Incidence and prognosis of intraabdominal hypertension in a mixed population of critically ill patients: a multiple-center epidemiological study

OBJECTIVE

Intraabdominal hypertension is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in surgical and trauma patients. The aim of this study was to assess, in a mixed population of critically ill patients, whether intraabdominal pressure at admission was an independent predictor for mortality and to evaluate the effects of intraabdominal hypertension on organ functions.

DESIGN

Multiple-center, prospective epidemiologic study.

SETTING

Fourteen intensive care units in six countries.

PATIENTS

A total of 265 consecutive patients admitted for >24 hrs during the 4-wk study period.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Intraabdominal pressure was measured twice daily via the bladder. Data recorded on admission were the patient demographics with Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, and type of admission; during intensive care stay, Sepsis-Related Organ Failure Assessment score and intraabdominal pressure were measured daily together with fluid balance. Nonsurvivors had a significantly higher mean intraabdominal pressure on admission than survivors: 11.4 +/- 4.8 vs. 9.5 +/- 4.8 mm Hg. Independent predictors for mortality were age (odds ratio, 1.04; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.06; p = .003), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score (odds ratio, 1.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-1.15; p < .0001), type of intensive care unit admission (odds ratio, 2.5 medical vs. surgical; 95% confidence interval, 1.24-5.16; p = .01), and the presence of liver dysfunction (odds ratio, 2.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-5.8; p = .04). The occurrence of intraabdominal hypertension during the intensive care unit stay was also an independent predictor of mortality (relative risk, 1.85; 95% confidence interval, 1.12-3.06; p = .01). Patients with intraabdominal hypertension at admission had significantly higher Sepsis-Related Organ Failure Assessment scores during the intensive care unit stay than patients without intraabdominal hypertension.

CONCLUSIONS

Intraabdominal hypertension on admission was associated with severe organ dysfunction during the intensive care unit stay. The mean intraabdominal pressure on admission was not an independent risk factor for mortality; however, the occurrence of intraabdominal hypertension during the intensive care unit stay was an independent outcome predictor.

Synthesis and characterization of novel palladium(II) complexes of bis(thiosemicarbazone). Structure, cytotoxic activity and DNA binding of Pd(II)-benzyl bis(thiosemicarbazonate)

The preparation of palladium(II) complexes of 3,5-diacyl-1,2,4-triazole bis(thiosemicarbazone) (H2L2), 2,6-diacylpyridine bis(thiosemicarbazone) (H2L3) and benzyl bis(thiosemicarbazone) (H2L4) is described. The new complexes [PdCl2(H2L2)] (1), [PdCl2(H2L3)] (2) and [PdL4].DMF (3) have been characterized by elemental analyses and spectroscopic studies (IR, 1H NMR and UV-Vis). The crystal and molecular structure of PdL4.DMF (L = bideprotonated form of benzyl bis(thiosemicarbazone)) has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction: green triclinic crystal, a = 10.258(5), b = 10.595(5), c = 11.189(5) A, alpha = 97.820(5), beta = 108.140(5), gamma = 105.283(5) degrees, space group P1, Z = 1. The palladium atom is tetracoordinated by four donor atoms (SNNS) from L4 to form a planar tricyclic ligating system. The testing of the cytotoxic activity of compound 3 against several human, monkey and murine cell lines sensitive (HeLa, Vero and Pam 212) and resistant to cis-DDP (Pam-ras) suggests that compound 3 might be endowed with important antitumor properties since it shows IC50 values in a microM range similar to those of cis-DDP [cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II)]. Moreover, compound 3 displays notable cytotoxic activity in Pam-ras cells resistant to cis-DDP (IC50 values of 78 microM versus 156 microM, respectively). On the other hand, the analysis of the interaction of this novel Pd-thiosemicarbazone compound with DNA secondary structure by means of circular dichroism spectroscopy indicates that it induces on the double helix conformational changes different from those induced by cis-DDP.

Keratinocyte growth factor and its receptor are involved in regulating early lung branching

Lung branching morphogenesis depends on mesenchymal-epithelial tissue interactions. Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) has been implicated to be a regulator of these tissue interactions. In the present study, we investigated the role of KGF in early rat lung organogenesis. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed KGF mRNA expression in the mesenchymal component of the 13-day embryonic lung, while message for KGF receptor (KGFR) was expressed in the epithelium, confirming the paracrine nature of KGF/KGFR axis. Antisense KGF oligonucleotides inhibited DNA synthesis of embryonic lung explants. This inhibitory effect of antisense KGF was partially reversed by the addition of exogenous KGF. Recombinant KGF was mitogenic for 13-day isolated embryonic lung epithelial cells. Medium conditioned by 13-day lung mesenchymal cells also stimulated DNA synthesis of 13-day embryonic lung epithelial cells. This stimulatory effect was partially abrogated by a neutralizing KGF antibody. The number of terminal buds of lung explants cultured in the presence of antisense KGF oligonucleotides was significantly reduced compared to control explants. Exogenous KGF partially abrogated the inhibitory effect of antisense KGF on early lung branching. Sense or scrambled KGF oligonucleotides had no inhibitory effect on lung growth and branching. Addition of neutralizing KGF antibodies to the explants also reduced the degree of branching, while non-immune IgG and neutralizing acidic FGF antibodies had no effect. Explants incubated with antisense oligonucleotides targeted to the initiation site of translation of both the splice variants of the fibroblast growth factor receptor-2 (FGFR2) gene, KGFR and bek, exhibited a similar reduction in lung branching as observed with antisense KGF oligonucleotides. Antisense KGFR-specific oligonucleotides dramatically inhibited lung branching, while exposure of explants to antisense bek-specific oligonucleotides resulted in reduced branching albeit to a lesser degree than that observed with antisense KGFR-specific oligonucleotides. Neither sense nor scrambled KGFR-specific oligonucleotides had any effect on early lung branching. These results suggest that the KGF/KGFR system has a critical role in early lung organogenesis.

Synthesis and characterization of complexes of p-isopropyl benzaldehyde and methyl 2-pyridyl ketone thiosemicarbazones with Zn(II) and Cd(II) metallic centers. Cytotoxic activity and induction of apoptosis in Pam-ras cells

It is known that metallic complexes of methyl 2-pyridyl ketone thiosemicarbazone (HL1) and p-isopropyl benzaldehyde thiosemicarbazone (HL2) may have potential antitumor activity. We have prepared complexes of HL1 and HL2 with Zn(II) and Cd(II). The cytotoxic activity shown by these compounds against cell lines sensitive and resistant to cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (cis-DDP) indicates that coupling of HL1 and HL2 to Zn(II) and Cd(II) centers may result in metallic complexes with important biological properties since they display IC50 values in a microM range similar to that of the antitumor drug cis-DDP. Moreover, it is interesting to note that the Zn/HL2 complex exhibits specific cytotoxic activity against Pam-ras cells (cis-DDP resistant cells which over-express the H-ras oncogene) with an in vitro therapeutic index of 3.26 versus 0.78 for cis-DDP. Treatment of Pam-ras cells with the IC50 value of the Zn/HL2 compound induces a 'DNA ladder' (fragmentation of genomic DNA in nucleosome units) indicative of apoptosis in this ras-transformed cell line. In contrast, a 'DNA smear' (non-specific fragmentation of genomic DNA) is observed in Pam 212 normal cells treated with the IC50 of this compound. The analysis by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy of the interaction of the Zn/HL2 compound with calf thymus DNA (CT DNA) indicates that it produces stronger alterations on the double helix conformation than cis-DDP. So, these results suggest that Zn/HL2 may be considered a potential antitumor agent.

Photodynamic therapy mediated by acai oil (Euterpe oleracea Martius) in nanoemulsion: A potential treatment for melanoma

Melanoma is the most aggressive and lethal form of skin cancer, responsible for >80% of deaths. Standard treatments for late-stage melanoma usually present poor results, leading to life-threatening side effects and low overall survival. Thus, it is necessary to rethink treatment strategies and design new tools for the treatment of this disease. On that ground, we hereby report the use of acai oil in nanoemulsion (NanoA) as a novel photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy (PDT) used to treat melanoma in in vitro and in vivo experimental models. NIH/3T3 normal cells and B16F10 melanoma cell lines were treated with PDT and presented 85% cell death for melanoma cells, while maintaining high viability in normal cells. Flow cytometry indicated that cell death occurred by late apoptosis/necrosis. Tumor bearing C57BL/6 mice treated five times with PDT using acai oil in nanoemulsion showed tumor volume reduction of 82% in comparison to control/tumor group. Necrotic tissue per tumor area reached its highest value in PDT-treated mice, supporting PDT efficacy. Overall, acai oil in nanoemulsion was an effective photosensitizer, representing a promising source of new photosensitizing molecules for PDT treatment of melanoma, a tumor with an inherent tendency to be refractory for this type of therapy.

PDGF-AA and its receptor influence early lung branching via an epithelial-mesenchymal interaction

The biological role of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-AA in lung morphogenesis was investigated by incubating embryonic lung explants with phosphorothioate antisense PDGF-A oligonucleotides, which decreased PDGF-AA but not PDGF-BB protein content. Antisense PDGF-A oligonucleotides inhibited DNA synthesis. This inhibitory effect of antisense PDGF-A was reversed by the addition of exogenous PDGF-AA but not PDGF-BB. Morphometric analyses of antisense-treated cultures showed a significant reduction in lung size. The number of terminal buds of the lung explants was significantly decreased by antisense PDGF-A oligonucleotides. PDGF-AA but not PDGF-BB attenuated the inhibitory effect of antisense PDGF-A on early lung branching. Sense PDGF-A had no effect on DNA synthesis and early lung branching. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed PDGF-A mRNA expression in the epithelial component of the embryonic lung, while message for PDGF alpha-receptor was expressed in the mesenchyme. Incubation of explants with neutralizing PDGF-AA antibodies also reduced DNA synthesis and early branching morphogenesis. We conclude that PDGF-AA and its receptor represent an important epithelial-mesenchymal interaction which plays a critical role in early lung branching morphogenesis.

Platelet-derived growth factors and growth-related genes in rat lung. III. Immunolocalization during fetal development

To further study the role of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in fetal lung development, the distribution of the PDGF homodimers PDGF-AA and PDGF-BB was examined by immunohistochemistry in embryonic and fetal rat lung from d 12 to 22 of gestation (term = 22 d). PDGF-AA and PDGF-BB were localized to airway epithelial cells as early as d 12 of gestation, 2 d before their appearance in mesenchymal cells. Both PDGF homodimer immunoreactivities increased until the late pseudoglandular stage of lung development, followed by fluctuations in reactivity during the canalicular stage. Only weak immunoreactivity to either PDGF homodimer was evident during the saccular stage of lung development. Immunodetection by Western blotting revealed that PDGF-AA and PDGF-BB homodimer protein concentrations were high during the embryonic and pseudoglandular stage of lung development and decreased with advancing gestation. We conclude that the presence of PDGF in both developing airway epithelial cells and mesenchymal cells, as well as gestation-dependent changes of PDGF homodimers, is compatible with a role for this growth factor during fetal lung development.

The effect of mechanical strain on fetal rat lung cell proliferation: comparison of two- and three-dimensional culture systems

Normal growth of the fetal lung is dependent on fetal breathing movements. We have previously reported that an intermittent strain, which simulates normal fetal breathing movements, stimulates DNA synthesis and cell division of mixed fetal rat lung cells maintained in organotypic culture. To examine which cell type is responding to mechanical strain and to investigate whether the effects of strain on cell proliferation and mechanotransduction are affected by tissue architecture, we isolated fetal lung cells and subjected them to intermittent strain either as two-dimensional monolayer cultures or as three-dimensional organotypic cultures. Strain enhanced DNA synthesis of mixed cells, epithelial cells, and fibroblasts when cultured in a three-dimensional configuration. In contrast, no stimulatory effect on cell proliferation was observed when cells were strained as monolayer cultures. Intracellular signals, induced by strain, and cell morphology also varied depending on the culture conditions. These results suggest that mechanical strain stimulates the proliferation of both epithelial cells and fibroblasts and that the response of fetal lung cells to mechanical strain in vitro depends on cellular architecture.

DNA interstrand cross-linking efficiency and cytotoxic activity of novel cadmium(II)-thiocarbodiazone complexes

We have prepared mono- and binuclear complexes of Zn(II) and Cd(II) with bis(2-pyridyl aldehyde) thiocarbodiazone (H(2)L(1)) and bis(methyl 3-pyridyl ketone) thiocarbodiazone (H(2)L(2)). Cytotoxicity data against the ovarian tumor cell line A2780cisR (acquired resistance to cisplatin) indicate that the mononuclear complex Cd/H(2)L(2) (1) and the binuclear complex Cd(2)/H(2)L(1) (4) are able to circumvent cisplatin resistance and that their cytotoxic activity does not substantially vary after depletion of intracellular levels of glutathione. Moreover, DNA binding studies show that complexes 1 and 4 have higher efficiency than cisplatin at forming DNA interstrand cross-links in both naked pBR322 plasmid and A2780cisR cellular DNA. Interestingly, the thiocarbodiazone ligands alone do not show the biological properties of complexes 1 and 4. Altogether these results suggest that DNA interstrand cross-link formation by compounds 1 and 4 might be related with their cytotoxic activity in cisplatin-resistant cells. We think that compounds 1 and 4 may represent a novel structural lead for the development of cadmium cytotoxic agents capable of improving antitumor activity in cisplatin-resistant tumors.

Different roles for PDGF-alpha and -beta receptors in embryonic lung development

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is implicated in the process of normal lung development. We have previously shown the presence of PDGF-AA and BB homodimers in embryonic rat lung. Also, we reported that PDGF-AA is involved in embryonic lung branching, whereas PDGF-BB influences embryonic lung growth. PDGF isoforms bind with different affinities to two related receptors, denoted the PDGF alpha- and beta-receptors, respectively. The alpha-receptor binds both PDGF isoforms, whereas the beta-receptor binds only PDGF-BB. In the present study, we investigated the role of both receptors in early embryonic rat lung development. Reverse-transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis revealed that both PDGF alpha- and beta-receptor mRNAs are mainly expressed in the mesenchyme. Phosphorothioate antisense receptor oligonucleotides decreased PDGF receptor mRNA expression in early lung explants. PDGF-induced receptor tyrosine phosphorylation was also reduced by the antisense oligonucleotides. Incubation of embryonic lung explants with antisense beta-receptor oligonucleotides inhibited lung growth but not early lung branching. Neither growth nor branching were affected by sense beta-receptor oligonucleotides. The inhibitory effect of antisense beta-receptor oligonucleotides on embryonic lung growth was reversed by the addition of PDGF-BB or PDGF-AA, suggesting that the alpha-receptor can transduce similar mitogenic signals as the beta-receptor in early lung development. Antisense alpha-receptor oligonucleotides reduced both embryonic lung growth and branching. Sense alpha-receptor treatment had no effect on lung growth and branching. PDGF-BB but not PDGF-AA partially attenuated the inhibitory effect of antisense alpha-receptor oligonucleotides on lung growth. In contrast, PDGF-BB did not overcome the inhibitory effect on early lung branching, indicating that the beta-receptor cannot replace this biologic role of the alpha-receptor in early lung development. These data suggest that PDGF-BB stimulation of both receptors leads to lung growth, whereas PDGF-AA stimulation of the alpha-receptor induces transduction pathways that lead lung branching.

Expression of surfactant proteins in embryonic rat lung

Because surfactant proteins A, B, and C (SP-A, SP-B, and SP-C) are putative markers for alveolar epithelial type II cells, we investigated their expression in embryonic rat lung (12 to 15 days, term = 22 days). The expression of the messages for SP-A, SP-B, and SP-C was assessed by the reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Embryonic rat lung at 12 days' gestation lacked detectable mRNAs for all three surfactant proteins. Messages for SP-A, SP-B, and SP-C were, however, present in embryonic rat lung at 13 days' gestation. Expression of SP-A mRNA increased in embryonic rat lung with advancing gestation. Surfactant protein mRNA expression during the embryonic period of lung development was limited to the epithelial cells. The expression of SP-A mRNA, while limited to the lung, did not appear to be a marker for cells destined to become type II cells, since it was detected in the trachea and the presumptive main bronchial ducts of embryonic rat lung at 13 days' gestation, as well as in the distal lung prealveolar region. Expression of both SP-B and SP-C mRNAs in embryonic lung was confined to the distal portion of the ductal system, although message of SP-C was also found in brain and kidney. These results suggest that none of the three surfactant protein mRNAs studied are, at this early stage of lung development, specific for cells destined to become type II pneumocytes.

Antisense oligodeoxynucleotides targeting PDGF-B mRNA inhibit cell proliferation during embryonic rat lung development

There is increasing evidence to suggest that platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) or PDGF-like molecules play a role in fetal lung morphogenesis. Our previous studies demonstrated the presence of PDGF-AA and PDGF-BB homodimers in embryonic and fetal rat lung. To explore further the role for PDGF-BB in embryonic lung development, we conducted intervention studies using PDGF-B chain-specific antisense oligodeoxynucleotides in a simple embryonic rat lung explant system. Unmodified antisense PDGF-B oligodeoxynucleotides inhibited, in a concentration-dependent manner, DNA synthesis of embryonic lung. A maximal inhibition of 50% was observed. The inhibitory effect of antisense PDGF-B oligodeoxynucleotides on DNA synthesis was reversed by the addition of exogenous PDGF-BB but not PDGF-AA. Antisense treatment decreased PDGF-BB but not PDGF-AA protein content, as assessed by immunoblot analyses. Incubation of lung explants with PDGF-BB neutralizing antibodies also resulted in an inhibition of DNA synthesis. Morphometric analyses of antisense-treated cultures showed a significant reduction in lung size when compared to control cultures. The epithelial component of the embryonic lungs was specifically reduced, both in mass and DNA labelling index, by antisense treatment. The number of terminal buds of the lung explants was not significantly affected by antisense PDGF-B treatment. Scrambled PDGF-B oligodeoxynucleotides had no effect. These data suggest that PDGF-BB is involved in regulating growth, but not the degree of branching, of embryonic rat lung.

Low-Cost Electronic Tagging System for Bee Monitoring

This paper introduces both a hardware and a software system designed to allow low-cost electronic monitoring of social insects using RFID tags. Data formats for individual insect identification and their associated experiment are proposed to facilitate data sharing from experiments conducted with this system. The antennas’ configuration and their duty cycle ensure a high degree of detection rates. Other advantages and limitations of this system are discussed in detail in the paper.

Optic nerve cysticercosis: a case report

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Platinum(II) and palladium(II) complexes of pyridine-2-carbaldehyde thiosemicarbazone as alternative antiherpes simplex virus agents

The cytotoxicity and the antivirus activity of Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes with pyridine-2-carbaldehyde thiosemicarbazone (HFoTsc) against HSV replication were evaluated on four HSV strains—two wt strains Victoria (HSV-1) and BJA (HSV-2) and two ACV^R mutants with different tk gene mutations R-100 (TK^A, HSV-1) and PU (TK^N, HSV-2). The experiments were performed on continuous MDBK cells and four HSV 1 and HSV 2 strains were used, two sensitive to acyclovir and two resistant mutants. The five complexes of HFoTsc, [Pt(FoTsc)Cl], [Pt(FoTsc)(H₂FoTsc)]Cl₂, [Pt(FoTsc)₂], [Pd(FoTsc)(H₂FoTsc)]Cl₂, and [Pd(FoTsc)₂], were found to be effective inhibitors of HSV replication. The most promising, active, and selective anti-HSV agent was found to be complex [Pt(FoTsc)(H₂FoTsc)]Cl₂. This complex could be useful in the treatment of HSV infections, since it is resistant to ACV mutants. PCR study of immediate early 300 bp ReIV Us1 region reveals that the complex [Pt(FoTsc)(H₂FoTsc)]Cl₂ specifically suppressed wt HSV-1 genome 2 hours after the infection, not inducing apoptosis/necrosis on the 8 hours after virus infection. The target was found to be most probably the viral, instead of the host cell DNA.

Short-term effects of biosolid and municipal solid waste applications on heavy metals distribution in a degraded soil under a semi-arid environment

Digested biosolid (SS) and municipal solid waste (MSW) were surface-applied to a degraded carbonated soil, under semi-arid environment, at rates of 0 and 80 Mg/ha, to determine the changes in organic matter and in the distribution of heavy metals in the topsoil, 1 year after its application. Waste application slightly increased the organic matter content and improved the composition of humic fractions in the treated soils, mainly in the MSW amended plots. A sequential extraction method (Tessier et al., 1979) was used to determine the distribution of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in both the waste and the amended.soils. Waste application had little effect on the total concentration of Ni and Cr in the treated soils as a consequence of the low availability of these metals in the wastes. A considerable increase of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn was observed as a consequence of the high content and/or high availability of these metals in the wastes. The more labile fraction (exchangeable fraction) of all metals studied increased slightly (< 1.5 mg/kg) when SS and MSW were added. However, a remarkable increase in the Fe/Mn oxide fraction of Cd, Cu and Pb and in the organic fraction of Zn were noted in treated plots, this increase being higher in the MSW treated soils.

Examining Sexual Function Among Individuals With HIV in a Midwestern US Urban Outpatient Clinic Setting

The role of sexual function and its impact on HIV management have been inadequately evaluated. A cross-sectional study in 2009 of 202 patients with HIV were recruited to examine sexual function and psychosocial/HIV management factors. Analyses assessed the relationship between sexual function, sociodemographic factors, biomedical markers, and depressive symptomology. The M-Estimator compared differences in the means of the HIV, cancer survivors, and the normative cohorts. More than 75% were on combination antiretroviral therapy, of which 70% had suppressed HIV viral loads. Patients with unsuppressed HIV viral loads reported lower rates of arousal. Better overall health was associated with higher rates of overall sexual function, arousal, and interest. Compared to the normative and cancer survivor cohorts, mean sexual function was significantly lower in the HIV-infected cohort in all subscales, except for masturbation. These findings suggest lower sexual function impacts individuals with HIV in ways related to negative biomedical and psychosocial factors.

Foraging and Drifting Patterns of the Highly Eusocial Neotropical Stingless Bee Melipona fasciculata Assessed by Radio-Frequency Identification Tags

Bees play a key role in ecosystem services as the main pollinators of numerous flowering plants. Studying factors influencing their foraging behavior is relevant not only to understand their biology, but also how populations might respond to changes in their habitat and to the climate. Here, we used radio-frequency identification tags to monitor the foraging behavior of the neotropical stingless bee Melipona fasciculata with special interest in drifting patterns i.e., when a forager drifts into a foreign nest. In addition, we collected meteorological data to study how abiotic factors affect bees’ activity and behavior. Our results show that only 35% of bees never drifted to another hive nearby, and that factors such as temperature, humidity and solar irradiation affected the bees drifting rates and/or foraging activity. Moreover, we tested whether drifting levels would decrease after marking the nest entrances with different patterns. However, contrary to our predictions, there was an increase in the proportion of drifting, which could indicate factors other than orientation mistakes playing a role in this behavior. Overall, our results demonstrate how managed bee populations are affected by both nearby hives and climate factors, offering insights on their biology and potential commercial application as crop pollinators.

Analysis of Honeybee Drone Activity during the Mating Season in Northwestern Argentina

Males in Hymenopteran societies are understudied in many aspects and it is assumed that they only have a reproductive function. We studied the time budget of male honey bees, drones, using multiple methods. Changes in the activities of animals provide important information on biological clocks and their health. Yet, in nature, these changes are subtle and often unobservable without the development and use of modern technology. During the spring and summer mating season, drones emerge from the hive, perform orientation flights, and search for drone congregation areas for mating. This search may lead drones to return to their colony, drift to other colonies (vectoring diseases and parasites), or simply get lost to predation. In a low percentage of cases, the search is successful, and drones mate and die. Our objective was to describe the activity of Apis mellifera drones during the mating season in Northwestern Argentina using three methods: direct observation, video recording, and radio frequency identification (RFID). The use of RFID tagging allows the tracking of a bee for 24 h but does not reveal the detailed activity of drones. We quantified the average number of drones' departure and arrival flights and the time outside the hive. All three methods confirmed that drones were mostly active in the afternoon. We found no differences in results between those obtained by direct observation and by video recording. RFID technology enabled us to discover previously unknown drone behavior such as activity at dawn and during the morning. We also discovered that drones may stay inside the hive for many days, even after initiation of search flights (up to four days). Likewise, we observed drones to leave the hive for several days to return later (up to three days). The three methods were complementary and should be considered for the study of bee drone activity, which may be associated with the diverse factors influencing hive health.

Association between p21 Ser31Arg polymorphism and the development of cervical lesion in women infected with high risk HPV

Infection by high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in genes involved in cell cycle control, as p21 and p27, are important factors in the development of different types of human cancers. This study aims at investigating whether both the p21 Ser31Arg and p27 V109G polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to the development of cervical lesions in women HR-HPV positive. We analyzed 132 women HPV positive and with cervical lesions or CC and 154 healthy control (HPV negative and without cervical lesions). p21 Ser31Arg and p27 V109G polymorphisms were analyzed using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method and sequencing. The p21 31Arg allele was associated with susceptibility for the development of cervical lesions (P* = 0.0009), while p27 V109G polymorphism showed no significant differences for this association (P* = 0.89). However, the combined effect of the polymorphisms showed that the presence of the CC genotype (SNP p21 Ser31Arg) conferred protection for the development of cervical lesions (OR = 0.39). p21 Ser31Arg and p27 V109G polymorphisms were not associated with the grade of cervical lesions (CINI, CINII, and CINIII) or CC (P* > 0.05). The HR-HPV more frequent in this study were of 16 (57.6 %) and 18 (37.1 %) types; however, no association was observed when both polymorphisms and risk factors analyzed were compared (P* > 0.05). Our findings suggest a possible association between p21 Ser31tabArg polymorphism and susceptibility to the development of cervical lesions in women from Pernambuco. Brazil.