[Indocyanine green fluorescence angiography in transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy for papillary thyroid cancer]. / Primenenie fluorestsentnoi angiografii s indotsianinom zelenym v transoral'noi endoskopicheskoi tireoidektomii pri papillyarnom rake shchitovidnoi zhelezy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of ICG angiography in patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) undergoing transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy (TOETVA) and selective neck dissection (level VI). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis included 20 patients with PTC who underwent TOETVA with selective neck dissection (level VI) between September and December 2022. ICG was administered intravenously (5 mg ´ 3 times). We analyzed parathyroid glands by visual examination and ICG angiography. Fluorescence of all glands was assessed. RESULTS: Twenty patients underwent ICG angiography during TOETVA. A total of 68 parathyroid glands were identified. Only 76.5% (52/68) of parathyroid glands were identified at initial visual examination. ICG angiography additionally localized 12 glands that improved detection to 94.1% (64/68). At least one well-vascularized parathyroid gland was demonstrated by ICG angiography in 16 patients. In all these patients, serum parathyroid hormone was normal in 1 and 10 days after surgery. Two out of four patients who failed to identify a well-vascularized parathyroid gland developed transient hypoparathyroidism. There were no intraoperative and postoperative complications associated with ICG angiography. CONCLUSION: ICG angiography was simple, safe and effective for better identification and preservation of parathyroid glands in patients with PTC undergoing TOETVA. This method was valuable for assessing the viability and function of parathyroid glands and predicting postoperative hypocalcemia.

CircRNA-SCAF8 promotes vascular endothelial cell pyroptosis by regulating the miR-93-5p/TXNIP axis. / 环状RNA-SCAF8通过miR-93-5p/TXNIPé€šè·¯ä¿ƒè¿›è¡€ç®¡å† çš®ç»†èƒžç„¦äº¡.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the role and mechanism of circRNA-SR-related CTD associated factor 8 (SCAF8) in regulating endothelial cell pyroptosis in high glucose environment. METHODS: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured and divided into six groups. The normal control group and high glucose control group were cultured in cell culture medium with 5 and 33 mmol/L glucose, respectively. The RNA control group, circRNA-SCAF8 inhibition group, miR-93-5p overexpression group and miR-93-5p inhibition group were added with non-functional siRNA, circRNA-SCAF8 inhibitor, miR-93-5p overexpression molecule and miR-93-5p inhibitor in high glucose environment, respectively. Cell viability and pyroptosis were detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, flow cytometry and Hoechst 33342/propidium iodide fluorescence double staining. Western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to detect the expression of pyroptosis-related factors including apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), cysteine aspartic acid specific protease-1 (caspase-1) and Gasdermin D (GSDMD), NOD like receptor protein 3 (NLRP-3), thioredoxin interacting proteins (TXNIP), IL-18 and IL-1ß. The expression of circRNA-SCAF8, miR-93-5p and TXNIP was detected by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was used to locate circRNA-SCAF8 and miR-93-5p. Dual luciferase assay was used to verify the targeted regulatory relationship between miR-93-5p and upstream and downstream molecules. RESULTS: Compared with the RNA control group, the cell survival rate of circRNA-SCAF8 inhibition group and miR-93-5p overexpression group increased (both P<0.01), the pyroptosis decreased (both P<0.01), and the expressions of pyroptosis-related factors such as TXNIP, NLRP-3, caspase-1, GSDMD, ASC, IL-18 and IL-1ß were significantly decreased (all P<0.05). The expression of miR-93-5p was significantly increased after inhibition of circRNA-SCAF8 (P<0.01), and the expression of circRNA-SCAF8 tended to decrease after overexpression of miR-93-5p, but with no statistical significance (P>0.05). Dual luciferase assay showed that miR-93-5p downre-gulated circRNA-SCAF8 expression by binding to the 3 ´ UTR region of circRNA-SCAF8, and miR-93-5p downregulated TXNIP expression by binding to the 3 ´ UTR region of TXNIP. FISH showed that circRNA-SCAF8 and miR-93-5p were both located in the cytoplasm and were highly associated in the cells. qRT-PCR showed that the relative expression of TXNIP increased or decreased after overexpression or inhibition of miR-93-5p compared with the RNA control group, respectively (both P<0.05), suggesting that miR-93-5p could regulate TXNIP gene expression. CONCLUSIONS: CircRNA-SCAF8/miR-93-5p/TXNIP axis is involved in the regulation of pyroptosis in HUVECs under high glucose.

A Single Test Protocol to Establish the Full Spectrum of Exercise Intensity Prescription.

PURPOSE: We aimed to test the extended capabilities of the SRS protocol by validating its capacity to predict the power outputs for targeted metabolic rates (V̇O 2 ) and time-to-task failure ( Tlim ) within the heavy- and severe-intensity domain, respectively. METHODS: Fourteen young individuals completed (i) an SRS protocol from which the power outputs at GET and RCP (RCP CORR ), and the work accruable above RCP CORR , defined as W ' RAMP , were derived; (ii) one heavy-intensity bout at a power output predicted to elicit a targeted V̇O 2 equidistant from GET and RCP; and (iii) four severe-intensity trials at power outputs predicted to elicit targeted Tlim at minutes 2.5, 5, 10, and 13. These severe-intensity trials were also used to compute the constant-load-derived critical power and W ´ ( W ' CONSTANT ). RESULTS: Targeted (2.41 ± 0.52 L·min -1 ) and measured (2.43 ± 0.52 L·min -1 ) V̇O 2 at the identified heavy-intensity power output (162 ± 43 W) were not different ( P = 0.71) and substantially concordant (CCC = 0.95). Likewise, targeted and measured Tlim for the four identified severe-intensity power outputs were not different ( P > 0.05), and the aggregated coefficient of variation was 10.7% ± 8.9%. The derived power outputs at RCP CORR (192 ± 53 W) and critical power (193 ± 53 W) were not different ( P = 0.65) and highly concordant (CCC = 0.99). There were also no differences between W ' RAMP and W ' CONSTANT ( P = 0.51). CONCLUSIONS: The SRS protocol can accurately predict power outputs to elicit discrete metabolic rates and exercise durations, thus providing, with time efficiency, a high precision for the control of the metabolic stimulus during exercise.

Classification of bladder cancer based on immune cell infiltration and construction of a risk prediction model for prognosis. / åŸºäºŽå ç–«ç»†èƒžæµ¸æ¶¦è¯„åˆ†å®žçŽ°è†€èƒ±ç™Œåˆ†åž‹åŠé¢„åŽé£Žé™©è¯„ä¼°.

OBJECTIVES: To classify bladder cancer based on immune cell infiltration score and to construct a prognosis assessment model of patients with bladder cancer. METHODS: The transcriptome data and clinical data of breast cancer patients were obtained from the The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Single sample gene set enrichment analysis was used to calculate the infiltration scores of 16 immune cells. The classification of breast cancer patients was achieved by unsupervised clustering, and the sensitivity of patients with different types to immunotherapy and chemotherapy was analyzed. The key modules significantly related to the infiltration of key immune cells were identified by weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA), and the key genes in the modules were identified. A risk scoring model and a nomogram for prognosis assessment of bladder cancer patients were constructed and verified. RESULTS: B cells, mast cells, neutrophils, T helper cells and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes were determined to be the key immune cells of bladder cancer. The patients were clustered into two groups (Cluster 1 ´ and Custer 2) based on immune cell infiltration scores. Compared with patients with Cluster 1 ´, patients with Cluster 2 were more likely to benefit from immunotherapy (P<0.05), and patients with Cluster 2 were more sensitive to Enbeaten, Docetaxel, Cyclopamine, and Akadixin (P<0.05). 35 genes related to key immune cells were screened out by WGCNA and 4 genes (GPR171, HOXB3, HOXB5 and HOXB6) related to the prognosis of bladder cancer were further screened by LASSO Cox regression. The areas under the ROC curve (AUC) of the bladder cancer prognosis risk scoring model based on these 4 genes to predict the 1-, 3- and 5-year survival of patients were 0.735, 0.765 and 0.799, respectively. The nomogram constructed by combining risk score and clinical parameters has high accuracy in predicting the 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival of bladder cancer patients. CONCLUSIONS: According to the immune cell infiltration score, bladder cancer patients can be classified. Furthermore, bladder cancer prognosis risk scoring model and nomogram based on key immune cell-related genes have high accuracy in predicting the prognosis of bladder cancer patients.

Giant adrenal myelolipoma in a young male double heterozygous for HbS and beta-thalassemia trait, clinically simulating retroperitoneal sarcoma.

ABSTRACT: A 57-year-old male had abdominal pain and distension for 6-7 months with a palpable swelling in the right lumbar region. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography abdomen showed a large heterogeneous lesion with fat density measuring 22 cm ´ 16.5 cm in the right suprarenal region. Laparotomy was done which showed an encapsulated mass measuring 21 cm ´ 14 cm ´ 5 cm. Cut section revealed yellowish areas admixed with hemorrhage and large areas of necrosis. Microscopy revealed adrenal myelolipoma. The patient was found to have sickling positive. High-performance liquid chromatography showed double heterozygous for HbS and beta-thalassemia trait. The association of giant adrenal myelolipoma with double heterozygous for HbS and beta-thalassemia trait is rare, and as clinically it simulates retroperitoneal sarcoma, awareness of this rare entity is critical for its accurate diagnosis and proper management.

Impact of Various Thermistors on the Properties of Resistive Microbolometers Fabricated by CMOS Process.

Microbolometers based on the CMOS process has the important advantage of being automatically merged with circuits in the fabrication of larger arrays, but they typically suffer from low detectivity due to the difficulty in realizing high-sensitivity thermistors in the CMOS process. In this paper, two resistive microbolometers based on polysilicon and metal Al thermistors, respectively, are designed and fabricated by the standard CMOS process. Experimental results show that the detectivity of the two resistive microbolometers can reach a maximum of 1.78 ´ 109 cmHz1/2/W at 25 µA and a maximum of 6.2 ´ 108 cmHz1/2/W at 267 µA. The polysilicon microbolometer exhibits better detectivity at lower bias current due to its lower effective thermal conductivity and larger resistance. Even though the thermal time constant of the polysilicon thermistor is three times slower than that of the metal Al thermistor, the former is more suitable for designing a thermal imaging system with sensitive and low power consumption.

Quantitative HPLC method and alternative green solvents for extraction of [6]-gingerol from ginger.

A simple and validated HPLC method for quantitative analysis of [6]-gingerol in ginger extracts was established. The optimum HPLC conditions involved a TSK-gel ODS-80 Ts column (5 µm, 4.6 ´ 250 mm) eluted with acetonitrile and 1% aqueous acetic acid (48:52, v/v), at 30ºC, with a flow rate of 1 mL/min and a quantitative UV detection at 280 nm. A good selectivity, linearity (R² of 1.0000), accuracy (Recovery of 96.7-103.2%), intraday- and interday-precision (Relative standard deviation (RSD) of less than 2% and 5%, respectively) and sensitivity (LOD and LOD of 0.48 and 0.80 µg/mL, respectively) were obtained. A microwave-assisted extraction was used for preparation of [6]-gingerol enriched ginger extracts. Based on HPLC analysis, the concentrations of [6]-gingerol of the extracts obtained from 20% v/v glycerin in ethanol (0.45 mg/mL) as well as 20% v/v natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) of sucrose & citric acid in ethanol (0.43 mg/mL) were not significantly different from ethanol (0.42 mg/mL). However, glycerin (20% v/v) or NADES of sucrose & citric acid (20% v/v) might be used as the alternative green solvents for preparation of [6]-gingerol extract that could be directly used for formulation of anti-nausea and vomiting pastilles.

Assessing CD4 rejections across a national laboratory service for 2018 in South Africa: highlighting the importance of adherence to national handbook guidelines.

The National Health Laboratory Service as the preferred pathology service provider for the public health sector in South Africa, developed a national laboratory handbook to improve the clinic-laboratory-interface. A separate primary health care laboratory handbook was developed as part of the ideal clinic initiative by the National Department of Health. This study aimed to assess adherence to these guidelines using CD4 rejections the indicator. The retrospective crosssectional study design was used to analyse national laboratory data for the period from January to December 2019. Data were analysed using SAS 9.4. Lookup tables assigned the origin (health facility/laboratory), rejection reason, and sub-reason based on the populated rejection description that was captured in the laboratory information system. The rejection rate [RR = (rejections/total volume) ´ 100] was reported at the national, provincial and district levels. There were 85,378 rejections reported for 2,844,242 tests (RR 3.0%). Data was reported for 4136 health facilities across nine provinces. The RR was higher for an origin defined as health facility (2.9%) than laboratories (0.1%). The most common rejection reason was unsuitable specimen received (RR=2.3%), representing 75% of all rejections. This rejection criteria included using the incorrect anticoagulant, clotted sample and haemolysis. The provincial RR ranged from 2.2% to 4.0%. Three districts had an elevated RR ≥6% (organisational cut-off set at RR ≤5%). This study demonstrated the value of laboratory data to assess specimen rejections and identify causes to facilitate targeted training.

Asymptotic behavior of a stochastic SIR model with general incidence rate and nonlinear Lévy jumps.

In this paper, we consider a stochastic SIR epidemic model with general disease incidence rate and perturbation caused by nonlinear white noise and L e ´ vy jumps. First of all, we study the existence and uniqueness of the global positive solution of the model. Then, we establish a threshold λ by investigating the one-dimensional model to determine the extinction and persistence of the disease. To verify the model has an ergodic stationary distribution, we adopt a new method which can obtain the sufficient and almost necessary conditions for the extinction and persistence of the disease. Finally, some numerical simulations are carried out to illustrate our theoretical results.

Total thyroidectomy for giant nodular goiter guided by pre-operative 3D computed tomography reconstruction and 3D printing: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Nodular goiter is a common clinical problem, and thyroidectomy is preferred in patients with obstructive symptoms. Thyroidectomy is a complex procedure with some common complications. Three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) reconstruction and 3D printing provide visualized 3D anatomical structure, posing an enormously valuable potential in precise surgery with optimal efficacy and minimum complications. Here, we aimed to perform a precise thyroidectomy guided by this technology. METHODS: The patient was an 80-year-old woman with 10 years of goiter, 1 year of labored dyspnea, and a history of thyroid surgery 62 years ago. In addition to ultrasonography examination, CT images were obtained to construct the 3D model to identify the 3D relationship between the lesion and adjacent structures, and a 3D model of the trachea was created and printed using a 3D printer. RESULTS: The 3D model clearly presented the diffuse enlargement of the two lobes and isthmus and the compression of the goiter. Under the 3D guidance, the operative resection specimen of the right lobe and isthmus was 12 ´ 7 ´ 5 cm, whereas the left lobe specimen was 12 ´ 9 ´ 6 cm. Nodular goiter and lymphocytic thyroiditis were confirmed by postoperative histopathology. There were no complications after total thyroidectomy except for non-permanent hypocalcemia and hypoparathyroidism. CONCLUSION: Our results proved that total thyroidectomy for giant goiter is challenging, and 3D image-guided thyroidectomy facilitates precise and safe resection with fewer complications. 3D CT reconstruction and 3D printing can provide anatomical details and may be considered in thyroidectomy planning for patients with giant goiter.

Diseño y validación de cuestionario de conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas de la enfermedad de Chagas / Design and validation of the survey of knowledge, attitudes and practices of Chagas disease

La enfermedad de Chagas es considerada una afección desatendida a nivel mundial que afecta principalmente a la población de escasos recursos en Latinoamérica, con aproximadamente 10 millones de personas afectadas. Se estima que en Ecuador más de 200000 personas son seropositivas para T. cruzi y 4.400 adquieren la infección anualmente. Se han realizado estudios en zonas endémicas como Loja, Manabí, Guayas y El Oro, las cuales constituyen el hábitat de cinco especies de triatómicos, responsables de la transmisión vectorial de la enfermedad, no obstante, se requiere información epidemiológica actualizada en áreas consideradas prioritarias. Es por ello, que se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal para diseñar y validar un cuestionario de conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas de la enfermedad de Chagas en las 5 áreas prioritarias en Ecuador. Se diseñó un cuestionario inicial de 36 ítems, empleado para un estudio piloto con 5 expertos claves que validaron dicho instrumento, Para evaluar la validez de contenido se empleó la V de Aiken (0,82) y la validez del constructo fue evaluada a través del análisis factorial exploratorio, del cual se obtuvieron 3 dimensiones; ´ mientras que la prueba de alfa de Cronbach (>0,7) demostró la consistencia interna del instrumento. La versión final del cuestionario contentiva de 31 ítems fue aplicada a 20 participantes con características epidemiológicas diferentes de cada área prioritaria, demostrando que el mismo reúne todas las condiciones de validación y confiabilidad y puede ser aplicado en otros estudios epidemiológicos relacionados con la enfermedad de Chagas(AU)

Chagas disease is considered a neglected condition worldwide which mainly affects the poor population in Latin America, with approximately 10 million people affected. It is estimated that in Ecuador more than 200,000 people are seropositive for T. cruzi and 4,400 acquire the infection annually. Studies have been carried out in endemic areas such as Loja, Manabí, Guayas and El Oro, which constitute the habitat of five species of triatomics, responsible for the vector transmission of the disease, however, updated epidemiological information is required in areas considered priority. For this reason, a cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out to design and validate a questionnaire on knowledge, attitudes and practices of Chagas disease in the 5 priority areas in Ecuador. An initial questionnaire of 36 items was designed, used for a pilot study with 5 key experts who validated said instrument. To evaluate the content validity, Aiken's V (0.82) was used and the validity of the construct was evaluated through the exploratory factor analysis, from which 3 dimensions were obtained; While the Cronbach's alpha test (> 0.7) demonstrated the internal consistency of the instrument. The final version of the questionnaire containing 31 items was applied to 20 participants with different epidemiological characteristics from each priority area, showing that it meets all the validation and reliability conditions and can be applied in other epidemiological studies related to Chagas disease(AU)

miRNA as Regulators of Prostate Carcinogenesis and Endocrine and Chemoresistance.

More therapy options are available for advanced prostate cancer, including novel inhibitors of androgen synthesis, anti-androgens, chemotherapeutics and targeted therapies. Although patients ´ survival has been improved, management of castration therapy-resistant prostate cancer remains a challenge. Regulation of cellular events in cancer by small non-coding miRNAs is, therefore, an area of special interest. Overexpression of selected miRNA may lead to androgen independence and prostate cancer progression. miRNA may be considered also a biomarker in patients with prostate cancer. In contrast, diminished expression of tumor-suppressive miRNA in prostate cancer leads to enhanced proliferation, reduced apoptosis, increased migration, invasion and epithelial- to-mesenchymal transition. miRNA may be directly involved in the regulation of chemosensitivity in prostate cancer. Experimental overexpression of selected miRNA in chemoresistant prostate cancer leads to the inhibition of cellular stemness and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Reduction of tumor-suppressive miRNA may also lead to hyperactivity of signaling pathways such as that of the epidermal growth factor receptor and mitogen-activated protein kinase. Although considerable progress on miRNA research in prostate cancer has been achieved, therapeutic effects could be improved on the basis of the development of novel delivery methods.

Systemic inflammation as a risk factor for portal vein thrombosis in cirrhosis: a prospective longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Various risk factors for portal vein thrombosis (PVT) development in patients with cirrhosis have been identified, but the role of systemic inflammatory reaction is unknown. The study aims to assess the association between markers of systemic inflammation and PVT in cirrhosis. METHODS: Between January 2014 and October 2015, 107 outpatients with cirrhosis and no PVT were recruited, and followed till February 2017. White blood cell count, serum concentrations of high-sensitive C-reactive protein, ferritin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were evaluated at baseline and every 3 or 6 months till PVT diagnosis or end of follow-up. RESULTS: Median age, model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score and follow-up period of the studied population was 55 years (IQR 46-62 years), 9.6 points (IQR 7.5-12 points) and 19 months (12-24 months), respectively. PVT developed in 10.3% of the patients. Lymphocyte count below 1.2 ´ 109/L [hazard ratio, 6.04; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.29-28.2; P = 0.022], IL-6 above 5.5 pg/mL (hazard ratio, 5.64; 95% CI, 1.21-26.33; P = 0.028) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (hazard ratio, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.04-2.04; P = 0.028) were associated with a higher risk of PVT development. IL-6 and lymphopenia remained associated with subsequent PVT development after adjustment for nonselective beta-blockers, spleen size, portosystemic collaterals, oesophageal varices (grade ≥2) and ascites, but also with alcohol as the cause for cirrhosis and MELD ≥13. CONCLUSION: In patients with cirrhosis, markers of systemic inflammation IL-6 and lymphopenia are predictive of PVT independently of markers of portal hypertension. These results draw our attention on a factor so far overlooked in the pathogenesis of PVT.

The effects of genetic group and sex on residual feed intake, performance, morphometric, testicular, and carcass traits' in lambs.

The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of genetic group and sex on residual feed intake, performance, testicular size, carcass and morphometric traits in Santa Ines purebred and Dorper ´ Santa Ines crossbred lambs. A total of 32 lambs, with initial body weight of 18±3.7 kg were used. Analysis of variance, considering the interaction between sex and genetic group of all the traits were performed. Crossbred females (-0.018±0.06) and purebred males (-0.018±0.05) were more efficient (p<0.001) in residual feed intake than crossbred males (0.018±0.04) or purebred females (0.018±0.04). The most efficient animal in residual feed intake consumed 37.9% less feed (1.179 kg/day) than the least efficient animal (1.899 kg/day). Crossbred, when compared to purebred, showed higher values for body weight, average daily gain, testicle size, carcass traits; had greater muscle accumulation, were more compact and with more aptitude to beef. Purebred were taller, but with lower body length and thoracic perimeter than crossbred. Males had greater muscle accumulation, were more compact and with more aptitude to meat. Crossing of native (Santa Ines) with exotic breed (Dorper) is an alternative to align efficiency in feed use, testicular size, compactness, aptitude for meat and ability for muscle accumulation.

Relatório da componente qualitativa do estudo sobre ´´avalição do cumprimento da quarentena e isolamento obrigatório, em pessoas expostas e diagnosticadas com SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 na Cidade e Província de Maputo, 20 de Março a 20 de Maio, 2020´´ / Report of the qualitative component of the study on ´´saving compliance with quarantine and mandatory isolation, in people exposed and diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 in the City and Province of Maputo, March 20 to May 20, 2020´ ´

No final do mês de Dezembro de 2019, a cidade de Wuhan (na província de Hubei, na China) foi palco da emergência de um novo coronavírus, causador de pneumonia potencialmente grave (COVID-19). A COVID-19 é a doença respiratória aguda causada pelo novo coronavírus chamado SARS-CoV-2 (Yang et al.,2020). Até o momento, nenhum tratamento antiviral ou vacina foi explicitamente recomendado para a COVID-19. Até o dia 23 de Abril de 2020, o vírus tinha infectado 2,736,173 pessoas e causado a morte de 191,422 em todos os continentes com à excepção da Antártida (WHO, 2020). Em Moçambique, até ao dia 11 de Maio de 2020, onúmero de amostras testadas era de 4173, havendo cerca de 103 pessoas infectadas (INS, 2020). Em 30 de Janeiro de 2020, o Director-Geral da Organização Mundial de Saúde (OMS) determinou que o surto da doença coronavírus (COVID-19) constitui uma preocupação de saúde pública de emergência internacional. À medida que o surto continua a evoluir, os Estados- Membros estão considerando opções para impedir a introdução da doença em novas áreas ou reduzir a transmissão de homem para homem em áreas onde o vírus que causa o COVID-19 já está circulando (WHO, 2020). As medidas de saúde pública para atingir esses objetivos podem incluir: ● a Quarentena, que envolve a restrição de movimento, ou separação do resto da população, de pessoas saudáveis que podem ter sido expostos ao vírus, com o objetivo de monitorar seus sintomas e garantir a detecção precoce de casos (WHO, 2020); ● o Isolamento, é uma medida que visa separar doentes (sintomas respiratórios, casos suspeitos ou confirmados de infecção pelo coronavírus); e ● o Distanciamento Social, que consiste na diminuição de interação entre as pessoas de uma comunidade para diminuir a velocidade de transmissão do vírus.

Potentiometric Solid-Contact Ion-Selective Electrode for Determination of Thiocyanate in Human Saliva.

A new solid-contact potentiometric ion-selective electrode for the determination of SCN- (SCN-ISE) has been described. Synthesized phosphonium derivative of calix[4]arene was used as a charged ionophore. The research included selection of the ion-selective membrane composition, determination of the ISEs metrological parameters and SCN-ISE application for thiocyanate determination in human saliva. Preparation of the ISEs included selection of a plasticizer for the ion-selective membrane composition and type of the electrode material. The study was carried out using ISE with liquid internal electrolyte (LE-ISE) and solid-contact electrodes made of glassy carbon (GC-ISE) and gold rods (Au-ISE). The best parameters were found for GC sensors for which the ion-selective membrane contained chloroparaffin as a plasticizer (S = 59.9 mV/dec, LOD = 1.6 ´ 10-6 M). The study of potentiometric selectivity coefficients has shown that the thiocyanate-selective sensor could be applied in biomedical research for determination of SCN- concentration in human saliva. The accuracy of the SCN- determination was verified by testing 59 samples of volunteers' saliva by potentiometric sensors and UV-Vis spectrophotometry as a reference technique. Moreover, SCN- concentrations in the smokers' and non-smokers' saliva were compared. In order to investigate the influence of various factors (sex, health status, taken medications) on the thiocyanate level in the saliva, more extensive studies on a group of 100 volunteers were carried out. Additionally, for a group of 18 volunteers, individual profiles of SCN- concentration in saliva measured on a daily basis for over a month were collected.

Iron Status in Elderly Women Impacts Myostatin, Adiponectin and Osteocalcin Levels Induced by Nordic Walking Training.

Impaired iron metabolism is associated with increased risk of many morbidities. Exercise was shown to have a beneficial role; however, the mechanism is not well understood. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between exerkines and iron metabolism in elderly women before and after 12 weeks of Nordic Walking (NW) training. Exerkines like myostatin, adiponectin, and osteocalcin have been shown to have several positive effects on metabolism. Thirty-six post-menopausal women (66 ± 5 years old, mean ± SD) were randomly assigned to a NW intervention group (n = 18; body mass, 68.8 ± 11.37 kg; fat, 23.43 ± 7.5 kg; free fat mass, 45.37 ± 5.92 kg) or a control group (n = 18; body mass, 68.34 ± 11.81 kg; fat, 23.61 ± 10.03 kg; free fat mass, 44.73 ± 3.9 kg). The training was performed three times a week for 12 weeks, with the intensity adjusted to 70% of the individual maximum ability. Before and one day after the 12-weeks intervention, performance indices were assessed using a senior fitness test. Blood samples (5 mL) were obtained from the participants between 7 and 8 AM, following an overnight fast, at baseline and one day immediately after the 12-week training program. A significant and large time ´ group interaction was observed for iron (NW: 98.6 ± 26.68 to 76.1 ± 15.31; CON: 100.6 ± 25.37 to 99.1 ± 27.2; p = 0.01; = 0.21), myostatin (NW: 4.42 ± 1.97 to 3.83 ± 1.52; CON: 4.11 ± 0.95 to 4.84 ± 1.19; p = 0.00; = 0.62), adiponectin (NW: 12.0 ± 9.46 to 14.6 ± 10.64; CON: 12.8 ± 8.99 to 11.9 ± 8.53; p = 0.00; = 0.58), and osteocalcin (NW: 38.9 ± 26.04 to 41.6 ± 25.09; CON: 37.1 ± 33.2 to 37.2 ± 32.29; p = 0.03; = 0.13). Furthermore, we have observed the correlations: basal ferritin levels were inversely correlated with changes in myostatin (r = -0.51, p = 0.05), change in adiponectin, and change in serum iron (r = -0.45, p = 0.05), basal iron, and osteocalcin after training (r = -0.55, p = 0.04). These findings indicate that iron modulates NW training-induced changes in exerkine levels.

Potential of Inactivated Bifidobacterium Strain in Attenuating Benzo(A)Pyrene Exposure-Induced Damage in Colon Epithelial Cells In Vitro.

Long-term exposure to benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) poses a serious genotoxic threat to human beings. This in vitro study investigated the potential of inactivated Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BI-04 in alleviating the damage caused by BaP in colon epithelial cells. A concentration of BaP higher than 50 µM strongly inhibited the growth of colon epithelial cells. The colon epithelial cells were treated with 50 µM BaP in the presence or absence of inactivated strain BI-04 (~5 ´ 108 CFU/mL). The BaP-induced apoptosis of the colon epithelial cells was retarded in the presence of B. lactis BI-04 through activation of the PI3K/ AKT signaling pathway, and p53 gene expression was decreased. The presence of the BI-04 strain reduced the intracellular oxidative stress and DNA damage incurred in the colon epithelial cells by BaP treatment due to the enhanced expression of antioxidant enzymes and metabolism-related enzymes (CYP1A1). The data from comet assay, qRT-PCR, and western blot analysis showed that the cytotoxic effects of BaP on colon epithelial cells were largely alleviated because the bifidobacterial strain could bind to this carcinogenic compound. The in vitro study highlights that the consumption of commercial probiotic strain BI-04 might be a promising strategy to mitigate BaP cytotoxicity.

What does the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors of the European Society of Cardiology suggest regarding scientific article authorship?

For the last several years, the Revista Colombiana de Cardiología has been developing a relationship with the EditorsNetwork ´ of the European Society of Cardiology, placing it in a privileged position in Latin America and compared with other national and regional scientific journals. This Network is committed to fostering the implementation of high quality editorial standards among the cardiovascular journals of the European Society of Cardiology member associations. It plays a relevant role in the dissemination of original scientific research and supports education and the standardization of clinical practice. In this regard, the EditorsNetwork ´ endorses the recommendations of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors and continually updates its uniform requirements document (formerly known as the Vancouver directives) for manuscripts submitted to biomedical journals. These include recommendations for the conduct, reporting, editing and publication of academic papers. Accordingly, the Revista Colombiana de Cardiología previously published Data Sharing: A New Editorial Initiative of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors. Implications for the Editors' Network.1

Intrauterine device (IUD) migration in cesarean delivery scar: What to do with the niche?

BACKGROUND: The presence of a niche after cesarean section is a common and mostly asymptomatic finding. However, it can cause symptoms or result in impaired fertility or obstetric complications in following pregnancies. At present there is no uniform consensus on when to treat and which way of repair is most suitable. The aim of this systematic review of literature was to provide an overview of current knowledge about cesarean scar niches and about the modalities of niche repair. METHODS: On the second of January 2019 Pubmed and Cochrane databases were searched for relevant studies published until December 2018. Search terms were cesarean scar defect, niche, niche repair. As combination key words `hysteroscopy ´, `laparoscopy ´ and `vaginal repair ´ were used. RESULTS: Eight articles were included in this review. The publications were very heterogeneous. Most of them stated that hysteroscopic niche repair with resection of the lower (and upper) rim is suggested for abnormal uterine bleeding. In symptomatic women who wish to conceive, different authors suggest laparoscopic niche repair with double layer closure to increase myometrial thickness. Also, one report on vaginal repair was included, none of the included patients had child wish. Nothing was reported on residual myometrial thickness after surgery. CONCLUSION: The current literature is not sufficient to draw strong conclusions on what to do about cesarean scar niches, yet, they justify the role of hysteroscopic as well as laparoscopic niche repair dependent on different pre- operative factors. We conclude that further large randomized controlled trials are necessary.