Stranded pellets in Fildes Peninsula (King George Island, Antarctica): New evidence of Southern Ocean connectivity.

Plastic and microplastic debris is transported by ocean currents over long distances, reaching remote areas, far from its original source. In Polar Regions, microplastics (MPs) can come from local activities or be transported from lower latitudes, with the former being the likely and major source. Although historically Antarctica was considered isolated from the global ocean, there is recent evidence of materials and organisms being transported in and out of the Southern Ocean, despite its multi-front structure. During the austral summer of 2019, beach surveys were conducted on the NW coast of the Fildes Peninsula (King George Island). The beach was characterised, and the first 2 cm of sediment from 5 quadrants (50 × 50 cm) along 100 m of the highest strandline were collected. Large microplastics (LMPs) and mesoplastics (MesoPs) were isolated, counted, measured, weighed and classified by shape. Polymer composition was analysed by FTIR and ageing estimated by Carbonyl Index. We found 293 items of LMPs (188 items) and MesoPs (105 items), with a total average density (±SD) of 234.4 ± 166 items m-2. Foams (130.4 ± 76.3), fragments (58.4 ± 56.0) and pellets (44.0 ± 50.5) were the most abundant shapes. The main polymers found were polystyrene, polypropylene, and polyethylene. We found pellets among the MesoPs, being the first record for beaches in Antarctica. The presence of these primary MPs south of 62°S not only alerts about their possible direct consequences on Antarctic ecosystems, but also gives empirical evidence for the passive entry of plastic debris from lower latitudes through cross-frontal exchanges, providing new evidence of a global connectivity of the Southern Ocean. Despite increasing research, knowledge of plastics dynamics and their impact in the Southern Ocean and Antarctica is still limited but certainly necessary.

Pur-alpha functionally interacts with FUS carrying ALS-associated mutations.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder due to motor neuron loss. Fused in sarcoma (FUS) protein carrying ALS-associated mutations localizes to stress granules and causes their coalescence into larger aggregates. Here we show that Pur-alpha physically interacts with mutated FUS in an RNA-dependent manner. Pur-alpha colocalizes with FUS carrying mutations in stress granules of motoneuronal cells differentiated from induced pluripotent stem cells and that are derived from ALS patients. We observe that both Pur-alpha and mutated FUS upregulate phosphorylation of the translation initiation factor eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 alpha and consistently inhibit global protein synthesis. In vivo expression of Pur-alpha in different Drosophila tissues significatively exacerbates the neurodegeneration caused by mutated FUS. Conversely, the downregulation of Pur-alpha in neurons expressing mutated FUS significatively improves fly climbing activity. All these findings suggest that Pur-alpha, through the control of mRNA translation, might be involved in the pathogenesis of ALS associated with the mutation of FUS, and that an alteration of protein synthesis may be directly implicated in the disease. Finally, in vivo RNAi-mediated ablation of Pur-alpha produced locomotion defects in Drosophila, indicating a pivotal role for this protein in the motoneuronal function.

Evaluation of trans-sphenoidal surgery in pituitary GH-secreting micro- and macroadenomas: a comparison between microsurgical and endoscopic approach.

AIM: Acromegaly is caused by a GH-secreting pituitary adenoma, associated with many comorbidities and increased risk of mortality. Surgery is the first-line therapy. Success of therapy is measured by symptomatic improvement, preservation of pituitary function and biochemical control. Trans-sphenoidal surgery (TSS), endoscopic or microscopic, is the preferred treatment. To evaluate surgery effectiveness and individuate the technique associated with a higher remission rate, patients undergoing TSS were retrospectively selected. METHODS: Thirty-seven consecutive patients underwent surgery between 1996 and 2006. Tumors were classified into macroadenomas or microadenomas and into intrasellar, extrasellar and extrasellar with cavernous sinus invasion. Surgery was performed in 22 patients with endoscopic technique, in 15 patients with microsurgical approach. The hormonal assays were performed 6 months and yearly after surgery for an average of 5 years. RESULTS: Ten patients were affected by microadenoma, 27 by macroadenoma. In microadenomas remission rate was independent of the used technique. Within macroadenomas, remission percentage in endoscopic approach (68.75%) was significantly higher than in microscopic approach (18.18%) (P=0.018). Postsurgical biochemical remission was calculated combining the surgical technique and tumor extension: the endoscopic approach was associated with a significantly higher remission rate in extrasellar than both in intrasellar and extrasellar with cavernous sinus invasion. In the latter group, any technique had not reached biochemical remission. CONCLUSION: TSS is able to induce a long-term remission of acromegaly, with low risk of recurrence and complications. Endoscopic approach is more suitable than microscopic technique in macroadenomas and adenomas with suprasellar extension.

N-terminus-modified Hec1 suppresses tumour growth by interfering with kinetochore-microtubule dynamics.

Mitotic proteins are attractive targets to develop molecular cancer therapeutics due to the intimate interdependence between cell proliferation and mitosis. In this work, we have explored the therapeutic potential of the kinetochore (KT) protein Hec1 (Highly Expressed in Cancer protein 1) as a molecular target to produce massive chromosome missegregation and cell death in cancer cells. Hec1 is a constituent of the Ndc80 complex, which mediates KT-microtubule (MT) attachments at mitosis and is upregulated in various cancer types. We expressed Hec1 fused with enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) at its N-terminus MT-interaction domain in HeLa cells and showed that expression of this modified Hec1, which localized at KTs, blocked cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis in tumour cells. EGFP-Hec1 was extremely potent in tumour cell killing and more efficient than siRNA-induced Hec1 depletion. In striking contrast, normal cells showed no apparent cell proliferation defects or cell death following EGFP-Hec1 expression. Live-cell imaging demonstrated that cancer cell death was associated with massive chromosome missegregation within multipolar spindles after a prolonged mitotic arrest. Moreover, EGFP-Hec1 expression was found to increase KT-MT attachment stability, providing a molecular explanation for the abnormal spindle architecture and the cytotoxic activity of this modified protein. Consistent with cell culture data, EGFP-Hec1 expression was found to strongly inhibit tumour growth in a mouse xenograft model by disrupting mitosis and inducing multipolar spindles. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that stimulation of massive chromosome segregation defects can be used as an anti-cancer strategy through the activation of mitotic catastrophe after a multipolar mitosis. Importantly, this study represents a clear proof of concept that targeting KT proteins required for proper KT-MT attachment dynamics constitutes a powerful approach in cancer therapy.

Relationship of inflammatory markers and pain in patients with head and neck cancer prior to anticancer therapy.

Pain is a common symptom in patients with cancer, including those with head and neck cancer (HNC). While studies suggest an association between chronic inflammation and pain, levels of inflammatory cytokines, such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), have not been correlated with pain in HNC patients who are not currently undergoing anticancer treatment. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between these inflammatory markers and perceived pain in HNC patients prior to anticancer therapy. The study group consisted of 127 HNC patients and 9 healthy controls. Pain was assessed using the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), and serum levels of CRP and TNF-α were determined using the particle-enhanced turbidimetric immunoassay (PETIA) and ELISA techniques, respectively. Patients experiencing pain had significantly higher levels of CRP (P<0.01) and TNF-α (P<0.05) compared with controls and with patients reporting no pain. There were significantly positive associations between pain, CRP level, and tumor stage. This is the first study to report a positive association between perceived pain and CRP in HNC patients at the time of diagnosis. The current findings suggest important associations between pain and inflammatory processes in HNC patients, with potential implications for future treatment strategies.

Relationship of inflammatory markers and pain in patients with head and neck cancer prior to anticancer therapy

Pain is a common symptom in patients with cancer, including those with head and neck cancer (HNC). While studies suggest an association between chronic inflammation and pain, levels of inflammatory cytokines, such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), have not been correlated with pain in HNC patients who are not currently undergoing anticancer treatment. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between these inflammatory markers and perceived pain in HNC patients prior to anticancer therapy. The study group consisted of 127 HNC patients and 9 healthy controls. Pain was assessed using the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), and serum levels of CRP and TNF-α were determined using the particle-enhanced turbidimetric immunoassay (PETIA) and ELISA techniques, respectively. Patients experiencing pain had significantly higher levels of CRP (P<0.01) and TNF-α (P<0.05) compared with controls and with patients reporting no pain. There were significantly positive associations between pain, CRP level, and tumor stage. This is the first study to report a positive association between perceived pain and CRP in HNC patients at the time of diagnosis. The current findings suggest important associations between pain and inflammatory processes in HNC patients, with potential implications for future treatment strategies.

Plasmonic nanoparticle networks formed using iron porphyrin molecular bridges.

The adsorption orientation of the iron(III) tetrakis(1-methyl-4-pyridyl)porphine (FeTMPyP) µ-oxo-bridged dimer species located in the inter-particle gap of solid gold nanosphere (SGN) and hollow gold nanosphere (HGN) networks was studied using a combination of linear extinction and surface-enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) measurements. Nanoparticle aggregation was accomplished by µM additions of iron porphyrin to the colloidal SGN and HGN solutions. Aggregation was monitored by measuring the UV-Visible-NIR extinction spectra of the nanoparticle systems; a broadened and red-shifted localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), relative to the LSPR of the isolated nanoparticles, indicated aggregate formation. In conjunction with the LSPR extinction measurements, wavelength-dependent SERS measurements were used to determine the orientation of the FeTMPyP with respect to the SGN and HGN surfaces.

Four-year clinical and neuroradiological follow-up of a papillary tumor of the pineal region.

Papillary tumor of the pineal region (PTPR) is a rare variety of CNS neoplasms and, since its first definition in 2003, only 64 cases have been described. PTPR is a primary neoplasm morphologically characterized by papillary structure staining for cytokeratin, transthyretin, neurone-specific enolase and S-100 protein. We report on a case of about 4 years' clinical history and neuroradiological follow-up of PTPR, in a 47-year-old Indian patient, with the aim of increasing the knowledge of its natural history. We describe through CT and MRI scans the natural evolution of this neoplasm, enhancing changes and morphologic structures involved, together with the final surgical treatment and pathological details. A mean growth rate average was calculated for this kind of lesion. In conclusion, the inexorable progressive growing nature of this tumor leads us to advocate an aggressive attitude among neurosurgeons and radiotherapists, with a precocious surgical approach when the suspicion rises.

Use of 2-µm continuous-wave thulium laser for surgical removal of a tentorial meningioma: case report.

BACKGROUND: Since the early 1980s, CO(2), neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG), and other laser prototypes have been widely used in neurosurgery as an intraoperative aid along with the cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator (CUSA), bipolar forceps, and microdissection. However, the English literature contains almost no reports on the use of thulium lasers during neurosurgical procedures. METHODS: We report our experience with a thulium laser during the surgical removal of a tentorial meningioma. The intraoperative technique utilized, as well as the clinical and radiological results of the procedure, are described. RESULTS: The thulium laser proved to be a useful tool during coagulation, shrinking, and resection of the basal implant of the tumor. Use of the laser made the surgical procedure faster and easier, and no intraoperative bleeding was noted. No side effects were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience indicates that thulium lasers are a valid aid during resection of benign intracranial tumors under microscope magnification. Additional studies are required to define fully the role of these lasers in neurosurgical procedures.

Anastomosis biliodigestivas laparoscópicas: nuestra experiencia / Laparoscopic biliary anastomosis: our experience

Antecedentes: Actualmente, para la resolución de la obstrucción de la vía biliar ûbenigna o maligna-, se incluyen varias opciones terapéuticas; quirúrgicas, endoscópicas, percutáneas y combinadas.Objetivo: Analizar los resultados en el manejo laparoscópico de la patología biliar que requiera una derivación biliodigestiva.Lugar de aplicación: Centro médico de alta complejidad.Diseño: retrospectivo y descriptivo.Población: 102 pacientes con indicación quirúrgica de derivación biliodigestiva.Material y Método: Revisión de historias clínicas, bases de datos y videos de las anastomosis biliodigestivas, realizadas entre Octubre de 1993 y Agosto de 2005. 102 pacientes con obstrucción de la vía biliar, el 51.6% por patología benigna y 48.4% maligna. Tres procedimientos terapéuticos coledocoduodenoanastomosis (83 casos), hepaticoyeyunoanastomosis (9casos), y colecistoyeyunoanastomosis (1 caso). Fueron incluídos 7 pacientes(29%) con cirugías biliares previas.Resultados: 93 anastomosis biliodigestivas laparoscópicas, debiendo convertir 8.8% (9 casos), 2 por sangrado de arteria hepática propia, 5 por dificultad técnica, 1 por sospecha de cáncer de vesícula y 1 por sospecha de apertura duodenal, El tiempo operatorio promedio fue de 110 minutos (rango 45 a 300). Morbilidad del 21.5% y mortalidad a los 30 días del 5.3%. Estadía hospitalaria promedio 6 días (rango 2 a 36).Conclusión: Todos los indicadores (tiempo quirúrgico, internación, conversión, y tasa de complicaciones) mejoraron con la progresión de la experiencia en el equipo quirúrgico.

Sylvian subarachnoid and extra-pial cavernous angioma.

Cavernous angiomas are one of the four types of vascular malformations of the central nervous system. Lesions situated subarachnoidally are rare although some cases with an infratentorial localization have been reported. Our case represents an unusual localization of a subarachnoid cavernous angioma. A 35- year-old patient was admitted to our department with signs of subarachnoid hemorrhage. A 1 cm hyperdense lesion placed at the right Sylvian fissure was distinguished by CT-scan examination and no arterial supply was revealed on cerebral angiography. Surgical intervention showed a lesion placed extra-pial and totally encased in the subarachnoid space in the superficial part of the Sylvian cistern. This case represents a radiologically visible supratentorial extra-pial subarachnoidal cavernous angioma. This case provides confirmation of one of the supposed causes of subarachnoid hemorrahage ''sine materia''.

Postoperative spondylodiscitis from Aspergillus fumigatus in immunocompetent subjects.

The authors describe a case of spondylodiscitis from Aspergillus fumigatus which occurred subsequent to surgery for lumbar disc herniation in a non-immunodepressed patient. The results obtained by combined medical and surgical treatment are discussed.

Resección abdómino-perineal laparoscópica (experiencia inicial) / Abdomino-perineal laparoscopic resection (initial experience)

Antecedentes: el tratamiento laparoscópico del cáncer colorrectal plantea controversias desde el punto de vista de la cirugía oncológica. El rol de esta vía de abordaje en estos pacientes se mantiene bajo debate. Objetivos: evaluar factibilidad, seguridad y resultados en una serie inicial de resecciones abdómino-perineales laparoscópicas. Lugar de aplicación: Servicio de Cirugía General de Hospital Privado afiliado a la Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Diseño: estudio clínico observacional retrospectivo. Población: 12 pacientes intervenidos quirúrgicamente por cáncer de recto en los que se realizó resección abdómino-perineal laparoscópica, diciembre de 1994 y julio de 2002. Métodos: se analizan la técnica quirúrgica, el tiempo operatorio, las complicaciones intra operatorias y postoperatorias, la estadía hospitalaria y el seguimiento oncológico de cada paciente. Resultados: el tiempo operatorio promedio fue de 165 minutos. No hubo conversiones. Como complicaciones intraoperatorias registramos un caso de lesión vesical y enterotomía. El promedio de hospitalización fue de 7.6 días. El seguimiento máximo fue de 4 años y el mínimo de 1 mes y durante el mismo se constató una recurrencia loco-regional sin implantes en sitio de trócares. La mortalidad operatoria fue del 8.3 por ciento. Conclusiones: la resección abdómino-perineal laparoscópica por cáncer de recto es factible. Las ventajas del abordaje mininvasivo representadas por la menor alteración del status inmunológico, disminución de la morbilidad como así también el mayor confort postoperatorio la hacen una alternativa válida frente a la cirugía convencional

[Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity in women]. / Características clínico-epidemológicas do carcinoma epidermóide de cavidade oral no sexo feminino.

BACKGROUND: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oral cavity occurs mainly in the male population. The objective of the study is to identify the main clinical and epidemiological differences of the oral SCC between men and women. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of the charts of 228 cases of SCC of the oral cavity in women treated at the Head & Neck Surgery Service, Heliopolis Hospital, São Paulo, Brazil from 1977 to 1996. The clinical and epidemiological characteristics of these cases were compared with those of 849 male patients. RESULTS: The mean age of women was 60.7 years (ranging 2 to 100 years) and in the male group was 55.6 years (p<0.00001). In cases where the alcohol intake and tobacco use were absent, the tumors ocurred in older patients. The isolated tobacco use didn't affect the distribuction by age but for the alcohol intake (alone or combined with tobacco) the patients were younger. On the alcohol intake, 71% of the women and 8% of the man used no alcohol. The most common sites of tumors were tongue and floor of the mouth but in the women group the incidence of tumors in these sites were 43% compared with 61% in the men. CONCLUSIONS: The highest incidence of SCC the of oral cavity occurs later in women, than in men. This could be explained by a lesser exposure to alcohol and tobacco in women. Other factors seem to be involved in this issue.

Características clínico-epidemológicas do carcinoma epidermóide de cavidade oral no sexo feminino / Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity in women

OBJETIVO: Este trabalho tem como objetivo identificar as principais diferenças clínico-epidemiológicas do carcinoma epidermóide de cavidade oral no sexo feminino quando comparado ao sexo masculino. MÉTODOS: Foram estudados retrospectivamente os prontuários de 228 pacientes do sexo feminino portadoras de carcinoma epidermóide de cavidade oral, atendidos no Serviço de Cirurgia de Cabeça e Pescoço do Hospital Heliópolis, no período entre 1977 e 1996. As características clínico-epidemiológicas destas pacientes foram comparadas com aquelas de 849 pacientes do sexo masculino. RESULTADOS: A idade das pacientes das mulheres variou de 2 a 100 anos, com uma média de 60,7 anos. Nos homens encontramos idade entre 17 e 88 anos com uma média de 55,6 (p<0,00001). Quando o etilismo e o tabagismo estavam ausentes, a incidência do carcinoma epidermóide de boca ocorreu em uma faixa etária mais tardia. A presença do tabaco isoladamente näo afetou a distribuiçäo por faixa etária, enquanto que o álcool isoladamente ou em associaçäo com o tabaco leva a uma incidência mais precoce do câncer de boca. Os dois principais sítios de incidência säo a língua e o soalho. As mulheres têm uma menor incidência de lesöes de língua e soalho (43 por cento) quando comparado aos homens (61 por cento). Aproximadamente 50 por cento das mulheres eram estadio III e IV no momento do diagnóstico. Entre os homens este índice atinge 53 por cento. CONCLUSÖES: O carcinoma epidermóide de cavidade oral nas mulheres tem características clínico-epidemiológicas peculiares que justificam o desenvolvimento de protocolos de diagnóstico e tratamento específico para ele

Laparoscopic excision of duodenal tumors.

We present three patients with bleeding duodenal tumors who were managed by laparoscopic excision. This represents the largest study of such an experience. The literature is reviewed, and the various technical approaches are discussed.

Evaluation of a head-mounted display (HMD) in the performance of a simulated laparoscopic task.

BACKGROUND: Head-mounted display (HM) units are used in various industries, but they have been tried only recently in surgery. In this study, we evaluated whether a commercially available HMD would improve or impede a laparoscopic task-in this case, suturing. METHODS: Six participants performed a total of 120 laparoscopic suture knots in an experimental model. The Olympus FMD011 model with a two-dimensional image was used. The order of each task with or without the head display unit was random. The time to complete each knot was recorded, and the results were analyzed. RESULTS: The display unit prolonged the suturing times of the subjects by 10% (p < 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: In this experimental model, the HMD we utilized did not appear to improve laparoscopic suturing. More developments, such as improved depth perception and better resolution, may increase its usefulness for laparoscopic tasks.

Randomized trial of needlescopic versus laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have reported the feasibility of using 'needlescopic' instruments with a diameter less than 3 mm in minimally invasive surgery. This study reports a comparison of needlescopic cholecystectomy and laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: Seventy-five patients with symptomatic chronic cholelithiasis were randomized to needlescopic (n = 37) or laparoscopic (n = 38) cholecystectomy. RESULTS: The duration of surgery in the two groups was similar. Patients in the needlescopic group had less pain (mean visual analogue score 2.2 versus 3.6; P < 0.003) and had smaller scars (median length 17.0 versus 25.0 mm; P < 0.001). In addition, patients in the needlescopic group tended to require fewer intramuscular pethidine injections (P = 0.05). However, oral analgesic requirements in the two groups were similar. There were no complications in either group. CONCLUSION: Needlescopic cholecystectomy resulted in less postoperative pain and a smaller surgical scar than laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with chronic cholecystitis.

Surgical treatment and clinical outcome of GH-secreting adenomas in elderly patients.

Patients older than 65 years represent 3-5% of all acromegalic patients. The old age of the patients and the higher incidence of cardiovascular and metabolic complications related to acromegaly could increase the intra- and peri-operative risk, so that medical treatment is usually recommended as a therapy of choice. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the impact of transsphenoidal surgery in a series of 22 elderly patients with active acromegaly, with special regard to anaesthesiological risk, peri-operative complications, and clinical outcome. Despite an increased anesthesiological risk being present in 16/22 patients, no complication occurred during surgery. Similarly, no post-operative mortality or major complications were observed. Biochemical cure, defined at 6 months by glucose-suppressed plasma GH levels below 1 ng/ml and normal age-corrected IGF-I value levels, was achieved in 68% of patients and no recurrence of disease was observed in the subsequent follow-up (mean 5.2+/-2.1 years). A significant cardiovascular improvement was observed in cured patients, with a decrease of left ventricular mass index (91.3+/-20.1 vs 115.9+/-15.0 g/m(2); P<0.005), as measured by echocardiography, as well as a slight but significant decrease of systolic and diastolic blood pressure values (130.0+/-12.1 mmHg vs 137.6+/-13.5 mmHg P<0.05; and 84.2+/-6.4 mmHg vs 88.8+/-7.5 mmHg P<0.05, respectively). A significant post-operative improvement of glucose tolerance was also observed in this group. We conclude that transsphenoidal surgery, if well planned and carefully performed, is safe and able to induce a significant cardiovascular and metabolic improvement even in elderly acromegalic patients.