cometadata/datacite-titles-descriptions-related-identifiers huggingface dataset:
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.6968201.v1
title: The importance of histopathology in the diagnosis of isolated renal sarcoidosis: a case report

description: ABSTRACT Introduction: Sarcoidosis is a systemic inflammatory disease of unknown etiology, characterized by the presence of non-caseating granulomas in several organs; renal impairment alone is a rare condition. When it affects the kidneys, the most prevalent manifestations are hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria. This paper aims to address the topic of renal sarcoidosis, by means of a case report, and reinstate the importance of histopathology in its diagnosis. Methods: The data came from an observational clinical study with a qualitative approach, through an interview with the renal sarcoidosis patient and data from her medical records. Case report: Patient D.M.S., 50 years old, Caucasian, presented with reddish eyes and body pains lasting for fifteen days as first manifestations of the disease. Upon kidney ultrasound scan, we found renal parenchymal nephropathy. Serial renal function and metabolic tests reported anemia and progressive urea and creatinine changes, as well as hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria, confirming acute kidney failure (AKF). A histopathological examination suggested the diagnosis, which was confirmed by clinical, laboratory and histopathological data. There was therapeutic resolution after steroid therapy. Discussion: The symptomatology of sarcoidosis is diverse and often non-specific. Renal manifestation, which usually occurs after organ involvement, is present in less than 5% of patients, and about 1% to 2% of these patients may develop AKF. Conclusions: The use of histopathology together with clinical and laboratory data to diagnose isolated renal sarcoidosis, rule out other etiologies and introduce early treatment is of paramount importance.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.6968195
title: Spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) in Agricultural Land Use Systems in Subtropical Environments

description: ABSTRACT Changes in land use management in agricultural areas can affect the biodiversity of spider families. This study aimed to evaluate spider diversity in different land use systems with capture by two sampling methods, and to identify soil properties that can modulate the occurrence of spiders. Five land use systems, representative of traditional agricultural areas, were evaluated in the west of Santa Catarina, Brazil, to establish a scale of land use intensity: native forest, eucalyptus reforestation areas, pastures, crop-livestock integration areas, and annual crops under no-tillage. The collection methods were manual from soil monoliths and soil traps. Altogether 479 individuals were captured, which were distributed among 20 families, 40 genera, and 8 species. Principal component analysis separated the land use systems and showed an association of spider families with land use in the two sampling methods. There was reduction in spider diversity as the intensity of land use increased. The manual collection method was more efficient for families of soil spiders, whereas traps were more efficient for epigeic spiders. The Lycosidae family was more resistant to environmental pressures, while Oonopidae and Amaurobiidae were more sensitive to environmental modifications. The differences in the spider communities were explained by the following soil properties: organic matter, mean weight-diameter of soil aggregates, and resistance to penetration, which were associated with the degree of anthropic intervention in the land use systems.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.6968198.v1
title: EFFECTS OF URBAN SPRAWL ON FOREST CONSERVATION IN A METROPOLITAN WATER SOURCE AREA

description: ABSTRACT The clearing of native vegetation in water source areas and its effects on water supply availability have become a major concern in large metropolises. This study examined the spatial and temporal changes in land use and cover and their effects on the conservation of Atlantic Forest in a water source area in the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo that is the second most densely populated territory in Brazil, the municipality of Diadema. Historical maps and trend scenarios were developed by applying the Markov chain in association with cellular automata. Forest conservation was assessed based on a set of landscape metrics of resource availability, fragment isolation, and trends of forest fragmentation. Our findings revealed an increase in urban growth of 37% in the last five decades directly associated to the clearing of 50% of forests in intermediate/advanced stages and 40% in early stages. The main drivers of landscape change were human-modified fields (41%) and net roads (54%). Optimal resource availability was drastically reduced (75%) while isolation increased (361.5%) among existing forest fragments. Therefore, future trends indicate that, without changes in the management of the area, deforestation may occur rapidly and continuously until 10% of forest remains, leading to potential adverse effects on water availability and quality of the Billings Reservoir and the local biodiversity.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.6968192
title: MINIMALLY INVASIVE CIRCUMFERENTIAL ARTHRODESIS OF THE FOURTH LUMBAR LEVEL FOR SPONDYLOLISTHESIS TREATMENT

description: ABSTRACT Objective: To know the clinical and radiographic results of patients with L4-L5 degenerative spondylolisthesis grade I, II, and III surgically treated with minimally invasive 360-degree arthrodesis. To determine the clinical and radiographic results according to the Oswestry Index 6 months after surgery and the percentage of postsurgical reduction in these patients. Methods: The present study was developed in the Department of Spinal Surgery of the Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad Lomas Verdes, from October 2016 to August 2017. It is a prospective, cross-sectional, comparative observational study. We evaluated the reduction of the listhesis using pre and post-operative radiographs, as well as the Oswestry Disability Index. Results: The sample was composed of 12 patients, eight females and four males, showing a statistical significance in the Student’s t test, with p=0.05 for both variables. Conclusions: Degenerative spondylolisthesis of the 4th lumbar level is a very frequent pathology that affects groups of productive age and represents a burden not only for the patient, but also for the community. This surgical technique showed a high level of security and confidence for its resolution, showing results comparable to the literature. However, it requires certain technical resources and training to be performed. Evidence Level II; Prospective comparative study.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.6968195.v1
title: Spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) in Agricultural Land Use Systems in Subtropical Environments

description: ABSTRACT Changes in land use management in agricultural areas can affect the biodiversity of spider families. This study aimed to evaluate spider diversity in different land use systems with capture by two sampling methods, and to identify soil properties that can modulate the occurrence of spiders. Five land use systems, representative of traditional agricultural areas, were evaluated in the west of Santa Catarina, Brazil, to establish a scale of land use intensity: native forest, eucalyptus reforestation areas, pastures, crop-livestock integration areas, and annual crops under no-tillage. The collection methods were manual from soil monoliths and soil traps. Altogether 479 individuals were captured, which were distributed among 20 families, 40 genera, and 8 species. Principal component analysis separated the land use systems and showed an association of spider families with land use in the two sampling methods. There was reduction in spider diversity as the intensity of land use increased. The manual collection method was more efficient for families of soil spiders, whereas traps were more efficient for epigeic spiders. The Lycosidae family was more resistant to environmental pressures, while Oonopidae and Amaurobiidae were more sensitive to environmental modifications. The differences in the spider communities were explained by the following soil properties: organic matter, mean weight-diameter of soil aggregates, and resistance to penetration, which were associated with the degree of anthropic intervention in the land use systems.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.6968189
title: SEEDLING GROWTH OF TREE SPECIES UNDER DOSES OF HYDROGEL AND TWO LEVELS OF LUMINOSITY

description: ABSTRACT Hydrogels (polyacrylamide compounds) are recommended in agriculture and forestry as soil conditioners because they are able to absorb water and increase its stocks in the soil. The aim of this study was to determine the most suitable dose of hydrogel to establish seedlings of Enterolobium contortisilliquum (Vell.) Morong under two levels of luminosity. Seedlings of Enterolobium contortisilliquum (Vell.) Morong were planted in pots, following a design of subdivided plots, consisting of two levels of luminosity in the plots: full sun and 50% luminosity, and 10 doses of hydrogel in the sub-plots: 0.0, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5 and 6.0 g L-1. Seventy-two days after the seedlings were transplanted to the pots, plant height and diameter were determined, together with the height to diameter ratio, root length and diameter, shoot and root dry weight, and the shoot to root ratio. The lowest ratios between height and stem diameter (8.50 and 8.68) occurred in the seedlings in full sun at the doses of 0 and 2 g hydrogel L-1 respectively. For shaded seedlings the lowest ratio (8.14) occurred at the dose of 3.0 g L-1, but with a lower coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.68). Shoot dry weight increased with the dose of 2 g L-1 in full sun, and 3.5 g L-1 under shaded conditions. The doses of hydrogel giving the best initial development in seedlings under evaluation were 2 g L-1 in full sun and 3.5 g L-1 in the shaded environment. Although a response by the species to the doses of hydrogel was found, the benefits of the polymer were not evident under the conditions of the present study.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.6968192.v1
title: MINIMALLY INVASIVE CIRCUMFERENTIAL ARTHRODESIS OF THE FOURTH LUMBAR LEVEL FOR SPONDYLOLISTHESIS TREATMENT

description: ABSTRACT Objective: To know the clinical and radiographic results of patients with L4-L5 degenerative spondylolisthesis grade I, II, and III surgically treated with minimally invasive 360-degree arthrodesis. To determine the clinical and radiographic results according to the Oswestry Index 6 months after surgery and the percentage of postsurgical reduction in these patients. Methods: The present study was developed in the Department of Spinal Surgery of the Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad Lomas Verdes, from October 2016 to August 2017. It is a prospective, cross-sectional, comparative observational study. We evaluated the reduction of the listhesis using pre and post-operative radiographs, as well as the Oswestry Disability Index. Results: The sample was composed of 12 patients, eight females and four males, showing a statistical significance in the Student’s t test, with p=0.05 for both variables. Conclusions: Degenerative spondylolisthesis of the 4th lumbar level is a very frequent pathology that affects groups of productive age and represents a burden not only for the patient, but also for the community. This surgical technique showed a high level of security and confidence for its resolution, showing results comparable to the literature. However, it requires certain technical resources and training to be performed. Evidence Level II; Prospective comparative study.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.6968189.v1
title: SEEDLING GROWTH OF TREE SPECIES UNDER DOSES OF HYDROGEL AND TWO LEVELS OF LUMINOSITY

description: ABSTRACT Hydrogels (polyacrylamide compounds) are recommended in agriculture and forestry as soil conditioners because they are able to absorb water and increase its stocks in the soil. The aim of this study was to determine the most suitable dose of hydrogel to establish seedlings of Enterolobium contortisilliquum (Vell.) Morong under two levels of luminosity. Seedlings of Enterolobium contortisilliquum (Vell.) Morong were planted in pots, following a design of subdivided plots, consisting of two levels of luminosity in the plots: full sun and 50% luminosity, and 10 doses of hydrogel in the sub-plots: 0.0, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5 and 6.0 g L-1. Seventy-two days after the seedlings were transplanted to the pots, plant height and diameter were determined, together with the height to diameter ratio, root length and diameter, shoot and root dry weight, and the shoot to root ratio. The lowest ratios between height and stem diameter (8.50 and 8.68) occurred in the seedlings in full sun at the doses of 0 and 2 g hydrogel L-1 respectively. For shaded seedlings the lowest ratio (8.14) occurred at the dose of 3.0 g L-1, but with a lower coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.68). Shoot dry weight increased with the dose of 2 g L-1 in full sun, and 3.5 g L-1 under shaded conditions. The doses of hydrogel giving the best initial development in seedlings under evaluation were 2 g L-1 in full sun and 3.5 g L-1 in the shaded environment. Although a response by the species to the doses of hydrogel was found, the benefits of the polymer were not evident under the conditions of the present study.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.6968183
title: WOOD STRUCTURE, XYLEM FUNCTIONALITY AND GROWTH OF SIX SALIX CLONES IN TWO SITES WITH DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS IN ARGENTINA

description: ABSTRACT The aims of the study were to evaluate the effects of abiotic stress (plantation site) and genotype (clone) on the wood anatomy and density of six Salix (willow) clones at three ages (2, 7, and 12 years), and the impact of these effects on the theoretical xylem hydraulic conductivity (Ks) and growth. The clones studied were ´Ragonese 131-25 INTA´, ´Ragonese 131-27 INTA´ and “250-33” (originated from crosses between Salix babylonica and S. alba), ´Barrett 13-44 INTA´ and “NZ 26992” (originated from crosses between S. matsudana and S. alba), and the clone S. babylonica var. sacramenta ´Soveny Americano´. They were planted in two sites of the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina, with different abiotic stress: i) the Paraná River Delta, a site with recurrent floods, and ii) a continental site with lower water availability and no floods. The vessel morphometry, wood density, Ks, and current annual increments at the three ages were determined. The clone x site interaction was the source of variation with greatest impact, being this significant for vessel diameter, Ks, wood density and growth. This means that, depending on the type of stress at the plantation site, the clones responded differently, showing differences in their structure, functionality, and wood production. The results showed that the clones Soveny Americano and 26992 were better suited to stress by flood, whereas clones 131-25, 131-27, 250-33 and 13-44 were better adapted to moderate drought conditions, with responses at the level of the xylem and wood density, and therefore at the level of wood production.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.6968183.v1
title: WOOD STRUCTURE, XYLEM FUNCTIONALITY AND GROWTH OF SIX SALIX CLONES IN TWO SITES WITH DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS IN ARGENTINA

description: ABSTRACT The aims of the study were to evaluate the effects of abiotic stress (plantation site) and genotype (clone) on the wood anatomy and density of six Salix (willow) clones at three ages (2, 7, and 12 years), and the impact of these effects on the theoretical xylem hydraulic conductivity (Ks) and growth. The clones studied were ´Ragonese 131-25 INTA´, ´Ragonese 131-27 INTA´ and “250-33” (originated from crosses between Salix babylonica and S. alba), ´Barrett 13-44 INTA´ and “NZ 26992” (originated from crosses between S. matsudana and S. alba), and the clone S. babylonica var. sacramenta ´Soveny Americano´. They were planted in two sites of the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina, with different abiotic stress: i) the Paraná River Delta, a site with recurrent floods, and ii) a continental site with lower water availability and no floods. The vessel morphometry, wood density, Ks, and current annual increments at the three ages were determined. The clone x site interaction was the source of variation with greatest impact, being this significant for vessel diameter, Ks, wood density and growth. This means that, depending on the type of stress at the plantation site, the clones responded differently, showing differences in their structure, functionality, and wood production. The results showed that the clones Soveny Americano and 26992 were better suited to stress by flood, whereas clones 131-25, 131-27, 250-33 and 13-44 were better adapted to moderate drought conditions, with responses at the level of the xylem and wood density, and therefore at the level of wood production.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.6968177
title: FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH PERSISTENCE OF PAIN IN LUMBAR STENOSIS SURGERY

description: ABSTRACT Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the factors associated with the persistence of pain in patients operated on for lumbar stenosis. Method: One hundred and fifty-three patients were studied, divided into two groups: 1) Patients with persistent pain in varying degrees, 2) Patients without pain. Age, sex, affected levels, comorbidities, surgical risk, and type of surgical procedure were evaluated. Results: There were 108 patients in the group with pain and 45 in the group without pain. In the group with pain, there were 28 patients with diabetes mellitus, 31 smokers, and 28 alcohol-dependent patients, with a significant difference of p = 0.001 and an RR = 1.1. A simple widening procedure was performed in 48 patients in the group with pain and 12 patients in the group without pain, with RR = 0.8, and widening plus instrumentation was performed in 7 patients in both the with and without pain groups. Conclusion: The indication of a surgical procedure in patients with spinal stenosis must take many factors into account in addition to clinical factors and the segments affected, since these factors impact patient prognosis. In the multivariate analysis, the variable most closely associated with persistent pain was the procedure performed. Level of Evidence III; Case-control study.g
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.6968174
title: Structural insights into Plasmodium falciparum nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase: oligomeric assembly

description: The biochemical pathways involved in nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) biosynthesis converge at the enzymatic step catalysed by nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase (NMNAT, EC: 2.7.7.1). The majority of NMNATs are assembled into homo-oligomeric states that comprise 2-6 subunits. Recently, the NMNAT of Plasmodium falciparum (PfNMNAT) has been identified as a pharmacological target. The enzymatic characterisation, cellular location, and tertiary structure of the PfNMNAT protein have been reported. Nonetheless, its quaternary structure remains to be explored. The present study describes the oligomeric assembly of the 6 x His-PfNMNAT recombinant protein using immobilised metal affinity chromatography coupled with size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and native protein electrophoresis combined with Ferguson plot graphing. These chromatographic approaches resulted in the elution of an active monomer from the SEC column, whereas the Ferguson plot indicated a dimeric assembly of the 6 x His-PfNMNAT protein.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.6968177.v1
title: FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH PERSISTENCE OF PAIN IN LUMBAR STENOSIS SURGERY

description: ABSTRACT Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the factors associated with the persistence of pain in patients operated on for lumbar stenosis. Method: One hundred and fifty-three patients were studied, divided into two groups: 1) Patients with persistent pain in varying degrees, 2) Patients without pain. Age, sex, affected levels, comorbidities, surgical risk, and type of surgical procedure were evaluated. Results: There were 108 patients in the group with pain and 45 in the group without pain. In the group with pain, there were 28 patients with diabetes mellitus, 31 smokers, and 28 alcohol-dependent patients, with a significant difference of p = 0.001 and an RR = 1.1. A simple widening procedure was performed in 48 patients in the group with pain and 12 patients in the group without pain, with RR = 0.8, and widening plus instrumentation was performed in 7 patients in both the with and without pain groups. Conclusion: The indication of a surgical procedure in patients with spinal stenosis must take many factors into account in addition to clinical factors and the segments affected, since these factors impact patient prognosis. In the multivariate analysis, the variable most closely associated with persistent pain was the procedure performed. Level of Evidence III; Case-control study.g
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.6968174.v1
title: Structural insights into Plasmodium falciparum nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase: oligomeric assembly

description: The biochemical pathways involved in nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) biosynthesis converge at the enzymatic step catalysed by nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase (NMNAT, EC: 2.7.7.1). The majority of NMNATs are assembled into homo-oligomeric states that comprise 2-6 subunits. Recently, the NMNAT of Plasmodium falciparum (PfNMNAT) has been identified as a pharmacological target. The enzymatic characterisation, cellular location, and tertiary structure of the PfNMNAT protein have been reported. Nonetheless, its quaternary structure remains to be explored. The present study describes the oligomeric assembly of the 6 x His-PfNMNAT recombinant protein using immobilised metal affinity chromatography coupled with size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and native protein electrophoresis combined with Ferguson plot graphing. These chromatographic approaches resulted in the elution of an active monomer from the SEC column, whereas the Ferguson plot indicated a dimeric assembly of the 6 x His-PfNMNAT protein.