No differences between the teaching methodologies studied (p > 0.05) were found regarding the amount of correct answers. However, the students who participated in the active (e-learning and problem-based learning) and hybrid teaching methodology reported a positive impact in relation to their diagnostic skills at the questionnaire. CONCLUSIONS: All the tested methodologies had a similar performance; however, the traditional methodology showed less acceptance by the students when analyzed subjectively and comparatively. The results of the present study increase comprehension about teaching methodologies for radiographic diagnosis of proximal carious lesions, and there is a potential to build on the knowledge base and provide practical support for students and educators.

Whole-exome sequencing in the clinical setting: Establishing a foothold for precision medicine in genodermatoses and other diseases

@#The concept of “precision medicine” has been a mainstay in discourses about the future of medicine, although it was not until the completion of the Human Genome Project that genetic associations to Mendelian diseases have risen dramatically. Since genetic variations in most (85%) monogenic or oligogenic diseases reside in exons, whole-exome sequencing (WES) serves as a pivotal tool in the identification of causative variants in genodermatoses and other diseases, leading to efficient and timely diagnosis. Here, we share our current diagnosis protocol for genodermatoses using WES as a first-tier solution. Two cases are presented to demonstrate the process of identifying germline variants and one case for a somatic variant. In the first case, a germline missense mutation in COL7A1 (exon73:c.G6127A) was identified for a patient that presented with clinical symptoms of dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB). Immunofluorescence study revealed decreased collagen VII expression in the dermal-epidermal junction. In case 2, we detected a germline missense mutation in KRT16 (exon1:c.374A>G) in a patient with palmoplantar keratoderma (PPK) and congenital pachyonychia. Sanger sequencing and segregation analysis confirmed the variant detected in WES. For case 3, a patient with linear nevus comedonicus was found to have a somatic missense mutation in NEK9 (exon4:c.500T>C), which was only detected in the lesional DNA sample. Thus, WES shows great potential as a diagnostic tool for monogenic or oligogenic genodermatoses. Since omics is a technology-driven tool, we expect that reaching precision medicine is ever closer.

Extra-uterine endometrial stromal sarcoma arising from deep infiltrating endometriosis.

We present a compelling case of a 45-year-old female with a history of endometriosis and leiomyomas, who presented to her gynecologist with chronic pelvic pain complaints. Both a transvaginal ultrasound (US) and an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) were ordered. The US demonstrated multiple uterine lesions, likely fibroids, and an endometrioma within the right ovary. The MRI of the pelvis with and without gadolinium identified a mass within the right ovary with homogenous intermediate T2-signal, restricted diffusion, and delayed enhancement relative to the myometrium. Several irregular-shaped lesions were also noted within the external myometrium, anterior pelvic wall, and the peritoneum, which were intermediate signal on T2-weighted images, restricted diffusion, and an enhancement pattern similar to the myometrium. The patient underwent a right adnexectomy. The histopathology findings were consistent with a low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma (low grade-ESS) arising from the endometrial stroma of the right ovary. A debulking surgery confirmed the involvement of external myometrium, anterior pelvic wall, and the peritoneum secondary to a low-grade ESS without the endometrial cavity's involvement. The underlying hypothesis is that the endometriosis stroma from extra-uterine structures such as the right ovary, pelvic and anterior peritoneum, and external myometrium may have subsequently resulted in a low-grade ESS. Low-grade extra-uterine ESS without endometrial involvement is a rare entity. Based on our literature search, this is one of the few reports covering the radiological features of low-grade extra-uterine ESS arising outside the uterus with a concomitant deep infiltrating endometriosis, but without the involvement of the endometrial cavity.

Predictors of pathological response and clinical outcome following chemoradiation for locally advanced rectal cancer - a systematic review / Preditores de resposta patológica e de outcome clinico após quimioradioterapia neoadjuvante para cancro do reto localmente avançado - uma revisão sistemática

Abstract Background: Colorectal cancer is one of the most common types of cancer and is associated with a high lethality rate. Treatment is multidisciplinary, and neoadjuvant chemoradiation is recommended in locally advanced rectal cancer. About 15% of patients answer favorably to neoadjuvant chemoradiation, so it is important to determine the predictors of response. Objective: To review the results of studies that analyzes the predictors of complete pathological response to neoadjuvant chemoradiation in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. Search methods: We searched for eligible articles in data bases Pubmed and Scopus, between the 12th and the 20th of March 2020. The following key words were used: "predictors of response", "chemoradiation" and "locally advanced rectal cancer". Selection criteria: Inclusion criteria: Studies including patients with locally advanced rectal cancer, patients receiving neoadjuvant chemoradiation as treatment, studies including predictors of response to neodjuvant chemoradiation, overall survival as an outcome and regarding language restrictions, only articles in English were accepted, only studies published until the 31st of December 2019 were accepted. Main results: Fourteen studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Thirteen are cohort studies and one is a clinical trial. Four groups of predictors were defined: blood markers, tumors, histopathological and patients' characteristics. Author's conclusions: During the analysis of the articles, there were several predictors identified as potential candidates for clinical practice, such as high pre neoadjuvant chemoradiation Carcinoembryonic Antigen levels and small post neoadjuvant chemoradiation tumor size. Nevertheless, it is difficult to make definitive conclusions about the most reliable predictors. That is why it is crucial to initiate further studies with standardized cut-off values and a methodology homogenization.

Resumo Introdução: O cancro colorretal é um dos cancros mais prevalentes em Portugal e tem associada uma alta taxa de letalidade. Atualmente, o tratamento é multidisciplinar, e a quimioradioterapia neoadjuvante está indicada no Cancro do Reto Localmente Avançado. Sabe-se que cerca de 15% dos doentes responde favoravelmente à quimioradioterapia neoadjuvante, sendo por isso importante determinar quais os preditores de resposta a este tipo de tratamento. Objetivo: Rever os resultados dos estudos que analisam os preditores de resposta completa à quimioradioterapia em pacientes com Cancro do Reto Localmente Avançado. Métodos de pesquisa: Pesquisamos artigos elegíveis nos bancos de dados Pubmed e Scopus, desde o dia 12 a 20 de Março de 2020. Foram utilizadas as seguintes palavras chave: "preditores de resposta", "quimioradioterapia neoadjuvante" e "Cancro do Reto Localmente Avançado". Critérios de seleção: Critérios de inclusão: Estudos que incluam pacientes com Cancro do Reto Localmente Avançad, pacientes sujeitos a quimioradioterapia neoadjuvante, preditores de resposta à quimioradioterapia, que avaliem a sobrevivência como outcome, escritos em inglês e publicados até dia 31 de Dezembro de 2019. Resultados principais: Catorze estudos preencheram os critérios de inclusão. De todos os artigos, treze são Cohort e um é Clinical Trial. Foram definidos quatro grupos de preditores: marcadores de sangue e caraterísticas do tumor, histopatológicas e dos pacientes. Conclusões dos autores: Durante a análise dos artigos, foram identificados vários preditores como potenciais candidates para a prática clínica, tais como o valor elevado de antigénio carcinoembrionário pré- quimioradioneoaajuvância e tamanho reduzido. Contudo, é arriscado elaborar conclusões concretas relativamente aos preditores mais confiáveis. Por isso, é crucial iniciar novos estudos com valores de cut-off estandardizados e métodos com maior homogeneidade.

Utilização da imagem por ressonância magnética na odontologia: revisão de literatura / Use of magnetic resonance in dentistry: literature review

A Imagem por Ressonância Magnética (IRM) tem sido considerada a modalidade de escolha para o diagnóstico de processos patológicos que acometem a articulação temporomandibular, tecidos moles e outros processos inflamatórios. Devido a sua característica não invasiva e livre de radiação ionizante, novas aplicações para a técnica têm sido propostas e estudadas nas mais diversas áreas da Odontologia, como Endodontia, Dentística, Periodontia e Cirurgia Oral. O objetivo neste trabalho é apresentar uma revisão de literatura acerca da utilização da IRM na Odontologia, destacando as vantagens e limitações da técnica.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has been considered the modality of choice for the diagnosis of pathological processes that affect the temporomandibular joint, soft tissues and other inflammatory processes. Due to its non-invasive and ionizing radiation-free properties, new applications for the technique have been proposed and studied in several areas of Dentistry, such as Endodontics, Dentistry, Periodontics and Oral Surgery. The aim of this work is to present a literature review about the use of MRI in Dentistry, highlighting the advantages and limitations of the technique.

Pneumonia Associada à Ventilação Mecânica (PAVM): incidência e desfecho clínico em uma Unidade de Terapia Intensiva no sul de Santa Catarina / Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP): clinical outcome and impact on an Intensive Care Unit in south of Santa Catarina

Introdução: A pneumonia associada à ventilação mecânica (PAVM) é uma infecção respiratória de difícil diagnóstico, caracterizada por manifestações clínicas, laboratoriais e radiológicas. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo de coorte prospectiva com 120 pacientes ventilados mecanicamente hospitalizados na UTI do Hospital Nossa Senhora da Conceição (HNSC), localizado em Tubarão ­ SC, entre fevereiro e agosto de 2013. Os pacientes foram acompanhados até os seguintes desfechos: alta ou óbito. Resultados: As principais causas de internação foram doenças do aparelho circulatório (35,8%) e doenças do aparelho respiratório (12,5%). A incidência da PAVM foi de 31,8%, e a mortalidade de 51,7%. O tempo médio de internação na UTI e de permanência na ventilação mecânica (VM) foram de 15,2 ± 11,1 e 13,1 ± 10,6 dias, respectivamente. Houve associação estatística para o desenvolvimento da PAVM o gênero masculino (p=0,004), tempo de VM (em dias) acima da média 18,4 ± 14,9 (p=0,001), e tempo de UTI (em dias) acima da média 20,4 ± 15,3 (p=0,003). Os fatores de risco para a mortalidade foram idade acima da média (p=0,001) e tempo de UTI acima da média (p=0,001). Conclusão: apesar de não haver associação entre PAVM e mortalidade, os resultados são similares ao encontrado em outros estudos.

Background: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a respiratory infection difficult to diagnose, characterized by clinical, laboratory and radiological manifestations. Methods: A prospective cohort study was performed involving 120 mechanically ventilated patients hospitalized in the ICU of the Hospital Nossa Senhora da Conceição (HNSC), located in Tubarão - SC, between February and August 2013. Patients were followed until the following outcomes: discharge or death. Results: The main causes of hospitalization were diseases of the circulatory system (35,8%) and respiratory diseases (12,5%). The incidence of VAP was 31,8 % and the mortality was 51,7 %. The mean length of ICU stay and mechanical ventilation (MV) was 15,2 ± 11,1 and 13,1 ± 10,6 days, respectively. There is statistic association for the development of VAP the male gender (p=0,004), duration of mechanical ventilation (days) above average 18.4 ± 14.9 (p = 0,001), ICU stay (days) above average 20,4 ± 15,3 (p = 0,003). Risk factors for mortality were age above average (p=0,001) and ICU stay above average (p=0,001). Conclusion: although no association between VAP and mortality, the results are similar to that found in other studies.

Executive functioning in obese individuals waiting for clinical treatment / Funcionamiento ejecutivo en sujetos obesos en espera de tratamiento clínico

BACKGROUND: Executive functions have an important role in human behavioural regulation and can be a determinant of eating behaviour. Our aim was to study the different components of executive functions in obese individuals waiting for clinical treatment, comparing them with normoweight subjects with similar socio-demographic characteristics. METHOD: A total of 114 adults (76 obese and 38 normoweight) completed a neuropsychological battery that included tasks of conceptualization and abstraction, motor programming, response maintenance, inhibition and resistance, problem solving, cognitive flexibility, and verbal fluency. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference between groups for all the dimensions of the executive functions evaluated, with the obese group showing poorer performance compared to normoweight. CONCLUSIONS: Obese individuals demonstrated poorer executive functions than normoweight individuals

ANTECEDENTES: las funciones ejecutivas tienen un papel importante en la regulación del comportamiento humano y pueden ser un determinante en la conducta alimentaria. El objetivo fue estudiar diferentes componentes de las funciones ejecutivas en individuos obesos en espera de tratamiento clínico, comparándolos con individuos con normopeso con características sociodemográficas similares. MÉTODO: participaron 114 adultos (76 obesos y 38 con normopeso) que completaron una batería neuropsicológica que incluyó tareas de conceptualización y abstracción, programación motora, manutención de respuesta, control inhibitorio, resolución de tareas, flexibilidad cognitiva y fluencia verbal. RESULTADOS: existen diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los grupos en todas las tareas del funcionamiento ejecutivo evaluadas. El grupo de los obesos obtuvo puntuaciones más bajas que el grupo con normopeso. CONCLUSIONES: los individuos sujetos obesos revelan peor funcionamiento ejecutivo que los con normopeso

Executive functioning in obese individuals waiting for clinical treatment.

BACKGROUND: Executive functions have an important role in human behavioural regulation and can be a determinant of eating behaviour. Our aim was to study the different components of executive functions in obese individuals waiting for clinical treatment, comparing them with normoweight subjects with similar socio-demographic characteristics. METHOD: A total of 114 adults (76 obese and 38 normoweight) completed a neuropsychological battery that included tasks of conceptualization and abstraction, motor programming, response maintenance, inhibition and resistance, problem solving, cognitive flexibility, and verbal fluency. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference between groups for all the dimensions of the executive functions evaluated, with the obese group showing poorer performance compared to normoweight. CONCLUSIONS: Obese individuals demonstrated poorer executive functions than normoweight individuals.

Aquatic invertebrates associated with bromeliads in Atlantic Forest fragments / Invertebrados associados a bromélias em fragmentos de Mata Atlântica

Abstract: Forest fragments in the state of Minas Gerais contain a large number of Bromeliaceae genera, whose cisterns accumulate water and organic matter, providing shelter and food for a wide range of organisms. However, these fragments often consist only of small patches of vegetation, making the species more vulnerable to the effects of this landscape changes. This study aimed to test the effect of the distance to the edge and of the matrix type on the structure of aquatic invertebrate communities in four morphospecies of bromeliads. Samples were collected in Atlantic Forest fragments adjacent to pasture and planted forest areas, in a region of Serra da Mantiqueira, Brazil. Of the 147 bromeliads investigated, we found 35 taxa, among which the most abundant groups were Ostracoda (4,962 individuals), Culicidae (2,358), Tanypodinae (1,164) and Scirtidae (1,043). The richness of taxa and Shannon diversity of invertebrates were similar at different distances from the edge, with variation of richness between 17 and 23 taxa and diversity between 1.25 and 1.52. The composition of the fauna in the cisterns changed between some collection sections (A vs. C, C vs. D and D vs. F), irrespective of being close to or far from the edge. There was no variation of richness (t=-1.145, df=106, p= 0.341) and diversity (t= 1.376, df= 106, p= 0.429) among samples collected from fragments next to planted forest and pasture, likely because the bromeliads studied were located on hillsides above the canopy of planted forests, and subject to similar conditions to those found in the fragments next to pastures. The results demonstrate the importance of bromeliads in maintaining the richness and diversity of the invertebrates they harbor, even in altered landscapes exposed to extreme conditions such as fragment edges.

Resumo: Remanescentes florestais em Minas Gerais concentram grande número de gêneros de Bromeliaceae, cujos taques acumulam água e a matéria orgânica que servem de abrigo e fonte de alimento para uma grande variedade organismos. Entretanto, tais áreas têm sido reduzidas a pequenas manchas de vegetação, tornando as espécies mais vulneráveis aos efeitos decorrentes dessa modificação da paisagem. O presente estudo visou caracterizar a estrutura das comunidades de invertebrados aquáticos em quatro morfoespécies de bromélias. As amostras foram coletadas em fragmentos de Mata Atlântica em matriz de pastagem e floresta plantada, em uma região da Serra da Mantiqueira, Brasil. Nas 147 bromélias investigadas foram encontrados 35 táxons, entre os quais os grupos mais abundantes foram Ostracoda (4,962 individuals), Culicidae (2,358), Tanypodinae (1,164) e Scirtidae (1,043). A riqueza de táxons e diversidade de Shannon foram semelhantes em diferentes distâncias da borda, com variação entre 17 e 23 táxons e diversidade entre 1.25 e 1.52. A composição da fauna nos tanques variou entre algumas faixas de coleta (A vs. C, C vs. D e D vs. F), independentemente de estarem próximas ou distantes da borda. Não houve variação da riqueza (t=-1.145, df=106, p= 0.341) e diversidade (t= 1.376, df= 106, p= 0.429) entre as amostras coletadas em fragmentos próximos à floresta plantada e pastagem, provavelmente devido às bromélias estudadas estarem localizadas em encostas acima do dossel das florestas plantadas, e sujeitas a condições semelhantes às encontradas nos fragmentos ao lado de pastagens. Foi possível demonstrar a importância das bromélias na manutenção da riqueza e da diversidade de invertebrados que abrigam, mesmo em paisagens alteradas e expostas a condições extremas, tais como nas bordas dos fragmentos.