RESUMO

The superfamily Orthalicoidea comprises approximately 2,000 species of terrestrial gastropods, mostly concentrated in the Neotropics but also present in southern Africa and Oceania. We provide a multi-marker molecular phylogeny of this superfamily, reassessing its family- and genus-level classification. We exclude two families from the group, Odontostomidae and Vidaliellidae, transferring them to Rhytidoidea based on their phylogenetic relationships as recovered herein. Two new families are recognized herein as members of Orthalicoidea, Tomogeridae and Cyclodontinidae fam. nov. The family Megaspiridae and the subfamily Prestonellinae are paraphyletic but are retained herein for taxonomic stability. The subfamily Placostylinae is synonymized with Bothriembryontinae. The new genera Alterorhinus gen. nov. and Sanniostracus gen. nov. containing some Brazilian species are described here to better reflect the phylogeny. The fossil record and paleobiogeographic history of the group is explored under the new phylogenetic framework.

Assuntos

RESUMO

An up-to-date list of exclusively cave-dwelling gastropod species recorded in Brazil is presented including updated taxonomy, detailed geographic information, and illustration of types. The list includes 18 cave-exclusive (troglobitic) gastropods encompassing 15 land and three freshwater species, with the status of further species pending additional studies. Their unusual morphology and diversity are discussed, as well as their conservation status and prospects in the current Brazilian environmental and political scenario.(AU)

Assuntos

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Chagas disease (caused by Trypanosoma cruzi infection) evolves to chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy (CCC) affecting 1.8 million people worldwide. This is the first randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, clinical trial designed to estimate efficacy and safety of selenium (Se) treatment in CCC. METHODS: 66 patients with CCC stages B1 (left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] > 45% and no heart failure; n = 54) or B2 (LVEF < 45% and no heart failure; n = 12) were randomly assigned to receive 100 mcg/day sodium selenite (Se, n = 32) or placebo (Pla, n = 34) for one year (study period: May 2014-September 2018). LVEF changes over time and adverse effects were investigated. Trial registration number: NCT00875173 (clinicaltrials.gov). FINDINGS: No significant differences between the two groups were observed for the primary outcome: mean LVEF after 6 (ß= +1.1 p = 0.51 for Se vs Pla) and 12 months (ß= +2.1; p = 0.23). In a subgroup analysis, statistically significant longitudinal changes were observed for mean LVEF in the stage B2 subgroup (ß= +10.1; p = 0.02 for Se [n = 4] vs Pla [n = 8]). Se treatment was safe for CCC patients, and the few adverse effects observed were similarly distributed across the two groups. INTERPRETATION: Se treatment did not improve cardiac function (evaluated from LVEF) in CCC. However, in the subgroup of patients at B2 stage, a potential beneficial influence of Se was observed. Complementary studies are necessary to explore diverse Se dose and/or associations in different CCC stages (B2 and C), as well as in A and B1 stages with longer follow-up. FUNDING: Brazilian Ministry of Health, Fiocruz, CNPq, FAPERJ.

RESUMO

Abstract: Samples of terrestrial gastropods were collected year-round in seven caves in Presidente Olegário municipality, Minas Gerais state, southeastern Brazil, during several expeditions from 2012 to 2014. Twenty-four taxa (plus a single freshwater species), mainly stylommatophorans, were found in the material. The following species are reported for the first time for Minas Gerais state: Alcadia iheringi Wagner, 1910 and Helicina sordida King, 1831 (Helicinidae); Cecilioides consobrina (d'Orbigny, 1841) (Ferussaciidae); Entodina gionensis Morretes, 1940 and Scolodonta interrupta (Suter, 1900) (Scolodontidae); Megalobulimus sanctipauli (Ihering & Pilsbry, 1900) (Strophocheilidae); Drymaeus coarctatus (Pfeiffer, 1845) (Bulimulidae); Habroconus semenlini (Moricand, 1846) (Euconulidae); and Solaropsis aff. rosaria (Pfeiffer, 1849) (Solaropsidae). Furthermore, the species Drymaeus iracema (Simone, 2015) and Drymaeus terreus (Simone, 2015) are synonymized with Drymaeus coarctatus (L. Pfeiffer, 1845).

Resumo: Amostras de gastrópodes terrestres foram coletadas em sete cavernas na região do município de Presidente Olegário, Minas Gerais, Brasil, durane múltiplas expedições ao longo dos anos de 2012 a 2014. Vinte-e-quatro táxons (mais uma única espécie dulciaquícola) foram encontrados, em sua maioria Stylommatophora. As seguintes espécies são aqui reportadas pela primeira vez para o estado de Minas Gerais: Alcadia iheringi Wagner, 1910 e Helicina sordida King, 1831 (Helicinidae); Cecilioides consobrina (d'Orbigny, 1841) (Ferussaciidae); Entodina gionensis Morretes, 1940 e Scolodonta interrupta (Suter, 1900) (Scolodontidae); Megalobulimus sanctipauli (Ihering & Pilsbry, 1900) (Strophocheilidae); Drymaeus coarctatus (Pfeiffer, 1845) (Bulimulidae); Habroconus semenlini (Moricand, 1846) (Euconulidae); e Solaropsis aff. rosaria (Pfeiffer, 1849) (Solaropsidae). Além disso, as espécies Drymaeus iracema (Simone, 2015) e Drymaeus terreus (Simone, 2015) são aqui sinonimizadas com Drymaeus coarctatus (L. Pfeiffer, 1845).

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Volatile (inhaled) anesthetic agents have cardioprotective effects, which might improve clinical outcomes in patients undergoing coronary-artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS: We conducted a pragmatic, multicenter, single-blind, controlled trial at 36 centers in 13 countries. Patients scheduled to undergo elective CABG were randomly assigned to an intraoperative anesthetic regimen that included a volatile anesthetic (desflurane, isoflurane, or sevoflurane) or to total intravenous anesthesia. The primary outcome was death from any cause at 1 year. RESULTS: A total of 5400 patients were randomly assigned: 2709 to the volatile anesthetics group and 2691 to the total intravenous anesthesia group. On-pump CABG was performed in 64% of patients, with a mean duration of cardiopulmonary bypass of 79 minutes. The two groups were similar with respect to demographic and clinical characteristics at baseline, the duration of cardiopulmonary bypass, and the number of grafts. At the time of the second interim analysis, the data and safety monitoring board advised that the trial should be stopped for futility. No significant difference between the groups with respect to deaths from any cause was seen at 1 year (2.8% in the volatile anesthetics group and 3.0% in the total intravenous anesthesia group; relative risk, 0.94; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.69 to 1.29; P = 0.71), with data available for 5353 patients (99.1%), or at 30 days (1.4% and 1.3%, respectively; relative risk, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.70 to 1.76), with data available for 5398 patients (99.9%). There were no significant differences between the groups in any of the secondary outcomes or in the incidence of prespecified adverse events, including myocardial infarction. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients undergoing elective CABG, anesthesia with a volatile agent did not result in significantly fewer deaths at 1 year than total intravenous anesthesia. (Funded by the Italian Ministry of Health; MYRIAD ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02105610.). (AU)

Assuntos

RESUMO

AIM AND OBJECTIVES: To assess the construct validity and reliability of the Brazilian Portuguese versions of the 29- and 13-item scales of the Antonovsky's Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC-29 and SOC-13). BACKGROUND: Antonovsky's Sense of Coherence Questionnaire was developed to measure the main construct of the salutogenic theory, the sense of coherence. The use of the sense of coherence by health professionals might help identifying specific coping strategies used by person with chronic illness. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: The SOC-29 has been culturally adapted to Brazilian Portuguese language. In this study, we assessed its psychometric properties (construct validity and internal reliability) tested on 203 cardiac patients. The SOC-13 was tested on another 100 cardiac patients hospitalised in the same hospital. The construct validity of both versions was investigated through Pearson correlation between the measures of sense of coherence and of correlated constructs (self-esteem, depression and age), analysis of the principal components and comparison of distinct groups (male vs. female). The internal reliability for both versions was evaluated by Cronbach's alpha. RESULTS: For both versions, the construct validity assessments showed strong positive correlations between sense of coherence and self-esteem and strong negative correlations between sense of coherence and depression (convergent validity), and weak correlation between sense of coherence and age (divergent validity). Principal component analysis supported in part the presence of a single component (unidimensionality). Differences in sense of coherence were found by sex with SOC-29, but not with SOC-13. Cronbach's alpha coefficients showed satisfactory internal consistency in both versions. CONCLUSIONS: The Brazilian Portuguese versions of SOC-29 and SOC-13 can be considered valid and reliable for the populations studied. More studies need to be performed to assess these proprieties in other Brazilian populations. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This scale can be used in research and clinical practice in Brazil to assess nursing interventions aimed at decreasing stress during cardiac rehabilitation.

Assuntos