Quantitative Scaling of Magnetic Avalanches.

We provide the first quantitative comparison between Barkhausen noise experiments and recent predictions from the theory of avalanches for pinned interfaces, both in and beyond mean field. We study different classes of soft magnetic materials, including polycrystals and amorphous samples-which are characterized by long-range and short-range elasticity, respectively-both for thick and thin samples, i.e., with and without eddy currents. The temporal avalanche shape at fixed size as well as observables related to the joint distribution of sizes and durations are analyzed in detail. Both long-range and short-range samples with no eddy currents are fitted extremely well by the theoretical predictions. In particular, the short-range samples provide the first reliable test of the theory beyond mean field. The thick samples show systematic deviations from the scaling theory, providing unambiguous signatures for the presence of eddy currents.

On the nature of the interlayer magnetic interactions in biphase ferromagnetic films.

We report on the nature of the interlayer magnetic interactions in NiFe/Cu/Co films. By probing the quasi-static and dynamic magnetic properties of biphase ferromagnetic films, with soft and hard ferromagnetic phases intermediated by a non-magnetic layer, we address aspects of the coupling between magnetic layers. Our results demonstrate the nature of the interlayer magnetic coupling in biphase films. We also disclose the asymmetric magnetoimpedance effect as a fingerprint of the nature of the magnetic interlayer interactions playing key role in the magnetization dynamics of the system. We revisit in literature data and ideas on the asymmetric magnetoimpedance and the nature of the magnetic interactions in biphase ferromagnetic systems. Then, we compare our findings with results for biphase ribbons and microwires. Our observations raise the fundamental similarities and differences in the asymmetric magnetoimpedance of these structures.

Magnetic nanoparticles hyperthermia in a non-adiabatic and radiating process.

We investigate the magnetic nanoparticles hyperthermia in a non-adiabatic and radiating process through the calorimetric method. Specifically, we propose a theoretical approach to magnetic hyperthermia from a thermodynamic point of view. To test the robustness of the approach, we perform hyperthermia experiments and analyse the thermal behavior of magnetite and magnesium ferrite magnetic nanoparticles dispersed in water submitted to an alternating magnetic field. From our findings, besides estimating the specific loss power value from a non-adiabatic and radiating process, thus enhancing the accuracy in the determination of this quantity, we provide physical meaning to a parameter found in literature that still remained not fully understood, the effective thermal conductance, and bring to light how it can be obtained from experiment. In addition, we show our approach brings a correction to the estimated experimental results for specific loss power and effective thermal conductance, thus demonstrating the importance of the heat loss rate due to the thermal radiation in magnetic hyperthermia.

Green coffee seed residue: A sustainable source of antioxidant compounds.

Oil extraction from green coffee seeds generates residual mass that is discarded by agribusiness and has not been previously studied. Bioactive secondary metabolites in coffee include antioxidant phenolic compounds, such as chlorogenic acids. Coffee seeds also contain caffeine, a pharmaceutically important methylxanthine. Here, we report the chemical profile, antioxidant activity, and cytotoxicity of hydroethanolic extracts of green Coffea arabica L. seed residue. The extracts of the green seeds and the residue have similar chemical profiles, containing the phenolic compounds chlorogenic acid and caffeine. Five monoacyl and three diacyl esters of trans-cinnamic acids and quinic acid were identified by ultra-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization-quadruple time of flight mass spectrometry. The residue extract showed antioxidant potential in DPPH, ABTS, and pyranine assays and low cytotoxicity. Thus, coffee oil residue has great potential for use as a raw material in dietary supplements, cosmetic and pharmaceutical products, or as a source of bioactive compounds.

Tibial segmental bone defect treated with bone plate and cage filled with either xenogeneic composite or autologous cortical bone graft. An experimental study in sheep.

Tibia segmental defect healing in sheep were clinically, radiographically and histologically evaluated. Twelve young sheep aged four to five months were divided into two groups, G1 and G2. A 3.5 cm long segmental defect was created in the right tibial diaphysis with maintenance of the periosteum. The bone defects in both groups were stabilized with a bone plate combined with a titanium cage. In G1 the cage was filled with pieces of autologous cortical bone graft. In G2 it was filled with a composite biomaterial which consisted of inorganic bovine bone, demineralized bovine bone, a pool of bovine bone morphogenetic proteins bound to absorbable ultra-thin powdered hydroxyapatiteand bone-derived denaturized collagen. Except for one G1 animal, all of them showed normal limb function 60 days after surgery. Radiographic examination showed initial formation of periosteal callus in both groups at osteo-tomy sites, over the plate or cage 15 days postoperatively. At 60 and 90 days callus remodeling occurred. Histological and morphometric analysis at 90 days after surgery showed that the quantity of implanted materials in G1 and G2 were similar, and the quantity of new bone formation was less (p = 0.0048) and more immature in G1 than G2, occupying 51 +/- 3.46% and 62 +/- 6.26% of the cage space, respectively. These results suggest that the composite biomaterial tested was a good alternative to autologous cortical bone graft in this experimental ovine tibial defect. However, additional evaluation is warranted prior to its clinical usage.

Universal temporal characteristics and vanishing of multifractality in Barkhausen avalanches.

Barkhausen effect in ferromagnetic materials provides an excellent area for investigating scaling phenomena found in disordered systems exhibiting crackling noise. The critical dynamics is characterized by random pulses or avalanches with scale-invariant properties, power-law distributions, and universal features. However, the traditional Barkhausen avalanches statistics may not be sufficient to fully characterize the complex temporal correlation of the magnetic domain walls dynamics. Here we focus on the multifractal scenario to quantify the temporal scaling characteristics of Barkhausen avalanches in polycrystalline and amorphous ferromagnetic films with thicknesses from 50 to 1000 nm. We show that the multifractal properties are dependent on film thickness, although they seem to be insensitive to the structural character of the materials. Moreover, we observe for the first time the vanishing of the multifractality in the domain walls dynamics. As the thickness is reduced, the multifractal behavior gives place to a monofractal one over the entire range of time scales. This reorganization in the temporal scaling characteristics of Barkhausen avalanches is understood as a universal restructuring associated to the dimensional crossover, from three- to two-dimensional magnetization dynamics.

Embryonic and larval development of Brycon amazonicus (SPIX & AGASSIZ, 1829).

The objective of this study was to describe the embryonic and larval development of Brycon amazonicus, featuring the main events up to 50 hours after fertilization (AF). The material was provided by the Aquaculture Training, Technology and Production Center, Presidente Figueiredo (AM). The characterization was based on stereomicroscopic examination of the morphology of eggs, embryos and larvae and comparison with the literature. Matrinxã eggs are free, transparent, and spherical, with a perivitelline space of 0.56 ± 0.3 mm. The successive divisions give rise to cells with 64 blastomeres during the first hour AF. The gastrula stage, beginning 02 h 40 min AF, was characterized by progressive regression cells and the formation of the embryonic axis, leading to differentiation of the head and tail 05 h 30 min AF. From 06 to 09 h AF the somites, notochord, otic and optic vesicles and otoliths were observed, in addition to heart rate and the release of the tail. The larvae hatched at 10 h 30 min AF (29.9 °C), with a total length of 3.56 ± 0.46 mm. Between 19 and 30 h AF, we observed 1) pigmentation and gut formation, 2) branchial arches, 3) pectoral fins, 4) a mouth opening and 5) teeth. Cannibalism was initiated earlier (34 h AF) which was associated with rapid yolk absorption (more than 90% until 50 h AF), signaling the need for an exogenous nutritional source. The environmental conditions (especially temperature) influenced the time course of some events throughout the embryonic and larval development, suggesting the need for further studies on this subject.

On the incorporation of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory naproxen into cationic O/W microemulsions.

Microemulsions (ME) containing hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HTAB)/ethanol as surfactant, isopropylmyristate (IM) or butylstearate (BS) as oil phase and aqueous buffer were studied. Pseudo-ternary phase diagrams of the investigated systems were obtained at constant surfactant/cosurfactant molar ratio (1:5) by titration in order to characterize the proportions between the components to obtain clear systems. Oil in water microemulsions were prepared in a wide range of phase volume (phi). UV-vis absorption spectra of naproxen at pH 5.5 showed that the solubility of Np increases significantly in the presence of O/W ME in high phase volumes. For both, IM and BS microemulsions, the dynamic light scattering experiments showed that the size of the oil droplets remains constant in low values of phi, increasing abruptly in high phi values. Phase solubility study revealed that for both IM and BS microemulsions, the drug incorporation followed a straight-line profile in all range of phi. The data could be analyzed through the phase-separation model and the association constants (K) calculated varied from 27 to 90 M(-1), depending on the pH and on the microemulsion oil phase.

Growth of the tambaqui Colossoma macropomum (Cuvier) (Characiformes: Characidae): which is the best model?

In order to decide which is the best growth model for the tambaqui Colossoma macropomum Cuvier, 1818, we utilized 249 and 256 length-at-age ring readings in otholiths and scales respectively, for the same sample of individuals. The Schnute model was utilized and it is concluded that the Von Bertalanffy model is the most adequate for these data, because it proved highly stable for the data set, and only slightly sensitive to the initial values of the estimated parameters. The phi values estimated from five different data sources presented a CV = 4.78%. The numerical discrepancies between these values are of not much concern due to the high negative correlation between k and Linfinity viz, so that when one of them increases, the other decreases and the final result in phi remains nearly unchanged.

Autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) mobilized with G-CSF in AML in first complete remission. Role of intensification therapy in outcome.

In order to determine if peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) collected after priming with G-CSF in AML in first complete remission (CR) can be used for autologous transplantation and to evaluate the efficacy of early intensification therapy as in vivo purging, we studied 35 consecutive patients with AML in first CR. After standard induction and consolidation chemotherapy, 24 of them were treated with one (10 patients) or two (14 patients) cycles of high-dose cytarabine plus etoposide prior to PBSC collection. G-CSF was used as the priming agent. Of the 35 patients scheduled for peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT), three relapsed before transplantation, and the 32 remaining underwent PBSCT. High-dose therapy consisted of either total body irradiation plus cyclophosphamide or busulphan plus cyclophosphamide. The median number of CD34+ cells infused was 3.24 x 10(6)/kg (range 0.15-14). The median times to reach a PMN count of 0.5 x 10(9)/l and a platelet count of 50 x 10(9)/l were 12 (8-28) and 30 (11-345) days, respectively. There was no transplant-related mortality. Twelve patients relapsed between 2 and 21 months post-PBSCT. With a median follow-up of 28 months, actuarial disease-free survival (DFS) is 52.41 +/- 9% in the intent-to-treat group and 57.4 +/- 9.8% in patients who underwent PBSCT. The probability of DFS is significantly higher for patients who receive early intensification therapy prior to both PBSC collection and PBSCT as compared with patients that do not: 68.8 +/- 10.27% vs 35.5 +/- 12.6%, P = 0.0418. These results indicate the feasibility of PBSCT in AML using G-CSF-mobilized PBSC. The use of intensification treatment as 'purging in vivo' prior both to collection of PBSC and PBSCT significantly reduces the risk of relapse in this group of patients.

Endoscopic abdominoplasty, mastopexy, and breast reduction.

The use of subcutaneous endoscopy has allowed us to dissect and perform sophisticated procedures in the subcutaneous space. Herein, we have presented our experience with abdominoplasty, mastopexy, and breast reduction with the use of this new endoscopic technique. Results have been very good with minimal complications.

Development of an instrument for endoscopic nasal surgery.

The use of endoscopy in nasal surgery gradually is becoming a reality with the development of new instruments and the refinement of techniques. The goals are precision in diagnosis and treatment and improvement of the teaching capabilities in rhinoplasty that always have been a challenge with the blind traditional techniques.

Extranasal glial heterotopia: case report.

Glial heterotopia or the occurrence of isolated non-teratomatous extracranial glial tissue is rare. We report a neonate with extensive extranasal glial heterotopia involving the left buccopharyngeal region, palate and base of the skull and presenting with respiratory distress and a bleeding oral mass. A staged operative approach was adopted to excise the lesion. The literature on the subject is briefly reviewed.

Statistical properties of Barkhausen noise in amorphous ferromagnetic films.

We investigate the statistical properties of the Barkhausen noise in amorphous ferromagnetic films with thicknesses in the range between 100 and 1000 nm. From Barkhausen noise time series measured with the traditional inductive technique, we perform a wide statistical analysis and establish the scaling exponents τ,α,1/σνz, and ϑ. We also focus on the average shape of the avalanches, which gives further indications on the domain-wall dynamics. Based on experimental results, we group the amorphous films in a single universality class, characterized by scaling exponents τ=1.28±0.02,α=1.52±0.3, and 1/σνz=ϑ=1.83±0.03, values compatible with that obtained for several bulk amorphous magnetic materials. Besides, we verify that the avalanche shape depends on the universality class. By considering the theoretical models for the dynamics of a ferromagnetic domain wall driven by an external magnetic field through a disordered medium found in literature, we interpret the results and identify an experimental evidence that these amorphous films, within this thickness range, present a typical three-dimensional magnetic behavior with predominant short-range elastic interactions governing the domain-wall dynamics. Moreover, we provide experimental support for the validity of a general scaling form for the average avalanche shape for non-mean-field systems.

Skin delivery of kojic acid-loaded nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems for the treatment of skin aging.

The aging process causes a number of changes in the skin, including oxidative stress and dyschromia. The kojic acid (KA) is iron chelator employed in treatment of skin aging, and inhibits tyrosinase, promotes depigmentation. Nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems, such as liquid crystalline systems (LCSs), can modulate drug permeation through the skin and improve the drug activity. This study is aimed at structurally developing and characterizing a kojic acid-loaded LCS, consists of water (W), cetostearyl isononanoate (oil-O) and PPG-5-CETETH-20 (surfactant-S) and evaluating its in vitro skin permeation and retention. Three regions of the diagram were selected for characterization: A (35% O, 50% S, 15% W), B (30% O, 50% S, 20% W) and C (20% O, 50% S, 30% W), to which 2% KA was added. The formulations were subjected to polarized light microscopy, which indicated the presence of a hexagonal mesophase. Texture and bioadhesion assay showed that formulation B is suitable for topical application. According to the results from the in vitro permeation and retention of KA, the formulations developed can modulate the permeation of KA in the skin. The in vitro cytotoxic assays showed that KA-unloaded LCS and KA-loaded LCS didn't present cytotoxicity. PPG-5-CETETH-20-based systems may be a promising platform for KA skin delivery.

Patrones de tratamiento, sobrevida y efectividad a largo plazo de agentes biológicos en pacientes con Artritis Psoriásica / Patterns of treatment, survival and long-term effectiveness of biological agents in patients with Psoriatic Arthritis

Objetivos: Evaluar los patrones de tratamiento de las DME-b (Drogas Modificadoras de la Enfermedad-biológicas), su sobrevida acumulada y su eficacia a largo plazo en pacientes con Artritis Psoriásica (APs) utilizando el índice LUNDEX. Materiales y métodos: Estudio multicéntrico retrospectivo. Se incluyeron pacientes con diagnóstico de APs que hayan iniciado tratamiento con DME-b. Se recolectaron datos sociodemográficos y clínicos. Se consignaron fechas de inicio de DME-b, tratamiento concomitante, suspensión o cambio de tratamiento, y razones de suspensión. La respuesta terapéutica se definió acorde a MDA (Minimal Disease Activity), a los 6, 12 meses y anualmente a partir del inicio de DME-b. Análisis estadístico: Test de Student y Chi². Curvas de Kaplan Meier y Log Rank. Análisis de regresión de Cox. Resultados: Se incluyeron 72 pacientes con APs, 39 (54,2%) de sexo masculino. La edad mediana fue de 54,5 años (RIC 45-61) y el tiempo mediano de evolución de la enfermedad de 11 años (RIC 6-15). 71,2% (n=42) presentaron comorbilidades. El primer DME-b fue en orden decreciente de frecuencia: Adalimumab (45,8%), Etanercept (36,1%), Certolizumab (5,6%), Infliximab (4,2%), Ustekinumab (4,2%), Abatacept (2,7%) y Golimumab (1,4%). 15 pacientes (25,4%) recibieron DME-b en monoterapia. La sobrevida media fue de 82 meses (DE±7,4). El LUNDEX del primer biológico fue 24,7% a los 6 meses y 44,3% al año. La sobrevida media de Adalimumab fue de 90 meses (DE±10,4) y de Etanercept 79 meses (DE±12). Los pacientes añosos presentaron menor sobrevida de la droga [≥55 años: X59,8 (DE±10,5) vs <55 años: X101,2 (DE±9,7), p=0,006]. Luego de ajustar por diferentes confundidores, la edad ≥55 años se mantuvo significativamente a menor sobrevida [HR=1,064 (IC=1,01-1,11) p=0,005]. El LUNDEX fue menor en obesos vs no obesos (16% vs 66% al año, p=0,89; 10,5 vs 74,9% a los 2 años, p=0,011 y 5,9 vs 81,8% a los 3 años, p=0,005). Conclusiones: La sobrevida promedio del primer DME-b fue de 6,8 años. La única variable asociada a menor sobrevida fue la mayor edad.

Objectives: To evaluate the treatment patterns of DME-b (Disease-Modifying Drugs-biological), their accumulated survival and their long-term efficacy in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) using the LUNDEX index. Materials and methods: Retrospective multicentre study. We included patients diagnosed with PsA who started treatment with DME-b. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected. BMI-D start dates, concomitant treatment, suspension or change of treatment, and reasons for suspension were recorded. The therapeutic response was defined according to MDA (Minimal Disease Activity), at 6, 12 months and annually from the beginning of DME-b. Statistical analysis: Student test and Chi². Curves of Kaplan Meier and Log Rank. Cox regression analysis. Results: We included 72 patients with PsA, 39 (54.2%) male. The median age was 54.5 years (IQR 45-61) and the median time of evolution of the disease was 11 years (IQR 6-15). 71.2% (n=42) presented comorbidities. The first DME-b was in decreasing order of frequency: Adalimumab (45.8%), Etanercept (36.1%), Certolizumab (5.6%), Infliximab (4.2%), Ustekinumab (4.2%), Abatacept (2.7%) and Golimumab (1.4%). 15 patients (25.4%) received DME-b monotherapy. The mean survival was 82 months (SD±7.4). The LUNDEX of the first biological was 24.7% at 6 months and 44.3% per year. The mean survival of Adalimumab was 90 months (SD±10.4) and Etanercept 79 months (SD±12). Older patients had a lower survival of the drug [≥55 years: X59.8 (SD±10.5) vs <55 years: X101.2 (SD±9.7), p=0.006]. After adjusting for different confounders, age ≥55 years was significantly maintained at lower survival [HR=1.064 (CI=1.01-1.11) p=0.005]. The LUNDEX was lower in obese vs. non-obese (16% vs. 66% per year, p=0.89, 10.5 vs 74.9% at 2 years, p=0.011 and 5.9 vs 81.8% at 3 years, p=0.005). Conclusions: The average survival of the first DME-b was 6.8 years. The only variable associated with lower survival was the older age.

Patrones de tratamiento con agentes biológicos, eficacia y sobrevida a largo plazo en pacientes con espondiloartritis axial: Impacto de los factores sociodemográficos en Latinoamérica / Patterns of treatment with biological agents, efficacy and long-term survival in patients with axial spondyloarthritis: Impact of sociodemographic factors in Latin America

Objetivos: Evaluar y comparar la eficacia y la sobrevida a largo plazo de las Drogas Modificadoras de la Enfermedad-biológicas (DME-b) en Espondiloartritis Axial (EsPax) mediante el índice LUNDEX y determinar las variables asociadas a la discontinuación de las mismas. Material y métodos: Estudio multicéntrico de corte transversal. Se incluyeron pacientes con EsPax en tratamiento con DME-b. Se registraron variables sociodemográficas, terapéuticas y clínicas. Se consignaron fechas de inicio del tratamiento con DME-b, tratamiento concomitante, suspensión o cambio de tratamiento, y causas de suspensión. La eficacia terapéutica se definió según BASDAI a los 6, 12 meses y luego anualmente a partir del inicio de la DME-b. Se calculó el índice LUNDEX en estos períodos. Análisis estadístico: Estadística descriptiva. Test de Student y test Chi² o test exacto de Fisher. Curvas de Kaplan-Meier y Log-Rank. Análisis de regresión proporcional de Cox. Resultados: Se estudiaron 101 pacientes con EsPax, 80,2% varones, con una edad mediana de 42 años (RIC 35-54,5) y un tiempo mediano de evolución de la enfermedad de 19,3 años (RIC 9,4-28,8). El 26,7% de los pacientes no tenían seguro de salud. Los agentes anti-TNFα utilizados como 1º DME-b en orden de frecuencia fueron: Etanercept (ETN) 44,6%, Adalimumab (ADA) 41,6%, Infliximab 7,9% y Certolizumab 5,9%. En el 32,7% de los casos, la DME-b se administró en combinación con una droga modificadora de enfermedad convencional. La sobrevida media fue de 66,2 meses (IC 95%: 51,8-80,5). Debido a que ETN y ADA se utilizaron en el 85% de los pacientes estudiados, se realizaron comparaciones solamente entre estos agentes. El tiempo medio de supervivencia acumulada fue significaticamente menor para ETN versus ADA (X 53,18±8,8 vs X 74,8±8,9, Log-Rank p=0,02), siendo la causa principal de suspensión, la falta de provisión de la medicación. El tiempo promedio de supervivencia para aquellos que no tenían seguro de salud fue significativamente menor X 31,9 meses (IC 95%: 19-45) con respecto a aquellos pacientes con dicho seguro X 72,3 meses (IC 95%: 55,3-89,3), p=0,03. Luego de ajustar por factores confundidores, la falta de un seguro de salud fue la única variable asociada en forma independiente con menor supervivencia del DME-b (HR 2,54, IC 95%: 1,18-5,75). El LUNDEX global fue del 52,7% a los 6 meses y del 46,9% a los 12 meses. Conclusiones: La sobrevida promedio del 1º DME-b fue de 5,5 años. La falta de cobertura de salud fue la única variable que influyó negativamente en la sobrevida del tratamiento con el 1º DME-b en pacientes con EsPax.

Objectives: To evaluate and compare the efficacy and long-term survival of biological disease-modifying drugs (b-DMARDs) in Axial Spondyloarthritis (axSpA) using the LUNDEX index and to determine the variables associated with the discontinuation of these drugs. Material and methods: Cross-sectional multicenter study. Patients with axSpA in treatment with b-DMARDs were included. Sociodemographic, therapeutic and clinical variables were recorded. The dates of initiation of treatment with b-DMARDs, concomitant treatment, suspension or change of treatment, and causes of suspension were recorded. Therapeutic efficacy was defined according to BASDAI at 6, 12 months and then annually from the initiation of b-DMARDs. The LUNDEX index was calculated in these periods. Statistical analysis: Descriptive statistics. Student's test and Chi² test or Fisher's exact test. Curves of Kaplan-Meier and Log-Rank. Proportional regression analysis of Cox. Results: 101 patients with axSpA were studied, 80.2% men, with a median age of 42 years (IQR 35-54.5) and a median disease duration of 19.3 years (IQR 9.4-28.8). 26.7% of patients didn´t have health insurance. The frequency of the anti-TNFα agent used as 1st b-DMARD was: Etanercept (ETA) 44.6%, Adalimumab (ADA) 41.6%, Infliximab 7.9%, and Certolizumab 5.9%. In 32.7% of the cases, the b-DMARD was administered in combination with a c-DMARD (conventional disease-modifying drug). The mean survival was 66.2 months (95% CI: 51.8-80.5). As ETA and ADA were used in 85% of the patients, comparisons were made only between these two agents. The mean survival time was significantly lower for ETA vs ADA (X 53.18 ±8.8 vs X 74.8±8.9, Log-Rank p=0.02), being the main cause of suspension, the lack of drug provision. The average survival time for those who didn´t have health insurance was significantly lower X 31.9 months (95% CI: 19-45) in comparison to those patients who had health insurance X 72.3 months (95% CI: 55.3-89.3), p=0.03. After adjusting for confounding factors, the lack of health insurance was the only variable independently associated with a lower survival of the b-DMARD (HR 2.54, 95% CI: 1.18 to 5.75). The global LUNDEX was 52.7% at 6 months and 46.9% at 12 months. Conclusions: The average survival of the 1st b-DMARD was 5.5 years. The lack of health insurance was the only variable that negatively influenced the survival of the treatment with the 1st b-DMARD in patients with axSpA.

Patrones de tratamiento con agentes biológicos: Eficacia y sobrevida a largo plazo en pacientes con artritis reumatoidea / Treatment patterns with biological agents: Efficacy and long-term survival in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

En nuestro país existen pocos datos acerca de los patrones de tratamiento y la sobrevida de las Drogas Modificadoras de la Artritis Reumatoidea biológicas (DMARb) en pacientes con Artritis Reumatoidea (AR). El objetivo de nuestro estudio fue estimar la sobrevida del 1° y 2° agente biológico, determinar sus causas de suspensión y evaluar factores que influyan en la sobrevida de estos agentes. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio multicéntrico retrospectivo. Se incluyeron pacientes ≥18 años de edad que cumplieran con criterios ACR/EULAR 2010 para AR y que iniciaron su 1° y/o 2° DMARb entre 01/2006 y 06/2017, la recolección de datos se realizó mediante la revisión de historias clínicas. Se consignaron variables sociodemográficas y clínicas. Resultados: Se incluyeron 347 pacientes con edad mediana de 57,8 años, 89,6% mujeres, 96,5% tenían Factor Reumatoideo (FR) positivo. El 53,9% de los pacientes discontinuaron el tratamiento con la 1°DMARb, treinta y ocho pacientes (41,3%) discontinuaron el 2° DMARb. La causa más frecuente de suspensión del primer biológico fue la falta de provisión, mientras que la del segundo biológico fue la ineficacia. Las supervivencias medianas fueron: para la 1° DMARb 31 meses (IC 95%: 21,8-40,1) y para 2° DMARb 11 meses (IC 95%: 4-17,9), no observamos diferencias significativas en la supervivencia entre los distintos agentes, los factores independientemente asociados a menor supervivencia del 1° DMARb fueron el tabaquismo y menor edad y del 2° DMARb fue haber discontinuado el primer agente biológico debido a evento adverso. Conclusión: Las supervivencias medianas del 1° DMARb y del 2° DMARb fueron 2,6 años y menor a 1 año, respectivamente. A diferencia de otras cohortes de países desarrollados, la causa más frecuente de suspensión del primer biológico fue la falta de provisión de la medicación por parte del pagador, mientras que la del segundo biológico fue la ineficacia.

In our country there are few data about the treatment patterns and the survival of the Biologic Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (bDMARD) in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). The objective of our study was to evaluate the survival of the 1st and 2nd biological agent, determine the causes of suspension and factors that influence on the survival of these agents. Material and methods: A retrospective multicenter study was conducted. We included patients ≥18 years of age who met the ACR/EULAR 2010 criteria for RA and who started in 1st and/or 2nd bDMARD between 01/2006 and 06/2017, the data collection was done by reviewing clinical charts The sociodemographic and clinical variables were recorded. Results: We included 347 patients with a median age of 57.8 years, 89.6% women, 96.5% had positive Rheumatoid Factor (RF). 53.9% of patients discontinued treatment with 1st bDMARD, thirty-eight patients (41.3%) discontinued the 2nd bDMARD. The most frequent cause of suspension of the first biological was the lack of provision, while the second biological was inefficacy. The median survivals were: for the 1st bDMARD 31 months (95% CI: 21.8-40.1) and for the 2nd bDMARD 11 months (95% CI: 4-17.9), we did not observe significant differences in survival between the different agents. The independent factors associated with lower survival of the 1st bDMARD were smoking and lower age and the 2nd bDMARD was to have discontinued the first biological agent due to an adverse event. Conclusion: The median survivals of the 1st bDMARD and the 2nd bDMARD were 2.6 years and less than 1 year, respectively. Unlike other cohorts of developed countries the most frequent cause of suspension of the first biological was the lack of provision of the drug by the payer, while the second biological was inefficacy.

Modelling the growth of tambaqui, Colossoma macropomum (Cuvier, 1816) in floodplain lakes: model selection and multimodel inference.

The tambaqui, Colossoma macropomum, is one of the most commercially valuable Amazonian fish species, and in the floodplains of the region, they are caught in both rivers and lakes. Most growth studies on this species to date have adjusted only one growth model, the von Bertalanffy, without considering its possible uncertainties. In this study, four different models (von Bertalanffy, Logistic, Gompertz and the general model of Schnüte-Richards) were adjusted to a data set of fish caught within lakes from the middle Solimões River. These models were adjusted by non-linear equations, using the sample size of each age class as its weight. The adjustment evaluation of each model was based on the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC), the variation of AIC between the models (Δi) and the evidence weights (wi). Both the Logistic (Δi = 0.0) and Gompertz (Δi = 1.12) models were supported by the data, but neither of them was clearly superior (wi, respectively 52.44 and 29.95%). Thus, we propose the use of an averaged-model to estimate the asymptotic length (L∞). The averaged-model, based on Logistic and Gompertz models, resulted in an estimate of L∞=90.36, indicating that the tambaqui would take approximately 25 years to reach average size.

Multifractality in domain wall dynamics of a ferromagnetic film.

We investigate the multifractal properties in the dynamics of domain walls of a ferromagnetic film. We apply the Multifractal Detrended Fluctuation Analysis method in experimental Barkhausen noise time series measured in a 1000-nm-thick Permalloy film under different driving magnetic field frequencies, and calculate the fluctuation function F_{q}(s), generalized Hurst exponent h(q), multifractal scaling exponent τ(q), and the multifractal spectrum f(α). Based on this procedure, we provide experimental evidence of multifractality in the dynamics of domain walls in ferromagnetic films and identify a rich and strong multifractal behavior, revealed by the changes of the scaling properties of over the entire Barkhausen noise signal, independently of the driving magnetic field rate employed in the experiment.