A high-quality genome for the slender anole (Anolis apletophallus): an emerging model for field studies of tropical ecology and evolution.

The slender anole, Anolis apletophallus, is a small arboreal lizard of the rainforest understory of central and eastern Panama. This species has been the subject of numerous ecological and evolutionary studies over the past 60 years as a result of attributes that make it especially amenable to field and laboratory science. Slender anoles are highly abundant, short-lived (nearly 100% annual turnover), easy to manipulate in both the lab and field, and are ubiquitous in the forests surrounding the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama, where researchers have access to high-quality laboratory facilities.

A large outbreak of giardiasis in a municipality of the Bologna province, north-eastern Italy, November 2018 to April 2019.

Giardiasis, the disease caused by the flagellate (syn. ), is the most commonly reported among the five food- and waterborne parasitic diseases under mandatory surveillance in 24 EU countries. From November 2018 to April 2019, an outbreak of giardiasis occurred in a municipality of the Bologna province, in north-eastern Italy.

Diversification history of clown tree frogs in Neotropical rainforests (Anura, Hylidae, Dendropsophus leucophyllatus group).

General consensus emphasizes that no single biological process can explain the patterns of species' distributions and diversification in the Neotropics. Instead, the interplay of several processes across space and time must be taken into account. Here we investigated the phylogenetic relationships and biogeographic history of tree frogs in the Dendropsophus leucophyllatus species group (Amphibia: Hylidae), which is distributed across Amazonia and the Atlantic rainforests.

A rationale for universal tranexamic acid in major joint arthroplasty: overall efficacy and impact of risk factors for transfusion.

Background: Tranexamic acid (TXA) therapy is effective in reducing postoperative red blood cell (RBC) transfusion in total joint arthroplasty (TJA), yet uncertainty persists regarding comparative efficacy and safety among specific patient subgroups. We assessed the impact of a universal TXA protocol on RBC transfusion, postoperative hemoglobin (Hb), and adverse outcomes to determine whether TXA is safe and effective in TJA, both overall and in clinically relevant subgroups.

Study Design And Methods: A retrospective observational study was performed on patients undergoing TJA at our institution spanning 1 year before and after the implementation of a universal protocol to administer intravenous (IV) TXA.

Potential biomarkers of tissue hypoxia during acute hemodilutional anemia in cardiac surgery: A prospective study to assess tissue hypoxia as a mechanism of organ injury.

Purpose: Hemodilutional anemia is associated with acute kidney injury (AKI) and mortality in patients undergoing cardiac surgery by mechanisms that may include tissue hypoxia. Our hypothesis was to assess if changes in the potential hypoxic biomarkers, including methemoglobin and erythropoietin, correlated with a decrease in hemoglobin (Hb) concentration following hemodilution on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

Methods: Arterial blood samples were taken from patients (n = 64) undergoing heart surgery and CPB at baseline, during CPB, following CPB, and in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Integrative overview of the herpetofauna from Serra da Mocidade, a granitic mountain range in northern Brazil.

The Brazilian mountain ranges from the Guiana Shield highlands are largely unexplored, with an understudied herpetofauna. Here the amphibian and reptile species diversity of the remote Serra da Mocidade mountain range, located in extreme northern Brazil, is reported upon, and biogeographical affinities and taxonomic highlights are discussed. A 22-days expedition to this mountain range was undertaken during which specimens were sampled at four distinct altitudinal levels (600, 960, 1,060 and 1,365 m above sea level) using six complementary methods.

Focusing on heel strike improves toe clearance in people with Parkinson's disease: an observational pilot study.

Objectives: To investigate differences in toe clearance between people with PD and age-matched healthy elderly (HE) during comfortable walking and to study the effects of dual-tasking and the use of an attentional strategy emphasizing heel strike on toe clearance.

Design: Observational cross-sectional study.

Setting: Camera-based 3D gait laboratory.

Universal tranexamic acid therapy to minimize transfusion for major joint arthroplasty: a retrospective analysis of protocol implementation.

Purpose: Tranexamic acid (TXA) therapy can reduce red blood cell (RBC) transfusion; however, this therapy remains underutilized in many surgical patient populations. We assessed whether implementation of a protocol to facilitate universal administration of TXA in patients undergoing total hip or knee arthroplasty would reduce the incidence of RBC transfusion without increasing adverse clinical outcomes.

Methods: We implemented a quality of care policy to provide universal administration of intravenous TXA at a dose of 20 mg·kg(-1) iv to all eligible patients undergoing total hip or knee arthroplasty from October 21, 2013 to April 30, 2014.

Anurans in a forest remnant in the transition zone between cerrado and Atlantic Rain Forest domains in Southeastern Brazil.

This study presents the species richness, temporal distribution and reproductive activity of anurans from the Uaimií State Forest (Floresta Estadual do Uaimií - FLOE Uaimií), situated in the Quadrilátero Ferrífero region, municipality of Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais state, Brazil. Field activities were performed monthly from September 2009 to August 2010. We recorded 36 anurans species, distributed in 10 families.

Hospitalizations for pertussis in Italy, 1999-2009: analysis of the hospital discharge database.

Even if the incidence of pertussis has greatly decreased after the adoption of immunization, it still remains a relevant cause of death in infants in their first years of life. At national level, data are usually greatly underestimated. The objective of this study was to retrospectively review the national hospital discharge form database.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha receptor 1 is a major predictor of mortality and new-onset heart failure in patients with acute myocardial infarction: the Cytokine-Activation and Long-Term Prognosis in Myocardial Infarction (C-ALPHA) study.

Background: Tumor necrosis factor alpha-alpha (TNF-alpha) activation is an independent prognostic indicator of mortality in patients with heart failure (HF). Despite the recognition that several TNF family cytokines are elevated during myocardial infarction, their role in predicting subsequent prognosis in these setting remains poorly understood.

Methods And Results: We performed a systematic evaluation of TNF-alpha and its type 1 and 2 soluble receptors, together with interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1 receptor antagonist, and IL-10, in 184 patients (132 men; mean age, 64+/-12) consecutively admitted for myocardial infarction.

Serum from patients with acute coronary syndromes displays a proapoptotic effect on human endothelial cells: a possible link to pan-coronary syndromes.

Background: Endothelial apoptosis of atherosclerotic lesions is a possible determinant for the stable-to-vulnerable plaque transition. Recent data support the notion that plaque activation may be a pan-coronary process, advocating the existence of circulating triggers.

Methods And Results: Serum from 40 healthy subjects (group 1) and 73 patients with stable angina (n=32; group 2) or acute coronary syndromes (n=41; group 3) was incubated with human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

Prevalence of mycobacteria in a swimming pool environment.

A study was performed to evaluate the prevalence of non-tubercular mycobacteria in swimming pool environments. The bacteria in question were found in 88.2% of pool water samples.

Effects of intravenous propranolol on cardiovascular hemodynamics during supraventricular tachycardia.

Hemodynamic variables were evaluated in 10 patients during supraventricular tachycardia before and after administration of intravenous propranolol. The drug markedly worsened the already compromised hemodynamic pattern of supraventricular tachycardia.

Long-term effects of theophylline in atrial fibrillation with a slow ventricular response.

In 17 patients (aged 78 +/- 9 years) with symptomatic atrial fibrillation and a slow ventricular response not related to drugs, a resting electrocardiogram and 24-hour Holter recording were obtained before and 5 to 6 days after administration of slow-release theophylline (700 mg/day), and successively every 3 months during the long-term phase. Fourteen patients had organic heart disease, and 13 complained of syncope or presyncope, and 4 of asthenia and easy fatigability. At the steady-state evaluation, theophylline significantly increased resting heart rate (HR) by 42%, mean 24-hour HR by 31% and minimal 24-hour HR by 34%.

Electrophysiological effects and mechanism of action of oral quinidine in patients with sinus bradycardia and first degree A-V nodal block.

The effects of quinidine on sinus nodal and A-V nodal function were assessed in 20 patients (age: 60 +/- 7 years) with sinus bradycardia and a prolonged A-H interval. Electrophysiological studies were performed twice in each patient. In the first study, the measurements of sinus and A-V node function were evaluated both in the basal state and after autonomic blockade (propranolol 0.

Prominent anterior QRS forces: clinical, electrocardiographic and prospective study.

Recent data suggest that the prominent anterior QRS forces (R greater than or equal to S in V1 and/or V2 leads), in the absence of posterior myocardial infarction, right ventricular hypertrophy, or WPW syndrome, are related to an intraventricular conduction disturbance, at times rate-dependent. We followed 240 subjects with prominent anterior QRS forces and without the above mentioned diseases (study group), (mean age: 44.6 +/- 16 years, mean follow-up: 8 +/- 2 years) and 240 subjects without the anterior displacement (control group), (mean age: 44.

Role of the autonomic nervous system in the genesis of first and second degree atrio-ventricular nodal block.

Thirty-four patients with a prolonged A-H interval (group I) and 26 with A-V nodal Wenckebach block (group II) were studied in the basal state and after autonomic blockade (propranolol 0.2 mg kg-1 and atropine 0.04 mg kg-1 in order to assess the role of autonomic system in A-V nodal conduction disturbances.

[Method for differentiating in humans the direct effects of anti-arrhythmic drugs from those mediated by the autonomic nervous system. Effects of quinidine and propafenone].

We have set up a method which investigates the different modes of action of an antiarrhythmic drug in man, in particular the direct effects of the drug and those mediated by the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The electrophysiological study (ES) is performed twice in each patient. In the first study the parameters of sinus and A-V nodal functions are evaluated both in the basal state and after pharmacological autonomic blockade (AB) (propranolol 0.

Effects of autonomic blockade on dual atrioventricular nodal pathways pattern.

Fifteen patients (age: 57.6 +/- 14 years) showing dual A-V nodal pathways pattern during basal electrophysiological testing were studied following pharmacological autonomic blockade (iv propranolol 0.2 mg/Kg and iv atropine 0.

Different electrophysiological modes of action of oral quinidine in man.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of oral quinidine on the normal sinus node (SN) and A-V node and to determine if the drug exerts in man the same effects observed in cardiac tissue preparations (i.e. both direct and vagolytic action).

Electrophysiology of normal anterograde atrio-ventricular conduction with and without autonomic blockade.

The electrophysiological measures of atrio-ventricular (A-V) conduction were investigated in 20 normal subjects (mean age: 43.9 +/- 15.7 years) both during basal state and after pharmacological autonomic blockade.

A method for evaluating different modes of action of an antiarrhythmic drug in man. The effects of propafenone on sinus nodal functions.

In vitro experiments have shown that the antiarrhythmic effects of propafenone are due to a direct depressant action and to a beta-blocking activity. In this study a method was used to evaluate the direct effect and the autonomically mediated actions of an antiarrhythmic agent in a clinical setting. An electrophysiological study was performed twice, at an interval of 24 hr, in 17 patients (age: 52 +/- 17 years) with normal resting and intrinsic heart rate.

[Effects of the autonomic nervous system on the refractory periods of atrioventricular conduction in man].

The purpose of the work is to evaluate in clinical setting the effects of autonomic nervous system on the refractory periods of atrio-ventricular (A-V) conduction. Electrophysiological study was carried out, both during basal state and after autonomic blockade induced by i.v.