Mid- to late-Holocene paleoceanographic changes on the southeastern Brazilian shelf based on grain size records

; High-resolution grain size analyses of three AMS (14)C-dated cores from the Southeastern Brazilian shelf provide a detailed record of mid- to late-Holocene environmental changes in the Southwestern Atlantic Margin. The cores exhibit millennial variability that we associate with the previously described southward shift of the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) average latitudinal position over the South American continent during the Holocene climatic maximum. This generated changes in the wind-driven current system of the SW Atlantic margin and modified the grain size characteristics of the sediments deposited there. Centennial variations in the grain size are associated with a previously described late-Holocene enhancement of the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) amplitude, which led to stronger NNE trade winds off eastern Brazil, favouring SW transport of sediments from the Paraiba do Sul River. This is recorded in a core from off Cabo Frio as a coarsening trend from 3000 cal. BP onwards. The ENSO enhancement also caused changes in precipitation and wind pattern in southern Brazil, allowing high discharge events and northward extensions of the low-saline water plume from Rio de la Plata. We propose that this resulted in a net increase in northward alongshore transport of fine sediments, seen as a prominent fine-shift at 2000 cal. BP in a core from similar to 24 degrees S on the Brazilian shelf. Wavelet-and spectral analysis of the sortable silt records show a significant similar to 1000-yr periodicity, which we attribute to solar forcing. If correct, this is one of the first indications of solar forcing of this timescale on the Southwestern Atlantic margin.

PALEOPRODUCTIVITY CHANGES DURING THE LATE QUATERNARY IN THE SOUTHEASTERN BRAZILIAN UPPER CONTINENTAL MARGIN OF THE SOUTHWESTERN ATLANTIC

Changes in the Brazilian continental margin`s oceanic productivity and circulation over the last 27,000 years were reconstructed based on sedimentological and microfaunal analyses. Our results suggest that oceanic paleoproductivity and the supply of terrigenous sediments to the Brazilian continental margin were higher during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) than during the Holocene. These changes may have been primarily influenced by significant sea level fluctuations that have occurred since the late Pleistocene. During the LGM, the lower sea level, higher productivity and lower sea-surface paleotemperatures may have been the result of the offshore displacement of the main flow of the Brazil Current. However, during the Holocene, the warm waters of the Brazil Current were displaced toward the coast. This displacement contributed to the increase in water temperature and prevented an increase in oceanic productivity. The decrease in terrigenous supply since the LGM could be related to the increase of the extension of the continental shelf and/or drier climatic conditions.

Microfacies and sequence stratigraphy of the Amapa Formation, Late Paleocene to Early Eocene, Foz do Amazonas Basin, Brazil

On the basis of thin-section studies of cuttings and a core from two wells in the Amapa Formation of the Foz do Amazonas Basin, five main microfacies have been recognized within three stratigraphic sequences deposited during the Late Paleocene to Early Eocene. The facies are: 1) Ranikothalia grainstone to packstone facies; 2) ooidal grainstone to packstone facies; 3) larger foraminiferal and red algal grainstone to packstone facies; 4) Amphistegina and Helicostegina packstone facies; and 5) green algal and small benthic foraminiferal grainstone to packstone facies, divisible locally into a green algal and the miliolid foraminiferal subfacies and a green algal and small rotaliine foraminiferal subfacies. The lowermost sequence (Si) was deposited in the Late Paleocene-Early Eocene (biozone LF1, equivalent to P3-P6?) and includes rudaceous grainstones and packstones with large specimens of Ranikothalia bermudezi representative of the mid- and inner ramp. The intermediate and uppermost sequences (S2 and S3) display well-developed lowstand deposits formed at the end of the Late Paleocene (upper biozone LF1) and beginning of the Early Eocene (biozone LF2) on the inner ramp (larger foraminiferal and red algal grainstone to packstone facies), in lagoons (green algal and small benthic foraminiferal facies) and as shoals (ooidal facies) or banks (Amphistegina and Helicostegina facies). Depth and oceanic influence were the main controls on the distribution of these microfacies. Stratal stacking patterns evident within these sequences may well have been related to sea level changes postulated for the Late Paleocene and Early Eocene. During this time, the Amapa Formation was dominated by cyclic sedimentation on a gently sloping ramp. Environmental and ecological stress brought about by sea level change at the end of the biozone LF1 led to the extinction of the larger foraminifera (Ranikothalia bermudezi). (c) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Paleoenvironmental reconstruction of a Late Quaternary lagoon system in southern Brazil (Jaguaruna region, Santa Catarina state) based on multi-proxy analysis

This paper provides a paleoenvironmental reconstruction of a Late Quaternary lagoon system in the Jaguaruna region of Santa Catarina state, southern Brazil. Integrated results of bulk sedimentary organic matter characterization (delta C-13, delta N-15 and C/N), microfossil (pollen and diatom) and grain-size analysis from three shallow cores (similar to 2.5m depth) allowed us to propose an evolving paleogeographic scenario in this coastal region for the last ca. 5500 cal a BP. The lagoonal system in this area was more extensive during the mid-Holocene than today, with a gradual and continuous lagoon-sea disconnection until the present. We add to the debate regarding relative sea-level (RSL) variations for the Brazilian coast during the Holocene and discuss the importance of sedimentary dynamics for interpreting changes in coastal ecosystems. The multi-proxy analysis suggests that changes in coastal ecosystems could be directly related to local sedimentary processes, which are not necessarily linked to RSL fluctuations and/or to climatic variations. Copyright (c) 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Evaluation of Long-Term Outcomes, Cytogenetic and Molecular Responses with Imatinib Mesylate in Early and Late Chronic-Phase Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: A Report from a Single Institute

Here we compare the management and survival outcomes of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients who had early or late imatinib mesylate (IM) therapy. The cytogenetic and molecular responses of 189 CML patients were analyzed. Of this group, 121 patients were classified as the early chronic phase (ECP) group and started IM within 12 months of diagnosis. The other 68 patients were classified as the late chronic phase (LCP) group who had been treated with interferon (IFN)-alpha-2 and crossed over to IM more than 12 months after diagnosis. The overall rates of complete cytogenetic response (CCyR) and major molecular response (MMR) at last follow-up were 83.6 and 78.1% in the ECP and LCP groups, respectively. The CCyR rates were 89.3 (for ECP patients) versus 73.5% (for LCP patients; p < 0.0001). At last follow-up, 82.4% ECP and 64.2% LCP patients had achieved an MMR (p < 0.0001). No significant differences were noted between the two groups with regard to survival outcomes. Our experience reveals that IM is an effective rescue therapy in most CML LCP patients who are intolerant or in whom IFN-alpha therapy fails. Such therapeutic options should be considered in LCP patients, particularly in countries where IM may not be available. Copyright (C) 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel

Late Adverse Effects of the Coadministration of Valproate and Lamotrigine

Individuals treated with combined valproate-lamotrigine rarely present late adverse effects (unrelated to introduction and titration). We describe four patients in whom such effects occurred after continuous, long-term use of valproate-lamotrigine (at 9 months to 2 years after final antiepileptic drug adjustment). The patients presented heterogeneous disturbances, including ataxia, vertigo, and headache, and rare movement disorders, such as tics and abnormal eye movements. Although these effects are heterogeneous in their occurrence and timing, they can alert physicians to the possibility of late neurologic disturbances, and must be considered in order to avoid unnecessary ancillary tests. Treatment discontinuation is unnecessary, given that a small decrease in dose led to remission of these adverse effects. (c) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

LIZARDS AND SNAKES (LEPIDOSAURIA, SQUAMATA) FROM THE LATE QUATERNARY OF THE STATE OF CEARA IN NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL

We present the first formal report on the squamate assemblage from Parque Nacional de Ubajara. This park contains the most important cave complex in the state of Ceara in northeastern Brazil, called Provincia Espeleologica de Ubajara. The material comes from the Urso Fossil cave at Pendurado Hill. All previously reported fossil remains found in this cave are tentatively attributed to the Quaternary (late Pleistocene-early Holocene). Probably only Arctotherium brasiliense represents a relictual fossil bear from the late Pleistocene megafauna. The taxa recognized in this paper belong to Tropidurus sp., Ameiva sp., cf. Epicrates, and cf. Crotalus durissus, adding to the knowledge of the Brazilian Quaternary squamate fauna as a whole, and contribute to a major taxonomic refinement of the squamate assemblages from the early Holocene of northeastern Brazil.

Long-term sertraline treatment increases expression and decreases phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase-3B in platelets of patients with late-life major depression

Background: Abnormal regulation of glycogen synthase kinase 3-beta (GSK3B) activity has been implicated in the pathophysiology of mood disorders. Many pharmacological agents, including antidepressants, can modulate GSK3B. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of short-and long-term sertraline treatment on the expression and phosphorylation of GSK3B in platelets of patients with late-life major depression. Methods: Thirty-nine unmedicated elderly adults with major depressive disorder (MOD) were initially included in this study. The comparison group comprised 18 age-matched, healthy individuals. The expression of total and Ser-9 phosphorylated GSK3B (pGSK3B) was determined by Enzyme Immunometric Assay (EIA) in platelets of patients and controls at baseline, and after 3 and 12 months of sertraline treatments for patients only. During this period, patients were continuously treated with therapeutic doses of sertraline. GSK3B activity was indirectly estimated by calculating the proportion of inactive (phosphorylated) forms (pGSK3B) in relation to the total expression of the enzyme (i.e.. GSK3B ratio). Results: Depressed patients had significantly higher levels of pGSK3B as compared to controls (p < 0.001). Within the MDD group, after 3 months of sertraline treatment no significant changes were observed in GSK3B expression and phosphorylation state, as compared to baseline levels. However, after 12 months of treatment we found a significant increase in the expression of total GSK3B (p = 0.05), in the absence of any significant changes in pGSK3B (p = 0.12), leading to a significant reduction in GSK3B ratio (p = 0.001). Conclusions: Our findings indicate that GSK3B expression was upregulated by the continuous treatment with sertraline, along with an increment in the proportion of active forms of the enzyme. This is compatible with an increase in overall GSK3B activity, which may have been induced by the long-term treatment of late-life depression with sertraline. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Clinical and nutritional status in the late postoperative of pancreaticoduodenectomy. Influence of pylorus preservation procedure

PURPOSE: To evaluate the nutritional status of patients in the late postoperative period of pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) and compare the long-term outcome according to pylorus-preserving (PPPD) or the standard technique (SPD) in which the pylorus is resected. METHODS: This prospective study was conducted twelve months prior or more in patients who had underwent PD (PD Group, n=15) and health volunteers (Control Group, n=15). At a post hoc analysis, the PD Group was divided in PPPD Subgroup (n=9) and SPD Subgroup (n=6), according to the PD techniques. Gastrointestinal complaints and nutritional status were evaluated, apart from a biochemical assessment; Student t-test or Mann-Whitney test were used. RESULTS: The patients recovered their body weight and the gastrointestinal complaints were uncommon. The PD Group showed higher energy and protein intake even though BMI was lower than in Control Group. There were no differences in laboratorial data, except for higher glycemia, serum alkaline phosfatase and C-reactive protein in PD Group. There was no difference in the various parameters evaluated when the Subgroups (PPPD and SPD) were compared. CONCLUSION: For long-term pancreaticoduodenectomy, the gastrointestinal symptoms are minimal and the patients had the clinical and nutritional status preserved, regardless of pylorus preservation.

Clusters of leprosy transmission and of late diagnosis in a highly endemic area in Brazil: focus on different spatial analysis approaches

Objective The Brazilian National Hansens Disease Control Program recently identified clusters with high disease transmission. Herein, we present different spatial analytical approaches to define highly vulnerable areas in one of these clusters. Method The study area included 373 municipalities in the four Brazilian states Maranha o, Para ', Tocantins and Piaui '. Spatial analysis was based on municipalities as the observation unit, considering the following disease indicators: (i) rate of new cases / 100 000 population, (ii) rate of cases < 15 years / 100 000 population, (iii) new cases with grade-2 disability / 100 000 population and (iv) proportion of new cases with grade-2 disabilities. We performed descriptive spatial analysis, local empirical Bayesian analysis and spatial scan statistic. Results A total of 254 (68.0%) municipalities were classified as hyperendemic (mean annual detection rates > 40 cases / 100 000 inhabitants). There was a concentration of municipalities with higher detection rates in Para ' and in the center of Maranha o. Spatial scan statistic identified 23 likely clusters of new leprosy case detection rates, most of them localized in these two states. These clusters included only 32% of the total population, but 55.4% of new leprosy cases. We also identified 16 significant clusters for the detection rate < 15 years and 11 likely clusters of new cases with grade-2. Several clusters of new cases with grade-2 / population overlap with those of new cases detection and detection of children < 15 years of age. The proportion of new cases with grade-2 did not reveal any significant clusters. Conclusions Several municipality clusters for high leprosy transmission and late diagnosis were identified in an endemic area using different statistical approaches. Spatial scan statistic is adequate to validate and confirm high-risk leprosy areas for transmission and late diagnosis, identified using descriptive spatial analysis and using local empirical Bayesian method. National and State leprosy control programs urgently need to intensify control actions in these highly vulnerable municipalities.

Late evaluation of the relationship between morphological and functional renal changes and hypertension after non-operative treatment of high-grade renal injuries

Objective: To evaluate the anatomical and functional renal alterations and the association with post-traumatic arterial hypertension. Methods: The studied population included patients who sustained high grades renal injury (grades III to V) successfully non-operative management after staging by computed tomography over a 16-year period. Beyond the review of medical records, these patients were invited to the following protocol: clinical and laboratory evaluation, abdominal computed tomography, magnetic resonance angiography, DMSA renal scintigraphy, and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. The hypertensive patients also were submitted to dynamic renal scintigraphy (Tc-99m EC), using captopril stimulation to verify renal vascular etiology. Results: Of the 31 patients, there were thirteen grade III, sixteen grade IV (nine lacerations, and seven vascular lesions), and two grade V injuries. All the patients were asymptomatic and an average follow up post-injury of 6.4 years. None had abnormal BUN or seric creatinine. The percentage of renal volume reduction correlates with the severity as defined by OIS. There was no evidence of renal artery stenosis in Magnetic Resonance angiography (MRA). DMSA scanning demonstrated a decline in percentage of total renal function corresponding to injury severity (42.2 +/- 5.5% for grade III, 35.3 +/- 12.8% for grade IV, 13.5 +/- 19.1 for grade V). Six patients (19.4%) had severe compromised function (< 30%). There was statistically significant difference in the decrease in renal function between parenchymal and vascular causes for grade IV injuries (p < 0.001). The 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring detected nine patients (29%) with post-traumatic hypertension. All the patients were male, mean 35.6 years, 77.8 % had a familial history of arterial hypertension, 66.7% had grade III renal injury, and average post-injury time was 7.8 years. Seven patients had negative captopril renography. Conclusions: Late results of renal function after conservative treatment of high grades renal injuries are favorable, except for patients with grades IV with vascular injuries and grade V renal injuries. Moreover, arterial hypertension does not correlate with the grade of renal injury or reduction of renal function.

The impact of late diagnosis on the survival of patients following their first AIDS-related hospitalization in Belo Horizonte, Brazil

The purpose of this study is to estimate the survival probability of patients following their first admission for the treatment of AIDS to an infectious disease reference hospital in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, during 2005. Study subjects were monitored during a 12-month period to identify factors associated with survival probability. Late diagnosis was recorded among many of the 250 study subjects: almost half (44.8%) were diagnosed less than 30 days prior to or during their hospitalization. A high mortality rate was also detected: 39.6% of the subjects died during the 12 months of monitoring. The cumulative survival probability of the cohort group was estimated at 68.0% after 3 months and at 61.2% after 12 months. However, certain patient subgroups analyzed had even lower cumulative survival probabilities after 12 months of monitoring: if diagnosed during hospitalization, it was estimated at only 48.0% and those with no record of antiretroviral treatment had a 48.5% cumulative survival probability. Patients with severe anemia had the lowest survival probability, similar among the two lymphocyte count groups (<1000 mm(3) and >= 1000 mm(3)), the former with a 45.5% survival probability and the latter with a 46.7% one. The proportional death risk was 2.5-fold higher for men residing in other area than the capital city of the State of Minas Gerais and greater metropolitan region when compared with women residing there. The findings of this study highlight the importance of early diagnosis for predicting patient survival and reinforce the necessity off acilitating HIV diagnosis.

Microvascularization on Collared Peccary Placenta: a Microvascular Cast Atudy in Late Pregnancy

The microvascularization of the collared peccary (Tayassu tajacu) placenta was studied by vascular casts and immunolocalization of alpha-smooth muscle actin and vimentin, to identify the three-dimensional organization and vascular flow interrelation in the microvasculature between the maternal and fetal compartments of the placentae. The immunolocalization of vimentin in the vascular endothelium and in the smooth muscle cells of blood vessels showed indented capillaries along the uterine epithelium and the trophoblast at the sides of complementary maternal and fetal microfolds, or rugae. This confers the three-dimensional structure observed in vascular casts. On the maternal side, casts demonstrated uterine folds coated by with primary and secondary ridges, and by areolae dispersed between these ridges. The arteriole runs through the center/middle of ridges, branching at the top into a microvascular network wall in a basket-like fashion. At the base of these baskets venules were formed. On the fetal side, arterioles branched centrally in the fetal rugae into a capillary network in a bulbous form, complementary to the opposite maternal depressions forming the baskets. At the base of the bulbous protrusions, the fetal venules arise. The blood vessel orientation in the materno-fetal interface of the placentae of collared peccaries suggests a blood flow pattern of the type countercurrent to crosscurrent. The same pattern has been reported in domestic swine demonstrating that, even after 38 million years, the Tayassuidae and Suidae families exhibit similar placental morphology, which is here characterized at the microvascular level.

Late-onset social anxiety disorder following traumatic brain injury

Background: Neuropsychiatric sequelae are the predominant long-term disability after traumatic brain injury (TBI). This study reports a case of late-onset social anxiety disorder (SAD) following TBI. Case report: A patient that was spontaneous and extroverted up to 18-years-old started to exhibit significant social anxiety symptoms. These symptoms became progressively worse and he sought treatment at age 21. He had a previous history of traumatic brain injury (TBI) at age 17. Neuroimaging investigations (CT, SPECT and MRI) showed a bony protuberance on the left frontal bone, with mass effect on the left frontal lobe. He had no neurological signs or symptoms. The patient underwent neurosurgery with gross total resection of the lesion and the pathological examination was compatible with intradiploic haematoma. Conclusions: Psychiatric symptoms may be the only findings in the initial manifestation of slowly growing extra-axial space-occupying lesions that compress the frontal lobe from the outside. Focal neurological symptoms may occur only when the lesion becomes large. This case report underscores the need for careful exclusion of general medical conditions and TBI history in cases of late-onset SAD and may also contribute to the elucidation of the neurobiology of this disorder.

Circulating Glial-derived neurotrophic factor is reduced in late-life depression

Background: The Glial Cell-line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is part of the TGF-beta superfamily and is abundantly expressed in the central nervous system. Changes in GDNF homeostasis have been reported in affective disorders. Aim: To assess serum GDNF concentration in elderly subjects with late-life depression, before antidepressant treatment, as compared to healthy elderly controls. Methods: Thirty-four elderly subjects with major depression and 37 age and gender-matched healthy elderly controls were included in this study. Diagnosis of major depression was ascertained by the SCID interview for DSM-IV and the severity of depressive symptoms was assessed by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-21). Serum GDNF concentration were determined by sandwich ELISA. Results: Patients with major depression showed a significant reduction in GDNF levels as compared to healthy elderly controls (p < 0.001). Also, GDNF level was negatively correlated with HDRS-21 scores (r = -0.343, p = 0.003). Discussion: Our data provide evidence that GDNF may be a state marker of depressive episode in older adults. Changes in the homeostatic control of GDNF production may be a target to development of new antidepressant strategies. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.