RESUMO

This paper describes a data collection experiment focused on researching indoor positioning systems using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) devices. The study was conducted in a real-world scenario with 150 test points and collected signals from 11 mobile devices. The dataset contains RSSI values from the mobile devices in relation to 15 fixed anchor nodes in the experimentation scenario. The dataset includes data on device identification, labels and coordinates of test points, and the room where the data was collected. The data is organized as CSV files and offers valuable information for researchers developing and assessing location models. By sharing this dataset, we aim to support the creation of robust and precise indoor localization models.

RESUMO

An efficient municipal solid waste (MSW) system is critical to modern cities in order to enhance sustainability and liveability of urban life. With this aim, the planning phase of the MSW system should be carefully addressed by decision makers. However, planning success is dependent on many sources of uncertainty that can affect key parameters of the system, for example, the waste generation rate in an urban area. With this in mind, this article contributes with a robust optimization model to design the network of collection points (i.e. location and storage capacity), which are the first points of contact with the MSW system. A central feature of the model is a bi-objective function that aims at simultaneously minimizing the network costs of collection points and the required collection frequency to gather the accumulated waste (as a proxy of the collection cost). The value of the model is demonstrated by comparing its solutions with those obtained from its deterministic counterpart over a set of realistic instances considering different scenarios defined by different waste generation rates. The results show that the robust model finds competitive solutions in almost all cases investigated. An additional benefit of the model is that it allows the user to explore trade-offs between the two objectives.

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks third in cancer incidence globally and is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality. The nucleoside diphosphate kinase 1 (NME1) and netrin 1 receptor (DCC) genes have been associated with resistance against tumorigenesis and tumor metastasis. This study investigates the potential association between NME1 (rs34214448 G > T and rs2302254 C > T) and DCC (rs2229080 G > C and rs714 A > G) variants and susceptibility to colorectal cancer development. METHODS: Samples from 232 colorectal cancer patients and 232 healthy blood donors underwent analysis. Variants were identified using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) methodology. Associations were assessed using odds ratios (OR), and the p values were adjusted with Bonferroni test. RESULTS: Individuals carrying the G/T and T/T genotypes for the NME1 rs34214448 variant exhibited a higher susceptibility for develop colorectal cancer (OR = 2.68, 95% CI: 1.76-4.09, P = 0.001 and OR = 2.47, 95% CI: 1.37-4.47, P = 0.001, respectively). These genotypes showed significant associations in patients over 50 years (OR = 2.87, 95% CI: 1.81-4.54, P = 0.001 and OR = 2.99, 95% CI: 1.54-5.79, P = 0.001 respectively) and with early Tumor-Nodule-Metastasis (TNM) stage (P = 0.001), and tumor location in the rectum (P = 0.001). Furthermore, the DCC rs2229080 variant revealed that carriers of the G/C genotype had an increased risk for develop colorectal cancer (OR = 2.00, 95% CI: 1.28-3.11, P = 0.002) and were associated with age over 50 years, sex, and advanced TNM stages (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the NME1 rs34214448 and DCC rs2229080 variants play a significant role in colorectal cancer development.

Assuntos

RESUMO

The proposed novel algorithm named decision-making algorithm with geographic mobility (DMAGM) includes detailed analysis of decision-making for cognitive radio (CR) that considers a multivariable algorithm with geographic mobility (GM). Scarce research work considers the analysis of GM in depth, even though it plays a crucial role to improve communication performance. The DMAGM considerably reduces latency in order to accurately determine the best communication channels and includes GM analysis, which is not addressed in other algorithms found in the literature. The DMAGM was evaluated and validated by simulating a cognitive radio network that comprises a base station (BS), primary users (PUs), and CRs considering random arrivals and disappearance of mobile devices. The proposed algorithm exhibits better performance, through the reduction in latency and computational complexity, than other algorithms used for comparison using 200 channel tests per simulation. The DMAGM significantly reduces the decision-making process from 12.77% to 94.27% compared with ATDDiM, FAHP, AHP, and Dijkstra algorithms in terms of latency reduction. An improved version of the DMAGM is also proposed where feedback of the output is incorporated. This version is named feedback-decision-making algorithm with geographic mobility (FDMAGM), and it shows that a feedback system has the advantage of being able to continually adjust and adapt based on the feedback received. In addition, the feedback version helps to identify and correct problems, which can be beneficial in situations where the quality of communication is critical. Despite the fact that the FDMAGM may take longer than the DMAGM to calculate the best communication channel, constant feedback improves efficiency and effectiveness over time. Both the DMAGM and the FDMAGM improve performance in practical scenarios, the former in terms of latency and the latter in terms of accuracy and stability.

RESUMO

INTRODUCTION: Widespread pain may be related to psychosocial aspects in several musculoskeletal conditions, but the literature on carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is scarce. OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between pain extent and psychological factors (catastrophizing, kinesiophobia, anxiety symptoms, and depression) in people with CTS. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted. The independent variables were: pain intensity, disability (QuickDASH), duration of symptoms, anxiety and depressive symptoms, catastrophizing, and kinesiophobia. The main outcome was: pain extent (% of total area and categories "pain within the median nerve-innervated territory" versus "extra-median nerve pain"). Correlation analysis was performed using Spearman's correlation coefficient. A linear regression model and binary logistic regression (both with forward selection) were performed to determine the main predictors of pain extent. RESULTS: Forty-eight participants were included. A moderate positive correlation was found between catastrophizing (r = 0.455; p = 0.024) and disability (r = 0.448; p = 0.024) with total pain extent area. Regression models indicated that catastrophizing explained 22% of the variance in the pain extent (ß = 0.003; 95% CI: 0.002-0.005), while kinesiophobia was the variable that best explained the distribution of pain in the extra-median territory (R2 Nagelkerke = 0.182). Null or weak correlations were found for the rest of the associations. CONCLUSION: Catastrophizing and kinesiophobia were the main indicators of pain extent in people with CTS. Clinicians are advised to use specific questionnaires to check for the presence of catastrophizing or kinesiophobia in people with CTS and wider pain extension.

RESUMO

Forensic entomology requires knowledge of the developmental rates of the species that colonize a body after death to estimate the postmortem interval (PMI). These developmental rates may vary depending not only on the species but also on the geographic location due to population differences. Therefore, the objectives of this work were to determine the developmental duration of the forensically important fly Chrysomya megacephala under constant controlled and field condition temperatures and to compare these results, through a meta-analysis, with data reported by other authors on populations from different localities. For this, C. megacephala colonies were established in the laboratory, and the duration of the life cycle was studied at two controlled temperatures (25 °C and 27 °C) and field conditions (27.5 ± 3.2 °C). Analysis of variance was performed to determine differences in developmental time and larval length between constant laboratory temperatures and field conditions. A generalized linear model was performed with predictor variables extracted from the literature (diet, relative humidity, latitude, longitude) to evaluate the effect of population variation on developmental times. The results showed significant differences in developmental times between 25 and 27 °C. As expected, the complete life cycle of C. megacephala was shorter at 27 °C. Finally, the meta-analysis suggested differences between the developmental times of different populations, based on temperature and geographic location. The results of this study provide fundamental developmental data to use C. megacephala in PMI estimations. Finally, we suggest that, when making expert reports, information from local populations should be used to determine a more accurate and reliable PMI.

Assuntos

RESUMO

KEY MESSAGE: Unreduced megagametophytes via second-division restitution were confirmed through heterozygosity analysis, and four candidate physical centromeres of rubber were located for the first time. The evaluation of maternal heterozygosity restitution (MHR) is vital in identifying the mechanism of 2n gametogenesis and assessing the utilization value of 2n gametes. In this study, three full-sib triploid populations were employed to evaluate the MHR of 2n female gametes of rubber tree clone GT1 and to confirm their genetic derivation. The 2n female gametes of GT1 were derived from second-division restitution (SDR) and transmitted more than half of the parental heterozygosity. In addition, low recombination frequency markers were developed, and four candidate physical centromeres of rubber tree were located for the first time. The confirmation that 2n female gametes of rubber tree clone GT1 are derived from SDR provides insights into the molecular mechanisms of 2n gametogenesis. In addition, the identified centromere location will aid in the development of centromeric markers for the rapid identification of the 2n gametogenesis mechanism.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Our retrospective cohort study of the effects of radiotherapy delay on the oncological outcome of breast cancer patients showed a prolonged radiotherapy waiting interval was associated with a statistically significant increase in the 3-year breast cancer-specific mortality. This research should stimulate setting up protocols geared towards minimizing delays.

Assuntos

RESUMO

The objective of this article is to propose a new composite index (CI) that helps to determine the most effective location of servers in an Emergency Care System (ECS), using Benefit of the Doubt (BoD)/Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and the Hypercube queuing model. The CI proposed was developed in four stages: (1) definition of a number of possible ECS configurations through the application of mathematical partitions and permutations; (2) application of the hypercube queuing model to determine performance parameters for each ECS configuration; (3) application of DEA/BoD to build the CI and generate performance rankings, and (4) evaluation of the rankings obtained to define the best configuration for the ECS analyzed. Data from two real cases from Brazil were used to assess the CI proposal. The results obtained confirm that: (a) the hypercube model could, relatively quickly, determine the configuration parameters generated; (b) the application of an appropriate DEA/BoD model enabled the different configurations to be ranked with good discrimination; (c) a pattern in the relationship between ambulance concentration and configuration effectiveness could be identified; and (d) the CI proposed would benefit ECS managers who are making resource location decisions.

RESUMO

Ectopic pregnancy occurs when a developing blastocyst implants at any site other than the uterine cavity. Ectopic pregnancy is most commonly found in the fallopian tube but may also occur in the cornua of the uterus (also found as interstitial in the literature), cervix, ovary, or abdominal cavity or in a cesarean scar. An estimated 2% of pregnancies are ectopic, of which an interstitial pregnancy represents an extremely rare variant of ectopic pregnancy (EP), accounting for 2% to 4 % of all cases. The aim of this report is to describe the case of a patient with suspected ectopic pregnancy of uncertain location in which an exploratory laparoscopy was performed due to the onset of symptoms, discovering a cornual ectopic pregnancy in site of a past salpingectomy because of a tubal ectopic pregnancy. A cornuotomy by laparoscopy was performed to resect the cornual ectopic pregnancy. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course, with negativization of human chorionic gonadotropin levels. This type of location is rare and is associated with high rates of maternal morbidity and mortality. It represents a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for the gynecologist who faces it.

Se define a un embarazo ectópico cuando el blastocisto en desarrollo se implanta fuera de la cavidad uterina. La localización más frecuente es en la trompa, pero también puede ocurrir en el ovario, cérvix, cicatriz de cesárea, cuerno uterino (también mencionado como intersticial en la literatura) o abdominal. Se estima que la incidencia de embarazo ectópico es aproximadamente el 2% de todos los embarazos, siendo la localización cornual solo el 2-4% de esos casos. El objetivo de este reporte es describir el caso de una paciente con sospecha de embarazo ectópico de localización incierta a quien se le realizó una laparoscopia exploradora por inicio de síntomas, evidenciando un embarazo ectópico cornual en el lecho de una salpingectomía, producto de un embarazo ectópico tubario previo. Se realizó la cornuotomía con resección del mismo por laparoscopia y su evolución fue favorable con negativización de la subunidad beta. Este tipo de localización es rara y se asocia con grandes tasas de morbimortalidad materna. Representa un desafío diagnóstico y terapéutico para el ginecólogo que lo enfrenta.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Resumen Se define a un embarazo ectópico cuando el blas tocisto en desarrollo se implanta fuera de la cavidad uterina. La localización más frecuente es en la trom pa, pero también puede ocurrir en el ovario, cérvix, cicatriz de cesárea, cuerno uterino (también mencio nado como intersticial en la literatura) o abdominal. Se estima que la incidencia de embarazo ectópico es aproximadamente el 2% de todos los embarazos, sien do la localización cornual solo el 2-4% de esos casos. El objetivo de este reporte es describir el caso de una paciente con sospecha de embarazo ectópico de loca lización incierta a quien se le realizó una laparoscopia exploradora por inicio de síntomas, evidenciando un embarazo ectópico cornual en el lecho de una salpin gectomía, producto de un embarazo ectópico tubario previo. Se realizó la cornuotomía con resección del mismo por laparoscopia y su evolución fue favorable con negativización de la subunidad beta. Este tipo de localización es rara y se asocia con grandes tasas de morbimortalidad materna. Representa un desafío diagnóstico y terapéutico para el ginecólogo que lo enfrenta.

Abstract Ectopic pregnancy occurs when a developing blastocyst implants at any site other than the uterine cavity. Ectopic pregnancy is most commonly found in the fallopian tube but may also occur in the cornua of the uterus (also found as interstitial in the literature), cervix, ovary, or abdominal cavity or in a cesarean scar. An estimated 2% of pregnan cies are ectopic, of which an interstitial pregnancy repre sents an extremely rare variant of ectopic pregnancy (EP), accounting for 2% to 4 % of all cases. The aim of this report is to describe the case of a patient with suspected ectopic pregnancy of uncertain location in which an exploratory laparoscopy was performed due to the onset of symptoms, discovering a cornual ectopic pregnancy in site of a past salpingectomy because of a tubal ectopic pregnancy. A cornuotomy by laparoscopy was performed to resect the cornual ectopic pregnancy. The patient had an unevent ful postoperative course, with negativization of human chorionic gonadotropin levels. This type of location is rare and is associated with high rates of maternal morbidity and mortality. It represents a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for the gynecologist who faces it.

RESUMO

Deregulated miRNAs are associated with colorectal cancer (CRC), with alterations depending on the tumor location. Novel tissue-specific miRNAs have been identified in different tumors and are associated with cancer. We used miRMaster to identify novel miRNAs in CRC from the TCGA and GEO data (discovery and validation groups). We used TCGA data from five tissues to analyze miRNA tissue specificity. miRDB was used to predict miRNA targets, and the UCSC Xena Browser was used to evaluate target expression. After successive analyses, we identified 15 novel miRNAs with the same expression patterns in CRC in both the discovery and validation groups. Four molecules (nov-miR-13844-5p, nov-miR-7154-5p, nov-miR-5035-3p, and nov-miR-590-5p) were differentially expressed in proximal and distal CRC. The nov-miR-3345-5p and nov-miR-13172-3p, which are upregulated in tumors, are only expressed in colorectal tissues. These molecules have been linked to a worse prognosis in right-sided colon and rectal carcinomas. An analysis revealed an association between eight novel miRNAs and 81 targets, mostly cancer-related genes, with varying expression based on tumor location. These findings provide new miRNAs with potential biological relevance, molecular biomarkers, and therapeutic targets for CRC treatment.

RESUMO

To prevent the great dangers caused by emergency situations, providing rapid and high-quality emergency aid highly depends on the location of emergency medical centers. The purpose of this research is to present a multi-objective mathematical programing model based on the minimum P-envy algorithm to locate and construct emergency medical services (EMS). Maximizing the coverage in order to increase the probability of survival of different categories of patients, minimizing the costs of constructing EMS and optimizing the ratio of regions having the right to emergency medical services is one of the fundamental challenges in the health care system of countries. In this paper, a model for maximum utilization of EMS considering budget limitations is presented. In this study, since the problem is NP-Hard, the Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Simulated Annealing (SA) algorithm were used to solve this problem. The parameters of the metaheuristic algorithms were tuned using the Taguchi method. Several instance problems were solved to compare the performance of 2 algorithms. The results demonstrate that the validity of the proposed model. Also, the mean of the solutions obtained by GA for small, medium, and large-size problems are better than the SA algorithm. Also, the GA algorithm obtained more efficient solutions than the SA algorithm.

RESUMO

Abstract Background : Obesity rates in Latin America are increasing overall and among people with low socio economic status (SES). Obesity and SES disparities can vary by region-a valuable indicator of local drivers. The objective of this study was to examine regional and SES differences in obesity in Argentina. Methods : We used data from Argentina's 4th Na tional Risk Factors Survey (n = 29226) 2018 and defined obesity as BMI ≥ 30. Low SES was defined as not fin ished high school or having a household income in the lowest two quintiles. Descriptive analysis stratified by sex compared obesity rates by SES, province, and re gion. Age-adjusted logistic regression models explored the association between obesity, socioeconomic status, and region. Results : Obesity rates varied more by SES among women (39% for low SES vs. 26% for middle/high SES; p < 0.001) than among men (33% low SES vs. 29% middle/ high SES; p = 0.027). The Patagonian region had the high est obesity prevalence for both men (36%) and women (37%). A gender-stratified age-adjusted analysis with region and SES showed that low SES (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.45, 2.03) and the Patagonian region (OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.02, 1.62) were the only significant predictors for women. Conclusions : SES associated disparities in obesity in Argentina were pronounced for women but not men. Disparities were particularly high in Patagonia. Further research is needed to understand the drivers behind these SES, regional, and gender disparities.

Resumen Introducción : Las tasas de obesidad en América La tina están aumentando, tanto en la población general como entre las personas con bajo nivel socioeconómi co (NSE). Las disparidades en obesidad y NSE pueden variar ampliamente según la región, un indicador po tencialmente valioso de fenómenos causales locales. El objetivo de este estudio fue examinar las diferencias en la prevalencia de obesidad a nivel regional y según el NSE en Argentina. Métodos : Utilizamos datos de la 4ª Encuesta Nacio nal de Factores de Riesgo realizada en Argentina en 2018 (n = 29226). Definimos obesidad como índice de masa corporal ≥ 30, y bajo NSE como no haber termi nado la escuela secundaria o tener un ingreso familiar en los dos quintiles más bajos. El análisis descriptivo estratificado por sexo comparó la prevalencia de obe sidad por NSE, provincia y región. Además, utilizamos modelos de regresión logística ajustados por edad para explorar la asociación entre obesidad, nivel socioeconó mico y región, tanto globalmente como estratificando por sexo.367 Resultados : Las tasas de obesidad variaron más por NSE entre las mujeres (39% NSE bajo vs. 26% NSE medio/ alto; p < 0.001) que entre los hombres (33% NSE bajo vs. 29% NSE medio/alto; p = 0.027). La región patagónica tuvo la mayor prevalencia de obesidad tanto para hom bres (36%) como para mujeres (37%). Un análisis estra tificado por género, con región y NSE como covariables, mostró que el bajo NSE (OR 1.72, IC 95% 1.45, 2.03) y la región patagónica (OR 1.29, IC 95% 1.02, 1.62) fueron los únicos predictores significativos para las mujeres; nin guno se asoció significativamente con un mayor riesgo de obesidad para los hombres. Conclusiones : Las disparidades asociadas al NSE en la obesidad en Argentina fueron pronunciadas entre mujeres, pero no entre hombres. Las disparidades fueron particularmente altas en la Patagonia. Se necesita más estudios para comprender los factores detrás de estas disparidades de NSE, regionales y de género.

RESUMO

The current trends in 5G and 6G systems anticipate vast communication capabilities and the deployment of massive heterogeneous connectivity with more than a million internet of things (IoT) and other devices per square kilometer and up to ten million gadgets in 6G scenarios. In addition, the new generation of smart industries and the energy of things (EoT) context demand novel, reliable, energy-efficient network protocols involving massive sensor cooperation. Such scenarios impose new demands and opportunities to cope with the ever-growing cooperative dense ad hoc environments. Position location information (PLI) plays a crucial role as an enabler of several location-aware network protocols and applications. In this paper, we have proposed a novel context-aware statistical dead reckoning localization technique suitable for high dense cooperative sensor networks, where direct angle and distance estimations between peers are not required along the route, as in other dead reckoning-based localization approaches, but they are obtainable from the node's context information. Validation of the proposed technique was assessed in several scenarios through simulations, achieving localization errors as low as 0.072 m for the worst case analyzed.

Assuntos

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Obesity rates in Latin America are increasing overall and among people with low socioeconomic status (SES). Obesity and SES disparities can vary by region-a valuable indicator of local drivers. The objective of this study was to examine regional and SES differences in obesity in Argentina. METHODS: We used data from Argentina's 4th National Risk Factors Survey (n = 29226) 2018 and defined obesity as BMI = 30. Low SES was defined as not finished high school or having a household income in the lowest two quintiles. Descriptive analysis stratified by sex compared obesity rates by SES, province, and region. Age-adjusted logistic regression models explored the association between obesity, socioeconomic status, and region. RESULTS: Obesity rates varied more by SES among women (39% for low SES vs. 26% for middle/high SES; p < 0.001) than among men (33% low SES vs. 29% middle/ high SES; p = 0.027). The Patagonian region had the highest obesity prevalence for both men (36%) and women (37%). A gender-stratified age-adjusted analysis with region and SES showed that low SES (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.45, 2.03) and the Patagonian region (OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.02, 1.62) were the only significant predictors for women. CONCLUSIONS: SES associated disparities in obesity in Argentina were pronounced for women but not men. Disparities were particularly high in Patagonia. Further research is needed to understand the drivers behind these SES, regional, and gender disparities.

Introducción: Las tasas de obesidad en América Latina están aumentando, tanto en la población general como entre las personas con bajo nivel socioeconómico (NSE). Las disparidades en obesidad y NSE pueden variar ampliamente según la región, un indicador potencialmente valioso de fenómenos causales locales. El objetivo de este estudio fue examinar las diferencias en la prevalencia de obesidad a nivel regional y según el NSE en Argentina. Métodos: Utilizamos datos de la 4° Encuesta Nacional de Factores de Riesgo realizada en Argentina en 2018 (n = 29226). Definimos obesidad como índice de masa corporal = 30, y bajo NSE como no haber terminado la escuela secundaria o tener un ingreso familiar en los dos quintiles más bajos. El análisis descriptivo estratificado por sexo comparó la prevalencia de obesidad por NSE, provincia y región. Además, utilizamos modelos de regresión logística ajustados por edad para explorar la asociación entre obesidad, nivel socioeconómico y región, tanto globalmente como estratificando por sexo.Resultados: Las tasas de obesidad variaron más por NSE entre las mujeres (39% NSE bajo vs. 26% NSE medio/alto; p < 0.001) que entre los hombres (33% NSE bajo vs. 29% NSE medio/alto; p = 0.027). La región patagónica tuvo la mayor prevalencia de obesidad tanto para hombres (36%) como para mujeres (37%). Un análisis estratificado por género, con región y NSE como covariables, mostró que el bajo NSE (OR 1.72, IC 95% 1.45, 2.03) y la región patagónica (OR 1.29, IC 95% 1.02, 1.62) fueron los únicos predictores significativos para las mujeres; ninguno se asoció significativamente con un mayor riesgo de obesidad para los hombres. Conclusiones: Las disparidades asociadas al NSE en la obesidad en Argentina fueron pronunciadas entre mujeres, pero no entre hombres. Las disparidades fueron particularmente altas en la Patagonia. Se necesita más estudios para comprender los factores detrás de estas disparidades de NSE, regionales y de género.

Assuntos

RESUMO

En Cuba, el acceso a los servicios farmacéuticos por parte de la población se ve afectado por la no disponibilidad de medicamentos y la lejanía de las farmacias. La falta de información acerca de la existencia de los medicamentos y la cantidad de estos en la red de farmacias cercanas a una ubicación geográfica, aparejados al poco suministro de medicamentos y la calidad de la prestación del servicio, genera descontento e inconformidad en la población. En la presente investigación se realiza un diseño para mejorar la problemática planteada a partir de un sistema basado en reglas como ayuda a la toma de decisiones para la obtención de los medicamentos por parte de la población. Se aplica un estudio de caso mediante el cual es posible sugerir al usuario las 5 farmacias más cercanas donde el paciente puede adquirir los medicamentos sobre las decisiones asumidas.

In Cuba, access to pharmaceutical services by the population is affected by the non-availability of medicines and the remoteness of pharmacies. The lack of information about the existence of medicines and the quantity of these in the network of pharmacies close to a geographical location, coupled with the low supply of medicines and the quality of service provision, generates discontent and nonconformity in the population. In the present investigation, a design is carried out to improve the problem raised from a system based on rules as an aid to decision-making to obtain medicines by the population. A case study is applied through which it is possible to suggest to the user the 5 closest pharmacies where the patient can acquire the medicines on the decisions made.

RESUMO

Objective: As far as we know, in English literature, a limited number of studies has examined the relationship between the location of the nodule and malignancy risk. The studies were performed with adults and their results were mainly inconsistent. We aim to evaluate the potential association between the location of the thyroid nodules and risk for malignancy in the pediatric population. Materials and methods: Patients younger than 18 years old with a pathological diagnosis were included. Nodules were divided into 5 categories according to the Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TI-RADS) algorithm. The location of the nodules was recorded: Right lobe, left lobe, isthmus, upper pole, lower pole, and middle. Thyroid glands were divided into 3 equal longitudinal areas to define upper, lower, and middle portions. Results: Ninety-seven nodules of 103 children were included. The mean age of the population was 14.9 ± 2.51 years (7-18 years). Eighty-one participants were female (83.5%) and 16 male (16.5%). Fifty nodules were benign (51.5%) and 47 nodules were malignant (48.5%). We did not detect a significant correlation between the risk of malignancy and location of the nodule as right or left lobes or isthmus (P = 0.38). Rate of malignant nodules were significantly higher in middle lobe (23%, P = 0.002). Being located at middle part of thyroid gland increases the possibility of malignancy 11.3 times (OR = 11.3, P = 0.006). Conclusion: Nodule location can be used as a predictor for thyroid malignancy in pediatric patients, similar to adults. Middle lobe location increases the risk of malignancy. Using nodule location along with TI-RADS categorization can increase the efficacy of malignancy prediction.

Assuntos

RESUMO

The zinc/iron-regulated transporter-like protein (ZIP) gene family first identified in plants is highly distributed in the plant kingdom. This family has previously been reported to transport several essential and non-essential cationic elements, including those toxic to many economically important crops such as cacao (Theobroma cacao L.). In this article, we present a detailed study on physicochemical properties, evolution, duplication, gene structure, promoter region and TcZIP family three-dimensional protein structure. A total of 11 TcZIP genes have been identified to encode proteins from 309 to 435 aa, with localization in the plasma membrane and chloroplast, containing 6-9 putative domains (TM). Interspecies phylogenetic analysis subdivided the ZIP proteins into four groups. Segmental duplication events significantly contributed to the expansion of TcZIP genes. These genes underwent high pressure of purifying selection. The three-dimensional structure of the proteins showed that α helix conformations are predominant with several pocket sites, containing the metal binding site, with the residues leucine (LEU), alanine (ALA), glycine (GLY), serine (SER), lysine (LYS) and histidine (HIS) the most predicted. Regarding the analysis of the protein-protein interaction and enrichment of the gene ontology, four biological processes were assigned, the most important being the cation transport. These new discoveries expand the knowledge about the function, evolution, protein structures and interaction of ZIP family proteins in cacao and contribute to develop cacao genotypes enriched with important mineral nutrients as well as genotypes that bioaccumulate or exclude toxic metals.

RESUMO

Melatonin is a hormone secreted by the pineal gland, it can be associated with circadian rhythms, aging and neuroprotection. Melatonin levels are decreased in sporadic Alzheimer's disease (sAD) patients, which suggests a relationship between the melatonergic system and sAD. Melatonin may reduce inflammation, oxidative stress, TAU protein hyperphosphorylation, and the formation of ß-amyloid (Aß) aggregates. Therefore, the objective of this work was to investigate the impact of treatment with 10 mg/kg of melatonin (i.p) in the animal model of sAD induced by the intracerebroventricular (ICV) infusion of 3 mg/kg of streptozotocin (STZ). ICV-STZ causes changes in the brain of rats similar to those found in patients with sAD. These changes include; progressive memory decline, the formation of neurofibrillary tangles, senile plaques, disturbances in glucose metabolism, insulin resistance and even reactive astrogliosis characterized by the upregulation of glucose levels and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). The results show that ICV-STZ caused short-term spatial memory impairment in rats after 30 days of STZ infusion without locomotor impairment which was evaluated on day 27 post-injury. Furthermore, we observed that a prolonged 30-day treatment with melatonin can improve the cognitive impairment of animals in the Y-maze test, but not in the object location test. Finally, we demonstrated that animals receiving ICV-STZ have high levels of Aß and GFAP in the hippocampus and that treatment with melatonin reduces Aß levels but does not reduce GFAP levels, concluding that melatonin may be useful to control the progression of amyloid pathology in the brain.