Lymphomas affecting the submandibular glands.

BACKGROUND: Lymphomas affecting the submandibular glands are very uncommon and few reports are currently available in the literature. Therefore, the aim of the current study is to describe the clinical and microscopic features of an original series of lymphomas affecting the submandibular glands. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The pathology files of two institutions were searched for lymphoma cases affecting the submandibular glands. The original hematoxylin and eosin, and immunohistochemical slides were revised by a pathologist for diagnosis confirmation following the revised 4th edition of the World Health Organization classification of tumours of haematopoietic and lymphoid tissues. Clinical data regarding age, sex, clinical manifestation, treatment, follow-up and status at last appointment were retrieved from the patients' medical charts. RESULTS: During the period investigated, 16 cases were included in the study. Females predominated (10:6) with a mean age of 57.8 years-old. Tumors usually presented as asymptomatic swellings. MALT lymphoma represented the most common subtype, followed by diffuse large B cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma. Three patients died, one of them affected by plasmablastic lymphoma, one by DLBCL and one by MALT lymphoma. CONCLUSIONS: Low-grade B cell lymphomas predominate in the submandibular glands, but DLBCL and other subtypes may also be rarely diagnosed in this salivary gland.

Final Results of GERDA on the Two-Neutrino Double-ß Decay Half-Life of

We present the measurement of the two-neutrino double-ß decay rate of ^{76}Ge performed with the GERDA Phase II experiment. With a subset of the entire GERDA exposure, 11.8 kg yr, the half-life of the process has been determined: T_{1/2}^{2ν}=(2.022±0.018_{stat}±0.038_{syst})×10^{21} yr. This is the most precise determination of the ^{76}Ge two-neutrino double-ß decay half-life and one of the most precise measurements of a double-ß decay process. The relevant nuclear matrix element can be extracted: M_{eff}^{2ν}=(0.101±0.001).

Final Results of GERDA on the Search for Neutrinoless Double-ß Decay.

The GERmanium Detector Array (GERDA) experiment searched for the lepton-number-violating neutrinoless double-ß (0νßß) decay of ^{76}Ge, whose discovery would have far-reaching implications in cosmology and particle physics. By operating bare germanium diodes, enriched in ^{76}Ge, in an active liquid argon shield, GERDA achieved an unprecedently low background index of 5.2×10^{-4} counts/(keV kg yr) in the signal region and met the design goal to collect an exposure of 100 kg yr in a background-free regime. When combined with the result of Phase I, no signal is observed after 127.2 kg yr of total exposure. A limit on the half-life of 0νßß decay in ^{76}Ge is set at T_{1/2}>1.8×10^{26} yr at 90% C.L., which coincides with the sensitivity assuming no signal.

Constraints on Sub-GeV Dark-Matter-Electron Scattering from the DarkSide-50 Experiment.

We present new constraints on sub-GeV dark-matter particles scattering off electrons based on 6780.0 kg d of data collected with the DarkSide-50 dual-phase argon time projection chamber. This analysis uses electroluminescence signals due to ionized electrons extracted from the liquid argon target. The detector has a very high trigger probability for these signals, allowing for an analysis threshold of three extracted electrons, or approximately 0.05 keVee. We calculate the expected recoil spectra for dark matter-electron scattering in argon and, under the assumption of momentum-independent scattering, improve upon existing limits from XENON10 for dark-matter particles with masses between 30 and 100 MeV/c^{2}.

Low-Mass Dark Matter Search with the DarkSide-50 Experiment.

We present the results of a search for dark matter weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) in the mass range below 20 GeV/c^{2} using a target of low-radioactivity argon with a 6786.0 kg d exposure. The data were obtained using the DarkSide-50 apparatus at Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso. The analysis is based on the ionization signal, for which the DarkSide-50 time projection chamber is fully efficient at 0.1 keVee. The observed rate in the detector at 0.5 keVee is about 1.5 event/keVee/kg/d and is almost entirely accounted for by known background sources. We obtain a 90% C.L. exclusion limit above 1.8 GeV/c^{2} for the spin-independent cross section of dark matter WIMPs on nucleons, extending the exclusion region for dark matter below previous limits in the range 1.8-6 GeV/c^{2}.

Liquid argon light collection and veto modeling in GERDA Phase II.

The ability to detect liquid argon scintillation light from within a densely packed high-purity germanium detector array allowed the Gerda experiment to reach an exceptionally low background rate in the search for neutrinoless double beta decay of 76 Ge. Proper modeling of the light propagation throughout the experimental setup, from any origin in the liquid argon volume to its eventual detection by the novel light read-out system, provides insight into the rejection capability and is a necessary ingredient to obtain robust background predictions. In this paper, we present a model of the Gerda liquid argon veto, as obtained by Monte Carlo simulations and constrained by calibration data, and highlight its application for background decomposition.

Peptide-based electrochemical biosensor for juvenile idiopathic arthritis detection.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a wide group of diseases, characterized by synovial inflammation and joint tissue damage. Due to the delay in the implementation of biomarkers into clinical practice and the association with severe sequels, there is an imperative need for new JIA diagnosis strategies. Electrochemical biosensors based on screen-printed electrodes and peptides are promising alternatives for molecular diagnosis. In this work, a novel biosensor for detecting juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) was developed based on the immobilization of the PRF+1 mimetic peptide, as recognition biological element, on the surface of screen-printed carbon electrode. This biosensor was able to discriminate the JIA positive and negative serum samples from different individuals using differential pulse voltammetry, presenting limits of detection and quantification in diluted samples of 1:784 (v/v) and 1:235 (v/v), respectively. Evaluation by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy showed RCT 3 times higher for JIA positive sample than for a pool of human serum samples from healthy individuals. Surface analysis of the biosensor by atomic force microscopy, after contact with JIA positive serum, presented great globular clusters irregularly distributed. The long-term stability of the biosensor was evaluated, remaining functional for over 40 days of storage (after storage at 8°C). Therefore, a simple, miniaturized and selective biosensor was developed, being the first one based on mimetic peptide and screen-printed carbon electrode, aiming at the diagnosis of the juvenile idiopathic arthritis in real serum samples.

Treatment of severe chronic venous insufficiency with ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy: a two-year series in a single center in Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: To portray the initial experience at a public health center of the Federal District of Brazil in the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency with ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy in patients in advanced stages of the disease. METHOD: Eighty-seven reports of patients in C5 and C6 stages, according to CEAP classification, were evaluated for clinical improvements, ulcer-healing rates, and complications of ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy. McNemar test was used for statistical analysis with the level of significance set at 5% (P-value, 0.05). RESULTS: The results showed high rates of ulcer healing (85%) and significant improvement of symptoms after treatment, such as pain, heaviness, fatigue, burning, paresthesia, and itching (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: An outpatient, low-cost and high-resolution technique, without the need for hospitalization and use of the operating room showed to be a safe and effective alternative for the treatment of varicose disease associated with severe chronic venous insufficiency.

Aspectos do uso territorial por onça parda (Puma concolor), através de monitoramento via satélite, na região do Parque Estadual da Serra do Brigadeiro, MG / Aspects of territorial use of the Cougar (Puma concolor), by satelite monitoring, in the Parque Estadual da Serra do Brigadeiro, MG

Objetivou-se com o presente estudo monitorar o comportamento do uso territorial de um macho de onça parda, capturado no Parque Estadual da Serra do Brigadeiro (PESB), por meio da telemetria, usando colar de GPS via Satélite Globalstar. O monitoramento de doze meses resultou na transmissão via satélite de 328 localizações, as quais sugerem que a área utilizada por esse felino seja de aproximadamente 610km2, sendo esta a maior área já descrita para a espécie. Foi possível observar que apenas 20% das localizações ocorreram dentro da área do PESB. O comportamento territorial observado neste trabalho mostra a vulnerabilidade do animal a ações antrópicas, como a caça, atropelamentos e o contato com patógenos entre animais silvestres e domésticos. Observou-se também que duas rodovias configuram barreiras artificiais para o deslocamento do animal, possivelmente impedindo o fluxo gênico entre o PESB e dois outros importantes parques. Com os dados levantados é possível a sugestão de ações de manejo, como a criação de uma conectividade efetiva entre o PESB, o Parque Estadual do Rio Doce e o Parque Nacional do Caparaó, o que poderia contribuir para o intercâmbio genético entre as populações e, dessa forma, favorecer a conservação não somente da onça parda.

We aimed to study the territorial behavior of a male cougar, captured in the Parque Estadual da Serra do Brigadeiro (PESB), using a GPS collar and the Globalstar Satellite. Monitoring the animal for nine months we obtained 328 locations. The data suggest that the area used by this feline is approximately 610km2, the largest area described for this specie. It was also possible to observe that only 20% of the locations of the animal occurred within the PESB area. The territorial behavior observed in this study shows the vulnerability of the animal to human activities such as hunting, road kill and contact with pathogens from domestic animals. It was also observed that two roads constitute artificial barriers for animal movement, possibly preventing gene flow between the PESB and two other parks. The creation of an effective connectivity between the PESB, the Parque Estadual do Rio Doce and the Parque Nacional do Caparaó is critical to ensure genetic exchange between the animal populations and thereby promote their conservation.

Criptorquidismo em jaguatirica de vida livre capturada no Parque Estadual do Rio Doce, Brasil / Cryptorchidism in free-living ocelot captured in the Parque Estadual do Rio Doce, Brazil

O presente trabalho consiste no primeiro relato de criptorquidismo em uma jaguatirica, adulta, de vida livre. Para a captura foram empregadas armadilhas com desarme de guilhotina, usando como isca vísceras de bovino. O animal foi contido quimicamente por meio de dardos anestésicos e mantido sob anestesia, utilizando a associação de cloridrato de quetamina e cloridrato de xilazina. Durante o exame andrológico, observou-se que o testículo esquerdo localizava-se subcutâneo, próximo à região inguinal, caracterizando-se criptorquidismo unilateral. Esse testículo apresentava-se flácido, com volume de 2,57mL, enquanto o testículo contralateral apresentava consistência firme e volume de 11,50mL. A área ocupada pelas espículas penianas mostrou-se compatível com a de animais reprodutores. O criptorquidismo é uma condição hereditária ligada à baixa variabilidade genética, já relatada em felinos silvestres consanguíneos. Nesse sentido, devido ao crescente isolamento populacional em fragmentos florestais, este achado torna-se preocupante, uma vez que pode ser indicativo de endogamia em populações de jaguatiricas de vida livre.

This paper is the first report of unilateral cryptorchidism in an adult wildlife ocelot, captured in Parque Estadual do Rio Doce. Cage traps were used to capture the animal, using bovine offal as bait. The animal was anesthetized with anesthetic darts and kept under anesthesia through a combination of ketamine and xylazine. The andrologycal examination showed that the left testicle was located subcutaneously near the inguinal region. In this case of unilateral cryptorchidism, the testis was soft and had a volume of 2.57mL, while the contralateral testis had a firm consistency and volume of 11.50mL. The length of the region occupied by the penile spikes was similar to other breeding animals. Cryptorchidism is an inherited condition linked to low genetic variability previously reported in consanguineous wild cats. Due to the increasing isolation of wild population in forest fragments, this finding is concerning because it can be indicative of inbreeding in wild ocelot populations.

Morfofisiologia do tecido intertubular e das células de Leydig de jaguatirica (Leopardus pardalis) adulta / Morphophisiology of the intertubular tissue and Leydig cells in adult ocelots (Leopardus pardalis)

Estudou-se o espaço intertubular e descreveu-se seu arranjo em jaguatirica adulta (Leopardus pardalis). Para tal, colheram-se fragmentos dos testículos, de cinco jaguatiricas adultas, provenientes de cativeiro, obtidos por biópsia incisional. O compartimento intertubular correspondeu a 19,4 por cento do parênquima, sendo 3,9 por cento ocupado por células de Leydig. Estes se apresentaram uninucleados, com o núcleo arredondado e nucléolo único, e com grande quantidade de grânulos pigmentares no citoplasma. O compartimento intertubular apresentou padrão do tipo II, e o tecido conjuntivo foi o componente mais abundante do tecido intertubular. Observou-se pequeno percentual de células de Leydig na espécie estudada, e o número médio por grama de testículo, 33,39 x10(6), apresentou-se dentro da amplitude descrita para a maioria dos mamíferos.

The aim of this study was to do a quantitative investigation of the intertubular space and describe its arrangement in adult ocelots (Leopardus pardalis). In this experiment we used testicular fragments, obtained through biopsy from five adult ocelots maintained in captivity. The intertubular compartment corresponded to 19.4 percent of the testicular parenchyma, and 3.9 percent of this compartment was occupied by Leydig cells. The Leydig cells showed to be uninucleate, with rounded nuclei and single nucleoli, with a large amount of pigment granules in their cytoplasm. The intertubular compartment showed a clear pattern of type II and the conjunctive tissue was the most abundant component of the intertubular tissue. Despite the small unit volume of Leydig cells in adult ocelots, the average number per gram of testis (33.39 x106) was within the range described for most mammals.