Polymorphism and genetic diversity of Isospora parnaitatiaiensis Silva,Rodrigues, Lopes,Berto, Luz,Ferreira & Lopes, 2015 (Eimeriidae) from antbirds (Thamnophilidae) in Brazil

Systematic Parasitology - Isospora parnaitatiaiensis Silva, Rodrigues, Lopes, Berto, Luz, Ferreira & Lopes, 2015 was identified from a new host, the plain antvireo Dysithamnus mentalis...     

Is COPD a Progressive Disease? A Long Term Bode Cohort Observation

BackgroundThe Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Diseases (GOLD) defines COPD as a disease that is usually progressive. GOLD also provides a spirometric classification of airflow limitation. However, little is known about the long-term changes of patients in different GOLD grades.ObjectiveExplore the proportion and characteristics of COPD patients that change their spirometric GOLD grade over long-term follow-up.MethodsPatients alive for at least 8 years since recruitment and those who died with at least 4 years of repeated spirometric measurements were selected from the BODE cohort database. We purposely included the group of non survivors to avoid a “survival selection” bias. The proportion of patients that had a change (improvement or worsening) in their spirometric GOLD grading was calculated and their characteristics compared with those that remained in the same grade.ResultsA total of 318 patients were included in the survivor and 217 in the non-survivor groups. Nine percent of survivors and 11% of non survivors had an improvement of at least one GOLD grade. Seventy one percent of survivors and non-survivors remained in the same GOLD grade. Those that improved had a greater degree of airway obstruction at baseline.ConclusionsIn this selected population of COPD patients, a high proportion of patients remained in the same spirometric GOLD grade or improved in a long-term follow-up. These findings suggest that once diagnosed, COPD is usually a non-progressive disease.     

Restricted Hematopoietic Progenitors and Erythropoiesis Require SCF from Leptin Receptor+ Niche Cells in the Bone Marrow

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Design,synthesis, biological evaluation and QSAR analysis of novel N-substituted benzimidazole derived carboxamides

As a result of our previous research focussed on benzimidazoles, herein we present design, synthesis, QSAR analysis and biological activity of novel N-substituted benzimidazole derived carboxamides. Carboxamides were designed to study the influence of the number of methoxy groups, the type of the substituent placed at the benzimidazole core on biological activity. Pronounced antioxidative activity displayed unsubstituted 28 (IC₅₀ ≈ 3.78 mM, 538.81 mmolFe²⁺/mmolC) and dimethoxy substituted derivative 34 (IC₅₀ ≈ 5.68 mM, 618.10 mmolFe²⁺/mmolC). Trimethoxy substituted 43 and unsubstituted compound 40 with isobutyl side chain at N atom showed strong activity against HCT116 (IC₅₀ ≈ 0.6 µM, both) and H 460 cells (IC₅₀ ≈ 2.5 µM; 0.4 µM), being less cytotoxic towards non-tumour cell. Antioxidative activity in cell generally confirmed relatively modest antioxidant capacity obtained in DPPH/FRAP assays of derivatives 34 and 40. The 3D-QSAR models were generated to explore molecular properties that have the highest influence on antioxidative activity.     

The incidence of optic neuritis in Split-Dalmatia county, Croatia

The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of monosymptomatic optic neuritis (MON) in residents of Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia. The 127 cases (83 female, aged 26.2+/-9.9 and 44 male aged 26.9+/-11.2) with MON presented between January 1985 and December 2001 were analyzed from hospital data. The annual incidence was 1.6 per 100,000 (95% CI, 0-3). The incidence among females was 2.2 (95% CI, 0-4.6) cases / 100,000 per year and 1.1 (95% CI, 0-3) among males. The difference in incidence rates for women vs. men was not significant (chi2=0.41; p=0.52), although it is more likely that a true difference exists. The peak incidence in both sexes observed in the group 20-29 years of age was 4.2 (95% CI, 0-10). The highest incidence of MON was found in spring (46 cases). In summary, the incidence of MON in Split-Dalmatia County during the 17 years period is relatively low.     

Bilateral amaurosis caused by Salmonella enteritidis infection

The aim of this paper was to show the potential of Salmonella enteritidis infection to eventually result in visual impairment. A case of salmonellosis in a 6-year-old boy, caused by intake of a cake made from eggs infected with Salmonella enteritidis, is presented. Prolonged duration of the disease was followed by complete remission of neurologic complications and persistent amaurosis with bilateral optic nerve atrophy. A severe form of Salmonella enterocolitis with neurologic involvement can lead to optic nerve lesion with consequential loss of vision.     

Maximum radius of carbon dioxide baited trap impact in woodland: implications for host-finding by mosquitoes

CDC traps were used to determine the maximum radius of carbon dioxide attraction within forest habitat (a forest plant community with Carpino betuli-Quercetum roburis). A central CDC trap with dry ice (CO₂) was set as the source of attractant (Ck). Around Ck trap two circles (A and B) of CDC traps without attractants were placed. Circle A was constituted of 6 CDC traps and Circles B with 12 CDC traps. Radius from Circle A and B to the Ck trap were used to determine CO₂ maximum range. During the experiment, the average emissions of CO₂ were 0.08 to 0.1 g s^?1. Regarding the data, optimal radius attraction where CO₂ was affected on mosquitoes was between 55 and 70 m from the source. Results propose that the distance between traps should be greater than 140 m, to ensure the absence of bias by each of the traps. Changes in CO₂ maximum concentration and wind velocity directly affected the catch of different species. The number of Ochlerotatus sticticus collected was positively correlated with wind speed.     

Effects of short-term magnesium supplementation on ionized,total magnesium and other relevant electrolytes levels

BioMetals - This study aimed to investigate the short-term effects of three magnesium (Mg) dietary supplements containing mineral immediately available for absorption on Mg biochemical status...