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Priapism and clozapine use in a patient with hypochondriacal delusional syndrome
Get PDFPriapism is a urological emergency that results in a penile or clitoral engorgement, having several triggers by the use of medications, including psychiatric drugs, such as antipsychotics and antidepressants. The most common priapism presentation is the ischemic type that can result in the fibrosis of corporus cavernosus, with a significant risk of persistent erectile dysfunction. It is believed that, in the case of antipsychotic use, priapism is mediated by an imbalance in alpha-1-adrenergic blocking, with large variation affinity for alpha-1-adrenergic receptors among antipsychotics. This case report contributes to the study of this rare but severe side effect. Priapism can limit both treatment adherence and the reproductive future of our patients. We describe a case report of a patient with a delusional hypochondriac syndrome who had multiple priapism episodes using clozapine 50 mg/daily. In conclusion, we make brief comments on priapism management, a hard clinical dilemma322923
Short-term exposure to antifouling copper paint does not affect a key intertidal grazer
No full textIt is well known that grazing gastropods, notably limpets, have a structuring effect on rocky shore ecology. The findings to establish this knowledge came from exclusion experiments, often using fences necessitating complex procedural controls. Barriers of anti-fouling copper paint (AP) have been shown to be an effective way to control densities of species in intertidal rocky shores. This method may produce fewer confounding effects than traditional methods of exclosure such as fences/cages and, consequently, is seen as a better solution for excluding grazing molluscs. Nevertheless, the potential artefacts arising from AP as a barrier system are not fully quantified. To better understand the biological impacts of AP and also determine its applicability in field studies, we first determined if using AP as a fence to enclose limpets led to elevated copper levels in test animals. Then, we tested short-term effects of AP on the tenacity, foraging behaviour, grazing pressure and body mass of the limpet Cellana tramoserica in its natural environment over a representative experimental period. AP barriers increased copper concentrations tenfold in C. tramoserica, but this did not affect any of the response variables measured under natural conditions. Overall, our results showed that AP is not as deleterious to limpets as reported from laboratory studies and this supports its use as an effective cageless method to manipulate densities of species on rocky shores in a short time scale4931419CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQCOORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIOR - CAPES240918/2012-614796/13-
Resource availability shapes fire-filtered savannas
No full textQuestionsHumid savannas can be considered fire-filtered landscapes because fire is very frequent (<10yr return intervals) and only fire-resistant species can occur. This flammable vegetation can be functionally heterogeneous, structurally and floristically patchy. We hypothesized that resource availability (mainly water and nutrient availabilities) accounted for most of the functional and phylogenetic spatial structure of communities across these savanna landscapes. Emas National Park, central Brazil. We used individual-based functional trait, phylogenetic and environmental data combined with spatial information to assess the main drivers and mechanisms of community functional change (turnover) in a large fire-filtered savanna landscape. We used Mantel correlograms and a maximum rank correlation approach to assess the spatial structure and the subset of landscape factors that best predict compositional, phylogenetic, species-based and individual-based functional community turnovers and the mechanism by which they do operate. Communities were spatially structured across the landscape, presenting functional convergence at shorter distances and divergence at larger distances. All of the turnover metrics presented unique spatial structures and were correlated with a unique set of landscape predictors. Soil texture accounted for the largest fraction of the spatial structure, but soil N availability, pH, altitude and fire frequency were also important. Our results support the idea that the patchy distribution of water and nutrients mediated by clay content shape community membership in fire-filtered savannas, whereas current variations in fire frequency interact with resource availability to shift community attributes from species average trait values (intraspecific variability)262395403CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQCOORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIOR - CAPESFUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - FAPESP300051/2009-31019-11-22010/01835-0Spanish Governmen
Structure, organization, and expression of the alpha prolamin multigenic family bring new insights into the evolutionary relationships among grasses
Get PDFProlamins are the major seed storage proteins of grasses. In maize and related species, prolamins are classified into alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta-subclasses by their solubility properties. alpha-prolamins are encoded by multigene families and have a secondary structure that consists of tandem alpha-helix repeats. Maize has two alpha-prolamin subclasses, namely the 19 and 22 kDa subclasses that contain nine and 10 alpha-helix repeats, respectively. Here, we present an evolutionary study based on the structure, organization, and expression of alpha-prolamins in maize, sugarcane, sorghum, and coix. True 22 kDa subclasses containing 10 repeats are conserved in all four species, but true 19 kDa subclasses containing nine repeats are found only in maize and sugarcane. We discovered a 19 kD alpha-like a-coixin that, as in sorghum, is encoded by few genes. These data suggest that a 19 kDa progenitor present in the ancestor common to maize, coix, sorghum, and sugarcane was preserved at low copy number in coix and sorghum, while amplified into multigene family architecture in maize and sugarcane. The expression profiling of alpha-prolamins, verified by two-dimensional gels, showed highly conserved multispot composition for the 19 kDa alpha-prolamins in maize and sugarcane. Coix and sorghum did not present true 19 kDa alpha-prolamin spots. Our data show remarkable similarity between maize and sugarcane 19 kDa alpha-prolamins regarding both gene structure and expression. Since the multigene architecture of 19 kDa alpha-canein appeared after sugarcane diverged from sorghum, our data suggest that maize and sugarcane might have acquired the multigene family encoding these storage proteins from a common ancestor81FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - FAPESP2011/12431-0; 2011/11650-
Detección de Pneumocystis jirovecii mediante PCR anidada en pacientes VIH negativos con enfermedad pulmonar
No full textNested PCR can be used to determine the status of Pneumocystis jirovecii infection in other lung diseases. This study sought to detect a target DNA fragment (mitochondrial large subunit rRNA or mtL SUrRNA) of P. jirovecii in patients with lung disease who underwent bronchoscopy with collection of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). The results from toluidine blue staining were compared with those obtained using molecular methods that included an “in house” DNA extraction procedure, PCR and nested PCR. Fifty-five BAL samples from patients with atypical chest X-rays were screened for P. jirovecii. None of the samples was positive for P. jirovecii using toluidine blue staining. In contrast, P. jirovecii DNA was detected by nested PCR in BAL samples from 36 of 55 patients (65.5%). The lung diseases in the patients included cancer, pneumonia, tuberculosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Other chronic problems in the patients included hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and alcoholism. Nested PCR showed high sensitivity for detecting P. jirovecii, especially when compared with toluidine blue staining. Using this method, P. jirovecii infection was detected in HIV-negative patients with lung disease.3428388El diagnóstico de laboratorio mediante la técnica de PCR anidada permite determinar estados de infección por Pneumocystis jirovecii en otras enfermedades pulmonares. El objetivo de este estudio fue detectar fragmentos de ADN mitocondrial (mtLSU rRNA) de P. jirovecii en muestras de lavado broncoalveolar (LBA) de pacientes con enfermedades pulmonares, sometidos a broncoscopia. Se compara la técnica de coloración con azul de toluidina para la microscopia, con los métodos moleculares PCR y PCR anidada; se realizó una extracción in house de ADN para las reacciones moleculares. La presencia de P. jirovecii fue estudiada en 55 muestras de LBA de pacientes que presentaron patrones radiográficos de tórax atípicos. Ninguna de las muestras fue positiva para P. jirovecii con la técnica de coloración con azul de toluidina. Por la técnica de PCR anidada se detectó el ADN de P. jirovecii en 36 de los 55 pacientes (65,5%). Las enfermedades pulmonares de los pacientes fueron cáncer, neumonía, tuberculosis y enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC). Las otras enfermedades crónicas presentadas por los pacientes fueron hipertensión, diabetes, alcoholismo y tabaquismo. La PCR anidada mostró ser altamente sensible en la detección de P. jirovecii en comparación con la coloración por azul de toluidina. Este método permite detectar infecciones por P. jirovecii en pacientes VIH negativos con enfermedades pulmonares
Self-assembled hierarchical formation of conjugated 3D cobalt oxide nanobead–CNT–graphene nanostructure using microwaves for high-performance supercapacitor electrode
No full textHere we report the electrochemical performance of a interesting three-dimensional (3D) structures comprised of zero-dimensional (0D) cobalt oxide nanobeads, one-dimensional (1D) carbon nanotubes and two-dimensional (2D) graphene, stacked hierarchically. We have synthesized 3D self-assembled hierarchical nanostructure comprised of cobalt oxide nanobeads (Co-nb), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and graphene nanosheets (GNSs) for high-performance supercapacitor electrode application. This 3D self-assembled hierarchical nanostructure Co3O4 nanobeads–CNTs–GNSs (3D:Co-nb@CG) is grown at a large scale (gram) through simple, facile, and ultrafast microwave irradiation (MWI). In 3D:Co-nb@CG nanostructure, Co3O4 nanobeads are attached to the CNT surfaces grown on GNSs. Our ultrafast, one-step approach not only renders simultaneous growth of cobalt oxide and CNTs on graphene nanosheets but also institutes the intrinsic dispersion of carbon nanotubes and cobalt oxide within a highly conductive scaffold. The 3D:Co-nb@CG electrode shows better electrochemical performance with a maximum specific capacitance of 600 F/g at the charge/discharge current density of 0.7A/g in KOH electrolyte, which is 1.56 times higher than that of Co3O4-decorated graphene (Co-np@G) nanostructure. This electrode also shows a long cyclic life, excellent rate capability, and high specific capacitance. It also shows high stability after few cycles (550 cycles) and exhibits high capacitance retention behavior. It was observed that the supercapacitor retained 94.5% of its initial capacitance even after 5000 cycles, indicating its excellent cyclic stability. The synergistic effect of the 3D:Co-nb@CG appears to contribute to the enhanced electrochemical performances727150421505
Pfeiffer syndrome: clinical and genetic findings in five Brazilian families
No full textPfeiffer syndrome (PS) is mainly characterized by craniosysnostosis, midface hypoplasia, great toes with partial syndactyly of the digits and broad and medially deviated thumbs. It is caused by allelic mutations in the fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 and 2 (FGFR1 and 2) genes. This study describes the clinical and genetic features of five Brazilian families affected by PS. All patients exhibited the classical phenotypes related to PS. The genetic analysis was able to detect the mutations Cys278Phe, Cys342Arg, and Val359Leu in three of these families. Two mutations were de novo, with one familial. We identified pathogenic mutations in four PS cases in five Brazilian families by PCR sequencing of FGFR1 exon 5 and FGFR2 exons 5, 8, 10, 11, 15, and 16. The clinical and genetic aspects of these families confirm that this syndrome can be clinically variable, with different mutations in the FGFR2 responsible for PS201E52E58CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQFUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE MINAS GERAIS - FAPEMIGsem informaçã
Concepts of tunable magnets using permanent magnetic material for synchrotron radiation sources
No full textNovel tunable magnets using permanent magnetic materials (PMMs) are proposed for the magnetic lattice of the 3 GeV Sirius storage ring. Many essential qualitative aspects are discussed including the low and high field dipole designs using PMMs. Studies for quadrupoles and sextupoles were also performed, but as an alternative way, which depends on field requirements.778677
Demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters of cystic fibrosis during the last two decades: a comparative analysis
No full textBackground: In recent years, patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) have tended to experience a longer life expectancy and higher quality of life. In this context, the aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare the demographic, clinical, and laboratory markers of patients with CF during the last two decades at a CF referral center. Methods: A retrospective study of the demographic, clinical, and laboratory markers for CF treatment at a CF referral center was performed during two decades: 2000 (DI, 1990-2000, n = 104 patients) and 2010 (DII, 2000-2010, n = 181 patients). Results: The following variables were less common in DI than in DII: (i) pancreatic insufficiency, (ii) meconium ileus, (iii) diabetes mellitus, (iv) Burkholderia cepacia colonization, (v) moderate and severe Shwachman-Kulczycki score (SKS), (vi) F508del mutation screening, (vii) patients without an identified CFTR mutation (class IV, V, or VI mutation), (viii) patients above the 10th percentile for weight and height, (ix) restrictive lung disease, and (x) older patients (p < 0.01). The following variables were more common in DI than in DII: (i) excellent and good SKS, (ii) F508del heterozygous status, (iii) colonization by mucoid and nonmucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa, iv) obstructive lung disease, and (v) minimal time for CF diagnosis (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Clinical outcomes differed between the two decades. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory markers in patients with CF are useful tools and should be encouraged in CF referral centers to determine the results of CF management and treatment, enabling a better understanding of this disease and its clinical evolution. Early diagnosis and management of CF will improve patients' quality of life and life expectancy until personalized drug therapy is possible for all patients with CF15CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQCOORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIOR - CAPESFUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - FAPESPsem informaçãosem informação2011/12939-
